RUMOUR - Bertrand, Clyne and Zaha

[TheWearing]

"We're buying your two best players. Here, have a friendly to make up for it"

It's been done before though hasn't it.

Brett Williams. We played Eastleigh after we signed him from them

[ZacNaloen]

Eastleigh are a slightly smaller club than CP

[Dare to Dr£am]

Can't afford Zaha. Wont get Clyne. If there was a deal then it could be Parr (right-back)

[Hoop Blah]

I was thinking more of Swindon, which I think the friendly came about because of the Morrison transfer (although that might not be right, and certainly might not've been a T&C of the deal).

Again, they're a bit smaller than Palace, but it does show that we're in contact with them about something!

[blueroyals]

If that was true, why is the game at the Madejski? Surely the whole purpose of offering a friendly is so the home club sells some tickets, adding value to the transfer.

[Hoop Blah]

If that was true, why is the game at the Madejski? Surely the whole purpose of offering a friendly is so the home club sells some tickets, adding value to the transfer.

Is it? Hadn't read the details.

Perhaps for a share of the gates? A local friendly against top opposition at a venue their fans love to go for a good day out?

Who knows. Perhaps it's a sweetener for Antonio or someone going the other way!

[sandman]

"We're buying your two best players. Here, have a friendly to make up for it"

It's been done before though hasn't it.

More of a throwaway comment on the absurdity of offering a club a friendly in return for signing their best players when a fee has already been paid than disputing whether it has been done before.

[RoyalX]

If Di Matteo gets the Chelsea job there is no way we sign Bertrand. He's apparently going to play in the Champions League Final tonight

[Drew_3]

If Di Matteo gets the Chelsea job there is no way we sign Bertrand. He's apparently going to play in the Champions League Final tonight

Not too devalue Bertrand, but he starts as half their midfield is suspended.

[UpNorth]

The Jonathan Parr rumour may have some legs.

Last year we offered him a one year contract but he opted for a better deal with Palace.

Brian may still be interested.

[sandman]

Confirmed that Berty starts in the CL final.

[royalsteve]

Confirmed that Berty starts in the CL final.

and played well, doubt we'll get him now, damn!

[RoyalX]

If Di Matteo gets the Chelsea job there is no way we sign Bertrand. He's apparently going to play in the Champions League Final tonight

Not too devalue Bertrand, but he starts as half their midfield is suspended.

By "half their midfield", I suppose you meant Ramires? As he was the only winger who couldn't play - Bertrand started ahead of Malouda and Sturridge. Though that is pretty irrelevent, all you need to know is that he started a game of that magnitude. Why would Chelsea sell/loan him when he's clearly an important back-up player?

[Cripple Creek]

Bertrand did a fine job helping stop Robben stamp his authority on the game. As other posters have said, the notion that we are going to sign a player whose final game of the season was in the European Champions Final can now be put to rest. Shame though. Before last night I honestly think we were in with a (slim) chance.

[Drew_3]

If Di Matteo gets the Chelsea job there is no way we sign Bertrand. He's apparently going to play in the Champions League Final tonight

Not too devalue Bertrand, but he starts as half their midfield is suspended.

By "half their midfield", I suppose you meant Ramires? As he was the only winger who couldn't play - Bertrand started ahead of Malouda and Sturridge. Though that is pretty irrelevent, all you need to know is that he started a game of that magnitude. Why would Chelsea sell/loan him when he's clearly an important back-up player?

No, you'll notice I said midfield not wingers. I was referring to Ivanovic (who has been used in the middle), Meireles and Ramires.

[TBM]

I was referring to Ivanovic (who has been used in the middle),

[RoyalX]

Not too devalue Bertrand, but he starts as half their midfield is suspended.

By "half their midfield", I suppose you meant Ramires? As he was the only winger who couldn't play - Bertrand started ahead of Malouda and Sturridge. Though that is pretty irrelevent, all you need to know is that he started a game of that magnitude. Why would Chelsea sell/loan him when he's clearly an important back-up player?

No, you'll notice I said midfield not wingers. I was referring to Ivanovic (who has been used in the middle), Meireles and Ramires.

That's why I was confused; Meireles being suspended had little effect on Bertrand's selection - Ivanovic had even less!

[URZZ]

He won't and if he did sign for us, I'd feel sorry for him

[Niko]

As great as i imagine Bertrand is feeling right now about his prospects, you'd imagine Shorey would have been feeling the same after his 2 England performances. Now look where he is...

[URZZ]

As great as i imagine Bertrand is feeling right now about his prospects, you'd imagine Shorey would have been feeling the same after his 2 England performances. Now look where he is...

Although Bertrand is a little younger than Shorey was at that point in his career; and Shorey doesn't have a Champions League winners medal. That also goes without mentioning, Bertrand has already received more recognition at Chelsea and continues to be rated by them, than Shorey ever was at Villa, and West Brom.