[FOOTBALL] 2018 January Transfer Window Thread

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ahh, French Guiana. I thought it might have been Senegal or something.

[Reg]

Max Power, where does this leave Vardy, d'you reckon? Likely to follow suit and leave?

[Lewis]

He had his chance and BOTTLED IT.

[The Merse]

@Sincere

You can still ‘Bosman rule’ them - the Bosman rule itself is simply pertaining to the ability for a player to leave his club when out of contract without compensation being required from either the player or any prospective club.

There’s a separate FIFA rule about how long in advance of the end of the players contract that they are free to speak to other clubs. It’s 1 month within the same nation, a specific rule that came into force due to the number of Serie A and La Liga players who were lining up against future employers post-January every year.

Edit - didn’t realise that was two pages back. Had an old window still open on my phone. Oops.

[Gray Fox]

Swapping Mahrez in for Coutinho, with £100m worth of difference going in our pocket is good business. Mahrez should only get better with a more attack minded manager and better players.

Coutinho is a good player, but can be deceptive. He looks very easy on the eye with the ball but is not very consistent with his end product. What we will miss is his ability to smash a long ranger in out of nothing. His free kicks have gotten scarily accurate too.

[Magic]

Mahrez is shite.

[Giggles]

Swapping Mahrez in for Coutinho, with £100m worth of difference going in our pocket is good business. Mahrez should only get better with a more attack minded manager and better players.

Coutinho is a good player, but can be deceptive. He looks very easy on the eye with the ball but is not very consistent with his end product. What we will miss is his ability to smash a long ranger in out of nothing. His free kicks have gotten scarily accurate too.

Funny that's taken you this long to realise.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, if we ever sell Kanté I'm going to decide overnight that he's an overrated midget prick.

[Gray Fox]

So the French media seems to see this as a done deal, medical tomorrow. Sky are leading with Liverpool having no interest in him.

No idea if it's actually happening or not.

[Gray Fox]

Funny that's taken you this long to realise.


Yeah, if we ever sell Kanté I'm going to decide overnight that he's an overrated midget prick.

I'm not saying he's massively overrated, nor am I angry at him for going(I'd probably want the move too), but this is not like when Suarez left. He was irreplaceable. Even though I'd rather have kept him, Coutinho can be replaced.

[Yevrah]

Did you take that from RAWK?

I'm not a fanboy or anything, but he (Klopp) is clearly fucking good at getting forwards purring.

Obviously Liverpool didn't choose to sell Coutinho, but he clearly didn't want to be there and the money they've got for him is obscene.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I have a horrible dilemma with Klopp. I am against Liverpool FC and all who love it and everything it stands for, but I would bloody love to have him as my boss. There is a sort of childlike lack of cynicism in him which sets him apart from all other top, top managers. You could argue Pep too, but Pep has this political side to him and for all his success and style, doesn't outwardly appear to have much fun.

[Giggles]

He's a one-trick cunt who can entertain but always fall short. But the way football is going maybe entertain is the summit.

[Yevrah]

There's a whiff of the Roberto Martinez's about him with his inability to organise a defence, but he plays exciting football (much better than that chancing Wigan fuck ever did) so I probably would too.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He can't organise a defence to save his life, but at the same time his teams do their fair share of winning. It's not like he's Bielsa and everything turns into magical realism after 15 games.

I bet you're looking forward to Martinez lifting the World Cup in six months' time.

[Giggles]

There's a whiff of the Roberto Martinez's about him with his inability to organise a defence, but he plays exciting football (much better than that chancing Wigan fuck ever did) so I probably would too.

In something so global over such a long time, how the fuck can you be so oblivious and clueless about defending and still be so near the top?

[Yevrah]

In something so global over such a long time, how the fuck can you be so oblivious and clueless about defending and still be so near the top?

I guess there's more than one way to skin a cat.

[Giggles]

I guess there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Not so far anyway. It's like he's trying to prove something.

[Yevrah]

Not so far anyway. It's like he's trying to prove something.

Perhaps, but he is managing Liverpool and up against a number of teams with better squads and buying power that far outweighs what he'll ever have.

Given how fucking miserable it is watching England now I'd take a manager that promised exciting (but defensively awful) football any day of the week.

[Giggles]

Perhaps, but he is managing Liverpool and up against a number of teams with better squads and buying power that far outweighs what he'll ever have.

Given how fucking miserable it is watching England now I'd take a manager that promised exciting (but defensively awful) football any day of the week.

I'd take it for Ireland too, I dream of it. But he's in the money football game.

[Baz]

Hopefully Klopp tells Mahrez to sort his hair out like he did Moreno.

Apparently we’re in for Alisson. I’d prefer him over Oblak. ����

[SincereTheRebel]

Thats some great business by Liverpool. I would be surprised if phil stepped up a level at barcelona. He always came a across as a player who was just ‘good’. He has his days but he is just too inconsistent. When sterling, sturridge and suarez were in town, he was the least important of the four. Same could also be said in the mane, firminhio and salah quad.

Cesc at the same age before his barca move, was better than phil. Liverpool are laughing with that fee. Barca have been clowed with that price.

[SincereTheRebel]

Liverpool are also refunding phil shirts

[Spikey M]

Liverpool are also refunding phil shirts

Why? It’s the risk you take if you get a name on the back.

[Baz]

Why? It’s the risk you take if you get a name on the back.Cos they’re good.

It’s a £50 voucher to spend in the club shop. I wonder if it has an expiry date. :sherlock:

[Serj]

I think one part of Coutinho's game that was really important for how Liverpool are playing is his linking of midfield to attack through dribbling or runs off the ball (when he wasn't played as part of the front three). Can is also good at that on his better days, but Klopp seems to have settled on using him as holding midfielder now - plus he might be off to Juventus soon anyway.

I hope Lallana stays fit, otherwise there might be a lot of games with lots of possession and sideways-passing from Henderson and Wijnaldum but very little movement, at least until Keita arrives.

