TheOneChan95

Forster is having the game of his life

Lets look at our potential competitors Bayern- Likely, however he doesn't seem the sort to go to a direct rival. Also, they have an abundance of top capable AMs, Real- Very unlikely, CR, James and Bale are already there. Don't forget Real paid TOP dollars for them. They seem settled and are doing just fine. Would Real really throw their toys out of the pram this fast? Barca - Transfer ban. However, he said he wishes to go there, so it may happen. Even then their front 3 is pretty amazing on paper. Wouldn't be a guaranteed starter. Possibility PSG- If he wishes to just make $$. But would they really provide a challenge for him? French league is weak and PSG are not exactly dominant in Europe yet. Possibility but not likely. Utd- Have the $$ and may make space for him. But their current status is far below what they were. No CL and honestly they may not make a spot next season. Wouldn't he want to challenge for trophies too? Possibility but not likely. Arsenal - Plenty of friends over there but their inability to consistently challenge for trophies might put him off. Possibility but not likely What about us though? Our RW is calling for a top player. We have enough financial resources. Consistently challenging for trophies. Very balanced team and a top manager in Jose. Already making a strong push in the league this season. We are the most logical choice for him. However if the rumours about getting him now then letting him stay in Dortmund are true, I would choose that option. We already have a good and settled team right now. Letting him come next season when we get to have more time to incorporate him in our plans during preseason would be better IMO.

Disagree with that, he was excellent in this regard last season. Made very good decisions that opened up the defence. Can't remember too many but examples would be like away at Gala or his assist in the super cup/world cup. He's been very selfish so far but his decision making last season was one of the better ones in our squad. If Salah is moving out then I think we can afford to keep him here + Reus.

Hazard is doing this more often now. Wish Willian dared to do this too. He is definitely technically competent and pacy enough. Anyways, no chance Bale is coming. It makes 0 sense for RM to sell him so early. Besides it's not like he was ineffective, he effectively won it for Real in the CL+ that goal in the Copa del Rey

With the AFCON coming up soon, how do you guys think it will affect the PL race?

I think Cole at his peak can be classified at that level. Unless you're talking about CBs only of course. Also, I think the stats don't lie when showing Ronaldo's drop in goal output when he moved to Serie A that they had a much better defence back then. Definitely the biggest "what if" in football for me. Plus his solo goal from the halfway line was breathtaking too. Maybe not so controversial but I think that players in the PL are overhyped and overrated plenty of times.

Schurrle ended up being a crucial part of Germany's WC win. Is it so far fetched to think he can step up for us when needed? He is the only winger we have ATM who naturally makes runs into goalscoring positions. He's been in a rut but every player has bad spells. He wasn't all that spectacular too at the start of last season but towards the end he was in very good form. Calling him mediocre in attack and horrible in defense is a huge stretch. If we're chasing a game I don't doubt he is the most likely to be subbed in. I'm against the idea of him being the one moved out simply because he is a very good weapon to have from the bench. I'd want Reus too but I doubt Schurrle will be the one leaving, at least not in Jan. It's more likely we get him here at the expense of Salah.

Isn't it only 5 appearances needed now? So just 3 more appearances would do for a medal that he can show off to Stevie G. It's gonna be a tight schedule soon so I can see him getting some more games too. He should still stay for a little while and push himself to the max that he can. Him leaving now would also leave us kinda short on AMs (4 for 3 spots).

Totally agree. I think sometimes, a player needs to move to really grow. Look at Robben for example, he was great but he never became a true top player until at Bayern recently. Anyways, out of curiosity how many times has Matic been sent off in his career? He is so physically dominant and aggressive yet I don't think he is a rash red card risk. It's amazing how he does it. Edit: I think KDB might be another player who needed to leave in order to shine and develop.

Agree with this, you just can't assume that the ball is going to be saved by your keeper. A really hard, swerving shot might be spilled or parried into the path of an opposing player too. I'd rather take a chance with the block.

Perhaps physicality was the wrong word. I think what I meant was aggression. His technique, consistency and stamina are great. But I think he isn't as aggressive as Azpi when marking. I think he should be a nailed on starter for all European games because he seems completely comfortable there, just that he seems a bit shakier with the more physical and aggressive PL. And at some point, I would love to see our team try Luis and Azpi together as our starting fullbacks.

To be fair Luiz went for 50m and Mangala went for ~40m wasn't it? So I guess valuations have gone bonkers. Like that other guy said, I think he is a decent defender but Liverpool have a terrible defense. Have him under Mourinho and I think he can be as good as Cahill

It's ridiculous how everything seems to be in place for us. It's as if everything is going too well in the league.

Don't watch them much but from what I've seen Thorgan has a better shot of making it. He seems to have more desire of influencing the game and affecting play and that would probably work to his advantage if he comes here.

I guess there is a positive in every setback. I think Mou can now really see that we are not the Chelsea 10 years ago who can shut up shop easily and won't close a 1-0 lead with Mikel now.

If Schurrle doesn't want to go I don't think it will happen though. And let's face it, why would he go? He's been in poor form lately but it's not like he isn't getting chances to perform. I don't think going to Dortmund would improve his career at this stage and tbh he looks settled in London. Salah on the other hand...

It's probably rubbish isn't it? I think he's a decent player but I can't help but feel that he kind of lost his edge after marrying Shakira.

Yeah I'd prefer Soton to nick a CL spot but when the tough games come thick and fast, I don't think they have a squad capable of coping with it. Damn if we hadn't conceded 2 late equalizers we'd be so far ahead now that it would take a complete meltdown to lose the title.

I like him a lot but I think that's an awful vine tbh. I hope we can step up our social media game.

He was amazing and he made things look so easy. But in my opinion R9 Ronaldo was the best ever in his prime. Dribbling at breakneck speeds, power and incredible football intelligence. He was the epitome of talent for me. Such a shame he fell from grace. A bit sad when you realise that quite a few Brazillian superstars just lose their edge when they are supposed to be at their peak (Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka)

Yeah it's just so impressive to see how dominant he is in midfield. We should really be up by 3 now, I hope we don't squander any more chances

I know I've said it before but seriously Matic is such a beast.

I think Sanchez would have been a solid fit here tbh. Excellent energy and offensive capability. I don't really think Reus should go to Barca though, I know Suarez is a bit off lately but breaking through a trio of Neymar-Messi-Suarez is hard af. My only worry about getting Reus is that he turns out crap after leaving them. So many players that left haven't really hit the heights that they were supposed to. I think it would be hugely hypocritical of him to go to Bayern too. But that seems to be the most likely destination for me. I still it's unlikely that he would want to come here but maybe if we win the CL again then we get a repeat of the Hazard situation Either that or we treat Shirley really well and he convinces Reus to come along.

Fuck yes

He's on the wrong side though. The job of a fullback on offense now would be to provide width and he isn't good enough with 2 feet to do that. Put him on the right and I'm sure he will go forward more. If we put prime cole at RB I doubt he would be as effective going forward too.I agree we need to free up Hazard, which is why Luis was bought. But somehow I think he might lack a bit of physicality for the pl. He's been superb in European games though and I think we have a decent shot at the CL if everyone maintains full fitness.