Vesper

not totally feeling Inter's new kit

Serie A | Internazionale vs Napoli http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2020/serie-a-internazionale-vs-napoli-s1/ https://www.totalsportek.com/inter-milan/

4 simple reasons why 1. he soon is 30yo (right when winter ends), and this is the last summer we can get massive cash/swap value for him, his value plummets after this summer (unless we squeeze out a January last ditch swap/sale) 2. he is FAR too often injured now, it is hurting the team 3. He simply is a square peg in a round hole in many of Lampard's formations, especially a 3 man MF where he is on the right, Lamp's ramming him back in fucked us up badly in mid-season in many games 4. The 4 teams who are most interested in him all have players we both need and should dearly covet via a swap or a swap + cash if needed (Varane, Marquinhos, Giménez or Oblak, Skriniar) it certainly cannot hurt to clandestinely ask them if they are open to any sort of deal

Perfect type (one year older than van der Sar (35yo basically when Manure signed him in 2005) Samir Handanović (just turn 36 two weeks ago) Brilliant keeper, has 3, 4 years left (van der sar stayed at Manure until he was 3 months shy of 41)

the sweeper is free to follow the flow of play and lend support to either side (RCB or LCB) plus obviously the central CB is going to also slant to that side (to a degree) also you have the LMF and RMF to also lend lateral support the width comes naturally from both the LMF/RMF, plus the RW and the LWer Havertz as the roaming 10 can both provide further width by coming into centre right position (like an old-time inside forward) which allows Werner to also drift a bit more wide if nned be on defence there would be a lot of rotational movement depending on play flow and ball position, with players rotating over to create more defensive strength and cover gaps same for the offensive end triangles and overloads are what thsi 3 1 3 3 is designed to do and the sweeper is key to provided defensive stoutness remember you have 3 CB's as well, so right there is width in the final quarter or so of the pitch (the quarter you are defending) Camavinga (an extraordinary athlete with globally elite mobility and speed) as sweeper and Rice as a the central CB (again far more comfortable on the ball than all but a few CB's, would be massive in moving the ball forward too, as both are technical and very mobile and good on the ball other players this would work for (talking about the either the MCB or the Sweeper role) would be players like, Marquinhos (both), Kimmich (sweeper, as he si too short for a CB), Alaba (both), Aymeric Laporte (MCB), Diego Carlos (MCB), Lucas Hernández (both, or even LCB, see at the end), Theo Hernández (both, or even LCB, see at the end), Denis Zakaria (sweeper), Thomas Partey (sweeper), Rodri (both), Boubakary Soumaré (sweeper), Sandro Tonali,(sweeper) Florentino (sweeper) and finally Alphonso Davies (sweeper and he also would a fucking terror at LMF, so if you reallllly wanted to go insane (and this is strictly FM, as he will not be sold), swap out Kovacic for Davies at LMF, keep Rice at MCB Mount at RMF, and put Camavinga at sweeper, that press would be arguably the most athletic in history, the speed is just overwhelming, especially IF Tomori ever came good and you toss him for Rice at MCB and maybe we had a different, smaller (than Milenkovic) but faster LCB, like Evan N'Dicka (who is still big at 1.92m but far more pacy) or Lucas or Theo Hernandez (at LCB) Klostermann at RCB is pacy, very pacy.(convetrted bomber RB) I hope that all helps to clarify I have put a lot of thought into this over the past 3 or so years it absolutely needs the right players, but I think it has nuclear bomb potential if it is rolled out with the right players, and if the manger can teach it (and believes in it) it can work like a vastly more athletic 2004 Greece team (in spirit from a 'Wall' mentality and semi resemblance at SOME (not all) defensive inflection points) BUT with exponentially better fluidity, offensive firepower and especially players

I absolutely get it same for Alonso it is why I backed way off them months ago only time in past few months I got pissed at Willian was when he was dead knackered, so not really his fault I am one of the very few who want him to stay on he is a great squad player to have on the bench and it saves us (IF we let him go and bought a decent winger to replace him) tens of millions this window which we do not have to spare as we have to pump so much into all the other positions the only wingers in the world above 29yo who are better than Willian atm are Messi CR7 Ángel Di María Gareth Bale (and he has destroyed a huge chunk of his remaining career by fucking off at Real) and maybe, maybe, Ivan Perišić (not for me) that is literally it no, one season farmer league wonder Dušan Tadić is not better, he was dogshit in the EPL and is horrid at defensive trackback play (one of Willian's true strong-points) zero goals this season in CL group stage, and in 2018-19, his crazy stats year almost ALL his goals were against teams who would be instantly relegated in the Championship. Out of his 38 goals that year, only 5 where against quality teams (and what made his rep was that 3 of them were against Bayern and Real) Almost all his goals and assists where against dogshit. (his only 4 assists against quality teams were again 3 total against Bayern and Real, plus 1 v spurs) This season, zero goals against quality teams, all comps, 3 league assists v quality (PSV and Feyenoord), and 3 CL assists v a decent teams (Valencia and Lille) banging in a shedload versus utter dregs like Sturm Graz, Telstar, Spakenburg, Emmen,, VVV-Venlo, Heerenveen, RKC Waalwijk, SBV Excelsior, De Graafschap Doetinchem, and Fortuna Sittard is meaningless.

