The Summer Transfer Thread [17 May - 9 August]

[phonics]

He did say he was leaving the day of the CL Final.

[Kikó]

He's found a final massive pay off in an easier league physically. He can use Juventus'magic doctors as well.

[randomlegend]

1016774060913487872

[Shindig]

Riyad Marhrez is now worth two Jordan Pickfords.

[Reg]

It'd be mental in FM, as we'd all just wait three years and buy his regen for £12.50, but if he stays there for three years and helps them to a Champions League then you can see why they've done it.

The bit I struggle with is why he'd want to go there.
I can totally imagine Ronaldo is the sort of person who'd think, "Right, x number of players have won the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, I want to do that," or "Only x have won the Champions League with three different clubs." And there must be some part of him, Bale and others that want a new challenge after so much success at Real. Maybe he fancies a change of country and/or Turin. Then of course there's the money - there must be about seven clubs in the world maximum who could afford him, and some of those are rivals of his past clubs.

[Shindig]

He's done all he can in the Spanish game. Time to go full Ibrahimovic and collect the set. Mourinho kinda tried that with management.

[Trancemeister]

Kevin Grosskreutz who won the world cup in 2014 has joined KFC Uerdingen in divison 3 in Germany. He's only 29 :|

[Lewis]

I can't see how Ronaldo has moved for the money. He was on huge money at Madrid, and, even if Juventus have topped that, his commercial earnings were surely better off in a Madrid shirt for the foreseeable future. That's not to say he will have taken a pay cut, but the financial aspect would seem like a secondary concern providing they aren't asking him to play for free.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I imagine Madrid will have moved him on for payroll reasons and Juve could stump up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/FCF3/production/_102455746_torres.png

Judging by those scarves, Torres has joined the most stereotypical Japanese team ever.

[Baz]

:wub:

[Danny]

Kevin Grosskreutz who won the world cup in 2014 has joined KFC Uerdingen in divison 3 in Germany. He's only 29 :|

Wasn’t he a bit of an idiot? Getting into trouble with the drink.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wasn’t he a bit of an idiot? Getting into trouble with the drink.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/mar/03/kevin-grosskreutz-leaves-stuttgart-fight-hospital

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fernando Torres ending up in a Japanese relegation battle is poetry in motion.

Brighton signing Percy Tau direct from the PSL is a bloody brave move.

[phonics]

Real Madrid get 30-40% of his image rights. If they give up even 5-10 of that he's effectively got a raise.

[Giggles]

Fernando Torres ending up in a Japanese relegation battle is poetry in motion.

Brighton signing Percy Tau direct from the PSL is a bloody brave move.

I googled him. The fuck?


http://i63.tinypic.com/1y4zd0.png

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've just Googled Sagan Tosu's team.

Torres and Ibarbo up front :drool:

[Gray Fox]

Karius dropped another bollock in the pre-season game to Tranmere. Apparently crowd on his back straight after.

I still just about think he's starting the season as our #1, but if the horror show continues, we're going to be forced into action. But just in case the money runs out I'll go check the match footage for a concussion.

[Danny]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7UfAcvKfWk

All that 'training' in LA worked wonders

[ItalAussie]

So Ronaldo then. He's got at least another three or four years in him. And now he can't score against us in the CL.

Let's be honest - this is solely a play to win the CL in the next three years. Which, given we've consistently won everything else, is really what they need to throw everything at achieving. They weren't going to do it by signing decent young players who will inevitably develop, or players who are doing a decent job for a local rival. They needed to go big at some point.

[SincereTheRebel]

I like how the Ronaldo moved popped up like Butterkist popcorn. I like players moving around from elite club to elite club. As long as he is fit, there is no doubt in my kind Ronaldo will be at the next World Cup

[SincereTheRebel]

Karius dropped another bollock in the pre-season game to Tranmere. Apparently crowd on his back straight after.

I still just about think he's starting the season as our #1, but if the horror show continues, we're going to be forced into action. But just in case the money runs out I'll go check the match footage for a concussion.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7UfAcvKfWk

All that 'training' in LA worked wonders

Ive just been brought up to speed with this. When the tranmeme guy scored after the Karius mistake, he can be seen looking in the direction of Karius and via lip reading he seemed angry yelling ”he is fucking shit” :D

[John Arne]

https://gyazo.com/51e6bf02daff5e31f9f21b13f3a0ef2d.gif

Interesting, Danny Ward made a great save in the first half.

[Trancemeister]

Yarmolenko to West Ham

[ItalAussie]

I utterly refused to even acknowledge the Ronaldo rumours until there was full confirmation of the move. My brother was getting really hyped, but I was having none of it. But in retrsopect it was too utterly crazy a story, and lasted too long, to be anything but true

[randomlegend]

Sarri to be confirmed as Chelsea manager along with them GAZUMPING City for Jorginho.

