Vesper

brutal stretch of EPL games 17 Mo. 26.12.22 20:00 H West Ham United (desperate team, only one point away from the relation zone) 18 Sa. 31.12.22 17:30 A Brighton & Hove Albion (Brighton smashed them the last time they played) 19 Di. 03.01.23 19:45 H Newcastle United (if Arse loses one of the first two and NUFC does them hard here, panic will star to set in) 20 So. 15.01.23 16:30 A Tottenham Hotspur (biggest NoLo derby in years) 21 So. 22.01.23 16:30 H Manchester United IF they take all 15 points from those 5 the only truly tough league games left are TWO games v Citeh (if they split the 6 points 3 and 3, it really is close to over if they sweep the 5 above, especially if they win 2 of the 3 below) away to Pool away to NUFC and home versus Chels lots of IFs, but I would gladly trade places with them

Hazard, he was top of my board for young wingers back in the day also, we TWICE HAD the best young young AMFs on the planet and lost them both (De Bruyne long ago, and again with Musiala) also we DID buy the best young (under 22yo) GKing prospect on the planet in Gabriel Slonina (only just turned 18 seven months ago) The only other GKer who is younger than Donnarumma (who soon turns 24) and is POTENTIALLY (as it stands atm IMHO) better than Slonina is the 22yo giant (1.97m) Georgian GKer on Valencia, Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is 4 years older than Slonina. The only other GKers who are young and in that mix atm, are the 22yo Illan Meslier (soon 23 and also a giant at 1.97m) and the 23yo Diogo Costa (bit short at only 1.85m, 1.86m, I have seen both heights listed) Slonina is the only teenage GKer valuation-rated in the top 40 GKers under the age of 25 (so an even bigger group, and he is already at 14th), and one of only 2 in top 50 (the other is an 18yo, who turns 19 in a month, a Russian keeper at 41st, Daniil Khudyakov, from Lokomotiv) now more: also (this is a bit of hedge) in theory, IF he had not had that horrid injury, Wesley Fofana and now we are in for 2 more (not saying we land either) in Gvardiol and especially Bellingham IF Fofana had never had the nightmare injury and we do get Gvardiol, we would be staring at the best CB pairing on the planet within 2 to 3 years or so max IMHO still MAY be if Fofana somehow miraculously completely regains everything back to pre injury form and physical nature/ability (I have my doubts, sigh, which is why he came off my board for buys as soon as he was injured, but it is NOT impossible) and we do pull Gvardiol finally, we COULD and SHOULD have purchased the best young DMF on the planet in summer 2021 (Tchou) but fucking Marina and our SHIT scouts kiboshed it, those motherfuckers

Koulibaly and Mendy were horrid v England further nightmares for us If Koulibaly had not been born in France, I would be seriously questioning his birth certificate, as he sure as fuck looks and plays like he is years older than someone who, only 6 months ago, was still 30yo.

Bellingham is miles ahead of Enzo not even close IMHO Bellingham and Gvardiol at Real Madrid is the stuff of nightmares they instantly have the best MF then on the planet (Bells, Tchou, Valverde, Camavinga), even better than Barcelona IMHO, especially defensively and athletically, where the chasm is massive 4 good to great CBs (and maybe even add Milan Škriniar (on a free if he doesn't renew) in the mix, as Alaba is soon 31 (6 months), and Rudiger 30 (less than 3 months), Škriniar is only 27 atm, 28 in February, so 2 to 3 years younger and the type of CB who is not utterly pace dependent unlike Alaba and Rudiger) they will go gunning to pull back Hakimi and Theo for their fullbacks (and if not Theo, then up the game for Alphonso Davies (likely they are the only team who can pull him from Bayern) or maybe Nuno Mendes) If they fail on Hakimi (doubtful) then new contract or not, they will come for Reece someday and, all their chatting shit aside, they WILL make moves for Mbappe and probably Håland down the road (within 2 to 3 years max) Thank fuck Rafael Leão is not a RWer and is not left footed, same for Vini Jr (Vini Jr doesn't potentially cause an issue with Mbappe IF RM use Mbappe as a CF, and I can see Vini Jr on the RW (If Mbappe is at LW) before Rafael Leão, who is massively a one sided player) and Rodrygo (2 years younger than Mbappe) is also close to becoming a WC RWer himself, despite being a right-footed player. plus Cuntois is still only 30yo, and will remain the best keeper on the planet for at least 4 more years or so terrifying potential team I have NO idea why they are risking it all on this fucking Super League obsession, especially as next season their new billion plus stadium complex finally opens 100%