real quality analysis

⚽️#2 - FOOTBALLERS vs LEGENDS⚽️feat Pele Messi Neymar Zidane & more!

gods are self-centred Divine inspiration: Jose Mourinho compares his popularity with Jesus https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/real-madrid-boss-jose-mourinho-1377084

wish I had your positive crystal ball and my maths are stand-alone and based on what happened and what could happen (and will happen IF we buy Oblak and sell Kepa), not some revisionist history BTW, by NOT using smart contractual management (one of my biggest beefs with the board and Marina) with Cuntois (he said over and over he wanted to go back to Madrid) and selling him for at least £75m (Real would have dropped that at least in 2017) we shit away another £33m plus (we sold him for £31.50m, 35m euros, there were a bunch of shit sites who confused GBP with EUR) We then could have bought one of my top targets that summer Alisson (I was very much sold on him especially based off 2 of my best friends' reccos. They were living (one still is, a Swedish/Brasilian girl, whom I went to independent school with in Hammersmith, the other was her English BF, who broke up with her a while back and returned to London) in Porto Allegre when he was at Inter They were Gremio fans, but said he was the real deal, so I knew it was a good recco, as Rebecca especially HATES Inter (she grew up in Porto Allegre), I also was very impressed with him as the Roma backup in 2016-17. We could have bought him for peanuts compared to what he went for the next year. All that doesn't even begin to count the difference of buying Alisson for £20-30m or so (easily done in 2017, as he was their backup keeper then and Roma was in deep shit financially) versus the insanity of the transfer fees alone for Kepa and Oblak it was a massive, multiyear cockup Alisson (who, in summer 2017 was 1 or 2 months or so away from turning 25yo, so not some teen noob) <<<<<<<<

'I am champion of the last five matches': Mourinho defends Tottenham record https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/24/jose-mourinho-defends-record-with-tottenham-going-in-right-direction?utm_term=31030b69138c4948807edeb505e00782 José Mourinho has issued a not so subtle reminder that he remains a “Special One” by emphasising that Tottenham’s Premier League record since he succeeded Mauricio Pochettino last November is the fourth-best in the top tier. Spurs are destined to finish sixth or seventh following their trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday, with their Europa League qualification hopes hinging on results elsewhere, but the manager maintains the league table obscures the quality of his work. “If this is about individuals and my individual approach, I’m fourth in the league,” a relaxed Mourinho said in answer to a question as to whether he still ranked among the world’s best managers. “If you think I need to show something, OK I’m going to try,” said the Portuguese, who has collected 25 senior trophies in four different countries. “I arrive [when the team were] 14th, eight points difference to Arsenal but if the league starts then no problem. And, if you want to laugh with me, I am the champion of the last five matches.”

plenty of other options to slot in that LCB spot if he is not up to it the 5 games or so I watched him this year he was really good in four, and one was meh

the Pulisic and Cuntois parts aged poorly though

Beckham wants him at Inter Miami Inter Miami CF alters logo to promote social distancing

I prefer Elvedi, but REALLY prefer Klostermann, but Ginter is a big upgrade as well the only other Bundesliga CB's who interest me (sorry Upamecano fanboys/girls)

