Whale.io 🐳 | ⚽ English Premier League Season: 2025/2026

[CLS63]

First step is to get a proper goolkeeper and sort out square depth ( thy have none) and add some few midfielders and a proper striker. They've been quite in the market so I don't think the owners are ready to leave the bottom half.

I absolutely agree about the goalkeeper. Onana is always prone to making simple mistakes. His rare impressive performances shouldn't mislead people. They need a better goalkeeper. Maybe ter Stegen could be a good choice but his injury periods are scary.

They need consolidation for more positions as well indeed. Neither Hojlund nor Zirkzee is reliable on the front line. They would surely make use of a good striker there.

That's the question...  What was he like in his last couple of managing stints?  Was he a big splurger?  Did he want to splash the cash for the best players he could find or does he like getting the players young and develop them under his wing?  If it's the former, it's gonna be more of the same.  If it's the latter, pretty sure United needs more time to get back on track to be a top 4 club again.

I like laughing at them but tbqh I'd like to see them get back to being title contenders again.  Hopefully they finally get the right manager this time around.

I think Amorim will follow a mixed route. He will spend a big number for players who are worth it and he will care about the young talents he has in his squad. Like Amad Diallo for example. I'm just wondering what Garnacho's future will be.

[JollyGood]

There are just 4 votes in the poll. I think we should have had a lot more after the reset, I hope the numbers will increase as we get closer to the new season starting.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have received a vote each 

[igebotz]

When managers and sporting directors are not on the same page, something has to go wrong. A manager should not forced to work with players he does not want because he is selecting the team and is sitting on the front line. If managers are not allowed to manage the way they want, they will end up being unhappy and then sacked.

He knew about it before accepting the job; do you know why other experienced managers who were shortlisted left the deal?  They were informed what to expect, and they all fled away.  You are not allowed to have complete control over who comes and goes; your responsibility is to manage the players at your disposal.  The project is dreadful.

I'm just wondering what Garnacho's future will be.

He's being linked to us again - News isn't going away anytime soon.. this time a swap deal and Nkunku is being mentioned.

[JollyGood]

It is interesting to see how Maresca fits in to  the Chelsea project. He was unproven manager that was at Leicester City for one season and took them from the Championship to the Premier League via promotion but never managed in the Premier League himself. If he had stayed at Leicester City, maybe they would not have been relegated. Chelsea took a chance on him and it seems to have been a good appointment as both Maresca and Chelsea have found stability.

For the long term, I think it will never be a successful project unless as any manager (as you put it) has complete control on transfers. He took a big decision by refusing to keep Sterling at the club and the owners backed him therefore he clearly has a lot of control. If they allow him to manage it could be a mutually beneficial relationship but if they control the transfers, it will probably end in an acrimonious manner.

As for Sterling, his contract runs until June 2027 but Chelsea do not want him back and Arsenal no longer want him on loan. Now the three promoted teams (Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland) are being linked to him.

What is next for Sterling? He is 31 years old and a shadow of the player he used to be.

He knew about it before accepting the job; do you know why other experienced managers who were shortlisted left the deal?  They were informed what to expect, and they all fled away.  You are not allowed to have complete control over who comes and goes; your responsibility is to manage the players at your disposal.  The project is dreadful.

[igebotz]

For the long term, I think it will never be a successful project unless as any manager (as you put it) has complete control on transfers. He took a big decision by refusing to keep Sterling at the club and the owners backed him therefore he clearly has a lot of control. If they allow him to manage it could be a mutually beneficial relationship but if they control the transfers, it will probably end in an acrimonious manner.

On paper it looks like he singlehandedly made that decision but in reality, it was the board decision to take off every player( Sterling and Chilwell) above the new wage structure out of the project. Sterling only made it easy with bad performance after all the chances he had in preseason.

The new wage structure can not accommodate both players and the management are not ready to adjust. He may likely follow money to Saudi except he's willing to take a pay cut in Europe.

[JollyGood]

If we put the decision to remove Sterling from the squad down to the board, we take away credit from Maresca. I am sure it was Maresca that decided he did not want to work with Sterling because he did not work hard enough and put in the effort Maresca wanted. He deserves some credit for that. He also knows his job is on the line if Chelsea do not perform well when the new season starts.

