Vesper

De Bruyne as a No 10 or AMF, if you prefer, plays down the middle a lot, and if Kante plays in the middle again (and even if he starts at RMF he slides over on defence a tonne), well there you go

I have been pushing a sale (manly before COVID fucked the market) of Kante for around a year now, BUT if we swapped him straight away for Arthur I would explode in rage Jorginho for Arthur is sorta is fair value but he doesn't interest me all that much only CMF's I truly covet are Frenkie de Jong (so not available) Saúl Ñíguez (too expensive but deffo the top one out there, I know he hates playing there but he would be a beast at LB as well) Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (too expensive anyway) Marco Verratti (so not available) Federico Valverde (so not available) Houssem Aouar (he would perhaps be worth a swap for Jorginho buy I do not think Lyon wants him and I am jittery on non-PSG Ligue 1 players who cost near or more than £60m, Aouar and Camavinga are the only 2 who fit that template and I rate them around £50-55m, Osimhen may soon be there too, maybe, maybe Boubakary Soumaré, but I need to see a great defensive season next year out of him before I say that, his stats are shaky atm, but he does have huge potential ) and two teens on potential Ryan Gravenberch Jude Bellingham (we have packed it in on him) Thiago Alcantera, Kroos (absolutely unavailable anyway), and Pjanic are now too old to buy, Nicolò Barella is no longer needed I think and Inter will not sell him anyway, and Koke is not a good fit, we have too many similar players already CMF is the overall easiest position to suss out globally atm I just listed every single top 10 or 12 one except for Pogba (too expensive and I do not think is a good fit here, too much drama) and Kante (IF you call him a CMF now)

Guendouzi is a tosser supreme, I have hated him since he came to Arse, he has a pure shit temper and is very overrated as a player. same for that dwarf cunt Lucas Torreira

Arsenal: Ruud Gullit slams “overrated” David Luiz https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-news/arsenal-ruud-gullit-slams-david-luiz-overrated-criticism/

Chelsea: Three key clashes in the match against Manchester City https://theprideoflondon.com/2020/06/23/chelsea-three-key-clashes-in-the-match-against-manchester-city/ In Chelsea’s upcoming match against Manchester City, there will be some key clashes to look forward to. These key clashes could determine the match. Thursday’s match against Manchester City will be an interesting one. There could be some really good clashes between the two clubs. N’Golo Kante going up against Kevin De Bruyne will be one of the more important key clashes to this match. Cesar Azpilicueta against Raheem Sterling will be another good one. And finally, how Mason Mount deals with Kyle Walker. N’Golo Kante vs. Kevin De Bruyne This is one of the most important clashes in the match. Kante is arguably the best center defensive midfielder in the world. De Bruyne, on the other hand, is arguably the best center attacking midfielder in the world. Both Kante and De Bruyne are their teams’ best players. Kante’s amazing defending ability and speed will be key to stopping De Bruyne from running City’s attack. The City attacker’s incredible passing ability is what sets up many of Manchester City’s goals. Depending on how well Kante locks up De Bruyne could be what decides the outcome of this match. snip

Jadon Sancho likes transfer tweet sending Man Utd fans into meltdown Jadon Sancho is being strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this summer, and his Borussia Dortmund future was thrown further into doubt after he surprisingly liked a controversial tweet https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/jadon-sancho-likes-transfer-tweet-22231896 Manchester United fans were sent into meltdown over the weekend after Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho liked a tweet stating his “head is already with Manchester United”. England international Sancho is being strongly linked with a £100m-plus move back to the Premier League this summer. Old Trafford is expected to be his end destination, having left rivals Manchester City for Dortmund in 2017 for just £8m. And the move looked to be even more on the cards after Sancho liked a controversial tweet about his future after he was named on the bench for Saturday’s 2-0 win over RB Leipzig. The tweet was from the well-known @utdreport account, who were quoting reputable German journalist, Heiko Wasser. Translating and paraphrasing Wasser’s original tweet, it read: “Jadon Sancho started on the bench for Borussia Dortmund against RB Leipzig. His head is already with Manchester United.” snip

