Egan-Riley

[Goliath]

It’s a lazy journalists option is what it is.

Not good enough. Not anymore. I’d sooner have a look at either Beyer or Ekdal before offering anything to Michael Keane.

Can anyone suggest which other PL club offers Keane a contract?

Exactly…

He started last weekend away at Fulham in a 3 1 win, scored and was one of the best players on the pitch drawing praise from his manager in his post match press conference.

[KRBFC]

People saying it’s OK if Egan-Riley goes because we’ve got Beyer and Ekdal coming back are remembering their PL performances very differently to the way I do.

Pre January If you look at the PL games Beyer played we were generally competitive in them, he got subbed off opening night, missed the 2nd game and was likely struggling fitness wise in the Spurs game.

[RVclaret]

He started last weekend away at Fulham in a 3 1 win, scored and was one of the best players on the pitch drawing praise from his manager in his post match press conference.

Maybe they’ll offer him a new deal?

[Goliath]

Maybe they’ll offer him a new deal?

Possible. I doubt it though, he's on pretty big wages and isn't that popular so might be seen as a chance to free up some money on their wage hill.
I'd have him as our number one target for the summer tbh with Egan Riley going. He ticks so many boxes that we are after.

[Boss Hogg]

A player doesn’t leave because they didn’t like a previous manager who now has nothing to do with the club or because some fans were once a bit mean to another player. He is a man not a boy. Chelsea will be waving the cash. In isolation it seems odd to not play in the PL to play in French Ligue One as it is nowhere near the same level. The jury would have been out for him in the PL though. Personally think we’ll need someone taller in there. Been really good for us this season though.

[Goliath]

Pre January If you look at the PL games Beyer played we were generally competitive in them, he got subbed off opening night, missed the 2nd game and was likely struggling fitness wise in the Spurs game.

So we are just to assume that after a pre season he's going to be the same player he was then? That's a big assumption

[ŽižkovClaret]

Tbh if we don't sign a direct replacement it would be far from a crisis position. Esteve, Worrall, Beyer and Ekdal as 4 CB options with Humphries able to deputise.......

I remain far more focused on the Striker position

[Dazzler]

What folk seem to be overlooking is the fact that Bashir is mainly a CB rather than a full-back.

[The Shire Claret]

Let's be honest, if this turned out not to be true and he signed a 5 year deal with us there would suddenly be considerably less people on here who didn't think he was up to it.

Bang on

[ChristheViking]

We've now got expert fans advising us that CJER isn't up to the Prem anyway.
Too small.
Won't suit him.
Esteve will have to cover for him.

These fans would have a lot more credibility if they'd have identified all these flaws immediately after the Sheffield United game and not on the day this news has broke.

[Ampth7]

Assuming CJ is moving on, I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

I don’t think we can have any complaints with him, he has had a great season following several years of relative oblivion away from our first team. Absolutely no reason for us to somehow expect some kind of loyalty which isn’t even a thing in football anyway.

Players will always make transfer and contract decisions that they feel are best for their careers and clearly a large part of this is the money! No idea what he will be earning in France, but I suspect it’s probably a lot more than we are willing/able to offer.

[ClaretTony]

The annoying thing is that teams continue to use multi-club ownership models to circumvent established practices, like compensating clubs for taking their young prospects.

It's beyond annoying - I really hate this multi-club ownership.

[Papabendi]

might be worth bearing in mind that Bashir Humphreys is primarily a centre back

[quoonbeatz]

A real shame if he does go. I’d say CJ is better than pre-injury Beyer and I’ll be surprised if Beyer gets back to those levels, his injury came at really bad time in his development.

[summitclaret]

Let's be honest, if this turned out not to be true and he signed a 5 year deal with us there would suddenly be considerably less people on here who didn't think he was up to it.

I'd defo give him a 5 year deal, but if we are in the PL he'd be in a back 3, as we won't survive without a big cb.

[dandeclaret]

He isn't the biggest, or the quickest, however, his quick accurate delivery into the wide players will be very difficult to replace.

[ecc]

The annoying thing is that teams continue to use multi-club ownership models to circumvent established practices, like compensating clubs for taking their young prospects.

Oh, yes. The bottom line is that these models should be rendered illegal but it's too late for that now.

[bobinho]

Either of the other 2 promoted sides for a start.....

