Vesper

VERSUS

she would take this one on a free

I am outraged at Wilkinson's hair

That's the £30m question. I completely understand why he wants Rugani (who I do rate, unlike most on here, although I would rather have Caldara I think, maybe, it's a tossup, therefore I defer to Sarri) But as for Vecino, to quote Churchill It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma

Shame this wasn't a swap deal announcement

your conflating positions Golovin is an AMF or even can play winger but also can be really hard-nosed at trackbacks Seri is a very good dribbling pure CMF with oki but not great defensive skills Vecino is like a less offensive CMF with DMF tendencies and is not a great passer (I can confirm, however, he is better on the ball than Bakayoko, but then again so is my wife (she played girls footie in public school) lolol they are not at all similar players (Golovin and Seri are closer in type than vecino to either). Only Golovin will get you a few goals (and then not enough IMHO) , Seri 2 years ago (7) was a fluke, he is more like a 1, 2,3 a year goal scorer he also has never really played on a pressing club I will be honest, I dont TRULY rate any of them if forced, I would take Golovin, because he is only 22 (b day was 2 months ago) 5 years from now, Seri is 32, same for Vecino (he turns 27 in August)

LOLOL if I hear the phrases are monitoring enquire about watching carefully eyeing up a swoop following with interest ready to join race for lining up talks set to put a bid in in hot pursuit of insiders say deal is close one more time in next 10 days, I am going to start reaching for

Assuming you mean Rugani or Caldara for CB, then you are looking at around £220 to £230m for those those 3. Add a good goalkeeper in you are at £260 to £270m. (£40m would get Strakosha or Cillessen, the ONLY two decent keeper left who are remotely available) MAX we get for Willian is £65m max we get for Courtois is £35m, max for Cahill is £20m (I am dreaming) that leaves us £140m to £150m short IF we sell both Drinkwater and Bakayoko, thats £65m MAX We are not selling anyone else I fear, and ZERO chance Granny drops an additional £75 to £85m new spending net. PLUS your calculation left us MORATA as striker still

LOLOLOL I want to dream too! then this happens

there can be but one reason for this Nzonzi is going to Man Shitty (or some other club). Sevilla is a stripped club compared to past powerhouse teams they had. Nzonzi, who plays same position as Bakayoko is their only player remotely worth what what Bakayoko is (Ben Yedder maybe maybe) Their main signing so far was Ibrahim Amadou from Lille, ANOTHER DMF.

this team GK Strakosha or Cillesson CB Rudiger, Christensen, Rugani (or Caldara), Ampadu RB Azpi, Zappacosta LB Alex Sandro, Emerson DMF Thomas Partey Diadie Samassékou CMF, deep holding playmaker Jorginho CMF backups Fabregas, RLC AMF Pjanic , Barkley LW Hazard, CHO RW , Bailey, Bernadeschi (Both can play RW or LW) Striker Martial, Giroud, Bats would beat this following team consistently if you played them against each other 38 times: GK Caballero or maybe Reina CB Rudiger, Christensen, Cahill, Luiz RB Azpi, Zappacosta LB Alonso, Emerson DMF Kante Bakayoko CMF, deep holding playmaker Jorginho CMF backups Fabregas, Drinkwater AMF Barkley, RLC LW Hazard, CHO RW Willian (assuming we don't sell him), Pedro Striker Morata, Giroud, Bats whatever difference Kante would make over Thomas Partey (who is no slouch at all) (and Kante, I absolutely give you, would be obviously disruptive as all hell) the positives of Strakosha or Cilleson over Caballero (massive), Rugani over Cahill (depth is key in 38 game season) Alex Sandro v Alonso (massive) Pjanic over Barkley or RLC (Massive) Wingers of Bailey and Berndeshi vs Willian (if he stays) and Pedro (massive) Striker Martial over Morata would more than overcome Injuries and fatigue occur, the first teams rotates in Rugani or Caldara at CB, the 2nd possibly has to bring in Cahill, at DMF the 1st team team rotates in Diadie Samassékou, the 2nd, Bakayoko The first team rotates in Bailey or Bernardeshi, the 2nd rotates in Pedro or who knows, if Willian is sold the first team has incredibly more firepower and a far far stronger LB and CB (CB depth) situation the first team would torch the 2nd in front midfield play and put the utter cosh to the LB's of the 2nd as well (imagine Alonso trying to keep up as a back 4 LB with Bailey or Bernardeschi or Martial or CHO!), the 2nd team also will struggle for goals and is reliant on Morata to do or die Add in Caballero as GK, its lights out Kante cannot play all 10 outfield positions, as much as it seems at times he does I think the difference is even more manifest if you pit the first team versus the other big 6 EPL squads or top level CL competition

