The Jude Bellingham Summer 2023 Transfer Thread

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mbappe really doesn't seem the sort to go and live in Cheshire or wherever the Liverpool players live.

Paris, Madrid, New York, Riyadh for him.

[Spikey M]

He'd get robbed 4 times a week if he played for Liverpool.

[niko_cee]

Doesn't he already have his brother/parent/family member as an agent robbing him blind every day of his life?

[Lofty]

City pulled out of the Rice bidding.

[Spikey M]

I rate Rice, he's quality and being English is obviously a bonus, but the prices being rumoured are insanity even in this mental market. It's like one of those 1 bed London Flats with the bed over the bath for £1000 a week that somehow get snapped up.

[randomlegend]

I really think Rice is going to suddenly look quite limited in a top (TOP) team but we'll see.

United apparently going to stick a bid in for Onana soonTM

[Luke Emia]

I really think Rice is going to suddenly look quite limited in a top (TOP) team but we'll see.

United apparently going to stick a bid in for Onana soonTM

Are they still in the monitoring the situation phase? Or moving to the retain an interest phase? Or the like the player phase?

[randomlegend]

That joke certainly remains funny after seeing it for the 800th time.

[phonics]

Are they still in the monitoring the situation phase? Or moving to the retain an interest phase? Or the like the player phase?

They should try the 'twerking for players you won't ever get' phase. Seemed to work with us and Rice.

[randomlegend]

It is a decent strategy, but comes with the warning that you might accidentally spend £100m on Declan Rice.

[Ben]

Better than £80m for Antony.

[Manc]

Szoboszlai the latest midfielder linked with Liverpool. Yes please.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea after FM legend Angelo from Santos. It really is a real life FM save. I love it.

[randomlegend]

Better than £80m for Antony.

Nonsense, Antony is easily worth double what we paid just for seethe he causes.

[randomlegend]

Chelsea after FM legend Angelo from Santos. It really is a real life FM save. I love it.

On FM the players are actually good and you don't finish 12th, though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we finish 12th this coming year I really will be pleasantly surprised. Every report I read makes the team worse. The only hope of top half is smallpockets being able to coach them to a load of scrappy 1-0 wins.

[Don]

Signing the Senegalese Carlton Cole isn't a great look but Chelsea are gonna be formidable next season. If Caicedo gets done, top 3 guaranteed.

[Gray Fox]

Szoboszlai the latest midfielder linked with Liverpool. Yes please.

I have never seen him play a game, but my FIFA experience tells me he is more of a forward no?

Seems a bit odd unless there's a good deal to be had as was with Gakpo.

[igor_balis]

If we finish 12th this coming year I really will be pleasantly surprised. Every report I read makes the team worse. The only hope of top half is smallpockets being able to coach them to a load of scrappy 1-0 wins.

you seem really convinced that you're gonna do REALLY badly this season, you gonna put a bit of money on it dyou think

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're 200/1 to go down, definitely worth a nibble. We survived by 10 points last season having been 11 points clear of the drop zone in October. That's relegation form over an extremely extended period and key squad players are leaving, with zero evidence that the people in charge of replacing them have the first clue what they're doing.

[Waffdon]

Be top 6 at absolute worst. Willing to wager to any value of your choice.

[Lofty]

What odds are you offering that you wont finish in the top 6?

[Waffdon]

10/1 (max bet £10 in true Bet365 fashion :lol:)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'll have £10 on that.

[Waffdon]

How would you like to place your bet? I take cheque, cash, bank transfer or PayPal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You're not going to Mellin us, are you?

[Gray Fox]

Yeah you'd never fall for that trick twice.

[Waffdon]

You're not going to Mellin us, are you?

It’s £110 quid lol

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You could live like a king in Kyrgyzstan for a year with that.

[Spikey M]

Or Dundee.

[Don]

Jimmy's blindspot to Fat Frank's incompetence :happycry:

[Gray Fox]

Sounds like the Rice fee is agreed at £105m.

Hell of a statement.

[Spikey M]

Meanwhile, Maddison to Spurs for £30 million + Harry Winks.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/28/09/72614395-12241847-In_2012_when_a_youth_team_player_at_Coventry_Maddi son_compared_B-a-2_1687939927464.jpg

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/28/09/72614393-12241847-The_following_year_the_teenager_said_he_didn_t_lik e_Spurs_and_ag-a-3_1687939927465.jpg

Never forget.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Havertz to Arsenal is official.

[Spikey M]

Spurs have a special talent for buying players that hate them.

https://media.tenor.com/RcOCaCGd6cYAAAAM/doherty-matt-doherty.gif

[Lewis]

With the exception of Roy Keane, did a relegated player ever improve a side that wants to be good?

[Gray Fox]

With the exception of Roy Keane, did a relegated player ever improve a side that wants to be good?

https://d3nfwcxd527z59.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2022/06/16132854/andy-robertson-liverpool-1.jpg

[niko_cee]

It's kind of crept up on me [mostly because before last year they were absolute shite] but Arsenal have been spending like mad for a good few years now.

[Luke Emia]

It's kind of crept up on me [mostly because before last year they were absolute shite] but Arsenal have been spending like mad for a good few years now.

Yeah I was thinking this where is the money coming from? They haven’t sold very well either in the same period and are now spunking the best part of 170 million on two players.

Flip side to that is I wish Liverpool’s owners had shown the same from a position of strength a few years ago.

[Luke Emia]

With the exception of Roy Keane, did a relegated player ever improve a side that wants to be good?

Gini Wijnaldum.