After helping with the Werner deal, Antonio Rudiger could play a part in Kai Havetz pursuit https://www.chelsea-news.co/2020/06/helping-werner-deal-antonio-rudiger-play-part-kai-havetz-pursuit/ Chelsea confirmed the summer arrival of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig last week, and that doesn’t look to be the end to the spending. They are also interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz, as per multiple reports including a recent one from reliable Belgian outlet HLN yesterday. Chelsea centre back Antonio Rudiger plays in the same Germany side as both of these players, and he revealed to the Chelsea website yesterday that he ‘did his bit and what he had to do’ in helping get Werner to sign for Chelsea. Of course Blues fans will naturally now be hoping that he can once again do his bit and what he has to do, in order to convince Havertz to make the same move. I am sure Rudiger would have already been in touch with Havertz after all these rumours circulating, trying to do his bit. But ultimately of course, it is down to the two clubs involved.

just one of an insane amount of players who collectively add up to make us by far the most complicated big team in Europe to suss out fully. the only 'no true questions other than growing into the job (for some) players are Reece, Kovacic, Gilmour, Mount, and Pulisic (as long as he stays healthy) plus Giroud (if you accept him for what he is, simply a great backup option) Hopefully Ziyech and Werner can be added here too. Azpi to a point (but soon he is no longer starting material at all, but is great as a backup option for a couple more years hopefully) It kills me to not put Rudiger in here as well, but he has not exactly covered himself in glory as of late. every other player has major issues of one kind or another it is crazy, especially when you add in the on-loan dregs 36 in total (not counting the soon or already gone Morata, Pasalic, Willian, and Pedro, who would have taken it to an even (and bonkers) 40) plus not counting any of the youngsters who are good enough to keep (some out on loan as well) THAT is the literal definition of complicated and unsettled

Sean Dyche and Pep Guardiola condemn plane banner at Man City vs Burnley Banner was flown over Etihad Stadium before Burnley's 5-0 defeat to Man City on Monday night https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/football-news/sean-dyche-pep-guardiola-condemn-18469844 Burnley boss Sean Dyche and his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola have both condemned the plane banner flown over the Etihad Stadium ahead of Monday night's Premier League encounter. The Clarets were beaten 5-0 by City with Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez both scoring twice. But the contest was overshadowed by a plane banner flying overhead while players and staff from both sides took a knee to support the black lives matter movement. The message read White Lives Matter Burnley and flew over the pitch for the opening few minutes of the match. Burnley released a statement condemning the behaviour while Clarets captain Ben Mee said he was ashamed and embarrassed by the banner. And Turf boss Sean Dyche reiterated the club stance on the matter, branding it unacceptable. snip smdh

Manchester United were ready to pay 100 million euros for Ansu Fati Jorge Mendes asked Barça how much they wanted but Catalan club pointed to release clause https://www.sport.es/en/news/barca/manchester-united-were-ready-to-pay-100-million-euros-for-ansu-fati-7990628 It's been a complicated week for Ansu Fati despite being kept out of everything going on around him. Barcelona stood strong and rejected an offer of 100 million euros for the teenage winger. Manchester United were the main interested party, but various Premier League clubs were following his situation. Despite the economic crisis, the Blaugrana aren't thinking about letting him leave and his camp hope his sporting future is cleared up because they want minutes in the first team next season. Ansu's camp has been restless in recent months. His minutes reduced after the signing of Martin Braithwaite. And with Luis Suarez back now and Ousmane Dembele next season, plus the possible signing of Lautaro Martinez, they predicted a complicated future and feel Ansu would be wasted in the B team now. Barça have made it clear they want him, but he wants minutes and the powerful agent, Jorge Mendes, was ready to broker a deal. Barça were surprised when Mendes phoned a few weeks back to ask for a price for Ansu. At that moment, they said he was not for sale and pointed out his release clause was 170 million. They were convinced no one would reach that fee and considered the matter closed. Mendes returned around 10 days ago. The Portuguese agent has a good relationship with Ansu's camp and made an offer of 100 million euros for the kid. Mendes has spoken with Premier League clubs and there was interest. United were ready to pay that figure, giving up on Jadon Sancho to sign the Barça forward instead. The offer was so big that the sporting department were obliged to take it to the board for a final decision. Bartomeu was clear: no. He sees the La Masia product as a key player in the club's future. Barça have told Mendes that they will not accept offers and the idea is he is part of the first team now, even though he will take part in the playoffs with Barça B in July. After that, the club will activate a clause to make him a first-team player permanently, which will see his clause release to 400 million euros. The reality, though, is there will be a lot of competition in the first team and betting on Ansu could see Ousmane Dembele left on the market. snip

