The College Dropout

We aren’t the ones with Ronaldo and Kante. PIF have basically bought FIFA. If they really wanted too they could buy UEFA the same way PSG owners practically have. If we were top 3 priority they might even think to avoid buying players from our ‘rivals’. Or only do it by exception but nope.

Which is a bit shit. A football club is only as good as its owners ambition and acumen.

One thing the other golf states have seemingly accepted is that the power base in football is in Europe and therefore they must control it vis a proxy PSG Man City group for example. PSG can be glamorous. And city group can have dominant teams across the word. PIF are focussing on their own league and I guess they can as they have a proper population. But it’s not going to work. Which all might end up in our favour. If they were more focussed on a European side at the heart of their football thing they would’ve gone for Spurs imo

Haven’t PIF bankrolled the whole thing? Investment in Dazn matches the TV rights and/or prize money right? im at peace that we are not PIFs top 5 footballing priority. We can still do amazing things and it might change.

We’ve said this for years. And both questioned if they have the motivation to exploit loopholes. More concerned with Saudi League, World Cup, CWC etc. than exploiting loopholes to get NUFC success it looks like.

When Chelsea and City were allowed to spend they signed top players from Arsenal and Man U. Peak Wenger and Fergie. Man U still have major pull because PSR makes them the biggest fish going for wages.

Might be unfair but all I see From Johnson is him running fast and shooting from 10 yards out first or second touch. He’s like a poacher. He can do that on the left or right imo.

How much do you think our 2 £60m players earn ?

Yep and I think Johnson is tactically flexible. SO is Mbeumo tbh.

I would assume Spurs have told camp Mbeumo what their ballpark wage would be and it’s a goer.

Gordon couldn't get in our team and scored 4 goals all season going into that tournament. He scored 4 goals at the tournament alone did he not? It changed the momentum of his career and brought his first run of back to back competitive football since his Everton days 6 months earleir. You say Gordon had 4k minutes over 2 seasons. Most of those I assume prior to joining Newcastle. Tino has managed 3.5k in a single season. My point is Tino could do with a rest. He doesn't need the momentum, or the European exposure and has played well at a higher level consistently.

Gordon and Palmer were not first team regulars going into that tournament and MGW was Miles away from the senior squad. None of those players were set to be cornerstone players in a 50-game campaign the next season. That competition was the first time Gordon was playing regularly and scoring goals in his professional career. Palmer too at that point. MGW was not about to play CL football the next season. Wuansah and Gray aren’t in the first team of their squads and are unlikely to be next season. This might push their profile at their clubs. Gray in particular had a horrible season (although he did play a lot) - this tournament might shift the momentum in his career. This tournament might help their chances of starting the first game in August at their clubs Gordon style. Tino’s just played 3.5k minutes and was a top performer, he’ll need a rest. Tino’s opposite fullback plays in the Czechia B Team or second division or something. The German RB looks like a squad option at Frankfurt. These are boys to Tino.

I don’t think you develop much playing at a level or two below the one you’ve got 3.5k minutes in over 9 months. And the 3.5k+ minutes at a higher level he’s about to play next season too. Someone mentioned Quansah - he’s played 1/3 of the minutes Tino has this season. Nobody in that squad has the pedigree of Tino. Not even close.

There is the fact he’s not got the hype he deserves for all of that. But that Tuchel‘S problem not Tino’s.

Gordon barely played the season prior and the lack of break 2 seasons in a row has impacted his performance this season. Gordon didn’t have the experience or pedigree Tino has either. Tino has played a major part in a cup winning run, 3 full seasons playing and delivering in the PL and played CL football. Tino is also lined up to do that again next season and that wasn’t guaranteed for Gordon. That tournament as Gordon’s major breakout. Tino has locked up Mbappe and Dalah in a cup final, even managed an assist no? He’s beyond U21 football imo

With the possible exception of Anderson, none of the others are close to making the senior team. Some of them don’t even play regularly for their clubs. Let Tino go to Ibiza man.

I saw a bit of the game and he was impressive. But is this tournament good for Tino? He’s played 45 games and 3.5k minutes this season. He’s the only player in that team that is likely to be an integral part of a CL campaign next season - and then there’s the World Cup. I would’ve preferred he got some first team experience in those 2 games, then gone away for a good break before a massive season ahead. dunno feel like he’s way above this level.

Aye. PSG were also able to take advantage of having a super deep squad and being able to rotate in the league heavily. Inter's old boys ran out of legs. Every PL side in Europe - bar Chelsea - struggled with the amount of games. The additional revenue is going to filter into the strongest squads we've ever seen in the sport for a select few.

Dropping back down to 7th-8th is inevitable without a quality squad with depth.

We couldn’t handle it. We were out of the top 4 race by January. Villa were 4 points shy of us going into a period where they played 6 more games than us and they caught up but could only land Europa League. We’ll need to improve the squad immensely to finish 6th. Again we are likely to play 10 CL games. They will be high level games each time out. It’s going to be more fatiguing than the last run.

Win 8 of their last 10 league games. Losing to 3rd place and the 15th place on the last day. Among that played 4 champions league knockout games and 3 FA Cup games. We’ll see how we do next season. It’s the amount of fixtures and the importance/quality. Anything less than 10 CL games is a disgrace. Those 10 games would kill this squad. We couldn’t handle 6 last time.

How much do you think he's worth now?

We've got as far as we have by being aggressive. By getting Isak instead of Pedro. Barnes instead of some LW kid. Getting premium youngsters at fullback. Capitalise on having an elite manager at this moment and a strong squad and relatively weak opposition. If we don't push it, we'll finish 7th or lower. Heads will roll regardless if that happens. Time will tell. Edit: I don't think people realise how brutal this new CL format is for squads

Portugal, Spain, France, Croatia have all managed to have at least 1 decent game. And tbh it's the selections that look barmy too.

Think Carsley had the right idea.