Bilal El Khannouss (Stuttgart loan, official)

[Guest Bilo]

14 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

You can just feel the sulk coming through that Tavolieri tweet.

 

Is he that reliable with us? It feels like we're so secretive as a club that almost nobody really has the finger on the pulse.

[Finnegan]

7 minutes ago, Bilo said:

Is he that reliable with us? It feels like we're so secretive as a club that almost nobody really has the finger on the pulse.

 

No, not us, but with a number of Belgian / BENELUX agents.

 

He doesn't know what's going on with BEK because we're leaking it to him, he knows what's going on with BEK because Bilal's agent (or someone in his entourage) very obviously talks to him.

 

He knows when Bilal takes a shit. 

 

I do genuinely believe most, if not all, of what Tav has said about BEK is grounded in truth but you also need to take with a certain pinch of salt because he quite obviously has an agenda.

 

Edited 22 August 2025 by Finnegan

[stevostadium]

6 hours ago, ClaphamFox said:

Fair enough. Unfortunately we’re in a tricky spot because we badly need to trim the squad, both from a financial and a squad management perspective, but doing so will be very difficult. The players we’d like to get rid of are proving difficult to shift because nobody else will match their wages, which is clearly a problem of our own making but not one with an easy solution. It wouldn’t surprise me to see one or two (eg Winks) depart towards the end of the window, possibly on loan, with a few others coming in. I don’t expect Fatawu to leave as we’ll price him out of a move. Overall I think we’ll start the new season with a squad that has been moderately refreshed but nowhere near as much as most people would like. Then it will be up to Cifuentes to do what he can with what he’s got. A major refresh will have to take place next summer irrespective of what happens this season because of the number of players coming out of contract in June 2026.

 

 

 

 

Agree that this time next year will be in a far more healthier position with the amount  of dross leaving th building having had their contracts expire.

This year is going to be a real struggle. Cant see any new quality players coming in as a) the quality of the squad will be poor and we are not an attractive proposition and b) a possible -9 points deduction.

With the squad as it is now minus BEK it is more likely to go down that go up IMO

 

Reference your moderately refreshed squad, i really cant see that happening. 2 or 3 substandard loans squad fillers at best.

 

I genuinely dont know how your are so positive about the whole farse tbh.

[Old Fox]

19 minutes ago, stevostadium said:

Agree that this time next year will be in a far more healthier position with the amount  of dross leaving th building having had their contracts expire.

This year is going to be a real struggle. Cant see any new quality players coming in as a) the quality of the squad will be poor and we are not an attractive proposition and b) a possible -9 points deduction.

With the squad as it is now minus BEK it is more likely to go down that go up IMO

 

Reference your moderately refreshed squad, i really cant see that happening. 2 or 3 substandard loans squad fillers at best.

 

I genuinely dont know how your are so positive about the whole farse tbh.

I am not sure about most fans but I am in the Stevo camp - I do not care as long as we get rid of as many of this shower as possible - I in 40+ years despite watching us through pleat, taylor times etc have never felt more disconnected to our club than now - the academy is starting to work and the model of developing your own to either be in the first team or ship out for money like Chelsea is a way to move forward. A starter for me would be to get a team on the pitch that I can at least get behind - I do not want to see any of Faes, VK, Soumare in our shirt again - I can cope with Winks, Daka and a couple of them if they want to stay and be part of our recovery....the likes of McAteer were never good enough which is probably similar for Thomas but at least they tried when selected.

 

Hopefully this is the start of a significant clearout now MC has had time to have a look and there can be no way he has not realised we basically need new fullbacks, a centre half, a central midfield and a striker - we may not get all of that but if we can get rid of some of the problems we can move forward with youth too if needed - I am not convinced all of our youngsters are quite ready or as good as some on here think but I do genuinely believe that whatever Top is as a Chairman (maybe out of his depth and certainly not a business man like his father) that he wants success and he will be ambitious to get us back - he may be under constraints around PSR and yes, some poor decisions have been taken but also the rules have hit us harder than anyone because we dared to try and compete with the Top6 and failed to sustain it!

[Dahnsouff]

1 hour ago, Old Fox said:

I am not sure about most fans but I am in the Stevo camp - I do not care as long as we get rid of as many of this shower as possible - I in 40+ years despite watching us through pleat, taylor times etc have never felt more disconnected to our club than now - the academy is starting to work and the model of developing your own to either be in the first team or ship out for money like Chelsea is a way to move forward. A starter for me would be to get a team on the pitch that I can at least get behind - I do not want to see any of Faes, VK, Soumare in our shirt again - I can cope with Winks, Daka and a couple of them if they want to stay and be part of our recovery....the likes of McAteer were never good enough which is probably similar for Thomas but at least they tried when selected.

 

Hopefully this is the start of a significant clearout now MC has had time to have a look and there can be no way he has not realised we basically need new fullbacks, a centre half, a central midfield and a striker - we may not get all of that but if we can get rid of some of the problems we can move forward with youth too if needed - I am not convinced all of our youngsters are quite ready or as good as some on here think but I do genuinely believe that whatever Top is as a Chairman (maybe out of his depth and certainly not a business man like his father) that he wants success and he will be ambitious to get us back - he may be under constraints around PSR and yes, some poor decisions have been taken but also the rules have hit us harder than anyone because we dared to try and compete with the Top6 and failed to sustain it!

Although I don’t disagree and it is very overdue, what are we left with but youth and overinflated expectations?

