[FOOTBALL] Summer 2016 Transfer Window Thread: Pep vs Jose II

[Pepe]

Chicharito. :drool:

[Max Power]

I bet that Dortmund lad who everyone raves about would have joined for that money. Jamie Vardy? Basically anybody who isn't an ocean-going, nuclear-powered BOTTLER.

Vardzzz living in Turin :D

Napoli have already spunked nearly half of it on Milik Reg. A young forward from the Eredivisie, could go either way really.

[Lewis]

Napoli will buy a load of middling shit like every team that loses its stand-out, all-donning talisman.

[Magic]

Napoli will buy a load of middling shit like every team that loses its stand-out, all-donning talisman.

They've not lost Hamsik, cheers.

[Reg]

Vardzzz living in Turin :D

Napoli have already spunked nearly half of it on Milik Reg. A young forward from the Eredivisie, could go either way really.
Ah. Around £30m apparently. Well they've still got £40m, they should spend it on somebody established rather than what Lewis described.

[Vim]

I bet that Dortmund lad who everyone raves about would have joined for that money. Jamie Vardy? Basically anybody who isn't an ocean-going, nuclear-powered BOTTLER. Javier Hernandez.

I'd have taken Chicharito, but it's different. From what I can tell, Marotta wanted a player that was already complete and proven.

I assume you are referring to Dembele as the Dortmund lad, he's just a prospect, we have those. Chicharito I think would do really well in Italy, but it's still an unknown. Might as well just play Zaza (he's great, penalty run-ups aside) instead of buying either of those.

With Higuain we get a player that has a proven goalscoring record in Italy and he's clearly in the peak period of his career. He's bottled plenty of times, that is definitely a concern. We are counting on that surrounded by a more stable team than Napoli/Argentina, he can produce the goods when it matters. He's by far our best bet right now for that role.

[Reg]

Aubameyang I assume.

[Lewis]

Yeah, him.

Hernandez is complete and proven. Plus he thrives in big matches, unlike the geezer who, if he could produce the goods when it mattered, wouldn't have been sold to Napoli in the first place.

[Magic]

758001466787463168

[niko_cee]

I see Mane has apparently said he turned down United to sign for Liverpool.

The last player to say that? Harry Kewell.

:face:

[SvN]

I think Hernandez could quite easily hit 25-30 in Serie A in a side like Juve.

[SincereTheRebel]

Witsel only wants to join juventus
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1504813/everton-target-axel-witsel-only-wants-to-move-to-juventus-despite-zenit-st-petersburg-agreeing-25-1million-toffees-deal/

Jese is being watched by liverpool and arsenal
http://talksport.com/football/arsenal-and-liverpool-alert-real-madrid-listen-offers-jese-rodriguez-160726204225

Llorente is off to real sociedad
http://www.football-espana.net/59768/llorente-%E2%80%98yes-la-real%E2%80%99

[Waffdon]

yeah tbh right after i posted that i tried to think of a player outright better who would join and it's tough. Still i'm sure he'll bag 30 and miss an open goal in the champions league final.

griezmann.

[Jimmy Floyd]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36901810

Sure, Pep. Weight. Sure.

[Sam]

Not one of truly believe Twitter but this has been doing the rounds now and really seems to be hitting the edge now...

Nelson e EuroCampeão
‏@NelsonL08
Talisca to @OfficialWolves.

Congratulations!

Nelson e EuroCampeão
‏@NelsonL08
@BrazilStats2 Confirmed: Wolves have hijacked the Liverpool deal and offered €25M for Talisca, €2,5 more than LFC offered. He'll join them.

The fuck!

[Lee]

Have Wolves not just been bought by some super rich Chinese?

[John]

I saw that mooted last week but it seemed a bit too strange to be real so I ignored it.

[Max Power]

Mendes balls deep in fucking Wolves lol

[Gray Fox]

I see we're linked to Ayew now. Because of course we need more attacking midfielders.

[Sam]

We are mega rich but didn't expect much to come of it yet, let alone spend £25mil in the Championship but it's made it into express and few other papers as the usual Portugese fair so I'm guessing this might happen.

Least I can claim I was here when we were shit.

[Sam]

And yeah Mendes all over us. Will be like Atletico for a few years at this rate.

[Reg]

I see we're linked to Ayew now. Because of course we need more attacking midfielders.
Maybe Klopp sees him as a striker.

[Yevrah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36901810

Sure, Pep. Weight. Sure.

??

[Gray Fox]

Maybe Klopp sees him as a striker.

We have more than enough of those too. That's without including Firmino and Mané who can also play there if needed.

I'm honestly clueless as to what he sees as our strongest team now.

[Reg]

Do you? Sturridge is never going to play a whole season, Balotelli is Balotelli, Ings isn't great, are they any other genuine strikers? Not that Ayew is a specialist.

[Guybrush]

Origi.

[Shindig]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36901810

Sure, Pep. Weight. Sure.

Every team meeting involves a set of scales and a round of applause. "Joe has been extra good this week. Gold star." Meanwhile Yaya is being shamed for eating out two nights running.

[Shindig]

Origi.

http://therotimes.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/orly.jpg

[Manc]

Coutinho, Firmino, Mane, Wijnaldum, Can and one other would be my bet. We've got about ten heads who could fill that spot.

[Reg]

I can't see both Henderson and Milner being on the bench.

[Lewis]

Their team (on paper at least) looks like it was built specifically to finish sixth.

[Reg]

I don't know about that. Their front six will be as good as perhaps anyone else's.

