LAM09

Broja was also at the Euros too. Some of these squad choices are perplexing, especially if they are only attending the trip with the goal of being sold. What happened to preseason being a time to evaluate those at your disposal and develop momentum?

As another member mentioned, it might just be a numbers thing. I noticed Caicedo joined up with the squad which was slightly surprising considering his Copa involvement. I have no idea how is on holiday or not at this point.

It seems like a swap of sorts involving Gallagher is bound to happen.

I thought Santos had already agreed to re-join Strasbourg, but look who's on the list. That reasoning clearly doesn't apply to all.

This is it, coupled with the treatment of players who have progressed through the ranks. If given the choice, I'd rather keep TC over the names mentioned above solely due to reliability. You know what you'll get, & he won't be out for months at a time. I'm yet to see us linked to a starting quality CB thus far either. Anselmino

We don't even need to worry about the top 4. The top 5 will see us seal a CL place, which is a must to show potential future signings (and those currently here) that this "project" is actually working. Winning a league title is most likely years away with our board's reluctance to sign talent that isn't below the legal drinking age.

Diaby is on the verge of going over there & he just turned 25.

Ederson & him in the same window with Guardiola to possibly follow next year. There's definitely more to all of this (finally getting what they deserve?).

They're hoping to get a head start on the competition and strike gold. Their scattergun technique is unlikely to yield results. At least under Emenalo, we sought really promising young players who were already starters for their respective teams and competing in the big European competitions at the time. Let's not forget that they were really inexpensive. If our scouting staff had been on top of things, we would have scouted Calafiori (like Veiga) before he made his Bologna debut. We can only hope the latter surprises us all.

And people, including the board, will wonder in 12 months why it didn't work out (Petrovic). I'd argue that a GK and CF are the most important positions on the pitch, but yet again, the board is doing everything seemingly in their power to NOT properly address either.

As much as people don't like being told it, we're making a lot of moves similar to those of a midtable side. If we are banking on Estevao, Paez, etc. to take us to the next level in 3+ years, we could be in major trouble. Although you act as though they don't, they do. Once more, I've been reading exactly the same posts that you have, and I haven't come across anyone who believes that Guiu would solve all of our problems—like our CF problems, for instance. I brought up Haaland as a U20 athlete. Check out his Dortmund & Salzburg stats. This is the problem with you selectively choosing the information that you feel is appropriate for you. Best to leave this pointless discussion as is.

Where exactly did I mention that? Any 18yo successful goalies you remember? I'll go one better for you, Donnaruma at 16-17 years of age -Gianluigi Donnarumma - Detailed stats | Transfermarkt Thibo at 19 years of age (another example close enough to show the former isn't a generational talent) - Thibaut Courtois - Detailed stats | Transfermarkt Do you want me to debunk any more theories? Each player ought to be assessed appropriately. But it feels like a cop-out to me to pick and choose how to judge someone based on their age, price tag, position, or whatever league they play in. Did I not mention Haaland? If you are truly prepared to keep to the topic at hand, I'm happy to have any discussion on it. Please direct me to the people who are requesting "too much" from Guiu.

Everyone, I believe, was expecting Guiu to be given a chance rather than being sent off as soon as possible (rumours at the moment). These goalposts are difficult to follow. Can we only judge players above a certain age, or is it dependent on their position?

My post was edited for that specific reason. Talking about the expectational - Estevao is supposedly in that bracket. Should we give him a few years to prove himself when he comes next season, or should we aim for figures akin to those of a certain player, Neymar (a stupid comparison, IMO)?

Haaland didn't do too bad.

That happened almost 13 years ago; things have drastically changed. I'd imagine him (and most likely those caught on film) will be facing serious bans considering it took place while on NT duty. FYI, we are also doing our own investigation as well.

Chelsea 'restart pursuit' of £29m star who had 'no regrets' after snubbing them last year | Football | Sport | Express.co.uk

Looking at a player's numbers gives you an idea of what they can offer, especially where attackers are concerned. If someone scores 100 goals in two seasons in Italy, is it a moot point because Serie A is a weaker league or nothing compares to the Prem? I have no idea if your POV is one of ignorance, as this seems to be the case far too often. I just want a natural goal scorer (Alvarez isn't one for me). It doesn't get more black or white than that. The best recent example is the Copa America, where Alvarez scored two having started four games, while Martinez scored five having only started one. I'm aware this is a small sample size, but it shows the point I'm trying to make and puts the following to bed - completely different system, with teammates with different characteristics, and playing in a different role. That's a valid reason. However, I don't think they are willing to break it unless it's someone in a similar position to Mbappe's this summer - one of the best around whose contract was up. I personally feel that is Alvarez's best and most effective position, behind a real number 9. People's preferences depend on what they really want, I guess. Osimhen trumps anything obtainable during this window and solves the biggest issues we've had since Costa left. If we're going to talk about wages being too high, we might as well forget any hope of signing Alvarez for the exact same reason.

He has scored 20 goals in 67 EPL games, playing for comfortably the most dominant side in the league. This isn't a dig at him; I just feel we need an out-and-out scorer with the current crop of players. The Firmino comparison is lazy when you consider who was playing on either side of him. Imagine Firmino playing upfront; we'd be reliant on Palmer (based on last season's numbers).

Lukaku's departure to Napoli is inevitable, which would have considerably reduced any outlay for Osimhen. Personally, I don't get the narrative around "gambles," given that no player is guaranteed to duplicate their form elsewhere or perform to their full ability. Osimhen would have been a calculated gamble, with Lukaku moving the opposite way. Based on your prior statements, I assume you'd support Alvarez joining for £75 million~; nevertheless, he'd be a bigger gamble, imo.

Profit comes first for them. Roman wanted us to be European & World champs so badly. During the majority of his ownership, he put his money where his mouth was, which is a large reason we were as successful as we were.

Martinez (the United one) was on a video call in the background while Alvarez was sat next to Enzo. It goes to prove that the players on that list are more sensible. A number of players have already unfollowed him, making their feelings known indirectly. How does any "bad blood" magically disappear & not cause friction amongst sections of the squad?

I assume you are referring to Partey. If this is the case, then based on where the alleged incident occurred, there either were no charges filed in the first place or they were quickly dropped. Rather than justifying such behaviour, I'm just going off what I know (should be locked up with Greenwood). Enzo was LIVE STREAMING. Can it get any more incriminating than that?

The club wouldn't rescind his contract, so we'd get some money back. Do you honestly think the club wants to be painted with the brush of having racist ties to save £20–30 million? As @YorkshireBlue said, no player is bigger than this club.