Joe Bennett

[curiousorange]

I would agree about not wanting to be in the Europa League in its current format. An abomination of a competition. What mystifies me is how Portuguese teams always manage to do so well in it.

[Concrete John]

It's highly unlikely we'll manage to eventually get to the CL, if that's the ultimate goal,  without a season or three stopping off in the Europa.  It's a necessary evil.

[Somniloquism]

the problem is (as always with loans) if Bertrand finishes the season well for us Chelsea will realise his worth to us and the price to us to pay for a permanent move will reflect that. Either we'll pay it like we did to newcastle with Milner, or he'll go back like walker did to spurs. Can't see him being allowed to play for us on loan again next season, unfortunately. It will be pay the money or he's coming back to us. I've been impressed with him, but would be hesitant to pay stupid money which is likely what they'll be asking.

Plus, there'd be his wages to consider- imagine he'd be on a few quid at Chelsea?

Pendant alert. We paid £4 mil for Milner after the loan but Newcastle bottled it last minute and decided to keep him. We then had to pay £12mil two years later when he had started playing to his full potential for them.

[not3bad]

I would agree about not wanting to be in the Europa League in its current format. An abomination of a competition. What mystifies me is how Portuguese teams always manage to do so well in it.

Do they have less domestic games to play?

[Dante Lavelli]

Ultimately, we're going to find ourselves having to pay the going rate for good players

Indeed and we might as well do it where we *know* the player will integrate and perform to the required level - i.e. Bertrand - after effectively a 5 month trial.  It's a pretty risk adverse transfer assumming Chelsea do not ask stupid money.

[Dave]

Ultimately, we're going to find ourselves having to pay the going rate for good players

Indeed and we might as well do it where we *know* the player will integrate and perform to the required level - i.e. Bertrand - after effectively a 5 month trial.  It's a pretty risk adverse transfer assumming Chelsea do not ask stupid money.

According to Pat Murphy an option to buy for a set fee was included in the loan arrangement with Bertrand.

[paul_e]

I would agree about not wanting to be in the Europa League in its current format. An abomination of a competition. What mystifies me is how Portuguese teams always manage to do so well in it.

16 team league with a so-so cup compeition so their first team will play 30-32 domestic games as opposed to the 40-45 that is common in England.  with international breaks, etc it's pretty common for and English side in European competition to play midweek virtually every week for the season.  Take Ashley Williams for example, if he stays fit and ban free he'll have played 47 games this season and that's not unusual for an important player in an English side in the europa.

[Toronto Villa]

It's highly unlikely we'll manage to eventually get to the CL, if that's the ultimate goal,  without a season or three stopping off in the Europa.  It's a necessary evil.

Unfortunately yes. It's an awful competition in its current format but we're not making a jump from 10th to 4th in the next couple of seasons.

[Dante Lavelli]

Ultimately, we're going to find ourselves having to pay the going rate for good players

Indeed and we might as well do it where we *know* the player will integrate and perform to the required level - i.e. Bertrand - after effectively a 5 month trial.  It's a pretty risk adverse transfer assumming Chelsea do not ask stupid money.

According to Pat Murphy an option to buy for a set fee was included in the loan arrangement with Bertrand.

Interesting, I'd imagine it might sound quite high in the sense that the loan fee could be included in the final transfer free.  Try now, pay later etc.

[Clampy]

Ultimately, we're going to find ourselves having to pay the going rate for good players

Indeed and we might as well do it where we *know* the player will integrate and perform to the required level - i.e. Bertrand - after effectively a 5 month trial.  It's a pretty risk adverse transfer assumming Chelsea do not ask stupid money.

According to Pat Murphy an option to buy for a set fee was included in the loan arrangement with Bertrand.

If that is true, I wonder if Chelsea have already done a deal for Luke Shaw?

[eastie]

The guy on sky commentating said he didn't think Chelsea were willing to part with Bertrand on a permanent deal as they rate him highly so its interesting if pat murphy has said that.

[DrGonzo]

Mourinho gave that line about Bertrand as a wind up, he's a piss taker.

[PaulWinch again]

The guy on sky commentating said he didn't think Chelsea were willing to part with Bertrand on a permanent deal as they rate him highly so its interesting if pat murphy has said that.

I severely doubt Chelsea rate him that highly, if that were the case he'd be playing now. I really hope he ends up at Villa.

[Clampy]

Like I said the other day, I reckon he'll end up back on here on loan.

[PaulWinch again]

I doubt that, I'd have thought we sign him permanently.