The Chels

I'm not particularly in favour of this transfer for the reported prices, but I do think there is some substance to the rumours. It's especially interesting that Mourinho thinks Pogba was the best young player of the WC when he was undoubtedly outdone by James Rodriguez (https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/mourinho-best-world-cup-player-004405488.html). There's also this: https://twitter.com/CarefreeYouth/status/487595358718271488

From Rob Beasley, the journalist with close links to Chelsea who broke the story: £15m is a good deal. If it rises to £20m it means he'll have helped us win trophies so who would care about an extra £5m in that case?

http://metro.co.uk/2014/07/10/cesc-fabregas-set-to-cost-chelsea-more-than-first-reported-4793589/ That headline... A whole £2.3m more? Send him back!

WTH? That's another totally uncalled-for political comment you've made in the last couple of days.

According to the poster before you he doesn't say anything in response to the fans asking him to say.

Could any Spanish speakers translate what he says? http://as.com/videos/2014/07/07/portada/1404742631_741240.html

Would easily go straight into our starting line-up and would massively reduce our problem with breaking down stubborn defences. Shame he's going to Arsenal.

Could have had him for just under £12m according to the reliable Duncan Castles. Similar price to Salah then and personally I think Markovic is the better player. Not too fussed though. http://www.oneworldsports.com/stories/liverpool-secure-capture-lazar-markovic

It was a joke.

We have the option to buy Benfica's 50% share; Markovic's agent owns the other 50% I believe. So we don't actually own him at all and I assume this means we get nothing out of his transfer to Liverpool.

Not everyone receives a pension like you mate

We have the option to buy Benfica's 50% share; Markovic's agent owns the other 50% I believe. So we don't actually own him at all and I assume this means we get nothing out of his transfer to Liverpool.

lol it doesn't work like that. We have already spent the 'Luiz money' (and more) on Fabregas and Costa. What do you mean about the CF thing? I think it's quite clear we would have bought Falcao/Cavani if we didn't think £50/55m was excessive. If there's anyone we'd spend that much money on then it's a world class striker in their prime, not a young midfielder.

In an era of FFP, I don't think we'd be willing to pay £55m+ for a potentially great midfielder when we weren't willing to pay that much for the best strikers in the world (Falcao, Cavani, etc.).

No, who does? If you listen to the hype around Pogba you'd think he's the best midfielder in the world. From his performances in the EL/CL/WC it's clear to see he's very raw and not worth the rumoured prices.

That wonky 'i' lol

Source? It's annoying that people still have to be asked to give one.

I watched a lot of Juventus in the CL/EL and he was honestly nothing special. Good player with great potential but massively overrated (not least by United fans and WAGNH).

The Metro is complete bullshit lol don't worry

If Ramires doesn't start the majority of games (that he's available for) I would be wholly surprised.

Anyone know when the players are supposed to return for pre-season training? Would have liked Filipe Luis done by then to give him a full pre-season to adapt to the team. I think the Atletico players are returning to training on Monday although Luis has apparently already burned his bridges with them, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Agreed but I think his point is Moutinho + James > Matic + Willian, which is fair enough.

Yes Oscar has defensive responsibilities but that shouldn't justify being completely useless from an offensive point of view. He very rarely makes the right decision in the opposition half it seems. Very disappointing.

It was widely reported before the WC that he had already passed the medical. So as mentioned above I assume it is not official yet because of the issue with shirt number. Simeone spoke about Costa's move today so it is done. http://fan.football.sony.net/england/blog/2014/07/03/simeone-costa-will-succeed-hes-wants/