3 minutes ago, The Boehly Babes said:

Even the FA Cup becomes a double edged sword though.

As much as I would love to see us lift some domestic silverware, it’s going to put us back into Europe next year (a distraction we don’t need) and give the SD’s something else to hide behind à la the CWC.

When we lost to Forest and Champions League became unattainable that was also a significant point, yes another defeat for us supporters to suffer but reduced income for Clearlake. Europa League if we win the FA Cup or just managing to sneak into the Conference would mean at least some European football to watch, and lets be honest we can probably only compete at this level, and reduced income for Clearlake.

If the summer player trading isnt spectacular and we have lower level European football that will hurt Clearlake.

3 hours ago, OTL said:

When we lost to Forest and Champions League became unattainable that was also a significant point, yes another defeat for us supporters to suffer but reduced income for Clearlake. Europa League if we win the FA Cup or just managing to sneak into the Conference would mean at least some European football to watch, and lets be honest we can probably only compete at this level, and reduced income for Clearlake.

If the summer player trading isnt spectacular and we have lower level European football that will hurt Clearlake.

I think we would either need to win the FA Cup or win at least 2 of our remaining league games to have any likelihood of European football (even conf league) next season.

And to think Luis Enrique was keen on coming to the bridge. Just another one of the Owners and SD’s colossal f**k ups. w**kers

14 minutes ago, Roland The Bruin said:

And to think Luis Enrique was keen on coming to the bridge. Just another one of the Owners and SD’s colossal f**k ups. w**kers

The funny part is that PSG came and effortlessly made an iteration of a youth project the best team in the world.

What our idiots have been trying to do for 4 years PSG did in half the time and with half the cost.

3 minutes ago, yaz said:

The funny part is that PSG came and effortlessly made an iteration of a youth project the best team in the world.

What our idiots have been trying to do for 4 years PSG did in half the time and with half the cost.

And with one SD. A great one. Luis Campos. One SD -v- 5. Pffffffft.

4 hours ago, yaz said:

The funny part is that PSG came and effortlessly made an iteration of a youth project the best team in the world.

What our idiots have been trying to do for 4 years PSG did in half the time and with half the cost.

Psg has the biggest wages bill

3 hours ago, Bob stark said:

Psg has the biggest wages bill

So what? We have the biggest of all time transfer spend…

10 hours ago, dermott said:

And with one SD. A great one. Luis Campos. One SD -v- 5. Pffffffft.

given that we have an considerably reduced ability to buy players due to financial restrictions what do our five SDs do all day? Surely it doesnt take long to say " we cant shift him or him therefore theres no spending".

13 minutes ago, OTL said:

given that we have an considerably reduced ability to buy players due to financial restrictions what do our five SDs do all day? Surely it doesnt take long to say " we cant shift him or him therefore theres no spending".

9 hours ago, Bob stark said:

Psg has the biggest wages bill

Maybe they are earning it? I mean if we were winning the league and in the CL final would we be worrying about the wage bill?

9 minutes ago, TheCeleryKing said:

Maybe they are earning it? I mean if we were winning the league and in the CL final would we be worrying about the wage bill?

I’ve never worried about the wage bill, your right though I’d rather our money go on top players who u I can enjoy watching every week than bonuses in the boardroom to faceless suits. Or even worse poxy agents pockets.

Looks like Iraola is close to be announced as next Palace manager. So that is one target off the table.

5 hours ago, OTL said:

given that we have an considerably reduced ability to buy players due to financial restrictions what do our five SDs do all day? Surely it doesnt take long to say " we cant shift him or him therefore theres no spending".

The Chelsea sporting directors are Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Sam Jewell, Joe Shields, and Dave Fallows.

"Deep breath. Chelsea have not one, not two, not three, not four, but a whopping five sporting directors. The system was implemented after the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022 and is not going anywhere despite external criticism. Chelsea feel their setup ensures duties are clearly defined and prevents power from being held by one individual. Head coaches have to adapt. Paul Winstanley, previously at Brighton, and Laurence Stewart, once of Monaco, lead the recruitment team and are not short of support. Joe Shields is sporting director for scouting and talent and has used past links with Manchester City to identify signings. Dave Fallows, who leads football development, is credited with Liverpool’s signing of Mohamed Salah. Sam Jewell, who adds to the Brighton connections, looks after global recruiting and is heavily involved with Strasbourg, Chelsea’s partner club." From the Grundian

There is so much in that that can be picked apart. But these are the well paid suits that are a freaking disaster and are literally. . . NOT very good at their job. To be the FLy on the wall at their meetings would be hysterical no doubt.

