The College Dropout

Fantastic news. Hope is feeling strong and is not rushing himself back

I don't think we'll lose them this summer, but without CL, can we meaningfully build on what we have? The project's momentum would feel different imo. If I'm either of them - there's 2 years on the contracts in 2026. I'm looking to move on. Qualify for the CL, strengthen the squad close to what we did the last time we had real money to spend - it makes last season look like a blip on what is a turbo-charged trajectory. If we can do that, with a bit of luck, we could start to look beyond fighting for 4th. Qualify for Europa or worse - it's a slower build. Can't invest to the same degree. Not as attractive to players. We'll also probably need a sale to rebuild meaningfully in 2026. So another season of having a poorer squad or not signing top quality players (most likely). "gives us another go at it" - it's another go at qualifying for CL with a thin squad.

I still don't think we'll do those things. No rumours.

Oh, then we are on the same page. I do think not getting CL will mean this team will get broken up at some point. After two years without CL, Isak and Tonali should want to leave. If not this summer, next summer is more likely. If we lose out to Villa, they will begin consolidating themselves as a CL regular with their squad. Qualifying this year is vital for us to kick-on with this current squad. I agree, the most important thing is PIF's continued investment and commitment. Again, CL is likely to help keep them excited.

The additional £40-50m in revenue, bonuses from sponsors and justifies higher related sponsorships too The new format pumps more money in.

I assume we'll have priority positions and different options at different price points. If we get CL I would be hopeful for 1 purple + 3 more.

That estimate for 5th is creeping up. It was 66/67 points a couple weeks ago.

If Villa qualify for the CL - they will challenge for the PL next season. Or at least be 75+ points IMO. If they can keep this squad together, they can give it all a good go next season. They are like us in the respect - they are almost one of the best teams in Europe. Keep what they have (including the loan players), maybe add 1 more quality piece. They are set. Don't qualify for the CL, don't keep the loan lads - it's another season fighting tooth and nail for CL, without the depth to challenge for 4 comps.

Only 1 of our rivals picked up points. Rather than them Both getting points. We don’t need to finish above them both (most likely). The one that we are most likely to be finish above - lost - that’s a great result. We want to be in a 3 horse race. Not a 5 horse race

Brilliant work by Doku and a tidy finish

City fucking win it.

No

Draw not the worst result. If Villa draw just 1 more game, their max is 68 and we’ll finish above them if we win our home games.

He’s their only player that has magic in his feet from what I’ve seen. He’s so purposeful on the ball

Those Villa subs are scary.

Rashford has looked good at ST for Villa

Not massively so you would imagine. CL could be the difference between a £60m net spend summer or a £140m net spend summer. It's a different market entirely.

I keep saying this. We need CL to match the ambitions of our best players and to bring in similar quality

Thought this at the time

If we can’t beat Ipswich Chelsea and Everton at home we don’t deserve to be in the CL. The wriggle room is probably not needing any points against Brighton or Arsenal. We should obviously target at least 1 point considering what we have on the line.

Ipswich is the easiest game on paper. We need to win those for confidence. I don’t think there’s a world where we lose at home to Ipswich and then go on to beat Brighton away. Confidence and momentum would be low. If we did it yeh it would effectively be the same but it won’t happen that way imo. Chelsea is a six pointer so is massive. I think the players and staff would snatch your hands off for 10 points. I think they take 9 too. They would target the home games just like us. I do think we’ll need to win that last game to make sure.

Yeh we can. It's almost impossible that Villa & Forest get 70 points min, with Man City getting 69 points min. That's what needs to happen (assuming our GD is superior to Villa and Forest) for us to get 3 wins and a draw and not qualify for the CL. As long as our GD is good, we only need 1 more point than Forest in the run-in and can afford 1 less point than Chelsea in the run-in. And that's assuming Villa continue to keep winning and City do enough. It won't all amalgamate like that. 69 does it. 68 does too. 67 or less and it's shakey.

There is no way 69 points won't be enough. Even 68 should be fine. Villa's max total is 72.

Have to beat Ipswich & Chelsea. Any result against Brighton would be brill. Win all 3 and we are there I think.

Opposite profile imo. 1 is physically top with great work rate. The other is great technically but physically short with some of the worst work-rate/passion you'll ever see