thevelourfog

And a point you haven't seemed to consider ... We are almost guaranteed to have worse owners next precisely because of what this ownership have done to the club. They've damaged the footballing operation, they've damaged the commercial operation, they've damaged the brand, and they've started moving around assets that used to be one whole. The buyer's market will not be the same sort of people who wanted to buy Abramovich's Chelsea.

This is a really important point. I'd agree Clearlake would sell in a heartbeat with the right offer, even just a break-even(ish) one. But Boehly would have to get into bed with someone else for the money and American investment is most likely, so it really makes no difference.

Makes sense. It's a "whoever wins, we lose" scenario for me because I see Boehly as little more than a one-man investment firm whose one-time sense of wonder at owning a football club seems, understandably tbf, long gone.

I'm genuinely surprised Boehly is viewed any more favourably than Clearlake. Not sure why anyone thinks the outcome would be any different with either of them as the sole or majority shareholder, they operate in the exact same way. Would Boehly even have the money (or liquidity) to buy a 62% stake and continue to cover costs? I don't know, but feels a non-starter to me. Depressingly, I am one of the posters who said this would take 2 or 3 years, max. Only rumblings, but it isn't good news for us.

Posted without fucking shitpiss comment. https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/swearing-study-intelligent-intelligence-university-of-rochester-a7916516.html

Another French player signed, feels like a huge recruitment drive and lots of turnover. I hope Bompastor isn't leading too much on this, risky to load the squad with a new manager's players.

This isn't new, is it? My memory is never that Cech was actively forced out, but that he didn't want to be part of what he saw. Which is more damning, really.

Suppose this just reflects that the disagreements and different perspectives here are typical of the fanbase more broadly. I think supporters of all clubs tend to get carried away with how good they'll be now they've signed X, Y and Z, so the one thing that does interest me is just how many respondents bucked that trend.

Can we not do this, please? This is the Chelsea Women thread on a Chelsea FC forum, not a place for any discussion of this nature. No good will come of it.

Argh, my knock off Chinese Atletico kit with Gallagher turned up and is absolutely not a medium ... Dare I try ordering another a size up? There goes my petty rebellion at home games this season.

I want it to be true, because it would suggest two very important things. First, that we will make competitive offers for quality players. And second, that we will walk away when what is wanted is dangerously beyond competitive. I suppose, though, that is exactly why these figures are out there, because they reflect well on us. Specifics aside, I already had the impression we made a decent effort anyway.

Surely a few outgoings to Saudi Arabia and Turkey today?

This isn't a deal I feel at all positive about but given I've said enough elsewhere all I'll say here is ... Christ, those are some shit tattoos for a millionaire to have.

Finally confirmed. Wonder how fit he is.

Enzo Maresca's first draft of his Palace half time team talk needed some work ... Think the Guardian bit is from Jamie Jackson, a United client journalist. I wouldn't take it too seriously (paying even a penny of his wages is affront enough).