Clinching fourth also secures Lampard precious time to continue rebuild https://theathletic.com/1951318/2020/07/26/chelsea-2-0-wolves-lampard-werner-ziyech-lampard-champions-league/ At the final whistle, there were no big celebrations. Frank Lampard simply shook hands with Nuno Espirito Santo and then walked on to the Stamford Bridge pitch to do something he’s had surprisingly few chances to do this season: congratulate his players on a convincing, drama-free home win. On his way back to the tunnel, his eyes drifted up the East Stand where, among others, Timo Werner had just had his first experience of watching his new team, and he raised one satisfied fist. There was no sense that Lampard’s job might be in jeopardy if the unthinkable happened and Chelsea did crash out of the top four on the Premier League’s final day; he has been too prominent in the club’s recruitment of Werner and Hakim Ziyech, as well as their promising courtship of Kai Havertz, for that to be the case. All three players are keen to be part of the team he is building, regardless of where they finished in the table. Champions League football certainly helps, though — both in terms of boosting the budget for further reinforcements in the transfer market, and also to maintain the broader momentum of Chelsea’s rebuilding project. Lampard can now say without any caveats that he has managed what was always going to be a bumpy transition into the post-Eden Hazard era about as well as any manager could — and he could still cap his primary objective with an FA Cup win. That particularly matters when it comes to approaching next season, when Lampard will be subjected to the true unforgiving nature of the Chelsea job. While he won’t be required to immediately lead his team to the rarefied air occupied by Liverpool and Manchester City over the last two years, Roman Abramovich will be justified in expecting to see a significant closing of the gap — and every signing that follows Ziyech and Werner to Cobham will raise that bar further. Delivering a top-four finish can only bolster the faith of those he answers to that Lampard is the manager to oversee the construction of the next great Chelsea side. It also allows him to address the glaring weaknesses that have repeatedly come to the fore this season from a position of real strength and authority. Manchester United beating Leicester City at the King Power Stadium rendered Chelsea’s victory over Wolves ultimately irrelevant in deciding the Champions League spots. It was a conclusion in keeping with a staggeringly underwhelming top-four race; 66 points would only have been good enough to earn fourth place in one of the last 10 Premier League seasons. Chelsea also got there despite letting in more goals than any other team in the top 10 and more than any Chelsea side in the Abramovich era. Lampard has his own questions still to answer as a defensive coach but he has at least used his most chastening experiences this season to solidify his thoughts on what to change in terms of personnel. There was a real finality to his decision to drop Kepa Arrizabalaga for a match in which so much was potentially on the line. It would now be a major shock if the man Chelsea made the world’s most expensive goalkeeper in the summer of 2018 features at all in what are likely to be the club’s last two matches of the season — and a mild surprise if he is still at Stamford Bridge next term. Lampard has avoided criticising Kepa in public, even on his worst days, but his favouring of Willy Caballero against Wolves was the most emphatic statement of all. Just as against United in the FA Cup semi-finals, Mason Mount and Reece James were the only representatives of Chelsea’s academy core in an older line-up against Wolves. Lampard has leaned more heavily on his experienced players since the Premier League’s resumption but there is something fitting about an academy product playing such a key role in the win that finally got Chelsea over the line in the top-four race. It should serve as a timely reminder, if one were needed, that the thrilling youth movement underpinning many of this season’s brightest moments will continue to be a key element of what he is building at Stamford Bridge. If there is an eventual willingness at Chelsea to countenance selling Kepa at a huge loss, the sting will be eased by the millions that Mount, James, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Fikayo Tomori and Billy Gilmour will save them in the years to come. Mount, more than any of the others, has been the symbol of the Lampard era, featuring in all but one of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League matches and starting 32 times. His spectacular free kick to break the deadlock was the seventh goal of his debut campaign and his perfectly-weighted pass to set Olivier Giroud running through for the decisive second was his fifth assist; very respectable numbers for a 21-year-old, garnished with plenty of flashes that hint at greater things to come. Lampard has been accused of playing favourites with Mount, sticking with him through his less impressive stretches of form and picking him a matter of days after two painful ankle injuries earlier in the season. But the reality is that Lampard’s success in managing the development of Chelsea’s youngsters this season has been founded upon his insistence that they earn every opportunity they are handed with unwavering effort. Mount was one of three Chelsea players hooked at half-time of last month’s FA Cup tie against Leicester while Abraham, Hudson-Odoi and Tomori have all found minutes harder to come by in the final stretch of the season. Lampard pledged on arrival to pick his team based on merit and he has been unfailingly true to his word; this is a big reason why veterans like Olivier Giroud and Marcos Alonso have kept themselves in the frame of mind to make a real impact when called upon. Quality arrivals this summer will only make Lampard’s task of squad management harder next season but the signs are that he is capable of finding the right balance. This season has been a learning experience for him as well as his players and the good news for Chelsea is that he has learned just quickly enough to keep them at Europe’s top table. Now, all parties have every reason to set their sights even higher. https://theathletic.com/podcast/139-straight-outta-cobham/?episode=38 Is Kepa Finished? + Heading To Wembley Full Of Confidence! Host Matt Davies-Adams & The Athletic's Chelsea experts, Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson, reconvene following a surprisingly comfortable win over Wolves on the final day of the season to confirm their place in next season's Champions League... How much did Lampard's team selection say about Kepa's Chelsea future + could Ajax's Andre Onana replace him? Has Mount been Chelsea's best player OR has Giroud been our unlikely hero? Plus, the trio look ahead to the FA Cup final against Arsenal and what a first managerial trophy would mean for Super Frank.

