Winter 22's Premier Football Event: January Window

[Manc]

I've just had a browse at the odds and 17/1 for Palace to go down looks very tasty.

[niko_cee]

They need, what, 4 wins from 18 remaining games? I think they'll be fine.

[Gray Fox]

You've also massively provoked Taz with that.

A front line packed with BLM talent and not a "favela cunt" in sight. Gammon gammon gammon etc.


In more serious news I see Anthony Gordon has cemented his rat like behaviour with now downing tools completely because he wants to go to Newcastle.

[Offshore Toon]

I've never seen him play but I really don't want him.

[Spikey M]

1618646644823580672?t=_tXhGQHJPn4ooROPR9PjNA&s=19

:drool:

[Shindig]

I've never seen him play but I really don't want him.

Aye, I don't really know what he'll add to us.

[Ben]

A runner is the last thing you need.

[Max Power]

Great to see our relegation rivals changing managers and bringing new signings in whilst we give Brendan Rodgers a cake and throw him a birthday party.

[Shindig]

"Maddison's latest setback was when he cut himself on the cake."

[Spikey M]

Aye, I don't really know what he'll add to us.

I don't really know what he brings to anyone. I've never really noticed him on the pitch. His agent has been a busy cunt linking him with every team in the league though.

[Lofty]

Bielsa will be gone by easter if he does take the job, having got fucked off with the clown car board.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't think he'll take it, if everything we know about him to this point holds up.

[Alex]

I'm not one of these Leeds fans who thinks Marcelo owes us anything at all, we sacked the man, so he if wants it he should go for it. I don't begrudge him that. In fact, taking Fat Frank's job and excelling in it would be the ultimate continuation of his continued domination of that drip that's been ongoing since the "Spygate" nonsense. He will probably arrive at the interview with a five hundred slide PowerPoint presentation about how Lampard has been utilising the squad incorrectly. :cool:

But it would be a difficult appointment at this stage in the season I think. He used to just ignore players we brought in during the January window for a month minimum because they weren't up to speed on his methods or meeting his fitness requirements. I'm just not sure how him rocking up at Goodison Park mid-week saying "right lads, we have a game in three days, but in the meantime let me introduce you to something I call murder ball" would really work in practice.

The only way I could see that really working is if they fully commit that if they do go down he 100% will get the summer and next season, at which point they would obliterate the Championship and come back up a very different kind of team.

[Jimmy Floyd]

But otherwise, they'll get Sean Dyche and stick it in the channels.

[niko_cee]

Sadly they seem to be going for Dyche, which always felt like who they should have gone for instead of their dalliance with Lampard.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bielsa has indeed turned them down, according to the Mail.

EDIT: What a legend:


Bielsa is said to have wanted to bring eight backroom staff members with him to the club, and work with Everton's Under-21s and academy teams until the end of the season. At that point, he would step up and become the first-team manager.

Everton, who are deep in a relegation battle, rejected this plan and the two parties walked away from the negotiations, leaving Dyche in the prime position to succeed Lampard.

[Waffdon]

Arsenal bidding £60m for Caicedo. Be funny if they sold to Arsenal on the cheap but told Chelsea to fuck off.

[-james-]

Bielsa would have made a great TMD poster.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Arsenal bidding £60m for Caicedo. Be funny if they sold to Arsenal on the cheap but told Chelsea to fuck off.

Loser gets Rice in the summer.

[randomlegend]

Loser gets Rice in the summer.

Arsenal are going for both apparently.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Arsenal are going for both apparently.

They were going for Mudryk as well. You throw enough cheeseburgers at a man and he cannot resist.

[Waffdon]

Arsenal are going for both apparently.

Partey signing for Prison FC.

[niko_cee]

Arsenal bidding £60m for Caicedo. Be funny if they sold to Arsenal on the cheap but told Chelsea to fuck off.

No chance unless it's all in a massive suitcase.

[Ben]

Partey signing for Prison FC.

Is that still doing the rounds? The Met waiting for Arsenal to win the league before charging him.

[Waffdon]

Is that still doing the rounds? The Met waiting for Arsenal to win the league before charging him.

Well whoever it is got their bail extended to January. But it’s definitely him.

[Manc]

Is this another rape case?

[Waffdon]

It’s for the alleged rape from last summer. Third time the bail was extended.

No shot they need Caicedo, Rice and Partey.

[Lewis]

Bielsa has indeed turned them down, according to the Mail.

EDIT: What a legend:

I was lolling out loud at this. Just tell them you don't want it mate.

[niko_cee]

Gordon £45m to Newcastle.

A bit perplexing all round really.

[Manc]

Malo Gusto to Chelsea looks on. €30m for a bench warmer. Yikes.

[Don]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64432637

Adonis Creed continues to pick their transfer targets.

[Lewis]

1619000067347841024

[Waffdon]

Caicedo has put a post on Instagram which makes it sound like he’s leaving Brighton. No idea who to.

Edit: it might just be a public transfer request actually. Reckon he’s off to Arsenal anyway.

[niko_cee]

Chelsea will be back with an £80m bid shortly.

10 year contract.

[Gray Fox]

Liverpool Twitter is going to go into meltdown if Arsenal have come out of nowhere, slapped £65m on the table and got their man inside a day.