how is that good IF it draws in the dippers (my true nightmare), Real, Shitty, Manure, Bayern (NOW, not next summer) etc etc Imagine if bloody Leicester took (if we are crazy enough to pay it) the money from Chilwell and bought Havertz???? not saying he would choose to go there but hell, they could make a strong case (as they will more than likely have CL and have a great team in many areas and can easily buy any number of LB's to replace Chilwell as well)

better hope Gladbach pips Bayer for the CL although that price reduction (even that is speculation) makes him cheaper for other clubs as well so may end up fucking us

even I am not THAT pessimistic ffs that result would devastate our top 4 chances (as it crushes our GD as well) HUGE game tomorrow Manure v Sheff U if Manure runs riot in that one the pressure is on us immensely especially if there is super corrupt shenanigans and Shitty get their bans 100% overturned (I cannot see both years being overturned though, Shitty are flagrant abusers)

oh sorry, it is so not a sure thing in my mind I do think it is more than even odds though especially if they can pump in 2 goals the wild card is that fucking Piatek if he has a worldie it might be trouble Dodi Lukebakio too those 2 are by far Hertha's main weapons they will have Marco Rose is a great young manager, and I hope he has a game plan to bottle them up

Embolo and Strindl up front should work Denis Zakaria is a big miss, but Gladbach pounded a decent decent Wolfsburg team without them, almost drew Bayern (Thuram left injured after 10 minutes so they were missing the 3 most of the game) at Bayern, and won 3 1 away (granted against Paderborn) I think they can at least draw (which they did the last time they played Hertha, and that was away) not that home field means much without the fans Hertha are now carrying a tonne of knocks too Thomas Kraft starting GK Maximilian Mittelstädt starting LB Peter Pekarik backup RB Santiago Ascacíbar starting DMF Arne Maier starting CMF and another DMF option Javairô Dilrosun starting LW Marius Wolf backup RWer who starts sometimes are all out should be a good game and Mainz are crazy unpredictable, so may pull a surprise on Bayer (it only takes a draw in either match to clinch CL for Gladbach, or obviously a Bayer loss or a Gladbach win) Gladbach is so ruing that shit nil nil to Werder atm and also so many chances to draw v Freiburg (they lost nil-1) If they score 2 the odds of Hertha putting 3 past that defence are remote, even 2 maybe be hard they have a superb pair of young CB's in the last 9 games, they have only given up more than 1 goal once (to Bayer themselves) and that Bayer game was the only time in 36 matches they have given up more than 2 goals (they lost 3-1)

sell time my heart cannot take a full season more of GK Kepa and/or dog forbid almost 39yo Willy CB Rudiger, AC, Zouma, Tomori crap shoot every single fucking game plus add in the fullbacks for full stop shits and giggles (thank fuck Azpi had a great game overall, and Alonso was adequate, as now (and I hope it is just rust from non-playing) even Reece looked shaky as hell (I am sure it is just rust, but he is still super young and will have growing pains at times, which I accept) the defence and set piece play is poor, poor, poor

he is bonkers, wtf, roflmaooooo his stats are madness

Chelsea’s £1bn stadium could be revived under planning rule change https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/chelseas-1bn-stadium-could-be-revived-under-planning-rule-change-23-06-2020/ Chelsea FC could be given an extra year to start work on Stamford Bridge stadium, after the government announced changes to the current planning system. Planning consents for the £1bn Stamford Bridge overhaul expired at the end of March because Chelsea FC failed to start construction on the project, despite receiving planning permission three years ago. However, there is fresh hope that the project will be brought back from the brink after Housing, Communities & Local Government secretary Robert Jenrick yesterday announced changes to planning rules in order to spark a post-Covid construction boom. Jenrick announced that "planning permission deadlines will be extended, planning appeals will be sped up and builders will be allowed more flexible working hours following agreements with their local council". Planning permission usually expires after three years if work has not started onsite. However, sites with consent that have an expiry date between the start of lockdown (March 23) and the end of this year will now see their consent extended to 1 April 2021. Jenrick said that these measures “will prevent work that has been temporarily disrupted by the pandemic from stopping altogether”. As Chelsea’s planning consent expired on the 31 March, it could be subject to the extension. More details about which schemes will qualify for the planning extension will be revealed when legislation is tabled later this week. Jenrick added: “New laws will enable us to speed up the pace of planning appeals and save hundreds of construction sites from being cancelled before they have a chance to get spades in the ground, helping to protect hundreds of thousands of jobs and create many others. “Taken together, these measures will help to keep workers safe and our economy moving as we work together to bounce back from the pandemic.” Work never got underway at the site after Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich pulled the project after its estimated cost rose from £500,000 to an estimated £1bn. Under the original plan, the existing 41,600-seater stadium in west London would be demolished to make way for the construction of the new 60,000 capacity football stadium and an ancillary stadium. The 6.2ha site is bounded by London Underground’s District line to the north-west, and the Southern mainline railway to the east. Currently, these lines are in open air cuttings, but to increase the capacity of the stadium, decks would be built over the top of the lines to allow the footprint of the stadium to be increased. Under the plans, the roof of the stadium would be supported by 264 radial steel roof trusses that will span 50m over the stadium bowl. The trusses are supported by a steel tension ring arrangement which is supported by the same number of vertical concrete columns around the stadium’s perimeter. The main columns around the perimeter of the structure would then be clad in brick. snip

