Rumour Mill

Chelsea target Xabi Alonso transfer as a free agent next summer:
The former Liverpool midfielder, 32 next month, is on a deal that's set to expire next summer and can sign a pre-contract with the Londoners in January, and it is believed he will be offered a three-year contract to reunite with Mourinho at Stamford Bridge
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-target-xabi-alonso-transfer-2654345

Next summer is too late.

Also, I don't think I want Alonso, I'd like someone younger.

Why would they offer a 3 year contract to Alonso, doesn't our club policy have something along the lines of giving only 1 year contracts to players over 30. But I doubt we will go after him considering his age.

Uncanny wrote:Why would they offer a 3 year contract to Alonso, doesn't our club policy have something along the lines of giving only 1 year contracts to players over 30.  But I doubt we will go after him considering his age.

Very well said, I forgot about that!

That's a media rumour.

Obviously not an accurate one.

I mean regarding the over-30s policy. There has been no indication from the club that any such a statute is in place.

So why are we yet to see an over-30 receive a contract longer than a year? Even Eto'o, a new signing didn't get one longer than that.

Because he's on big wages, coming from a pointless league, and they'd no clue if he was even a competent player anymore. Schwarzer is self-explanatory. The media have taken the fact that Lamps, 35, and Cole were both given one-year extensions and turned it into some sort of club doctrine, when in reality they've been given no suggestion that that's the case whatsoever.

And it's held true thus far, perhaps the media are right?

And how many instances has it had not to be true? Or even true? As I said, 2. 2 players being signed up on 1-year extensions and suddenly it's the club policy. Without a single statement from any club official to back it up. Right.

Have to agree with Kick on this. If you remember, we've also let Ballack & Drogba go because they couldn't agree with the club on more than a 1 year deal. Certainly looks more than a coincidence to me.

Didn't Drogba say in that final parting interview with Gigi that he'd decided to go months before the season ended? Besides, both, just like Lamps, were well into their 30s (Drogba and Ballack both 34) when they left. It would be total idiocy to give someone that old a multi-year contract. My gripe is with the idea that ANYONE even 30 wouldn't be given more than a 1 year contract. I just don't buy it. Seems more of a case-to-case thing to me rather than some outstanding club statue.

Alonso is going to be 32 soon, Same age as Eto'o. I doubt he'd be given a longer contract.

It would be 2 years at the max!

I'm not denying the [probable] falsity of the Alonso Mirror article! Just the whole 30s-policy thing.

It'll be irrelevent after Cabaye puts in a great showing this weekend (despite Newcastle losing) and Chelsea buy him in Jan

 

The rumor behind the drogba thing is he wanted a 2 year deal, and chelsea would only give him a 1 year contract with a possibility of another year extension. I don't think this 1 year thing is a policy of the club either, but rather something they hold into account considering age.

Carlo agreed with Ballack that he could have a new contract at the end of the season but the club didnt agree

Chelsea handed boost in Robert Lewandowski chase as Man Utd withdraw interest:
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/440562/Chelsea-handed-boost-in-Robert-Lewandowski-chase-as-Man-Utd-withdraw-interest



Oh just give it up already. These "Lewandowski to (insert any club not named Bayern)" stories are getting dumber by the day.

Yeah, I ignore all of them.

Juventus to offer Paul Pogba pay rise to keep Arsenal and Chelsea at bay:
The reigning Scudetto holders intend to offer Paul Pogba a bumper pay rise to ward off
potential suitors
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/440519/Juventus-to-offer-Paul-Pogba-pay-rise-to-keep-Arsenal-and-Chelsea-at-bay

I hope they do. I'd rather see us develop Nate.

Chelsea set to rival Barcelona for Feyenoord goal machine Graziano Pelle:
http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/01/chelsea-set-to-rival-barcelona-for-feyenoord-goal-machine-graziano-pelle-4170387/

Who?

apparently he is 28!

28 and scarcely even heard of. Hmmm.