I’ll keep my eye on it.

My humble pie is ready just in case, but I reckon it’ll be going mouldy in the bin.

[beddie]

Tbh if we don't sign a direct replacement it would be far from a crisis position. Esteve, Worrall, Beyer and Ekdal as 4 CB options with Humphries able to deputise.......

I remain far more focused on the Striker position

Worrall, Beyer and Ekdal are not good enough for the PL. Although before I write off Beyer completely I’d like to have a look at him first against some quality opposition, especially after his long lay off.

[GetIntoEm]

Has he told you this? Be a strange thing to tell a fan, certainly didn't look desperate to leave.

Why wouldn't he celebrate? But yes wants to go

[burnley007]

I'm completely baffled by any talk of him leaving us to move to France.
It just doesn't make any sense.

I'm going to assume it's just agent talk whilst he's haggling over a new contract.

[claretspice]

if this is true and happens, then it's clearly a big blow. Egan Riley was outstanding this season and I was certainly someone who thought he had qualities that could shine in the Premier League. He's quick and he's excellent in possession - that ability to turn defence into attack with long, accurate passes will be hard to replace - and watching him blossom this season (realising the promise he'd shown in glimpses since Kompany signed him in his rare appearances) was one of the great joys of the campaign (certainly before we became more free-scoring as winter turned to spring).

I can see the argument that he might struggle in the Premier League at this stage as one of two centre backs, but I have a hunch we'll look to play 3 centre backs next season and he looked to me perfectly suited to the right sided centre back role in a back 3. I don't think we have any sort of natural replacement on the books - Ekdal isn't remotely quick enough to play on the outside of a back 3, and Beyer didn't have the sort of distribution Egan Riley has even if he does prove good enough. We'll need to go into the market to replace him and that will tie up some funds (unless we take a young loan, or look at someone like Michael Keane - although he again is not a natural distributor like Egan Riley).

If he does go, there are big lessons to be learned by the club. If you're buying potential to develop it, a three year contract with no option is always short, but that was exacerbated by the fact he clearly felt he wasted his first two years at the club and therefore wasn't interested in signing an extension. If the ALK model is to work I'm not sure this sort of situation can be allowed to happen too often.

[Vegas Claret]

Liam Rosenior is manager, they need a point on the last day to secure the European Conference League. It's a good move for him and is an in to Chelsea if he does well. Good player, not irreplaceable though.

[Clive 1960]

Good luck to the lad as there's no loyalty in football anymore and he will earn more money with them than us , plus is mate Trafford could be next to go and Brownhill to so we better be looking quickly to replace them..

[Gp8419]

Some stupid comments on here there really is! Not tall enough , good enough etc. The lad was immense probably every bit as good as esteve for most parts, there was a spell I thought he was even better in his performances than esteve. His range of passing as a centre half that attribute he had was surely as good as good as I’ve seen anywhere. Had massive potential to be a great premier league player. I am gutted and him leaving can see both Trafford and esteve going now.

[Dazzler]

Liam Rosenior is manager, they need a point on the last day to secure the European Conference League. It's a good move for him and is an in to Chelsea if he does well. Good player, not irreplaceable though.

It is possible that Strasbourg could qualify for either the Europa League group stage or even the Champions League Third Qualifying Round.

[Foshiznik]

Some stupid comments on here there really is! Not tall enough , good enough etc. The lad was immense probably every bit as good as esteve for most parts, there was a spell I thought he was even better in his performances than esteve. His range of passing as a centre half that attribute he had was surely as good as good as I’ve seen anywhere. Had massive potential to be a great premier league player. I am gutted and him leaving can see both Trafford and esteve going now.

Stupid because you disagree? OK.

I thought he was great this season but he has his flaws. I'd have no issue with him staying in our first choice centre back partnership next season but you'd be kidding yourself if you would have him over Esteve or an equivalent Esteve quality replacement.

[KRBFC]

He's arguably a better player, gives us more goals and offers PL experience with no transfer fee

And why is it no transfer fee? If he’s so good why are Everton letting him go? We need players good enough for the level, not sign any old rubbish because they were good for us 8 years ago

[boyyanno]

I'm not surprised to see that CJ has become a worse player with this news.

He's been fantastic this season, we've conceded 16 goals all year and suddenly I'm hearing about his mistakes etc. One of the top players in match ratings across the year, the list goes on.