It wasnt me who first said it, it was other posters. I only showed a legit way to end up with a stronger team if we did, than it is now WITH him. I do NOT want to sell him at all. That said, there is no way (of course my plan will never be attempted) anyone can argue that my final team yielded is not miles better than we are now WITH him. Of course we can get to that level without selling him, but that will not happen either. I am resigned to the fact we are probably not adding anyone other than perhaps a free transfer of Bernard, and MAYBE Vecino, both players I do NOT rate. I think Courtois is going to leave on a free next summer (or be sold for peanuts in January if we are already out of a top 4 finish). I think it is Morata or bust for striker, and I think Willian stays as our RW.

Not with our board, but it certainly could have been done. I guarantee that as long as we could have no set order to buy/sell, and the swaps were agreeable, my firm could close those out in the 14 days (that when I posted it). We close deals all the time that DWARF these. Athletes or Chinese buying cement firms in Italy, the bottom line is the cash. You also sell the sizzle, more than the steak, in this case too. I would love to get into football back-end management someday. There are underlying financial AND footballing sense and actions behind everything I posted (swaps included) for BOTH sides. I listed the clubs who want to buy the players I would sell. Sell them, it isn't rocket science. I do grant you that all this came from an example of where selling Kante would not be a disaster AND assuming that Juve wanted him (which another article said they were thinking of making a run at him). My grand plan was in response to a poster talking about replacing KANTE with SMS, something I said was not doable (due to cost and to fact that SMS is NOT a DMF). The main key in all this is the replacement DMF. IF it was Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid, and all the rest slipped into place (the Martial/Willian swap would be the hardest to pull off) that final lineup yielded is far far better than where we are at now WITH Kante. Not even close. I would also TOTALLY accept Caldara instead of Rugani in that deal as well. They are both great CB's, regardless of current hate I see on the board here. I have watched them both a lot. I have given detailed breakdown and comparisons on other posts here. I do not rate Luiz, which also is not popular here, and that's why I included Rugani in the Juve grand swap. Juve also has THREE RW'ers, all starting level, so it isnt that hard to get them to part with one (obviously not Cuadrado, and ZERO chance they sell Costa, thus Bernardeschi was the one I put in). I would add another option (cheaper too) at GK. Cillesson from Barca. We are insane to not offer a swap of Alonso for him (as obviously our board is not doing my giant Juve deal). Barca need a LB bad now, as they just sold Lucas Digne. Alonso and Cillesson are dead spot on equal in valuation (Cillesson has a 40m euro release clause, which is basically what Alonso is worth, (maybe Marcos is worth a little more than 40m euro, but only maybe 3 or 4m euro more) WE COULD then deffo buy Alex Sandro outright to replace Alonso, as Juve needs a LOT of cash. The reason? Juve DEFFO wants, I mean really wants Pogba back, and they will need cash, a lot, to do that. Man U really, REALLY wants SMS, and to get him, they have to sell Pogba. I would leverage the FUCK outta all that dialectical tension. There are lots of other routes to get to a good lineup without selling Kante, of course.

