Sibierski

Would not want Onana at the base If Villa go with diamond, you’d want him on the right side of the diamond. Do not want him deep, being the central point for all play to go through.

Thanks for getting us here, but I guess it’s time for big investment and to move club forward ruthlessly.

Typical big game. Side in front doesn’t need to push, emphasis on side behind who’s been poor creating stuff consistently.

That touch by Williams to bring that ball under control was amazing. Made a half hearted ball forward into a dangerous attack.

Braithwaite is just a hyped defender, because he’s on the young side and playing regularly in prem. Like, people are hoping they get an increase in ability in years to come, when in reality, he’s no better than many others (also helps loads playing in a side that defends deep with little of the ball). I rate Harwood-Bellis better, but because he’s played in championship for 2 seasons, he doesn’t come with same hype at the moment. Be plenty more CBs that come through over next 24 months, so not like Braithwaite is a must buy unique talent.

Bowen just feels a massive smoke screen for a move elsewhere. Still feel MGW will be the signing we move for in next week or so.

God I hope Minteh barely plays, and when he does, is Bambi on ice, so the insane chatter about him dies out.

When one is woefully out of form, other two injured, mixed in with them approaching 30, he’s fine.

Would understand a bit more if Eze was on fire off the bench, but he’s dished up two proper poor cameos now whilst Gordon had 4 mins, and played a ball which Eze hasn’t done yet.

Overall, I’d hope we a bit more advanced than just signing players from his ex clubs. That’s the Chelsea model. Should be, been involved in the game for a while, wide database, contacts and using them to get ahead of the game for targets.

Late bloomer? Guy doing same output now as he was doing 6 years ago, just clubs haven’t fancied him in recent years, which I assume because he’s always had some injuries. Game doesn’t rely on physical stats, so a club will get value out of a 5 year deal for him when he’s on the pitch.

For me, it's about having 14/15 main guys. Then 4 reliable options and some youth after that (ignoring GKs). You can't assemble a squad of 20 senior pros, on off chance you get a freak injury season, because it's not sustainable for team morale and spreads the quality. 14/15 - Botman / Burn / Schar / Trippier / Targett / Kelly / Tonali / Joe / Bruno / Willock / Longstaff / Barnes / Gordon / Isak / Wilson / Almiron Reliable - Tino / Murphy / Lascelles / Krafth Youth - Miley / Harrison / Hall / A.Murphy / Ashby That's what it's probably like at the moment, so can see straight away in that 14 group, names need moving on as you don't want Trips / Wilson / Almiron wages in that category below. Hall and Tino move up a level, it's 16 in top category. Move on the 3 mentioned (+ Targett ideally), it's room for winger / striker / defender and a youth prospect this summer.

Also, I’d suspect all three are in the highest wage category outside of Bruno/Tonali/Joelinton, so if they’re back up options next season, you don’t want those wages swallowed up with little input. Better to have it go towards 2 top players.

Olmo unfortunately screams Man City as a KDB replacement. Be interesting to see if we go for anyone that was RB Salzburg during 2018 to 2020, because Mitchell would have access to their data during his time at Leipzig? Like Haidara as the CM defensive option.

Part of current tactical shapes and plays. It'll faze out in time, but currently a shape where it's effectively 3-2 and something in front like 4-1 or 3-2 is the current trend. And in that back 3, it's better to have defenders that know how to defend to minimise the counter, with one of the full backs (or CBs) stepping into the midfield. Not everyone will play it, and it they have their positives and negatives. Arsenal will have some physical team. Feels a decent LW away from being some team, because you can get away with Havertz/Jesus as striker if the output is elite outwide. Edit: They should go big for Kvaradona.

Would hate to lose Gordon. Not just because I feel he's ready to take next step, but his durability too is so big. Just don't get many players that can play with his intensity and not be regularly injured with niggles.

Get what you mean, but Gordon is still in that category. Guy just below cusp, but all indications from past 12 months suggest he’s about to take that next step and be the star left winger who embraces the big occasions.

Working on names, with no links to the press as no-one had a fucking clue we were about to appoint him. So you are saying there’s a chance this weekend, we could get a name out of the blue for a deal agreed?

West Ham are going to lose Pacqueta, who’s a big player for them, need a good striker, and probably one serious bid away from losing another talent like Kudus. Wouldn’t worry about them, and if we do, it’s because we’ve dropped off.

Assume sarcasm, as it was Adringa. Do feel people go over board on Brighton signings, as if every one is an absolute slam dunk. Their style of football helps a lot for some of the attackers, but I'm not sold on vast majority of them making the transition to clubs elsewhere.

Depends how you play him. You can get away more in a lower half team by coasting and scoring at time, not so much at top end when you actually need some passing ability and discipline.

Ah here we go again. Getting injuries out of season ffs.

Bayern are fortunate they’re so far ahead of rest of Germany, they can make weird signings. Losing so many players with no income, aging squad in areas, yet won’t impact them as they will always have UCL money and big commercial revenues. Should open the door though whilst they go through this weird phase for more titles to be won outside them.

Retain hope that Leicester sign him by end of August.

Neto I would’ve liked 3 years ago when he was 21 and there was something to work with, but feel that the talent has sailed now and what you see is what you get. Which is a good player on his day, but that not reliable enough for a club who wants to compete at top end.