Bellingham is the second best player at the WC, after Mbappe magnificent MFer, probably the best non AMF MFer on the planet BUT England have ONE massive issue a huge one SLABHEAD he was horrific again, especially in the first half he is SO SLOW and absolute shit on passing in a back 4 France will roast the cunt alive madness that Southgate is going with him other than the CB pairing, England were great Mount needs to watch the game Henderson had and play like that Henderson played EXACTLY how we all expect Mount to play I swear to dog I would start every single one of these over Slabhead (this is not just players on the 26 man squad) I think Magauire is utter dogshit other than a threat on set pieces, which HAS to be a huge reason Southgate plays him, slabby doesn't even carry the ball forward anymore, really so, over slabby: John Stones (of course) Fikayo Tomori Ben White Marc Guéhi Eric Dier James Tarkowski Adam Webster Trevoh Chalobah Max Kilman Conor Coady Lewis Dunk Dan Burn and if in a back 3 Kyle Walker (and use Trippier as the RWB)

France looks unstoppable, IF they play like that they really have no true weaknesses (CB perhaps, but it is not like they are rubbish there, shame that Presnel Kimpembe (especially) and Lucas Hernández are both injured, Fofana, post injury, is not at their level atm) Their fullbacks are fine. Madness that they have had so many injuries and just can plug in player after player, no other nation on the planet, not even Brasil, can do that Rabiot took the Kante role, and was a MONSTER, so disruptive they are polar opposites physically (especially height) but Rabiot put a hell of shift in Mbappe is the best player on the planet, no one else is close, not even Håland atm

I disagree I do not think he is a cunt I think he gets a lot of shit becuase he is the clear best player on the planet (would take him all day over Håland) look at the egos he has to deal with Neymar, who is poison, and Pessi, who is a focal point for attention, good or bad

Michael Cooper?

ffs a 30yo Iranian CF from shit Portuguese league for 25 to 30m ARFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF wtf

what an absolute joke that was just like his Ballon d'Or over Lewa (and Pessi over Lewa, plus Lewa getting fucked again for 2020, with no award given even though basically all of the season being played)