Especially when it's blindingly obvious how much a player like that is needed.

[Don]

I saw rumours of Sander Berge (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?2810-December-football-Who-s-most-out-of-place&p=443072&viewfull=1#post443072) earlier. Taraabt and Sturridge return in the summer :drool:

[-james-]

Hard to imagine Brighton don't play hardball with a few years left on his contract and a real possibility of Europe next season. 4/1 for him to stay put is mental with four days left to get a deal done.
.

[niko_cee]

£75m+ with enough of it upfront/in real money and he'll probably go. I thought more likely the summer, but maybe this changes that.

MacAllister in the summer too so it's going to be a bit of a rebuild. :(

[Alex]

Sounds like Weston McKennie is on his way in to Leeds from Juventus, loan with an option to buy. I can't say I know a whole lot about the lad but I feel like this is a good signing for us.

We've nearly completed the "USMNT" midfield now too. :D

[Gray Fox]

Nottingham Forest are running down with the "stolen transfer" in the bank briefcase according to Ornstein.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Caicedo obviously has a fruity agent, Brighton will keep him I think.

A lot of really badly advised players out there. Anthony Gordon is certainly one of them.

[niko_cee]

Changed agent a few weeks ago.

[Ben]

I know an agent. Not a big time one but he has Championship players on his books.

He’s an absolute wanker and talked some lad into leaving a club he was comfortable at and going to the other end of the country on a one year deal because he would make £10k off it.

Now imagine that behaviour but with seven figures at stake.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sounds like Weston McKennie is on his way in to Leeds from Juventus, loan with an option to buy. I can't say I know a whole lot about the lad but I feel like this is a good signing for us.

We've nearly completed the "USMNT" midfield now too. :D

He looked a proper player in Germany but seems to have been shit in Italy.

[-james-]

Forest have signed Keylor Navas on loan. :cab:

[Lewis]

1619282626891874305

[John Arne]

1619282626891874305

Surely 4 is the centreback, and 6 the holding midfielder.

[Baz]

Nope. Gerrard was often 4 for England.

[Andy]

In the 90s the number 4 was usually the holding midfielder and 6 was the main centre back. Now people usually refer to a holding midfielder as the number 6.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Traditionally 5 and 6 were the centre-halves, and 4 was... I dunno, but something which eventually evolved into one of the central midfielders in a 4-4-2. Halfback?

[Ben]

If you look back at the time before squad numbers, 6 was almost always a centre half.

The modern trope of referring to roles as numbers is bollocks.

[niko_cee]

Chelsea's transfer activity is very reminiscent of the first summer of Abramovich, when they just went out and bought all sorts, so it'll be interesting to see which of these does a Mutu.

[Baz]

It’s not quite as exciting this time because it’s not really a novelty nowadays and it’s halfway through the season, but it’s still fun.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea's transfer activity is very reminiscent of the first summer of Abramovich, when they just went out and bought all sorts, so it'll be interesting to see which of these does a Mutu.

Felix being the oldest at 23. What a project. All that’s needed now is to pay Enzo Fernandez’s release clause just before midnight on deadline day.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64441380

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/C625/production/_128452705_gettyimages-1460526713.jpg

Gordon official.

[Shindig]

Just then man we need to replace Woods' 3 goals a season.

[Ben]

Such an odd signing.

[Shindig]

I've just checked a Sky Sports compilation to see just what he does. The answer seems to be taking credit for deflected goals. Roams about across the midfield so I guess he's got that going for him and he's alright at set-pieces.

[Spikey M]

Baffling. Top work from the agent though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's a manager's player. Bit like Joelinton.

[Shindig]

He's not out of place in that squad, to be fair. A couple of gems in amongst a fairly workmanlike midfield with Gordon probably settling in the latter camp.

[Lofty]

Realistically what is he going to do except increase his bank balance. Presumably the toon keep it tight enough to stay in the top 4 and then the likes of Gordon are fired into the sun whilst top european talent is acquired.

[Spikey M]

He's just the latest Mason Mount or Oliver Skipp. Except he was at a shit team and didn't want to fight. If he wasn't English nobody would give a fuck and he'd be playing Championship football next year.

Either that, or I am missing something major and so, it appears, is everyone else.

[Shindig]

Shelvey's reportedly on his way to Forest.

[Waffdon]

Cancelo to Bayern on loan.

[phonics]

Bizarre.

In Arsenal related news I have little to no interest in this Caceido deal while Arsenal twitter is busy melting down saying not doing it means we've lost the title.

[-james-]

:cab:

[Ben]

I would be interested to know what happened behind the scenes with him and Pep. All of a sudden he was dispensable. He was dropped (sorry, rotated) before he lost form so it was clearly off-field related.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Banging his daughter.

[Don]

Dias and Silva in the mud too. Pep's husband clearly ran off with a Portugeezer.

[Ben]

Taz will be delighted with Palace's latest signing.

[niko_cee]

Bizarre.

In Arsenal related news I have little to no interest in this Caceido deal while Arsenal twitter is busy melting down saying not doing it means we've lost the title.

He's obviously a quality player, but £80m is a bit mad. I don't know that he's that good.

[SincereTheRebel]

Pep never seems to hold players hostage. If they want to leave, he allows them to leave.

[phonics]

He's obviously a quality player, but £80m is a bit mad. I don't know that he's that good.

