Keegans Export

I'm not so sure - it's a nice, easy, politically-neutral thing to push through that is quite popular with a decent chunk of the electorate. Personally I'd be surprised if it got shelved entirely.

The suggestion is that it came up while we were preparing for potential arbitration, in which case I'd say we're fairly well covered in terms of being allowed to check/monitor emails. I also think this helps us in arbitration - he's shown he can't be trusted therefore enforcing an extended period of gardening leave was, in hindsight, a sensible decision.

It's a good point tbf Tuchel ended up at Bayern, Potter recently turned down Ajax and is linked to every "big job" going in England. Poch won't have any trouble finding work. If McKenna believes in his own ability he's probably thinking he'll only enhance his reputation by going there, even if he gets binned within a year the narrative could well be "Same old crazy Chelsea!" rather than "McKenna in over his head".

Apparently the email letting us know he was turning down our approach came from [email protected] Really though, if he's applied, heard our pitch and decided against then fair enough. We move on to the next target.

So his argument boils down to a procedural issue - that he was placed on gardening leave before officially handing in a written notice?

I honestly think we're probably thinking the same. Give us our money, everyone can move on. I don't think we would pursue any additional action if that's what happened. Ashworth has already sullied his reputation and potentially damaged the relationship between him, Man Utd and Berrada. We don't need to waste the energy going further once we get our compensation.

Even assuming the reports are all true, I've got no idea what the potential punishment or ramifications would be. Obviously it weakens their hand with regards to the arbitration so that could be an issue financially. The article also seems to suggest they could have broken the PLs rules but I don't know what the punishment would be for that if we and/or Man City and/or Brighton decided to pursue it. I also have no idea what the legal position is. Could we claim damages? Could we prove some sort of financial loss? What about Man City and Berrada? Can anyone think of a similar case in recent PL history?

Presumably there's at least a possibility that Man Utd deny all knowledge and cut ties with both of them? Ratcliffe seems like the sort who would at least consider that. Unless there's also a load of emails suggesting that Man Utd higher-ups knew exactly what was going on...

So presumably he didn't realise what he had done when he started the arbitration proceedings?

I don't know who they plan to replace him with or whether there even is a plan, but it shows they're still a short-sighted, fly by the seat of your pants style ownership and that can only be good for us.

I'm going to stick my hand in this fire. It's not stupid, I'm "challenging orthodox thinking"...

I think we'll go big on a key RW target and that'll be it, assuming we sell Miggy and keep Murphy. Unless there's a bargain to be had on that quality understudy I think we'll be happy with Gordon, Barnes, New RW and Murphy, with players like Isak and Joelinton able to cover LW too. Tosin, Kelly, quality at GK and RW would be an excellent window. I think we might only sign a striker if Wilson goes, unless we can pick up someone on the cheap (less than £10m).

The circular crest just below the collar seems to be on a slightly wonky/uneven patch?

BAH GAWD KING, THAT'S PAOLO MALDINI'S MUSIC!

I think we have to look at how it affects the squad numbers as a whole, it could give us an indication as to how many players we're looking to bring in. Add Dummett and Richie to the players you'd hope would be locked in for next season; Pope, Gillespie Trippier, Tino, Schar, Botman, Burn, Lascelles, Krafth, Dummett Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Willock, Longstaff, Anderson Gordon, Barnes, Murphy, Richie Isak I've left out Dubravka, Almiron & Wilson as potential sales. Miley and Hall I think wouldn't have to be registered. That's 21, with three (?) homegrown in Dummett, Longstaff and Anderson so our European squad is capped at 24 as I understand it so we have room for three incoming if Dubravka, Almiron and Wilson all go, one of which you'd think would have to be a keeper.

Doesn't exactly demonstrate a confidence in any of the U21s

Considering the hand we were dealt with the injuries, cup draws etc. 7th is good achievement. It's unfortunate that qualifying for Europe isn't in our hands but we've seen enough this season that if we can just have a normal season injury-wise and keep our key players we could have a really excellent 24/25.

I think that if Krafth or Anderson score (or Pope...) we'll break the record for most different goalscorers in a PL season. Hall became our 20th goalscorer against Man Utd which tied the current record. 0-3 (Krafth, Anderson & Pope)

Bearing in mind we finished 11th in Howe's first season, having 11th/12th as par sounds crackers to me

Injuries or not, I really don't agree that 8th would be a "great" season. If 8th is great, what would you consider par?

No, I think it's MASSIVE TITS just random

Would be absolutely delighted if they sacked Poch, would be a mental decision.

I don't believe anyone who gives any weight to their own PSR calculations. All we have to go off are released accounts from previous seasons (23/24 won't be available to the public for months) and estimates of income/costs. For example, let's say you've overestimated five players wages by £15k/week and got everything else absolutely spot on. Your figures are going to be out £11.7m over the three-year period, that's over 10%. Edit - and I should add about Bruno's clause specifically, if part of the plan was to sell him pre-June 30th, why have it set so high when you know so many clubs are up against it PSR-wise?

7th would be fine, we secure that with a win at the weekend. If we slip up and allow Man Utd to overtake us, then finishing 8th and going LWWDLL (or LWWDLD) to end the season would be a disappointment. I don't think that's unreasonable.