sushimonster85

I actually think Trafford makes sense. Come in as a 2 with the idea being to develop him into number 1 over time. I imagine people would have felt differently about the move if we signed him post U21 Euros heroics.

Wouldn't be shocked if it was accurate, but that legal teams from various clubs got in touch to point out the effect this could have on the player market.

Will be rocking black lettering next year it seems.

These international jobs almost seem to carry a separate reputational ranking that seems completely untethered to league football. Like, does anyone think Martinez could get a high profile jobs in any of the top 4 leagues in Europe? Wouldn't shock me to see Southgate end up with something daft like the Belgium job.

Anyone else not comfortable with Chelsea having a full month to decide they'd actually like Lloyd Kelly as well?

Silly pace is just as useless as pace if there's no consistent end product.

I have been wanting to say something like this. If you talk to Dortmund fans, or listen to podcasts that cover European football, he actually seems a little hit or miss. Someone on Totally Football was talking about him for their CL build-up and mentioned that Adeyemi was brought in as another of the Haaland/Sancho/Bellingham types (young with massive potential that they can make a huge profit on), but it hasn't really happened for him as he is lacking a consistent end product. Don't get me wrong, I think he'd be an upgrade on Almiron, but I think there are others who offer more consistency. I'd take Mbeuomo over Adeyemi.

Just to clarify, I'm not saying it's a good or bad thing. I just posted the link then added this message to summarise the story and it's possible implications for us. Personally I agree in part that success based purely on suddenly being the richest side in the world may feel a little hollow. However I ultimately feel I'd likely prefer it from the existential head fuck that is supporting a PL side who's only goal each season is to not finish in the bottom 3 positions. Is football broken? Yes, in so many ways. Will I feel guilty about enjoying being able to support a side who has actual goals like 'winning the league' or 'winning the Champions League' even if it does come with an asterix in the eyes of some/many? Given the alternative, probably not.

The only downside of City winning this is there pull is the same financially as ours, with added immediate CL and PL title challenges.

In this scenario we're Triple H. Sure, we're playing second fiddle for now, but wait till Austin's neck (Cities 115 charges) gives out. Top dogs for the next 15 years.

Agreed. Way more likely it's another one of their companies no one will have heard of before us.

City challenging the associated party sponsorship regulations. If they're successful then the PIF (in theory) could pump money into the club with inflated sponsorships. Apparently plenty of teams supporting City in the action.

Could be big.

Aye, miss the days of a home kit being good for two seasons. Change the away/third every season, but home shirt should always be good for two seasons.

Just waiting for the "Chelsea looking to hijack Newcastle's move for Lloyd Kelly" tweet. Should be due any minute now.

Isn't the rumour that we're actually just over the limit? So it may indeed need to wait till the end of June.

Aye, when you're in the depths of March/April it can be easy to forget that the Summer window is usually 98% waiting for something to happen, 1% something seeming to be on the verge of happening only to fall through/never have been on in the first place (Barella), and 1% something actually happening.

Willock isn't going anywhere. CM is currently without need of reinforcement. We sell Willock we likely have to buy someone to replace him. We are just a few months away from having Bruno, Tonali, J7, Willock, Miley, and Longstaff all battling it out over 3 midfield spots, after a season of having to go over and over with the same 3. Lets not chuck that out.

Yeah, this is the reality of a huge money takeover of a side in the equivilant of League 2. Was always going to be massive turnover each Summer in order to ensure the best chances of consistent back to back promotions. With there being no FFP to worry about in the womans game I imagine if you fast forward 3/4 years we will consistently challenging at the top with Chelsea, Man City etc.

Good on the lad, half a million quid a year to train with the first team and gets to watch every home and away game in some cracking seats. Living all our dreams. Imagine this will be his last year. Reckon by this time next Summer one of the keepers we have coming through should at least be ready to be third choice.

Whilst I agree he did blow hot and cold in those first couple months before suspension, I actually think it can be fairly well split between starts and sub appearances. Always seemed to range from solid to very good when starting. Whenever he came on off the bench it felt like it was taking him far too long to get up to the speed of the match. Think West Ham imparticular he may have cost us 2 points.

To be fair that's not much past the going rate for the branded NewEra stuff.

This one is entering that stage now where I just want it to be done, wherever he ends up going.

Would require a quite spectacular reversal on the 'no dickheads' policy.

Wonder if they have gone early, or something has been worked out with Castore. They technically still have a few days left, right?