ExiledGeordie

I don’t think Dubravka will stay beyond this season, he’ll want game time. That said he absolutely has a role to play between now and the end of the season. It’s become apparent from various reports that we don’t stand do make anything PSR wise moving him on other than his weekly wage which is negligible. We stand to lose far more than gain if he moves now (the caveat being unless they have a plan B to Pope coming in such as a Trafford but even then that’s rolling the dice a bit as it’s not guaranteed to work).

Yes basically and nobody is genuinely thinking he’s going to stay fit for long if he does come back. However he could make a huge difference in a tilt at the top four if he can at least come on for Isak or play with Isak in tight games as he has a knack of scoring poacher goals and gives us a different look. I just hope he can get something resembling fitness once he’s back to play a part in champions league qualification before he leaves at the end of the season.

It’s an interesting debate. Generally everything is a lot more settled for any goal keeper playing. Burn is in great form, Botman is back, both fullbacks playing really well and Tonali protecting the back four and providing so much solidity is a game changer. I think Pope will be a lot more settled once he comes back but he has looked very shaky particularly on crosses where he never used to be shaky. His kicking and distribution with his feet is truly awful but maybe with Botman back and Tonali there we can get round that and if he’s in form with his shot stopping then the defence will be back to that 22/23? levels. Currently tho you’d say Dubravka has start even if Pope was back but my guess is Pope would come back in for the Saints away match if Howe wants him as a number 1?

I think he’ll stay, he’ll almost certainly be given the cup final if we get there and that’s a massive opportunity for him. There’ll be some kind of compromise I’d imagine and then he’ll go at the end of the season. Makes no sense to sell him this month if there’s little or no financial advantage to be gained as is being reported. Pope isn’t even back yet and has looked a bit shaky recently (I think he’ll be fine with the new midfield and defence in front of him).

Yeah I think he’s done well and look assured. It’s a two way thing really, he’s probably given the defence some confidence and no doubt he’s benefitted from Burn, Botman et al and Tonali roaming in front of the defence which has been a massive plus. One thing I enjoy about Dubravka is his kicking ability, massively settles my nerves lol

😂😂👏

Krafth back in the squad for the weekend I think I saw too?

Yeah I included them in an easier block, confident we’ll beat them at home

I thought he’s looked decent enough but without lacking a cutting edge (admittedly not made a point of following him closely recently). Decision-making wasn’t great in the Arsenal game but he’s still young. Looks like he might go on to become a decent player but it doesn’t really bother me that we sold him or rather we had no option under the current ludicrous rules.

When does the window close in Saudi?

So there’s no PSR benefit to him leaving now? What’s the point then

Not sure how keen I am on an inform Dubrkava leaving with Pope back ‘soon’ and regular leagues games incoming, massively destabilising.

I don’t think Barnes will sit on the bench forever and Bruno might well stay if we have champions league. That said if we won the league cup he might feel like “job done” and then move on.

I’m starting to feel like not much will happen. January windows were always difficult but with these ridiculous PSR rules it’s pretty much killed the January window anyway. Unless there’s someone who suddenly becomes available it feels like it’s going to be difficult to do anything significant without putting us into a situation where we’re forced to sell before June 30th or whenever it is to avoid a points deduction.

There’s no way any player will actually be skiing lol It’ll be a breach of contract for one and secondly even the most stupid footballer would realise that if there’s one sport to avoid regarding serious injury it’s skiing.

Looking at the fixtures, the next four give us a really good opportunity to cement our top top/five challenge (Wolves h, Bournemouth h, Saints a, Fulham h). It’s then a really tough block of four (City a, Forest h, Liverpool a , West Ham a). It’s then an easier block of four on paper (Palace h, Brentford h, Leicester a, Man U a).

Liverpool have looked a bit disjointed tonight but they could quite easily turn Spurs over at home.

How many CBs do Chelsea need ffs 😂

Maybe not but at 25 when ultimately if we don’t get champions league offers will start to come in with options for the “next step”. Finances in modern day football always play a big factor too. FWIW I agree, the club is on the cusp of going to the next level and there’s a really tight bond amongst the players (well it seems so anyway). It feels like things are back on track again and I just hope that we can get a champions league spot to really kick on again to the next level.

It’s just rambling nonsense

The best was seeing the faces of the Arsenal players at the end, they knew they’d been well beaten

Love these kind of comments, always come when fans of other clubs feel threatened.

Brilliant player. Different to Tino who’s a more elite 1v1 defender who can shut even the best wingers down but Hall is fast becoming an excellent defender in his own right. His passing and attacking ability and composure on the ball is something else though.

Our midfield and Isak is why we can beat Liverpool in a final if we get there

I don’t think Isak will push for a move, he clearly has an affinity for the club and fans. Like a few players with the emergence of Tonali’s presence he’ll know we’re close to going up another level and becoming a seriously good team. The elephant in the room will always be champions league qualification however and how or whether that destabilises the squad if we don’t get it. Increased wages and a tilt at league title is always a factor for players deciding on what to do next.