LAM09

Not sure if you're talking about Alaba, but if so - David Alaba's £12m-a-season wage demands 'could derail summer move to Real Madrid' | Daily Mail Online The wage alone offered by both clubs was significantly different & that's without mentioning the sign on fees to multiple people, which you touched upon. They will do the same thing with Rudi & Mbappe (doubt anyone will even make a move).

I agree with the point you made, but it's something we could clearly take advantage off far more often, and we'd reap the rewards as a collective.

The passage of play prior to winning our second PK was something that enabled him/Inter to do so well last season. Someone mentioned it previously, but our reluctancy to move the ball quickly in attack hampers his play/output drastically.

From what I've heard, it seems very similar to the Alaba situation; Bayern offered him quite a bit to renew, but RM blew it out of the water. If this happens to be the case, we ought to move on as @Pizy alluded to.

I'd count Jesus as a number 9.

Should have been far more comfortable, but we've sealed the win nonetheless. Jorgi on course to being our top scorer again.

Great play from Lukaku. Jorgi to seal it at last.

How many key chances are we going to waste?!

Ziyech?

All over the place since Mount's miss. Need to wake up before we draw more points.

Massive miss from Mount

Is Kante injured again?

Difference having a CF on the field

He needs to be doing more than that, though. Another 45 mins where he's been largely anonymous. Hopefully Lukaku's introduction will help.

I had hoped Pulisic wouldn't be starting up-front again, but he is. Hoping he actually makes an impact today.

Not sure how you know what the Vax rate is for players that will be participating at the tournament. It still taking place in Africa is the one worry of note IMO.

They will probably get their way, unfortunately.

That's a valid point. There had been talk about Ballack becoming our DoF for quite some time, but it never came to fruition.

Liverpool's and arguably one of the top three players in the world at least was originally signed by us btw. The issue hasn't been identifying targets for the most part, but not putting up the fee being quoted or signing them once they're on the decline (Torres, Eto'o, Falcao & could throw Higuain in the mix too). To me, the club's failure to sign Aguero was one of the biggest mistakes we've made in that regard.

I'd expect this to affect all notable players that have been called up. Another plus is Ziyech not being called up. His last performance against Zenit was one worthy of praise, despite us still letting in 3.

I get where you're coming from & I'm all for supporting players whilst they're at the club, but he should have until the end of the season IMO. Too many players seem to get a free ride for far too long regardless of their actual output on the field, to the team's detriment. Also, you have to take into consideration that the biggest hurdle for most signings is adjusting to a new league, which doesn't apply at all where he's concerned, seeing as he's play most of his senior football in England (as @MoroccanBlue mentioned).

I believe Liverpool have come to an agreement with the Egyptian FA to keep Salah till after that game. I'm sure they'll try to do the same where Mane is concerned.

I think the bolded is a given. It's a never-ending cycle.

I'd actually like us to be outplayed/dominated for a change & manage to come out with a win. Throwing away points each week because of wastefulness is wearing thin. Talk about lack of finishing touch all you want, but what have we been trying to address for two seasons on the trot (could go as far back as Costa's departure tbh)?

I didn't expect us to get anything prior to KO, so a point is a plus. Shame we couldn't take advantage, as the game was there for the taking.