[Max Power]

It's the most piss and wind front six in the league probably. No killers in there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's the most piss and wind front six in the league probably. No killers in there.

Indeed, plus when you factor in the fact that Daniel Sturridge is made of paper mache it will hardly ever be that front six.

[Lewis]

It's the most piss and wind front six in the league probably. No killers in there.

Yeah, and they will have PRESSED themselves to death by March.

[GS]

Unless Coutinho and / or Sturridge are ON FIRE, it's a painfully average sixth-placed squad.

I can't see the logic in £55m on Mane and the Dutch bloke. But there you go.

[Lewis]

Who does have the best 'front six'? I suppose Arsenal if they sign Leicester and a striker who isn't atrocious.

[Reg]

Who's front six is better? I would say only Chelsea's is. Man City's or United's could be, but not player-by-player on paper.

Arsenal, hmm, maybe. Their midfield two often isn't up to much.

[Max Power]

Vardy and Mahrez is all you need lads. Plus Shinji falling over and grinning.

[Lewis]

I was going to compare the teams, but I can't work out how City are going to fit everybody in unless 'Pep' dumps David Silva in central midfield. Speaking of which, lol at his reasoning for wanting to spend fifty million quid (let's never lol at United again) on John Stones. This is a MASSIVE season for 'Pep Watch', and I'm quietly confident.

[niko_cee]

Stones and Fernandinho at the back (is Kompany dead?) - when do they play Andy Carroll?

[Reg]

"Pep watch" will soon be buried deep in a hole never to be discovered again, unless people call him a chancer for not winning the league with 100 points each season he is in England.

I reckon they'll go something like:
Aguero
Nolito - Silva - De Bruyne
Gundogan - Toure

[Lewis]

The watch ended long ago. I just like to congratulate myself.

[Vim]

Hart; Navas, Fernandinho, Fernando, Delph; Toure, Gündogan; de Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Agüero.

[Reg]

The watch ended long ago. I just like to congratulate myself.
People are never happy. If he won the Champions League with Bayern, people would ask why he didn't do it three times.

[randomlegend]

Hart; Navas, Fernandinho, Fernando, Delph; Toure, Gündogan; de Bruyne, Silva, Sterling; Agüero.

Has pogba leaving broken Vim?

[Lewis]

Now that I'm setting the agenda in terms of football coverage, how would I go about getting everyone to call him 'Paulp Ogba'? I feel like it would do a lot to reduce the hype around both him and football as a whole.

[Vim]

I'm exaggerating of course, but Guardiola's backlines were sometimes quite ... midfield-y at Bayern.

Also I'm publicly and blindly in denial of Pogba leaving, just so you know. At this point I want him to stay more for my performances in this thread than for Juventus.

[Jimmy Floyd]

??

Nice long-form cover story to explain how his players are able to press like Duracell bunnies all season. Much like Pochettino's 'it's genius, mate' squad rotation and 'ten minute breathers' during games.

[Giggles]

Nice long-form cover story to explain how his players are able to press like Duracell bunnies all season. Much like Pochettino's 'it's genius, mate' squad rotation and 'ten minute breathers' during games.

And that couldn't walk by April.

[randomlegend]

I'm exaggerating of course, but Guardiola's backlines were sometimes quite ... midfield-y at Bayern.

Also I'm publicly and blindly in denial of Pogba leaving, just so you know. At this point I want him to stay more for my performances in this thread than for Juventus.

Thought you said you'd accept it once Di Marzio said it was happening?

Also have you seen Pogba's latest Instagram post?

[Reg]

You and your Pep conspiracies, Jim.

If he was English and achieved the same results by having 40% possession each game you'd be hailing the way his lads never stopped running.

[Lewis]

Thought you said you'd accept it once Di Marzio said it was happening?

Also have you seen Pogba's latest Instagram post?

I notice he uses his middle name on that, presumably because he's worried about Paulp Ogba becoming a thing.

[John]

You and your Pep conspiracies, Jim.

If he was English and achieved the same results by having 40% possession each game you'd be hailing the way his lads never stopped running.

If he was from somewhere else and played different football he'd be a completely different manager.

[Raoul Duke]

Call him Paul Drogba

[Disco]

Now that I'm setting the agenda in terms of football coverage, how would I go about getting everyone to call him 'Paulp Ogba'? I feel like it would do a lot to reduce the hype around both him and football as a whole.

I'm with you if you agree to get onboard the Nicholas Durgeon bandwagon.

[Lewis]

Yes. Kur Tangle. Kevi Nowens. It's one of my main hobbies.

[Reg]

John Well, yeah. But I assume you know what I meant?

I also don't get why people marvel so much at the running of his Barcelona. They were disciplined and coached extremely well, but the physical achievements weren't anything extraordinary.

It's not like they were sprinting 90 minutes per game, or halving Bolt's 100m record, or completing marathons in 30 minutes.

[Max Power]

Pep himself was done for doping of course, which is something. And Spanish sport around the mid-late 2000s has a bit of a cloud over it.

We'll probably never know but there are whispers for a reason.

[Disco]

Yes. Kur Tangle. Kevi Nowens. It's one of my main hobbies.

First custard ice cream then this. Doing gods work.

[Vim]

Thought you said you'd accept it once Di Marzio said it was happening?

Also have you seen Pogba's latest Instagram post?

Did I? Shit. Well, now I will accept it once the Man Utd/Juve website says it. :baz:

I don't think I have seen his last post, I did see that video where he says not to believe all the "blah blah" or something. They're just dragging it along, it's ridiculous. Whether he stays or goes, I just hope it's announced before the week-end.

