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Hey (hahahahaha) who you calling a dullard xx

Narrator: it didn't

To some extent but it's sustained success over many years that is needed to really drive up revenues. Villa have got themselves into a position where they have a completely unsustainable wage bill and are reliant on getting into the CL every season, and/or selling assets, to avoid falling foul of PL PSR. Whilst they will just get a derisory fine this time, they seemingly have no way of complying with UEFA FFP in the foreseeable future and by their rules the punishments will get progressively more severe, eventually leading to a European ban. It just doesn't seem to be sustainable for them, I just can't see them having the kind on long term success to increase their revenue that much before it comes crashing down.

This is worth a watch for those in the UK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0l3hnym/premier-league-anthony-elanga-on-chasing-greatness-at-nottingham-forest

This is my take as well. Howe is very particular in the players he wants for his set up, and I tend to trust his judgement on this. He's not got much wrong when he pursues a player long term. Gordon, Livramento, Isak, Botman all spring to mind. Even Ekitike come to think of it, he never came off but now loads of top teams are trying to sign him. If we've been chasing Elanga's signature for over a year there's probably a lot of thought been put into it.

One thing about Elanga, he's very focused on personal development ands self-improvement, extremely hungry to be the best. That's probably what attracts Howe the most Joelinton, Gordon, Bruno, Isak, Tonali all seem to have this aspect in spades, Anderson did too Shelvey, Fraser and anyone not quite there were shown the door sharpish

In the immortal words of Eddie Howe: "Let's fucking give it to them"

Any rumours on who we might sign? I imagine with the departures we are looking at maybe 7-10 new arrivals?

I said the same about Guehi. Don’t think the club will however the problem with this deal as the MG deal is the huge sell on clauses inflating the fees further. Hence why I’m against them being allowed. Just distorts the market as you end up comparing apples with pears.

Our Plan B is more of that back 3 or 5 anyway which helped us topple Arsenal two times in a cup, Chelsea at home, notably and secure a trophy and CL football.

Apart from the fact he's a bit "handsy" I think he's a tremendous player. Reached this level he's at now, however, by leaving. It may have been reluctantly by both him and the club but you're deluded if you think his progression would've been the same if he'd stayed. I mean, it's ridiculous to disregard him playing a full season in a team having a dream season who, not to be dismissed either, play an entirely different way to us. No way would he be where he's at now if he hadn't gone AND to Forest, for that matter.

Revenge of the PIF.

George Lucas two/only notes he would apparently give whilst directing were 'faster, more intense'. Pretty sure Eddie could knock out a decent Star wars film.

Plan B is do Plan A better.

Newcastle's setup and style of play is more akin to Ragnick's high intensity approach. Ragnick rated Elanga highly, and he did well for him. As much as there are calls for more control etc, I don't think Howe is looking at things the same way. Looks to me like he's trying to get the team to be even better at what they already do. Elanga would help achieve this.

No it's not. 1,100 minutes is not "lots of game time" for a 21-year old. Never has - never will be. That's a bit part player. Yes injuries played a factor but doesn't stop the basic fact that he never got the minutes. He never got a good run in the side.

No he's not available

I think most people would rather have had him here as part of our squad, especially considering we got fuck all for him in return in £15m. But we had to sell him because of PSR so I'm not really sure what we are discussing. Is it because posters think we should bring him back?

Could say the limitations and negatives just aren't as exposed I guess. Sancho was basically Neymar in the Bundesliga. He comes back here and nigh on every defender can deal with him comfortably.

Would be a good squad player in the £30-40m bracket. Don't think he's much more than that.

Exactly. The player I think most matches up with Elanga on this one is Diaby. When we were linked with him you'd have thought we were signing an upcoming superstar.

Football is a squad game and he would get plenty of games as a 4th choice for a champions league side. Especially for us as a homegrown player.

Agree to some degree, but when you get to watch them week in week out over here, you can already see limitations/negatives. With a signing from abroad most haven't.

I mean Elanga is younger than both and has played for a side that finished above both Brentford and Wolves.