[Gray Fox]

Is this Arsenal no longer burdened with the stadium outlay?

They've made some shrewd deals and some for a decent fee previously, but to spend 65m on Havertz and then immediately 105m on one other player is a big step up in spending.

[niko_cee]

It's more like they seem happy posting massive losses every year, although I have no idea how football finance works and how/why you do that, or whether any of it matters really.

Are they still owned by Stan Kroenke?

[Baz]

I have never seen him play a game, but my FIFA experience tells me he is more of a forward no?


1673719649173745664

[Offshore Toon]

Is Arsenal's scouting network strictly limited to under 12s or something?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jimmy's blindspot to Fat Frank's incompetence :happycry:

Not much better for 2/3s of G-potts reign.

[phonics]

Is Arsenal's scouting network strictly limited to under 12s or something?

How so?

[Lofty]

Apparently Arsenal had a plan that was a big outlay to rebuild key positions (Ramsdale, White, Jesus) and get back into the top 4. The idea was a large outlay initially based on getting that CL money later, and the club rightly identified that it was better to do it before the PIF found a pet club to invest in.

Of course last season was a massive overperformance compared to the plan outlined so there is a suggestion they are trying to start the next 'phase' of the team now. Havertz being referred to as a midfielder etc. I think the formation will look a little different next season based on the signings so far, rather than like for like swaps.

Having a full preseason for Rice, Havertz and Odegaard as the new midfield 3 bodes well, hopefully Partey fired into the sun.

[phonics]

Is this Arsenal no longer burdened with the stadium outlay?

They've made some shrewd deals and some for a decent fee previously, but to spend 65m on Havertz and then immediately 105m on one other player is a big step up in spending.

The stadium debts were paid off around the time of the Adidas deal which pretty much covers most of the spending and then factor in that Kroenke has won titles in the NFL and NHL due to actually spending and I think he's learnt his lesson.

I dont think that his son getting very involved with the business and the increase in spending is unrelated.

[Waffdon]

I really hope for Arsenal fans’ sake Havertz isn’t played in a midfield 3. He was genuinely abysmal there for Chelsea when he played there in the first season. Rice will have a heart attack trying to cut out the gaps in midfield him and Odegaard will leave.

[Gray Fox]

The stadium debts were paid off around the time of the Adidas deal which pretty much covers most of the spending and then factor in that Kroenke has won titles in the NFL and NHL due to actually spending and I think he's learnt his lesson.

I dont think that his son getting very involved with the business and the increase in spending is unrelated.

Yeah it's not gone over my head that in the past 18 months all of his major teams(NBA, NFL and NHL) have won their respective championships, except Arsenal.

His NFL team the Rams have moved to a very "win now" model as well. They tend to trade away their draft picks for players in their prime. I don't think they've picked in the first round for some 7 odd years, which is almost unheard of. Perhaps he's moving the Arsenal model to the football equivalent.

[Don]

Someone compared Rice to Gareth Barry and let's be honest, there's little to argue with there. Majority of your budget on him and Havertz is a bit of a waste.

[Spikey M]

It is, but it's preferable to him going to City and joining Phillips on the scrapheap.

[SincereTheRebel]

It is, but it's preferable to him going to City and joining Phillips on the scrapheap.

Rice would probably go straight into the City team surely. He would just replace Gundogan or drop deeper, and put KDB further forward...

[Spikey M]

He is nowhere near Gundogans level.

[SincereTheRebel]

I agree, but they would still put him in the team as part of the starting eleven.

[Don]

He ain't fit to lace Kova's boots.

[Lofty]

Yeah it's not gone over my head that in the past 18 months all of his major teams(NBA, NFL and NHL) have won their respective championships, except Arsenal.

His NFL team the Rams have moved to a very "win now" model as well. They tend to trade away their draft picks for players in their prime. I don't think they've picked in the first round for some 7 odd years, which is almost unheard of. Perhaps he's moving the Arsenal model to the football equivalent.

I think with Rice that will mean 11 of the squad will have joined PL to PL transfers rather than other leagues, prior to that it was something like 2 in the few years beforehand. Too busy with the Guendouzis, Lichtsteiners and Pepes.

[randomlegend]

Be interesting to see how Pau Torres does at Villa. Linked to virtually every big team over the past couple of years with nobody ever pulling the trigger.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've watched a lot of him (not sure how, but I have) and he's basically a Spanish replica of John Stones. Whether that's the very good John Stones of today or the error-prone one of a few years ago, time will tell I guess.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65807884

Mount fee agreed :(

[randomlegend]

Fattest L I've ever had to hold.

[Gray Fox]

Why aren't you tracking his plane?

[Waffdon]

£80m for Kovacic and Mount in their final years of the contract never mind Havertz fee to Arsenal and people had the audacity to cry about the Saudi transfers

[-james-]

I'll be surprised if Mount is anything other than a good bit of business. Minimal downside/unknowns.

[Dark Soldier]

He'll be a great squad option. RL and mahow need to gtfo the fucking bedwetters.

[randomlegend]

He'll be a great squad option. RL and mahow need to gtfo the fucking bedwetters.

He's 100% being signed as a starter. Ten Hag wants to play Casemiro at 6 with Mount and Bruno as 8s.

[Dark Soldier]

Cool, he'll be a good starter then.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm sad he's going and it gives us even less bedrock to fall back on. His arse twitches under the gun sometimes, but in terms of week to week football he's a completely reliable mensch and our 'fans', the Waff types anyway, have treated him appallingly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Both scorer and provider of the goal that won us the CL against Pep's City two years ago, sold in one day. Absolutely clueless Americans have no idea what they are doing. Poor old Poch doesn't have a prayer.