[Baz]

City poised to offer £50m for Harry Maguire.

What's going on. Suppose it's better than the Jonny Evans rumours from summer, but jeez.

[Ian]

I've given up on understanding anything since that first flurry of Neymar, Mmmmbop and Dembele.

[Offshore Toon]

Ahh, French Guiana. I thought it might have been Senegal or something.
Fair play on being close, mate.

[Guybrush]

Apparently Clyne has tested positive for cocaine. Never a dull moment.

[Jimmy Floyd]

City poised to offer £50m for Harry Maguire.

What's going on. Suppose it's better than the Jonny Evans rumours from summer, but jeez.

Messi having a medical at the King Power apparently.

[SincereTheRebel]

I don't understand why the prices went up. People blame neymar but he was top 5 in the world and they met his release clause. That's a complete anomaly. That shouldn't affect everyone else's prices. Its not like PSG went and bought someone andy carrol. If they bought someone terrible for that price. I can understand the price increase for everyone else.

[randomlegend]

I guess it's because once they did that, everyone knows Barcelona have a bazillion quids in their pocket and so will demand absurd amounts from them and the merry-go-round kicks off from there.

[phonics]

Theo Walcotts available for 30 million quid, Juergen. Somehow has a worse haircut than Mahrez too.

[Yevrah]

It's because of the Premier League tv deal and clubs realising they don't have to sell any more.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Barcelona's Neymar money was a one off. I wonder if, post Messi and Ronaldo, they will be able to compete with English clubs. La Liga has the higher quality play but the Premier League shits on it commercially, mainly because it's in the English language.

[Adamski]

Imbibed a few too many last night, almost welled up reading this this morning :D

https://twitter.com/Jamiemurphy89/status/949805548240867328

[John]

The first reply to that, from Frazzle, has made my afternoon.

[Giggles]

City poised to offer £50m for Harry Maguire.

What's going on. Suppose it's better than the Jonny Evans rumours from summer, but jeez.

They don't have a squad so it's probably just to pad that out, and £50m is buttons to them.

[Lewis]

Harry Maguire is a backs-to-the-wall oaf, so lol at anyone spending that sort of money on him (still better than John Stones like).

[Yevrah]

He's definitely a Brexit means Brexit player.

[Adamski]

The first reply to that, from Frazzle, has made my afternoon.

Yep, it’s a cracker. Consumed by hatred.

[Giggles]

I don't think anyone else knows what's going on.

[Adamski]

I don't think anyone else knows what's going on.

You’ve got be used to that feeling by now.

[Giggles]

You’ve got be used to that feeling by now.

Yeah it's extremely clear.

[Boydy]

Some fucking boring Rangers shite was all I could tell.

[Disco]

It means there's at least three people who care about Scotch football, which is more than you'd think.

[John]

Our new signing revealed he's always been a Rangers fan with some pictures of him wearing the shirt as a kid. A fan of the Scottish club he left five years ago popped up to tell him that admission has tarnished everything he achieved while there.

You went to Oxford, Boyd. You should be more switched on than Giggles.

[Giggles]

Ah, so it was absolutely fuck all then really. Sorry for having you explain that.

[Giggles]

Some fucking boring Rangers shite was all I could tell.

Bingo. Person likes football team. Someone else likes other football team. That person doesn't like that the first person likes a different football team.

Rivetting shit really. Can anyone be blamed for wondering if there was more to it seeing as the time was taken to post it?

[Adamski]

At least you Irish bros got a bit of bonding in eh. One love.

[Giggles]

At least you Irish bros got a bit of bonding in eh. One love.

Ridiculous trolling attempt :D

You've had a full on afternoon, go for a lie down.

[John]

Bingo. Person likes football team. Someone else likes other football team. That person doesn't like that the first person likes a different football team.

Rivetting shit really. Can anyone be blamed for wondering if there was more to it seeing as the time was taken to post it?

It's more that he thinks Murphy being a Rangers fan in some way retroactively diminishes the time he spent at Motherwell. That level of bitterness is funny.

Anyway, there must be some League of Ireland minutiae for you to post for nobody's benefit.

[Giggles]

It's more that he thinks Murphy being a Rangers fan in some way retroactively diminishes the time he spent at Motherwell. That level of bitterness is funny.

Anyway, there must be some League of Ireland minutiae for you to post for nobody's benefit.

Not yet, it's the preseason.
At least other people posting about their second rate shite means I don't feel as bad about doing it now.

[Boydy]

The fucking Millwall of Scotland, you lot.

[Magic]

Some fucking boring Rangers shite was all I could tell.

They're a fucking strange breed. Bunch of horrible, entitled cunts.

[Lewis]

Rangers should be everybody's second team.

[Adamski]

They're a fucking strange breed. Bunch of horrible, entitled cunts.

From a fucking Leeds fan? :D

[phonics]

Coquelin to West Ham for 10 mil

Evans to Arsenal for 25 mil plus Debuchy (lol at literally everyone involved in this deal)

Oh and Sanchez to City for 25-35 mil

[Mazuuurk]

Is Jonny Evans even any good?

Getting rid of Coquelin would be all kinds of LOL. Not because he's amazing exactly, but because he's literally the only thing close to a defensive-minded player Arsenal actually have except maybe Koscielny and Mustafi (ish). Meaning the squad literally just would have offensive midfielders of varying sorts and quality in it.


Edit: I forgot Elneny, but not sure he qualifies as defensive either.

[Baz]

Who will play when Xhaka is serving his 16 bans a season?

[Lewis]

Getting rid of Coquelin would be all kinds of LOL. Not because he's amazing exactly, but because he's literally the only thing close to a defensive-minded player Arsenal actually have except maybe Koscielny and Mustafi (ish). Meaning the squad literally just would have offensive midfielders of varying sorts and quality in it.

And for ten million (in January, to a desperate Premiership team) as well. What is that all about?

[Mazuuurk]

He's also miles better than Xhaka, which says more about Xhaka than the Coque.

