Left back Ishe Samuels-Smith [17] from Everton for £4m, on a three-year deal.

7 hours ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Left back Ishe Samuels-Smith [17] from Everton for £4m, on a three-year deal.

Just another one to add to our U18s Panini sticker album

We're going to end up with 12 players at first team training and 40 players in the under 18s

1 hour ago, WhiteWall said:

Just another one to add to our U18s Panini sticker album

We're going to end up with 12 players at first team training and 40 players in the under 18s

Indeed.  I have really been enjoying watching the Euro U21 championship.  Colwill and Madueke representing.  good games and good football. BUT you can see why proper teams need some grown up players with experience.  Thiago is literally old enough to be his Dad.

12 minutes ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Indeed.  I have really been enjoying watching the Euro U21 championship.  Colwill and Madueke representing.  good games and good football. BUT you can see why proper teams need some grown up players with experience.  Thiago is literally old enough to be his Dad.

The thing that genuinely concerns me is that our U21s played in the EFL trophy last season and got a shoeing by Cheltenham. I know each set of circumstances is unique but the principle still applies. As talented as these youngsters may be, there is still a major step up when playing against seasoned senior pros.

We still need a couple of wise, street smart pros to help these youngsters. I was mentioning Firmino as a freebie. With a sizeable South American contingent arriving and a young attacking line, he seemed tailor made to act as a leader for the group. Moot point now though.

2 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Just another one to add to our U18s Panini sticker album

We're going to end up with 12 players at first team training and 40 players in the under 18s

Yep Thiago and the couple of older players will need DBS checks.

On the bright side, prepubescent, so no designer stubble.

Other than this Caceido rubbish that i am not even sure is official anyway yet, it remains very quiet on the incoming transfer front. Lots about Pulisic and now Gallagher and Chalobah being offered up, but nothing about us actually talking to anyone about any incomings currently. I was kind of hoping that we would have got a couple sorted ahead of this upcoming tour which is just a couple of weeks away.

Heard a rumour that we are after an Arsenal player.

Folarin Balogun [22] so, 22 so he is a little bit old for our tastes. But he is an American and we like that in a person. Balogun does not want to leave Arsenal on loan again this summer and he is aware that he will not get ahead of Brazil international striker Gabriel Jesus in the Arse team. AND Chelsea need a No.9. so there is a rumour.

Baloogun is described as “really ambitious, really committed and really brave” by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the club’s official website

Brave. From the Home of the Brave so that makes sense.

Balogun is a great player, tore it up in France last season. 

Would be a good signing if played regularly. 

18 hours ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Heard a rumour that we are after an Arsenal player

@Gol15 is busy brokering the ‘second coming’ on an 8 year deal

It has been rumoured that Randal Kolo Muani is one of the possible strikers we are interested in. If so, and I know this is blatant rumour starting by me, could we not also go for Daichi Kamada. Attacking midfielder,  26, worked well with RKM at Eintracht Frankfurt and, most importantly is free and out of contract. If we are moving Pulisic out this could be a good, relatively cheap, alternative 

De Gea on a free transfer anyone? Could do a lot worse.

16 minutes ago, dan_cfc said:

De Gea on a free transfer anyone? Could do a lot worse.

I would

2 hours ago, dan_cfc said:

De Gea on a free transfer anyone? Could do a lot worse.

Yes but not if he wants £300k plus a week.

United fans claim he's been an utter liability under ten Hag given he is worthless with his feet. The one thing he had going for him with his commanding from crosses/shot blocking also has taken a hit. 

Basically another Mendy. 

On 08/07/2023 at 04:26, TheCeleryKing said:

Heard a rumour that we are after an Arsenal player.

Folarin Balogun [22] so, 22 so he is a little bit old for our tastes. But he is an American and we like that in a person. Balogun does not want to leave Arsenal on loan again this summer and he is aware that he will not get ahead of Brazil international striker Gabriel Jesus in the Arse team. AND Chelsea need a No.9. so there is a rumour.

Baloogun is described as “really ambitious, really committed and really brave” by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the club’s official website

Brave. From the Home of the Brave so that makes sense.

Fingers crossed this one materialises. Real goal poacher and allegedly at a fairly reasonable price. Could be exactly what we need.

2 hours ago, ALTE said:

Fingers crossed this one materialises. Real goal poacher and allegedly at a fairly reasonable price. Could be exactly what we need.

I thought Arsenal want £50m for him

Mbappe: "I want Chelsea"

(source unverified)

16 minutes ago, DarkMata said:

I thought Arsenal want £50m for him

Exactly,  having previously said he is surplus to requirements. 

I like the lad but we sold a Champions league winner for £5m more. Who are they kidding, seriously. 

I certainly don’t want Dybala, good ball player, not sure where we might accommodate him?

16 minutes ago, Ballack & Blu said:

I certainly don’t want Dybala, good ball player, not sure where we might accommodate him?

I think the appeal is in the fact that his release clause to non-Italian clubs is €12m. That’s peanuts in this market for a player of his caliber. He’s probably worth triple that, and even with our updated wage structure he would be in line for a nice pay bump. Think he slots in nicely as a backup to Nkunku and can also play as a winger.

Dybala I highly doubt takes our new pay structure well. 

Would give Reece competition for "most visits to the medical department" as well.

Dele Alli's 1 own goal and 0 assists will be huge for us in the League Cup, next season.

35 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Dybala I highly doubt takes our new pay structure well. 

Would give Reece competition for "most visits to the medical department" as well.

Currently earns £120kpw at Roma. Missed 18 games through injury last season. 

Honestly indifferent if we get him or not. 

The Express is saying Madrid might still tchouameni and/or Valverde to raise funds for Mbappe.

If either of these guys are on the table, you pay whatever is needed to get him and move on from Caicedo. Tchouameni as the CDM is perfect, Valverde as B2B is also perfect.