On paper it looks like he singlehandedly made that decision but in reality, it was the board decision to take off every player( Sterling and Chilwell) above the new wage structure out of the project. Sterling only made it easy with bad performance after all the chances he had in preseason.

The new wage structure can not accommodate both players and the management are not ready to adjust. He may likely follow money to Saudi except he's willing to take a pay cut in Europe.

[igebotz]

If we put the decision to remove Sterling from the squad down to the board, we take away credit from Maresca. I am sure it was Maresca that decided he did not want to work with Sterling because he did not work hard enough and put in the effort Maresca wanted. He deserves some credit for that. He also knows his job is on the line if Chelsea do not perform well when the new season starts.

Yes not gonna lie, Enzo Mascara played an important role, he made it easier for the board to get rid of Sterling and Chilwell although Sterling loan didn't go as planned and we're still at the losing end. it up to the club to find a new club who are ready to pay his wages and transfer fees.

If he (Sterling) had broken into the first IX, it would have been difficult for the board to force him out. At least if you're earning way too much, show some commitments too.

[JollyGood]

If the Chelsea owners really want to run the club efficiently and professionally they will have to ensure they do not put players on high salaries. They have to remain competitive but they cannot have some players earning 3-4 times more than others.

Chelsea are paying Sterling £350,000 every week because they cannot sell him. He has a contract until 2027 therefore it suits all parties if he is sold but there are no offers for him because most teams will be unable to match his current salary (and clearly because he is no longer playing at a consistent and high level). At just 30 years old he seems to have lost his form and is no longer capable of playing in the Premier League.

As for Chilwell, Maresca froze him out then got him back in the squad before loaning him out to Crystal Palace therefore it shows he is flexible but I cannot see either Sterling or Chilwell getting back inside his Chelsea squad. The reason why Chelsea are stuck is because who wants to buy Chilwell and pay £225,000 every week with his constant injury issues even though he is just 28 years old?

Just as with Sterling, Chilwell is also contracted to stay at Chelsea until 2027.

Yes not gonna lie, Enzo Mascara played an important role, he made it easier for the board to get rid of Sterling and Chilwell although Sterling loan didn't go as planned and we're still at the losing end. it up to the club to find a new club who are ready to pay his wages and transfer fees.

If he (Sterling) had broken into the first IX, it would have been difficult for the board to force him out. At least if you're earning way too much, show some commitments too.

[igebotz]

If the Chelsea owners really want to run the club efficiently and professionally they will have to ensure they do not put players on high salaries. They have to remain competitive but they cannot have some players earning 3-4 times more than others.

We already have a wage cap at the club, which is a positive thing, but it's difficult to compete with other top clubs who are willing to pay high wages.  Osimhen would have been signed if the wage cap weren't in place; it only benefits the owners, not the team.  Honestly, I'm not a big fan of wage caps.

The reason why Chelsea are stuck is because who wants to buy Chilwell and pay £225,000 every week with his constant injury issues even though he is just 28 years old?

Chilwel's Career took  U-turn after a season-long ACL injury, he returned looking completely different, with limited game time to help him recover, having been out of the team for half a season, he's still young and has more years ahead of him unlike Sterling.  Let's see if Crystal Palace can do something for us.

We do not have Cucurella backup yet, maybe Enzo can give him another chance to redeem himself..

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Just as with Sterling, Chilwell is also contracted to stay at Chelsea until 2027.

There are times when the high years contract comes to bite us. Everything has its pros and cons and that's the con side of the strategy that the owners are using. I always ask myself why they can't terminate the contract and sell this players out for any reasonable amounts because we can't get rid of them anytime soon and they're drowning the clubs finances. Just imagine what the guys are on and they could have easily gave Osimhen a lesser salary than when you combined just this two salary, what about others. We need to get things figured out in the club sooner or we'll begin to have lots of players on long term contract that aren't performing well for the money they're being paid.

[tokeweed]

That's the question...  What was he like in his last couple of managing stints?  Was he a big splurger?  Did he want to splash the cash for the best players he could find or does he like getting the players young and develop them under his wing?  If it's the former, it's gonna be more of the same.  If it's the latter, pretty sure United needs more time to get back on track to be a top 4 club again.

I like laughing at them but tbqh I'd like to see them get back to being title contenders again.  Hopefully they finally get the right manager this time around.

