Coffee_Johnny

Reporter was Rebekka Arnold, on 14 June after we were first linked (which I think was before Barella) and it didn’t really gather any traction. She was quoting Pirlo from last November. Here: https://www.footballfancast.com/newcastle-eddie-howe-bruno-guimaraes-sandro-tonali-premier-league-transfer-news-rumours-nufc/

Article/quote is below.

Re-hashed quote from 8 months ago? Typical Chron.

Hope this is a great and final job for him. Imagine it would provide great life satisfaction to take one of the less fashionable Spanish sides, with a proud history and great potential, into the best period of their existence. Disfrute del viaje, señor.

What the one known for exceptionally slow tease, followed by whirlwind climax and slimy snail trails all over the dance floor? That one, Elbee? That one?

38% predicting top four. Remaining 62% between 5th-7th. Wonder how/if this changes as transfer business is finalised?

Playing tonight. Which probably moves the final stages (involving him directly) to Friday or Saturday.

Assuming we are aiming for a top six season, then taking 6th as a minimum target, here is a way of gauging when we will, on average, pick-up the 61 points likely to be required (average for PL). Categorising the teams (mainly on last season’s position) into four tiers and predicting we will pick-up (rounded-up) 9pts from T1 (all tiers ten games except 8 in Tier 1), 16 pts from Tier 2, 18pts from T3, and 19pts from T4 teams. Tier 1: 8 games 24 pts available, 9 predcited (1 win 2 draws 1 loss at H; 1 win 1 draw 2 losses Away = 5pts + 4 = 9pts). So, 1.25ppg at Home and 1.0ppg Away. Man City Arsenal Man Utd NUFC Liverpool Tier 2: 10 games 30 pts available, 16pts predicted (3 wins 1 draw 1 loss at Home; 2 wins, 0 draw, 3 losses Away =10 +6pts). So, 2.0ppg at Home and 1.2 ppg Away Brighton Aston Villa Spurs Brentford Chelsea Tier 3: 10 games 30 pts available, 18pts predicted (3 wins 1 draw 1 loss at H; 2 wins 2 draws 1 loss Away= 10+8pts). So, 2.0ppg at H ome and 1.6ppg Away. Palace Fulham Wolves West Ham Bournemouh Tier 4 10 games 30 pts available, 19pts predicted (3 wins and 2 draws at Home; 2 wins 2 draws 1 loss Away= 11+8pts) . So, 2.2ppg at H and 1.6ppg Away . Forest Everton Burnley Sheffield Utd Luton Remember this is a prediction for 6th. Taking into account the relative difficulty of games would mean the following pattern of picking up points at different stages of the season. The average points per month for the top five is also shown, just using number of games per month. I'll correct this as the games inevitably get moved around. The points per match are just indicative, it’s the points per month which will show how on track we are.

As the new season approaches it might be entertaining to predict where we think we will finish. I’ve included a tracker which takes into account the relative difficulty of games using the assumptions described below.

You an English Milan fan? Very ‘naturalised’ use of language. Thanks for the info ?

I reckon we might have to wait until after the u21 match tonight to speak to him. So could be a Saturday announcement or maybe Monday—if he gets bladdered on the Quayside over the weekend ?

I’ve been banging on about this, as have others, for ages. Fluidity in the middle creates real impetus and multiple attacking options that are really hard to defend. At the same time, if the trio have exceptional fitness/energy and can tackle it’s really difficult to get through. Really excited by this prospect (system and individual addition). A statement signing.

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about! https://laughingsquid.com/a-supercut-of-the-phrase-now-thats-what-im-talking-about-in-movies/ Watch them all! ?

Ahhh! The saliva producing whiff of an English-Italian fused savaloy!

Each to their own ?

It’s the rings which he’d like elsewhere on his anatomy which befuddle me!

Such things have been known to occur. On that, was surprised to hear recently, on Colin Murray’s midnight meets, that Ferguson tried to sign him back from us.

Win the league? Bold and slightly paradoxical prediction. I like it!

Milan =AC?

He is a handsome chap though. Nailed on? ?‍♂️

This transfer rumbling smells right to me. (An aroma something like a dipped savaloy, made with wild boar, garnished with caramelised cipollini onions, and coated with English mustard.)

Correct me if I am wrong, but guessing you’ve not spent much time in Italy, Mac.

Fixed it. In hope of making you smile ?

I haven’t seen enough to comment on pace. Energy wise, he looks super fit but would no doubt achieve the levels of fitness required, if he doesn’t bring that with him. After stalking his career last week, I was more impressed with some small things I noticed which, to my mind, signal huge assets in that central role. The way he can pick a pass on the angle without looking. His comfort turning away from ‘traffic’ whether to find that needed yard/second of thinking time, or to find the green space when under pressure and there seemingly isn’t any. Well timed interceptions, great reading of the flow of the game. Combative and persistent in the tackle Found a quote from Pirlo (last season): “He has everything to be a champion but he is more a midfielder for a two man midfield. He could already play for a great team; he is the best in this league.” He was aged 22 at the time. On the basis of this, I’d see the plan to sit him alongside Bruno with them both interchanging attacking and defensive positioning or maybe Tonali tending to drop deeper. A fluid exceptionally difficult to mark/defend against pair of lynchpins—masters of midfield malarkey (couldn’t resist)—who could bring in Joelinton and right sided midfielder (Miggy) as well as (option a) central attacking midfield. Or (option b) a workhouse/all rounder could play covering both of their runs and forward focussed activities (Longstaff?). Plus they’d offer a centre of pitch route through to the central forward of the day (Isak/Wilson).