The College Dropout

Even in the top 6 there’s a split between City and the American/Spurs owners. Chelsea were on the side of City under Roman

If we wanted to sell or the players wanted to leave. It would be easy. Chelsea would snap up Isak for 80-90m for sure. But because we don’t want to sell, he doesn’t want to leave and his contract is long we’d need a PL transfer record fee to entertain it. City would spend a good £70m-80m on Bruno but we’d want £100m.

I didn’t say it was a mystery did I?

Yes. Todd’s a dickhead.

Villa’s youth system is half as good as Chelsea but it’s also the reason they will circumvent FFP for some time. Their backup striker is worth £20m easily in thr Champ. It might be unpopular but there’s probably £50m+ on Ramsey too if they need it.

They really going with this ‘Big 7’ thing huh? One thing that doesn’t get much mention. We’ve finished 4th and not lost any of the best performers. Not even been close. Leicester finished in the top 6 - 3 times? But lost star players nearly every time.

I also thought he was like 23/24.

He can! Good on the ball too. Would be a massive upgrade to Burn for sure with a similar profile. Although left footed he would also provide great depth at CB. My only issue is I like Burn. But Kilman is just much better. I’ve been against signing another PL player but I’d rather Kilman than Anderson or Chalobah. As he would start at left back for me.

I’m super hot on Jota. That’s my differential pick. The rest will be fairly template.

Think I’ve finished top 10 in the NO league 2 seasons in a row. It’s a super tough league. Some great players here.

Oh Gabriel, White and Saliba all have decent speed. None rapid but they have more pace than we do for sure.

All Man City CBs excluding Laporte have a decent turn of pace - Dias, Stones, Ake, Akanji. Varane used to be rapid but he’s still pretty quick. Not sure if he’s quick but Martinez is excellent 1v1 especially in wide areas. Certainly faster than Botman and Schar. Prime Virgil was rapid. Matip was no slouch. Konate is rapid. The last good Chelsea team had Rudiger who is rapid. Militao, Rudiger and Alaba all rapid at Real. Prime Ramos and Pepe were quick too. You can’t be an elite aide with a high line with 2 slow centrebacks.

Not sure Raya is any better than Ramsdale but it’s great competition.

I’ve never seen Todibo play but was great on FM.

They literally scored the 4th most in the league and had the 3rd highest Xg in the league. Across 38 league games and a run to the FA Cup semi final. Not 2 league games and pre season. Your first and fundamental point is simply not true. Yes if they had better quality attackers they would score more goals. As would every other team in the league. Considering the players they actually have - scoring the 4th most goals and 3rd for Xg is a sign of a great attacking team.

Aye but we’ve not signed a player that age since the first window. And I feel like CB is a position where you can find good value. Schar being an example. And because I like Schar so much - I’d be happy going proper young like 20 and mostly used as cover.

I think he does in his 433. At least that’s where he puts him on the team sheet and expects him to start when we are in possession deep. That’s how he scores those goals from the Schar diagonal. He’s in a LW position. Willock doesn’t make those runs because he’s not in position. Once we have settled possession sure Willock runs up there and stays there. He’s a little cuter with his dribbling than Joe in tight spaces can wriggle past a defender. Because of his physicality I think Howe considers Joelinton a better option in 2 man midfield pivot as he’s more of a defensive presence. But when they both start JoeW is the nominal LCM and Joelinton nominal LW.

No but it’s peak value. Sell him 2 years later, likely lose some money. And we always banging on about FFP.

Willock starts at LCM but ends up in LW positions a lot. Howe does not start him at LW in a 433. I don’t think Howe considers him a winger so I won’t.

Passing is great. Defending is good but is it elite? I follow Palace and always thought he was a good player and a shrewd signing. But never thought he would be a £40m defender for a top 6 side. He looks slow in Palace usual mid to low block and will be susceptible for us to the Same pace in behind.

Down on Chalobah (and Anderson) because coming from a PL club we’ll pay a premium. The main benefit of a PL transfer is knowing they can succeed in the league. You don’t get that with Chalobah - at least not in a back 4. Anderson does give you that though. Chalobah is not considered an elite or near elite potential talent. He’s 5th choice for a good reason. We should be signing Colwil level wonderkids. Same thing with Anderson. He’s a good PL player but nothing more. Schar is a good PL player. I don’t think either have the potential to be a significant upgrade on him. And definitely not for £25m-£40m.

There must be some young French kid we could get for less money that can actually run.

You have now changed your point. you originally said: You originally said ‘they don’t get to very dangerous positions’ but now you’re positing evidence that disproves your original point and supports mine.

Would hate Chalobah as a transfer tbh.

The Brighton thing is led by Bloom who has taken them from League 1 to Europa league in 15 years in a slow build. They’ve had the same transfer strategy for a long time. But it wasn’t always working. Theyve refined the formula over time. A literal secret footballing database and algorithm and raiding underused markets (like Ecuador). Their approach has also meant their wage bill is extremely low. We’ve always been paying good wages. If we can replicate a similar model to Brighton, sell a few players for 3-4x we’ll bust FFP.