KaKa

That nutcase spent a billion on players in about 18 months. He's capable of just about anything.

Yeah, Rafa had us so well drilled in that setup. And the back three was such a great mix with so much room to continue to grow together. Rondon's hold up and link up was great, and Ayoze and Miggy played off him so well. There's something seriously wrong with Mike Ashley in the head.

It's going to be an uncomfortable few days. Chelsea and Boehly are psychotic enough to put close to £200 million on the table. Fun times.

That really brief period of Ayoze and Miggy either side of Rondon man. Could see something interesting was going to kick off with that. We then had that 3 centre back combo of LeJeune, Schar and Lascelles at the back too. All on the most miserly vindictive Mike Ashley budget, Rafa was still on his way to putting together something really enjoyable. And then all of a sudden, Steve Bruce.

No matter how many times this is stated, they're not trying to hear it. In time the point will be proven yet again though. It will be just like Rondon being rescued from Pulis ball. If you pull up the Rondon thread you'll see the exact same complaints about how awful he was when we went for him, until the games started and then he wasn't for us, under Rafa.

Yup. Can you even imagine the reaction if we sold a talent like Lewis Hall? Or Maatsen who just played in the Champions League final? But yet, such annoyance when Chelsea reap the benefits of it.

Everything that needs to be said about DCL has been said now, no need trying to explain any of it further. If and when he signs, August will eventually come around and the games will kick off, and then we'll see.

Oh he is. He's deadly serious, shockingly enough.

There's an article that just popped up from the Chronicle that also seems to indicate we aren't under pressure to the extent that has been reported.

Yeah, he's decent. Will probably be more of a squad player at Chelsea too. Similar to what we did with Barnes. Can see the thinking behind it, especially as he knows the system already.

To be fair Dewsbury-Hall had a phenomenal season for their new manager last season at Leicester. Finished with 12 goals and 14 assists in the league over the season.

Yeah, meant dodgy source for the link. He's looked really good in the tournament. He's definitely going to get a move. No chance he drops down into division 2 with Metz, especially at such a reasonable fee.

A right sided centre back that could do that would be handy.

Yeah, maybe it would be fine actually.

Do we need a right back if he leaves? Tino and Krafth seems a bit dicey.

Very very dodgy source (football insider), but will share because it's pretty quiet, and a number of us were all loving his performance yesterday. They've claimed we are among clubs that have shown an interest in Mikautadze the 'other' Georgian striker. Metz have made his loan from Ajax permanent as they had an option to do so, but apparently are now looking to sell for £20 million after getting relegated.

The Gordon thing really messes with people so much man

Here we go again ... Must have been just me that read the plethora posts about Brexit Eddie, get him off transfers etc etc.

Like @McCormick just stated, it's targeting players that are also a fit for how we play. Yeah, they may seem like they are 'over priced British players' until they aren't when they come into the team. Just as was the case with Gordon.

Yeah, I wish more folks would grasp this, and not freak out so much because some players we go for are not necessarily an obvious 'flavour of the month', and coming off a great season. Really think this approach has played a big part in helping us to make up so much ground so quickly.

A very clear part of our transfer strategy that we do look to do at times, seems to be buying talents after a not so great or productive year. Isak and Gordon were massive hits off the back of such a strategy.

Not really. The onus is on the club to make sure they look into the players history more thoroughly. If Leao, Theo Hernandez or Tomori decide they want to come to Newcastle, you really think it makes sense to not bother because of the Tonali deal? Would make no sense.

Fair enough. Well, Trafford isn't done yet. Maybe we rethink it, and go down this kind of route you proposed. He does look a really great keeper.

So you would have sacrificed one of those? I think that would have been too big a risk. At least we have Pope still, and can manage with him another year.