The College Dropout

What is there to suggest he’s good enough to turn a profit or a squad player? How many 20-year old fullbacks have only made 7 pro appearances go on to become any good? The age to experience ratio was always a massive red flag to me. 16-18 is a world away from 20. Minteh, Kuol I get. All the lads playing in the U18’s I get. Even if they don’t make it they raise the level. He’s going to be 24 with less than 60 games under his belt. I believe his contract is up at the end of the season. I hope he can do well enough to secure himself a new contract at a decent club and a decent level so he can have a good career where he doesn’t have massive money concerns. Thats where I’m at with this lad.

I’m no longer convinced of this. As in ‘come good’ = regular goal scorer. He’s proven he can have a total stinker and at this level that might do him in. I think wishing major injury on him is too far and weird. But hoping he fails at Liverpool - of course.

Still a weird transfer.

Saw both matches and thought they looked good. Should’ve won today.

On the ropes against a very good Monaco side. Watxhed Monaco twice and like what I’ve seen. Akliouche would’ve been great for us and Nick W.

All bar Spurs are winning/won? every PL team we’ve faced this season has been better than the last 2 CL opponents

Thats why it’s weird. He was 20 with barely any professional games anywhere.

Yep. It’s frustrating to watch

Prick.

Always thought this was a weird transfer

Love me some Fabian. He’ll get some minutes don’t worry about him.

If he signed it in 2023 while On a ban? No chance other than an agreed % increase maybe or other performance based metrics

It would also further amortise his fee which is a help. A lot of us said he should extend his contract if he was to keep getting paid a full salary and he is. That was fair for all parties.

Aye. I still think he’s likely to need a payrise by the end of the season.

Looks like it. Another good move by Ashworth imo. Tonali does need a pay rise mind. We know years left on a contract alone isn’t enough to keep a player.

We ended up dominant and everyone played well. But there was a spell where Benfica were on top. Burn got skinned. They were able to play through the press. We are a much fitter side though. And ran away with it by the end.

Played a lot of his career at LW so I doubt it

I love Pope. Brilliant assist. Briliant at goalkeeping. I'm one of his biggest fans but the kicking is even annoying me now.

It's his lack of physicality which is why he can't play ST.

Still learning the system. I think his positioning is way higher than we usually setup. There was one where Trippier must play a blind pass to where he assumed Elanga would be and Elanga wasn't even in camera shot. Then when Benfica were attacking it felt like it was 6-7 seconds before I saw Elanga defensively and not for the first time. That's obviously Trippier's fault but it points to a disjointed approach.

In the first half Benfica exploited the lack of physicality from Ramsey, Miley and Burn.

Wasn't a pen for me. Maybe for Real Madrid.

Thought his overall game was really good today as well

Aye. Might be the best finisher at the club.

Looked like a 23 year old Stevie G out there. Too good for Benfica in every way.