The College Dropout

If we thought we could get a top level player - we get that one lad.

Watch a video comp. They are impressive. Then you look at his recent goalscoring record and go "oh". But I think if you've had 1 prolific season in La Liga in your early 20's. Tall (not seen any headed goals or like chest control for link up mind), quick, skilful you're going to get some big hype. You rarely get players like Aguero these days. Aguero goal-wise fairly slow in his first season at Atleti. But from then on goals, goals, goals. You rarely get players 23-26 these days with 2 to 3 seasons of 15+ goals in a top division.

Chelsea playing FM. Think it's a good signing. Whenever I've seen Koulibaly i've been impressed. Not sure he's a RCB/LCB in a back 3 though.

Apart from Lascelles, Manquillo, Lewis - I doubt we get much of a fee for most of the fringe players. Lascelles isn't even a fringe player.

It's legit an "oh" moment when I find out someone isn't vaccinated. It's not deep but I do remember it.

It's crazy and immoral.

So emotional.

Started to pick up injuries. Very high earner. Into his early 30's and his game involves physical exceptionalism which you expect to wane over the coming years.

I like Cornet and that price is v. good. I prefer him to a Broja for £30m.

Cornet impressed me at Burnley. More so than Sarr.

Aye turns out the agent has played a blinder. Those PSG links were real. will keep a look out for the lad. Like his style of play.

Aye that;s my point. The fee is almost entirely based on potential and the fact when Broja does good things - it looks good. Players contribute to their own Xg through movement. He and Che Adams Xg is the same (both fairly low) with Adams scoring more goals. I preferred Hugo because he could play in a couple of positions. I'd rather DCL at £40m than Broja at 30m. Broja with an option - I like a lot.

I think Zouma is class. Second sentence is true. My point is West Ham aren't a team better than the sum of their parts - simply over achieving. They have genuine quality throughout their team and especially through the spine. From about March - West Ham started focussing on EL and they ended the season gassed out. They spent the whole season in the top 7 and knew worst case scenario they would finish 7th - which they did. Same thing with Leicester. Pretty poor throughout the season, gave up on the league for at least 6 weeks. Finished semi strongly after getting KO'd out of Europe to try and salvage the season. No European football - they will be better next season. The gap between us is more than the 3 points we saw imo.

Aye.

He scored 6 PL goals last season. That's not the level we want. You're gambling on a lot of promise which he does have.

I think West Ham are very good. Zouma is the defender we hope Botman can be. Bowen is the wide forward we hope ASM can become. Rice, Soucek is the midfield duo we hope to be better than this season etc. They have Europe again which is an issue. But if we finish above them, I will be v. happy. I expect them to compete well again.

This is what I thought. I like Broja. £30m seems a lot for a player whose best performance in league football is 10 goals in the Eredivise. I like him a lot. But man... that is too high. A lot of uncertainty and risk.

DNA. I think under Bobby, teams came to SJP happy for a point and would really sit back. But we weren't a possession team. As you say - never really been. I remember Bobby's team was immense in transition and on the counter.

We've not been a possession side for a looong time.

I'll be honest. I've gone off Pep. A lot depends on Haaland - without Sterling & Jesus the team is very one-paced (outside of Haaland). I think West Ham will be strong again. They are close to an ultimate Moyes team - which is a good PL football team. Big, powerful with genuine talent.

Not a strong one. I state the limitations and logic. Again with Botman, no idea if he's good or not. Looks a unit, expect him to be good in the air, looks a little slow - that's it. Paqueta - looks very talented. Everything i've seen has stated he's played primarily as a 10 for Lyon. Some have suggested he'll come in and play 8 - which concerns me. If you play 10 in ligue 1, I struggle to see how you can play 8 in the PL. I state opinions with logic and limitations. And people who are convinced one way or another - get mad at it.

Who do I have an opinion on now? I'll say how i've got to any conclusions. E.g. Botman - only seen Youtube clips and looked at stats from statsbomb / fbref. I say it with my chest - I don't pretend to know these players closely outside a few competitions and teams that I follow very closely.

Random: Apparently Sergio Aguero was bang average in training. The players weren't sure about him when he first joined City. Then he banged a brace on his debut and the rest was history. Guess it's a bit different for a defender though.

Zaha is almost 30 and has been one of the best players outside the top 6 for at least 5 years now. I like Eze. I think he can have a great season next year. But calling 24 year olds - prospects - is funny to me.

Palace apparently in for Gibbs-White. Depending on the fee, i would be interested in that for us. I think he played advanced/10 last season but he has the physical profile to play 8.