[niko_cee]

Mount is a weird one, nothing about it makes any sense. Why do Chelsea want rid of him? If it's because he won't sign a new contract, why won't he sign a new contract? If they don't want to pay him 'Raheem Sterling' money, why, he's a lot better than old Razza. Why does he want to go to the footballing graveyard that is Old Trafford? I liked the thing I read while ago that it was the allure of Champions League football. Really? It's a good fee and all, but it feels a bit like Chelsea are selling off some of the decent players they have/had to offset the dreadful ones they have bought, which feels like a dangerous game.

I wouldn't be as disappointed as the United contingent appear to be about signing him even if the price is a bit punchy.

[Lewis]

I think it will be a decent signing. It is probably too much given the contract circumstances, but I'm not paying it.

[Waffdon]

Mount is a weird one, nothing about it makes any sense. Why do Chelsea want rid of him? If it's because he won't sign a new contract, why won't he sign a new contract? If they don't want to pay him 'Raheem Sterling' money, why, he's a lot better than old Razza. Why does he want to go to the footballing graveyard that is Old Trafford? I liked the thing I read while ago that it was the allure of Champions League football. Really? It's a good fee and all, but it feels a bit like Chelsea are selling off some of the decent players they have/had to offset the dreadful ones they have bought, which feels like a dangerous game.

I wouldn't be as disappointed as the United contingent appear to be about signing him even if the price is a bit punchy.

Kovacic and Havertz wouldn’t even be starters next season so I don’t really get that point of view. Mount turned down 200k, I don’t blame them for cashing in since he wasn’t signing a new contract anyway. He can enjoy his 300k at Man Utd and replicate Juan Mata

[Jimmy Floyd]

As far as the fee is concerned, a) he's very marketable so that's worth a few quid, and b) there must be some FFP collusion among these top sides as they're the only ones who can afford to buy each other's players for huge money and keep the BPL gravy train rolling.

[Shindig]

Also, after the year Chelsea's had, he probably just wants out.

[randomlegend]

United meeting with Inter over Onana today.

[Gray Fox]

Szoboszlai deal sounds like it should be done today.

He has a £60m release clause that expires at the end of today so I expect that's how we've suddenly come from nowhere to get him.

Seems odd to send them a number 10 type in Carvalho to get him in, but then he might have plans to change his position like he did with Gini. Or we just go fuck it and all out attack every game.

[Don]

How tf are we getting that Hungarian dreamboat without CL? We're so fucking massive.

[Baz]

Just realised I’ve been thinking of Zielinski.

[niko_cee]

Has anyone genuinely good ever been signed from RB Leipzig by anyone?

[Manc]

Kimmich.

[-james-]

Might be a decent heuristic that the better RB prospects go straight from Salzburg to wherever and the ones that go via Leipzig end up disappointing.

The former has produced Mane, Haaland, Adeyemi, the Leipzig path has Konate, Upamecano, Keita (as well as big money Werner, Adams, Hwang, Augustin, Burke).

[-james-]

There is some quite lol material in the recent outgoings of both though. Leeds went all in on the above and gave Salzburg 60 million Euros for Aaronsen, Wober and Kristensen last season, 15 million Euro Ollie Burke to West Brom. Good luck Mr. Nkunku.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The real ones go to RB Bragantino.

[Yevrah]

I’ve barely seen Nkunku play but circumstances would suggest he’s up against it to be a success.

[niko_cee]

How do you pronounce this Hungarian chap Liverpool are signing?

[Baz]

How do you pronounce this Hungarian chap Liverpool are signing?

Sobber-sly

[randomlegend]

Apparently Sz is just pronounced as S in Hungarian and the I at the end should be pronounced independently.

Something like Soh-boss-la-ee.

[Spikey M]

So Boss La? Perfect Liverpool signing.

[SincereTheRebel]

He is no Florent Sinama Pongolle

[Gray Fox]

I'm still expecting some shenanigans. That clause expires tonight and unless there's been a medical done wherever the lad is, I expect the fax machine will break and that price will rise.

[niko_cee]

So Boss La? Perfect Liverpool signing.

I'm going with Soz Boz Like.

Under release clause value as well, if you believe click bait hacks, somehow (maybe something to do with the Carvalho deal).

[Gray Fox]

I think it's more a case of release clause being £60m. Liverpool don't want to/can't pay said £60m in one sum, so got in touch with Leipzig and got a some up front, some later, agreement to pretty much the same value.

[randomlegend]

Fab reckons Liverpool triggered the release clause.

Inter's CEO has confirmed we're trying to sign Onana.

[-james-]

Now I don't intend on offering 10/1 on a top 6 finish, but I've just had a look at Chelsea's roster for next season, is this accurate?

https://i.imgur.com/0S7CKDI.png

A defence built around a pensioner and about 1.2 functional hamstrings per player, a bunch of run aroundy lads in midfield, and a real lack of PROVEN PREMIER LEAGUE QUALITY up front.

It could be quite bad.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Preach. Open your eyes, believers. There's absolutely nothing there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The only believe is Waff.

[Gray Fox]

Waff believes in Reece James and nothing more.

[niko_cee]

The defence is pretty decent [not the GK obvz].

They'll also get Caicedo, although I think they lack an actual 'holding' midfielder.

Goals look a bit ropey unless Nkunku repeats his Bundesliga 'form' [I have no idea] from the season before last. You never know. <suppresses laughter>

[Jimmy Floyd]

First choice defence (which includes an OAP and two sicknotes) and Enzo are good. The attack, though? Barely got a goal a game last year (might have been less, actually) and Pochettino not known for improving that side of the game.