Lewis Bate, Chelsea’s next young English star https://theathletic.com/1954900/2020/07/28/lewis-bate-chelsea-jody-morris-talent-academy/ It is the moment every young player dreams of: one of the management staff is delivering the good news that you have been selected in the first-team squad for a match for the very first time. Most people will assume that it’s an occasion where you are able to talk about every single detail — but that is not the case for Chelsea’s rising star Lewis Bate. It was on the eve of Chelsea’s match at Sheffield United on July 11 that assistant manager Jody Morris pulled the 17-year-old to one side to tell him that he was going to be named as a substitute at Bramall Lane. Soon afterwards, he was on the phone to family and close friends to reveal the good news, but there wasn’t much more he could add. Whether it was just pure excitement or disbelief over a childhood aspiration being realised, Bate can’t remember anything else about the conversation. As he explained to people when asked about what was discussed, the midfielder admitted to being fazed for five minutes. The midfielder can’t recall what he uttered in response, let alone what Morris was saying to him. It is one of the only occasions in recent years that Bate has been guilty of being unable to focus. Mind you, it is his ability with the ball at his feet that does most of the talking for him anyway. When the squad gather on Tuesday to begin their preparations for the FA Cup Final against Arsenal, Bate is expected to be among the group once more, trying to make an impression. With 20 places up for grabs, coach Frank Lampard can name nine substitutes on the bench at Wembley, so there is a possibility he could be included. If nothing else, he might get to travel with the team. It is a measure of his rapid progress and just how highly he is rated that Bate is in the frame at all. He began the season with the under-18s, was upgraded to the under-23s at the beginning of 2020, and is now regularly rubbing shoulders with all the internationals at Cobham. Nine academy players have been given their debuts this season and perhaps if Chelsea had been leading 3-0, rather than losing 3-0, at Sheffield United, Bate would have made it double figures. He joined Chelsea at under-nine level and, like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mason Mount and Callum Hudson-Odoi, has continued to impress while working up through the ranks. The England Under-17 international garners attention for the way he can dictate the game from midfield, with a silky left foot that can spray passes from one side to another and cut through opposition defences. However, it was demonstrating a more feisty characteristic which really caught the eye of Morris. Standing a mere 5ft 6in and with a diminutive frame, it looks like he might be easily bullied by stronger, more physical players. During one youth game that Morris was watching, an opposition player sent Bate to the floor with a crunching late tackle. There was not much of a reaction from the youngster. He didn’t chase the referee demanding punishment or asked to be substituted to recover from the pain. After quietly taking the treatment, Bate got up and got on with the game. Then, 15 minutes later, he made a strong challenge of his own on the player who had hurt him. It sparked quite a few protests and complaints from the team Chelsea were playing but for Morris, it was a sign of Bate’s character and competitive nature. As one source tells The Athletic, “I think Jody saw a bit of himself in him”. Morris had a fight to prove he was good enough to make it as a youngster at Chelsea in the 1990s. Despite being 5ft 5in, he went on to make 173 appearances for the first team. It certainly played a part in Bate being asked to participate in training sessions ahead of the restart last month. Bate had kept himself very fit during lockdown, so much so that in the early tests conducted, it is believed he finished second among the group he was working with. As far as the coaches were concerned, that showed he had the right mentality, as well as the ability. He also impressed during drills with players much older and experienced than him. It led to Bate being involved in Chelsea’s first game of any kind for three months when Lampard staged an in-house friendly between all the players at Stamford Bridge. Bate wasn’t the only youngster involved — Tino Anjorin, Armando Broja, Jamie Cumming and Henry Lawrence also got minutes — but it was the former who really stood out. As one observer says: “They already thought he was good but what he did that day really made a big impression and made them think he is even better than they thought.” Some might think in Billy Gilmour, Bate has a significant obstacle to bypass. They are of similar stature, playing style and love being in midfield. Gilmour is 18 months older and has already made 11 appearances for Lampard’s side, including remarkable showings against Liverpool and Everton in March. A knee injury sustained earlier this month has halted the Scot’s progress but he clearly has a bright future in the set-up. Instead of seeing Gilmour’s presence in a negative light or as a bitter rival, though, Bate regards him as an inspiration, someone to drive himself on to work even harder. Chelsea handed Bate a three-year contract last October and inevitably, with one of their emerging players, there have been enquiries from lower-league teams about taking him on loan. No decisions have been taken as to what he will do in the next campaign as yet. It is a conversation to be had with his agent, the club and his very supportive family during the close season. But a measure of the kind of person Chelsea have on their books came in an under-18 game against Southampton last August. Bate was given the ball 30 yards out and he just stroked it into the net. It proved to be the only goal of the game but there were no wild celebrations. As his team-mates surrounded him, Bate just carried on walking calmly, as if what he had just done was no big deal, was part of the norm. There is nothing ordinary about this kid.

