JimmyC74

What are the chances that he stays and within days you hear he has signed a new, improved, extended contract with us.

https://x.com/frazfletcher/status/1794698508815290478?s=46 Obviously it isn’t certain that Enzo gets selected following the Chelsea interview process but, if he loses out and stays at Citeh will he be able to move on, knuckle down and be committed? Also the last thing we need is for Rudders to be trying to sort out contract renewals, player incomings and exits at the same time as potentially recruiting a new manager.

They apparently want a coach who stays in his lane and let’s the DofF oversee strategy - so no big names. They want likes of McKenna or Enzo who they think won’t be too demanding.

You have to wonder whether the board might not be too upset if Enzo leaves. £10m cash in the bank before 30 June to help meet PSR target / reduce any potential deficit. Remove the problem of a manager demanding change in the offices / football decision making department and bring in someone who is perhaps just happy to manage in the prem.

Enzo is keeping his options open and seeing how things play out. Sensible negotiating strategy. He gets improved terms + more power here or improved terms and a move - win win from his perspective. Albeit we know Chelsea is a poison chalice if he isn’t immediately successful

Get it sorted one way or the other.

ReluctantNicko has said his release clause is £15m

Won’t hurt his negotiations with Top anyway…..

Don’t mind us retaining Vestergaard because of his passing so long as we ensure we have the right profile of defenders to support him and there is midfield cover. We need at least one centre defender (ideally left sided) who has sufficient pace who can cover for him when he is exposed by pace. There is some speculation we switch to a double pivot (Winks plus one other) to prevent an overload on the defence. Whether we use Ndidi or bring someone in, these are two key areas if building the team around Vestergaard will work.

If there is a grain of truth in what Balague is saying it appears Enzo has very clear expectations on what he wants / expects which of course could turn out to be great if it worked. You just worry giving away too much control, so soon after the Rodgers and Congerton debacle (after initial success) combined with the disconnect with Rudders that it could go spectacularly bad. I don’t see Rudders going away but maybe a sporting director will be appointed who Enzo respects and Rudders redeployed.

you have to imagine that, if he is staying, Top has promised him more control over the football operation / decision making in the immediate term (scouting, recruitment etc) and longer term that funds will be made available.

He is but 32 and 10 games this season, 14 last, probably too expensive on the wages.

Yeah I seem to remember they spent a pile on that goalkeeper from Man City.

Enzo's PR guru is on manoeuvres again (latest WSY pod)....... 1. Enzo has lots of big teams flirting with him. There is 'strong interest'. 2. He wants more / better / different people brought in to the 'offices' / behind the scenes to improve the foundations of the club - code for get rid / sideline Rudders (okay, I agree with this bit). 3. Kompany has told the Leicester coaching staff he regretted not making more changes / he shouldn't have sticked with the playing squad that won promotion. Hint, Hint Board of Directors, Top. 4. Let's go elite and following Enzo's lead. Does Enzo stay when fans don't full get what he trying to do, the Club maybe won't be competitive and will lose a number of games due to the higher standard. It's going to be a long summer.......

According to ReluctantNicko Hamer has a 15m relegation clause.

As you say no chance of N'didi or Vestergaard signing a one-year extension - especially Vestergaard at 31 this will be his last big contract. Which is the most important position to fill? Vestergaard. If we retain him because of his progressive passing from the back I think we *must* recruit a pace merchant centre back to play alongside him. I wouldn't want to start the season with Faes and Vestergaard as my starting centre backs - Faes is too reckless at times rushing in and there is no way Vestergaard can cover. Ndidi could potentially play as a six or eight tho maybe lacks the creativity for a season in the premier as an eight. Also his injury record is a concern. If we could renew on a modest wage then I would retain him, but he would probably play in a double pivot alongside Winks. We definitely could do with an enforcer type in midfield. Re Vardy....love the fella and no doubt he will chip in but I think we need a new focal point to lead the line. Daka and Cannon I don't see as starters / generating enough goals.

The danger with kicking the can down the road is that construction costs only ever rise. There will never be a perfect time to do it. If the Stadium build is delayed due to PSR you have to wonder when our finances will be in a position to begin the spade work.

If we want to progress / compete for European nights again it is vital that we complete the stadium expansion. We have to increase commercial revenues and the hotels, event / conference locations will help bring in money 24/7/365.

Aren’t the squad still on their jollies in Monaco - you won’t get any material updates for a while. That said Nacho’s t-shirt msg was pretty clear - expect him to be moving on.

Over the last two plus years Daka hasn’t pulled up any trees (16 goals from 73 appearances). Yes he is a willing presser, but he is not clinical enough, he isn’t able to hold up the ball well enough. If there was chance to sell and break even with our amortised balance sheet value I would let him go.

Under Enzo I don't see us moving from playing one-up front. I would expect Enzo wants to bring in someone new to lead the line, rotating with Vards. We know Kels is on his way and depending on interest I would expect us to sell one of Daka / Cannon

Agent talk. Doubt Sevilla could afford the compensation fee.

Hopefully they want to take Iversen on a permanent deal then.

With Enzo’s power being at its peak do you think he pushes for 4-5 priority targets (not necessarily big fee + big wage) or numbers? I don’t think we will go big on spending so he goes for the former and hopes likes of Hamza / Cannon / Daka contribute when called upon.

Think Owynn recently said the EFL had confirmed this date.