54 minutes ago, Edjmendy said:

Why would you what to get rid of most of the players that have just won 3 trophies? Just doesn't make sense. Most sensible teams would build on that success and just add one or two very good players to complement the team. Chelsea getting rid of these players and buying a brand new team is a recipe for disaster. What makes you think the new  players who may look good on paper will play well or click on the field or even settle in. 

We won the champions league and have gotten progressively worse since, we tried to build on it with a few additions and it didn't work because most of the attacking options aren't good enough which is why they've been replaced. Mendy and Kepa aren't reliable enough if we're going for the league next season.

One big positive with this winter transfer window is most of the players will have 6 months or so playing together + pre-season ready for next season. In the summer add in a new keeper and a DM plus the arrival of Nkunku we'll have a fairly settled starting 11 with a few additions.

9 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Until the shovel hits the dirt I won't give up hoping that we find an alternative site. Building away from the Bridge makes sense from every angle, not least being that it works out way, way, way cheaper because the costs can be offset by selling/redeveloping the Stamford Bridge site.

I'd be sad to leave the Bridge.

God waiting for news is like watching bloody paint dry.

I don't think it will come to anything this window. Benfica are too set on playing silly buggers. Alternatively if the owners are able to make an offer they can't refuse I can see him being loaned back until the end of the season and he's the one player we probably need to start immediately.

8 minutes ago, Arrow in the knee said:

I don't think it will come to anything this window. Benfica are too set on playing silly buggers. Alternatively if the owners are able to make an offer they can't refuse I can see him being loaned back until the end of the season and he's the one player we probably need to start immediately.

Things seem to be moving along now if you want to believe the information coming from the usual lot.  I'm starting to feel a little more confident now and I do believe Benfica are a selling club.   All this talk of Benfica refusing anything but the release clause is just them playing hardball, if you show any indication you are willing to sell too early in the negotiations you've already lost the first battle.  It sounds like they just what to see how far we will go.  I mean if you'd already seen the money todd and co have been throwing around you'd be stupid to take the first or second offer.  

I can imagine in negations Rui Costa and the rest of the board talking about how Enzo is the future and how much they need him, then once the deal is done and Todds left the country they'll be partying, celebrating the biggest deal in the clubs history.  Wasn't there a rumour of Benficas board laughing in disbelief at how much Liverpool paid for Darwin?

Ideally they what the maximum amount of money possible plus probably a loan back until the summer.  We are desperate to get him this window hopefully money talks and we get our man this month.

47 minutes ago, cfr95 said:

I'd be sad to leave the Bridge.

I've been going to The Bridge for forty-nine years so I'm as committed to the place as almost anybody. I definitely understand the emotional attachment. I just firmly believe that a move away is best for the club. 

 

£1000 on Benfica will cushion the blow if we don't sign him by tomorrow night.

Nope, I’m not doing it! I’m saving my money for when Pulisic is back!

 

 

Lol too much positivity from sources at the moment. Not sure if that's good or bad. 😅

Chelsea have offered £105m in 5 payments with no target bonuses, now it’s down to Rui Costa. (@CLMerlo)

A change in tone from Benfica’s manager

Few other tweets on their page with quotes from Benfica’s manager. It looks like he’s resigned to it happening. 

Ornstein reporting talks are advanced. 

Why am I getting so invested this again considering it may all blow over once more. I guess I do hate myself and love to self-inflict some pain ....

1 hour ago, Mod said:

Nope, I’m not doing it! I’m saving my money for when Pulisic is back!

29 minutes ago, mwblue10 said:

A change in tone from Benfica’s manager

Benifica dont want it paid in installments. Want it all in one payment. That's the difference 

 

I have no idea how this is gonna go, it sounds like Enzo is pissed off with Benfica but Benfica want all of the money up front, I'm not sure if we are able to do that.

1 minute ago, timetowaste said:

 

I have no idea how this is gonna go, it sounds like Enzo is pissed off with Benfica but Benfica want all of the money up front, I'm not sure if we are able to do that.

Money up front is not because they need it up front in my opinion is because they dont want to sell as they have always maintained. 

2 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Money up front is not because they need it up front in my opinion is because they dont want to sell as they have always maintained. 

To be fair why would any team in the CL want to sell their best player mid season? The amount of money they would lose for exiting the CL because of this will not make up for the record sale price.  Benifica are also in contention for the title. 

You can kiss this deal goodbye if we keep on about installments,we know that won't work,I'm edging more towards no deal to be honest.

This one will go to the wire, right when the transfer window SLAMS shut.

If we have offered the release clause, albeit in installments, they'd be somewhat foolish to not accept.  The most any other club would pay is 80-90M, which would also be staggered and have add ons.  To me sounds like ego/pride would be the blocking item given Benfica's consistent stance.

We need a Luiz/Matic type sweetener as well - who we can also buy back for 120M in 3 years!

We've bid £105m in 5 installments with no target bonuses. 

Now we wait....