Manxst

Yeah, I don’t think so either, given their cultural beliefs. But I also have a sneaky suspicion that the Fun88 contract might be water tight with regards being paid off until it’s natural conclusion. Hope not though. We’ll soon see.

Don’t think they care all that much about how many shirts they sell in Saudi. It’s to do with getting the Saudi brand (and colours) in the world eye via the medium of football.

I’m not sure they do. Put the Saudi colours front and centre worldwide is the ‘sportswashing’ aim, no?

Like Ashworth was? The club waited 6 months to do that, as they didn’t think it was worth their while.

But that article is from today. Today they’re literally debt free.

£1.6bn debt https://theathletic.com/news/chelseas-16bn-abramovich-debt-becoming-a-concern-as-boehly-tries-to-finalise-takeover-of-club/HhCQBRtNQDXh/?amp=1

They didn’t HAVE to clear it. It’s just been written off by Abramovich.

Signed an extension in July 2020 for a “long term agreement” which wasn’t specified but believed to be multi year and possibly a rolling contract.

https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/OTHER-COMPETITIONS/2020/11/12/botman-gets-first-netherlands-call was a replacement for Ake, but stayed on the bench for both games in his first squad.

Pau Torres. Agent is in the UK at the moment to do a transfer, supposedly to Man Utd….but I’d love it to be us!

First senior squad call up in Nov 2020.

Wow…. you don’t think Benzema, for instance, might get ahead of him…?

seriously?

Who knows? We’ll all find out soon enough with the new shirts

Absolutely. Just saying that there isn’t an urgency with regards to government legislation about changing sponsor. Our owners should have other ideas, but with seemingly nothing changing imminently, maybe the clubs hands are tied for the time being.

Government are likely to allow betting sponsorship https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gambling-company-logos-on-sports-shirts-among-reforms-to-be-watered-down-trqpshhj8

Just our luck that Ashley and Charnley probably signed a contract with Fun88 that can’t be broken or paid off. With betting companies allowed on shirts still (and in the future from what I heard yesterday), a lack of news regarding new sponsorship, and leaks about signing money being limited due to FFP (sponsorship), it may well be that we have to stick to the same sponsor for another year. Knowing that they don’t HAVE to go, Fun88 wouldn’t want to just leave, with all the shirts about to be flying off the shelves. fingers crossed that I’m being ultra pessimistic though.

No kit is official yet

The club have allegedly acknowledged that goal scoring needs to be improved throughout the team. I don’t think Ekitike was ever going to be our ‘main’ striker, either this summer or last Jan- he’s always been one for the future/squad alongside Wilson and a more experienced CF.

We are linked with him. Several media reports in the last week. eg. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1616472/arsenal-newcastle-william-saliba-marseille-transfer-news-SNT/amp

Waiting for Mike to buy his next club, so he can be employed in a semi-meaningful capacity again.

Gives Neymar a chance to prove his fitness whilst he’s on trial.

We barely had any to pay, did we?

Ah- I was going off his total which include Champion League games (which I guess Wood has never played in.) 181 goals in 496 games for Morata at the highest levels, 156 goals in 477 for Wood. I know which I’d prefer and think is the better goal scorer.

Eh? Morata’s got 10+ pretty much every season at every club he’s been to?