[randomlegend]

Did I? Shit. Well, now I will accept it once the Man Utd/Juve website says it. :baz:

I don't think I have seen his last post, I did see that video where he says not to believe all the "blah blah" or something. They're just dragging it along, it's ridiculous. Whether he stays or goes, I just hope it's announced before the week-end.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYR7fgjI73/?hl=en

:p

[Giggles]

I'm not getting what's in that. The red hat?

[Lewis]

That Schindler's List reboot has really missed the mark.

[Vim]

Yeah the hat is red, but most of the picture is in black-and-white! :rosebud:

[Giggles]

Yeah the hat is red, but most of the picture is in black-and-white! :rosebud:

But the lights on the back of the cars are red too. THE LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF CARS. RED.

Mind. Blown. That's a cert for me.

[Vim]

Can't argue with that.

[Shindig]

If Sissoko winds up as a Madrid's Plan B, I'll lose my shit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

John Well, yeah. But I assume you know what I meant?

I also don't get why people marvel so much at the running of his Barcelona. They were disciplined and coached extremely well, but the physical achievements weren't anything extraordinary.

It's not like they were sprinting 90 minutes per game, or halving Bolt's 100m record, or completing marathons in 30 minutes.

They never tired though. I'm not saying they were necessarily doping (although it wouldn't surprise me at all if they were), but the most distinctive thing about that team was its ability to press at a greater intensity than any other side, and then move the ball accurately at extreme pace for 90 minutes. Obviously having Xavi and to some degree Iniesta was the main factor, but not the only one.

I don't know why we're so naive about football when we're so cynical about other sports. It's pretty much confirmed that Juventus doped throughout the 1990s, for example.

[Lewis]

They only PRESSED when they lost the ball, and they hardly ever did that.

[Reg]

Exactly (and when they had the ball a lot of their play was about maintaining positions).

Moving the ball quickly wasn't about running, it was about technique, coaching, and knowing each other extremely well.

[SincereTheRebel]

They only PRESSED when they lost the ball, and they hardly ever did that.

Facts.

Its common knowledge its more work without the ball than with it. Teams expand more energy when you you dont have possession.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All I'm saying is that many acclaimed contemporary managers seem to base their methods on getting their players to the extremes of their physical capacity in order to last the season, so... yeah.

I think in football there's a widespread will to believe we aren't wasting our own time by obsessing over it, both with drugs and match fixing, and indeed in the transfer market where we're all trying to read logic into player moves when 90% of them are just non-football money being moved around to avoid tax and/or other criminality.

[Lewis]

The Guardian sez Paulp Ogba will be €110 million (£93 million) with ten to fifteen million in add-ons. Bargain.

[SincereTheRebel]

He will be in Top 3 selected Ballon D'Or 2016

[Kikó]

Paulpo Gba will be a star with the Armenian.

[Pepe]

Paulpog Ba will learn a lot from Fellainimania.

[Giggles]

Pa Ulpogba hasn't even officially signed yet has he?

[Gray Fox]

Do we think the signing of Pau Lpogba will send Juve out looking to splash the cash, or will they just take Higuain and pocket the cash?

[Kikó]

Hopefully we can also get Abgop Laup as part of the deal.

[Ian]

As much as I appreciate Lewis being a good little Fellainimaniac who said his prayers and took his vitamins back in the early days I'm not sure I can get on board with this Paulp Ogba business.

[Vim]

Do we think the signing of Pau Lpogba will send Juve out looking to splash the cash, or will they just take Higuain and pocket the cash?

Like I said the other day, it's not Football Manager. We won't just have 120 million to spend on new players. Just like we didn't just get a minus 90 million figure in the finance page to get Higuain.

We'll probably be open to spending a good amount on a replacement in midfield, our current options just aren't good enough. Not sure if losing a player like Pogba bodes well for our bid to be in the top 4 best teams in Europe. He was really bad in the first half of the season but when he got into form in the second part he played really great. Big loss, if it does go through.

Nonetheless, I trust Marotta to bring in the correct replacement. Inb4 Pogba flops and the new guy (I hope it's someone more exciting than Matic) storms it. Then again, I'm not bitter enough to hope Pogba doesn't live up to his potential.

[Lewis]

Top teams don't lose their best players to Europa League sides.

[Jeet]

Linked with Mario Mandzukic ...

Gonna cry in the corner. :cry:

[Reg]

Pjanic will be even better in a team like Juventus. A zillion assists for Higuain.

[Vim]

It's a half-joke Lewis but that's why I'm surprised that Pogba himself wants to go to Man Utd as opposed to the likes of Madrid, or just staying in Juve.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's a half-joke Lewis but that's why I'm surprised that Pogba himself wants to go to Man Utd as opposed to the likes of Madrid, or just staying in Juve.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od3cjyHctjo

https://67.media.tumblr.com/e9fcad5cdc5da96be6a3df735f04caab/tumblr_o30c55ijWI1rqfeu1o1_400.gif

Obviously.

[SincereTheRebel]

Man utd and the rest of the premier league is just a stepping stone for a move later in your career to real madrid and barcelona.

[Jeet]

£100mill for Pogba then!

Wenger attempting a last min £50mill bid for Pogba!

[randomlegend]

All the twitter ITKs who are apparently reliable still saying Real were never in for him. They just made a bit of noise through Marca towards the end to save Perez face.

This transfer bollocks is good fun tbh.

[Giggles]

All the twitter ITKs who are apparently reliable still saying Real were never in for him. They just made a bit of noise through Marca towards the end to save Perez face.

