LFEE

I said he peaked at Liverpool. I also said his decline had started. He had trophies aside a very average at best spell at Chelsea. He’d lost a yard of pace just before leaving Liverpool and his physicality was on the decline. Along came the mega money at Chelsea and his motivation started to drop as he showed less effort and fight on the pitch. Probably frustration knowing he couldn’t glide past players like he could when he first joined Liverpool. The reason it was a record fee was partly due to Roman being obsessed with him and Liverpool preferring to not sell to a rival. The fee was also set at £20m + whatever the Carroll fee was going to cost them from us (£35m) as they had Suarez lined up for £20m. Wiki can say what it wants and if you re-read your quote it doesn’t contradict anything I said. I know what I saw. Liverpool absolutely sold him at the right time ?

I agree with your point overall but let’s be honest the Torres and Coutinho fees/deals were absolute gift horses for LFC. Both players had already peaked and were on the decline physically and in motivation. If we’ve had the best years we feel from these players and decide to sell most will understand but not for another 4 or more seasons. We’ve only just had one full season with them.

More of the same…

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-dream-job-staveley-27296113

They did a few posts earlier. I’d also argue Wilson, Almiron and ASM fall in to that category also. Wilson is out top scorer and we missed him badly when “injured/missing for domestic reasons”. Almiron was our second top scorer and again was a big miss when he was out the team. ASM is still our best winger either side. You can argue he had a poor season for fitness last season but when he played he made a big attacking difference. Its far to easy as we sign a few new players to underestimate the importance and quality of these current players. It’s not as if we are discussing shifting the likes of Anderson or Lewis in this window. These guys got us from 19>4 and a Cup Final on teamwork and spirit which is why they will be rewarded by playing in the ECL for their first time. Yes players will be sold in the next few windows as the squad slowly evolves but not that quickly and there is no need to as long as we continue to buy smartly.

Exactly ?? Went to bed with Wilson & Almiron sold without any replacements found and woke up to the news that we are packing Bruno & Isak’s bags already. How much do you think we can get for Tonali… ?

Of course it isn’t. When names are given I would’ve explained the logic like I usually do. Anyway it looks like he’s still checking his scouting reports ? I get the FFP issues and each year there will be a sacrificial lamb for want of a better phrase but you can’t get obsessed with it and let it dictate and pull apart everything we’ve just built. Just need to build the squad steadily. Too many people thinking we are going to be doing 4-6 in and out each window. After this window our incomings will probably drop to 1-2 a season in the summers and a rare addition in the winter. God help the forum when that day comes ?

By questioning your logic and asking you to back it up by explaining it further what your plan would be? ? I’ve asked you twice and you’ve been unable to replace our two top goal scorers this window as I’m presuming you are selling ASM (£55kpw) and for Barnes (Gordon’s wage I would imagine £100kpw) which I wouldn’t personally this year but I’ll give you it to help with FFP. I just can’t see the logic of selling Wilson & Almiron and how doing so is progressing whilst keeping them is consolidation/regression in this window.

The club ain’t wanting to sell Wilson & Almiron this window you are. Your in charge now… Give me names?

You don’t sell ASM and your 2 top goal scorers in the same window ??‍♂️ Who you replacing them with? ?

You don’t sell your best players that embody the spirit of the club all in one window ? Have some patience with this squad build.

I agree. Would be a great signing.

I understand that but for squad depth and strength that would be robbing Peter to pay Paul. If we had 4-5 ASM level players on the bench then yes I agree you need to sacrifice one for FFP and replace and start a new FFP cycle each year until our turnover greatly improves. However this season just like last season wasn’t for a FA Cup run our bench isn’t strong enough now adding 6 minimum European games as well as two domestic cups and a top 5 charge.

Surely though with that thinking you are basically saying we’ll never build up a quality squad? The fact that if you remove our usual first 11 starters he is the only in the squad you’d be confident of bringing in a fairly sizeable fee shows we need to keep him this season. I hope he stays an absolutely smashes it this season if for no other reason than I can turnaround to guy sitting behind me who’s your classic wannabe know it all manager that never was filling his son and anyone in earshot negativity when ASM is on the ball and tell him to go fcuk himself ?

Do we not have a thread dedicated to our players other halves? If not we should definitely start one ?

Don’t see any reason fitness aside he couldn’t destroy the EPL this year also. If he doesn’t sell him with 2 years left on his contract and he’d still be attractive to the Saudis at 27 not that age seems to be even a consideration for them currently.

They could’ve got Billing for a lot less ?

I agree with @TRon. As the article states Neves is same age and only 1yr on contract and went for £50m Zaha was offered a 3 year £100m wage deal. For a new league and let’s face it wether you like him or not potentially one of the most exciting players to watch £50-60m from Saudi should be the going rate and couldn’t be questioned.

It’s how the business works. LE or any other journalist just write the articles. Quite often they will see the headline the same time as us or not much prior. Doubt there’s many journalists with that sort of editorial power these days. Dying industry in many regards.

That’s why I would expect ASM to stay this window or move very late in it after the Barnes deal if indeed this is all true and not a smokescreen.

It doesn’t work like that. Journalist writes article and sends it in. Someone else decides on the headline and depending on contract stipulations will sub edit the article itself.

Always the problem with the media and why you should by and large ignore the headline and read the article. Unfortunately most people tend to do the opposite and get irate with journalists for no reason as it’s a completely different person with different objectives that produce the headlines.