The College Dropout

I wouldn't want a Howe pal as DoF just because I wouldn't have a DoF + Manager so closely aligned unless we were willing to live and die by that manager the way City have with Guardiola. Klopp had to achieve a lot of things before his pal became DoF of Liverpool and I think Howe needs to do the same. And just as a football fan, I don't love the Howe profile of player. So I would like a DoF that pulls another way and they meet in the middle.

We should take the City approach. The Real approach. Play the bad guy, use the influence and resources to the max. If we find a loophole - just abuse it until it is closed.

https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1757687622858653757?s=46&t=XBqcNDJ8Au1NwcsCT_X7Yg

He’s right footed too. He’s meant to be top. Another Villa product I think.

IMO we need more running power from the off.

Agreed. If we had 1 of Willock, Tonali or Joelinton + Pope available I would be more optimistic. As it stands we lack the running power this system needs to stop conceding chances.

Man Utd are 6th - they are not that good. I'm sure you would agree? We both finished bottom of our CL groups.

Don't fancy us to finish above Man Utd tbh.

TBF you don't have to be THAT good to be 6th/7th.

The kids call it "aura".

Didn't know that was the case. Thanks for sharing. Then Chelsea to Saudi is the same as us. Time to call Atleti and Juve.

Really? Do you have a link?

Wilson doesn't look fit. Isak also hasn't looked fit for many games and has put in some performances himself.

If they are not PIF-owned we don't need to make it look right. Which is the path we should take imo.

From a Saudi club. Any offer from any Saudi club is dubious - PIF-owned or not. I don't think any non-Saudi club pay more than £10m. A 1 G/A in every 5 winger, 30 years old.

Minteh is only 19. Chelsea have extensively used the Dutch league for players to mixed results. But impressing is certainly nothing to side eye at this stage of his development. I think 3rd choice winger for a team in the Europa/Conference League is about right for a 20-year-old. Especially if the second-choice winger is Almiron or Murphy that can be overtaken with good performances. If we don't qualify for Europe - aye keep him out on loan. Kuol i don't think we'll see in B&W again.

Not even close ffs

Because of FFP we might need to listen to offers for any of the lads

I know it's not your intention. But following your posts you would think Isak has been brilliant over the last 18 months and Wilson has been ok - which isn't the case. Obviously I rate Isak higher and his potential is scary. But I think they are much closer in effectiveness (in different ways) than you are making out.

From what i've seen McTom is a better athlete than Longstaff. Or at least quicker and more powerful. Longstaff is an enduring runner but not a quick one.

I disagree. He's good for a scrappy goal because of his movement and aggression. He occupies defenders and keeps them busy. The Brighton consolation, it's just a hopeful ball then he bundles past the defender. I love Isak but he's either on or off. He's a threat in behind or on the dribble at times but in most duels he's a non-factor. He can press effectively but often due to his lack of stamina, the press is non-existent or poor. He's losing a ball pumped up towards him 9.5 times out of 10 - with ease. Wilson probably loses it 8 times out of 10 too but he wins a few on occasion and at least makes the defender work for it. Wilson has some level of hold-up play imo.

I like McTom.. it's just the profile I think we need to diversify. I could imagine had we not qualified for CL, us going for McTom instead. We wouldn't have that night against PSG though.

This is true and a good point but he did score 11 goals in 20 in the Champ at 21 - that's impressive. That suggests he should be a top-level Champ striker in the future which is a £20m player easy. I don't think the others are good examples though. Iwobi is an example of the big club premium I'm talking about. Alex Scott earned his reputation as a standout player in the Championship and Forest are barmy (with Chris Wood being a proven PL goalscorer).

Also playing for a big club increases your chances of getting international recognition. You get some caps and your value increases further still. I like Mason Mount but if he swapped clubs with James Maddison, it would be Maddison with 40 odd caps and Mount with a handful. Eddie Nketiah is in the England squad. He doesn't sniff it if he's at Palace. All these things add to their value. Meanwhile AG has 0 England caps. That will contribute to his undervaluing atm. And some of the big clubs genuinely do have great academies these days. City & Chelsea in particular.

If they played for midtable club - would the fee be the same?