7 minutes ago, forbzy said:

Looks like Iraola is close to be announced as next Palace manager. So that is one target off the table.

Seems like it.

That Marco Silva Chelsea appointment bomba might actually cause a riot.

23 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Seems like it.

That Marco Silva Chelsea appointment bomba might actually cause a riot.

I am not a big fan of Marco Silva but he does at least have a lot of Premier League experience. My worry is we end up with Gary O'Neill.

3 minutes ago, forbzy said:

I am not a big fan of Marco Silva but he does at least have a lot of Premier League experience. My worry is we end up with Gary O'Neill.

I think its honestly pathetic we are competing with Palace for the likes of Iraola and Silva.

Imagine going back in time when Clearlake bought the club telling ourselves this is our fate.

I still wish we go for Fabregas and Matt Law at least gives me a glimmer of hope.

I believe Cesc waits to see where we end up in terms of European football. I think a season out of Europe could give him the best introduction to English football as a manager. Only domestic competitions, tons of time on the training pitch. This and the fact that the board might change their approach and give the manager more power. I think if the board tells him that he has a big say in the transfer market might just convince him.

Small chance, though.

1 minute ago, petre ispirescu said:

I still wish we go for Fabregas and Matt Law at least gives me a glimmer of hope.

I believe Cesc waits to see where we end up in terms of European football. I think a season out of Europe could give him the best introduction to English football as a manager. Only domestic competitions, tons of time on the training pitch. This and the fact that the board might change their approach and give the manager more power. I think if the board tells him that he has a big say in the transfer market might just convince him.

Small chance, though.

This is where the theory falls flat on its face. Added to which, Como is a project for Fabregas. He's a shareholder, he is all powerful, he runs the place.

We weren’t worried about prem experience when we hired JM, Carlo, Conte, TT.

Where was Pep and Klopps Prem experience?

Top managers are top managers. Mid table prem managers are mediocre mid table prem managers who usually can’t handle top jobs like Potter.

Silva would be joke and show us all the clubs ambition and will not appease a toxic fan base. Disaster if it happens, we will be starting the new campaign already protesting.

5 minutes ago, C3blue said:

We weren’t worried about prem experience when we hired JM, Carlo, Conte, TT.

Where was Pep and Klopps Prem experience?

Top managers are top managers. Mid table prem managers are mediocre mid table prem managers who usually can’t handle top jobs like Potter.

Silva would be joke and show us all the clubs ambition and will not appease a toxic fan base. Disaster if it happens, we will be starting the new campaign already protesting.

Who do you really think that will be willing to join this mess, and we would actually be willing to appoint? One thing I know is that it will not be an inspiring appointment. we are at best looking at the best of a set of uninspiring options.

1 hour ago, forbzy said:

Looks like Iraola is close to be announced as next Palace manager. So that is one target off the table.

1 hour ago, forbzy said:

Looks like Iraola is close to be announced as next Palace manager. So that is one target off the table.

If it happens it says a lot. Perhaps the whole Maresca/Rosenior mess has finally twiged managers out there to avoid this ownership.

Just now, axman2526 said:

If it happens it says a lot. Perhaps the whole Maresca/Rosenior mess has finally twiged managers out there to avoid this ownership.

Of the options linked so far, I can see Silva joining because of his agent. I suspect Alonso is holding out for the Liverpool job. Filipe Luis will likely retain interest given he is out of work but there haven't been substantive rumours there. Fabregas will likely stay put. Seems like Xavi has already been ruled out.

What a joke this club is

Obviously Iraola has been told he will not have control of the team and so is prepared to go to Palace

No one of note will take this job

So much for the bollox we will change

3 minutes ago, Caps_Lock_King said:

What a joke this club is

Obviously Iraola has been told he will not have control of the team and so is prepared to go to Palace

He wouldn't have control there either to be honest.

I think Iraola is a smart man and is playing the long game. We are the perfect case study of why project managers shouldn't bite too much they can chew.

He's not going to jump into a big job right away when he's never managed a club that had to balance both the league and Europe. Palace is the perfect step up for him, especially if they are in the Europa League next season.

1 hour ago, forbzy said:

Looks like Iraola is close to be announced as next Palace manager. So that is one target off the table.

If you had said a manager had chosen Palace rather than explore a deal with us a few years ago it would have been ridiculous but it's now the obvious choice.