My central estimate currently is 15th.

[Gray Fox]

Are the books now sufficiently balanced to go on another spending spree?

[Waffdon]

Another two midfielders will be getting bought as well as another striker. It’s not even July yet.

It’s clearly a work in progress anyway, hence why every player that’s being signed is young. Defence will be quality especially if they finally punt Kepa.

[randomlegend]

Considering the money spent Chelsea do indeed look amazingly shite, but 15th :D

Wind it in Jimmy you bellend.

[phonics]

As always everything depends on reputation. If they can do enough to scare lower level teams to not go at them, they’ll be fine.

[Waffdon]

Little teams going at them would probably help. The biggest issue for the past 3 years is being unable to break teams down due to have absolute no creativity whatsoever. Caicedo coming in at least allows Fernandez to be a bit more advanced

[Don]

Caicedo-Enzo does indeed make them good enough to overpower about 15 teams in the league. Colwill looks generational, too.

[Don]

Oi, maggotface, here's one transfer I actually will put up with your worthless updates for.

1674827839969935375

[-james-]

Caicedo fee is going to be interesting. Nice precedent set by Arsenal the other day and Chelsea clearly do desperately need him. £80 mil plus Colwill should do it.

[randomlegend]

Oi, maggotface, here's one transfer I actually will put up with your worthless updates for.

1674827839969935375

Hit me up when your source isn't a Portuguese rag.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Considering the money spent Chelsea do indeed look amazingly shite, but 15th :D

Wind it in Jimmy you bellend.

3 places worse than last year after selling half our team, I'm not exactly predicting Greece to win the Euros.

[phonics]

Your players are too good to do what happened last year multiple seasons in a row. You went like 4 months without a win and still were in absolutely zero danger.

[Kikó]

It's about time United signed an Iranian. Especially ahead of the US tour.

[niko_cee]

What are the Sheikh's views on Iran? Is any enemy of the Saudis OK in the eyes of Qatar?

Sozboz BBC official.

Also:


Arsenal are weighing up a move for 24-year old PSG forward Kylian Mbappe when PSG contract expires next summer.

:happycry:

[Don]

1674720078640578560

You'd worry about the lack of variety if he didn't have a giant flailing 12 inch racist dick :drool:

[Shindig]

As if Salah's letting him take any.

[Don]

From Onana to some lanky Dutch prick cause they some broke ass wiggas. I don't need this if I'm gonna be donning a Utd shirt this season ffs.

[Gray Fox]

Seems the plan is to use Szoboszlai as the right sided player in the midfield "three" as like an attacking number 8.

The next issue is the home grown player count is now lowered with Milner and Oxlade gone. This means there's space for Szoboszlai and one more foreign signing(likely Thuram) before they either need to buy home grown or sell someone who isn't too free up a space.

[Gray Fox]

Szoboszlai confirmed and given the number 8, which is a pretty big hint on the plans for him.

[Gray Fox]

Interestingly I'm hearing that interest may have cooled a bit on Thuram, with Lavia being the favourite to be signed next. His age means he'll be home grown before he's 22 and that's probably being prioritised. He's also a more natural 'number 6' type to compete with Fabinho, rather than Thuram who you'd likely want further up.

[Manc]

From what I've seen of Thuram he's incredibly raw. Could do without another Nunez situation.

[Waffdon]

Interestingly I'm hearing that interest may have cooled a bit on Thuram, with Lavia being the favourite to be signed next. His age means he'll be home grown before he's 22 and that's probably being prioritised. He's also a more natural 'number 6' type to compete with Fabinho, rather than Thuram who you'd likely want further up.

Lavia should definitely only be played in a 2 from what I’ve seen of him. He’s okay defensively but wouldn’t be wanting him to sit in there alone. Especially with how exposed your team seems to be in general anyway. May come with age though. Proper player

[SincereTheRebel]

Is Trent going to CM?

[Gray Fox]

Everything we're doing at the minute says no

[Don]

[Collins to Wolves for £20.5m]

I have literally never heard of this person before.


That's some signing, looked better than Tarks and Mee and a physical monster at only 21.

Brentford have cottoned on. £23m.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66006906

Tonali to Newcastle is done.

Proper player.

[SincereTheRebel]

Is A$AP Balotelli still the only Italian to win the league?

[niko_cee]

Did Taibi pick up a medal at United?

There must be some others, although I guess Italians don't travel too well/that often. £55m being the record for for an Italian is a bit eye-opening.

I worry about Italian midfielders coming to England. Still scarred by Aquilani.

[SincereTheRebel]

Looking at the list of Italians in the league. Its a pretty shocking list. Only 25 players, featured in (https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/topauslaender/wettbewerb/GB1/plus//galerie/0?filterNation=75&pos=&detailPos=0)

[Spikey M]

Isn't alot of it due to the difference in player ownership and image right rules between the Premier League and Sierie A? I seem to remember that scuppering several teams efforts to sign Dybala and if memory serves, it's why Tevez had to leave to play over there. And why FM has to have Zebre instead of Juventus, etc.

Obviously Dybala and Tevez are not Italian, but I imagine the same league rules will be what keep all the top level Italians from moving here.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Did Taibi pick up a medal at United?

There must be some others, although I guess Italians don't travel too well/that often. £55m being the record for for an Italian is a bit eye-opening.

I worry about Italian midfielders coming to England. Still scarred by Aquilani.

Taibi didn't play enough.