[phonics]

He's definitely not miles better than Xhaka, it got hilarious last year to the point that opposition players would give the ball away, wait for it to get to Coquelin and then run away, knowing his passing was so shit all they had to do was mark people.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Are Arsenal doing a fire sale? This should be entertaining.

Good times for Wenger's wine list options though. Go to the bottom of the card, Arsene, you deserve it.

[phonics]

Nah, just trying to move the same wasters he's been trying to push out the door for years now. If he manages to get Theo to Southampton he can stay until 2025 for all I care.

[Mazuuurk]

He's definitely not miles better than Xhaka, it got hilarious last year to the point that opposition players would give the ball away, wait for it to get to Coquelin and then run away, knowing his passing was so shit all they had to do was mark people.

Which is exactly what they are doing with Xhaka I'm sure. He's a pathetic excuse for a player, at least at the moment, and should be nowhere near the starting eleven.

He could maybe function well in a Pirlo-like role where someone like Kante or someone else does a bunch of defensive work around him while he picks out long passes - having about 5 minutes to do so per pass - but as soon as someone so much as breathes within 5 meters of him he seems to panic and pass the ball to the opposition.

The problem with Coquelin is that he was part of a midfield 2 rather than as the anchor man behind 2 midfielders, which is a job he could have done decently. Not like Silva used to, but somewhere in that direction.

Xhaka is just a footballer that doesn't fit in England at all. He could maybe do a job in Italy somewhere.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Alexis Sanchez of course a noted waster. He might as well do an auction for Ozil as well and spend his 5% on a new kitchen.

[-james-]

Slaven Bilic has just gone favourite for the Stoke job.

Surely not. :cab:

[phonics]

Which is exactly what they are doing with Xhaka I'm sure.

He's exactly the opposite, a great player when you give him space but the turning circle of an oil tanker powered by me with an oar.

[Mazuuurk]

He's exactly the opposite, a great player when you give him space.

You're not "getting space" in the Premier League.

I'm sure Wenger kindly asks the opposition managers every game "not to close Xhaka down pleeez because I've been in the game for 21 years & show some respect OK" but that's not how it is and as a result he's the highest miss-placer of passes in the league (http://www.givemesport.com/1195443-granit-xhaka-records-the-most-embarrassing-stat-for-a-midfielder-in-the-pl-this-season) isn't he?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Slaven Bilic has just gone favourite for the Stoke job.

Surely not. :cab:

Name a safer pair of hands that they don't have to pay compensation for.

[phonics]

You're not "getting space" in the Premier League.

I'm sure Wenger kindly asks the opposition managers every game "not to close Xhaka down pleeez because I've been in the game for 21 years & show some respect OK" but that's not how it is and as a result he's the highest miss-placer of passes in the league (http://www.givemesport.com/1195443-granit-xhaka-records-the-most-embarrassing-stat-for-a-midfielder-in-the-pl-this-season) isn't he?

I'm not sure how that changes anything I said whatsoever.

[-james-]

Name a safer pair of hands that they don't have to pay compensation for.


https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000086556494/d912cc74c926fd0259b4cbfca3e00b81_400x400.jpeg

[-james-]

I don't see why they would be stingy, anyway. Worth hiring someone non-shit if it keeps them up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Harvey Weinstein has safer hands than him. I suppose Ray Winstone would be easiest as he's already on the payroll.

[phonics]

Name a safer pair of hands that they don't have to pay compensation for.

Sven.

[-james-]

Wonder if the wage package contains an unrestrictable bet365 account.

[phonics]

I've just found out Rafa Mir has signed for Wolves.

That's a tasty Football Manager game.

[Kikó]

Ray Winstone for Stoke would be perfect. Make it happen.

Such a shame Leslie embarrassed himself again. Rip the artist formally known as sparky.

[phonics]

The Sandro for 50 bajillion quid rumors have surfaced again. Hasn't Alonso been one of Chelsea's best players over the last few years?

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's a bit of a headline sort of a player. Does eye-catching things that attract praise from those who don't watch Chelsea much (very few people watch teams other than United, Arsenal or Liverpool), and the goals have been great, but the guy can't really defend which precludes us from ever using a 4.

[phonics]

Nico Gaitans back in the papers. Nice blast from the past that one.

Coquelin has agreed to go to Valencia but it'll be for cheap so they're looking for a PL team to buy him. His last contract put him on near 100k a week according to Arseblog...

[Mazuuurk]

He's a bit of a headline sort of a player. Does eye-catching things that attract praise from those who don't watch Chelsea much (very few people watch teams other than United, Arsenal or Liverpool), and the goals have been great, but the guy can't really defend which precludes us from ever using a 4.

Seems like a great idea to get a Brazilian wing back that has a past in Porto then. They are particularly known for their solid defensive skills if I'm correctly informed.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Alex Sandro walked into my office now I'd have no idea who he was, let alone having seen him play.

[Max Power]

Enough of these £25-30m transfers. Leicester City are back to signing random Africans from the French lower leagues. Fousseni Diabate from Gazalec Ajaccio. Sold for £45m in 18 months time :drool:

[Mazuuurk]

I'm not sure how that changes anything I said whatsoever.

It doesn't change anything you said, if I could change what you said I'd do it all the time but unfortunately you are responsible for your own claims.

You said Xhaka is a "great player" which is farcical, he's terrible. Even when he's not under pressure he gives the ball away a lot, and the one and only thing he's "supposed" to be good at is passing the ball. One brilliant pass now and then doesn't redeem 20 misplaced simple ones.

Besides, what he's really supposed to be able to do is run, tackle, mark and position himself to defend the ball and then give it away to someone competent like Wilshere or Ramsey or whoever, which he does none of.

[phonics]

Poor Kelechi...

[phonics]

It doesn't change anything you said, if I could change what you said I'd do it all the time but unfortunately you are responsible for your own claims.