Manchester United needs a lot of discipline and someone with a track record to succeed; they need a classic manager, not all of this modern manager bullshit, to restore the club to its old glory.  Attempting to develop young, inexperienced players is a gamble that doesn't guarantee success.

They could spend billions like Chelsea, and it would still not work.  Amorim is not the one who can bring back the glory days.  He is too inexperienced for this, and players will constantly treat him disrespectfully. Look at Sancho, Rashford and co.

Ok wait...  What exactly is a 'classic manager'?  The kind of manager who'll get established players in?  With how crazy the transfer market since the oilers money came in the world of football, good luck with that.  That would mean it's going to be a bigger gamble to splash the cash and it flops.  It would be better to get an Arteta type of manager or even somebody like Poch to rebuild the club.

But yeah...  I don't think the more proven managers will not touch United.  They could try a guy who won't care if he fails tho, like Ancolleti?

[igebotz]

I always ask myself why they can't terminate the contract and sell this players out for any reasonable amounts because we can't get rid of them anytime soon and they're drowning the clubs finances. Just imagine what the guys are on and they could have easily gave Osimhen a lesser salary than when you combined just this two salary, what about others.

Contract termination only benefits the players and their agents: the club will be forced to pay salaries for the remaining contract years and bonuses (which we no longer pay), as well as pay for breach of contract, while the player will be free to join another club and pocket signing fees, leaving Chelsea with nothing.  They may not be playing for us, but we are receiving loan fees and paying half salary for the remainder of their contract, which is preferable to termination.

We could still sell them and recover all the wages wasted on them all these years before 2027.

Ok wait...  What exactly is a 'classic manager'?  The kind of manager who'll get established players in?  With how crazy the transfer market since the oilers money came in the world of football, good luck with that.  That would mean it's going to be a bigger gamble to splash the cash and it flops.  It would be better to get an Arteta type of manager or even somebody like Poch to rebuild the club.

But yeah...  I don't think the more proven managers will not touch United.  They could try a guy who won't care if he fails tho, like Ancolleti?

Man it wouldn't change anything; they're still splashing heavily on players with these modern managers and it's not working, why not try the classic ones like Conte, Ancelotti and co instead? After all they're not into U21 project like Chelsea.

[CLS63]

Sterling ended his career very early to be honest. He had his golden age at Manchester City. Later on he was like average at Chelsea and still not that bad. But signing for Arsenal was a big mistake for him.


Gyökeres is still looking for a team. He has made up his mind about leaving Sporting. He is hoping an offer from the Premier League as far as I can see. Liverpool rejected him. Manchester United might be his next team unless Arsenal makes a bigger offer.

If he turns out to be a second Nunez case then I wouldn't have anything to say about it.

[JollyGood]

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of wage caps.

I understand why you do not like wage caps but a perfect example of why they are necessary is because it creates a bad atmosphere when one player is earning £350,000 per week and another player that plays the same (or more) number games and maybe is player of the season gets just £50,000 per week until a new contract is negotiated. It is unfair.

Chilwel's Career took  U-turn after a season-long ACL injury, he returned looking completely different, with limited game time to help him recover, having been out of the team for half a season, he's still young and has more years ahead of him unlike Sterling.  Let's see if Crystal Palace can do something for us.

We do not have Cucurella backup yet, maybe Enzo can give him another chance to redeem himself..

If Chilwell is given a chance to be part of the Chelsea squad after he returned from his Crystal Palace loan, it could reignite his career. Sterling had also returned to Chelsea after his Arsenal loan ended but I doubt he will be welcomed back to train with the first team.

There are times when the high years contract comes to bite us. Everything has its pros and cons and that's the con side of the strategy that the owners are using. I always ask myself why they can't terminate the contract and sell this players out for any reasonable amounts because we can't get rid of them anytime soon and they're drowning the clubs finances. Just imagine what the guys are on and they could have easily gave Osimhen a lesser salary than when you combined just this two salary, what about others. We need to get things figured out in the club sooner or we'll begin to have lots of players on long term contract that aren't performing well for the money they're being paid.

Chelsea might terminate the Mudryk contract after his drugs ban if the second sample is also positive. They paid £62 million to buy him and signed him on a long contract but not only did he not live up to expectations, he failed a drugs test too. It would present Chelsea with an ideal opportunity to stop paying him £100,000 per week (but will have to take the £62 million loss).