[randomlegend]

Fiat workers going on strike over their parent company funding the Ronaldo deal whilst they are having to take pay cuts. Lol.

[SincereTheRebel]

Arsenal has signed some Sideshow Luiz from French Ligue 2. Good to see Emery has picked up the same scouting guide that Wenger left behind.

http://e0.365dm.com/18/07/16-9/20/skysports-matteo-guendouzi_4359018.jpg?20180711113352

[mugbull]

Spurs have yet to sign anyone, despite Pochettino being promised a “big window” by Levy in May. Our closest target is Jack Grealish. Lol

[SincereTheRebel]

Chelsea or Tottenham have yet to sign anyone. Looking at the history, none of the top six has sold anyone of note besides fringe retired dudes.

[Trancemeister]

How much does Inter want for Perisic. What a fucking player he is. :wub:

[randomlegend]

£50m+ when Utd tried to buy him. The Inter fans were creaming their pants at getting that, apparently he's super inconsistent. And he's nearly 30.

[mugbull]

Rebic is class, would take a deeper look at him

[John Arne]

Liverpool should sign that second half Lovren fella.

[Kikó]

Perisic is really inconsistent. Good player but he's like most wingers, 1 good game in 4/5.

[SincereTheRebel]

Perisic is really inconsistent. Good player but he's like most wingers, 1 good game in 4/5.

Good thing he played well when it counts.

[phonics]

Seri has caved and is moving to Fulham.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I wonder what odds I can get on Fulham finishing above us. That said, apparently a Sarri announcement is now actually imminent.

[phonics]

They've also signed the most French sounding man alive, Maxime Le Marchand.

[thommo]

Getting Seri in this manner reminds me of our previous promotion to the Prem in 2001, when we signed Van der Sar from Juventus.

[randomlegend]

Blind looks likely to be on his way back to Ajax. Good to see players like him and Darmian - who aren't really good enough - being moved on.

[SincereTheRebel]

Sporting Lisbon has produced a 63-page dossier sent to FIFA in relation to Wolves adding Patricio on a free. They are demanding £48.5m :lol:

[-james-]

Seri to Fulham stinks of him not actually being that good.

[randomlegend]

1017363118207438848?s=21

Turns out the Kohler thing was true.

[phonics]

You say that like anyone would know what that is.

[randomlegend]

I posted the 'story' in this thread at the time. Some guy on reddit claimed to have inside info from someone at the club saying United would sign a sponsorship deal with Kohler (he said this a couple of months ago). Claimed the same guy had told him we would be signing Griezmann.

The latter obviously turned out to be nonsense, but the former is clearly true so he did have a real source.

[randomlegend]

1017394758111645696

Clement Lenglet (highly rated young French centre back from Sevilla) confirmed for Barcelona. Paid his £31m release clause.

EDIT: Bizarre talking ball announcement video which is 90% about Messi.

[Gray Fox]

Liverpool should sign that second half Lovren fella.

He's been playing like that since Van Dijk and also Robertson came in. It's the fella behind him and on occasion the right back that be the problem.

[SincereTheRebel]

He's been playing like that since Van Dijk and also Robertson came in. It's the fella behind him and on occasion the right back that be the problem.

Was he the first choice partner with Van Dijk last season?

[Gray Fox]

It was him and Matip, with Klavan and Gomez coming in and out. Once Van Dijk came in those 2 were the partnership.

[randomlegend]

1017405936854429696

That's done then.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who/what is Jorginho?

[randomlegend]

Italian (Brazilian-born) deep-lying playmaker type midfielder from Napoli. Looked all set for Man City but guess Chelsea appointing Sarri has swayed him.

[-james-]

Jorginho - Kante sounds pretty exquisite tbh.

[SincereTheRebel]

There were rumours previously of Chelsea trying to get Vidal and Nainggolan with Kante. The amount of energy and endurance from the midfield trio would make it unfair.

[Giggles]

Who's Sarri and do they mean Chelsea manager? Has Conte gone?

[randomlegend]

Do none of you have access to google?

[SincereTheRebel]

Do you need the internet to access google?

[Giggles]

Do none of you have access to google?

I already had this tab open. Where it fell down was you typing that instead of answering.

[Spikey M]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Why+is+RL+such+a+prick%3F

[SincereTheRebel]

I didn't know that prick was a vulgar word for penis.

[Bam]

:saywhat:

[Waffdon]

Seeing Chelsea with an attack minded manager for the first time in 8 years will be pretty odd.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We'll soon knock that out of him.