Is he better than Esteve? Probably not. But he's our next best centre half and he's a blow to lose if he goes.

[Goliath]

And why is it no transfer fee? If he’s so good why are Everton letting him go? We need players good enough for the level, not sign any old rubbish because they were good for us 8 years ago

I imagine he's on a lot of money for a 3rd or 4th choice. Tarkowski and Branthwaite are ahead of him which is fair enough. We are a different club in a different situation with a squad that lacks Premier league experience.
He's an England international that's only 32 years old and showed only a few days ago that he can still perform at the highest level.

[FCBurnley]

5 year contract offered by Chelsea owners is being widely reported. Can’t blame the player. Error by us not tying him to a longer contract but that’s the risk you take. There is no loyalty by players or clubs. It’s just business

[Goliath]

I imagine he's on a lot of money for a 3rd or 4th choice. Tarkowski and Branthwaite are ahead of him which is fair enough. We are a different club in a different situation with a squad that lacks Premier league experience.
He's an England international that's only 32 years old and showed only a few days ago that he can still perform at the highest level.

You could have asked the same thing about Jack Cork when we were able to sign him relatively cheaply. What a signing he turned out to be...also a former player at the time

[TPClaret]

At least this is something else to argue about instead of the colour of our home shirt

[Goliath]

Made a mess of this. Meant to add the Cork bit to my original response!

[TPClaret]

5 year contract offered by Chelsea owners is being widely reported. Can’t blame the player. Error by us not tying him to a longer contract but that’s the risk you take. There is no loyalty by players or clubs. It’s just business

Can’t blame the club. Barely featured under VK. Had a couple of loans and only got to start because of Worrall’s injury. Unfortunately he’s come good in the last year of his contract.

[FeedTheArf]

It's beyond annoying - I really hate this multi-club ownership.

Multi club ownership is fast becoming the equivalent of the gambling sponsor. Do you lose out as a club and do things the ‘right’ way, or do you hold your nose and try and keep up with everyone else.

[BobSykes]

Gutted (for us) but not a huge surprise and let us hope and pray this isn't the opening of the floodgates!

Thank you CJE and all the best.

[agreenwood]

if this is true and happens, then it's clearly a big blow. Egan Riley was outstanding this season and I was certainly someone who thought he had qualities that could shine in the Premier League. He's quick and he's excellent in possession - that ability to turn defence into attack with long, accurate passes will be hard to replace - and watching him blossom this season (realising the promise he'd shown in glimpses since Kompany signed him in his rare appearances) was one of the great joys of the campaign (certainly before we became more free-scoring as winter turned to spring).

I can see the argument that he might struggle in the Premier League at this stage as one of two centre backs, but I have a hunch we'll look to play 3 centre backs next season and he looked to me perfectly suited to the right sided centre back role in a back 3. I don't think we have any sort of natural replacement on the books - Ekdal isn't remotely quick enough to play on the outside of a back 3, and Beyer didn't have the sort of distribution Egan Riley has even if he does prove good enough. We'll need to go into the market to replace him and that will tie up some funds (unless we take a young loan, or look at someone like Michael Keane - although he again is not a natural distributor like Egan Riley).

If he does go, there are big lessons to be learned by the club. If you're buying potential to develop it, a three year contract with no option is always short, but that was exacerbated by the fact he clearly felt he wasted his first two years at the club and therefore wasn't interested in signing an extension. If the ALK model is to work I'm not sure this sort of situation can be allowed to happen too often.

I think the last paragraph is a tad harsh. What ALK have largely done since they came in is sign younger players and on long-ish contracts. To a degree this has paid off with big money sales of the likes of Odobert, Berge, Collins etc and smaller (but decent) profits made on players like O’Shea, Muric, Cornet, Zaroury, Al Dakhil, Vitinho etc.

Egan-Riley came in on a free transfer on a 3-year deal. For whatever reason he wasn’t fancied by the club and looked to be headed for a free transfer. His loan spells at Hibs and Young PSV had gone well, but not spectacularly. He wasn’t being linked with anyone decent, so there wasn’t a great deal of evidence that there was latent talent there than would mean he was going to be in demand at a high level. His development over the last 12 months has probably surprised a lot of people at the club (maybe himself included) and by the time it was realised we had a real player on our hands, the ball was firmly in his court and his departure was always going to be a risk.

The club often come in for stick, but this strikes me as a fairly unique set of circumstances. By and large the club are pretty good at holding the whip hand on talent we’ve developed.

[martin_p]

Maybe they’ll offer him a new deal?

Most Everton fans I know would gladly drive him to another club.

[dougcollins]

There are Chelsea players all over the place, it wouldn't be my first choice as a young player requiring first team action.

Strasbourg? Meh.

[RickyBobby]

I just hope Brownhill wants to stay and doesn’t end up doing a CJ and going to saudi or Celtic for an easier time.
We need players who are up for the fight and obviously CJ wants an easy life. His choice, fair enough, but good riddance. We are an ambitious club punching above our weight, we don’t have time for players who want to chill and just pick up their wage in a lesser league.

If he really wanted to play for Chelsea he would stay and move in a year or two when he has proved himself. He is either deluded thinking this will get him into the Chelsea starting 11, or as I said he just wants an easy time.

[Taffy on the wing]

Very intelligent footballer with great passing range......won't be easy to replace & certainly not on the cheap.

[agreenwood]

I just hope Brownhill wants to stay and doesn’t end up doing a CJ and going to saudi or Celtic for an easier time.
We need players who are up for the fight and obviously CJ wants an easy life. His choice, fair enough, but good riddance. We are an ambitious club punching above our weight, we don’t have time for players who want to chill and just pick up their wage in a lesser league.

I don’t agree with the “good riddance” sentiment because I do understand that football is a career and every player has to do what they think is for their own. However, ultimately as last summer showed, we so need a squad of players who are firmly committed to what Parker is trying to achieve if we are to have any chance next season.

Better to find out who would rather be elsewhere in May, than in mid August again.

[Gp8419]

Stupid because you disagree? OK.

I thought he was great this season but he has his flaws. I'd have no issue with him staying in our first choice centre back partnership next season but you'd be kidding yourself if you would have him over Esteve or an equivalent Esteve quality replacement.

I don’t know how much more flawless you could be? We are human beings of course they will make an odd mistake in a 50 game season. But they have gone above and beyond all records in a freakish nature.I think Cj is immensely talented and got all the attributes to be a top PL player. We are Burnley not Barcelona go and find another talented centre half for under 20m. I never said he was better than esteve I said he played as good as him for the majority of the season.

[Goliath]

Most Everton fans I know would gladly drive him to another club.

Perfect

[DCWat]

A shame if he does leave. I was looking forward to seeing how he progressed, next season, at the level above.

I had a few doubts about whether or not he’d be quite up to the step up, but wouldn’t at all have been surprised to see him flourish.

Definitely one that will need replacing and not simply backfilling with what we already have in the building. It likely means that we will need a central midfielder who can replace his passing range (easier to find than another centre half with similar abilities, I’d have thought).

Good luck to him - he’s contributed to the best defence we will probably ever see (certainly the best defensive record) and played a huge part in getting us back to where we needed to be.

[ElectroClaret]

Worrall, Beyer and Ekdal are not good enough for the PL.

This.

[FCBurnley]

ER has played a huge part in our return to the Prem and has therefore contributed financially to the club. In return I hope he will thank SP and the coaches for helping him to become a much better player than he was

[Stacks]

We would have been promoted with Delcroix as centerback and Hdlaky in goal. The Efl is toss. We have no idea if CJ could play in the EPL…I have my serious doubts. Ali Dakhil looked great in the efl and trash in the prem

[MrTopTier]

A player doesn’t leave because they didn’t like a previous manager who now has nothing to do with the club or because some fans were once a bit mean to another player. He is a man not a boy. Chelsea will be waving the cash. In isolation it seems odd to not play in the PL to play in French Ligue One as it is nowhere near the same level. The jury would have been out for him in the PL though. Personally think we’ll need someone taller in there. Been really good for us this season though.

French League Un’s leaders are in the Champions League final and have beaten 4 of the Premier leagues top 7. The gap between PSG and the rest is no different to the gap between Liverpool and the rest. People need to stop being blinded by the nonsense that the Premier league is the best league, it’s not.

He’s going to a very good club, with a respected young coach, potentially Champions league football, in a lovely city and will be financially secure for the rest of his life. What’s not to like?