The College Dropout

It does mean we have to remain compact in a fairly low-block. The lack of pace was also a massive reason for some of our batterings and we could've been handed another by Liverpool too.

Badiashile looks quicker and more aggressive aye. Their general stats look similar as well. Trippier, Schar & Targett aren't quick for their positions either so you would prefer the lad with legs or an Ake. But seemingly Botman's our top target.

Missed opp to experiment a bit but at least we've seen the gaps in Plan A. Mount for example continuing to dissappoint for England is becoming a painfully obvious issue. It looks like Trips is in the side for set-pieces which is awful. I'd like to see Saka there. It's becoming more obvious that we should drop TAA from the WC squad if it's a 23-man squad.

LFC in for Nunez.

He's a bit slow too for a fullback

I’ve never seen Mount have a good game for England.

In his mould that’s not needed. Your Kante, Casemiro etc. are not elite passers. Rice can drive with the ball. And he does enough with it to be useful. He’s not worth £100m but a legit £50m.

And a new manager. We are likely replacing top Champo or bottom half PL players with top 8 players. So numbers won't be a problem. It's whether many are genuine top 4 players that's the issue.

Still - you want some presence in there. Ake's good in the air where I don't really think Schar is. I personally like Klopp approach to CB's. All massive fellas. I think Gomez is the shortest at 6'2. The rest are all taller. I think it's intimidating to the opposition.

Aye we are seemingly after a left-footer so it looks like Burn is the first to be replaced. DB is painfully slow.

That wouldn't concern me as there are 2 factors for consideration: 1. Ake was seemingly carrying an injury and Pep didn't want to risk him when he trusts Fernandinho to do everything anyway. 2. Pep hates playing left footed CB's on the right of a defence. The big concern is that he's picked up a lot of injuries at City actually. I think that's one reason they want to sell him. He's back-up player who is often not available when the back-up is required. I have to say. Whenever i've seen Ake play this season he's been great. A look on the City forums and they don't want him to go. Always a good sign.

Ake is aggressive in the air and he's good there. But a defensive partnership with Schar does feel too small. I like him a lot as a player. Good on the ball. 50m does seem to much though. I like the look of Botman too. But that's a riskier transfer. I would actually like them both as a pair but it seems we want a right footer and a left footer

Arsenal and Spurs aren’t elite. We should be looking to eat their lunch.

Bang average.

Nah we could go for him imo. His wages won’t be astronomical. He’s apparently not on 100k at City. Not sure pricing others out is a good move though. Id love for ya to get Jesus and Raphinha. I think those 2 would make us a top 6-8 side. Add in another 2 or 3 and we could challenge for top 4

Bale showed at Spurs last season that he still has match winning quality. Better than 1 in 2 iirc and a lot of appearances from the bench. He’s just not interested in playing elite club football. I think he’s not prepared to put his body throufh what it takes to perform at that level consistently. So his primary concern is just staying fit enough to play intensely for Wales when the time comes. But for 90 minutes or even 60 minutes twice a week - nope. British media have been very kind to him.

I like that as a transfer but he doesn't get into their first team imo. Perhaps Kulu moves permanently to wing-back. Or the system shifts a bit with Kane really becoming a 10 and the least interested in attack. Raphinha linked to Liverpool strongly.

Him choosing us over Serie A winning Milan would be grim for football tbh.

Chill out mate. Dawson was brought in to provide depth in their European run and ended up first choice due to injury to Ogbonna.

Iniesta was born in 1984 and Modric 85 - crazy to think. One just lifted the CL for a 5th time and the other is getting relegated in Japanese football. Reminds me that someone on here said Xabi Alonso and Paul Scholes were better than Modric.

Don’t like most of those KaKa.

We've got 5 CB's and want another one. Selling the 3rd best in the managers eyes and the club captain... doesn't seem like sensible business. Unless we get a really strong offer - I don't think I like it. ANything over £12m then i'd take it.

Peak age stuff is nonsense but the point stands

Wouldn't want Isco.