I believe Cudicini also "won" the league with Chelsea but he didn't qualify for a medal.

[niko_cee]

What about that twat Macheda?

[Don]

Everything about that new keeper at Brighton is pointing to a serious player. Meanwhile his countyman bum is scrambling about trying to get Dean Henderson to keep them out in training.

[Baz]

Everything about that new keeper at Brighton is pointing to a serious player. Meanwhile his countyman bum is scrambling about trying to get Dean Henderson to keep them out in training.
New Brentford keeper seems top as well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What about that twat Macheda?

We won two whilst he was there but he didn't play enough games.

Balotelli is the only Italian who actually has a medal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Although, the rules changed a year or two after Macheda "won" it. They ended up dropping the required games from 10 to 5.

He had 7 appearances in the 2010/11 season.

[Gray Fox]

The next issue is the home grown player count is now lowered with Milner and Oxlade gone. This means there's space for Szoboszlai and one more foreign signing(likely Thuram) before they either need to buy home grown or sell someone who isn't too free up a space.

Some feelers being sent out about Thiago. No Saudi takers as yet, but there is some interest.

He's on a reported £200k p/w and is maybe fit for half the seasons games if you're lucky. Also 32 and in the last year of his contract. I suspect he might not be at the club by the end of the transfer window.

[Baz]

Liverpool first xi looking decent.

Alisson

Trent
VvD
Konate
Robbo

Fabinho
Szbazlol
Mac Allister

Salah
Gakpo
Diaz

[Waffdon]

Battling for top 5/6 again I reckon.

[Don]

Why do people keep putting that malnourished favela fuck into our strongest XI? Jota is fit baby.

Give me a top CB and we're cooking.

[niko_cee]

I saw the Thiago rumours

:drool:

Now we have a mole in the camp [lol Gerrard] maybe he can sort out a few tasty sales into the sand league.

[randomlegend]

United's first offer for Onana has gone in at 40+5m Euros.

Rejected but imagine it will get done for 45+5 or so.

[Don]

New Brentford keeper seems top as well.

Meanwhile Burnley signing some lanky League One gammon for £19m :happycry:

[Lewis]

Does 'City academy prospect' just double transfer fees now like when making two appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson meant Sunderland and Everton would always have them?

[niko_cee]

City have had a right good racket selling [terrible] young 'keepers for a while.

Didn't they shift that Buzunu joker to Southampton last year? Angus Gunn went the same way, probably others.

[phonics]

City have had a right good racket selling [terrible] young 'keepers for a while.

From the club that brought you Jordan Ibe and Dominic Solanke for 50 million quid. Meanwhile we can't shift a kid who scored half his clubs goals last year.

[Clunge]

Gerrard milking the Saudi cash is a bit grim, but if he's willing to take Coutinho off our books – bonza.

[Waffdon]

I’ve never watched him outside of the Euros 21s but that Trafford is meant to be properly legit. City have the best academy so I’m not surprised folk are paying decent money for their players.

[niko_cee]

From the club that brought you Jordan Ibe and Dominic Solanke for 50 million quid. Meanwhile we can't shift a kid who scored half his clubs goals last year.

Don't forget Rhian Brewster.

:baz:

In fairness to Solanke, he probably had a better output than most of Chelsea's attacking signings last season.

[niko_cee]

City have the best academy so I’m not surprised folk are paying decent money for their players.

This is the basic flaw in the FFP model. Unlimited money can be ploughed into 'youth investment' which is why City and Chelsea have 'the best' academies - they just buy up all the nascent talent. Oh to run a private school near these places. Whitgift laughing into their inflated fee coffers no doubt.

[Waffdon]

You’ve said this before. Yes they will buy younger players but the best players from Chelsea’s academy over the past 10 years were all there from 6 years old to 10. They just have Neil Bath and Jim Fraser who are two of the best in England.

Reece James, Levi Colwill, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Fik Tomori, Michael Olise, Declan Rice and even Loftus Cheek have all had successful careers in recent years and were there from primary school years. Then you have folk like Eddie Nketia and even the two players mentioned about (Solanke/Brewster) who were there at a young age too.

The new model does seem to be a slightly more aggressive RB Leipzig buying all these young South Americans to then punt to Strasbourg and the Portuguese club they buy and either get them developed or sell for a profit.

[SincereTheRebel]

Baba Rahman has just been released by Chelski having been on loan, the past eight seasons.

[Waffdon]

Sounds like Liverpool have been enquiring about Colwill. Not a surprise, they could do with benching Van Dijk

[niko_cee]

You’ve said this before. Yes they will buy younger players but the best players from Chelsea’s academy over the past 10 years were all there from 6 years old to 10. They just have Neil Bath and Jim Fraser who are two of the best in England.

Reece James, Levi Colwill, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Fik Tomori, Michael Olise, Declan Rice and even Loftus Cheek have all had successful careers in recent years and were there from primary school years. Then you have folk like Eddie Nketia and even the two players mentioned about (Solanke/Brewster) who were there at a young age too.

The new model does seem to be a slightly more aggressive RB Leipzig buying all these young South Americans to then punt to Strasbourg and the Portuguese club they buy and either get them developed or sell for a profit.

I would say there are a number of factors at play at Chelsea, but money is one of the main. They probably have demographically one of the better catchment areas, if you take it to include west and south London, one of the most populous areas and not heavily dominated by non football cultures.

I always think 'having an eye for a player' is a bit of a myth as evidenced by most superstar DoFs being shite when they get headhunted.

