JP

Chelsea have Chilwell, Hall and Maatsen for LB. You'd imagine something got to give there

Agree. Compare this to RCB and we're an injury away from Lascelles playing at the Bernabau

Feels like things have really kicked into gear this week. Hard to see us not adding 2-3 more after Barnes before summer is out?

Yeah he's not falling into the world class bracket lets be honest. He gets bums off seats when he beats a man but doesn't offer a lot else. We kept him for a few years under Ashley which says it all. Nobody wanted to spend any decent amount of money on him.

Razor sharp 2nd half. Be interesting to see if he plays majority of his games LW or RW this coming season. I think he's a lot more comfortable at LW receiving the ball back to goal and then drifting across the pitch. Seems to beat players for fun that way.

At only 17 as well. Bright future for him and Anderson

45 mins last night and I could see why those inside the club felt so lucky to land him. He fit into that RCM role like a glove, already seeing those channel runs into the box with Trippier constantly looking for that ball down the side of the box for him. But the quality of his touch/passing looks a level above what we already have. Appreciation for where the receiving player wants the ball at such a consistently high level and he seems to have a knack to move the ball out of tight areas with one touch passing at ease. Also loves a tackle and doesn't mind giving a foul away when needs must, we've got a complete gem of an all round midfielder on our hands.

Amongst us lot no, but the world and his dog would jump on PIF selling to PIF for £50m

Exactly this. Take stock of where we are and i think the owners/recruitment/coaching staff have enough credit in the bank to do whatever they please. We've just finished 4th in the prem with Maxi playing an arguably minor part in that? We will be fine. I'd guess the fee being reported as what we consider low at 25-30 but with a '+bonus' in there. That bonus will be so easily achievable its part of the fee but won't be disclosed.

Wonder how long he's known, seems the cryptic stuff was the beginning of this

'The only thing Barnes does better is score goals'

Pizza Rob the only genuine ITK we have. Eddie played a PR blinder after Gateshead at the weekend saying he wants to keep Maxi - he knows Maxi is a fan fave.

ITK status on the line. We'll know by the time we see the travelling squad.

Livra?

He's back with another update saying he's away to Saudi

You could argue Tonali in Jan and Gordon in summer would've made a lot more sense re: timing. (Never would happen in terms of Tonali leaving Milan mid season but logical for us in terms of how short we all thought CM was). Doesn't make a lot of sense signing Barnes this summer either but it appears we do place on emphasis on deals too good to miss for us/character.

I'd be fine if he goes and we use the funds for a first 11 quality LB, plus RCB to compete with Schar. (Alongside Barnes coming).

Nmecha Barella Livramento Say no more about Edwards validity

We got the 'budget done' chat last summer until we found £68m down the back of the sofa for Isak. Same again this year, personally i'm just going to let it play out and enjoy.

Skipping on a balcony on his jollies instead of training, worrying.

Instagram story just now is him scoring a worldie in training with 'people can keep talking when they know nothing, i just keep working'

No news is good news

Agree but this would make sense in terms of the club looking at players currently on low wages that wouldn't take much tempting to come here. Fits the profile more.