Viana

It depends if they're marching in. @Stifler Can you explain why Steve's career ended any chance of his brother being a pro?

I think most fans would prefer to see an academy player excel over someone brought in. I just wonder if with FFP whether these kids at City are sign as golden eggs that facilitate most instant gratification.

That's kind of my point though. Right now they're still paying all seven players. Sure, Thiago goes next year, Fofana may be a crock, but that won't get you exemption from their salaries. You've also got players behind Colwill like Alfie Gilchrist and Bashir Humphreys that are going to struggle to get in because they've got a group of big money defenders on long term deals.

I think LFEE is saying that while Woodgate had tremendous ability (like ASM) he was rarely available for selection. Contrast that with Dabizas who wasn't as flash (like Barnes) but was almost always fit and available (bar his knee injury in 2000). I don't disagree to be honest. Woodgate was very good, as was ASM, and both could have a very exciting highlight reel in black and white, but there was a dependability about Dabizas that deserves recognition.

I'm genuinely excited to see Ashby play regularly. He definitely looks like a modern fullback in terms of his willingness to get forward and use his technical quality as a creative outlet.

I may be alone, but I find Ramsdale a bit suspect. He lets in the odd soft one, and I don't think he inspires confidence.

The squad planning at Chelsea is bizarre. I thought they might slow down after January, or at least prioritize departures before signing more players. Assuming this goes through that's seven senior central defenders in their first team squad (Trevor Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Welsey Fofana, Malang Sarr and now Axel Disasi). Sarr will likely go on loan to Strasbourg. From there it's going to be very hard to share those minutes out, particularly if a certain pair develop momentum. I'm sure Brighton are pleased as they sniff a chance to pick up Colwill. I'd love us to bid for him but it sounds like we're going to try for Lewis Hall instead. Either way, it's kind of funny that we were pitched as being a problem for the transfer market when Chelsea are the ones spending vast sums.

These Saudi clubs need a sub editor for their videos. I've seen a few typos creep in.

Nine goals in Serie A last year. If Onana comes with a pedigree (Inter, Ajax, Barca, Champions League etc) you can't say the same of this lad. They've basically banked on him becoming elite, which feels super risky.

I cheered Anderson like he was my own son last night, but a loan is the right option. He needs that momentum of regular games at the highest level we can find for him.

Move on. We can't afford to take a 30m punt.

I liked what I saw last night. He was aggressive in the tackle and read danger quite well. I can see him doing well in the Championship.

I was a tiny bit disappointed he didn't bury that first chance, but fair play, the other chances were harder and well taken.

That fucking pass to Murphy man.

There was a report in France saying Olise has a release clause of £35m. I can see Palace biting the bullet and trying to sell him next summer just to avoid losing three of their best attackers.

I swear some of these lads invent terms to make themselves sound smarter than they are. On the plus side, that first clip is impressive. Coincidentally, I once saw a video with Michael Carrick teaching you how to do that move, which is doing nothing for that voice in my head saying he's the new Carrick

He's not looked that sharp, but preseason is also meant for shaking the rust off. He was a big player for us last season, and I'm eager to see what Howe has planned for him this season. By signing Harvey Barnes we now have another right footed left winger that will make runs in behind, which could see Joey move inside permanently. Either way, bloke is a blessing.

Ben Jacobs done incredibly well to land in Tier 3. The master of 10 tweet threads that say nothing.

I'm sure that audience will be littered with NOL members

What a stupid thing to say.

I want to choose my words carefully, but I can see him being to Howe what someone like Bernardo Silva is to Pep. Gordon lacks Silva's technical quality, but he's versatile, industrious, and direct on the ball. I've also been very impressed with his movement in preseason. He finds spaces very well and is very rarely static in the final third.

I honestly think Colback might be my least favorite signing of the Ashley era. The fact he'd milked it so much in Derbys then pitched up here on a fat wage and was a passenger for years just made him a toxic acquisition. He's the only professional I can remember seeing actively hide from the ball and move into traffic when a teammate had possession.

I know he was trailed by some claims of a bad attitude, but it's nice to hear how hard he's working. Perhaps this is the moment it clicks for him.

He's out of contract next summer. Looks like we've just loaned him out to get him off the books.