1 minute ago, timetowaste said:

It's a bit gutting that we can't have him this season given James' injury issues 

In the minority but I reckon it’s perfect. Most of the big clubs are transitioning to playing a CB as a FB, so Chalobah gets the next 4mths to learn the role as an understudy to James. We also get to release Azpi on a free instead of scrambling to get rid of him mid season.

 

 

again, didn't even get a 48 hours chance here

This is awesome signing!  I hope he is on a 12 year contract for Uefa. 

Edited January 27, 20233 yr by PhilH930

If we are willing to let him see out the season, as Lyon wanted, why did we not do the same for Enzo, as Benfica wanted?

Just now, axman2526 said:

If we are willing to let him see out the season, as Lyon wanted, why did we not do the same for Enzo, as Benfica wanted?

I said I wasn't going to get emotionally invested this time, but...

15 minutes ago, timetowaste said:

 

Why such a high fee when he only has 12 months left in the summer?

1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

I said I wasn't going to get emotionally invested this time, but...

Believe in what mate? What are you getting "emotionally invested" in.

20 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Why such a high fee when he only has 12 months left in the summer?

Good point..

20 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Why such a high fee when he only has 12 months left in the summer?

Because he's special.

Come summer our teams gonna be f**king amazing. We'll done Chelsea for all the effort this January. Roll on summer!

1 hour ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Massive signing. Given James's durability, this was necessary. We really are building something here. 

Hopefully we do a similar thing with Enzo. 

 

If he ever ends up playing for us of course.

39 minutes ago, WhiteWall said:

If he ever ends up playing for us of course.

Sounds like a sensible decision to get the deal over the line. I’m sure the club wanted him now but in reality, I don’t think he’s needed right now with James coming back and hopefully the injuries clearing up. 

19 minutes ago, JM7 said:

Sounds like a sensible decision to get the deal over the line. I’m sure the club wanted him now but in reality, I don’t think he’s needed right now with James coming back and hopefully the injuries clearing up. 

Plus we don't have a lot to play for this season.

 

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Why such a high fee when he only has 12 months left in the summer?

Could say the same to Madrid when Marina rinsed them for Hazard I guess, fair play to Lyon. 

7 hours ago, axman2526 said:

If we are willing to let him see out the season, as Lyon wanted, why did we not do the same for Enzo, as Benfica wanted?

I think Benfica believe there will be a bidding war in the summer by holding out until then. Plus they’re still in champions league as well. 
 

I do think that they’ll be mistaken, however, regarding a bidding war. The options for central midfield this summer will be high with high profile players available in Rice, Bellingham, Enzo, Caicedo - if Brighton hold firm - and others I’m sure. Although, purchase with a loan back to Benfica would be awesome, I’m not sure where we are in terms of players loaned out in Europe and if we have room to send him back.

feel like there is a lot of mixed/convoluted reporting out there regarding a lot of that. 

11 hours ago, axman2526 said:

If we are willing to let him see out the season, as Lyon wanted, why did we not do the same for Enzo, as Benfica wanted?

It certainly won't be because no one thought of it. Clearly something about that idea didn't work for Chelsea.

10 hours ago, JM7 said:

Sounds like a sensible decision to get the deal over the line. I’m sure the club wanted him now but in reality, I don’t think he’s needed right now with James coming back and hopefully the injuries clearing up. 

I agree with everyone that it will be good if we get the deal completed now, even if it has to be on a buy and loan back basis. I don't agree however that he isn't needed immediately. My Hope is for us to have two starting quality right backs/right wing backs, and that the manager will regularly rotate between them as, for example, Manchester City do.This gives flexibility, keeps both players fresh, and provides automatic cover when required.

The question which I can't answer is weather Malo is the right person to play that role. I like what I have seen of him as an attacking threat, but the videos I've watched don't allow a reliable opinion of his defending to be formed. Clearly the club believe in him so that is encouraging.

Edited January 28, 20233 yr by OhForAGreavsie

Looks like a good player from the little I've seen of him, and a couple of European journalists are actually saying that he is a good player.

The main thing for me is not that we get back up for James, it's that we get someone as competition for James.

I'd much rather someone who truly believes he's as good as James than someone who we all know isn't and then the standard drops down immediately when they are needed.

time to move this to general. Done deal. Will be exciting season next time round I hope. Lots of young talent and lots of pace. Just need a captain now. 

Edited January 29, 20233 yr by ozboy

1 hour ago, ozboy said:

time to move this to general. Done deal. Will be exciting season next time round I hope. Lots of young talent and lots of pace. Just need a captain now. 

Reece James will be our captain. 

BBC reporting it now.....for £31m. After add ons of course, which surprisingly they haven't stated  in the headline. Trossard signed for £21m before add ons. That's in the headline of course.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64444185

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64342770

 

 

 

Looks good to me...

With Cucurella on the left and Gusto on the right... We're going to have very strong competitions for who's got the best Afro...

Seriously, we have to let Dave go. Job done.

 

1 hour ago, bisright1 said:

Reece James will be our captain. 

Thiago for me in the short term. Not sure it’s a smart idea having an injury prone captain. Needs to prove he can stay fit for the majority of next season.

Welcome! Thrilled about this signing also - athletic depth at RB. Can only be a good thing for James also with rotation and competition.