Add on that even if it did go through, if neither Partey or Xhaka get injured he wouldn't even play it becomes even madder.

[Waffdon]

Stick him on a 8 year contract and jobs a good un

[Waffdon]

1620050612313522177

He’s Mendes’ mouthpiece so that’s probably that transfer saga over

[niko_cee]

Add on that even if it did go through, if neither Partey or Xhaka get injured he wouldn't even play it becomes even madder.

I think he probably would play, although I don't really know how Arsenal set-up. He's also 'one for the future' and I suppose it makes sense for Arsenal to try and make some marquee signings whilst they are an attractive proposition. May only last a window or two.

[phonics]

Dyche is in.

[Lofty]

Arsenal would be better off breaking the bank for Rice at this point but can't see West Ham selling.

[Waffdon]

Rice will leave in the summer. Not a chance West Ham let him run his contract down

[niko_cee]

Cancelo to Bayern reeks of financial chicanery. City becoming part of the scam Juve (oh look, his former club) and Bayern have had going for years.

[niko_cee]

Taz will be delighted with Palace's latest signing.

This reminded me that Tom Soares scored the winning goal against Guernsey this weekend. Bit of a fall from grace.

[Gray Fox]

I think Brighton and Benfica will tell both tell their guys to shut the fuck up and enjoy the bench for a few weeks.

I wouldn't sell now out of principal. They'll get just as much money for both in the summer.

[Don]

Everton bidding £45m for Gallagher and there's me thinking they were broke. Mon Dyche :cool:

[Waffdon]

Chelsea would be stupid to turn that down. Especially with the fact FFP is a shambles and allows you to be in pure profit from homegrown sales. Use it to finalise Enzo and run.

[Gray Fox]

Sounds like they've properly triggered his release clause now.

[Waffdon]

Don’t think so. They’ve placed a bud worth the same amount but don’t want to pay it in full. The fact they’re entertaining offers for Gallagher would make me think they’re confident of getting it done though.

[Gray Fox]

I suppose it will depend how much up front there is in it. I suspect a deal isn't too far off.

[Lofty]

Rice will leave in the summer. Not a chance West Ham let him run his contract down
True but I doubt they let him go now either as they go down without him.

[Alex]

We've surprisingly managed to offload Diego Llorente (who is fucking useless) to Roma, of all places. I mean it's only a loan with an option to buy. If they've any sense they will never be activating that option to buy. I'm just surprised it's got even this far.

One could argue this leaves us slightly short at CB. But I'm not too concerned given would rather stick a Leeds shirt on a shop mannequin and prop it up at the edge of our penalty area than see him bumbling around back there again, it would be less of a liability.

Obviously he will go to look a very competent player at Roma now, no doubt. Some sort of Smalling-esque renaissance.

[Don]

I can't recall if he came with a massive reputation too but I deffo recall a "ah man our defence desperately needs Llorente back fit" period probably after a handful of his first few games when he could carry that 'composed cultured CB' tag without people cottoning onto the fact he can't defend.

He always had that Djimi Traore/Biscan downy look about his face so you just knew you weren't gonna get a proper defender out of him. CBs need to look like mean cavemen. Still don't understand how Thiago Silva didn't get found out in brexitball.

[Alex]

I can't recall if he came with a massive reputation too but I deffo recall a "ah man our defence desperately needs Llorente back fit" period probably after a handful of his first few games when he could carry that 'composed cultured CB' tag without people cottoning onto the fact he can't defend.

He always had that Djimi Traore/Biscan downy look about his face so you just knew you weren't gonna get a proper defender out of him. CBs need to look like mean cavemen. Still don't understand how Thiago Silva didn't get found out in brexitball.

Nail on the head. I probably said exactly that myself on more than one occasion. He pretty much managed to make it through his entire first season with his reputation in tact because these were the good times when we were smash-and-grabbing the shit out of everyone and nobody knew what to do with us.

Second season onwards after teams started to get a handle on us, stem the flow of goals we scored and actual defending became a very necessary commodity it became evident he was useless. It's not just that he's bad at the back, it's that he destabilises everyone else too. It's just fucking chaos all around him when he's on the pitch.

Ten senior caps for Spain, somehow.

[Waffdon]

Arsenal after Jorginho lol.

[Kikó]

Maybe Chelsea will bid.

[Waffdon]

Hopefully they bid for Harry Souttar.

[Manc]

Isco to Union Berlin. One for the hipsters.

[Max Power]

Hopefully they bid for Harry Souttar.
Joining Brendan Rodgers doomed outfit :rave:

[Waffdon]

Joining Brendan Rodgers doomed outfit :rave:

Surprised Stoke aren’t trying to get more than £15m since 20%+ is due to go to Dundee United

[Gray Fox]

Word is Connor Gallagher has told Everton he's not interested.

Awkward when he gets to training tomorrow and his locker belongs to E. Fernandez.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I would actually give him a run just now and give Mason Mount a holiday in, well, wherever Mason Mount goes on holiday. I'm going to say Dubai.

Not sure CG is going to be much more than he currently is, so will end up elsewhere, unless he fancies doing a Darren Fletcher role and just hanging around a winning side with Mental Strength and Pedigree for years.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Oh, and Isco's joined Union Berlin. A proper FM transfer.

