The College Dropout

Well aye but that was yonks ago. Simone Inzaghi did win a Serie A as a player and he’ll win Serie A as a manager. but as a player he wasn’t half the player Pippo was. They don’t make strikers like Pippo anymore.

All good shouts. Funny I remember Enrique, Blanc and Conte. Always thought Conte was an Ambrosini type. Typical Italian CM, hard working and technically sound but not masses of ability. The type you put real quality around. Spends their whole career in Italy. I pegged Marchisio and DeRossi in that bracket. Having never seen him much I assumed Tonali was that type too.

Rumours he had a falling out with someone on Southgate's coaching staff and generally fed up with being a bench player. It is interesting how we haven't heard strong rumours about the reasons.

No chance of getting him. Signed a Harry Kane type Deathrow Contract last year. Would cost twice the fee of Barnes.

No I don't. You called him an important player at the Euros. He wasn't.

Think he's a little unlucky to miss out this time. But seeing Gordon there should give him some inspo.

Got to the semi's of the Europa last year and qualified for the Europa again. In the Europa last 16 again with Bayer top of the Bundesliga and undefeated this season. Being a club legend and an overall football legend also helps Alonso. Totally unrelated. In terms of top players turned top coaches over recent years - how we would we rank them as players? Criteria is winning a top 5 league as a player and a manager. Zidane. Alonso. Then it gets hard. I don't remember Pep as a player much but I know he was top. He's younger than Simeone or Deschamps but I remember those two more. Too young for Carlo but his honours list is impressive.

The same reason he was disregarded last time is still true. He has no experience of managing in Europe successfully. If they couldn't land Alonso they would consider Howe probably. But then go for a Nagelsmann type or someone with more experience at the highest level.

Exactly. Declan Rice is 25 years old with almost 50 caps. He's experiened.

Henderson didn't even start games. He came off the bench in crucial games late. Philips and Rice played 90% of minutes at the Euros. Again, Henderson has never been impressive for England. He's had more stinkers in important moments than good games.

Say he left in the summer. Where do people think he would end up next? Just assuming every job was available to him. West Ham would be in for him for sure. Maybe Chelsea. Brighton potentially. I think he's a season away from being recognised as more of a top top manager.

Worst thing about Henderson is that he's never impressed for England.

Gomez has played RB,CB,LB for Liverpool. Looked solid. It should be Southgate calling White not the other way around.

There's an argument to be made here about a certain someone.

Wouldn't begrudge that. I think Southgate would prefer a more defensive midfield partner to Rice but the options aren't there.

Can Ross Barkley play his way into the squad... and team?

He's just talking about West Ham beating the German side. Germany are #1 in co-efficients currently. Europa is Liverpool and Leverkusen to lose. By far the exceptional sides in the competition.

I blame Tonali. It was clear Sean is not good enough last season.

That would be excellent. But we really need to stem the goals.

I've been quietly confident of a win here. But the closer we get to the game. I just hope we concede less 2 or less.

Isak is quick, he's just weak.

We've had 8 clubs competing in Europe this season due to West Ham winning the Conference League. SO there's precedent for that. No it wouldn't.

It will be based on last season so won't include the sales of older players on massive wages this summer.

https://twitter.com/KieranMaguire/status/1762492809121280064/photo/4 Taken from the 2023 accounts for Newcastle, Man U & Arsenal clubs.

Arsenal’s wages are much lower than City, Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea. Our wages are closer to Arsenal’s than Arsenal’s are to Liverpool. Significantly so.