Thumbheed

I hate you too with a name like that

Let's not sell Joelinton. He's the embodiment of what we are.

I can't see Bruno or Tonali getting dropped, but equally, I can't see us signing a 60m player for him to sit on the bench. I think his skillet lends itself to getting the best out of the wingers and Isak, in particular, so if one had to make way itd be Big Joe, who'd become a key tactical sub in almost any scenario.

I think we'll shift to 4231

Agree, it's a massive fee but if Pedro had torn it up in this league he wouldn't be worth just £60m. Only reason Man U got Cuhna for £62.5 was because he had a clause...

The more I think about this, the more excited I am. He's one of 2 players I can think of who offer that unique blend of physicality and technique that operate in that number 10 role. Our play is actually pretty 1 dimensional in the sense Isak is dependant almost exclusively on width with very little creativity coming through the centre and can often be left isolated, so having a player like Pedro who can find those pockets in the centre, draw players out of position and link up our midfield with Isak will be invaluable. Comparing G/A with another player and saying x is better than y because of the fact is lazy analysis. Having a look at the impact that player might have on other players is equally, if not more important, and I believe Welbeck had his best ever goal scoring season this year. That is the real value of a player like Pedro.

Think what I like about our chances of this is we play a brand of football that upsets the bigger sides who we'd need to take points off to achieve that. Other sides try and just play the same brand of football better vs the top sides whereas our style and identity is uniquely different. There are teams I dread to play because theyre bogey sides, but not one single team now that I don't think we can beat, and not because it's an 'on our day' job, because we're good enough to go toe to toe with anyone now.

This is one of those signings that the smaller clubs buy, develop and sell for £60m in a years time. I know nothing about him tbh but if we've cast our eye on him im pretty certain he'll have a lot about him

Explains our preference for dynamic players over the technically sharp ones.

I'd have Semenyo here. He's a slightly less refined Nico Williams.

This is the kind of content I live for

I'd love Kudus, mind

What does Howe demand of a right winger that he can't do?

I get the sense it's just journos tapping into the unrest. Not doubt we're interested, but I would be massively surprised if we aren't engaging numerous targets all at once.

Anyone a bit suss that this has come out sooo early? The 2 players that have come out into the public just so happen to be the 2 players we know we've bid for in the past. Not saying we're not interested they're about the safest story any journo could go with.