[phonics]

Buying Chelseas offcuts has been a raging success machine for Arsenal Futbol Club with every move we've made since 2006 so why fix something that ain't broke. Jorginho for 20 million. Get it done.

[Shindig]

Find a guy good at winning penalties and you're set.

[-james-]

Brighton apparently looking at Vitinha who I don't recall making much of an impression for Wolves when he was there. Apparently has 14 Ligue 1 starts for PSG this season.

[Waffdon]

Buying Chelseas offcuts has been a raging success machine for Arsenal Futbol Club with every move we've made since 2006 so why fix something that ain't broke. Jorginho for 20 million. Get it done.

I can’t tell if this is sarcasm or not

[-james-]

Brighton apparently looking at Vitinha who I don't recall making much of an impression for Wolves when he was there. Apparently has 14 Ligue 1 starts for PSG this season.

It's actually the Vitinha who has 7 in 12 for Braga this season lol. I should have known.

[Alex]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eUflvT8e90

Elland Road - Land of the free, home of the brave and hopefully soon not-to-be-relegated.

https://cdn1.thecomeback.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/94/2021/08/lasso_ep6-e1663524275246-832x447.jpeg

Who's next? Can we have Pulisic, Jim? Surely you don't need him anymore.

[randomlegend]

Considering the absolutely batshit amounts Chelsea have spent, their first 11 still looks pretty meh.

Although actually it suddenly looks rather good if you put in a proper striker and goalkeeper.

[Don]

I'm not really sure why it's taken so long as it's been threatening to happen for the best part of a decade but EPL is seriously on heat in the market currently. Literally the shittest sides right at the bottom of the league are spending £20m+ like it's nothing on top individual players from Europe's big boys (outside of the CL elite). And all whilst the CL big boys can seemingly barely afford to keep the lights on. I'm not sure how long before we enter that NBA draft phase where the newly promoted side are picking up LeBron Mbappe from a Real Madrid level side.

[phonics]

I can’t tell if this is sarcasm or not

Can tell you've only just started supporting Chelsea in the last few years.

[Waffdon]

Can tell you've only just started supporting Chelsea in the last few years.

Off the top of my head: Diarra, Gallas, Cech, Nketia, Luiz and Willian.

Hardly a successful transition. Arsenal > Chelsea on the other hand has actually seen players win trophies name European ones at that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hint: it was sarcasm.

[Spikey M]

I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not.

[Lofty]

Yeah Waff we all saw fat Willian.

[Lofty]

Apparently Arsenal have broke the bank for Caicedo as a massive lump sum club record and Brighton have accepted.

Edit: apparently bollocks, dodgy facebook page.

[Waffdon]

Jorginho to Arsenal is a done deal. Seems absolutely mental Chelsea letting him go when Fernandez isn’t even a guarantee but not as mental as Arsenal paying £12m for a 31 year old who has been shit for 18 months and available for free in 5 months

[niko_cee]

Brighton's stance seems pretty firm so it'd need to be £80m straight cash all up front.

He'll go in the summer.

[randomlegend]

Jorginho to Arsenal is a done deal. Seems absolutely mental Chelsea letting him go when Fernandez isn’t even a guarantee but not as mental as Arsenal paying £12m for a 31 year old who has been shit for 18 months and available for free in 5 months

They probably know the Fernandez deal is happening.

[Waffdon]

Brighton's stance seems pretty firm so it'd need to be £80m straight cash all up front.

He'll go in the summer.

Caicedo going public has ruined his chances.

[Lofty]

Jorginho to Arsenal is a done deal. Seems absolutely mental Chelsea letting him go when Fernandez isn’t even a guarantee but not as mental as Arsenal paying £12m for a 31 year old who has been shit for 18 months and available for free in 5 months

Some Sky Sports graphic doing the rounds claiming his stats this season are better than Xhaka or Partey supposedly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's always been a good passer, just has severe limitations when it comes to the moment your team doesn't have the ball.

[Lofty]

https://i.ibb.co/4K7BRXc/How-Jorginho-compares-to-Arsenals-curre.jpg

Lies, damned lies and statistics etc.

[niko_cee]

Caicedo going public has ruined his chances.

Maybe, although I think it was always pretty unlikely that he would be allowed to leave unless someone ponied up way over the ante for him (ie 80-100m).

Chelsea should make an offer and chuck some players Brighton's way.

[Gray Fox]

I think Brighton are saying no out of principle now.

Caicedo has gone about it all the wrong way and will likely command the same fee in the summer. They're in a push for Europe which they will likely need him to finish off.

[niko_cee]

Cancelo to Bayern is a real head scratcher. High turnover with a bottomless backer is the new financial wizardry, isn't it?

[niko_cee]

Meanwhile Matt Doherty as gone to A. Madrid?

:cab:

[Ben]

:cab:

[Giggles]

:drool:

[randomlegend]

Cancelo to Bayern is a real head scratcher. High turnover with a bottomless backer is the new financial wizardry, isn't it?

Fallen out irreconcilably with Pep apparently.

[Don]

Eriksen out for a few months. You'd hate to see them not sign a replacement in the next 12 hours and their season going to shit.

