ponsaelius

Scamacca is doing pretty well but he needs to start offering more goal threat at international level.

Good ball striking ability but would say he was solid on the ball rather than a ball playing defender as such. Outstanding at everything else basically though when it comes to defending.

Italy had Chiellini and Bonucci for so long that they were basically from a different era of football. Bastoni and Calafiori are actually much better on the ball than either of them, like modern CBs. Not saying they're as good as actual defenders - but it's such an interesting contrast.

Encroachment into the box, no?

The very good Greece Euro 2004 documentary is on iPlayer. I know they were rightly a divisive side (documentary covers this a bit) but it's a very good watch.

You not thinking is his brother Hakin? Murat was a lumbering defender.

Aye fair point. Still think it doesn't change the point though.

3. Didn't leave Hampden and only allowed 25% in TBF. Can see why this feels more like they've actually gone to a tournament.

More like 200k, but yeah, prohibitively high wages.

He's got 2 years left. If he gets offered a 4 year deal or a lucrative 2-3 year in Saudi then it would be surprising if he didn't go, tbh.

I get the impression he's our number one target this season. Just can't see it happening given the other teams involved.

If you can sell Minteh and Almiron it's nearly all profit given the low fee for the former and the length of time we've had the latter. Could open big CB, RW and ST investment.

They're also selling Duran and Cash seemingly for good money. To be honest all seems like good moves early to me - clearing headway for significant investment. This is what we're struggling to do given lack of interest in our players.

Burnley fan at work says good shot stopper, very promising, just hung out to dry a bit this season in their team. Also says that play with his feet needs working on, and he struggled with their particular style of play, but is better than Pope was with his feet. Makes sense for them to cash in as they have a first choice keeper in Muric for that level - and can't afford to carry both financially.

These people do exist. I was at a stag do last year with a Birmingham City fan, Man City fan, Southampton fan and Fulham fan - this exact question was put forward. I was the only one who said I'd prefer club, and they were even more flabbergasted when I said I'd take League Cup over the World Cup any day.

Think it's been widely accepted that the reported 6ft3 for Pope is well out. Sure it comes from FIFA (the game) or something. He's easily 6ft5 or perhaps 6ft6.

I agree you could get better value and you're paying a premium for English based players, but Gibbs-White would be a very good signing IMO and I'd be more confident on likely success here than all of those except Chiesa (who I have my own doubts out in terms of fitness mainly). He'd basically be like the Gordon signing with less of an adaption process as he's 2 years further on. My only doubt with MGW is whether he's the right fit for our right forward position in our system where we probably need a more direct goal output. You'd really be hoping he near enough doubles his goalscoring.

Think we could only register him in January in that case so it doesn't give a lot of flexibility.

We probably looked at Mamardashvilli but since Tosin has gone elsewhere we need to spend money on a CB - so the budget option is the goer instead. I'd personally rather a straight #1 but I don't think this is a bad shout tbh. He had a rough season last year but clearly has potential and unlike other promising youth keepers (e.g. Woodman) he is massive. At the end of the day 21 is very young for a goalie. Nick Pope was at Welling Utd at that age.

Antony was £82 million wasn't he? Amad Diallo was between 30 and 40 million euros before he'd barely played a first team game for Atalanta. It's a hefty fee but these days clubs bank on potential - and if you can combine that with genuine output at 19 these kind of fees are basically the going rate. It'd be lower if he was being bought from an Eredivisie club. But he's not - he belongs to a PL club who can set a higher price. And it sounds like £40 million is the one we're setting where we'd reluctantly let him go.

I would have some concern with Chiesa - his previous fitness record with our training, historic adaptation of Italian players to England, and his age/wage being slightly beyond the right profile for us. However in terms of positional flexibility, work rate and ability he'd be a great signing. Would also give a pal for Tonali. Can't see it though - I personally think he'll stay in Italy or eventually re-sign with Juve.

Moved to Manc as a baby.

Eze is a fantastic player but he's too left sided for what we need.

Aye did some digging. Had no idea.

Casisdead is a Toon fan?