Chelsea could consider going down the same route as they did with Mutu when they sacked him for failing a drugs test and then were were awarded £15 million in damages because the player was in breach of contract. I suppose they have to wait for the result of the B sample before they will make a decision. It is a shame a young player with potential finds himself in this predicament. With everything they did to bring Mudryk (and several others) to the club, they could easily have done less work to sign Osimhen instead.

[igebotz]

Sterling ended his career very early to be honest. He had his golden age at Manchester City. Later on he was like average at Chelsea and still not that bad. But signing for Arsenal was a big mistake for him.

Pep don't sell until all your juice are empty - Sterling was already becoming a liability to the city team before he was sold, we thought we could revive his career but it didn't work.

I understand why you do not like wage caps but a perfect example of why they are necessary is because it creates a bad atmosphere when one player is earning £350,000 per week and another player that plays the same (or more) number games and maybe is player of the season gets just £50,000 per week until a new contract is negotiated. It is unfair.

Wage caps is not entirely bad but if there should be one, it should be done properly, the FA needs to make it mandatory for all clubs to have one- this way every club can compete fairly in the market.

Sterling had also returned to Chelsea after his Arsenal loan ended but I doubt he will be welcomed back to train with the first team.

He will not be allowed to train with the senior team yet.

[JollyGood]

If that is the case, what will Chelsea do with Sterling? Rumours still persist that at least one newly promoted club is interested in him but are trying to find a loan deal rather than pay to buy him. Just three years ago Sterling was at his peak, who would have thought he would find himself in this position after he joined Chelsea in 2022 for £47.5 million?

Would you as a Chelsea fan be happy to see Osimhen at Stamford Bridge?

He will not be allowed to train with the senior team yet.

[igebotz]

If that is the case, what will Chelsea do with Sterling? Rumours still persist that at least at least one newly promoted club is interested in him but are trying to find a loan deal rather pay to buy him. Just three years ago Sterling was at his peak, who would have thought he would find himself in this position after he joined Chelsea in 2022 for £47.5 million?

Would you as a Chelsea fan be happy to see Osimhen at Stamford Bridge?

When the CWC ends, the club will be looking for a solution for Sterling. If they are failed to secure a permanent transfer, he will be loaned out again, unless Enzo Mascara decides to give him another chance in preseason.

I like Osimhen and would like to have him, but our fans back home are toxic, and he will be abused if he underperforms.  Maybe staying at Gala would be better.

[CLS63]

Have you heard Arsenal's interest in Jackson from Chelsea? Is this really correct or just a rumour? If it is true then I really don't know what's the point in this for Arteta. Jackson is a really bad forward to be honest.

I like Osimhen and would like to have him, but our fans back home are toxic, and he will be abused if he underperforms.  Maybe staying at Gala would be better.

Osimhen rejected an insane offer by Al-Hilal. They offered him like €40-45m a year but he still turned it down. It looks like he has made up his mind to stay in Europe. Better for his career as well.

But he doesn't get any offer other than Turkish league teams recently as far as I can see. I wonder how he will end up.

[igebotz]

Have you heard Arsenal's interest in Jackson from Chelsea? Is this really correct or just a rumour? If it is true then I really don't know what's the point in this for Arteta. Jackson is a really bad forward to be honest.

Rumour, but spending over €100m on two strikers can only imply one thing: Jackson and Nkunku's days are numbered.  If the club sees a good offer for Jackson right now, they will let him go without hesitation.  Arsenal?  They're our retirement home, so they can come and grab him.

But he doesn't get any offer other than Turkish league teams recently as far as I can see. I wonder how he will end up.

His last online outburst with our former national team coach did not help him- the potential is there, but his attitude is not that good. But still, I expected him to make a big move..

[JollyGood]

He is a phenomenal talent that deserves to play on the biggest stage. I hope Osimhen finds his way to the Premier League because it would be an ideal platform for him to showcase his talents. As for Sterling, I think they might get a chance to sell him for a small fee but will probably add clauses covering extras such as sell-on fees and bonuses based on appearances.

When the CWC ends, the club will be looking for a solution for Sterling. If they are failed to secure a permanent transfer, he will be loaned out again, unless Enzo Mascara decides to give him another chance in preseason.

I like Osimhen and would like to have him, but our fans back home are toxic, and he will be abused if he underperforms.  Maybe staying at Gala would be better.