[Lambert09]

don’t be surprised if west ham show up for him in the last week. they are void of creativity and will be feeling desperate…. plus they know how bad at negotiating rudkin is 

[Craig]

6 minutes ago, Lambert09 said:

don’t be surprised if west ham show up for him in the last week. they are void of creativity and will be feeling desperate…. plus they know how bad at negotiating rudkin is 

I'd be amazed if they dare sign another one from us  

[Muzzy_no7]

Still think he goes Palace for 27.5m (+2.5-5m add ons) 

[Pliskin]

6 hours ago, Old Fox said:

I am not sure about most fans but I am in the Stevo camp - I do not care as long as we get rid of as many of this shower as possible - I in 40+ years despite watching us through pleat, taylor times etc have never felt more disconnected to our club than now - the academy is starting to work and the model of developing your own to either be in the first team or ship out for money like Chelsea is a way to move forward. A starter for me would be to get a team on the pitch that I can at least get behind - I do not want to see any of Faes, VK, Soumare in our shirt again - I can cope with Winks, Daka and a couple of them if they want to stay and be part of our recovery....the likes of McAteer were never good enough which is probably similar for Thomas but at least they tried when selected.

 

Hopefully this is the start of a significant clearout now MC has had time to have a look and there can be no way he has not realised we basically need new fullbacks, a centre half, a central midfield and a striker - we may not get all of that but if we can get rid of some of the problems we can move forward with youth too if needed - I am not convinced all of our youngsters are quite ready or as good as some on here think but I do genuinely believe that whatever Top is as a Chairman (maybe out of his depth and certainly not a business man like his father) that he wants success and he will be ambitious to get us back - he may be under constraints around PSR and yes, some poor decisions have been taken but also the rules have hit us harder than anyone because we dared to try and compete with the Top6 and failed to sustain it!

I think what’s more likely to happen is, we get relegated, and lose Monga and Page for a pittance. And end up on the same mess in a lower league….. with the same incompetence leading the club. 

[hackneyfox]

17 minutes ago, Lambert09 said:

don’t be surprised if west ham show up for him in the last week. they are void of creativity and will be feeling desperate…. plus they know how bad at negotiating rudkin is 

Ndidi and McAteer deals may say otherwise.

Edited 22 August 2025 by hackneyfox

[Mungongo]

8 minutes ago, Pliskin said:

I think what’s more likely to happen is, we get relegated, and lose Monga and Page for a pittance. And end up on the same mess in a lower league….. with the same incompetence leading the club. 

That’s the spirit.

[Finnegan]

6 minutes ago, hackneyfox said:

Ndidi and McAteer deals may say otherwise.

 

Wilfred Ndidi had a release clause. 

 

Edited 22 August 2025 by Finnegan

[Trav Le Bleu]

So, is he not going now?

 

Transfer windows should close to anything but loans once the season starts.

[Jacnah]

22 minutes ago, Pliskin said:

I think what’s more likely to happen is, we get relegated, and lose Monga and Page for a pittance. And end up on the same mess in a lower league….. with the same incompetence leading the club. 

youre always such a bundle of joy. Postivity oozes. Must be great fun to have around

 

 

 

 

[Pliskin]

9 minutes ago, Jacnah said:

youre always such a bundle of joy. Postivity oozes. Must be great fun to have around

 

 

 

 

Joy, Positive, Fun? What are these? 

[Pliskin]

29 minutes ago, Mungongo said:

That’s the spirit.

I mean, there’s not much sign of anything else is there? Two games in, and this lot look as incapable as they did last season. Writing is on the wall for me…..

[Kierzz]

2 hours ago, Lambert09 said:

don’t be surprised if west ham show up for him in the last week. they are void of creativity and will be feeling desperate…. plus they know how bad at negotiating rudkin is 

West Ham have much bigger issues than recruiting another No.10. They have Paqueta in No. 10 but their defence is terrible...may even be looking for another goalkeeper...

[Verumex]

53 minutes ago, Kierzz said:

West Ham have much bigger issues than recruiting another No.10. They have Paqueta in No. 10 but their defence is terrible...may even be looking for another goalkeeper...

I hear that John Victor is available for them...

[Iwebema]

With Dibling to Everton and Glasners comments about investing in the squad, I wonder if they will come back and just agree to whatever the issue was that led to talks pausing.

 

Be interesting to see if he starts today or not, probably gives us an indication.

[VLC86]

5 minutes ago, Iwebema said:

With Dibling to Everton and Glasners comments about investing in the squad, I wonder if they will come back and just agree to whatever the issue was that led to talks pausing.

 

Be interesting to see if he starts today or not, probably gives us an indication.

If he’s captain he’s off.

[ClaphamFox]

4 minutes ago, Iwebema said:

With Dibling to Everton and Glasners comments about investing in the squad, I wonder if they will come back and just agree to whatever the issue was that led to talks pausing.

 

Be interesting to see if he starts today or not, probably gives us an indication.

They presumably expected us to open to negotiation on the fee, which we haven’t been. It’s now down to whether they’re willing to swallow their pride and cough up what we’re asking.

[lcfc_forever]

 

[moore_94]

He is gone isn’t he

[Steve Earle]

1 minute ago, moore_94 said:

He is gone isn’t he

Certainly looks that way. So, with £80m + coming in, might we actually see the three signings we need?

[OriginalRobboFOX]

Meh. Just get as much as we can for him. He weren’t on the pitch last week during our best spell.