[Waffdon]

They’ll probably trigger Enzo Fernandez’s RC since Chelsea aren’t getting anywhere with it

[Waffdon]

The Enzo dream is over and now Man Utd and Chelsea fight it out for Sabitzer :sick:

[randomlegend]

The Enzo dream is over and now Man Utd and Chelsea fight it out for Sabitzer :sick:

I was going to say Plettenberg is a bullshit merchant, but Fab is on it now too (although says it's only United, Chelsea not interested).

[phonics]

Off the top of my head: Diarra, Gallas, Cech, Nketia, Luiz and Willian.

Hardly a successful transition. Arsenal > Chelsea on the other hand has actually seen players win trophies name European ones at that.

And yet you still can't tell if it was sarcasm or not.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'd rather go after Amrabat.

[phonics]

At least it’s only 18 months and looks like it’s for cover so it makes a bit of sense at least.

[randomlegend]

I imagine we'll be after a loan; can't imagine the Glazers sanctioning spending any actual money on their way out. Given the Eriksen injury, just getting a half-decent body in is fine.

[Danny]

Shocked the links are him and not Gravenberch. Easy Dutch link.

[Spikey M]

Meanwhile Matt Doherty as gone to A. Madrid?

:cab:

1620411832925315076?t=yhXLrI7xwKPW3Wsj9QzYww&s=19

[Don]

Southampton have gone from Stuart Armstrong, Walcott and Maitland-Niles to Orsic, Sulemana and an Argentinian wonderkid. Scenes.

[Adramelch]

Shocked the links are him and not Gravenberch. Easy Dutch link.

Sabitzer is the more realistic target surely. I wouldn't think Bayern are that interested in keeping him and I can't imagine he's very happy with how much he's playing there.

[Waffdon]

And yet you still can't tell if it was sarcasm or not.

Ye but you’re a bit dim when it comes to football opinions so it is quite hard to tell at times.

[Waffdon]

9/4 for Fernandez to stat at Benfica with sky bet. Lump on

[Lofty]

Ornstein saying Benfica have arranged for him to do his medical in Portugal though, so maybe hold your bets.

[randomlegend]

Sabitzer to United is DONE, straight loan.

[Lewis]

Is he any good?

[Spikey M]

Sounds like an indigestion remedy.

[Raoul Duke]

Is he any good?

He was great in the Red Bull team with Tim O'Werner, but hasn't done much at Bayern. I don't hold out too much hope, but seeing as it's that or play the U12s we might as well give him a whirl. Ten Hag knows him from when he was their AssMan

[Giggles]

On second thoughts (and it’s years since I’ve seen Atletico Madrid), as good as it is to see Doherty get out of there, isn’t an attacking wing back the last thing Simeone would ever have? Especially one that wouldn’t be the biggest rock at the back ever.

[Raoul Duke]

On second thoughts (and it’s years since I’ve seen Atletico Madrid), as good as it is to see Doherty get out of there, isn’t an attacking wing back the last thing Simeone would ever have? Especially one that wouldn’t be the biggest rock at the back ever.

He's been playing Carrasco on the left, who's ostensibly a winger - so it's not unheard of. Whether Simeone is there for much longer isn't certain though

[Don]

Sabitzer was a real class act. Not sure what Bayern have him doing for those fucking dogshit goals/assists stats for 2 seasons but hopefully he's a mere shadow of the player he was.

[Lofty]

Sambi Lamonga off to Palace to see if Vieira can't sort him out.

[Gray Fox]

Enzo deal agreed. Race to get the fax machines working.

[Baz]

How rich is this Boehly fella? :wtf:

[niko_cee]

When it turns out to be entirely funded through Roman's back channels are they going to have to disband the club?

[Waffdon]

Behdad Egbhali is the main man, really. He’s Co Founder of Clearlake Capital who deal with assets of over $70b.

Watch Xbox take out a sponsorship with Chelsea for a bonkers amount next season since they’re boys with Phil Spencer

[Spikey M]

1620541327162150921?t=RIyr658o2_lWKNcJRd5Kcw&s=19

Even more :cab:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Eight and a half year contract. We'll have won five Superleagues by the time it expires.

[Waffdon]

Sounds like Ziyech’s loan to PSG may be off as Chelsea sent the wrong paperwork through :lol:

[Manc]

Bournemouth well and truly shooting thier shot.

[Giggles]

1620541327162150921?t=RIyr658o2_lWKNcJRd5Kcw&s=19

Even more :cab:

Apparently it is because Spurs had reached their max loans. Best all round anyway as Conte hated him.

Hopefully the Spaniards can make a better stab than Dockitty.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They'll make a worse stab. Do hair tea.

[Kikó]

Talking of United u21s, I was pleasantly surprised that Tom Huddlestone plays for the development team. Get him in for Erikson already.

[John Arne]

Shinji Kagawa signs for Cerezo.

[Don]

Just seen Southampton got Paul Onuachu too. Fuck my life, sort us out a season ticket, Andy :drool:

[randomlegend]

1631618577894703105

[Don]

Was expecting this given our hesitancy in using him recently. An all-time great who changed people's understanding of the game and his position. That flair combined with tackling ability and work-rate was just something else.

[Kikó]

What position does he play?

[randomlegend]

He transcends mere positions, pleb.

[Don]

Lads, keep your composure please, it's not even 48 hours before I sit on your faces and roman helmet you.