This transfer bollocks is good fun tbh.

They'll let him cut his teeth a couple of years at Utd first. He's young enough to hold off a while on.


_

[Jeet]

How much would ManUtd get back for training Pogba through their academy?

[Kikó]

If Madrid did want Pogb A then they would have got him. They didn't want him.

[Lewis]

It's a half-joke Lewis but that's why I'm surprised that Pogba himself wants to go to Man Utd as opposed to the likes of Madrid, or just staying in Juve.

Money obviously counts, but United are a pretty decent prospect for the next few years unless Jose Mourinho has a MELTDOWN.

[Vim]

I still think the squad at United is somewhat (maybe very) unbalanced. Mourinho is great, and for what it's worth I hope the Chelsea season last year was just a blip in his career. I feel like United are still three years away from being full-on Champions League contenders, whereas I think Juventus are there now, even more so if Pogba would stay.

But hey, maybe he wants the added challenge of the Premier League. There's so much space in midfield in the Premier League compared to Serie A, he could really work there if Mou lets him roam forward.

[Samadini]

Newcastle in for Knockaert.:drool:

Championship clubs are seething at Newcastle spending money.

[five time]

There's so much space in midfield in the Premier League compared to Serie A

Does every country have pundits pretending this is true and complaining about foreigners?

[Vim]

Don't know about pundits, but having seen both leagues, I'm always shocked at the amount of space left open in midfield in Premier League. The teams are all longer (more distance between defence and attack) leaving a lot of space in midfield even from kick-off, whereas most games in Italy this would occur in the last 20 minutes.

It's partly due to the propensity to use 4231 in PL lately, which means there's usually just two midfielders covering the central area, whereas in Italy many teams use three central midfielders which crowds that same area. Also wide players tend to track back more in Italy, lots of teams play 3-5-2 after all where the wide players aren't even wingers but wing-backs.

[Vim]

Also Pogba is reportedly having a medical in LA today. I've always been convinced he wouldn't go to United, very sad to see him leave like this. Most expensive transfer ever, can't refuse if he wants to leave.

Now for a replacement, it would be funny to get Hamsik and finish Naples once and for all. I don't really want Witsel or Matic from the names that have been brought up, someone like Hamsik, Brozovic or Kovacic is more appealing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not sure about Pogba at this price unless they're buying him for marketing reasons. He won't stand out as much in a league that isn't as slow as Italy.

[Adamski]

About £40m of that fee is marketing alone. He won't even be the best centre mid in the premier league never mind in the world.

[SvN]

He's only 23. If we sign him, he'll hopefully continue to improve the way he has the past few years.

[Giggles]

Will he not end up playing the Robben type role for Mourinho anyway? We seen in the Euros that he's not able to play in the centre, not any form of deep anyway.

[SvN]

Are you talking about Pogba there?

[Giggles]

Are you talking about Pogba there?

Yeah. The misuse of him in place of Kante by Deschamps was criminal. He hadn't a clue.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm sure he'll be half decent, but at £100 million you're asking him to win you the league basically.

[SvN]

He's not a defensive midfielder like Kante, but I honestly can't see a single quality he shares with Robben. I'm left scratching my head at that comparison.

[SincereTheRebel]

I'm sure he'll be half decent, but at £100 million you're asking him to win you the league basically.

Im sure he will.

For £100m, he should guarantees goals, assists and clean sheets.

[Giggles]

He's not a defensive midfielder like Kante, but I honestly can't see a single quality he shares with Robben. I'm left scratching my head at that comparison.

That position I mean, not every quality or deficiency of his game being the same as Robben. Wide in the front three is all I meant and I randomly picked someone who played that position for Mourinho before.

[SvN]

He'll definitely be playing in the middle, just not in a holding role. It's where he excelled for Juve. He was definitely misused in the Euros once Kante was dropped.

[Giggles]

He'll definitely be playing in the middle, just not in a holding role. It's where he excelled for Juve. He was definitely misused in the Euros once Kante was dropped.

Deschamps should have been ran out of the country for that one.
Hopefully he does end up advanced in the middle and there's no pressure to move him to shoe horn in Rooney there or something.

[five time]

I think Giggles meant a role similar to Sissoko for France. Not sure Pogb is a good enough athlete for that.

[phonics]

You're not sure Lua Pogpab is a good athlete?

[Lewis]

Anyway, the BBC sez 'German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to be the biggest casualty of Jose Mourinho's appointment as Manchester United manager... Forwards Adnan Januzaj, Will Keane and James Wilson, midfielder Andreas Pereira and defenders Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair are also reportedly set to be made available, though some may only leave on loan'.

Fucking wot? Mourinho OUT.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm going to love the gradual seethe from United fans as they realise just how anti 'the United way' Mourinho is.

[SvN]

I think you'll be disappointed.

[SvN]

Anyway, the BBC sez 'German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to be the biggest casualty of Jose Mourinho's appointment as Manchester United manager... Forwards Adnan Januzaj, Will Keane and James Wilson, midfielder Andreas Pereira and defenders Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair are also reportedly set to be made available, though some may only leave on loan'.

Fucking wot? Mourinho OUT.

CBJ® and TFM® both just signed new contracts. It's total bullshit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think you'll be disappointed.

*checks date*

Beware the scouse cycle.

[SvN]

Well it depends what you mean by "United fans". If you mean the ones on this board, then I think you're wrong. If you mean the Nigerians and Malaysians commenting on Facebook, then you might be right.

