24 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

He can't tarnish his legacy, he's contributed too many good things to the club. He can be absolute dogsh*t all season and I will still remember the good times over the bad when he leaves. When I think of Ivanovic, I don't think about his last season with us, I think about his best moments, like his Europa League final winning goal. I don't tend to think much on a players bad moments unless that player was really bad, like Lukaku. 

Fair. However, in all honesty, I actually think of those bad Ivanovic moments 😅 the frustrations back then were real, left a scar.. now of course, when sitting back and reminiscing about his career as a whole, it brings it into perspective but nonetheless. As mentioned prior, we are one injury away from Azpi being a starter and it’s not going to work out whatsoever.. and when times are rough the timeline of a season goes in slow motion, when the going is good - it goes in a flash. 

14 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

He can't tarnish his legacy, he's contributed too many good things to the club. He can be absolute dogsh*t all season and I will still remember the good times over the bad when he leaves. When I think of Ivanovic, I don't think about his last season with us, I think about his best moments, like his Europa League final winning goal. I don't tend to think much on a players bad moments unless that player was really bad, like Lukaku. 

He could be 10 times worse than Brana was and it would not affect his legacy.

However if our captain sulks and spits the dummy out about his Barca move not happening that is a different story. The effort and attitude of Dave will tell us a lot.

He certainly needs to be stripped off the captaincy right now wheter he stays or goes.

Tuchel basically confirmed he's deperate for us move to Barcelona and with that he's not suited to be our captain.

We dont necessarily know that for sure. However, what we do know is he has progressively been getting worse, and this preseason im getting the impression he wont be good enough for the coming season. Its a trickey one because Barca want to spend from the endless money tree except when it comes to our players.

Edited July 24, 20223 yr by Oli

He has been dancing on the line of acceptable for a while and I think this season might be the one where he crosses it. Especially if he has been prepared to move back to Spain only for it to go up in smoke. I think he would have been sold already if Barcelona can actually afford a decent fee right now instead of paying a pittance.

I’m surprised they have even identified him to ‘improve’ their squad, unless they see it as bringing in more characters and he just has a bit part role, hence - the low balling offers. On the players side, he’s probably surprised as well and it would make sense him being keen on the move considering the stage he’s at career wise. Similar profile players on a downward spiral would only be linked with lesser clubs or MLS etc depending on marketability.

3 hours ago, sonic90 said:

He has been dancing on the line of acceptable for a while and I think this season might be the one where he crosses it. Especially if he has been prepared to move back to Spain only for it to go up in smoke. I think he would have been sold already if Barcelona can actually afford a decent fee right now instead of paying a pittance.

Barca can afford a decent fee. They will pay 50mill up front for Kounde, paid 45mill up front for Raphinha and 45mill up front for Lewa. 

They can easily afford 10mill for Dave. They just won't out of principal as they talked to him apparently early this year, before the contract extention was taken up on Dave, and agreed terms for a free transfer with Dave. 

They expected us to let the option slide since Dave did not want it activated and so they wait expecting a free transfer to be granted.

Would be disappointed if he’s acting up to get the move considering he’s captain and a club legend. He shouldn’t be starting but I still think he could do a job at RCB this season if required. 

We will keep Azpi until we get our defence sorted, maybe it be the deadline day or end of the season. He's a club legend and a top professional, I don't see him mess up his last season with us.

Dave is a decent player to keep in the squad. For experience and versatility. Not got the legs for wing back anymore, but as a RCB he can still do a rotational job.

17 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

Dave is a decent player to keep in the squad. For experience and versatility. Not got the legs for wing back anymore, but as a RCB he can still do a rotational job.

I suspect the new owners will think that a player on 150 grand a week needs to be a nailed-on starter, not a rotational option for a position that isn't even where he's played for most of his career ... especially when he's mentally back in Spain, plus physically in decline.

"Take the money" would be what I'd be advising Boehly ...  

46 minutes ago, Sexyfootball said:

I suspect the new owners will think that a player on 150 grand a week needs to be a nailed-on starter, not a rotational option for a position that isn't even where he's played for most of his career ... especially when he's mentally back in Spain, plus physically in decline.

"Take the money" would be what I'd be advising Boehly ...  

Is there money on offer?

1 minute ago, nonotnowjim said:

Is there money on offer?

