kingxlnc

A lot of clubs run on data and I feel like this guy must score very highly on that front too as Chelsea were linked and even bid 50m for him last summer which was turned down. That’s chelsea who are buying the worlds best youngsters so we need to respect he defo has something even if he is not the sexiest name

The bench was probably the strongest I’ve ever seen it, even in the KK and SBR peak it was never this strong? The back four in both eras weren’t elite

I thought exactly the same about Yasir as I was watching. He seems so approachable and warm but must be a ruthless steely savvy guy to have so much responsibility on his shoulders especially as he’s relatively young, very interesting bloke

Still want us to use the loan market for a big attacking signing, a Felix or a Chiesa or even a Zaniolo. Still feel like something is missing up top in terms of dribbling and unpredictability. Ironically if ASM wasn't sold, we'd be pretty decent all over, providing we got the CB / LB. But now it does seem a tiny bit short of quality up front on the right. Almiron / Murphy is ok but not on the level of Saka, Diaby, Salah, Sterling, Foden/Grealish, Kulusevski, etc. I like Almiron but feels like he should be competing for that spot with someone on a higher level with Almiron pushing them/breathing down their neck for competition. Tabsoba and Tierney on loan would be awesome too and would genuinely make us bona fide top 4 contenders just on strength of squad alone (last season we overperformed).

I hope Liverpool do get Caicedo as it will hamstring them Otherwise that fee could have bought Lavia plus a CB - which is probably in more need Or even could have bought Thuram PLUS Lavia and really fix their midfield issues. 110m is more than double what Caicedo is worth in my opinion - was he that much better than Bissouma who was hyped just as much this time last year and has since flopped at Spurs?

Even if it was 110m - you are essentially buying 25 goals a season guaranteed for at least 2-3 seasons. How much is that worth in this day and age?

Kane is also a way better player than Owen and other pure finishers/poachers. Kane drops deep, has amazing passing too - could even be a CAM if goals slow down as he's very creative with the ball too. It's a good thing as I think Hojlund will have a Darwin Nunez-esque season, some promise and some stinkers too.

This is why Man U beggar belief at times. Goalscoring was their number one problem last season. They spend crazy money on older players anyway (Casemiro) so why not guarantee goals (and probably a title challenge) by getting Kane over Hojlund. Can't understand that decision - it's only 20M extra - probably tons of wages on top to be fair - but you just got rid of De Gea, Elanga, Maguire, McTominay probably. Don't even need to replace any of those - frees up plenty of wages. Can guarantee Ferguson would have demanded him, he bought RVP at age 30 too.

Why are we hoarding young RW’s? Get one senior one a la Chiesa and let Kuol and Minteh mature to back him up in future

Even if Chelsea had signed Isak, you can guarantee it would be more like he was at Dortmund, unsure of himself amidst lots of young superstars and not feeling like the main man, whereas when he has excellent it has been as the number 1 striker

The problem is that Chelsea are literally signing all the wonder kids, so even ones we’ve put in a lot of work into such as Angelo and Andrey Santos, so they’re hoarding the brightest and best. But without giving them a platform they’ll not fulfil their potential as what they need is games and a proven system to play under. Those two under Howe would become world beaters but not so sure at Chelsea.

This is why Chiesa is a must as it's not just for the bromance potential, Chiesa is also super fluent in English meaning that he can support Tonali

Yes please

The CB forest are linked with Ibanez could be good for CB cover and he can also play number 6 only 20 million or so so not crazy money

Hmm sounds like Tonali… next summers main target?

Honestly think Chiesa completes the front and Tierney/Todibo completes the back. that would give us an excellent squad who could challenge for top 4 and a cup again. Tierney and Chiesa on high loan to buys. Todibo could possibly be permanent. Could survive without Todibo as Burn would become CB again

If you look at last season, it was only Pope and Botman that had been bought by this point (Targett was on loan so already here). So it wasn't spectacular in terms of spending UNTIL we got Isak. If we had gotten Joao Pedro, it would have been solid instead of spectacular as a window. But it took us to 4th. The point is, Tonali is the Botman, and Barnes is the Pope - both very very good signings. So I do think an Isak equivalent is on the cards still to come in - perhaps at RW. It's becoming clearer that Tierney is on his way out - so honestly, a loan to buy there should be an absolute no-brainer (and could be the Targett equivalent - relative to where we are now).

Already done but Diaby looking excellent for Villa. It’s a shame as he literally is the right wing version of Harvey Barnes, fast, direct and gets on his left to shoot. Has scored 2 in 2 in the summer series. Would have been a great fit.

Did anyone see that cringy Klopp video with a tribute to Hendo?

Tbh that’s ridiculously cheap buy and get rid of Ritchie and Fraser, probably worth getting rid of Murphy as he’s an upgrade on him on the pitch although not off it, give Fraser to Fulham

Tierney on loan to buy Todibo Lavia (ideal world) then Chiesa on loan to buy Pace problem sorted Don't think Lavia is realistic but others possibly are

Swap deal with Veiga?

We were linked when the takeover first took place but Dembele at Barca only had one year left on his deal. Good shout for RW?

Making a confirmed bid on a player is a good reason to make a thread, as it shows intent and its not just gossip. Making three confirmed bids on a player therefore is definitely a good reason to make a thread.

If you'd asked me at the start of summer Barnes or Maddison it would have been Maddison every time as he's the sexier name and more flash player. But for our team I do think Barnes is a better fit and can see him turning a lot of those tight draws into wins with his knack of scoring. Intelligent signing. Not top tier but not every signing will be, I would guess at 2 per season only. 2021 - Trippier and Bruno 2022 - Botman and Isak 2023 - Tonali and ???? Barnes is in the Targett, Burn, Pope and Gordon tier of signings - definitely good fits for the team and will play a huge role.