I think the more likely explanation is that certain teams develop a rep for treating their youth prospects very well, and so naturally parents/other influential figures lean towards them, at which point it becomes a numbers game. You get more to pick from to put into the system, you get more out.

Of course, I guess it could just be supernatural talent spotting by one guy and the fact that development football has been dominated by the bottomless money pit clubs for the past 20 years is entirely coincidental.

[Don]

He's a couple inches shorter than ideal height but Colwill would likely be as monumental a signing as King VVD.

[niko_cee]

I was going to say they'd be mad to let him go/you'd be mad to think they would but then saw old Fab Rom has been on the case.


Chelsea star Levi Colwill has refused to enter into negotiations over a new contract at Chelsea as he remains unconvinced by the ‘project’ at Stamford Bridge.

:happycry:

[Gray Fox]

Is Colwill by chance left footed?

If so it suggests the new system klopp was employing late in the season may be here to stay.
Actually resting VVD now and then might do him wonders. Yes the injury took something away from him, but he's looked absolutely fucked since the WC and Klopp insists on playing him for every possible minute.

[Waffdon]

He is left footed and massive, no idea why Taz thinks he needs to be taller.

Colwill won’t leave though. He’ll sign a new deal once the Euros are over.

[Gray Fox]

I also question where this money is coming from. We're still in for at least one of Thuram(though reports are we're out on him)and Lavia. Surely Colwill is going to be similar money to Mount too?

Maybe they have found some investors after all.

[niko_cee]

You would Colwill would stick around for 6 months before agitating to move in January if it turns out he isn't getting game time.

I doubt he signs a new deal until his role becomes clearer, and it's not like his current one is running down so there isn't pressure or leverage on either side.

[Waffdon]

Yeah he’s got 2 years left plus another years option on Chelsea’s side so not a chance he’s leaving. The only way he doesn’t start games this season is if he starts picking up injuries again.

[niko_cee]

The internet rumour mill would suggest Thiago has turned down a lucrative offer from the Sand Kingdom.

:cry:

He's like a turd that won't flush.

[Don]

Yeah, if you have a scat fetish. Life is too short to wank over Declan Rice's D-pad movement and SNES passing.

[randomlegend]

Alright, you got me with D-pad movement :D

[randomlegend]

Chelsea fans having meltdown over the fact Mount accepting the same pay from us that he'd rejected from them is one good thing to come out of the Mount transfer, at least.

[randomlegend]

Which has just been ruined by the fact we've given him number 7.

[SincereTheRebel]

Lad took it via brute force.

[niko_cee]

What are Mount's wages? Reports seem to range from lolworthy to utterly insane, particularly when you compare them to the wages Liverpool are apparently paying their new midfield acquisitions.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea fans having meltdown over the fact Mount accepting the same pay from us that he'd rejected from them is one good thing to come out of the Mount transfer, at least.

Not a chance he’s on 200k lol. Chelsea removed the contract that was offered and accepted before the World Cup. I just don’t think they wanted him

[niko_cee]

Is that not a chance [he's on more than that] or not a chance [he's on less than that]?

[SvN]

Chelsea fans are coping at their golden boy jumping ship by insisting we must've offered him ridiculous wages.

[Waffdon]

Is that not a chance [he's on more than that] or not a chance [he's on less than that]?

He’ll be on nearer 300k with bonuses

[Waffdon]

Chelsea fans are coping at their golden boy jumping ship by insisting we must've offered him ridiculous wages.

His Dad always went on about the abuse he got online (hence deleting Twitter way before joining Man Utd) so I’m not really sure that’s true. If you sign Reece James then sure.

[randomlegend]

What are Mount's wages? Reports seem to range from lolworthy to utterly insane, particularly when you compare them to the wages Liverpool are apparently paying their new midfield acquisitions.

£200k, up to 250 with bonuses.

EDIT: Waff :happycry:

[Manc]

?

Lamptey
Tomori
Guéhi
Ake

Mount
Gilmour
RLC

Musiala

Solanke
Abraham

Not half bad.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think he's naive if he thinks he won't get the same dog's abuse from United fans, but it's a big shame that we fucked up keeping him, by whatever means that was.

[Raoul Duke]

Him getting #7 is horrific stuff

[randomlegend]

Maddison is Tottenham's second highest earner on £195,000 a week.

[Baz]

Him getting #7 is horrific stuff

Garnacho’s definitely crying.

[randomlegend]

Onana looks like it'll get over the line.

Looking forward to having a bonkers goalkeeper, haven't had one since Barthez that I can remember.

[Don]

He doesn't seem like the type to have the eccentricity bullied out of him so I can't see him succeeding in the English game. Raya would have made more sense.

[niko_cee]

Saw Gerrard linked with a 'raid' on 'his former club' [:drool:] and then saw it was to loot some youth analyst or something. Sad times.

[Gray Fox]

I see there's a section of Liverpool journos who insist that Lavia is still on. Almost all seem to agree Thuram is off now that Szoboszlai is in.

However 'Bad News Pearce' is saying there wont be another midfield addition unless one leaves. New target will be a CB and and then a wait and see what else happens.

Can't say it makes much sense that 3 midfielders have left and 2 have come in, to stop now.

[wullie]

We're meant to be buying Ellis Simms for up to £8m which can't be right, it's been over 20 years since we paid over £1m for a player.

[Don]

I see there's a section of Liverpool journos who insist that Lavia is still on. Almost all seem to agree Thuram is off now that Szoboszlai is in.

However 'Bad News Pearce' is saying there wont be another midfield addition unless one leaves. New target will be a CB and and then a wait and see what else happens.

Can't say it makes much sense that 3 midfielders have left and 2 have come in, to stop now.