[mugbull]

This year is the good section of the Chelsea sinusoidal

[bruhnaldo]

the fucking what

[randomlegend]

Conte is suing Chelsea because they won't pay him his compensation saying that he was sacked with 'just cause'.

[Pleb]

What's Roman doing while all of this is happening?

[Gray Fox]

Shaqiri fee agreed and medical to happen on Friday apparently. The other rumour going about is that the Fekir deal is still very much wanted, hence why no other No.10 style targets have been pursued, but Liverpool will refuse to pay the same £53m they agreed earlier.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Conte is suing Chelsea because they won't pay him his compensation saying that he was sacked with 'just cause'.

So in other words we don't have the compensation. Unless he's fingered one of the under 16s or something.

[Boydy]

Shaqiri fee agreed and medical to happen on Friday apparently. The other rumour going about is that the Fekir deal is still very much wanted, hence why no other No.10 style targets have been pursued, but Liverpool will refuse to pay the same £53m they agreed earlier.

Nothing on goalkeepers? :(

[Gray Fox]

There was interest in Allison, but Roma quoted about £70m for him. Zero other plans for a 'keeper for now.

Best you're going to see is Danny Ward get a chance.

[Lewis]

1017559902149959680

Lad on the right going for it.

[Dark Soldier]

1017363118207438848?s=21

Turns out the Kohler thing was true.

am fuckin moist :drool:

[randomlegend]

Shaqiri is going to Liverpool.

Bale rumours to Utd starting up again but it's all from shit sources. Can't see them selling him as well as Ronaldo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Presumably Real Madrid (and others) will wait for the English window to close 3 weeks early and then buy to their hearts' content without the PL competition price hikes.

[Shindig]

Or sell him to Juventus as well to influence the Italian car market even further.

[randomlegend]

Madrid are going to spend about a squillion euros this window. Their spending has been pretty modest by their standards for about three years - during which time they've been perennially winning the Champions' League - and they've just got another 100m from the Ronaldo sale.

Wouldn't be surprised if they buy three 100m+ players.

[SvN]

But who? Who realistically is there that's attainable?

[SincereTheRebel]

This Liverpool fan I know who claims to have a Liverpool season ticket, yet he is never at the games on a Saturday. I told me with all the players that Liverpool have signed in midfield. Jordan 'Captain' Henderson place is not guranteed. He seems to disagree. I would play Hames Milner over Henderson. Im interested to see what the Liverpool full strength midfield would be as they now have quite a few players fighting for three postions. Given how Henderson is still at the World Cup, he isnt going to be avilable for day 1 of the season and I cant see him getting directly back in once he returns to Liverpool after a few games of the season. He just isnt good enough.

Fabinho
Georginio Wijnaldum
James Milner
Naby Keïta
Jordan Henderson
Adam Lallana
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Take your pick

[randomlegend]

But who? Who realistically is there that's attainable?

Hazard, maybe Neymar if PSG end up needing to sell someone big to meet FFP and he starts kicking off, Milinkovic-Savic for 100m being thrown around. Dybala maybe. I'm sure they'll find some lads to throw their half billion at.

I'd have love to have seen Milinkovic-Savic at Utd. He'll be one of the best midfielders in the world.

[Shindig]

Anybody who's had a good World Cup, basically.

[Trancemeister]

Chelsea have now confirmed that Conte's been sacked.

[Lewis]

Reports of The Wig kicking off at junior staff members and not liking having a female boss are pretty lol.

'Marina Abramovich I call her. Not to her face. Not 'cause I'm scared of her!'

[Jimmy Floyd]

Doesn't this new one go around smoking and using gay slurs? I hope he has been briefed by the Outrage Department.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1017559902149959680

Lad on the right going for it.
:harold:

No matter how many things they win they're always going to be small time.

[SincereTheRebel]

Alassane Plea has joined Monchengladbach after being linked with everyone

[Gray Fox]

This Liverpool fan I know who claims to have a Liverpool season ticket, yet he is never at the games on a Saturday. I told me with all the players that Liverpool have signed in midfield. Jordan 'Captain' Henderson place is not guranteed. He seems to disagree. I would play Hames Milner over Henderson. Im interested to see what the Liverpool full strength midfield would be as they now have quite a few players fighting for three postions. Given how Henderson is still at the World Cup, he isnt going to be avilable for day 1 of the season and I cant see him getting directly back in once he returns to Liverpool after a few games of the season. He just isnt good enough.

Fabinho
Georginio Wijnaldum
James Milner
Naby Keïta
Jordan Henderson
Adam Lallana
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Take your pick

Fekir could still arrive yet.

My thoughts are he's building 2 teams. You don't know if you'll get the same Ox back we had before he blew his knee too.

