TRon

Chelsea were a middling PL club before Abramovich, they had a stadium to reflect that. Maybe if they increased their capacity they could fill it, but I think local support must have dropped off a fair bit since they stopped winning stuff. Also, how much would a new stadium cost in London? Where would they put it given we are a one club city and we seem limited in our options for a city centre site? Not sure a new stadium would be on Boehly's list of priorities if profit is his motive.

Agree. Clubs like us will pay a premium for PL experience, although you would hope Mitchell will be spotting some less proven alternatives abroad for a quarer of the price.

I doubt we'd get them for a decent fee once they've gone to Brighton. The time to get them would be before they got their hands on them like happened with Minteh.

Not sure we are in a position to be more persuasive that those clubs, but at least we are in a position to compete with them so agree on that part. I guess we wouldn't have even tried for a Lewis Hall or Livramento a few years back, certainly not paying in the £30-40m bracket. So yes, you have a point.

Who was the one responsible for picking up Khusanov for £84,000? Maybe he's the one we should have headhunted instead of Mitchell.

I've already heard quotes of £8m being mentioned in some places, so won't be that surprised if the fee creeps down a bit more yet. Started off at £11m iirc.

Fair enough, haven't really followed this thread. As I said, from my limited viewing he didn't really look anywhere close to being a first team player. Not even sure if he is still regarded highly on here by those who have seen more of him.

I don't think the negativity is aimed at the club, most people are savvy enough to realise our hands are tied somewhat. The negativity is more aimed at the FFP/PSR shackles which have been imposed since the takeover.

I gave an opinion based on very limited viewing which I made pretty clear. If you have seen more of him then you can talk him up if you feel it's in order.

My bad, assumed he was there since the start of the season.

I assume if we want to keep Isak that percentage is only going to go higher. PSR is so well designed, to comply you have to sell your best players, probably to the cartel as they are the only clubs who can pay the wages you aren't allowed to.

Only saw him playing a couple of pre-season friendlies and he looked like he wasn't physically developed enough for the role. If he's not starting at Bolton then it suggests not a lot has changed.

Even if we do, as you've said yourself, loads of teams from Europe are entering the same market for the same reasons. Instead of fighting over the top proven talent, we will be fighting over the top unproven prospects who will hopefully be ready after a year or so prep. Not exactly spine tingling stuff.

Hopefully we didn't put him on a salary which will put off the sort of decent standard clubs he sees himself at.

Don't think that's going to happen, Eddie was furious at losing Anderson for this guy, and he's barely got a look in since. I think Howe wants him out of the club asap.

Everyone is now going to be going for the promising youngster bracket of players, there will be a lot of competition for the next Mbuemo or...dare I say it....Elliott Anderson.

Sesko is within their budget, around £60m I think. Otherwise if they could get Isak for the same money they'd be all over it.

All the shit ones do it regularly.

I know everyone is itching to see what sort of impact he has on our signings, but realistically it will be the summer before we get to see any of it. Doesn't seem like we are planning any moves this month, although I suppose that might change if Miggy leaves. IF.

That was one of the tweaks I was thinking of. I think a rest for Big Joe has been long overdue, he seems to be the only one playing every game. Trippier for Livramento is another possibility.

We've got a clear week before we play them so don't think there'll be any need for rotation. Although Howe might still want to make one or two tweaks just to keep other members of the squad interested.

I'll bet we are glad we did now. Spending that sort of money on a centre back is looking increasingly dubious as the PSR shackles kick in. It would have prevented us spending money for a long time on other areas without selling key players. The transfer market is well and truly bunged up thanks to PSR. Transfer fees will be on a downward trend in this country at least.

I probably used the wrong term in "plummeted". I actually think he's still more than likely a very good CB, and I think my posts on this thread will bear that out. I should have maybe clarified his stock has plummeted on NO here where some people are ready to sell for £10m. If he's not playing first team football and he's performed below par when he's been given the shirt, then his stock will drop somewhat.

Plus his stock will have plummetted since moving here as he hasn't been able to break into the side, and didn't cover himself in glory when he did. He'll want to be playing regularly somewhere so he can rebuild his reputation.

I always thought he looked like he would be much better suited to playing centrally, but obviously at that stage of his career he wasn't going to find a place there for us.