07 Sep 2026 19:16:31
Always remember the strongest part of any team is its spine. We are not great down our spine, our keeper, young with potential, current playing CB's are poor, CM waiting on Baleba to get fit and back to his best, CAM Bruno World class, CF young Sesko, lots of potential.

It was strange that the owners decided to build from the front and not start from the back.

1.) 07 Sep 2026
07 Sep 2026 19:57:27
I suppose, it doesn't really matter if you start at the front or back when all you are able to buy is mid table level players.

2.) 07 Sep 2026
07 Sep 2026 20:50:25
cm waiting for Baleba, yet we blabbed £35m on Tielemans and £50m on Santos. Bargain basement recruitment.

{Ed0666's Note - I’m gonna go on record and say Baleba will be a dud signing

3.) 07 Sep 2026
07 Sep 2026 21:48:50
Baleba had one good season and one fault poor season in comparison. A 50% success rate is not great odds for that type of money.

Who knows, he could be one of those players that ups their game once he gets the shirt on.

Time will tell. But at this rate, by the time he's fit enough to play, he will have to be superhuman to live up to what he needs to be.

4.) 08 Sep 2026
08 Sep 2026 01:03:13
I think Baleba will be a great signing, has all of the attributes to be brilliant for us. I remember reading Ed001s write up on him on here around 18 months ago and thinking there and then that I wanted him in our midfield, an average season in his development doesn't change that for me.

5.) 09 Sep 2026
08 Sep 2026 07:02:05
Ed666

I am not sure how good Baleba will be but I don't think he will be a dud. He is a runner and will add energy to the midfield. However, as I have said on here a number of times I don't think he has the defensive qualities in a midfielder we needed, he isn't the No6 destroyer, nor does he create, not sure he links attack. I openly said I would have gone for Alex Scott who I think was a better fit. Suspect Chelsea will get him in summer and we will regret it.

I think the recruitment at the club is disjointed. I don't understand the Santos or Tielemans decisions with the only explanation that they were looking for bargains. I have a feeling that we will have to look at a midfield player again next summer, not because of Baleba but because Tielemans or more likely Santos won't be good enough.

{Ed0666's Note - I think Camara would be ideal for you guys. He ticks a lot of boxes and you get a lot of bang for your buck for £50 million

6.) 09 Sep 2026
09 Sep 2026 07:42:12
Hi Ed
Am guessing you mean Lamine Camara at Monaco who Chelsea were looking at for circa £47m? Not seen him unfortunately.
Noted you said Santos could actually be good so respect that and looking to see how he develops.

It was that midfield destroyer I was interested in and not sure any of them are that.
I wondered if Sangare would have been a good choice.

{Ed0666's Note - Sangare does look like he’s got his feet under the table straight away and I rate Camara better than him. A slightly different profile but better all round. The Moroccan kid city bought is gonna be a real gem but you probably had no chance of getting him with the transfer fee and wages city offered. It amazes me how many top 6 teams have spent incredible amounts of money and are still lacking in certain positions. What are these sporting directors doing?