Thumbheed

It really isn't though. G/A aren't the stone cold metric people think they are, as crazy as that sounds. A simple pass or beating a man and opening up play that leads to those is just as much value as the actual G/A itself and that's much harder to measure. If G/A can't be used as the prime metric to measure, say for example who's better out of Zidane or Lampard, then they shouldn't be used as the sole metric for assessing any other position aside from maybe strikers who's sole responsibility it is to get them.

Man, I really want another CM though

If Isak needs a rest, weakening our right forward position to accommodate that doesn't make that much more sense imo.

All very intelligent players as well.

Akliouche Lee Kang-In

I think any general wariness players may have had about us being the real deal have been firmly put to bed now.

Don't give a fuck about the performance or result. We're playing in the CL next year have a trophy and a hefty transfer budget. A 1-0 loss to Everton does not make that any less exciting. Bring on the summer you cartel cunts.

Since December, aye, but not really my point, which is that we always need to be more incisive up top. Furthermore if we're to stand a chance in Europe we need to consider we'll be up against well organised, higher quality defences. I also think more teams will sit back against us next year as that gap in quality becomes more and more pronounced after what is hopefully a significant summer transfer window for us. Not really an argument for why I don't want Mbuemo, just why my preference would be elsewhere.

I feel like Mbuemo is a Barnes type signing, which is no bad thing, but not the player to take us to the next level. Finding a player who can break through a packed defence should be our priority, and Mbuemo's never been tested in that realm - he's also untested in European competition. I'm not agaisnt signing him, his record and consistency speaks for itself but I think there's at least 3 better options out there and all cheaper and younger.

Maybe me, but I've felt like he's not gone in the outside as much as he did last season which makes him a bit easier to defend against. As for the stop, drop and roll, really wish he'd cut that out.

Good enough for any team in the world.

Grealish makes sense from a business sense, maybe? Would allow us to sell a LW for PSR, and defer the cost of a replacement for a year. He's a good player tbf, just over coached imo.

I'll never understand why people won't think players will get even better under Howe.

Fucking love that we rattle so many of the big teams whilst being respectful to the "lesser" teams.

I actually can't comprehend how good he might be. Dubravka Krafth Dummet Lascelles Miley (not there yet) Longstaff Osula Willock Wilson Murphy How many of these players might make it into a squad that's regularly challenging for the top places in the league? 1 maybe 2? It's actually mind-boggling how far we still have to go in terms of squad development. (Only reason I've included Murphy is because he's a late bloomer who come on leaps and bound under Howe himself but I doubt he'd have been signed by any team aiming for the top)

2 CL qualifications and a cup win in 3 years is unbelievable. 19th when he took over. 19th!!!

I think you might be right

He's done reasonably well in France, which is physically quite similar to ours because he's techincally at the very highest level. He's a great age, great price and is tried and tested in a team that dominates possession and territory. I'm not sure I'd choose Mbuemo over someone like B. Silva, which is the profile I'd say is most similar to Lee Kang-In, if others say they would, then fair play.

1500 mins is about 16 games. 6/6 GA is a decent return for that. He'd be my second favourite option. Apparently available for less than £25m.

I think he'll be one we really regret losing. There's something Salah-esque about him.

Who might have PSR issues we might be taking advantage of?

I think it'll be double. We had £60m to spend on Guehi/Olise last summer and we're seemingly happy to trigger Huijsen's £50m clause whilst still needing to fill arguably the 2nd most expensive position in the squad at RW. Like I say, could be wrong (got it completely wrong last summer) bit I'm quietly optimistic.

1st year expenditure dropped off, revenues gone up, powder kept dry the last 3 window and I'm hoping any prospective commercial deals are pending the type of European qualification we achieve, maybe? All conjecture, I guess, but there appears to be a general consensus across all media outlets that we do have money to spend, and will.

He's genuinely an elite level manager. We've still got a couple years of rebuilding to do squad wise and that's minus the elite infrastructure.

Wish we were playing Chelsea next tbh