janpawel

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

Isak is more talented and more importantly, significantly younger so yes overall, Isak is more important to us But Trippier has more often than not been our best player this season, and our style of play revolves around him a lot in possession. I'm sure as well he was statistically the best RB in the prem last season, as well as in the European team of the season?

Must be a nice life getting clean sheets against City and Man U but being immune to the stress and pressure of these league/CL games ?

I remember him seeing him smile/laughing a lot, and looking quite 'relaxed', whereas I feel he is normally super focussed Kind of think he was focussed on not looking stressed and trying to appear like he doesn't care /look cool but this resulted in quite a meh performance

You're right, unfortunately for me I get my hopes up after amazing performances like against Man U, despite what you just mention. It's probably more down to a spirited performance, rather than a sign that we are able to play that well with all the injuries on a consistent basis Playing away also seems to affect us a lot too

Villa also don't play every game 100mph like we do, surely that helps with fitness / injuries I'm hoping it's the next thing Howe implements as we continue to make progress and improve as a team

Really hoping for a turn in our way form, though hard to expect with our limited squad due to injuries

Thankfully Villa are no where near as good away from home as they are last night, they're only slightly better than us away from home roughly looking at results so far. Both of us should look to improve away results to try and consolidate top 4 in the table

Villa look like a super well drilled team who are better than the sum of their parts, just like we are. They're playing great Quite enjoy watching them as they play a totally different style to us, more technical ability but less athleticism than us

I agree, a while ago I used to want him as an 8, however I think it's more clear that we need high levels of athleticism in our 8s which Bruno doesn't have, instead being better at other things and orchestrating play from the middle I do often wish we had someone more athletic in the middle, especially for protecting against transitions/counters etc, but if you mix Bruno and someone like Kante you'd probably have the best midfielder ever so its unlikely someone exists like that ?

Very true, also forgot they beat Tottenham just over a week ago ?

As good as Villa have been and I think they've been great, have they beaten a good team? I can only think of Chelsea and Brighton, whereas we've beaten Man City, Arsenal, PSG etc Not that it matters in a way, points on the board are more important of which they have a few more than us Be interesting how they do against City and Arsenal, should be fun games

Would love to see us with a bernardo silva/barella in midfield...Though we seem to prefer pace and power in our midfield looking at our options, though that could change in future windows

Yeah I hate to go along with the conspiracy stuff, but even the fact VAR is only supposed to intervene when a mistake had been made, not re-ref every decision... I think it's even more clear in slow motion that it isn't a pen. You could understand if he had a poor view and awarded the pen (which he correctly didn't) But how on earth he ended up changing it... I thought other than that he reffed the game well, and remember in the world cup final he was great.. This just stands out so much to he incompetence