Viana

They’ve had success signing players from lower down teams, but typically they were a lot younger. If they truly have 100m to burn I’m surprised they’ve not gone for Manu Kone or Ibrahim Sangare.

Fraser is a good player, and he’d probably work well in Howe’s system as it stands. Personally, I never expected him to do that though given how things ended at Bournemouth. Howe can say it’s all in the past, but I don’t think he’d trust someone he feels such a schism with in terms of character and sacrifice.

Chelsea are probably looking at the Livramento fee as a guide post for someone with little Premier League experience but a lot of promises. I think 20m plus bonuses might be the more realistic fee, but I don’t doubt Ashworth and co’s ability to strike a good deal if Chelsea are legitimately willing sellers.

My trip home will just miss this, but wanted to say it’s a very lovely thing you all do to continue Jon’s memory. He was a nice guy, and nice to see he’s not forgotten.

I could murder a sticky toffee pudding.

I believe Lewis Hall is a midfielder that's moved backwards. If he's content being seen exclusively as a defender I'd rather pursue him.

I'm surprised we aren't in for him given talk of a $10m release clause.

Here comes the next £100m player.

Twitter allowed everyone with an email address to present as a tactical expert. It devalued the work of the genuine teachers.

That's why I'm still not convinced by Ten Hag. Some of the signings he pushed for like Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro made sense, but he dropped a huge sum on Antony, and pushed for Eriksen/Mount despite them already having Fernandes. Now they're discussing Sofyan Amrabat meaning one of Bruno/Mount/Garnacho/Antony has to sit out alongside Sancho. Yeah, great if its a 2/3-year-deal. He's got a deal on huge money until 2026.

What a worker. Vince McMahon hire this gentleman, he's writing top tier promos.

Antony for £80m leading the pack for worst deal they've done in a decade.

I also think Casemiro is starting to show his age. Having him as the sole anchor and letting Mount/Fernandes run free would be a hard night's work for a 21-year-old never mind a 31-year-old. Ten Hag talks a good game, but I don't think this lot are any closer to a title challenge. There's still way too many passengers in attack.

One of the more awful performances I've seen from Man Utd. Their central midfield is a saloon door, which is mad considering how much they've spent on Casemiro, Mount, and Fernandes.

I felt like we'd do them by two or three the year we finished 5th. Instead we got done over by a ropey decision at their place to draw, and then just didn't show up in the home game to scrape a draw.

I think he had a lot of baggage to get rid of and by the time that was done the season was over. Now he's had a summer of being super fit and Eddie Howe telling him what he wants on the pitch. Watch that first goal again to see what I mean. I think a few months ago he was hesitant, he was over thinking, and he just wasn't being instinctual. Fast forward to yesterday. He's alive to the rebound and recycles the ball. He's then straight on his bike running into space and wanting the ball. When he gets it he's throw in a first time cross rather than trying to beat a man or make it a better chance. It's all quick and decisive decision making. He could easily have had another assist minutes later but Tonali was denied. I read a book once called The Inner Game of Tennis. It talks about quietening the mind to let the body take control. That's what I see with Anthony Gordon right now. He won't be as decisive as this every week, and I'm sure he'll have obstacles to overcome, but whenever he's in that flow state he can be devastating.

I think all the channels have hit F5 on their talent. I also don't think there's many ex-Magpies in the media after Shearer.

We're pressing machines, makes sense we'd want a smaller field.

Interesting. I was probably a shade harsh on him after watching this. Lots of the things I love, he just looked a bit frustrated at points. I think regardless he'll have some real fun in the games where we're touching 60% possession and Tonali can offer another point of focus.

I think he had a rough end to the season with his ankle. Like any player that's of his level he has one or two little foibles to work through, but he's still an outrageously good footballer and a big part of our midfield. I think he wants to be creating more, and Tonali should in time free him up to do that. Yesterday his role was to shield and connect passes at the back.

Callum Wilson really was the one good thing Steve Bruce did here. Ghosts of his shite summer continue to haunt the place.

I can't remember the last time I saw Sterling have a good game. Man City fleeced them.

I like him, but as you say, not for 107m. He's a much better fit than Jorginho. He can handle being pressed can pick a pass, but 100m for what is essentially a good deep lying playmaker is mad. Chelsea seem quite happy to pay up front for players with potential which I find weird.

John Henry looks like a very cheap George Bush senior lookalike. Chelsea have had the better of it here, but not sure they've quite figured out how to create high quality chances.

There are quite a few football pods guilty of that. The Guardian love a digression down a one way street, especially when Barney Ronay is on. People like Taylor and Caulkin don’t see podcasting for the skill it is. In reality it’s radio without the pitch markings. Ad libs aren’t outlawed, but they’re like flicks and tricks on a football pitch, there’s a time and a place. When podcasting is done well it’s a structured conversation that looks free flowing. The problem Pod on the Tyne has is that it has none of that structure and it’s host doesn’t know how to use his guests effectively. It means you end up with chat about “waffles” that has more value to HR than it does an audience.