I'd imagine you'd see Fekir/Ox and Keita, with Fabinho behind against the teams wanting to park the bus. Assuming everyone is fit though I'd imagine Henderson will take a slightly reduced role, but Klopp loves him.

I thought he would have made Virgil the captain, but he seems to be sticking with Henderson.

[phonics]

Once the Liverpool transfer goes through, it'll make Shaqiri the 4th most expensive player of all time, in total transfer fees, behind Neymar, Ronaldo and MBappe. Mental.

[John]

That definitely isn't true.

[SincereTheRebel]

Once the Liverpool transfer goes through, it'll make Shaqiri the 4th most expensive player of all time, in total transfer fees, behind Neymar, Ronaldo and MBappe. Mental.

How the fuck do you work that out? Nobody has paid more than £25m for him. I dont even have to check Google for those stats. Im that confident.

[SvN]

I'm with John. He's only played for 4 teams. He's probably behind Robbie Keane.

[phonics]

How the fuck do you work that out? Nobody has paid more than £25m for him. I dont even have to check Google for those stats. Im that confident.

By reading Instagram

https://i.imgur.com/LVgsV5M.png

[phonics]

Lol seing this on a big screen I've just seen that that 4th one is clearly not Shaqiri :D

I retract that.

[SvN]

Basel to Bayern: €11.6 million
Bayern to Inter: €15 million
Inter to Stoke: €14.5 million
Stoke to Liverpool: ~€15 million

Pretty sure €56 million isn't the fourth most expensive player of all time, mate.

[phonics]

See above.

[SincereTheRebel]

Lol seing this on a big screen I've just seen that that 4th one is clearly not Shaqiri :D

I retract that.

I see what you mean. If you squint your eyes a little bit, the third face in the middle is clearly AE

[SvN]

Not only does that look absolutely nothing like Shaqiri other than the fact that they're both white, the clubs make no sense either. You may as well have said it was Tony Adams.

[John]

Even on a little screen you must have been able to see that the bulk of the bar for 'Shaqiri' is made up of Barcelona.

[Giggles]

That's some special not paying attention.

[Danny]

I see what you mean. If you squint your eyes a little bit, the third face in the middle is clearly AE

:D

[Pepe]

Phonics. :D

[phonics]

Fake News.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Phonics never ceases to amaze.

[Disco]

Even Mahow piling in, truly on the ropes.

[phonics]

Even Mahow?

[Spikey M]

Even Mahow.

[Gray Fox]

#xs23

1017861525640503297

[Baz]

Good signing that.

[Trancemeister]

Huddersfield have signed Eric Durm from Dortmund.

[Gray Fox]

Good signing that.

£13.75m apparently. Given that is now pennies, not a bad signing at all.

[SincereTheRebel]

Good signing for backup. D.Sturridge is still a Liverpool player. Completely forgot he excisted.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm starting to worry that Liverpool will win the league, perhaps even with immense ease.

Looking at how the squads are shaping up so far, these are the teams I would worry about: Bournemouth, Newcastle, Cardiff, Chelsea, Everton.

[Giggles]

I'm starting to worry that Liverpool will win the league, perhaps even with immense ease.

Looking at how the squads are shaping up so far, these are the teams I would worry about: Bournemouth, Newcastle, Cardiff, Chelsea, Everton.

Thank the good Lord we have Man City.

[Shindig]

I always worry about Newcastle. I really hope we're not waiting for bodies to leave before bringing people in.

[Gray Fox]

Thank the good Lord we have Man City.

And Loris Karuis.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The one great asset Newcastle have is Benitez. Need to keep him at all costs. Their players are just a load of utter crap on the wrong end of their careers, with the singular exception of Lascelles (and Kenedy I guess).

[mugbull]

Shaqiri is never a good signing for liverpool, he’s about their 4th best winger and where are all those predictable crosses going to go? He’ll be out at the end of the season

[igor_balis]

pretty crazy that James Morrison is the 4th most expensive player of all time

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/37182526_10160552995050384_3512733359170125824_n.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=b7a8a4b18eea05297c126ff6bf83599b&oe=5BD284D8

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's Kiko you prick.

[John]

Clearly Mellin.

[Samadini]

I always worry about Newcastle. I really hope we're not waiting for bodies to leave before bringing people in.

Unfortunately that is exactly what's happening, again. The club is in the middle of one of those transfer merry-go-rounds that saw Giroud move to Chelsea. Shaqiri going to Liverpool means Stoke can buy Ritchie, which means Newcastle can then buy Townsend and then Palace can sign Antonio.

Selling Mbemba will bring us a new backup defender. Mitrovic to Fulham brings a new striker (seems like it might be Rondon) and selling Merino funds...a curry night for MASH Holdings.

Benitez has obviously played a good bit of FM, so he knows what he needs to do at least.