[Pen]

This season would have to go horrendously wrong to be considered a disappointment after the last few seasons United have had.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

CBJ® and TFM® both just signed new contracts. It's total bullshit.

Yeah, although I read that CBJ® might be going out on loan.

Same with Pereira. Oh and Fossy isn't going anywhere.

[SvN]

Going out on loan would probably be the best thing for him. He won't get much game time unless Shaw breaks his leg again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UugS9l6QvI

:face:

[Kikó]

I can't wait to watch Rojo instead of Tofu.

[Angelsaint]

What the hell is Mourinho thinking? He lost it.
Kante is 1/4 of the price and 4x better. So is William carvalho and even Danilo!

BTW Liverpool offered 45 million euros for João Mário. Sporting answered by saying it's a bit expensive for a autograph but you will get a picture too.

Also mane is by far summer best signing! Well done klopp.

[SvN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1D9wWxd2w

[Angelsaint]

I was never gone, just decided not to comment.

[SvN]

To clarify, do you think Danilo is 4 times the player that Pogba is? Not disagreeing before you go on one of your mental diatribes, just seeking clarification.

[Angelsaint]

I just don't get the hype about pogba. Or he is just unlucky every time I see him play or he is plane average.
About Danilo, he is probably one of the best in his role.
Kante and William are in other league from this one's and William is at a league of his own.

[Lewis]

The day that this (spending a hundred million quid) is football, I'm not in a job anymore, because the game is about playing together... Other clubs can go out and spend more money and collect top players. I want to do it differently. I would even do it differently if I could spend that money... If I spend money, it is because I am trying to build a team, a real team. Barcelona did it. You can win championships, you can win titles, but there is a manner in which you want it.

He also recalled the time he faked high blood pressure to avoid the Bayern job.

[Kikó]

Barcelona did well with those free transfers like Suarez.

[niko_cee]

The trick was not releasing Messi when he was 18.

[Lewis]

Also, he didn't apply that logic to his hair transplant.

[Waffdon]

West Ham have had a £7m bid rejected for my fave Andy Robertson. Fairly sure we've got a 20% sell on fee.

[Lewis]

Under normal circumstances they would be well within their rights to lol bids twice that into the bin, but Hull are in MELTDOWN so you never know.

[Andy]

I do wonder how Pogba will fit at United. I assume as part of a 433 slightly in front of two more defensive midfielders. It's a lot of money to spend if the plan is just to play him alongside Schneiderlin as a holding midfielder all season.

Is Rooney going to have to get used to starting on the bench? With everyone fit I can't see how he gets in the side. 4231 with Rooney at 10 with Mikhataryan out wide and Pogba holding would be a huge waste.

[randomlegend]

I hope we go with a 4-3-3 with a holding midfielder and Pogba and another in front, but I doubt we will.

It's almost certainly going to be 4-2-3-1. Fabregas did well and was fairly free in that formation under Mourinho, right? So maybe he'll make it work. But I essentially agree with you.

[SincereTheRebel]

Rooney weakens the team, wherever you put him in.

[Reg]

Yeah, I think you're both right. 4231 with Rooney in the hole stinking it up. Pogba being a Fabregas like player next to Schneiderlin.

[Lewis]

The best hope is that he might be alright if he actually is in the 'hole' and 1) doesn't come deep ever again to hit his Hollywood balls and tire himself out; and 2) isn't the main creative outlet (which tended to lead to the former). I suspect that that might be the entire point of Paulp Ogba, since United have played with 'sitting' midfielders for a decade under the assumption that all-action Wayne Rooney could fill forty yards of space between them and the striker by himself.

Or he'll keep being shit.

[Angelsaint]

You heard it here first: if Schweinsteiger stays, he will take first XI place from pogba.

[randomlegend]

Saint you're so special :D

[Angelsaint]

Why am I special? Because I don't fall in the hype the media creates?

Zlatan deserves the hype.
Not pogba.

Mane and Kante were by far better buys. Not pogba fault the media creates this to entertain the mindless masses.

[Kikó]

The only way Bastian replaces Pogba is if he eats him.

[SincereTheRebel]

Man utd would be better off having herrera next to the main DM, whoever that will be.

[randomlegend]

We'd be best off with a defensive midfielder and Pogba and Herrera in front .

[Reg]

I forgot all about Herrera, the poor chap was often rejected for doing crazy things like passing forward and running. I'd be surprised if Mourinho was a fan unfortunately, but a triangle of Schneiderlin - Herrera - Pogba could be damn good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They could have done with Kanté, but then so could everyone. I'm still amazed we got him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36927615

Vieri is coming out of retirement to play in China :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't help but notice that says 'in China', not 'Chinese Super League' which the BBC have inferred.

[Giggles]

They could have done with Kanté, but then so could everyone. I'm still amazed we got him.

He's going to be so good at Chelsea. Unbelievable signing for the fee.

[Andy]

Why am I special? Because I don't fall in the hype the media creates?

Zlatan deserves the hype.
Not pogba.

Mane and Kante were by far better buys. Not pogba fault the media creates this to entertain the mindless masses.

Mane is decent but way too hot and cold to be compared to Kante and Pogba.

[Lee]

Looks like Mahrez is signing a new contract. Lovely. Kaputska signing too. We're going to have a stronger squad than we had last season. :drool:

[randomlegend]

Looks like Mahrez is signing a new contract. Lovely. Kaputska signing too. We're going to have a stronger squad than we had last season. :drool:

Good. I really want to see Leicester carry on doing well.

[Gray Fox]

Karius is out for 2 months with a broken hand.

