jackflap

There's a slickness to his cross field passing that's very satisfying, once he sees a pass is on there's minimal time before the ball is at the foot of the receiver. Those extra few seconds it buys can prove the difference.

The Woltemade incident didn't have me screaming penalty but I've have no doubt that it's one that would've been given in different circumstances. Diallo got one a few weeks ago with the reason given that there was a "sustained pull of the shirt"(there wasn't). By that logic that it was a clear pen.

There was a great moment in the first half when he was back defending a corner and Wolves pumped it long down the middle of the pitch. João Gomes was busting a nut to close him down, instead of going back to the keeper Tonali knocks the ball over towards the sideline, retains possession and wins the foul, looked like he was enjoying the chase and decided to bring Gomes for an extra run. He's like a cross between Forrest Gump and a border Collie.

Spare a thought for Fulham only spent 500k all window and now getting mugged by the Vartel 2 games in a row.

If the Muniz went down there it would've been given a free the other way as Chalaboah slid into him. For a foul there should be a perpetrator and a victim. That fails both tests. Edit: My bad Muniz not King

Jacksons wages are probably relatively low which would balance out the loan fee for Bayern, the option to buy will look very reasonable as well if he has a strong season.

You'd imagine Barca might be open to a deal involving loans with obligations going both directions

Love how with all the desperate rummaging for strikers that was going on of late never saw this guys name mentioned once, then it comes out of nowhere and seemed so obvious all along. The Bundesliga cautionary tales are there but it's easy to watch clips of this guy and dream of what he could become. Really need to get another striker signing though so the pressures not all on him, Ballsak had the luxury of deputising for Wilon initially Can see it though, a year from now everyone breathing a collective thank fuck for Sesko choosing ManU.

No issue paying a bit of a premium for a player that Bayern wanted rather than making do with the cartel clubs leftovers. This feels like a really nice signing.

Very similar profile to Isak when we signed him. Looks a bit more naturally physical though, watched a few clips and he really uses his body well too shield the ball and take the contact.

11 points qualified last season. Hit the ground running versus Barca first match and it looks more than achievable.

Use Osula on loan as bait to bring someone the other way perhaps

Feels like every transfer they're paying about 10m over the odds which after a few adds up.

Reminds of a young Thiago the close control and how he clips a pass with no back lift. Two midfield studs in Bruno and Tonali they should be exploiting that with young players that can learn off them. It's the type of signing that's desperately needed just to give a lift to the place.

Test the waters, make their pursuit public, hope Isak forces a move. Kick Newcastle while they're down after a tough summer and maybe a nod to their own approach to signings. Think it ends up getting done at 120 plus 10 in achievable add ons. Don't think this is one that can be put to bed like when Kane was pushing for a move. Isak will feel like he owes nothing and I don't think he'll be a model pro when it comes down to it. He was rumoured to be unsettled last season and for the first 3 months he played like it, then was unplayable until April when he dropped off again. I don't think he's the type of player you want to force to eat humble pie just to send a message. Also think it'll be a bad move for Liverpool, they've completely changed their approach to recruitment and have lost the run of themselves a bit, could see it backfiring on them

He's essentially a 5 year younger version of Wilson without the injury records so a good replacement from that perspective. Downsides are he's a CF only and nowhere near Isaks level so realistically won't be starting too many games. Technically he's also a bit scrappy and in my opinion players like that need to be starting regularly. Will be away at the Afcon too.

Doesn't mean he's not going to be a very good player and wouldn't improve Newcastle, If you told me he was to be the main signing for RW I'd be very underwhelmed. I'm not sold on the idea of Elanga but if they were to sign him and someone like Elliott who offers something different and can cover other positions then I think it would make a lot of sense. He strikes me as a high floor player, fairly well proven at PL level and fits the profile of what the squad needs and would still have good resale value if they wanted to move him on after a few years. For a mooted price of 30m I think they'd be getting a decent amount in return. Don't think the budget would ultimately stretch to it though if they land the rumoured targets and a CB.

If they're going with Elanga at RW then I think Elliott would be great as a versatile option for the squad. He'd be a very useful option on the right, at 10 or in midfield at a stretch. Migtnt be what he's looking for though, he'd get more minutes than he would at Liverpool but not as many as he would at a mid table side.

I'll use Olise as an example, he's the absolute ideal profile of player, they were in for him and missed out to Bayern Munich and if not Munich then he would've went to Chelsea. Left footers are rare so by the time a ready made option is available the market is crowded and unfortunately Newcastle aren't at the stage yet where they can compete with the usual suspects. There's a reason why it's been nearly 4 years since the takeover and they still haven't addressed the position. Think they need to be constantly firing shots at the position and hope one hits.

Nothing against Elanga he's a fine player but I don't think he's what they need and when you're signing players from a side who probably consider you a rival you're going to be paying a premium. That's okay if the player is the exact profile the squad needs and he'll solve a position for years to come. Rice to Arsenal for example but don't think that's the case with Elanga. The squad is crying out for more balance (no non defenders who are left footed) and creativity in the final 3rd. Bruno is the only real natural creator IMO and even his passing has limitations. I think the profile of player they need is a creative left footed RW who can carry the ball and with vision to pick a pass. Somebody who can cut inside in the final 3rd, look up and the defence has to worry about a ball going back post to Isak, a runner from midfield or Livramento on the overlap. We saw how Livramento's game improved going to LB with a winger in front who can cut inside. I don't like the idea of negating what could be a real strength. Now such a player might not exist in this window or want to join, think Mbeumo wouldn't been ideal but what can you do. However I'd rather not see them invest too heavily in a position if the player isn't the profile they need long term. Much rather look abroad and take a punt on someone for lesser money.

Chelsea were always going to be in for Delap whether they need him or not. Young player with a release clause below his probable market value, I'm sure he's viewed as a sound financial investment first and foremost much like Adabariyo last summer. He'll need to turn out to be a very good player to survive the inevitable hype and dysfunction at the club.

Think he's too soft and passive, could be good in the right team with a run of games but that's never going to be the case here and lacks the mentality to come into a game and impose himself. Keep going back to the miss against Brighton in the FA Cup where he virtually pulled out of a free header into an open goal.

Because he's shown he can still be very influential there. If Isak moonlighting at LW every now and then meant having to carry one less specialist LW in the squad and being able to invest in another area of weakness then that's a fair trade IMO, much rather see Isak at LW than Krafth or Targett starting meaningful games for example as not sure Trippier can be relied on for another season. I don't feel too strongly either way but if they sign a RW as expected and invest a decent sum at CF as well then I think they may look at Barnes as expendable in a PSR world.

It was done over a year ago as it's the bones of 2 years since Wilson has been fit and able but he'd be a serviceable option there if Gordon was out and there was another quality striker to lean on, the assist at Everton when he was playing there was one of his best moments in a Newcastle shirt.

I think if they sign a starting PL calibre striker like Delap we could well see Barnes move on, Isak becomes an option on the LW then as well and Osula could be cover there also, perhaps even the likes of Sanusi in an emergency. Think an extra CM, RW and CF would give that option. Might mean having the resources to sign an extra FB as the depth there isn't ideal.