The College Dropout

Bale was always injury prone for them so even his best seasons came with a level of frustration over his fitness. He never managed 20 league goals for Real and only managed 30+ league appearances once - in 8 years. Btw Bale signed a mega-deal in 2016 which got him on the super megabucks. He was injured a lot in the prior season but scored a lot of goals. He signed the mega-deal and spent most of that season injured. He only had 1 good season post-mega contract and even then he was often on the bench or injured. He did score twice in the CL final - so there's that. Point is - Bale was often decisive for Madrid and scored a lot of goals. But he was never dominant the way they might have hoped - spending a lot of time injured. After the megabucks deal - he only really turned it on during 1 season - after being red hot the season prior.

I think Saka can be a great inverted winger / attacker. But he would be a dynamite left back for City under Pep. I can never shake what Yaya said about Pep and people of African origin so I don't think it will happen.

I was thinking the Raph deal was odd considering that's Saka's position. But if they think he won't re-sign it's a great transfer.

Saka - I think it's best for the lad to not sign or ask to leave. If he has another good year next season, he'll probably be available for something like £50-60m. If he has a middling season. He'll still get £100k p/w+ at Arsenal in February 23.

We don't want this. The only way to catch-up is to overspend on quality talent. On Saka - he signed a contract when he first came through. He only has 2 years left on his deal. If he doesn't sign by this time next year - they will be forced to sell (if he has a good season).

Clap. We are suporting the capital owners rather than the labourers

Tbf this lad is only 19 and making his first major move. It will be all new to him.

Shame. The agent doesn't have any more high-profile clients and is advising the kid poorly.

What did Lineker say after that?

West Ham, Arsenal, Villa seemingly in for good players. If Arsenal sign Raphinha and Jesus they'll fight for top 4 again.

Would still need a top class midfielder and attacker with those 4 imo. Top 6/8 quality in both positions.

He's clearly better than Dubs imo. It's not as close as people are making out.

These are crap stats in the main to judge a gk.

For some reason I prefer Ekitike. The touch looks silkier and he runs with the ball.

Bad attitiude.

I'm not one of those "some people". I've only ever seen him a handful of times. The one time with most interest he showed a killer lack of offside awareness but looked quick and sharp. Quality of balls into the box was poor but when the opposing team sat deep, he had nothing for them. Also to be clear. Unless they play in the EPL, Real Madrid, Ghana or frequently feature in the CL KO's... I do not have opinions on most players. I'vre paid attention to Osimhen once in my life.

That's hilarious.

Also some would say scoring 20+ in Serie A is meaningless.

Romelu Lukaku scored 42 goals in 96 appearances for Manchester United. Including 27 goals in 51 appearances in his debut season. 15 goals in 45 appearances the next season, many appearances off the bench. Lukaku didn't play well overall and flopped. But he wasn't a donkey for them. If a team sets up to get the best from Lukaku, he'll score a lot of goals. If you don't set the team up for him, he'll stink it up but still find the back of the net.

Good players can become flop transfers. Lukaku has never played in a top team that play to his strengths in England. At the very least he’s a very good goal scorer and a top 10/15 striker in the world. He still flopped at those clubs.

Shearer scored 20+ goals in 2 out of the 4 seasons he had with us before the Gillis beef. He had injuries but overall he had performed well, been a key player and we would’ve gotten our money back for him and probably a profit if he was willing to go abroad. It’s not a comparison.

Salah flopped at Chelsea and he was barely given a chance. Chelsea even made a profit from him. It’s still a flop. Same story for KDB at Chelsea. Thiago Silva flopped at Porto and couldn’t get a game at Spartak Moscow in his early 20’s. It’s ok. It’s not a flaw in his ability.

Lukaku doesn't suit Tuchel's style of play - he still flopped. Frenkie De Jong is likely to sell for less than Barca bought him for. He has not been a success. It's a bit of a flop.

If you sell a wonderkid for less than you bought him for at the age of 22 - it's because he's flopped.

We've also identified some of that up and coming talent in the French striker and Botman.