The Skipper

I don't know, it's difficult to compare because they are different players (Strootman is a deep lying playmaker, MVG is an athletic b2b player) and Strootman is pretty much an elite player already. Strootman was already very established in the Eredivisie and his quality was obvious, whilst MVG has not reached his potential yet. Sure, one might be able to say that if MVG keeps progressing and sees off that horrendous injury he suffered last year, he might potentially become an excellent player because he has a very, very high ceiling (no real weakness in his game unlike Strootman who isn't as athletic) but Strootman is already at a very high level and will also only improve. MVG is a very interesting player because he can be a complete midfielder if he continues to develop nicely but there are too many unknown variables in football for anyone to say he'll be better than Strootman. Especially since Strootman is already a top player, who has a whole NT built around him. We won't ever know in the near future IMO, it's like comparing a prime Pirlo with Vidal, different players + also the fact that they're at different stages of their development.

Reus is the perfect Mourinho player tbh, would be phenomenal here. Don't think it'll ever happen though.

Barca fan on barcaforum said this about his debut: deluded bunch.

Lol, who said that? Different type of players regardless.

http://youtu.be/3_eQlJSwuuA

He doesn't look as old or ugly as people make him out to be on here tbh. Sure, he isn't the most handsome fella but he isn't ugly either.

I'd say he's worth around £15m but obviously sometimes you have to overpay, especially when it comes to Southampton anyway, so understandably the fee has risen to £20m. It won't make them instant title contenders, as you said Suarez is a huge loss, but they've bought one of the best CBs in the PL IMO.

Lovren is class. Good signing IMO.

So, we still loaning this guy out then peeps?

Torres MOTM

Torres is a hero. Can't even hate on him anymore. Comedian.

Is Zouma ready now then guys?

On the flip side... One could say that Cesc's tactical awareness is top notch actually - the fact that he managed to play different roles for the team for the team quite effectively you could also say that his versatility = great tactical mind. Of course the author of that article won't mention that though. Too biased.

Garbage article full of biased, bigoted opinions, as usual when it comes Barcelona fans regarding Fabregas. There are plenty of Barcelona fans who will convince that Fabregas has never been any good to Barcelona and that he is to blame for the reason why the tiki taka system has been exploited now (not the fact hat reputable coaches have managed to designs systems to counteract tiki taka). It's all sour grapes. I can tell you as someone who has extensively watched Fabregas over around 10 years (his time at Arsenal - naturally due to my best mate being an Arsenal fan + his time at Barcelona) that he is competent enough at defending, similarly to how someone like Modric is.

Lol, United fans are going nuts over his comment. Most are saying he's bitter he didn't get the United job

World Cup + he's going out on loan.

I fully agree with that - I was merely stating that the notion that he was given 'every opportunity' i.e. that he was given plenty of games is wrong because he wasn't. Whether that was due to him not impressing in training etc. is a different matter.

Big signing. A front three of Griezmann - Mandzukic - Turan is very nice.

Will always thank him for taken a risk on Frank.

I think Mikel is certainly off, it's either that or Romeu going out on loan again. Torres hopefully goes as well and we're very sorted.

So we were in for Luke Shaw, but his wage demands were just outrageous. Interesting and fair enough.

Definitely Mourinho's orders, and just the general set up of the team. Mourinho wanted to provide a solid foundation because we had a lot of inexperience up front in pre season, hence why MVG wasn't really allowed to venture forward too much.

For a full back he's actually pretty tall.

"The Kakutas" . Nice little phrase that I'll add to my vocabulary if you don't mind.

If they reinvest it well enough (which they have started doing with Tadic and Pelle) then there's no reason to think that.