Sibierski

Release clause to be announced in that contract at some point.

That’s a transfer though, where we’re scratching each others back but Forest more as we were in worse position. Not like selling women’s teams or other club infrastructure to ourselves.

I take it as a positive we haven’t needed to do anything dodgy to get where we are. The selling of women’s teams etc is all very short sighted and just kicks the can down the road.

Going for Wilson and Elanga feels proper de ja vu of Freedman and Guehi last summer

Agree. Each club develops an identity over time and ours giving the success is turning into what Howe is delivering. Hard pressing, runners, aggressive play. He’s stamped his style successfully that should now be our identity for many years to come and DoF comes in that compliments that. We can then moan in 2031 when some manager comes in playing tippy tappy bollocks that it’s not the Newcastle way.

CEO more important for me, as that’s the revenue driver which will have more of an impact on our progress than whatever a DoF does.

Elanga feels like a Howe priority signing, so think we’ll go big. £55m with £5m add ons being my guess as upper end.

That’s a huge disservice to him, make it seem like he’s like Adama Traore over the years, when he’s shown to be so much more.

I’d absolutely take Elliot because he’s very good and will have a burning point to prove. It’s just hard to stomach giving Liverpool that sort of money to help fuel their spending, but rather have Elliot here than at another Prem club. He’s a more expensive CHO. Where talent is obvious but people will turn away because of recency bias. Say it plenty of times, but what he was doing in the championship at 17 is not skill that’s just magically disappeared. Clubs should hold their nerve and wait till end of the window when that price drops to £30m.

Thats just of the core team. If we’re being honest and getting our ducks in order for 26/27, need a few more on top who are youths with view to first team squad next season. Cordero types. Like one at full back, one at CB (unless Pivas is viewed that, but had a proper shite loan) and one at CM.

Only give Chelsea money for their genuine top youths, like we did with Hall. Acheampong and George the current stand outs that are on cusp. Stay away from middling players, even if they could become good. Leave them at Chelsea so they get saddled.

Anyone else attending his leaving drinks shortly?

Proper kicks can down the road to next summer, because they'll spend and be in same situation next summer. Monchi going to be wheeling and dealing like mad, once again. Clubs should stay away from signing Villa players and let them get fucked (at least to the point they have to sell top players for below value due to being in a weak position). Sure they will end up peddling Bailey and Buendia to Saudi for like £70m between them though.

Chelsea have 100% made a play for him this month, but for once a player has not been swayed by them.

Think it’s how he’s not really made a step forward since his Burnley days. I wanted to see more from him last season, but he kept making wrong decisions so there’s probably enough there to scare off some sides if Southampton are wanting £25m+. May well develop strongly over coming seasons, but I’d understand why Prem clubs are not sold on him right now.

Still will. Giving their business in Jan, they’re happy to gamble. So will probably gamble hard they can get top 4 (5) and play with fire. Selling women’s team is short term especially when their commercial revenue isn’t massive.

I don’t even think Villa are breaking PSR? Thought it’s more very close and they can’t make any signings or new contracts to squeeze past. Still will need sales (or sell Women’s team) to enable some spending power this summer, but I don’t think they’re in a situation like we was last summer.

Which I’d prefer personally, as it’s all about growing over time. The Saudi World Cup isn’t till 2034, and PIF probably have an aim for us to be challenging for the major honours in the lead up to that. Which considering that’s 9 years away, is plenty of time giving the trajectory we’re on. Keep Howe, sign the right players, grow revenues and we’ll be there eventually. All about the journey, be more enjoyable and a wholesome experience when we eventually get there.

Delap had a genuine chance of making World Cup squad if he made the correct move, but I just can’t see how he starts regularly enough (and performs as a result of coming in and out of a mixed side) to get Tuchel attention. Just screams, “Club open to loan move” in January.

Yea, we were never going to pay £60m. Feels £50m is our top end.

To not have one fresh face in for start of pre season is bit of a shitter. Can sugar coat it with plenty of time to go, but I’m sure Howe would’ve wanted at least one or two in for the start. Each week missed, it’s another week of them not on the same fitness regime and playing catch up if coming from somewhere not as intense.

Disappointed as I was intrigued to what Howe had in mind with Pedro (like developing him to take over Joelinton), but on a pure place in team for value, not upset. Far better value out there and we’ve missed on him before and it didn’t hurt us.

Renan Lodi vibes.

I mean if we wanted to keep Wilson and still sign someone to play striker, then is Wilson going, DCL in and still signing someone who can play up front such a bad deal? Just feels logical if that’s what Howe had penciled down as his squad for 25/26.

Chelsea will still sign a striker this summer if Jackson is sold too.