Alex Manninger :D

[Giggles]

Karius is out for 2 months with a broken hand.

Alex Manninger :D

Isn't Mingolet there still?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Isn't Mingolet there still?

Yep.

[niko_cee]

Did he break his hand punching Lovren in the head the other day?

[Giggles]

Yep.

I doubt Manninger or the Kunis would have started ahead of him.

[Sam]

Kenny Jackett sacked.

[Giggles]

Kenny Jackett sacked.

Club?

[Lewis]

'I'll get my...'
'.....'
'Solicitor.'

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1523273/will-manchester-united-superstar-zlatan-ibrahimovics-shirt-sales-pay-for-paul-pogbas-record-112m-transfer-fee-within-a-fortnight/

Zlatan paying for Pogba :cool:

[phonics]

That's not how it works.

http://thesetpieces.com/features/transfer-window-myth-busting/

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Really? I had no idea, United should cancel the Pogba deal IMMEDIATELY.

Should also get rid of Zlatan whilst they're at it as he hasn't brought in all that shirt sale money. Oh and fuck Adiddas, the thieving bastards.

[Angelsaint]

Mane is decent but way too hot and cold to be compared to Kante and Pogba.
If I would be a manager, mane would be my first target. Its a private opinion and I understand many don't agree but he was the player that impressed me the most lately, followed by William carvalho. I don't mention the likes of Suarez and neymar because they are already known.

[SincereTheRebel]

Good job you're not a manager

[Sam]

We've appointed Walter Zenga as manager, eww (Wolves that is)

[Giggles]

What's gone on that they've a manager change a week or two before the season starts?

[Raoul Duke]

Chinese money-washing, obviously

[Sam]

Mendes. Chinese. Loaded.

[Gray Fox]

Isn't Mingolet there still?

I like to blank him from the mind. Though with a bit of luck he sees this as his last chance to stake claim to his Liverpool career.


Did he break his hand punching Lovren in the head the other day?

Yep, he did.

[phonics]

Really? I had no idea, United should cancel the Pogba deal IMMEDIATELY.

Should also get rid of Zlatan whilst they're at it as he hasn't brought in all that shirt sale money. Oh and fuck Adiddas, the thieving bastards.

:cab:

[Kikó]

United made £76 million from shirt sales in one week mainly because of our 1.2bn fans worldwide.

[Angelsaint]

United made £76 million from shirt sales in one week mainly because of our 1.2bn fans worldwide.
Adidas made that not Manchester United.
And yes, I saw phonics post.

[Andrew]

Ashley Williams to Everton for £10 million seems to be happening...

[Lewis]

That is ridiculously good value, even if they only get two seasons out of him. What are Swansea playing at?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I really don't understand that from Swansea's point of view. Why sell him especially for so little in this market?

[Angelsaint]

I understand the pogba values ate totally ridiculous and I want to believe that it is a anomaly but not much to believe when 10 million for a 32 yr old defender is " little in the market ".

[Samadini]

Swansea getting absolutely mugged off there. Makes the Stones price tag even more of a laugh.

[Andy]

I'd be seething if Southampton sold Fonte for 10m to a rival and he's older than Williams.

VvD must be worth about 70m in today's market.

[Gray Fox]

That is ridiculously good value, even if they only get two seasons out of him. What are Swansea playing at?

How to lose fans and relegate people.

[randomlegend]

Baba Rahman is off on loan to Schalke.

[Andrew]

I think the new American Swansea city owners plans for survival this year is to play with 11 players in goal.....

No senior forward on the books after the sale of Gomis and Paloschi..

Ayew and Williams possibly off to Everton.

Our only signings have been another two bloody goalkeepers.....

[Vim]

Guidolin kept Udinese at a relatively high level (even qualified for Champions League a couple of times) despite the club selling players every year. I'm sure he's going to do fine at Swansea.

[Reg]

£10m for Williams doesn't sound surprising. He's good, but he's 31. Clubs buy players for £30m, £40m etc knowing they have resale value.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's fuck all, this isn't Football Manager where you're constantly swapping out anyone the wrong side of 30 because there's a newgen who looks like Beckenbauer reborn.

Who are they going to use in his place? They're putting too much faith into the Dutch lad they just bought.

It's a deal which risks putting them into the relegation battle.

[Reg]

It isn't, but there's a reason that in real life players over 30 don't go for big money unless they're extremely good.

[Lewis]

£10m for Williams doesn't sound surprising. He's good, but he's 31. Clubs buy players for £30m, £40m etc knowing they have resale value.

Yes to an extent (although I would still say at least fifteen), but only if you consider the player in isolation. When you bear in mind that he is the club captain and probably their biggest legend ever, you would have expected the club to have done more to keep him. He's like their John Terry, and you wouldn't be surprised to see their defensive organisation collapse without him. What is that worth if you end up flirting with relegation?

[Andrew]

Jordi Amat has impressed me when called upon to play so him and Fede as a partnership I'd be quite confident about.

But Williams is possibly our greatest ever defender or at least on a par with the great Rakovic back in the 70/80's

Hopefully the Stones deal will fall through and stop Williams deal dead in its tracks..

*Edit*

On a positive not Gylfi has turned down the chance of joining Everton and just signed a new deal with us..

[Raoul Duke]

Swansea are doomed if they sell him and will be relegated*



* or win the league

[Kikó]

Why sell your best defender for ten million anyway? It's not like the money is at all significant and you can't replace him with the same so it's pointless.