You said Xhaka is a "great player" which is farcical, he's terrible. Even when he's not under pressure he gives the ball away a lot, and the one and only thing he's "supposed" to be good at is passing the ball. One brilliant pass now and then doesn't redeem 20 misplaced simple ones.

Besides, what he's really supposed to be able to do is run, tackle, mark and position himself to defend the ball and then give it away to someone competent like Wilshere or Ramsey or whoever, which he does none of.

I said Coquelin gets given space because he's a bad player, I said Xhaka is a great player when he has space. That's literally all I said.

[John Arne]

I’m a great player when nobody tackles me.

[Mazuuurk]

I said Coquelin gets given space because he's a bad player, I said Xhaka is a great player when he has space. That's literally all I said.

Xhaka is never a great player though. Arsenal should pay to get him to leave.

[phonics]

Slight hyperbole there.

[phonics]

I’m a great player when nobody tackles me.

Well then you're better than Francis Coquelin. Well done.

[niko_cee]

I know my football knowledge is severely lacking/out of date these days, but I thought Coquelin was the defensive rock who was the solution to all of Arsenal's woes.

[phonics]

I know my football knowledge is severely lacking/out of date these days, but I thought Coquelin was the defensive rock who was the solution to all of Arsenal's woes.

Cazorla got injured and everyone came to the realization that he was running the entire team on his own.

RIP Santi.

[SincereTheRebel]

Coquelin was the only one who would actually run around and commit to tackles. Not that he is good enough anymore. Unless he is in a midfield three, he is wasted. I also agree with the xhaka statement. It was a pointless signing. Wilshere could have done everything xhaka has done since he arrived. Neither are good enough for teams with aspirations like arsenal.

[phonics]

Speak like that about Wilshere and I'll cut you.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think you may be deluded as to what aspirations Arsenal have. Kroenke comes from a US sports background where the aim is merely to exist and cream money off the top, success is not something they aspire to at all. If they were ambitious, Wenger would have been fired years ago.

[phonics]

I think you may be deluded as to what aspirations Arsenal have. Kroenke comes from a US sports background where the aim is merely to exist and cream money off the top, success is not something they aspire to at all. If they were ambitious, Wenger would have been fired years ago.

From the man himself: “If you want to win Championships then you would never get involved.”

[Mazuuurk]

Coquelin was the only one who would actually run around and commit to tackles. Not that he is good enough anymore. Unless he is in a midfield three, he is wasted. I also agree with the xhaka statement. It was a pointless signing. Wilshere could have done everything xhaka has done since he arrived. Neither are good enough for teams with aspirations like arsenal.

Yes exactly, some sense.


Speak like that about Wilshere and I'll cut you.

Though, I'm a bit with you here actually Phonics. Though I'm terribly biased as I just love Wilshere. But he's always really been a highs-and-lows player and while he currently seems to be on a high-performing streak, I'm (sadly) expecting that to drop soon again (or he just gets a 2 month injury in one of the coming 3 games).

[phonics]

Goerge N'Kudou, who I have never seen play well, has signed for Burnley on loan.

[SincereTheRebel]

I think you may be deluded as to what aspirations Arsenal have. Kroenke comes from a US sports background where the aim is merely to exist and cream money off the top, success is not something they aspire to at all. If they were ambitious, Wenger would have been fired years ago.

They want to win premier league titles.


Speak like that about Wilshere and I'll cut you.

If you are made of glass, you are not about that life.

[Spikey M]

Goerge N'Kudou, who I have never seen play well, has signed for Burnley on loan.

He’s one of the several hundred French Wingers, that seemingly possess nothing but pace.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They have no interest in winning Premier League titles. They want to be profitable.

I reckon Dyche got stung by that article saying he'd sold all his black players. First Nakhi Wells starts getting game time, now N'Koudou.

[phonics]

He’s one of the several hundred French Wingers, that seemingly possess nothing but pace.

Salomon Kalou, a man ahead of his time.

[SincereTheRebel]

They have no interest in winning Premier League titles. They want to be profitable.

I reckon Dyche got stung by that article saying he'd sold all his black players. First Nakhi Wells starts getting game time, now N'Koudou.

Should have just continued down the bilboa route.

[phonics]

Sanchez to City and Lucas Pavon (who I've never heard of) in as a replacement this week.

edit: Cristian Pavon even, still never heard of him.

[-james-]

Wasn't Vidal to Chelsea meant to be a "done deal"? He's lining up for Bayern in a friendly against third tier Sonnenhof Großaspach in a bit.

[phonics]

From what I remember of the story wasn't it Bayern wanting it to be a done deal so they could get someone else in?

[Lewis]

I had never heard of Cristian Pavon, but he is five foot six so lol at Arsenal.

[phonics]

So you're saying he's the next Messi?

[Lewis]

Rodrigo Palacio.

[phonics]

We've been missing a ponytail since Seaman hung up his boots. Maybe we can get that sponsorship deal back.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Palacio's is more of a rats tail.

[phonics]

If you can put a scrunchie on it we can make 10 million a year off it.

[Lewis]

On a similar note, lol at Lucas Moura looking forty.

[John Arne]

Remember that young Brazilian at Man Utd.... Rodrigo Possebon...he has managed just 43 games in 10 years.. good enough for Ho Chi Minh City FC apparently.....

[Boydy]

Wasn't Vidal to Chelsea meant to be a "done deal"? He's lining up for Bayern in a friendly against third tier Sonnenhof Großaspach in a bit.

Why are they playing friendlies at this time of year?

[phonics]

They've just had 3 weeks off.

[-james-]

Fifth goal of the second half has just made it 4-3 on 65 minutes. Good laugh.

[Magic]

Wolves paying 35m for a striker lol.

[Kikó]

Remember that young Brazilian at Man Utd.... Rodrigo Possebon...he has managed just 43 games in 10 years.. good enough for Ho Chi Minh City FC apparently.....

Poor guy. Got crunched against Middleborough (Pogetetz?) and never recovered.

