LionOfGosforth

The sports scientists telt him to do that

Started a post about how it wasn't even worth saying Neymar's name, he's so polar opposite to what our new management and coaching structure would be after. Then I just kept laughing, thinking of Breaking Bad..."Say my name"..."You're Neymar"..."You're god-damn right". I mean doesn't the bloke get a hotel for each time he scores in a win or something ludicrous like that? Only PSG could be this stupid man...

Ikon makes a lot of sense and we clearly have both ends of the spectrum in here

Loving the new content even if it isn't quite as polished as some being produced at other clubs. As an aside, had no idea what Steve Nickson looked like. For some reason I had him down as that bloke who looked a bit like Rod Stewart crossed with a Coronation Street character. Who the hell am I thinking of there?

Both exceptional players. Since getting back into watching the game, Tielemans has been one of the most impressive and consistent performers in the league for me and he has years of experience to call on. But for me, Paqueta is another level with his vision and technical ability on the ball and if you add his chemistry with Bruno to it, if we were lucky enough to choose between them, i'd personally go for Paqueta. Can't see us getting either one but it'd be amazing like.

I can't speak to that claim but that group with the experience and sheer quality of Maldini, Nesta, Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf, Rui Costa, Shevchenko and I think Crespo (?) was absolutely outstanding and I doubt there were many better.

I'm still finding my way "back" to being someone who watches football every week and still re-developing my knowledge of the game as much has changed. Fan since the early 80's but the Ashley years broke me and I distanced myself from the sport almost entirely since Rafa left and until the takeover and EH happened. You write with such eloquence and knowledge, I hope you stick around, you've been a very valuable addition to our forum

Top notch analysis as usual. To address one of those points, I think Chelsea were supposed to be buying Kounde, not sure where that stands though

Came across really well in his interview on NufcTV. Speaks well, looks happy and relaxed and appeared humble and excited to progress with us. If he settles quickly and bring his physical and technical qualities to the team, he's going to be loved here. I get the feeling his signing for Milan would have been met by their fanbase with mostly indifference whereas here, I think and hope he'll end up revered, or at the least a cult hero

Aye but howay man, the Robledo's were aal ower Twitter

Grim. Speaks to a complete lack of common sense and judgement.

Tear-soaked poster of Maldini just out of shot, strained smile, grim.

Looks sick to his stomach in that picture

Incredible side. Always loved Savicevic in that 94 team. They ran Barcelona ragged in the EC Final. Hard to believe thinking back that a bit earlier they also had Rikaard, Gullit and Van Basten as well. Christ almighty.

Think you're right, Mark Leyland might be his name? Edit - googled it and his name is indeed Mark Leyland, no idea where I plucked that from like

As alluded to by @Milanista, we're going down the data-driven route like RB Leipzig, Liverpool and one or two others, rather than the flash-the-cash PSG/Chelsea route. I think it's great, this guy, rumoured lack of pace aside, could be a mainstay of our backline for a decade.

James Allcott I think is who you mean

Still remember the back page of the Daily Mirror after Kitson initially turned us down over wages (IIRC)... "IT'S PAUL TWITSON!"

Building from the back, love it. And honestly, all reservations about his reported desire to join aside, along with some questions about his overall attributes, if EH and his team want this lad and want to work with him and help him grow with us, that's good enough for me and i'm thrilled he's joining.

Title change

Casting my mind back to the summer of 92, I recall KK beginning our transformation with "non-sexy" signings like Venison, Bez and Bracewell (Lee soon after). The difference those 3 in particular made, was mad. He transformed us from the back first and more dramatic signings like Sellars and Cole followed later. Not saying this is the exact same thing, but our goalkeeping pool, both full-backs and CB's are slowly but surely being radically improved, big fan of this

There are times when it can be needed or relevant but the current obsession with, when a goal has been scored, the replay freeze-frame to see if a players lug might be offside as the final pass is delivered prior to the goal. Christ. They do it for literally every replay now, fucking sick of of it.

Think i'll bang on my Espana 82 tape and watch Honduras vs El Salvador again. Both more entertaining than this crap.

I mentioned those because they were in the BBC article about his sale, I haven't seen him much and not too familiar with his role at Monaco. And those stats are still pretty crap relevant to his transfer cost, Bruno G did more than that from a deep midfield role in a handful of games in a struggling PL team and cost less than half of that.

80m for Tchouameni. Can't say i've seen him play much, except a couple of unremarkable games for France. Is he worth that? 3 goals and 2 assists in 35 games last year costs 80m plus (apparently) 20m more in add-ons? Kinell