Gonzalo Higuain blow for Chelsea as Juventus striker 'agrees deal with AC Milan' https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/gonzalo-higuain-blow-chelsea-juventus-13006849 The man new Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri wants to spearhead his attack has 'agreed a deal to join AC Milan.' Chelsea will have to act quickly if they want to sign Gonzalo Higuain after a season long loan to the San Siro was rubber stamped, according to reports. The Argentinian striker has been the subject of much transfer speculation this summer, with reports that he could link up with Sarri again after working together at Napoli. According to respected Italian source Gianluca di Marzio , Juventus have struck a deal with rivals AC Milan over the transfer of the 30-year-old. Milan are reported to have offered a €20million loan fee, with another €35million for a permanent move next summer. snip Higuain, meeting with Juventus concluded and talks scheduled with Milan: the latest on striker's future https://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/higuain-meeting-with-juventus-concluded-and-talks-scheduled-with-milan-the-latest-on-strikers-future Gonzalo Higuain could depart Juventus before the transfer window closes, there is concrete interest from Milan in the striker, and his current club wish to sell the Argentine. In a two hour meeting with Nicolas Higuain (brother-agent to Gonzalo), Juventus presented the situation. The offer from Milan, the club with the clearest intention to make a deal at this moment, is a loan with €20 million fee, plus a €35m purchase option. The offer was not wholly satisfying to the Higuain side, but next, Nicolas will meet with Leonardo in the next few hours. The Milan director will try to convince him of the move, while explaining that the formula of the deal (loan with purchase option) is necessary to balance the books and that Higuain will remain a cornerstone for the Milan project into the future. This matter is clear between the sides, but it will now be up to Milan's directors to present an offer of wages that will satisfy Higuain's requests. The upcoming meeting between Nicolas Higuain and Leonardo, therefore will be decisive for the player's future.

I fully break it down here (including 20 options (some are too late, already transferred to other teams) better (most far better) than Vecino).

Where did you see this at? I have never seen one actually credible link to him by us, its just been pure tosh spread by bored Twitlers and dodgy Spanish, German, and Italian rags. He is too pricey and too old (no way would give him a 4 or 5 year deal, which is what he wants.) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge a month ago officially said zero chance they sell him this summer, and they almost never fuck about and switch course. Sandro Wagner is their only other striker, and unless they have some secret deal with Inter for Icardi, they would never leave themselves that vulnerable. They fully expect (I do not agree) that they will win the CL this year. All their top people have said this so many times this summer.

what a goal!!

Sky, always on the bleeding edge of reporting! LOLOL MAT'S MY BOY Chelsea set to swoop for £26.5million Inter Milan star Matias Vecino… a favourite of incoming boss Maurizio Sarri By Dave Fraser 5th July 2018, 5:16 pm Updated: 5th July 2018, 5:16 pm https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/6703772/chelsea-inter-milan-vecino-maurizio-sarri/

I still think that 100m euro bid came from Pep or Liverpool. But I guess we will never know. I still think Shitty is insane to not snap up a DMF. Fernandinho will be 34 next spring, and they have ZERO real backup. Interesting stat... other than Fernandinho, there literally is not a single world class DMF on the planet over 30 years old. None. Lucas Biglia of AC Milan (32, 33 in January) is the only one even remotely close, and I dont rate him at all. He has rapidly declined over last 2 years. It is probably (except for maybe a wingback who also has, if their manager's demands, a big defensive role as well) the most brutal position to play well on the pitch.

I am not saying this is a good idea, I have been against the Vecino deal from the beginning, having watched him play a lot compared to (apparently, given the reactions) many here. Vecino is not being signed for the Barkely/RLC role. He is so not an AMF and goalscorer. I see him as a Uruguayan Drinkwater. Maybe not quite that bad, but ffs, they are/were literally 20 other CMF's in the £25 to £35m range who would be far far better for us to sign (or could have signed, but now already snatched.) Leon Goretzka (should have signed him last summer (I have wanted him for years), he left on a FREE this year to Bayern, and he is MILES better than Vecino, lierally 2 different planets) Roberto Gagliardini Inter Milan (would take him over Vecino is a flash, he scored against us a few days ago) Houssem Aouar Lyon Jean Michaël Seri (Fulham stole him for £27m) Geoffrey Kondogbia Valencia Mateo Kovacic RM (probably above this budget limit, not sure) Lorenzo Pellegrini Roma Kevin Strootman Roma Tanguy Ndombélé Lyon (my number one choice) Nicolò Barella Cagliari Bryan Cristante Roma stole him for £22m from Atalanta, miles beyond Vecino Dennis Praet Sampdoria Fabián Ruiz Napoli stole him from a great little 2017-18 Real Betis team for £27m Giacomo Bonaventura AC Milan Yuri Tielemans Monaco Manu Trigueros Villarreal (a poor mans Fabregas, great value player) Amadou Haidara RB Salzburg superb 20yo CMF Thomas Delaney Borussia Dortmund was superb for Denmark in WC, rock solid player, same age as Vecino Jordan Veretout Fiorentina Max Meyer wild card, no team, so a free, let Schalke contract wind down, potentially world class, needs to get out of Germany, where pressure was insane