[Reg]

More on the Barkley/mayor thing: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jan/09/liverpool-mayor-joe-anderson-police-ross-barkley-everton-chelsea

It would be kind of great if Chelsea got done for fraud.

[Waffdon]

The most lol thing I’ve ever read.

[randomlegend]

On a similar note, lol at Lucas Moura looking forty.

We're apparently signing him for 25m Euros.

[Lewis]

I think it will be alright for that sort of price. They desperately need some other options on the right, and there isn't an obvious wait until the summer MEGA transfer there (other than Bareth Gale, which is never happening).

[Ian]

He was going to be the next big thing at one point, right?

Is he actually any good?

[Lewis]

No idea, but a lot of people seem to be against it simply because he turned United down in 2012. Maybe he saw what was coming.

[randomlegend]

He was going to be the next big thing at one point, right?

Is he actually any good?

The PSG fans on reddit seem to think he's a thick-as-pigshit pace merchant, and despite being right-footed he still cuts in all the time.

Sounds wonderful :)

[Baz]

Speaking of Lucas Moura, whatever happened to Paulo “Ganso” Henrique?

Edit: Sevilla apparently. Not quite the status that was predicted for him!

[Magic]

The PSG fans on reddit seem to think he's a thick-as-pigshit pace merchant, and despite being right-footed he still cuts in all the time.

Sounds wonderful :)

Are they the ex-Madrid fans?

[randomlegend]

Are they the ex-Madrid fans?

Aye, prolly.

[phonics]

James Olley of the Standard, who has pretty good connections at the club (He's no Ornstein but who is?), says Ancelotti's being lined up if Wenger walks at the end of the year.

3-5 years too late.

[SincereTheRebel]

Ancelotti's being lined up if Wenger walks at the end of the year.

3-5 years too late.

The game has changed now. I think managers need to be amazing motivators. I dont know if Ancelotti is or not. Diego Simone is what arsenal need if you ask me. Him or that Eddie Howe from Bournemouth. Fuck it.

[phonics]

Diego Simeone doesn't even speak English. How's he going to motivate them?

I swear you're judged more by how shouty you look on a touchline than anything you actually do these days.

[SincereTheRebel]

Diego Simeone doesn't even speak English. How's he going to motivate them?

I swear you're judged more by how shouty you look on a touchline than anything you actually do these days.

Exactly. It seems to work for everyone else. Mad managers barking on the touchline is what arsenal need as arsenal are SilentNight pillow soft. Simone will have them playing like a defensive well oiled machine.

[Yevrah]

James Olley of the Standard, who has pretty good connections at the club (He's no Ornstein but who is?), says Ancelotti's being lined up if Wenger walks at the end of the year.

Wenger walks? :cab:

[Lewis]

Carlo Ancelotti is very much a get good players playing good manager, and Arsenal would be the weakest team he has managed in twenty years. It will be like 'LvG' without the lols.

[Mazuuurk]

Agree with Sincere. Whatever Simeones manager style on the sideline, he's achieved a hell of a lot with Athletico, and his teams have a distinct style that builds from the back and promotes a bit of a hard spirit in his teams. Mourinho is much the same, he's not quite as shouty or anything (don't know if that's relevant).

Arsenal needs someone who comes in and says "fuck this shit, you can't play like this anymore this isn't Barcelona". It will all go to shit for a few years, but better rip the band aid at some point.

[Mazuuurk]

While I can sort of understand why he might be a bit pissed over this, taking legal action seems a little precious to be honest.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42630016

[phonics]

Arsenal haven't played like Barcelona for about 5 years...

[phonics]

951095724342759425

You'd be disappointed to open that suitcase only to find Francis Coquelin.

[randomlegend]

951158785858523136

[Ian]

£12m? That's basically a free transfer now.

[Spikey M]

This Arsenal clearance sale is quite something. Hopefully it goes very, very badly.

[phonics]

He can be the next Messi for all I care, I'm not taking any player called Malcolm seriously.

[SincereTheRebel]

Speak like that about Wilshere and I'll cut you.




If you are made of glass, you are not about that life.

I heard your son picked up a knock last night. Minor though, it will only see him out of action until September.

[phonics]

Frustrating one that, hopefully it's just a tweak. I've seen everything from 2 weeks to he'll be back against Bournemouth.

West Ham have said that they want rid of Javier Hernandez. Him and Iheanacho have been my biggest prediction failures.

[-james-]

He can be the next Messi for all I care, I'm not taking any player called Malcolm seriously.

It's the fact that he spells it without the second 'l' that's offensive.

[phonics]

That iPhone auto correct is going to be a nightmare, I'm vetoing the signing.

[Disco]

Frustrating one that, hopefully it's just a tweak. I've seen everything from 2 weeks to he'll be back against Bournemouth.

It's Arsenal, they'll have plenty of fragile inconsistent players who can fill in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Frustrating one that, hopefully it's just a tweak. I've seen everything from 2 weeks to he'll be back against Bournemouth.

West Ham have said that they want rid of Javier Hernandez. Him and Iheanacho have been my biggest prediction failures.

And both similar types of player - managers just aren't interested in direct goalscorers these days.

[phonics]

West Brom should drop the Danny Ings project and go all-in on Iheanacho. Imagine him and Rondon playing in a 4-4-fucking-2

[SincereTheRebel]

Perfect timing with the coquelin sale really.

[phonics]

Are Liverpool really going to spend an extra 25 million quid on getting someone 6 months early?

[randomlegend]

United are apparently now in for Alexis Sanchez. Can't see why he'd choose us over Man City, but would be great if he did.

Suggestion we are offering Micky Taryan as part of the deal (who I believe Arsenal wanted before) so maybe they would prefer to do the deal with us.

[Baz]

Klopp should get involved.

[SvN]

Nah, this is big boy shit

[phonics]

I've only seen that link in the Guardian and it's not from Jamie Jackson so I'm not sure where their source is from.

[SincereTheRebel]

Sanchez is off to b.munich

[Spikey M]

So we’ve been told in every window for about 17 years.

