Viana

They're just making a fuss every chance they get in the hope that we get slapped on the wrist once.

Arne Slot has been very complimentary about Yankuba. https://1908.nl/artikelen/minteh-zorgt-voor-enthousiasme-bij-slot-heeft-een-uitstekende-indruk-achtergelaten

As TC pointed out a public figure will struggle to hide their convictions. Typically, my approach with US immigration is to tell the truth and only answer the question you're asked. People often overthink it and that's when they get themselves in bother.

Worth noting Chelsea have a bloated squad when it comes to the left side, especially if Pochettino is going for 4-2-3-1. Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucrella, and Ian Maatsen are battling it out for the left back role. If they planned to push him up then he's going up against a lot of more pedigreed wingers and also Tino Ajornin. I wouldn't anticipate getting him for a pittance but if they view Maatsen as a long term option they could easily look to take the FFP windfall and sell him.

I'd imagine most if not all of the media team have traveled, but realistically there's a few options at their disposal. They could ask Leicester to help out (all you need is the shirt for the initial pictures etc) or they could engage an external production company to shoot stuff with their guidance. I know they've engaged a few lately for commercial pieces so this wouldn't be that different. That said, it's probably quicker and easier to have him fly over as soon as the medical is done. Having him stay behind to shoot stuff just delays his arrival.

He was also arriving from a basket case of a club having worked under a manager in Frank Lampard that is closer to Bruce than Bielsa. He said himself he was nowhere near fit enough and given how in-form most of our squad was I'm not shocked he didn't hit the ground running.

There's just a faint whiff of Southampton about Brighton. They've had tremendous early success by finding some hidden gems, but now they'll find sterner competition when they go in for players in the mold of Felipe Caicedo etc. I think Premier League teams are starting to see the viability of South American based players in the wake of Brexit. The system Brighton use relies heavily on a consistent and efficient recruitment process which is difficult to nail. I'd argue the life cycle of a player U23 in that system is typically 18 months. We did outrageously well to only sign one duffer during the January 2022 window, so imagine what it's like when you're paying between 5-10m for 5-6 young players that you're trying to gauge the ceiling of. In general, it's impossible to have every transfer hit. It's the same reason I'm not fully convinced by Aston Villa just yet. They've dropped 31m on a defender that's great on the ball but shite in the air. If he replaces Mings in the side they could be very susceptible from set pieces. Diaby seems a better fit for the Premier League, but if it's true they're after Doku that's another big signing that is new to the league and you're hoping hits the ground running. Tottenham I'm still undecided on. I do like Ange, but I'm curious to see if he adapts his system to the fact Tottenham don't have the talent disparity Celtic do.

I was quite curious to watch his goals for Leicester and I was surprised how varied they are. Not only does he seem to score from range, but he also likes to shift it onto his left and shoot near post. Having that variety alone makes him a more complete player than say Almiron who you know is always wanting it on his left. I think we'll be pleasantly surprised with this one.

I think @Kid Icarus hates him but I think he's great

We've come a long way from hoping that Emil Krafth would do the opposite of every natural instinct while playing football.

To balance things out;

Harsh on Gordon given he's part of the youth setup. Barnes has a point to prove, and I kind of like that energy coming to the club.

Love a bit of old NASL. Honestly, my biggest issue with the modern form of MLS is that it feels a bit devoid of unique identity.

The penalties from the 90s were great too. In all honesty, everything (bar salaries and facilities) were better in MLS in the 90s.

I know we can have pages and pages of discourse on whether this is a good deal or a bright idea, but I'm kind of just basking in the glow of us signing 'good players' (even on paper) in weak positions.

They do, but if they find you to be lying you're fucked and could easily be disbarred for 10 years or life. I'd speculate that Joe has been given an initial denial based on the recency of his conviction. He could probably attend the embassy if he wished but given the shortness of the trip it's not worth it.

Don't know if you've watched this one already, but I found it interesting.

No disrespect to the lad, but I felt he stuck out like a sore thumb tonight. I would usually cut a defender some slack when played out of position but he's supposed to be an attacking fullback, and yet I never felt confident when he got the ball in the final third. He actually looked quite stiff on the ball and I'm still surprised how slow he looks. He'll be an adequate Championship fullback, but very little more.

Watching it again, he's definitely mobile and seems pretty intelligent with his passing.

As if Alan Saint-Maximin and Jamal Lewis are on the same money. Proof, if was ever needed, that life is not a meritocracy.

It's only a friendly, but the crispness and range of his passing has been nice. I can see a few of our forward appreciating his ability to drop it in behind.

My only curiosity is did Sandro manage to finish his cigar during that first half?

I'd argue Savage and his ilk survive for two main reasons. 1.) They resonate with a decent section of the people that pay for these channels. Let's say that 45+ demographic. It's a familiarity. 2.) The more important, and sad, fact is that when it comes to talent booking nepotism and favoritism can often supersede concerns about quality. Both are probably easy to work with so get good reports from the production crew. That travels to the higher ups, and they're not typically engaged with the pulse on social media. Even if they are, there's a good chance BT/TNT have a good working relationship with their agents. It all feeds into a quite depressing situation.

If what you said is right, then we have to do it.

If Twitter is right and it basically opens up three decent deals (circa 40m) we have to do it.