[phonics]

Rondon on his own up top is awful. The man needs a 4-4-2.

[Samadini]

I quite like him, seems far more mobile than most would give him credit for and has a banging strike on him. He'll have his flaws, but he's going to be a significantly better player than Gayle/Joselu. He's also been managed by Tony Pulis, Gary Megson and Alan Pardew so far in this country.

[phonics]

I quite like him, seems far more mobile than most would give him credit for and has a banging strike on him. He'll have his flaws, but he's going to be a significantly better player than Gayle/Joselu. He's also been managed by Tony Pulis, Gary Megson and Alan Pardew so far in this country.

I absolutely rate him but he just can't score goals on his own. When he has a runner off him to either distract or to play to he's immense.

If you plopped him down in the mid 90s and did the big man, little man thing he'd be on Shearer numbers.

[Samadini]

It'll probably end up being Shefki Kuqi anyway. :(

[SincereTheRebel]

Jamal Blackman is joining Leeds on loan. I can remember loaning him on FM back in 2008. Has he saved a shot with Chelsea in a competitive game yet? Surely he is about 30.

[Boydy]

Shaqiri's a shite signing.

EDIT: Wait, he's only 26? I thought he was about 32. Not that bad then, I guess.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think you'll find it's 'good business'.

[Spikey M]

Jamal Blackman is joining Leeds on loan. I can remember loaning him on FM back in 2008. Has he saved a shot with Chelsea in a competitive game yet? Surely he is about 30.

2 thirds of their squad have never played a competitive game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's 24, his twitter handle is @Big_Blacks, and he's played 98 senior games (though none for Chelsea).

[Trancemeister]

Both Sarri & Jorginho official today to Chelsea.

[-james-]

Looking forward to the octuple pivot that Chelsea appear to be working towards.

[randomlegend]

Chelsea are a football team who play in the English Premier League. They are based in London and their home ground is Stamford Bridge.

[Shindig]

Hayden's made a transfer request for family reasons. Jack Colback's off to Forest so that can only mean one thing:

Jack Rodwell is making the trip.

[SincereTheRebel]

What type of player is this Jorginho as his stats for a midfielder is awful.

[Adramelch]

He doesn't have as many goals as Giroud, that's true.

[Lewis]

Are City getting a bit twitchy about the fair play rules this summer?

[SincereTheRebel]

He doesn't have as many goals as Giroud, that's true.

Neither does Firmino which is surprising.

[Trancemeister]

1018188959472594944

He's gone then.

[SincereTheRebel]

Door is open at Real Madrid but do they really want him...

[mugbull]

Door is open at Real Madrid but do they really want him...

????

[Giggles]

Door is open at Real Madrid but do they really want him...

They're insane if they don't.

[SincereTheRebel]

Is he clinical enough to replace Ronaldo. I dont think he is and there may be better long term options for Madrid such as Mbappe as ann example

[Gray Fox]

He's the best player in the Premier League for me. He's only shackled by a team that whilst very good, doesn't play to suit him, plus the revolving door of forwards he's playing with and managerial styles don't help either.

If he wants to go to Madrid, they will 100% buy him.

[randomlegend]

Is he clinical enough to replace Ronaldo. I dont think he is and there may be better long term options for Madrid such as Mbappe as ann example

Mbappe has even less chance of leaving PSG than Neymar. Not happening.

Madrid will probably buy Hazard for their left side and bring in a better striker to help share the goal load.

[Lewis]

It will be interesting to see how Madrid go in Europe without Ronaldo. You can't replace him, but radically transforming their playing style won't immediately work either, so I can see it all descending into a sideways passing mess for a year or two, by which time the current bin man will have been chucked and then who knows.

[Adamski]

He's the best player in the Premier League for me. He's only shackled by a team that whilst very good, doesn't play to suit him, plus the revolving door of forwards he's playing with and managerial styles don't help either.

If he wants to go to Madrid, they will 100% buy him.

He’s not even the best Belgian playing in the Premier League.

[Shindig]

He'll do. He won't bring Ronaldo's goals but might offer a supply for someone like Benzema.

[Gray Fox]

He’s not even the best Belgian playing in the Premier League.

It's unfair to compare players to Fellaini you know.

[randomlegend]

Like Shaw has rejected a move to Everton. United have agreed personal terms with Alex Sandro but won't pay the £65m Juve want so looks like he may go to PSG instead.

If we end up with another season of fecking Ashley Young as first choice left back...

[Kikó]

I don't like Shaw. Source?

[Kikó]

He's got a new contract offer at united and wants to stay apparently.

[randomlegend]

It's from Duncan Castles who's been pretty good for us this summer (broke the Dalot story before anyone else for example).