Barca offered some wonderful iberico pork and a selection of cheeses

19 hours ago, sonic90 said:

He has been dancing on the line of acceptable for a while and I think this season might be the one where he crosses it. Especially if he has been prepared to move back to Spain only for it to go up in smoke. I think he would have been sold already if Barcelona can actually afford a decent fee right now instead of paying a pittance.

Why doeas it have to be Barcelona if he is so depsarte to return to Spain. Why couldn't he have been considered for a player plus deal with Sevilla early on for Kounde.

I know it s aeaker league but Barcelona are not winning that anyway. I still don't get if Azpi is not good enough for our first team, how is a going to be a first team regular there. I assume he would have been at Sevilla

51 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

Why doeas it have to be Barcelona if he is so depsarte to return to Spain. Why couldn't he have been considered for a player plus deal with Sevilla early on for Kounde.

I know it s aeaker league but Barcelona are not winning that anyway. I still don't get if Azpi is not good enough for our first team, how is a going to be a first team regular there. I assume he would have been at Sevilla

Presumably Sevilla are not in the market for a 32 year old right back of declining powers and expensive salary.

I think Barcelona are only interested in him as a cheap (as in minimal fee) replacement for 39 year old Dani Alves, who has left the club, and who started under half of their La Liga games last year, so Dave would essentially be a squad player, but one who Xavi likes/wants. Similarly if they go for Alonso ... he'd be a back up to Jordi Alba at left back. 

Apparently we have "retaliated" against Barca and are refusing to deal with them for Dave and Alonso.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1645621/Chelsea-retaliate-Barcelona-Jules-Kounde-premier-league-transfer-news

Understand the sentiment but neither of them have the legs for the PL anymore so seems more like cutting off our nose to spite our face.

4 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Apparently we have "retaliated" against Barca and are refusing to deal with them for Dave and Alonso.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1645621/Chelsea-retaliate-Barcelona-Jules-Kounde-premier-league-transfer-news

Understand the sentiment but neither of them have the legs for the PL anymore so seems more like cutting off our nose to spite our face.

Just now, Munkworth said:

Does @Valerie know you are Sharing those pics that were meant for your eyes only?

11 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Does @Valerie know you are Sharing those pics that were meant for your eyes only?

How can you think those are my legs @axman2526 . You know I'm a strictly blue socks sort of woman!

4 hours ago, Sexyfootball said:

Presumably Sevilla are not in the market for a 32 year old right back of declining powers and expensive salary.

I think Barcelona are only interested in him as a cheap (as in minimal fee) replacement for 39 year old Dani Alves, who has left the club, and who started under half of their La Liga games last year, so Dave would essentially be a squad player, but one who Xavi likes/wants. Similarly if they go for Alonso ... he'd be a back up to Jordi Alba at left back. 

There might be additional appeal from Barcelona since Azpi has become more of a prominent national team player in recent years. Same goes for Alonso

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Apparently we have "retaliated" against Barca and are refusing to deal with them for Dave and Alonso.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1645621/Chelsea-retaliate-Barcelona-Jules-Kounde-premier-league-transfer-news

Understand the sentiment but neither of them have the legs for the PL anymore so seems more like cutting off our nose to spite our face.

I'd still trust Dave as a rotational option for RCB, not to start all games certainly. And Alonso is still a better cover for Chilly than Emerson, in my opinion.

47 minutes ago, Valerie said:

How can you think those are my legs @axman2526 . You know I'm a strictly blue socks sort of woman!

What? Our first choice kit socks are white...

2 minutes ago, RMH said:

I'd still trust Dave as a rotational option for RCB, not to start all games certainly. And Alonso is still a better cover for Chilly than Emerson, in my opinion.

@Argo would be a better back up for Ben than Emerson.

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Apparently we have "retaliated" against Barca and are refusing to deal with them for Dave and Alonso.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1645621/Chelsea-retaliate-Barcelona-Jules-Kounde-premier-league-transfer-news

Understand the sentiment but neither of them have the legs for the PL anymore so seems more like cutting off our nose to spite our face.

Sometimes you have to do that. Otherwise you'll never keep others from trying to mug you off. 

It's a matter of principle and besides they are under contract. If we sold them on fair terms the pair won't fetch more than £15m and its a small cost to incur to send a message. 

Did we not just kind of write of a £100m striker just after one season because the manager cannot play to his strengths?

37 minutes ago, abister1 said:

 

Did we not just kind of write of a £100m striker just after one season because the manager cannot play to his strengths?

What strengths would those be?