[Reg]

Yes to an extent (although I would still say at least fifteen), but only if you consider the player in isolation. When you bear in mind that he is the club captain and probably their biggest legend ever, you would have expected the club to have done more to keep him. He's like their John Terry, and you wouldn't be surprised to see their defensive organisation collapse without him. What is that worth if you end up flirting with relegation?
A lot, and it's highly questionable if they don't get a replacement as good, but every PL team can now go and spend £25m or more on one player.

[Angelsaint]

No one even questioned that he wanted to leave the club?

[Yaysus]

sané transfer is pretty much done
https://i.warosu.org/data/jp/img/0110/85/1372060616160.png

[Angelsaint]

To where?

[Adamski]

Man City.

[Angelsaint]

I saw schalke two or three times and only noticed him because the commentator mention him as the next big thing...10x.
Is he really good or just hype?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Does it really matter anymore?

[Giggles]

Hype markets just as well as really good.

[Adamski]

I saw schalke two or three times and only noticed him because the commentator mention him as the next big thing...10x.
Is he really good or just hype?

I personally haven't seen him play other than a short cameo at the Euro's. From what I've read he seems like just another wide forward ala Draxler, Schurrle etc.

[Giggles]

Of which City have plenty. Though gone are the days where players actually want to regularly play anyway.

[niko_cee]

I'd be seething if Southampton sold Fonte for 10m to a rival and he's older than Williams.


http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-transfer-target-jose-8535608?#fogjcql3AeEGqHWj.97

:rosebud:

[SincereTheRebel]

Flanagan agress to join burnley
http://www.thisisanfield.com/2016/07/jon-flanagan-agrees-join-burnley-season-long-loan-report/

Oscar to be sold to inter
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/premierleague/1531651/oscar-to-inter-milan-chelsea-boss-antonio-conte-ready-to-sell-brazilian-for-30m/

Kevin Gameiro has joined athletico madrid
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36932450

Sunderland want fellani and Januzaj
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/534185/Marouane-Fellaini-Adnan-Januzaj-Man-United-transfer-news-gossip

Baba Rahman joins schalke on loan
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/10518280/chelsea-defender-baba-rahman-undergoing-schalke-medical-sky-sources

[Boydy]

Liverpool's full back situation isn't looking great.

[SincereTheRebel]

You have wisdom, clyne and moreno. Am i missing some other players here?

[CJay]

Milner. :sick:

[Angelsaint]

Where is Ilori? He was the next big thing in Portugal some time ago? Liverpool destroyed him or exposed him as a fraud?

[Mazuuurk]

What about that Gomez guy, wasn't he decent? Or terrible, can't remember.

[SincereTheRebel]

Sakho can also play left back, but he is one of the worst players on the ball ive ever seen so thats probably not a good idea.

[SincereTheRebel]

Ben yedar has joined sevilla
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2920331/sevilla-agree-to-sign-toulouse-striker-wissam-ben-yedder

Schweinsteiger linked with move to serie a
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/534353/Bastian-Schweinsteiger-Man-United-transfer-news-gossip

[Weaver]

Newcastle have actived Mohamed Diamé's release clause from Hull - £4.5m. He loves a release clause that lad, doesn't he?

I'm not sure he'll join, same as we're in the divison below the team he'd be joining from, but if we can get him for £4.5m as a replacement for a £30m Sissoko, I'll be thrilled.

[Lewis]

It's abandon ship at Hull.

[Samadini]

Would come in and be the best midfielder at the club straight off the bat.

Sissoko spent most of his days wasting everybody's time on the wing anyway, so Diame would really be a massive boost to the midfield.

Hull are doomed aren't they?

Brighton are being a proper football club and not accepting bids for their best players, the bastards. Knockaert deal is probably off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's abandon ship at Hull.

Why did they bother getting promoted?

Zola though. lol.

[Lewis]

The initial shortlist for the new manager was classic idiot owners stuff. You had the Good Football candidate, the obscure national team manager[s], and a dozen people affiliated with Alex Ferguson. Yeah, lads. You managed to drive Steve 'Nicest Man in Football' Bruce out. I'm sure Roy Keane would take the job.

[SincereTheRebel]

Would come in and be the best midfielder at the club straight off the bat.

Sissoko spent most of his days wasting everybody's time on the wing anyway, so Diame would really be a massive boost to the midfield.

Hull are doomed aren't they?

Brighton are being a proper football club and not accepting bids for their best players, the bastards. Knockaert deal is probably off.

Wasn't he a good central midfielder when he first arrived @sissoko

[Samadini]

That was the idea, but Pardew loves experimenting with players out of position and it stuck. He doesn't really have the close control to be consistently great in the middle to be fair. Perhaps on the right of a midfield 3.

Can imagine him being a good impact sub for a team that motivates him.

[igor_balis]

I remember thinking Diame was fucking quality a couple of seasons ago, what happened? Or was he just not that good in the first place?

[Mazuuurk]

If Williams is available for £10M, I can't see how Arsenal wouldn't be all over him, given how they've tracked him it seems every season.

£10M is nothing, and he'll definitely provide some solidity and routine to their (or any) team.

[Raoul Duke]

The reason Arsenal won't sign him is because he's exactly the sort of player they need

[Andy]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-transfer-target-jose-8535608?#fogjcql3AeEGqHWj.97

:rosebud:

Never easy supporting Southampton.

We've offered him an improved deal at least.

[Max Power]

Little cabbage incoming. Looks a talent.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36938949


Sunderland need to make significant progress before they can attract players of the calibre of Marouane Fellaini, says new boss David Moyes.

