Consigliere

We were lucky to win that game. Wolves were the better side. Our preseason performances were not encouraging and we just got outplayed at home by a midtable side. Just like in preseason, our midfield has absolutely no control of the game and our pressing isn't good enough which means the opposition can counter at will. A better transition team would have torn us to shreds. This chaos-ball will get us nowhere and I can see us being on the end of some embarrassing scorelines again this season.

Enzo-Caicedo-Lavia. That's a mint midfield. Only cost around £280m.

I don't think we can sign Onana unless West Ham have come in with an improved bid for McTominay. Atalanta pulled our pants down so I don't think we can do another £70/80m+ fee without making a big sale.

ETA. Plus Steinberg has reported that the Maguire transfer could fall through because West Ham are growing frustrated over United taking too long to finalise his exit.

That temporary DoF Liverpool got in started well with two quick midfield signings but really fucked it after that.

Kristof Terreur has reported that Lavia moving to Chelsea is now more likely. Chelsea haven't agreed a fee with Southampton yet though. If Steinberg's report is accurate then they will have to match or beat Liverpool's £60m bid.

Steinberg has also reported that United have approached Everton for Amadou Onana. Also mentions that Everton are unlikely to sell unless a huge bid comes in as the club are not under pressure to make a sale and don't need to raise funds to finance the signing of a striker.

Reports that Spalletti is set to be appointed as manager of the Italian national team.

26 minutes ago, BigFatCoward said:

Probably should have researched where he is going better. 

I'm sure the Saudis will make exceptions for the big name footballers they've just signed on gigantic wages. 

16 hours ago, The Sunland Lord said:

Pedulla reports Spurs are in contact with Lukaku.

Alasdair Gold has said that there is no truth to those rumours. Spurs are trying to sign Gift Orban from Gent.

46 minutes ago, BigFatCoward said:

The fuck is Neyman thinking? 

Makes sense for him to take the bag in Saudi Arabia. PSG want to get rid of him, nobody else is having him for anywhere near the wages he wants, he's injury prone and misses large parts of every season and he seems more interested in partying than football. He's only agreed to a two-year contract as well so the door is still open to him if he wants to come back to Europe.

That was entertaining. Everyone should play without any defensive players in midfield.

Chelsea aren't causing Liverpool much trouble so far.

Matteo Moretto reporting that Al-Hilal and PSG are finalising a deal worth around €90m for Neymar.

The Saudi Football Federation have agreed a 3 year deal with Mancini to manage their national team.

Postecoglou certainly has Spurs playing a lot more positively than they did last season. They look a bit ragged defensively though.

Olmo is making Bayern's defence look like amateurs. Hat-trick completed.

I've read that he has a €60m release clause. Given the direction of the transfer market, that's a downright bargain. The only concern would be his injury record but might be worth taking a risk for a player of that quality.

Newcastle were brilliant in that second half. Made short work of a good Villa side.

Matt Law reporting that Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal for Caicedo worth £115m inclusive of add-ons.

Man, Diaby looks so good. This is why you need a strong structure above the manager. United's pathetically weak structure caved to Ten Hag and paid around €40-50m more for an inferior player.

Think they perform similar roles so the comparison is fair.

4 minutes ago, ljkeane said:

That doesn’t seem to be the universal opinion on Tonali. I haven’t really seen much of him but a number of usually good journalists seen unconvinced. It’ll be an interesting one to see how it goes.

Depends on the journalists. Many English journalists tend to be like English pundits: incredibly arrogant about the PL and look down on other leagues. I think most people who have watched a good amount of Serie A would agree that £55m for Tonali was a great deal for Newcastle.

Another great piece of business by Newcastle getting Tonali in for the price they did especially when you consider the prices for Caicedo and Rice. Neither of those are better than Tonali.

This is a really good game for the neutrals thus far.

Reports that Real Madrid are close to reaching an agreement with Chelsea for Kepa on loan (no option/obligation to buy).

Just as I suspected. Don't ever give those Glazer cunts the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully the protests gather steam and there is a backlash which spooks sponsors because that's the only thing that would force those rat bastards to do the right thing.

I thought Chelsea had some FFP concerns. But apparently not if they're trying to sign both Caicedo and Lavia. There's also reports that they're looking to get Olise from Palace as well. If they get all those over the line, that'd take their spending to around the billion pound mark in the space of 13 months. Boehly is a madman.