[SincereTheRebel]

Shaw probably needs to step down in order to rejuvenate his career. Man Utd seems too much for him. You need to be better going forward for those types of teams.

[randomlegend]

I still think he's got it in him to make it.

[Ian]

He was good going forward until the horrid thing happened to him.

I mean Mourinho, not the injury.

[Bam]

Erm, we have just spent £38m on a player!! Never in my life.... :|

[Byron]

Erm, we have just spent £38m on a player!! Never in my life.... :|

I'm amazed. Years of scraping the barrel and now the Daves decide to spend money.

[Lewis]

Luke Shaw is a write-off. He'll have a good pre-season, look good going forward, and then everyone will claim vindication whilst ignoring the ball-watching and cowardice that are actually the reasons the coaches hate him.

[SincereTheRebel]

Who else to man utd has a left back? Ashley Young and is that guy from Porto also a left back? If so, I can understand why man utd are trying to move him on. Young was doing step-overs and left foot crosses at the world cup. Mans confidence is sky high. Give me a five-year deal on that play alone.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we sell Hazard (even for £150m+) and don't replace him with Bale or someone equally dynamic, we will come about 8th-10th this year, and even that will entirely be down to Kanté.

[randomlegend]

Dalot filled in at left-back for Porto due to injuries but he's a right-back. We need a new one, there's no way we challenge for the title with Ashley Young.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is it me or are there just not as many left footed players around as there used to be? It was very noticeable during England's run in the World Cup that every single outfield player was right footed until they brought Rose on.

[Lewis]

They need to replace Antonio Valencia more than they do Ashley Young, who has at least got some form of delivery to his game. Valencia carries all the threat of those fake rabbits they run around greyhound tracks, and his defending was slipping towards the back end of the season.

[Boydy]

On the subject of Ashley Young, no one ever answered this for me:


What is the deal with Ashley Young's shoulders? They look so weird.

[randomlegend]

They need to replace Antonio Valencia more than they do Ashley Young, who has at least got some form of delivery to his game. Valencia carries all the threat of those fake rabbits they run around greyhound tracks, and his defending was slipping towards the back end of the season.

Dalot is meant to be something special so I'd rather we made do with Valencia on the right whilst we phased him in.

We need a left-footer at left-back otherwise three of our four wide players want to cut in and it doesn't work.

[Lewis]

Rotating Young and Big Fat Luke Shaw (basically split between top and bottom half opposition) wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if the alternative is spending seventy million quid on a left-back at the expense of elsewhere.

[randomlegend]

The only positions I REALLY think we need now are a left-back and a right winger.

If we got a really class player in both those positions I think we have a very good side.

Edit: is Kieran Tierney as good as he's made out to be?

[SincereTheRebel]

Is it me or are there just not as many left footed players around as there used to be? It was very noticeable during England's run in the World Cup that every single outfield player was right footed until they brought Rose on.

In Japan league, its the complete opposite. Everyone is left-footed from the few games ive watched. Someone claimed it was because of Hiroshima.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

In Japan league, its the complete opposite. Everyone is left-footed from the few games ive watched. Someone claimed it was because of Hiroshima.

And you fucking believed them? You tool.

It's because of all the fish sperm and turtle they eat.

[Shindig]

You're both wrong. There is great shame in being right-handed.

[SincereTheRebel]

And you fucking believed them? You tool.

It's because of all the fish sperm and turtle they eat.

It was someone on here who mentioned it. Sounds totally legitimate*

[Queenslander]

Usain Bolt has a trail with A-League club Central Coast...


Sigh....

[Baz]

Usain Bolt has a trail with A-League club Central Coast...


Sigh....

Reckon Daniel Arzani will end up [playing] at a good team anytime soon?

[Queenslander]

Reckon Daniel Arzani will end up [playing] at a good team anytime soon?

From my understanding he wants to move to Europe asap. The A-League is not a place for him anymore. I have heard that the City Group want him on the books at Manchester City and they will obviously put him out on loan.

[SvN]

Is it me or are there just not as many left footed players around as there used to be? It was very noticeable during England's run in the World Cup that every single outfield player was right footed until they brought Rose on.

The "problem left side" has been an issue since I was a kid. We had Trevor Sinclair don it for one world cup, but even he was right footed. Who else have we had in the last 20 years that was left footed and actually any good?

Ashley Cole? Is that it?

[phonics]

Remember when Graeme Le Saux was playing left wing?

[SvN]

I'm sure we had Andy Hinchcliffe play there once.

[Ian]

If only Steve Froggatt never got injured.

[Guybrush]

There's still time for Stewart Downing to save England.

[SincereTheRebel]

Adam Johnson only has four years left on a six-year sentence.

[phonics]

If Chelsea get Higuain in it sums up how that clubs fallen. From Didier Drogba/Diego Costa to the biggest bottler in the world in 3 moves.