Pep is gong to sort their multiple issues, and with a vengeance Look at the giant teams Barca --- been there done that, do not see him going back for ages, if ever RM --- he will NEVER go there (Barca) Atleti probably never, just cannot see it ever happening Bayern, been there done that (his huge regret is no CL win) Dortmund, NEVER (too small and the Bayern thing) Manure --- just like RM, he will NEVER go there due to Shitty Victimpool ----- he will NEVER go there Chels, very low chance he would come here ever, not as low as the dippers or Manure, but still very, very remote now for the 4 possibles PSG, but wow, once (if) they lose Mbappe (and even Neymar) I would think he would not go unless they grab Håland, Sancho, and a shedload of other younger stars (maybe he would make a play for Sterling on top of all that) OR they come raiding........ US, eeeek AC Milan I could see him there, but ONLY if they have far better backing (which IS likely to happen down the road). I can see his mind interested in that, though, as when he was a player, AC Milan were a massive billy big bollocks global power, the biggest or near biggest for a 20 year period (mid 80¨s to mid noughties) or so (In that time-frame 7 Serie A tiles, 1 Coppa Italia (always has been their weak spot, they only have 5 in their entire history, and the other 4 all came in an 11 year period of 1967 to 1977), 5 Supercoppa Italiana cups, FIVE CL's, 5 UEFA Super Cups, 2 Intercontinental Cup's and 1 FIFA WCC (so 3 times they were world champions (including back to back), and 3 other times they were runners up (losing to some superb SA sides, including those insane 92.-94 Cafu-led São Paulo sides who were back to back Copa Libertadores champions, back to back Recopa Sudamericana, won the1993 Supercopa Libertadores, the 1994 Copa Conmebol, and were back to back world champions <<< insane run, you will never see a SA team like that again, the best players all run to UEFA now, especially after Brasil won the 1994 WC and Brasilian footballers went modern global media powerhouse, which was perma cemented in the 2002 WC) Juve, maybe, but he would have to be given full control, as free flowing footie is so against their DNA, plus he might clash with the Agnelli's, they are very intrusive and very headstrong (ask Conte, Allegri, Sarri) Inter (but he would need to be given full control and REALLY backed, which I do not think Inter is capable of unless a multi-billionaire of Abramovich's size or more buys them) I think it would be PSG or AC Milan (and only if AC have upgraded ownership) or he just stays put at Shitty for ages until he possibly goes back to Barca for his final gig :

it is Monopoly money at this point if you add in Obak's fees + wages on a 5 year (let alone 7 year) contract assuming between wages subsidised and the massive hit on the transfer fee, we are looking at a £60m + net loss on Kepa then toss in the £205m or so (on a 5 year deal at his current salary) cost for Oblak (fees and salary) that is well over a quarter of a billion quid (£265m or so) for 7 (2 years of Kepa, 5 of Oblak) years' net cost just for our starting GK that alone is more than all but 29 clubs in the world entire rosters are worth on T-Markt, lolololol

yep, been saying thsi for months, and I think Kabak may end up the best of the lot. he impressed the hell out m on a very bläääää Schalke team.. But all three seem rock solid. Should blow away England CB's within a year or 2 (by WC time) like you said, Turkey is probably a big darkhorse

Sørloth is up to 32 goals, 10 assists all comps, and still has the Cup final to play. Palace are fools.

ffs, he lives in London, if you cannot find someone there you truly are fucked, lolol I am not into 'fixing' people, especially my mate plus he looks like a clinger been there, done that hard pass

somehow I still think he can be 'fixed' it just cannot be that he goes from that to this current form we need to somehow fix him

that time barring was utter tosh, as only the first couple years (NOT the entire time frame) was time barred and I think that if we legally go after it (FFP itself), it will be in such fashion and manner that we (and others) will say the entire structure is against EU law I truly do not know, I am just positing a guess/theory

lol half or more of the board be like