[randomlegend]

I've only seen that link in the Guardian and it's not from Jamie Jackson so I'm not sure where their source is from.

Di Marzio is the source.

[phonics]

Di Marzio is the journalist, not the source.

[randomlegend]

What I meant was his information is where the Guardian have got the story from. Fabrizio Romano works for him.

Obviously I don't know his source.

[Lewis]

Sounds like a MIND GAME to me.

[SvN]

Yeah it's obviously nonsense. I'm hoping we're not getting mugged off again and end up looking like tits when he inevitably ends up at City.

[Lewis]

That said, he would get more games/responsibility (and money) at United.

[SvN]

It's on. #SanchezterUnited

[niko_cee]

Are Liverpool really going to spend an extra 25 million quid on getting someone 6 months early?

No.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42649775

[Spikey M]

It's on. #SanchezterUnited

Tell me that’s a thing and you haven’t just invented it?

[Lewis]

'Alexis' to right-back, and Antonio Valencia back on the wing. :drool:

[Andy]

We're going to end up spending 25m on Walcott on the last day of the window. Shambles.

[phonics]

We're going to end up spending 25m on Walcott on the last day of the window. Shambles.

:drool:

Still got more goals last year than your entire forward line put together though.

[Spikey M]

Mahow scores more than that lot.

[Giggles]

Flores you cunt :(

[Baz]

https://i.redd.it/p6uo5kb6ig901.png

:rosebud:

[John]

He's such an arsehole.

[Magic]

I quite enjoy it. We'll look fondly back on these days when we're stuck with Raheem, Harry and Stonesy having banter on virtual twitter.

[Andy]

:drool:

Still got more goals last year than your entire forward line put together though.

I'm not surprised. The last thing we need is an inconsistent 28 year old winger.

An attacking midfielder who can create and score from a midfield three, a centre back and a goalkeeper are all far more important than improving Nathan Redmond. Also a new manager.

We could put together a decent 352 with a couple of key signings yet the clown in charge is adamant we are going to stick to 4231. The only time we've played 3 at the back recently was against Arsenal which was one of our better performances. It doesn't make any sense.

If we don't make the right signings we are in danger of going down. 9 away from home with 7 at homw and 4 of our home games are City, Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool.

[nsd]

Flores you cunt :(

:drool:

Hopefully announced tomorrow. I'm happy enough with that. The number of our fans seemingly wanting/accepting O'Neill is astounding.

[Giggles]

:drool:

Hopefully announced tomorrow. I'm happy enough with that. The number of our fans seemingly wanting/accepting O'Neill is astounding.

The disappointment here that he won't be going is far from astounding. You've dodged a bullet there.

[Lofty]

Where are we talking about Beardsley being a horrible bastard?

[nsd]

The disappointment here that he won't be going is far from astounding. You've dodged a bullet there.

I'd only have taken him if the other choice was someone like Gary Megson (who a couple of fans have also suggested). There were talks of MON for 6 months then someome permanent at the end of the season, which would b3 an absolite shitshow. Flores wasn't the most exciting manager at Watford, but he did well with them and his sacking was completely undeserved. Anything is better than Hughes at this point. I'm pleased enough with him.

[Shindig]

Where are we talking about Beardsley being a horrible bastard?

He's knackered. The fact it's gone from bullying to racism is a bit concerning. He's been part of the scene so long but I can't say I'll miss him. He's hovered between a figurehead and a coach for years.

[Samadini]

Everyone says he's a totally shit coach as well, so will be a good riddance really. Not that much will change, the reserves and youth side have been a waste of everyone's time for so long now. Players either don't join in the first place, or end up leaving to learn at a proper club if they're any good, like Gibson did recently.

[Lewis]

lol at this (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42648061). I bet this is the first time that certain people have encountered the rule of law.

[Mazuuurk]

Clever, they will end up getting 2 million and can buy a bigger house somewhere else.

[Kikó]

So United are in for Sanchez with City - looks like he wants to go city (not surprising). Heard or read something daft that he wants a £25m sign on fee.

Micky also wants out - he's been house hunting in London for ages and he'd suit arsenal to a tee. Skillful and mentally weak.

[SincereTheRebel]

So United are in for Sanchez with City - looks like he wants to go city (not surprising). Heard or read something daft that he wants a £25m sign on fee.

Micky also wants out - he's been house hunting in London for ages and he'd suit arsenal to a tee. Skillful and mentally weak.

Sanchez can demand those type of signing on fees in the summer once his contract his free. I would be surprised if he gets that this month. Then again, if you can get him for £50m all in, that is a decent deal in today's climate.

[Andy]

If he wants a 25m signing on fee and he knows there's a 25m fee to be paid now he would probably want a 50m signing on fee in the summer.

[SincereTheRebel]

He can it. A player of that magnitude being free in the summer is bonkers and its a power move if sanchez and ozil both hold clubs to ransom over their signature. Arsenal really need to kill themselves how sanchez and both ozil will probably leave for free.

[Max Power]

United also enquired about Vardy apparently. His value to us would be way more than anyone would pay for a 31 year old though I would imagine.

[Andy]

United also enquired about Vardy apparently. His value to us would be way more than anyone would pay for a 31 year old though I would imagine.

You think that way but then if Vardy kicks up a fuss it doesn't really matter, he's gone.

[Andy]

He can it. A player of that magnitude being free in the summer is bonkers and its a power move if sanchez and ozil both hold clubs to ransom over their signature. Arsenal really need to kill themselves how sanchez and both ozil will probably leave for free.

Two of the world top 10-20 players in there prime on a free in a world cup year is mental. If Ozil has a good world cup he could demand crazy money as well.

[phonics]

You do have to laugh that after years of being slagged off for selling his best players, he's now being slagged off for keeping them.

[Andy]

You do have to laugh that after years of being slagged off for selling his best players, he's now being slagged off for keeping them.