[randomlegend]

Do you not feel a bit pathetic doing all this big talk and then just hiding from the thread like a little girl whenever you take one of your endless Ls?

[randomlegend]

I bet you go and have a sad little ride around the garden on that tricycle you stole and mutter to yourself about how funny it'll be when you say Malacia is shit for the 800th time.

[Don]

You what? Only thing hiding is your tiny little weiner.

Edit: jesus, what a double-post :D

[randomlegend]

You what? Only thing hiding is your tiny little weiner.

Edit: jesus, what a double-post :D

Hiding in your mum.

[niko_cee]

Will be a shame to see him go (Firmino, not whoever is hiding on Sunday night), still has a lot to offer although perhaps not in a Klopp running system. Was always waiting for him to have a breakout goalscoring season, which sadly never happened but he was very good at facilitating the wide forwards. Apex pivoter.

[Gray Fox]

Now I've been a full FSG sympathiser for most of their tenure, but if this is a them choice rather than his choice I am SEETHING.

[Don]

The fucking wage budget surplus this summer even after Jude's arrival :drool:

[randomlegend]

Taz can you actually ride a bike without getting tire burns on your nose?

[niko_cee]

Now I've been a full FSG sympathiser for most of their tenure, but if this is a them choice rather than his choice I am SEETHING.

Bit of both isn't it? They don't like paying big bucks to over 30s [Salah excluded, and, well, he's on the well trodden over 30 big contract path], they have too many forwards and need to free up wages to be deployed elsewhere [ie midfield] and he's been increasingly bit part over the past few seasons. Unless he was willing to stay on massively reduced terms it was never going to fly.

[Gray Fox]

A player like Firmino is the role model of what Klopp wants from a player. He's also been my favourite outfield player since Klopp took charge. I just can't help but think we could have got him a 2 year extension to keep him around while he's still at the peak of his powers and we're going through something of a rebuild.

But you are correct, FSG really do not like putting contracts on the table for players 30+. At least not unless the terms are more favourable for them than the player. It does make the Salah situation all the more bizarre.

[Gray Fox]

Moises Caicedo signing a new deal seems very strange unless there's a release clause in there. I know he was "only" on like £3k a week or whatever it was, but surely you just hold til the summer?

[niko_cee]

His leg could fall off. Brighton won't stand in his way when the time comes so may as well just get paid more in the meantime.

[randomlegend]

His leg could fall off. Brighton won't stand in his way when the time comes so may as well just get paid more in the meantime.

They already did in the summer just gone, no?

[niko_cee]

Don't think anyone was seriously after Caicedo last summer. January is a different matter. Transfers are on the clubs terms at Brighton, no last minute tomfoolery. I'd [obviously] like to see him an Mac Allister stay for another season [they'll both still be young when the time comes to move even if it's in a year or so] but I highly doubt that will happen. There are no fairy tales in terms of really breaking into big time, other than for Tony's Bloom's accountant I guess.

[Baz]

I wonder where Firmino will go. Felt like he was linked to Juventus a lot.

Sad news anyway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64838159

Neymar will miss Paris St-Germain's Champions League round of 16 second leg at Bayern Munich through injury, manager Christophe Galtier has said.

Time for him to book a flight to Brazil to celebrate his sister's birthday.

[Lofty]

Don't think anyone was seriously after Caicedo last summer. January is a different matter. Transfers are on the clubs terms at Brighton, no last minute tomfoolery. I'd [obviously] like to see him an Mac Allister stay for another season [they'll both still be young when the time comes to move even if it's in a year or so] but I highly doubt that will happen. There are no fairy tales in terms of really breaking into big time, other than for Tony's Bloom's accountant I guess.
Define seriously, Arsenal definitely offered them £60m for him over multiple bids. It's fucked that move for him though because Jorginho looks decent for now and Rice is the target in the summer.

[Don]

Poor lad, hope his career recovers.

[niko_cee]

Define seriously, Arsenal definitely offered them £60m for him over multiple bids. It's fucked that move for him though because Jorginho looks decent for now and Rice is the target in the summer.

I said in the summer. Did Arsenal bid for him then? And yeah, as per Taz, thoughts and prayers to him and his family.

[Lofty]

Yeah that's my bad, reading comprehension on holiday there.

[Kikó]

Taylor on Greenwood, spot on:
Why Mason Greenwood should not play for Manchester United again
Daniel Taylor
Mar 4, 2023
Save Article
Warning: This article contains graphic sexual language which some readers may find distressing.

The problem for Manchester United is this: the audio is always going to be out there. No matter how much they try to soothe public opinion, how much PR they sprinkle over it, that recording in isolation will always damn Mason Greenwood.

The internet never forgets and, unfortunately for Greenwood, that doesn’t work in his favour if one of the options being considered by United is a phased programme to reintroduce a footballer who the police wanted prosecuted for attempted rape.

Exhibit A: those secretly recorded moments when Greenwood can be heard shouting at his alleged victim to “move your fucking legs up” and his voice sounds hard and unforgiving and absolutely determined to get what he wants.

The woman replies that she does not want sex and Greenwood’s tone becomes even more menacing: “I don’t give a fuck what you want, you little shit.”

She tries to protest but he shouts at her to shut up. She tries again, telling him she does not want to have sex.

