McCormick

I watch him a lot and I hate him as a player . Sensational feet in tight spaces but slow, really huffy and one of the laziest players you’ll ever see. Constantly walks around the pitch scowling and making disgusted faces at his teammates. Absolutely infuriating.

Also messed up a penalty in the last minutes of a major competition.

Surprised his kid didn’t ask why she wasn’t named a “womanager”.

Yeah, 25m would be crazy for an English player with his kind of numbers, in this market. Obviously with it being an opening bid, you’d expect the figure to be agreed at closer to 30m plus add-ons.

No matter what I or anyone else has said about his ability, if he manages around 13 goals for us this season it’s 30-odd million very well spent.

We struggled at times to break teams down. Having players like Barnes snd Gordon, Almiron (and I do rate them) who are fairly one-dimensional/ predictable in their approach makes it easier for teams to defend against us.

We’re desperate for creativity/ vision in the final third now. We’ve got too many predictable wingers in the squad. Maxi is seemingly the only one we have that has that little bit extra “sauce” that can’t be countenanced tactically.

Looking at @kocunar’s great FFP analysis then he’ll be one of the two 30m ish players we’ll be looking to bring in to compete for a starting spot. Expecting a defensive addition in the same price bracket next. Limited player tactically but great end-product at a no-brainer of a price. I think the only concern is that we’ll be selling a massive talent in ASM for him; if that isn’t the case then he’s quite a sensible signing.

I dunno, he’s pretty trim, mate.

ASM on his day has twice the talent but we all know about his fitness issues. Not a big fan of his overall game and how limited he is tactically but Barnes for 30 odd million is practically a no brainer for what he’d offer in terms of goals. Just hope we’re not selling ASM for him. When on form he’s one of my favourite players to watch in world football.

Fair enough. Slight hyperbole ( yeah, yeah “slight”) but I was trying to stress the point that it probably wouldn’t be the best idea defensively to have 2 players on the same side bombing forward with reckless abandon. Exciting player though, despite those limitations.

Trippier and a guy that doesn’t press or track back on the same side? He makes ASM look like Milner, man. Suicidal with the way we play.

Gordon is better (at least for us) than Diaby imo.

I’m not sure. Bad presser and even worse defensive work rate- we’d be destroyed on our right side with him in the team.

Might be a black/mixed race thing but it’s common knowledge that you don’t wear black airforces these days unless you want to be roasted relentlessly .

I have a theory that he’s actually never been that good. Always surrounded by some of the best defenders in the world.

Not sure sitting on the bench for year constitutes an “adventure.”

Black airforces in 2023 is wild, mind.

Been posted on here a few times. Mentions 75m but could stretch to 100 or something due to the new sponsorship. It’s why Luke & dem have been pushing the 75m spend narrative.

Fourfourtwo video that’s been doing the rounds, I believe.

Nah. Let him. Wanna see if it’s consistent.

Honestly think he’s better than Tonali (who I do rate but I think isn’t quite as good as Milan fans make out). Truly believe Thuram could become one of the best midfielders in the world.

If he gets his stamina up and Howe drills our pressing triggers into him he could be fantastic this season. Imagine having a two-footed Almiron on the right or left.

Nah, Tonali isn’t the best technically. He’s more a grafter while Merino is sublime technically but not as much of a blood and guts midfielder like Sandro. Either way we’re not getting Merino, unfortunately.

Agree with most of that but he’s got quite the engine. I’m sure he’ll put in the work if he’s drilled to do so; seems like a top professional.