Viana

I read the other day he still needs to complete his military service. I imagine he’ll be offered a shorter spell like Son, but it could still be an issue.

Hoping for an Ashworth masterclass tbh. Fraser could be ideal for Luton Town for 5-7m. Manquillo back off to Spain for 2.5m. Hayden and Hendrick somewhere in the Championship with us picking up some wages.

Fair fucks, that's the perfect sign off for Declan Rice. Kept them up and delivered a European trophy. He won't see the bottom of a pint when he retires.

If West Ham win this it'll be hard to justify sacking Moyes. That said, their style of play is quite brutal to watch especially given the players they have.

Sans FFP I'd say we sign both, loan Ashby out and see how Livramento gets on. Have to be a bit more calculated these days.

Would he really give up a shot at the Champions League in favor of money?

I'm going to say no. His technique in tight spaces didn't look great. This is pure speculation on my part, but I think we saw him as a great project player when we could play high press counter attack football that we would then sell on. That ship has sailed.

If he can improve his finishing he's an England player.

Poch seems like someone that wants total control, but in reality, that doesn't exist anymore. Pep has the right idea, just tell them what type you want and just trust them to find it.

Does that mean he can play as a six and a second striker? Good thing is - and this is a first in my entire time supporting the club - I have total faith in Ashworth. He'll have a short and long term plan.

One thing I would say about Lavia is that I think he's still firmly in the 'project' stage of his career. He has tremendous potential, but I think some much of that future upside rests in the ability to shape him, which itself will require a degree of patience.

It could also be both. I think it's somewhat understandable for players to suffer a lull after an extended period at a club and Tielemans has spent almost five years at Leicester. I also had a quick scan of his numbers and he's got roughly 10 full seasons worth of minutes in his legs at club level. The Premier League isn't the most accommodating to older outfield players due to pace and intensity and it's why I think someone like Perisic hasn't pulled up trees. I think if you're going to sign him you have to commit somewhat to the following theories. -This is not someone you expect to deliver much financial return when you call time on them. -He's going to get smarter and be able to read the game better to make up for a lack of mobility. -You think last season was a blip and he'll return to his typical output of 1 goal involvement per 4 games (on average).

Did Sir Bobby not warn the club Geremi's legs had gone? Feel like I heard it in an interview recently. Loved Cheick. Remember him at Goodison being a total rock in midfield.

I do wonder how an improved academy set up will impact them. It could give them a decent pipe line of talent. Greg Olley is thriving there - via a stint at Hull - but it could be very appealing to lads who want to stay at home.

I wonder sometimes if he feels a bit unloved. He was the big fish under Steve Bruce. This season he hasn't been as involved and this is the first time that talk of his departure hasn't been met with panic. It could easily leave him feeling like fans had moved on. That's why he's put these posts on. He's reaching out a bit.

Surely if teams are willing to meet Southampton's demands then Man City will jump in and buy him back for less before turning a profit?

I remember you from NOFC - a safe pair of hands

"What am a sayin man, you probably just call them 'meatballs' in your IKEA."

Ugarte now off to PSG apparently. Millar firmly in the mud. https://twitter.com/JacobsBen/status/1665486768781635584?s=20

Could that be a way to circumvent FFP costs?

It's messy, and that's best shown by the fact they have two co-sporting directors in Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. They'll likely lead on the targeting and negotiating. Scouts will remain in place pre and post Potter. You're right though, it's a maddening scatter gun approach.

He's a victim of European teams not focusing much on Asia and Australia for coaching talent. I do agree, I think he'll struggle. Postecoglu definitely has a few systems in his locker, but if Celtic was anything to go by he needs fullbacks that are good on the ball and a midfielder that can join the attack and be a penalty box threat - like Willock or Joelinton. Maybe he throws in Djed Spence and Udogie for those full back roles, but they still need to make several big decisions to replace GK/CB options as well as the Kulusevski deal. That's so much for him to get right in one summer and at a time when the top six is going to be ridiculously competitive next season. If Levy has the patience it can work, but I don't think so.

I've also found Pope to be a more commanding presence. That may largely be down to size.

I feel like we saw a few of these stories in January and when the takeover happened. Big teams peddling us their shite for over-inflated fees. Maybe he comes, maybe he doesn't, but to me it still feels like optimistic press briefings over a likely outcome.

I was watching a video this week of Pep as a player and how often he would look to find Ronaldo in behind when they were at Barca. It made me wonder if that was part of his motivation for signing Erling Haaland. It just changes the way City can play, especially on the break and I don't know if they've ever had that type of striker under Pep. Side note; this first 20 minutes is probably one of the poorer games I've seen De Bruyne have. Doesn't seem himself at all.