Greenwood responds: “I’m going to fuck you, you twat. I don’t care if you want to have fucking sex with me. Do you hear me?”

Chilling, isn’t it? Vile, sinister, stomach-churning. Apologies if you really did not want to go through it, word for word, but maybe it is worth recounting this small part of their exchange (sadly, there is a lot more on the audio, all on the same theme) now it seems we might have to adjust our views on what would constitute, to 99 per cent of the population, a sackable offence but what, to an elite footballer, might not be, so far at least.

Something compelled that girl to start recording what was happening and, later, briefly put it out on social media. It felt like a cry for help. She also produced pictures that showed her with a bleeding face and bruises on her body. This, she insisted, was the real Mason Greenwood.

And, like most people who have listened to that clip, my first reaction was that Greenwood — who has never denied that he is the man on the recording — was finished at Old Trafford.

Whatever happened with the criminal investigation, whatever explanation might be given to justify that things weren’t exactly as they sounded, it felt almost unthinkable that he would be allowed to pull on the club’s colours again. Not when so many people had heard this audio and he was on the main television news.

The police and the Crown Prosecution Service were satisfied there was a reasonable prospect of Greenwood being convicted as a sex offender and abuser. He was charged with attempted rape, assault causing actual bodily harm and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, all involving the same woman.

For that last charge, the prosecution case was that Greenwood’s behaviour had a serious effect on her, that he made threats and derogatory comments, monitored her social media accounts and altered the way she socialised. A crown-court trial was scheduled for November. Then she changed her mind about giving evidence.

The charges were duly dropped, with the CPS saying: “A combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.”

Although we can only join the dots, the sad reality is that cases falling apart is not uncommon in cases of alleged sex attacks and psychological abuse, which says little for the British legal system.

Greenwood, as such, will no longer have to rely on a jury’s verdict for his freedom. But here’s the thing: that doesn’t mean he didn’t do what was alleged. Innocent until proven guilty? Maybe in the eyes of the law. But sometimes it is too easy to hide behind that line. It feels like a cop-out, especially when that recording is out there.

United could still cut ties with Greenwood, but the first question to ask of them is this: would they even consider re-integrating him if he was not a potential match-winner?

And the answer, however much they might want to claim otherwise, must almost certainly be no.

If this was a fringe player, someone who would not particularly enhance Erik ten Hag’s chances of greater team success, that person would have been drummed out for bringing the club, and himself, into serious disrepute and behaving in a way that had brought the police to the door of his employers.

If it was a club director who had been outed this way, would there be any way back? Or a member of office staff? A coach, a scout, a kit man, one of the guys on security; we all know what the outcome would be. Goodbye, good riddance, and close the door on your way out.

Presumably, Ten Hag remembers what happened at Ajax, his previous club, when it came out their director of football, Marc Overmars, was getting his kicks from sending sexualised messages and unsolicited pictures of himself (you can guess which kind of pictures) to female members of staff, who were said to feel scared to report him.

Overmars was a valued member of top-level staff. It still did not save him. “Marc is probably the best football director that Ajax has had,” said Leen Meijaard, Ajax’s supervisory board chairman. “Unfortunately, he has really gone over the line, so continuing was not an option, as he recognised himself.”

So let’s get to the nub of why United are considering Greenwood as a special case rather than following what might ordinarily be expected for an ordinary employee. It’s simple: his ability to score goals.

Greenwood is a category-A footballer who could save United upwards of £100million ($120.4m) if the ultimate aim is for him to return to the team and play to the same levels as before. This is the bottom line, or he would probably have been sacked already.

We are talking about a player of uncommon talent, an England international who would have accumulated far more than just one solitary cap if his behavioural flaws had not put off Gareth Southgate, the national team manager, from selecting him.

At the age of 21, Greenwood could conceivably spend the next decade helping United chase glories.

Just think of the goals he could score, the trophies they might win.

United, it is said, are mindful that he has lost over a year of his career, which now hangs in the balance. An internal inquiry is ongoing. Greenwood could, in theory, be offered places on education programmes and put in front of counsellors. Psychologists could be hired.

Yet it still feels like United would be badly blurring their priorities if they went through with it. They must be aware it will divide opinion and that huge numbers of supporters will feel compromised, to say the least, if the expectation is that they will find it within them to cheer him on, enjoy his goals, block out his past.

How do you think United’s women footballers will feel about breathing in the same oxygen as a man accused of sex offences? Or even some of his more conscientious team-mates? What kind of role model is Greenwood for the club’s academy these days?

“I don’t think he should play again for Manchester United,” Natalie Burrell, the founder of the Manchester United Women’s Supporters’ Club, told The Athletic in early February. “They need to make a statement and letting him back would be the worst thing they could do. It would set our club back in terms of what we’re trying to do with our women’s team and campaigns like Her Game Too, which are trying to encourage women to play and watch football. I don’t want to see him training. I don’t want to see him in a (United) kit. I don’t want to see him ever coming out at Old Trafford again.”

Nobody should be too surprised if the opposite happens, however, when the football industry, as a whole, frequently reminds us about its elastic principles.

Don’t forget that United once sacked Roy Keane because he had the temerity to criticise some of his team-mates on the club’s in-house channel, MUTV, following a 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough. Keane was 34 at the time and increasingly susceptible to injury. Would United have taken the same action when Keane was younger, in the pomp of his career, and playing so brilliantly that Sir Alex Ferguson saw him as the heartbeat of the team? What do you reckon?

