Raheem Sterling | Joins Chelsea for £50m

[Tugay One Cup]

However, if Pep did not rate his abilities, he would surely not have ripped up the tactics to start him in the biggest game in our history?

Can we not? I've accepted as canon that Abramovich had Pep's water spiked and that the lineup was a result.

 

[Oldham Exile]

bet Chelsea finish in the top 2.

Hope that happens

They will still be a good way behind us - and as many teams that finish ahead of the bitter dippers the better

 

[SWP's back]

Right but those same things apply.

Pep doesn't know if Haaland's injury issues will continue. He also doesn't know if Grealish will finally start scoring a decent amount of goals. Or if Alvarez will settle. Or if Palmer will make the step up.

Those aren't things that will necessarily show on the training ground so it's not strictly a case of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying "I'm not listening, Pep knows bestest."

Signing a replacement for Sterling would go some way to getting rid of those question marks.

Fuck me. We aren’t going to agree at all so we may as well suspend the discussion here.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

bet Chelsea finish in the top 2.

Not a chance mate. Their defence is decimated.

 

[SWP's back]

bet Chelsea finish in the top 2.

And if we’re first then how’s that a shock coming my way?

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Yep all true. I think the Club as a whole has made the decision to give Cole Palmer a go this year and prioritise other areas. I happen to agree but that doesn’t make me or the club correct. We will have to see.

Yep, I've got faith that we'll be totally fine but this is the least settled our front line will have been in years so we might hit a few snags. Fingers crossed though.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Fuck me. We aren’t going to agree at all so we may as well suspend the discussion here.

Happy to. Suspend the discussion, that is.

 

[SWP's back]

Yeah there are plenty of examples of Pep wanting a player and not getting him. There are also examples of when he's wanted to sign a player in a certain position and it's not happened for whatever reason and then we've had to fill that gap a year later. It's not as straight forward as people like to make out.

Come on now. If we suddenly get linked to half a dozen wide forwards then whether we sign any or not, it would be obvious that Pep wanted to strengthen.

So far the journalists with “ins” at City have said Sterling won’t be replaced.

 

[Cobwebcat]

I base it on his form over 18 months and, for me, we are getting the far better end of this deal.

If he had been at the top of his form during that time, then obviously Chelsea would be getting the bargain.

Sterling has featured in 67 per cent of City's games since his debut for us.

I would argue that's quite high, considering he does not play a pivotal position.

I wish him and his family well and zero club football success from this point, forward.

The fact is he has delayed a decision for 18 months and used all manner of stalling tactics to arrive at this stage.

One such issue was he was sorting out his representation, yet he has managed to green light this move in a matter of days?

Another was playing time, yet 67 per cent in our forward ranks is not to be sniffed at.

If it's actually playing in the BIGGEST of games, then fair enough, he's missed out at times.

However, if Pep did not rate his abilities, he would surely not have ripped up the tactics to start him in the biggest game in our history?

It's a good deal for everyone, sounds like an adult parting of the ways, and I am excited to see Cole Palmer get the opportunities to further prove himself, as he reminds me so much of Paul Lake.

I heard it mentioned on a podcast that the delay might have been due to the contractual arrangements with his former agent there being a time period that had to elapse before a payment was no longer due. No idea if that is true.

 

[Beanhead]

Gutted, as wanted to see him play on the right a bit and link up with Haaland.

One of our best players over our most successful period who became just as important off the field as he was on it. So Mosaic well and truly justified imo.

However, as others have pointed out, good move for him, and given the contract situation, decent money for us. All ends well in my book as despite Chelsea being rivals, I don’t hate them and I have a soft spot for Raz, so that can continue.