It's the same as the Van Dijk situation, you can't win either way really.

[SincereTheRebel]

You do have to laugh that after years of being slagged off for selling his best players, he's now being slagged off for keeping them.

I hear you. But arsenal need sinking for even allowing themselves to be in this position. There is no valid reason how allowing them to possibly leave for free is the right thing to do. Maybe arsenal believed they would sign new deals. We didnt fall for that on here. There were many of us on here, claiming that the german players and sanchez that came into arsenal did what was required and end that trophy drought. They should have been moved on after 3 years and start again. Instead, they find themselves in a crazy situation. Respect to sanchez though. Man is still playing. We have seen several players of late do the right thing and play football, even though it is expected that are going to leave.

[randomlegend]

Loads of places now reporting that City are prepared to walk away rather than pay what Arsenal/City want.

[Lewis]

City getting the arse over an extra ten million is weird. They offered sixty four months ago, and by the sounds of it getting him on a free would cost them more anyway through a bigger signing on fee, so why lose out now? United have probably just donned them on wages/bent agent fees, and 'Alexis' the tramp has gobbled it up.

[randomlegend]

https://twitter.com/DiscoMirror/status/951869847532720131

Pretty much confirms we are actually in for him.

[phonics]

952138272158908421

lol. Malcoms people were in London last night so soundslike this stuff should all be wrapped up by next week.

and it looks like Keita will arrive in January putting his transfer free to 75 million.

[Gray Fox]

Current rumour is Naby will be ours by tomorrow.

So we'll have pretty much swapped Coutinho for Keita and Van Dijk. It does feel like we've addressed some team needs better, but it's hard to feel like it's forward progress when you've just sold one of the clubs best players.

[Spikey M]

Coutinho is great in flashes but I’ve never seen that much in him really. I don’t think he’ll be missed as much as Suarez was, or, for that matter, Salah would be. His stats (which I know don’t tell the whole story) don’t mark him out as particularly great, do they?

[Andy]

Good moves for Liverpool.

Let Lallana play in place of Coutinho, Keita and VvD come in for Can and Klavan.

Probably only a keeper and a defensive midfield destroyer away from something special.

[Gray Fox]

We're supposedly looking at Alisson from Roma. I can't really claim I know anything about him though. We are getting there, but until we get that defensive minded midfielder in, I don't see us quite making the next step.

[Lewis]

I can see why Arsene Wenger thinks he can take the piss, having done so in his own manor for years, but Anthony Martial mate lol come on grow up.

[Boydy]

I thought Keita was meant to be a defensive midfielder?

[Waffdon]

I thought Keita was meant to be a defensive midfielder?

Far from it.

[Gray Fox]

I thought Keita was meant to be a defensive midfielder?

Almost box-to-box type but is much better going forward. Scores well from midfield, is reasonably fast and kicks people in the head. Should fit right in.

[Lewis]

City getting the arse over an extra ten million is weird. They offered sixty four months ago, and by the sounds of it getting him on a free would cost them more anyway through a bigger signing on fee, so why lose out now? United have probably just donned them on wages/bent agent fees, and 'Alexis' the tramp has gobbled it up.

The Telegraph sez ten million quid to his agent. How do you out-bribe Arabs? Ed Woodward is a legend.

[Baz]

Apparently Kante to PSG is on. How much money can the French government give them? :cab:

[randomlegend]

French government? I thought Qatar owned PSG?

[niko_cee]

There surely isn't enough money in the world to get Kante out of Chelsea. They're bad enough with him. Without him they'd be back to peak Mourinho meltdown levels of shiteness.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We'd be a 9th-12th mid table outfit.

[Bam]

All seems a bit of an overreaction tbf.

[Baz]

He’s only going in summer anyway. Plenty time for Chelsea to sign Tolisso from Bayern.

[niko_cee]

I see Liverpool are 'in the hunt' for Sanchez.

Doubtful. £350k a week? Fucking lol at that.

I know Arsene is all over his player swaps at the moment so how about one for Sturridge? :harold:

[Spikey M]

In today’s market Kante must be worth well over £100m, which, considering he’s not a glamorous striker/winger, I can’t see anyone paying. He does an important job, but he’s not going to shift merchandise.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't see Marina agreeing to sell him for anything short of world record amounts. Same goes for Hazard.

[Lewis]

Madrid will probably shit the bed and refresh the entire squad this summer, and United getting 'Alexis' frees Bareth Gale up as an Eden Hazard makeweight, so that one seems more likely as time passes.

[niko_cee]

I read a Salah makeweight today.

No thanks.

[Reg]

I can't see Marina agreeing to sell him for anything short of world record amounts. Same goes for Hazard.
Chelsea don't actually spend that much though, do they? Are there people taking money out of the club? I would have thought if they get a stupid offer for any player they'd see it as a chance to fund the next however many windows.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Chelsea don't actually spend that much though, do they? Are there people taking money out of the club? I would have thought if they get a stupid offer for any player they'd see it as a chance to fund the next however many windows.

They are all about short term competitiveness as well though, if we lost two of Kanté, Hazard and Conte in the same window we wouldn't threaten the top six unless some other genius manager can be unearthed.

[Gray Fox]

Looks like the rumours were bollocks and Keita is staying in Germany til the summer.

[Gray Fox]

Sanchez and Ozil both not playing for Arsenal surely means they've decided to cash in?

You'd imagine Sanchez to United. But who has suddenly come in for Ozil now? Not waiting would suggest a Premier League team.

[Weaver]

Ozil’s injured I think, Fox, rather than left out like Sanchez has been.

I’m struggling to see where Ozil will end up, really, but I suppose him being a freebie at the end of the season opens up lots of places.

[John Arne]

Apparently Javier Hernandez's agent is on the phone to anyone who will listen.... BUT, they aren't willing to listen to offers less than West Ham are currently paying him.

A loan to the MLS isn't out of the window, but would be a last resort. That said, the West Ham board don't wont a loan deal that means they still pay a percentage of his salary.

