janpawel

If we sell him, I can't imagine how we'd replace him and then play as he has rare qualities If we bought a defensive mid / 6, say Kalvin Phillips.. Imagine a midfield 3 of Phillips, Joelinton and Longstaff... Very physical but such limited technical ability, uninspiring tbh Then again due to FFP we could probably buy 2 World class midfielders and bring a more attacking midfielder into the 3

Livramento vs Salah hopefully

What's peoples thoughts of Gallagher? Was never a big fan until recently, but have been fairly impressed by him of late. Think he'd be a pretty decent improvement on that specific 'Longstaff' right sides no 8 role Though similar to all of our midfielders other than Bruno, his best traits seem to be around workrate and stamina... Think we have enough of those and not enough technical qualitily!

Wonder if some kind of 'exceptional circumstances' could apply regarding FFP and us starting the hit of his contract next year. Guess not unless we didn't pay wages / extended his contract by a year

Good point, I feel a lot of our success comes from our 'system' the majority of the time Probably the reason we perform/have performed better than the sum of our parts, but when it's not going well such as now, individual players levels and abilities stand out

FFS, didn't know this was confirmed

Gordon to be out surely?

I feel this transfer window would have been much more 'exciting' had we still been in Europe and the LC, with us more inclined to pursue long term targets and bring them in early ala Gordon As someone posted above, I could us waiting out until Summer for a lot of positions now

Trippier out the team.... To fit Burn at LB over Tino? ?

Willock, Bruno and Joelinton played last season I think after many (including me) were clamouring for it. But it felt unbalanced and not as effective / defensively secure as when Longstaff is in I completely agree it is our most talented midfield 3, which is why as I mentioned I'm keen to know how Howe will use the 4 of Joelinton/Willock/Barnes/Gordon Agree on your last point. We have 3 pretty good 11s which would have been perfect for rotating over these 4 competitions, such a shame

Presuming Bruno and Longstaff are 2 of the midfield 3, I have no idea who Howe would pick out of Joelinton/Willock and Barnes/Gordon to fill the left hand side

Leny Yoro looks an amazing talent at 18 as a CB, think he plays on the right side too

City have been dreadful recently Like someone previously said, would rather they win the league over Arsenal or Liverpool

He'd improve them, their midfield quality isn't what it was and they are too reliant on Rodri

Anyone know roughly how much extra cash towards FFP the 6 results will have got us? I know we've missed out on the 10m (I think) for progressing which is a shame

Absolutely, he has so much credit in the bank and for me the CL exit, poor away performances etc are primarily down to injuries impacting the squad and the knock on effect Can only think of Howe and Emery as managers who squeeze the absolute most out of the players and team

Seriously can't wait to see him play for us, especially after 10 months where he hopefully learns English and has time to bed in like Gordon did between Jan and Aug Some of his 1 touch play was great in the games he played, sure he will be something unique to add to our midfield

Absolutely quality, in what is a very hard and disciplined role in being a no 8 for us. Crazy to think how could he could possibly be if this is the start of his trajectory, I hope!

Aye, I'm sure he was advised on what to say for his best interests

Fair. But would you not consider such thing if you were in his shoes, knowing the punishment could have been at worst 3 years banned (I think that's what I read)?

Personally think the 'addiction' part is fabrication to try and reduce the punishment by playing against mental health and sympathy I have no evidence of this, but it's what I'd do if I genuinely fucked up something in my recent past that affects my livelihood

Hahaha true. I mean knowing there was an investigation coming which would likely lead to a long term ban I like to think he that he thought it was behind him and something that no one would find out

If Milan knew, then surely Tonali knew, hate the thought that he may have known he was sabotaging us

James is so talented, really think he could have been the best right back in the world, shame about the injuries If I was Chelsea, I'd consider selling him while he still has a high profile

Also Bruno for me as potential to be world class, maybe already is in that I think he could fit in several top teams Whilst he isn't the most athletic, his ability to receive the ball under pressure and either play a pass to start a phase of play, or draw a foul to allow us to reset / move up the pitch is as good as it gets imo