Hanging around for Josko Gvardiol will cost Chelsea millions — they should buy him quickly https://theathletic.com/3960481/2022/12/03/Chelsea-josko-gvardiol-transfer/ When Romelu Lukaku was about to shoot during Belgium’s goalless draw on Thursday, Josko Gvardiol acted fast to put his left foot out and deflect the ball away. It was one of the best tackles, if not the best, of the tournament, and summed up another remarkably mature display from the 20-year-old playing at his first World Cup. Now Chelsea need to act fast. The centre-back was already rated as one of the best young defenders and that reputation has been enhanced in Qatar. Croatia conceded just one goal as they qualified from their group and he played a vital role. It is only a matter of time before he leaves RB Leipzig despite signing a contract extension in September to commit to the club until 2027. The question is where he will move next. Chelsea have been favourites. They held intense negotiations with Leipzig during the summer and, though an agreement wasn’t reached, they always planned to resume their efforts in January. As The Athletic reported in August, talks broke down because Leipzig changed the asking price. Initial discussions started over a fee worth around €70million (£60.5million), which rose to €80m and finally €90m. There were reports in October that Gvardiol’s new deal included a release clause as low as £43.6million, but you can be sure Chelsea will have a lot more competition for his signature now regardless. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but maybe there is some regret that things weren’t concluded four months ago. Chelsea are still in a good position. They have a positive relationship with the Bundesliga club having signed Timo Werner from them in 2020 and then sold him back to them in the last window. Chelsea also have a deal in place to sign forward Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig at the end of the season. There is also a connection with Christopher Vivell, who is expected to be named Chelsea’s technical director soon having been dismissed by Leipzig in October. However, given Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff complained about Vivell losing his trust, one might question whether his presence at Stamford Bridge will help or hinder. The presence of Croatia team-mate Mateo Kovacic at Chelsea is far more significant. The midfielder urged the new owners to sign Gvardiol when they asked for his opinion on the subject earlier this year. Clearly the two players share a close bond. It was something Gvardiol referenced when speaking to The Athletic after the match against Belgium, saying of Chelsea: “It’s a big club of course and, who knows, maybe one day I will be there. It’s really nice to see things like this, especially because there is Kovacic, so you never know. I talk with him.” However, he also spoke after the match about Real Madrid, where his Croatia team-mate Luka Modric plays: “Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, so who knows. Maybe one day I can play there. I would like to, yes.” Even though Chelsea spent a Premier League record £250million-plus on players in the summer, the club’s hierarchy are determined to keep investing in the squad. They want to back coach Graham Potter in the market and he loves defenders who can play out from the back — perhaps a quality he doesn’t have enough of from his current group. But do they have cause to reconsider their Gvardiol pursuit? Despite his talents, there will be those among the fanbase that won’t see him as a priority, especially as they’ve already spent £69.5million on Wesley Fofana, £33million on Kalidou Koulibaly and a minimum of £56million on Marc Cucurella. Koulibaly and Cucurella have both played as a left-sided centre-back this season, Gvardiol’s preferred role. What kind of message would it send them — particularly Koulibaly given it’s his main position — if they buy Gvardiol as well? Chelsea have plans in place to improve other areas of the pitch, especially in central midfield. Two of their targets for summer deals are Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, neither of whom will come cheap. The Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium have also made keeping their best young players a priority. Levi Colwill, who is on loan at Brighton, is a year younger than Gvardiol and is not as experienced. But he is also a highly rated left-footed centre-back and won’t want his pathway at Chelsea blocked any further. After sending out a strong message by not selling Colwill in the summer, as well as rewarding the academy graduates in the first team — Reece James, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah — with new long-term contracts, it would go against the strategy to let Colwill go to make room for Gvardiol. Another consideration is Thiago Silva. As good as he is playing at 38, there is obviously a strong possibility this will his last season at Stamford Bridge, so that will open up a spot on the roster. As with Nkunku, Leipzig will want to keep Gvardiol for the rest of the season, so any transfer agreement will surely be with that in mind. They are third in the Bundesliga and have a last-16 Champions League tie against Manchester City — another team who have been linked with the youngster. But while Luka Modric was given the official man of the match award against Belgium, Gvardiol’s display was the one that got a lot of people in the game talking. If Chelsea want him, they can’t afford to hesitate.

NOT impressed with Argentina their defence is massively suspect and they simply are too old to press up top other than their one at a time CFs Pessi is 100% carrying them, so hats off to him Australia were surprisingly fluid deffo not a pluggers-only side if not for that howler by the Aussie keeper I think it might have went to extra time

ffs, wrong forum

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Pessi is 100% carrying them, so hats off to him

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Liverpool 'submit bid' for Bennacer Like many other clubs, Liverpool are chasing Jude Bellingham - but they have other options, too. Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport report that the Reds have made contact with AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer, who will be out of contract at the end of the next season. The 25-year-old is therefore expected to be available for a knock-down fee in the summer of 2023.

Lautaro Martínez's confidence is gone shocking mishit

they have 6 CBs who are all VASTLY better Cristian Romero Lisandro Martínez (he saved that goal after Otamendi's cockup) Marcos Senesi Facundo Medina Lucas Martínez Quarta Leonardo Balerdi

Otamendi is a fucking assclown deluxe INSANE they play him, he almost cost them another goal

wow, almost 2 2

2 1