Mac
Szob
Fab
Thiago
Henderson
Bajcetic
Jones
Elliott

That seems perfect depth to prevent any Nat Phillips type madness in midfield. A top CB and fuck the medical team and we good.

[niko_cee]

Can't say it makes much sense that 3 midfielders have left and 2 have come in, to stop now.

Apart from the bit where the ones to have left virtually never played and/or were older than time.

Maybe they just fancy Fabinho getting over whatever was wrong with him or Bajcetic to be an option?

Some sort of defensive reinforcement feels like it would be a good idea.

[Gray Fox]

I always forget Bajcetic when looking at it. By Tazs list there I'd definitely want another number 6 type in.

If the summer off hasn't fixed Fabinho, then you're putting a lot of eggs in the Bajcetic basket.

[randomlegend]

De Gea has officially left United

[Yevrah]

How did he go from being offered a new contract one week to leaving the next?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He was offered a contract and signed it however the board pulled it before they signed it.

Some proper cowboy shit.

[Gray Fox]

It seemed they wanted him on reduced terms. He agreed and signed. They then binned that contract and offered him further reduced terms. Then they realised they might be able to get Onana.

[niko_cee]

Having not taken him when he was available for nothing last summer and they'd just signed his former manager it seems completely mad to be spaffing £50m on Onana now. Did he agree to go to Inter before Ten Hag signed up at United?

[randomlegend]

It seemed they wanted him on reduced terms. He agreed and signed. They then binned that contract and offered him further reduced terms. Then they realised they might be able to get Onana.

Nah when the terms were further reduced, it was with the understanding he'd be second choice and we were going to sign a new first choice (whether Onana or someone else).

He obviously didn't want to stay under those conditions. It's shit that we don't seem to be able to give a dignified end to the time at the club of literally any long-term player, but it's clearly the right decision to get rid.

And yes, he had agreed to go to Inter before Ten Hag joined United.

[Spikey M]

1677729958960005122?t=mnXkxswvO5UOarh3NH5AIw&s=19
Lewis

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's now edited it and turned off the comments :D

[Lewis]

I hope people don't remember Dave Gayer for being a wally. He was the best in the world for a good few seasons and single-handedly made some of those seasons semi-respectable. I think his game - based solely on shot-stopping and wacky reflexes - was always going to deteriorate relatively early, like when a player reliant on his pace turns thirty and goes to shit. Iker Casillas turned average at round about the same age having spent his twenties performing similar heroics for those dogshit mid-2000s Madrid teams, where as 'keepers with lower ceilings just get slightly worse.

[Baz]

Ashley Young to Everton

[Manc]

38 tommorrow. Pack it in lad.

[Gray Fox]

Says a lot about him and Everton right now.

They and Wolves in some serious trouble if they don't start making proper signings.

[Baz]

Wolves have that giant bloke coming back from injury to score them to safety. Everton have Ashley Young. :harold:

[Clunge]

Young was absolutely quality for us last season. I'd have kept him on for another year. He'll do just fine at Everton.

[Gray Fox]

England are at Lunch and the F1 isn't on til 3 so I was bored and knocked a potential set up for Liverpool next season.

https://i.gyazo.com/30a79fc0575c7bb685ed695eb5bfddff.png

That's essentially what Klopp stumbled into for the last 10 games or so of the season. Only he had Curtis Jones where Mac Allister is and Henderson was where Szoboszlai is.
It worked well to be fair, but it fell down a little due to the two previously mentioned players not being super creative or overly careful with the ball usually(I will say Jones has improved remarkably in the past 3-4 months). This lead to a lot of losing the ball high up the pitch and then the counter into the right channel.

It would also explain why the only two midfielders in yet are quite clearly attacking oriented and how the next rumoured signings are a '6' type and a left footed CB.

[Waffdon]

Every formation I see on Twitter is the above now. ‘Pep’ has ruined the game. Trying to nullify Robertson by covering for Alexander Arnold essentially is hilarious.

This also has to be the season Salah turns to shit.

[Luke Emia]

I worry about Robertson long term if that’s the formation we play moving forwards there really isn’t space for a left back bombing on as much as he does.

He’s not big enough really to be the third centre half and not technical enough to slot into the midfield role.

[Foe]

Best left back in the world.

[Luke Emia]

Best left back in the world.

He’s definitely in the conversation but I just wonder if there will be a place in the team for him. Which sounds absolutely crazy.

[phonics]

I’ve just seen Ten Hags decision to sell Harry Maguire, Fred and Scott McTominay as ‘ruthless’. Which might be the greatest PR spin of all time.

[Giggles]

Being able to get shot of Fred and Maguire at all is just very good luck.

[Raoul Duke]

I hear Saudi Arabia is lovely this time of year

[Baz]

I hear Saudi Arabia is lovely this time of year

Apparently Jordan Henderson thinks so. Hopefully nonsense.

[niko_cee]

Could probably cope if they want to slip us £50m for him.

[niko_cee]

Ashley Young to Everton

Not so fast there. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66153233)

[Don]

There's some fun to be had trying to predict just how pointless Sheff Utd and Luton are going to be next season. I'm gonna say 8 wins combined.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nothing's getting done until the deadline day, is it, thanks to 'there is believed to be interest from Saudi Arabia'.

[Shindig]

We've tied Karius down for another year. I'm guessing we're retaining who we can to keep the squad size decent or if Dubravka fancies another spell away.

[Gray Fox]

There's some fun to be had trying to predict just how pointless Sheff Utd and Luton are going to be next season. I'm gonna say 8 wins combined.

