Unbelievable

Alvarez is just not very good imo, never was.

He’s easily worth double that imo, especially to us with his dressing room influence.

100% this. It may have started as a business endeavour for PIF, but their chairman visibly and evidently fell in love with the club and the stadium the first time he stepped foot in Saint James’ and he still has that sparkle in his eye. Absolutely loved the response to that first question if they expected CL and a cup final in their first full season. These are not here to make up the numbers or accept anything but supremacy. They will invest in top class infrastructure, grow revenue year on year and then reinvest every single penny they can into the squad. They’re basically the polar opposite of what Ashley was. I still need to pinch myself from time to time to ensure it’s real and I’ve not made it up as some coping mechanism to deal with the neglect.

We’ll be the ones knocking them off their perch when Pep leaves and the rot sets in.

So this “ban” would only involve transfers between Chelsea and Saudi clubs?

Makes you wonder if he realises how racist such a proposal even is, even before getting into such basic things as footballers being damn well able to decide what’s best for themselves?

Well aye, buying good players is more fun than selling them from a fan’s perspective.

I was under the impression from your contributions at the time both clubs were chasing Botman that your owners had already assembled a very good squad on pennies using data analysis and properly good scouting (i.e. moneyball). Selling at the right time for the right fee and being able to reinvest and grow is part of that. I’m sure you’ll be alright even if it sucks massively losing one of your own, which is something all Newcastle fans who were around when Ashley flogged Carroll on deadline day (without replacing him no less), can relate to.

Probably more topical for General Chat, but depends on when you last took one mate. P.S. I know the transfer bath is an inside joke on here. Where has it come from is what I’d like to know.

We considerably overpaid for Gordon, so not the best idea to use him as your yardstick for player valuations.

Always was. Well, him and Howe for improving players individually and making them more than the sum of their parts together.

BEIN Turkey were reporting today that Ajax is his most likely destination somehow

Looks a good appointment based on some reading. Combines pragmatism and very high press, a bit like wor Eddie.

Wow, that was quick

Seemingly. I haven’t seen today’s match, but really it seems even after such an excellent season he’s fifth choice at best. I’d be livid if I was Sven; could have been enjoying his well deserved holidays if Koeman had no plan to give him a chance.

Not a single minute in two games. Koeman can fuck right off Edit: shipped 7 goals in 2 games too

Geertruida played a decent game in fairness

Sven sporting Johan Cruyff’s #14 jersey. Hope he gets his debut at the weekend

Yous are class. Every right to be proud

I think he’s better suited to wide left than central. He’s playing there because Depay is out

2-3 great goal

Yes! Lucky Koeman strikes again

Probably more chance than if we progress to the final I’d say

Botman would have snuffed that out

1-2 good goal Croatia