I almost choked laughing.

[Disco]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36938949



I almost choked laughing.

I had a chuckle too. Then tried to think what Fellaini was good at and really couldn't come up with anything.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I had a chuckle too. Then tried to think what Fellaini was good at and really couldn't come up with anything.

Elbowing players.

[Ian]

What Fellainimania is good at, you cunts, is running wild.

[Lewis]

He would be the best player in a Moyes-managed Sunderland, just like he was at Everton.

[Max Power]

He's great at controlling the ball on his chest. Genuinely brilliant.

[Angelsaint]

What is Mourinho beef with Schweinsteiger? Never saw him freezing a player like that before.

[Giggles]

What is Mourinho beef with Schweinsteiger? Never saw him freezing a player like that before.

Probably a lot to do with Schweinsteiger being utterly shite.

[Angelsaint]

Probably a lot to do with Schweinsteiger being utterly shite.

No. Not that.

[Shindig]

A Sunderland fan at work laid out how thin their squad was. It's terrifying that they need so many bodies in before the month is out.

[Ian]

He's great at controlling the ball on his chest. Genuinely brilliant.

Are there any other players who are genuinely good at one relatively obscure skills but not a great deal else?

[niko_cee]

Kerlon.

[phonics]

What is Mourinho beef with Schweinsteiger? Never saw him freezing a player like that before.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Juan_Mata_Chelsea_vs_AS-Roma_10AUG2013.jpg/431px-Juan_Mata_Chelsea_vs_AS-Roma_10AUG2013.jpg

[Reg]

Are there any other players who are genuinely good at one relatively obscure skills but not a great deal else?
John O'Shea: nutmegging Luís Figo.

[phonics]

Are there any other players who are genuinely good at one relatively obscure skills but not a great deal else?

Rory Delap #BitterArsenalFanEtc

[Shindig]

Kerlon probably would've done okay if he'd stay at Cruziero.

[Angelsaint]

[image]
"If you would make time in your schedule, I would love to have a conversation with you"

edit: Not sure I could make that picture any larger. Sec.

Mourinho already said that was him that wanted to leave, not him that wanted to sell him.

Besides Mourinho never sent him to the u21.

[phonics]

How does he manage to quote a post 4 minutes later when it was edited within 30 seconds. Sec.

edit: Yeah, bollocks. We all saw the stories about Mourinho wanting him out a month before he even got into training.

[Samadini]

Newcastle have met the release fee for Ciaran ClaAAAaaRRrk. That's come out the blue. Wonder if the plan is to play him on the left at times. Also wonder if that is actually a terrible idea. Isn't he shit?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrJmAi3-zeg&t=0m10s

[Giggles]

Newcastle have met the release fee for Ciaran ClaAAAaaRRrk. That's come out the blue. Wonder if the plan is to play him on the left at times. Also wonder if that is actually a terrible idea. Isn't he shit?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrJmAi3-zeg&t=0m10s

Any time I seen him with us he's been horrendous. I didn't see much Villa but their season and defensive record would suggest his international form wasn't the exception.

[Samadini]

I feel like all I remember from him is scoring own goals.

Still, be nice to have a change at the back, after years of suffering, even if it's still shit, a different kind of shit will be interesting to watch.

[Samadini]

Just looked through the last 10 years, the selection of centre backs is hilariously bad.

Good

Sebastien Bassong

Acceptable

Fabricio Coloccini - should be in the good tier, as at his best he was brilliant, but ended up spending more of his time at the club being completely awful in every way
Jamaal Lascelles
Chancel Mbemba
Fitz Hall
Abdoulaye Faye

Complete shit

Steven Taylor
Mike Williamson
Zurab Khizanishvili
Claudio Cacapa
David Edgar
Peter Ramage
Titus Bramble
Paul Huntington
Craig Moore
Oguchi Onyewu
Jean Alain Boumsong

lol

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa - Pardew played him out of position, preferring Iron Mike Williamson in the middle, which surprisingly enough pissed him off, so he went to play for Roma in the Champions League instead.
Sol Campbell


Lascelles and Mbemba both look likely to be good players for the club, so with Hanley and potentially Clark it's somehow, by far and away, the best set of centre backs the club has had for years.

[John]

Zurab. :drool:

I have a suspicion he was the original footballer hair transplant. He seemed to start going bald at about twenty one and then the extent of the balding would be different every time he appeared.

[phonics]

I'd like to point out that after the 'Complete lol' Newcastle adventure, Arsenal signed him and started him against Barcelona. This post is not an endorsement of Arsenal Football Club.

edit: Turns out it was after that even. Fuck me, Newcastle, you are shit.

[Max Power]

I remember Solman having an inspired game against Spurs in that second spell.

Crazy how Mbemba gets an acceptable after a relegation season. God bless Newcastle :D They'll absolutely walk the Championship though.

[Shindig]

I never had Mike down as completely useless. He went through spells where he looked confident. And, according to John Carver, it was all on purpose. Steven Taylor might've been something if we'd sold him when he was still a prospect. He used to be right up there with Dabizas in terms of heading in from corners.

[Samadini]

Mbemba looks a good player, it's not like it was his fault the club got relegated.


Janmaat was the only right nack at the club so he was having to cover that position. On the left we were so short we had to try Rolando Aarons there, which was a massive failure, even at full strength Dummett is first choice and not actually very good. Then in the middle he was having to partner a really poor Coloccini or Steven Taylor for most of the season, no leadership to guide him in his first season at the club.

The defence had huge problems, but Mbemba was far from being the player to worry about.