[SincereTheRebel]

You would be mad to buy Higuain now. He is clearly on the decline. WHats the deal with Morata, he can't be that bad?

[randomlegend]

Courtois off to Madrid with Chelsea trying to get Alisson to replace him. Liverpool also after Alisson still though.

Golovin to Chelsea also.

[Max Power]

Another loan for the great Hope Loftus-Cheek then with Jorginho and Golovin added to Kante, Bakayoko, Fabregas and Drinkwater (lol).

[Dave.]

Another loan for the great Hope Loftus-Cheek then with Jorginho and Golovin added to Kante, Bakayoko, Fabregas and Drinkwater (lol).

And Barkley (even more lol).

[SincereTheRebel]

Barkley was injured for large parts of the season. Im sure he plays a part this year. If he cant get in the team over Fabregas at this point, he needs to jump off a bridge.

[SvN]

I forgot Barkley even existed. I wonder when he'll join West Ham.

[Amigo]

Heimir Hallgrímsson just resigned as the manager of Iceland and the media are talking up the possibility of Sam Allardyce taking the job.

lol

[Pen]

A whale hunt/football collaboration to propel Iceland even further.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That would be phenomenal.

[Disco]

Seconded, lets get him in there.

[randomlegend]

No wonder I was confused the other day when I saw Lucas Hernandez plays for Atletico when I was sure he started at Real on FM. He's got a brother called Theo at Real who also plays left back and they look like twins.

There's a load of reports today saying Real aren't going to make any 'Galactico' signings as they would all be too expensive and break their wage structure. Dunno if they are reliable though.

[niko_cee]

The Alisson rumours coming back with a vengeance are more than a bit worrying. Hopefully Chelsea take the hit.

[niko_cee]

Shit, it's more than a rumour now as it's gone BBC official (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44864358).

:face:

[Giggles]

Shit, it's more than a rumour now as it's gone BBC official (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44864358).

:face:

Surely anything's an upgrade on that other clown or are the fans buying into the CONCUSSION?

[Waffdon]

He’s a downgrade for Chelsea but an upgrade on Karius. Courtois was never staying considering he’s about to be out of contract and his kids are still in Spain.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've got Willy Caballero, we'll be fine.

[Waffdon]

€35m agreed for Courtois. Thought they’d get more with that mad bitch Chelsea have in charge.

[Lewis]

There won't be many better buys than that this summer. Not least for United, who should consider paying it for them.

[Boydy]

35 mil for Courtois but 62 mil for Alisson? Fucking hell.

[Boydy]

Although Liverpool could spend all their remaining transfer budget on a new goalkeeper and I'd be happy enough tbh.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

35 mil for Courtois but 62 mil for Alisson? Fucking hell.

Courtois is in the last year of his contract and wasn't interested in signing a new one.

[Lewis]

It's still cheap for the second best 'keeper around.

[mugbull]

Still no signs of any transfers for Spurs. It’s gonna be Mauricio’s last season.

[Spikey M]

Levy always leaves it late. It’s the only way you can guarantee a season ruining start.

[niko_cee]

Surely anything's an upgrade on that other clown or are the fans buying into the CONCUSSION?

Yeah, he's better than Karius (fucking hell if he isn't), but seventy fucking million quid for someone with what, one good season under his belt? I'm not convinced.

[SincereTheRebel]

Yeah I would stay away from players like Allison and Golovin. They don't convince me at all, especially for the prices mentioned.

[niko_cee]

There's a bit of a difference between punting £22m on Golovin (Liverpool want £20m for Ings ffs) and smashing the world record for a 'keeper on some girly-named Brazilian chancer.

[Reg]

What's wrong with Alisson? I think they'll finish 2nd if they get him.

[bruhnaldo]

Oooo weee another "worth 10 points!" keeper signing :drool:

Eat your heart out Petr Cech.

[Lewis]

1019163355507056641

:gs:

[Lewis]

Bless him. Would have been the best defender in the business if he wasn't the slowest moving professional athlete on the planet.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Actually, because Willy Caballero is bollocks, we'll probably have to buy another one. Is there one that Sarri takes around with him?

I'm selling us for top 10 atm.

[Max Power]

You've been linked with Schmeichel. Good keeper but still has the same flaws he always has (nailed to line for crosses and direct free kicks) and is disgustingly arrogant.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Indecisive and disgustingly arrogant? He'll fit right in.

[phonics]

Actually, because Willy Caballero is bollocks, we'll probably have to buy another one. Is there one that Sarri takes around with him?

I'm selling us for top 10 atm.

One can only hope Pepe Reina is still knocking about for them.

[Shindig]

He's just signed for Milan. I am excited by that news.