I guess that means he's probably staying at West Ham.

[phonics]

This Aubameyang thing seems real, why it's necessary now but wasn't 6 months ago makes no sense to me.

I get the slightest sense of panic from my club at the moment.

[Lofty]

If the club has any sense they will be buying whoever the replacement manager wants ala City buying Guardiola’s favoured players prior to his arrival. Heard that the Greek defender and Malcom are scouted by Diamond Eye instead of Wenger so hopefully that means they’re decent and also indicates the end of Wenger’s reign approaching.

[phonics]

He's 6 months younger than Alexis Sanchez. Project Youth :drool:

Meanwhile AS are trying to stir shit up by putting the RONALDO TO UNITED train back on the tracks.

[niko_cee]

Who or what is Diamond Eye?

[phonics]

Who or what is Diamond Eye?

By the context I'm going to guess that Sven guy from Dortmund. It's Lofty though so I'm going to go with 'nickname for his penis'.

[Lofty]

Why not both?

[phonics]

Why not both?

I said the same thing when reading this:

952862551464914946

[Mazuuurk]

Mikhitaryan would be shite.

I do think Martial is a little underrated in the amount of game time he gets, always looks quite good to me on the wing and more natural there than Rashford for instance. Of course he's not a "replacement" for Sanchez, but would add something to Arsenal anyway if given the chance to play a bit more.

Abuyamang makes so little sense to me though. He's essentially the same type of player as all the strikers already at the club - All pace and various levels of finishing skills. Granted, he's very much likely better than them all at it, but he also is a super pacey striker playing for a rampant counter-attacking team where he always gets space to run at. He's essentially a good version of Vardy in Leicester - and he would probably struggle at Arsenal. And also - Lacazette has looked off in the past games, but he's also getting supplied fuck all - how is he supposed to score when noone is creating any chances for him? I know that's partly on him as well, but his finishing and running has so far looked good enough that it makes little sense to buy a replacement already.

[randomlegend]

If we agree to throw Martial into the Sanchez deal then we are retarded.

[phonics]

It's quite clearly a 4-4-2 with Aubameyang and Lacazette up top, Martial on the left, Mkhitaryan on the right with Mezut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey holding down the centre of the pitch.

How could it go wrong?

edit: Forgot about Malcom. He can find a place in the middle (wahey!).

[Mazuuurk]

It's quite clearly a 4-4-2 with Aubameyang and Lacazette up top, Martial on the left, Mkhitaryan on the right with Mezut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey holding down the centre of the pitch.

How could it go wrong?

edit: Forgot about Malcom. He can find a place in the middle (wahey!).

Playing with Abouyamang and Lacazette (or Giroud) up front in itself wouldn't be a terrible idea really.

I think Arsenals best formation they could currently play (without Sanchez) would be a diamond midfield like this, diamond:

Lacazette - Giroud
Ozil
Wilsher - Ramsey
Maitland - Niles (probably)
Kolasinac - Fuckup1 - Fuckup2 - Bellerin

[niko_cee]

That formation would only work if Maitland-Niles was actually Maitland and Niles, the hitherto unknown deadly defensive duo. Otherwise good luck ever having the ball.

[phonics]

Amazing story about Mahrez whoring himself out to get a move. It turns out the stories about him being in Barcelona/moving to Liverpool etc. were all made up by some guy on WhatsApp messaging journos with scoops in exchange for VIP tickets to games and signed shirts. :D

Absolute legend.

[Mazuuurk]

That may be true, but he also seems like the best option there currently is for that role.

So yeah, good luck on ever having the ball indeed.

[phonics]

Playing with Abouyamang and Lacazette (or Giroud) up front in itself wouldn't be a terrible idea really.

I think Arsenals best formation they could currently play (without Sanchez) would be a diamond midfield like this, diamond:

Lacazette - Giroud
Ozil
Wilsher - Ramsey
Maitland - Niles (probably)
Kolasinac - Fuckup1 - Fuckup2 - Bellerin

Love the fact that we can't defend with five defenders makes you decide to go with less.

[niko_cee]

Sometime less is more.

I suppose, at the very least, there are less people to fuck up.

[phonics]

Sometime less is more.

Forest proved that less is, in fact, less.

[Mazuuurk]

Love the fact that we can't defend with five defenders makes you decide to go with less.

I dunno that it would help either, but in my world I'd say it's more like playing one more defender - I feel like Bellerin and whoever is on the Left are more like wide midfielders in a 3-4-3.

But anyway, the idea I know is that they should be falling back into fullback positions on the defensive effectively making it some sort of 5-2-3, what what keeps happening is they go a little too far up, and the "wide centerbacks" come up covering for them a little too high as well, and they get found out.

When the cross to Calum Wilsons goal came in yesterday, there were 3 (arguably 4) fucking arsenal players surrounding/chasing whoever crossed it for Bournemouth:

https://snag.gy/6NvABe.jpg

Now, it's also a mystery how Chambers and whoever else was in the middle didn't manage to together mark the guy, coupled with Cechs timing - so literally half the team managed to fuck up there, but still - I feel like these sort of things keep happening in this formation when Bellerin and Kolasinac effectively are playing like wingers.

In a team like Chelsea they get away with it basically because they have Kante to cover in midfield, and partly because Moses and Alonso are a little more conservative.


So in a nutshell - I think at least a 4-man-defense is something Arsenal (remotely) knows how to play, so it might be better.


But again - it is probably all beyond hope anyway.

[Lewis]

Stick Jack 'The New Rio Ferdinand' Rodwell at centre-back.

[phonics]

So in a nutshell - I think at least a 4-man-defense is something Arsenal (remotely) knows how to play, so it might be better.

How'd that go against Forest?

[SincereTheRebel]

Arsenal dont know their best formation or team at the moment. Some real bad decesions over the past 6 months. New regime come the summer. They team is totally off balance

[SincereTheRebel]

Reports of radja off to china.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Proper waster if he takes the money.