sushimonster85

Google some Woodrow Wilson. Guy was messed up!

But they have largely stagnated, while others around them have improved. Don't get me wrong, I think they will be back in top half this season with no European football to deal with, but I think the days of them pushing for top 4 are done.

Whatever the second bid was, it's telling it took so long to be rejected. Went in what, late morning yesterday. Only started hearing it was going to be rejected late last night/this morning. Clearly it prompted discussions somewhere. Whether that's among the Leicester side, between Leicester and Maddison, or both who knows.

It does seem to suggest we are now looking at any areas we can strengthen. Howe mentioned we may do as much a couple of weeks back.

Could also be positioning for a bigger contract offer than the one Leicester currently have on the table for him.

James Maddison has actually played in a variety of positions for Leicester. He's played on the right sided forward role and the right CM role in a 4-3-3. Also played as the right wing/forward and the number 10 in a 4-2-3-1

Yeah. I think sides are more than happy to go right to the end of the window for players coming in from other leagues. Neither side (nor the player I imagine) wants constant speculation on their future while the season is going on. Think one way or another this one will be resolved this week.

Yep, think if it's going to happen it will be somewhere between £50m and £55m.

I actually think that quote from Rodgers is telling. Not "he isn't for sale" or "he is our player and that won't change." Instead suggesting the price is higher than what we offered. Which suggests they are open to selling at a price.

I mean, sure, they took over and bought Robinho on the first day. But yoiu have to remember, they came in with barely any time left that window. Literally the final few days. And with no FFP limitations. In Jan (when they were in a similar position to the one we found ourselves in this season) they bought Wayne Bridge, Shay Given, Craig Bellamy, and Nigel De Jong. Sure they went mad again the summer after. But again, no FFP. We will have to build gradually.

9 goals in 26 PL games in your first season in the league, playing in that Burnley side. He is good. May not be one of the sexier options we have been linked with, but absolutely worth more than the £18m or so he is available for.

Must admit, when the shirt designs first leaked I just assumed the shorts would match the top for both the white and blue kits. Think the different colour shorts look a little off.

Think Cornet at £17.25m is good business. Can play across the front line, and when playing centrally (covering Wilson injuries/rests) would mean we wouldn't have to change our tactics too much.

Whether they're actually successful or not in the coming couple seasons, they're gambling their long term future on the Super League becoming a thing at some point. If it doesn't their only hope of surviving is being bailed out by La Liga or UEFA.

Whilst not quite at Man Utd level, Chelsea also have massive commercial revenue. That's something we will slowly start to build to, but it will take time.

Yeah, not sure it's been officially announced, but Trippier has been wearing 2 all pre-season. Everyone else has had their standard squad number, so assume he has moved to 2 now Clark has gone.

Believe that was also Babayaro's debut as well. Campbell likely owes the career he had after that to those two.

To be fair, this isn't just a pre-season improvement. He was looking much improved towards the end of last season when Fraser went out injured, then had a few good appearances for Paraguay. Goals have only just started to come now, and are likely not super indicative of a PL goal return, but he has certainly earned the spot, at least against Forest.

Yep, this feels like the most realistic outcome. Which I also think puts us in a good position for the season ahead. Not as flashy as some people may like, but I would say it makes a top half finish achievable. Obviously would prefer Barnes to Harrison, but I just can't see us being willing to part with the £50m+ it would take. Don't think we will break the £50m on one player barrier till next Summer.

It's been this way since Ashworth came in. Hopefully a good sign he has tightened the ship in terms of negotiation leaks. Either that or the lad is on a massive skive.

Pretty sure they're in a position where they have to raise funds through player sales before they can buy, and so far no one seems to bidding for Tielemans

Barnes would be amazing. If (huge if given it only has one source) their opening bid was already at £30m suggests they may mean business.

I tend to think more along the lines of this being their plan all along, and they have now decided which deal they're going to pursue/close.

Aye. This could be the best way to get (non-owner) cash into the club, with the idea being that our commercial revenue will be increasing (hopefully drastically) over the coming season.

I'm not at all au fait in complex financial shit, but seems like a way of advancing themselves the TV money and ticket sales money they would be making for the season ahead?