You must be discounting the HOSTILE ATMOSPHERE at Luton.

In seriousness there's some shite dwelling at the bottom of the league now. Burnley probably the best equipped to dig themselves out of it.

[Shindig]

Never underestimate the power of a sloping pitch. And yes, the league is a shambles from sixth downwards.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Luton will be having a pre-season diet of fox livers and dried blood. Meanwhile Chelsea have started with Poch laying on a lavish Argie barbecue for the staff. Only one way this relegation battle is going.

[Lewis]

Never underestimate the power of a sloping pitch. And yes, the league is a shambles from sixth downwards.

https://i.imgur.com/5sr9rJp.jpg

[Waffdon]

Luton will be having a pre-season diet of fox livers and dried blood. Meanwhile Chelsea have started with Poch laying on a lavish Argie barbecue for the staff. Only one way this relegation battle is going.

Poch got a team with Harry Winks in the middle to a CL final. He is elite.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nicolas Jackson arrives. 12 in 35 for Villarreal; failed a medical at Bournemouth in January for £22 million because of his dodgy hamstrings. At £32 million six months later, I reckon we've got an outstanding deal and Boehly et al are to be congratulated on their characteristic eye for a bargain. Now, where's that scalpel?

[Waffdon]

12 in 26 league games last year. Absolutely profile in comparison to Chelsea players since Hazard/Costa daysb

[niko_cee]

:D

Pulisic to Acey Meelan for a third of what he cost as well. Masters of the Marketverse.

[Waffdon]

I’m honestly surprised anyone paid money for him. He was absolutely brilliant in Covid football and one of the biggest reasons Chelsea beat Real Madrid. Just can’t hack a crowd.

[randomlegend]

12 in 26 league games last year. Absolutely profile in comparison to Chelsea players since Hazard/Costa daysb

He only had 2 prior to March. £32m for a purple patch.

[Baz]

Ollie Watkins must be worth about £70m

[Waffdon]

He only had 2 prior to March. £32m for a purple patch.

Everyone thought Harry Kane was just having a purple patch too :cool:

[-james-]

This actual regen for £13 million as well:

https://i.imgur.com/RdaY2Fs.png

[phonics]

3 goals in 95 games. Sounds promising.

[Waffdon]

He’ll do bits at Strasbourg

[Jimmy Floyd]

Good brand synergy though, as 3 in 95 is also our odds of a top eight finish.

[niko_cee]

Ignoring the goals, 95 appearance for Santos quite impressive at 18, no?

[randomlegend]

Santos don't sell ballers for 19m.

[Baz]

Speaking of ballers, seen that Ecuadorean kid Chelsea have got? Kendry Paez. Looks sensational.

[Waffdon]

Santos don't sell ballers for 19m.

They’re all skint. Hence why they bought Andrey Santos, Angelo and rumoured to be getting Franca as well. The actual don of Brazilian football is going for £25m to Barcelona so that says it all.

[randomlegend]

They’re all skint. Hence why they bought Andrey Santos, Angelo and rumoured to be getting Franca as well. The actual don of Brazilian football is going for £25m to Barcelona so that says it all.

With another £25m of potential add-ons.

[Waffdon]

So £25m then.

[randomlegend]

If he's absolute shit, yeah.

[Lewis]

'Angelo' does look like a regen as well. Which Football Manager was it where various freaks sent in their pictures for them?

[Lofty]

Was it 2005? I though I hallucinated that, there were some corkers. Just people sat in their parent's dining room :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It was 2005.

https://www.eurogamer.net/news130804fm2005

Can't find any of the pictures sadly.

[Lofty]

Their criteria didn't work as planned:

https://www.neoseeker.com/forums/25083/t600468-regen-player-pictures/

I might reinstall and dig through the files.

[-james-]

1678758851301249026

Can someone explain the nature of this grift? He played 57 minutes in the 6 months he was there last season and precisely none of any consequence.

[John Arne]

1678758851301249026

Can someone explain the nature of this grift? He played 57 minutes in the 6 months he was there last season and precisely none of any consequence.

I think the Portuguese club have some Japanese sponsor or investment.

[Waffdon]

1678803839984766976

No idea where to put this but they best have subtitles on for him especially when he’s on the hotter ones

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A gammon eating spice :drool:

[John Arne]

Former FM wonderkid Richairo Zivkovic has signed for Lion City Sailors in Singapore. Still just 26.

[igor_balis]

There's some fun to be had trying to predict just how pointless Sheff Utd and Luton are going to be next season. I'm gonna say 8 wins combined.

I feel like teams like that often massively over perform at the start of the season, either on pure momentum/weirdness factor, journos get over excited about their players but particularly their managers, then they absolutely crash around December, and end up getting relegated or just about survive and get absolutely fucked up the following season. usually including a panic managerial change that does absolutely nothing.

I might be massively overestimating how often it happens, but without really checking Wikipedia I think it's definitely a thing. my bet is they're both solidly mid table in November, and one of them goes down and one of them finishes 17th on 35 points or something.

[phonics]

Teams will always revert to the mean. Big teams can be crap for a while but eventually the quality shows out. It's what made Chelsea last year so weird, they were so crap for so long. On the flip side you have teams like Wilders' Sheffield Utd who overperform for a bit until scouting teams can work out the flaw and then they crash and burn.

Luton will either over perform at the beginning of the season and finish 15-17th or rival Derby for the lowest points total.

[Baz]

No way Luton ever get above 16th.

[Lofty]

Luton will giant kill a big team at home this season. Probably Arsenal :moop: