Up the Us
Up the Us Promoted to the football league in 1950, Colchester United have spent all but two seasons in the bottom two divisions, bouncing between the third and fourth tiers on a regular basis. Howe...
Forum Discussion
@JustinCase0110
The thing is, their value wasn't particularly big when I signed them. Ruiz eventually rose to a value of £25 million in the 'book value' terms, which is still a lot, I know, but neither of them were anywhere near these levels 2 seasons ago. I don't know why the game decided to let me push West Ham as far as I could, because the amount over 'book value' was ridiculous. I never thought it would do it.
Both of these players are 'internationals' in the sense that they have a cap or two. Ruiz has one at senior level and Labrovic one as well. When I signed them, it was with that in mind. I wouldn't call either of them 'established internationals' on that basis. Over the years, Colchester have had internationals in their squad.
Apart from one big money signing to come, I don't expect to use this money at the moment, as it wouldn't be proper.
What I've signed otherwise is almost entirely in keeping with an upwardly mobile side, I think. Most of my incomings over the two seasons have been from the academy...
Club Captain Out For 3 Months
Sidelined: Captain Chilvers
Club captain Noah Chilvers will miss the next three months after suffering a broken toe during the win over Milwall at Camulodunum.
The injury happened soon after he gave Colchester the lead in a bad-tempered match that saw 4 Millwall bookings overall, as the visitors played their usual robust style of football.
“It’s hard for Noah, so soon after stepping into the captain’s role, but he’ll come back as strong as ever,” said manager Danny Cowley.
It’s likely that his attacking midfielder place will be shared between Iago Miranda and Ryan Norton. “This is a good chance for both of them; let’s see what they make of it,” Cowley added. Both are from the academy and it illustrates the strength of what has been delivered over the last two years.
Colchester also got past Birmingham in the Carabao Cup, setting up a ninth match in August, as they will now face Crystal Palace in the next round. That will give Fabien Louis, if he plays, a chance to show Palace what they are missing out on, after the U’s rejected a bid from the South London club in July. Hero of the Birmingham match was summer signing Sebastian Ayala, the striker scoring his first goals for the club as he delivered a hat-trick.
The U's edged a close game against Blackburn, which saw the return of former U's academy player Sammie Szmodics, who has been the Championship's top scorer for the last two seasons. Not this time, though, as he was well shackled by the U's defence, who instead let Gallagher in twice.
Louis Signs Contract Extension
Louis: Staying Put
Fabien Louis has ended specuulation about his U’s career by signing a contract extension to summer 2030. The deal allegedly makes him one of the biggest earners, following the departure of Marcel Ruiz.
Enquiries had been made by a number of clubs, but the U’s rejected them and in the end Louis was convinced that he would be better-placed to continue his development in the Championship – and of course in the Europa League. None of the clubs making an offer could provide the young Frenchman with the latter.
“Fabien knows that he’s in a great place, with the opportunity to test himself against serious opposition this season” said manager Danny Cowley. “It’s up to us to try and match his ambition going forward and we will of course be trying to do that.
“I am happy here,” said Louis. “The manager knows me, what I need and how to help me get better still. Evereybody here loves me and I do them. Together, we can do great things.”
Fans will no doubt be very happy at this development.
