McCormick

I dunno, besides Porro, I’d somewhat agree with that combined xi (maybe slightly harsh on Joelinton and you could easily shoehorn Isak in that team as well though). We can all agree that a lot of our squad options aren’t great either.

Dogs (from abroad) are tricky to get into KSA. You have to prove they’re either hunting dogs or guard dogs to get them visas*. It’s an archaic law that hasn’t been updated; it’s strange because pet shops and breeders here will legally sell you any breed you want. *It’s usually just a formality but certain dog breeds are banned so it can sometimes be a bit of a faff.

Can’t tell if he’s quick or not. Feel like it’s been a while since our academy brought through someone genuinely athletic. Looks classy though, no reason why he can’t at least have a similar career path as S. Longstaff.

The fact that we got Isak instead makes it a lot more tolerable though.

I can almost guarantee that no-one at Al-Ahli (or any Saudi club) cares about inflating transfer fees to help Newcastle. As with all companies under PIF, you’re essentially competing against one another for a bigger slice of the proverbial pie.

Pedro is so so good. Once he adds goals to his game he’ll be a 75m pound player. Wish we got him.

Frimpong won’t come cheap and isn’t fantastic defensively. I’m sure they’d ask for closer to 40m and more, as well. I’d prefer Livramento tbh.

I’d happily keep ASM and they can take their sold players back and refund the Saudis their money. Deal?

Wrong thread but any news on where Garang is off to?

No way Chelsea sell without ridiculous buy-back or sell-on clauses, unfortunately.

Probably Man Utd. One of the most supported and successful clubs in the League - historically- but have had a rough time of it lately, getting relegated in the 21-22 season. Pretty sure they’ve won promotion to top league for the next season though. Fierce rivals to my team Al-Ittihad.

Plus it’s not ASM vs. Barnes, due to FFP shenanigans it’s ASM vs. Barnes + Livramento + maybe 1 other (?). Love Maxi to bits but -through gritted teeth- you have to say the 2nd option is a no-brainer.

He’s not that bad tbh; I mean, I definitely wouldn’t want him starting too many games for us but he’s a perfectly serviceable back-up keeper for teams in the bottom half of the PL. He’s a solid shot stopper with good agility and won’t kick up a fuss if not starting. A couple of poor pre-season games have led to some knee-jerk reactions from some.

I think both Howe and Ashworth are proponents of giving youth players opportunities. In theory (though teams like Chelsea seem to get around this somehow) you don’t get potentially world-class youth prospects without providing evidence of a pathway into the first team. Also helps with “farming” young players to sell off for FFP purposes.

I’m not sure we’re getting an rw, think Gordon will be deployed there.

Another famed “out of the blue signing”!

Was getting way too much hate last season; is it just his face that people don’t like about him? In his limited appearances for us he’s not been terrible or anything. Big fee, sure, but he’s still really young and (save getting a bit miffed after being substituted off that one time) he’s conducted himself very well while he’s been here. Lad’s got pace, desire and the willingness to improve, hope he puts it all together for a great upcoming season.

Sickening stuff. No offense to Brummie but I wish nothing but misery on Villa. Can’t stand the club or it’s fans and I’m usually not one for hating other clubs.

Agree but they don’t have to sell him though if it doesn’t suit them financially.

Thought they wanted 50m due to the ridiculous Chelsea sell-on fees?

I would have said Andersen was super underrated but the fact that they’re asking 40 million for him means he’s perhaps not.

@DiscoWas about to post the same . They’re trying to bring outside eyes to the league. It’s names they’re after more or less.

We could flog him to someone like Forest for at least 10m more than that ffs. Issue is that Saudi League wages -tax free as well with 5 star accommodation paid for (as per Saudi labor law) and a literal army of people picking up after you so that you can live better than most world leaders- means that he’d never choose anyone else.

Woodgate was class but there’s a lot of bias involved in saying he was better than Rio, like.

I mean, that’s my point. So Robert didn’t get “less love” at all, then.