Sime Vrsaljko from Atlético Madrid to Inter, here we go! Done deal Agreement found for Vrsaljko at Inter: 6.5 million loan + 17.5 million right of redemption they got a great 26yo bomber of a RB for only £21 He was by far the best actually available option if we were going to keep Azpi at CB (and thus not chase any more CB's) Simeone is supposedly FUMING too, as all they have left now at RB is the soon to be 34yo Juanfran This sale makes no sense at all for AM (especially for the low price it brought in) Santiago Arias from PSV is now going to be subject of a bidding war between AM and Napoli

I am hoping that Baka and Drinkwater ARE sold, just starting to think it may not happen for both. It's a 50/50 I think, but as soon as one is gone, I really think they close out Vecino. The most consistent number (price-wise) I have seen Inter wants is €30m (£26.7m). I cannot see that being a deal breaker

Oh, for sure, he is in a no win situation, agreed. They just don't have the players to win anything major at this point. They did add Simone Verdi (who is going to be their new number 9), CMF Fabián Ruiz (would love to have him over Vecino as well), and a really good young GK, Alex Meret (who I could have lived with as a replacement for Courtois), but I just dont see them winning Serie A or going deep in the CL.

Of course they do not have these levels of players, but as a mananger, he is pretty damn good Juventus UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999 Milan Serie A: 2003–04 Coppa Italia: 2002–03 Supercoppa Italiana: 2004 UEFA Champions League: 2002–03, 2006–07 UEFA Super Cup: 2003, 2007 FIFA Club World Cup: 2007 Chelsea Premier League: 2009–10 FA Cup: 2009–10 FA Community Shield: 2009 Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1: 2012–13 Real Madrid Copa del Rey: 2013–14 UEFA Champions League: 2013–14 UEFA Super Cup: 2014 FIFA Club World Cup: 2014 Bayern Munich Bundesliga: 2016–17 DFL-Supercup: 2016 Serie A Coach of the Year: 2001, 2004 Panchina d'Oro: 2002–03, 2003–04 Ligue 1 Manager of the Year: 2012–13 IFFHS World's Best Club Coach: 2007, 2014 European Coach of the Year—Alf Ramsey Award: 2003 World Soccer Magazine Manager of the Year: 2003 Globe Soccer Awards Best Coach of the Year: 2014 Globe Soccer Awards Best Media Attraction in Football: 2014 Enzo Bearzot Award: 2014 FIFA World Coach of the Year (Runner-up): 2014 Miguel Muñoz Trophy: 2014–15 Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2015 A.C. Milan Hall of Fame 33 total trophies as player for club and country, and as a manager, plus in 3 halls of fame (Roma not listed above)

I really think it will. Inter already has an overload of CMF's (Vecino, Radja Nainggolan, Marcelo Brozovic, Roberto Gagliardini (who I rate higher than Vecino), Borja Valero) and are on verge of signing Arturo Vidal from Bayern. They also have agreed fully with Atletico Madrid on RB Sime Vrsaljko. https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/inter-accordo-totale-per-vrsaljko-le-cifre-delloperazione They need the cash, and Sarri is obsessed with Vecino for some reason. Roman and Granny spent the Inter post game discussing his transfer. I think it goes down (and I think is a waste).