if they miss out on CL (pretty likely now unless Gladbach cocks up badly) the amount of activity will explode

this is what we are looking at in terms of sales £500 to £550m or so (it dicey to say exactly) worth of players here en toto (pre-COVID valuations are over £600m when you count every single one listed) but obviously not all can be sold in one window We need to sell Álvaro Morata (Done) Mario Pasalic (Done) Andreas Christensen (he has GOT to go and be upgraded upon, I would prefer both he and Zouma be sold, but that is not happening in one window unless we get 2 incredible buy deals tossed into our laps, which is so unlikely) I just do not see what Lamps sees in our 4 main CB's, they (and Kepa) make my tummy churn every game. Even Alonso has not done that for ages. Ross Barkley (if we can get say £30m, 35m for him, he will never be worth more (well COVID maybe lowers that a bit)plus Bayer failed to get CL, then a Barks sale plus Havertz buy is only around £40m or so net spend) Tiemoué Bakayoko Emerson Michy Batshuayi Davide Zappacosta Danny Drinkwater Jorginho (Juve need to cough up serious cash or work a swap deal involving de Ligt for Jorgi plus cash or maybe Emerson, which is a little steep from our angle as I rate those 2 as being worth £85m-ish and not sure if de Ligt is worth that atm, that is a shedload of money, but I think I would pull the trigger, as then we only need the less costly Abdul Rahman Baba Victor Moses Kenedy Marco van Ginkel Juan Familia-Castillo (as Ajax did not exercise their option to buy, or keep him and see if he can ever be a decent LB) Nathan Charly Musonda Jr. Danilo Pantic Matt Miazga Lewis Baker Jamal Blackman Lucas Piazón Jake Clarke-Salter Izzy Brown Josh Grant Richard Nartey Luke McCormick Jacob Maddox We could sell Kepa (not likely, especially due to crazy wages for the next 5 years and his £72m transfer fee, ie. how much are we willing to lose of that overall) Zouma (sorry, he is shit too) Marcos Alonso (only if we buy two LB's which is not likely this window, I am oki with him as a the backup as he is curveball option in certain types of games) N'Golo Kanté (not at all likely apparently) Olivier Giroud (I would keep him) Leave on a free Willian (unless he renews for 2 years, which he still says no way to, the prick) Pedro we need a GK (just buy some decent backup if we do not want to splurge for Kepa actual long term replacement atm). 1 CB for sure, would prefer 2 with both Zouma and Ac shown the door, a LB, and Havertz (on so many levels, ie blocking Victimpool and Manure and Shitty and Bayern and Real), plus he takes pressure off in so many areas, even winger, as we are down to only 2 true wingers, plus Ziyech who may be need at limes as an AMF) it is just a matter of selling the insane amount of dregs we are carrying on the books

the headchoppers might pay £30 to 35m if we play our cards right and IF they are approved for the buy £30m and above I do a happy dance

if Alonso had only 3/4ers of his pace, workrate, and drive and stamina we would have been set at LB for ages overall (counting the past years)

keep him deffo great sub, class act, can still play at a high level given the right situ (strikers and GKers are the two positions exempt from my over 30yo rule) why Lamps went with dogshit Bats over him earlier is beyond me

sorry, we were out all night