The mind also goes back to the Derby County drink-drive case in 2019 when Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett ended up in court because of a two-car crash that left one of their team-mates, Richard Keogh, a passenger, with a serious knee injury.

Which of those three was sacked by Derby? It wasn’t Lawrence and it wasn’t Bennett, despite being the drivers who did a runner and left their team-mate unconscious in the wreckage. Derby chose instead to sack Keogh, who was 33, facing a year out and therefore of no use to them. It told us a lot about football’s priorities.

So did the David Goodwillie case when the directors of Raith Rovers and, more recently, Radcliffe in the Northern Premier League, never fully anticipated the potential backlash to hiring a striker who was found in a 2017 civil court to have raped a woman six years earlier.

Those two clubs also spoke about the importance of rehabilitation and seeing it as their responsibility to help a troubled footballer get back on with his life. But let’s get real: it all came back to the fact that Goodwillie was a prolific scorer of goals. He could help them climb the table, and those players aren’t easy to come by.

In Greenwood’s case, it is always going to be a difficult, complex and polarising issue and it just needs a cursory look at social media to realise how many people insist on seeing it through the lens of who they support rather than any real care for what is right and what is wrong.

Yes, many supporters have concluded that Greenwood is no longer somebody they want to see representing their club. But vast numbers have been campaigning for his return and championing him online as some kind of absent hero.

It has been this way almost since the day Greenwood was suspended from action. Recently, the volume has gone up and up. Attitudes have hardened against the alleged victim (‘how could this cruel woman put him through such an ordeal?’). It is depressing to read.

As for Ten Hag, his position is particularly interesting bearing in mind everything he has shown so far about being a man of substance and principles. Ten Hag’s voice carries significant weight these days and, if he wants Greenwood in his squad, that could be a useful tool for United on a PR front. The fans like Ten Hag; they trust his decision-making. To some, it would be easier to accept if the manager gives it his approval.

That doesn’t make it any more appealing, though, if it turns out that Greenwood is allowed to pull on that number 11 shirt again.

Nobody expects footballers to be flawless and nobody wants them to be goody-two-shoes (there is even a book, Richard Kurt’s Red Devils, about some of the rogues who have passed through Old Trafford). But this isn’t a driving offence, claims of a bit of drunken argy-bargy down the pub, or turning up late to a team meeting.

That audio again: the moments when one of the Premier League’s rising stars seems to have absolutely zero understanding or interest about what sexual consent means. Judging by the threats that can be heard, Greenwood does not seem to realise he is being recorded. He sounds so angry.

She asks him why she has to do what he is demanding.

“Because I asked you politely and you wouldn’t do it. I asked you politely and you wouldn’t do it. So what else do you want me to do?”

More fool me, perhaps, for judging football by the same standards as just about every other profession and assuming that a club with United’s status would not allow such a person to represent them again.

What I maybe forgot was that the man at the centre of this case has a peach of a shot, an elite first touch and can score with either foot. Let’s wait to see if that is what matters the most for a team that is trying to re-establish itself as the best in the country.

[randomlegend]

If we end up owned by Qatar with Greenwood back playing it's going to properly kill my enjoyment of football at a point when being a United fan was just getting good again.

I cannot imagine literally any information which could come out or any world in which seeing Greenwood in a United shirt again wouldn't be absolutely stomach churning.

[niko_cee]

Is the woman who made the allegations the one he was recently pictured with [announcing a baby]?

It's a difficult one because, whilst everyone deserves a chance at rehabilitation and redemption [and throwing someone on the scrapheap of life at 21 is clearly a bad idea], you sort of need to pay some sort of societal price [ie go to prison, not have a year out on full pay or whatever] for that to kick in. Much like Goodwillie, the public outrage when these sort of things aren't properly prosecuted [for whatever reason] doesn't go away over time. More so now than ever. It's hard to see a way back for him as an elite professional footballer in the UK.

[Shindig]

The same one. I suspect they can't get over the line with charges when the lass keeps running back to him.

[Waffdon]

The Goodwillie thing is still hilarious. Played and captained Clyde for about 4 years. Gets a decent move to Raith and then suddenly everyone is outraged. The Council then threaten Clyde over their stadium usage if they play Goodwillie ever again. Some world.

[Giggles]

If she’s still with him then everyone needs to get over it, she’s not worth the worry.

[Spikey M]

He should go play for West Ham with the Cat kicker. West Ham fans aren't going to be put off by a bit of casual rape.

[Shindig]

Ravel Morrison's at DC United these days. Also not guilty of battering his lass. Twice.

[Lewis]

The redemption playbook is well-covered by other sports. It will come down to whether the club can keep the sponsors on board, because it's ultimately about writing off a fifty million pound asset, which should be interesting. It's easy for a big companies to threaten small clubs and cricket teams over things that might catch them a bit of shit on social media, but United are a massive brand, and there won't be any shortage of Middle Eastern companies willing to fill any breach if TeamViewer throw a wobbler. Kobe Bryant had all of his endorsements back within about five minutes of him paying that rape away.

[Shindig]

Mike Tyson turned the corner as well.