James Prescott

Yesterday our esteemed former manager said United try to win playing good football...."unlike last season's champions". The sheer hypocrisy of it is amazing. Not to mention that it's not even true. Did he even see the Everton game last year, or our walloping of his own team? Indeed, did he see his own team last year (or his Chelsea team at times)? He really can't let it go. Childish, immature and delusional, is Jose. And maybe feeling a little like his legend and legacy are now under threat from Conte.

I'll try not to be Michael. In all I think we had a decent window, but it could have been better. I hope the club learns from it, and with the new rules, it means they have to have our squad ready before the season starts (which I always said we should be doing anyway and was always the big issue for me - this will just make it obligatory). Costa looks like he's off in January. We'll probably buy a couple in January (Muller linked today...weird one). We've enough to be competitive this season and I'm genuinely excited by the new players we have in - all of them. And indeed by Musonda and Christensen too. So I expect us to compete for the title, get to the knockout stages of the CL and maybe win a cup. Win the title if we're lucky and have a good run, but will be tougher than last year (even with a stronger squad). Net spend of £77 million before selling Costa isn't bad at all. In terms of being a stranger, well fact is this place just raises my blood pressure. If anyone here actually met me in person, I'm pretty sure no one would think it was the same guy. I'm far less emotional and more rational in person. Something about this place, the board at our club, and certain individuals actions here does me in. Later all. I'll be back at some point.

Apparently we voted to end the window early. Goodness knows why with our board. Hopefully this summer, plus an earlier deadline, might be the kick up the backside they need.

If I was earning, I'd love to give and it's important this site keeps going. Not having a job right now makes it difficult sadly. I do hope I can find a way to support this site, because despite its failings, it is the best Chelsea forum I know.

PL voted to close transfer window 5pm day before season starts. Which in this window means we wouldn't have signed Drinkwater and Zappacosta and would be woefully under strength. Literally cannot afford to piss around penny pinching next summer. We need to have our deals in place or well advanced before this season ends, not be haggling over a couple of million. If the board are as inept as they were this summer, we'll be in deep trouble.

So apparently Ox was on to join and then spoke to Conte who told him he would playing at RWB, which put him off. So then the Chelsea board banned Conte from talking to Barkley when Barkley wanted to speak to him about joining us - and that was allegedly one of the reasons Barkley decided against joining. So Conte lost us Ox, and the board cost us Barkley. Our board. Honestly. Do your research. If a player asks to speak to the manager to join, let them.

Well, turn up for the books. Apparently it's not just Conte who is furious with Marina and Emenalo about the transfer activity this summer - so is Roman. According to reports Roman apologised to Conte for not getting the number or quality of players he wanted and is set to have stern words with Emenalo and Marina. Damn right. Might mean an interesting January window. Especially with players like Sanchez and Barkley running out of contract, and Mahrez still wanting out of Leicester.

Costa still wants out. Conte still wants him out. Costa is still in Brazil. Nothing's changed, just because he's in the PL squad. He's probably there to help our case in case of a legal action. We can say we named him in the squad and he refused to report for training. I admit though, Hazard, Costa and Morata would be some front three.

OK, so got cover in the midfield now, which is good, and added to our HG options. Got enough to get through to January at least with the squad we have. Could do with a couple more, but maybe we'll do that in January. Hopefully we'll get Barkley then. Long term still need another LWB and possibly a backup striker. Overall, we've signed Morata, Bakayoko, Drinkwater, Zappacosta, Rudiger and Callibero, and brought back Christensen. Could have been better, could have been worse. Probably got enough to be competitive this season, probably enough to challenge for the title at least, and get to knockout stages of CL - maybe win a cup. Could have been better, could have been worse. Still annoyed by how club leave it so late and are so tight on spending. Could have got deals done way earlier. But we've got what we've got. So there we are. Now time to focus on having a great season. Up the Chels! Later everyone.

Chelsea confirmed it: http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/08/drinkwater-joins-chelsea.html

Leicester just announced Drinkwater has joined us. https://www.lcfc.com/news/465036/danny-drinkwater-departs-for-chelsea/press-release

Chelsea TV just did this: "Don't go to sleep just yet, there's more news brewing at Chelsea" - then held up a glass of water.

Well the sheets have to be in by now with the PL. So we'll find out one way or another soon if we've signed Drinkwater.

4 minutes.

Better than having 3 midfielders for 2 positions for 4 competitions.