I've come to terms with the fact that Chelsea won't go for big names in their prime anytime soon, or at least not this summer, due to our age and wage structure, so of all the names we are linked with for the striker role, I truly hope we go for Sesko. Used to be a hidden gem, not anymore, he is improving every week and showing signs of a future star in the making. I know Arsenal's main target is Gyokeres, but Sesko has been linked to them for some time, as well. And if Liverpool somehow sign Gyokeres and Arsenal then move for their 2nd option, Sesko, unfortunately I do not believe we have the upper hand in those negociations.

This window will be the one where the Chelsea ownership begin to realise that they’ve made us into a club where the top available players won’t go to as a first choice.

We have no track record of success under them. We don’t pay the going rate wage wise and we look to develop young talent then sell them on.

It’s finally happened. We’ve turned into Brighton.

1 hour ago, 19seventyone said:

This window will be the one where the Chelsea ownership begin to realise that they’ve made us into a club where the top available players won’t go to as a first choice.

We have no track record of success under them. We don’t pay the going rate wage wise and we look to develop young talent then sell them on.

It’s finally happened. We’ve turned into Brighton.

No 100M bid for a Brighton player this window? I will be disappointed😁

I don't think transfer fee is the biggest issue, it's the whole PSR game where players are expected to take low pay on an extended long contracts. If you have options, why tie yourself down with that?

4 hours ago, icecoolguy22 said:

No 100M bid for a Brighton player this window? I will be disappointed😁

I don't think transfer fee is the biggest issue, it's the whole PSR game where players are expected to take low pay on an extended long contracts. If you have options, why tie yourself down with that?

Yep, and if the reports are true this has all been misrepresented and actually confirms what a number on here have stated was going on.

The money initially "invested" by Clearlake that saw some significant transfers was 1.5bn that had to be invested into the club as a condition of sale. The fact that they spent it so quickly and so much of it on players that it is highly unlikely the club will profit from, as just one of many indictments against them.

To now learn that this investment hasn't come from Clearlake at all but has been financed by expensive loans against the club, whilst Clearlake have asset stripped components from the football club into their central holding company, has now led us to this snookered position were now in.

If, big if, we do make CL our focus will be what players can we bring in. I am certain their first order of business is how do we get Nkunku, Sterling, Chilwell, James and possibly Fofana off the books to further reduce salary costs.

Edited May 16, 20251 yr by WhiteWall

RB Leipzig want £93m for Benjamin Sesko

• Mike McGrath

At this point we need to stay away from Sesko & Ekitike. They are pricing this players as established CFs

I thought he had a buy out clause?

On 16/05/2025 at 06:37, WhiteWall said:

The money initially "invested" by Clearlake that saw some significant transfers was 1.5bn that had to be invested into the club as a condition of sale. The fact that they spent it so quickly and so much of it on players that it is highly unlikely the club will profit from, as just one of many indictments against them.

To now learn that this investment hasn't come from Clearlake at all but has been financed by expensive loans against the club, whilst Clearlake have asset stripped components from the football club into their central holding company, has now led us to this snookered position were now in.

Personally can't believe a private equity company would do this, it's completely unprecedented.

Arsenal becoming peak Stoke City

Great news, it gives us a free run at Gyokeres.

2 minutes ago, Luca Vialli said:

Great news, it gives us a free run at Gyokeres.

Remember when we got Caicedo and Lavia when people thought we were just interested in one of them? I wouldn't be against us doing that with Delap and Gyokeres.

25 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Remember when we got Caicedo and Lavia when people thought we were just interested in one of them? I wouldn't be against us doing that with Delap and Gyokeres.

This would be a dream start to the window.

Seems to be joining Arsenal. Can't say I'm bothered at all, he's some distance away from being at the required level.

I can forsee someone quoting that ^ in a year's time when he's scored 20+ goals.

8 minutes ago, Zeta said:

I can forsee someone quoting that ^ in a year's time when he's scored 20+ goals.

Nope.. can’t see it. Still very raw, and Arteta considers Havertz a key player. He will be providing competition.