[mugbull]

Schmeichel would be good for Chelsea. Wish Cech was a bit more arrogant sometimes

[Baz]

What’s Keylor Navas gonna do? Stay to play in the cup, or move(to Liverpool?)?

[-james-]

Alisson for 60 million is Good Business. Liverpool are going to win the league.

[SincereTheRebel]

£60m for a goalkeeper who has played one season sounds stupid. Ive seen him play a few times and he didn't stand out for me. Compare that to the first time I saw Neuer vs Porto (or possible Sporting Lisbon) via highlights. Neuer was incredible that game. I was exspecting to see those types of performances from players with all that hype. I havent seen it with Alisson

[randomlegend]

Guess you have to take a gamble once in a while. The Mbappe transfer looked bonkers but as time goes on he's looking like the top player of his generation.

[Waffdon]

£106m for Hazard rejected apparently. Chelsea top 10 is a decent bet if he goes.

[Gray Fox]

Surely anything's an upgrade on that other clown or are the fans buying into the CONCUSSION?

There was a 50/50 split. Half wanted him gone without setting foot into the club grounds again. The other half were willing to very begrudgingly give him another chance. I did hear the concussion thing a few times.

Then he looked proper wank in the warm up of the Chester game and chucked one in against Tranmere. Very few left willing to give him a chance now.

I don't agree with all this money on Alisson as I don't think he's much special, but even with an above average goalkeeper in it's still a massive improvement on our chances to win things.

[SincereTheRebel]

Guess you have to take a gamble once in a while. The Mbappe transfer looked bonkers but as time goes on he's looking like the top player of his generation.

He looked scorching before he joined PSG though. I haven't seen lots of Allison games but does he look like the goalkeeping version of Mbappe? In the current climate of transfers, im still amazed teams like Arsenal are still able to buy players for 'sensible' fees.

[randomlegend]

He did but he'd played like half a season of first team football before he moved.

[Andy]

The transfer fee is almost irrelevant, he's a young keeper who is a huge upgrade on Karius. Great signing if Liverpool can pull it off. If they do then they should be winning the league.

It's not like there are loads of top quality keepers knocking around.

[Baz]

I don’t bother getting hung up on fees. It’s not coming out of my bank so if Liverpool need to spend nearly £70m to mean Karius doesn’t start against Brighton it’s fine by me.

[Jimmy Floyd]

£106m for Hazard rejected apparently. Chelsea top 10 is a decent bet if he goes.

He may well go but it'll take a lot more money than that.

[SvN]

He'll go for a similar figure as Coutinho I reckon.

[SincereTheRebel]

Alisson for 60 million is Good Business. Liverpool are going to win the league.

They have wrapped it up with the quickness. Its official on SSN. £67m.

[Andy]

I don’t bother getting hung up on fees. It’s not coming out of my bank so if Liverpool need to spend nearly £70m to mean Karius doesn’t start against Brighton it’s fine by me.

Exactly and if another key target becomes available they will be able to find another 70m from somewhere easily enough.

[Lewis]

I'm old enough to remember the current Liverpool manager spouting off about transfer fees. They should really be winning something the money they are throwing around.

[-james-]

Yeah, at least a Europa League or something.

[Lewis]

It would be a start.

[phonics]

What was it when Pogba signed, 'I would never spend that much money on a player, I would be embarassed' or some shit.

[niko_cee]

Well, technically . . .

They really should be challenging with the money they've thrown around. I suppose it's better to spaff the money on a position they need rather than a player like Fekir, even if they are ostensibly overpaying (maybe I'm being unnecessarily harsh on Alisson).

[Waffdon]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpools-jurgen-klopp-would-quit-8513204

:’)

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're on a shoestring now in comparison. Proper plucky underdogs when we go to Anfield.

[-james-]

We're on a shoestring now in comparison. Proper plucky underdogs when we go to Anfield.

You're only one Alisson apart in terms of net spend over the last three years.

[Jimmy Floyd]

No one remembers three years ago (we're also about to sell hundreds of millions worth of players).

[-james-]

I'm not sure there's ever been a worse year in transfers than Chelsea 17/18.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just went to have a look, saw that Zappacosta was £23 million and nearly shat out my insides.

[niko_cee]

In less good news, Chamberlain's fucked, possibly forever.

[Boydy]

In less good news, Chamberlain's fucked, possibly forever.
:(

What's wrong with him?

[niko_cee]

He broke all his knee.

That's obviously not the official line, but those kind of injuries can be hard to come back from. Official line is everything went to plan, it's just he's going to be out for a whole year.

[bruhnaldo]

Ah the old "surgery was a massive, massive success" line.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The autopsy couldn't have gone any better in our wildest dreams.