The Skipper

Luis is not a bad signing at all to me, he is a very good left back after all and is very good going forward and solid at the back... However, if we're going to spend £20m+ on a LB I'd prefer Shaw instead. Either way, it's still an improvement because it'll mean that we can finally get proper natural width from our full backs, as it'll mean Azpi will move back to the right.

I'm in tears :lol:

Rickie Lambert to Liverpool.

Shaw is already a top 3 LB in the PL IMO. He's definitely more than ready to come in play a key role. When people speak about his potential it doesn't mean he isn't ready to start contributing already. Kid is already a very good player and doesn't really lack much in his game. For a LB he's very complete. If we're going to spend £20m on Luis I would definitely rather pay the extra money to get Shaw in.

That's understandable, but some (not you per se) are okay with £50m on Koke yet think £50m on Pogba is 'outrageous'... I don't get it.

Have you ever even watched Kroos play?Oscar is more creative than Kroos?

So people are okay with spending £50m on Koke but aren't with £50m on Pogba? Okay.

Really? Whenever I see him play for Nigeria he actually looks really good, like a CB beyond his years (ACON mainly). His performances there made the coach drop captain Yobo. Hope he has a good WC.

I've seen Marco in his Vitesse days + for Holland and I can comfortably say he's not there yet in terms of truly consistently dictating the pace of a game but he can get there. Very complete player though, but we'll see how he's reacted to his injury next season.

Yes, but he would've started next to Clasie, who can control a game.

Would've definitely had a great chance at starting for the senior team if he just wasn't injured, especially with Strootman out. Real shame.

Starting for Netherlands u21 with Ake.

The rules leave too much ambiguity to be honest but I think that because he'll be in England for at least 6 months before he turns 22 that they could potentially consider him HG. You're right though, the rules are just too confusing but I'd like to think that I'm right in this matter.

The money involved doesn't make it a bargain whatsoever but it would be worth it IMO. Saying something would be well worth it is not the same as saying something is a bargain. He is world class already IMO, I would already consider him a top 10 CM in the world.

The only reason Eden was just £32m was because:1. That was his release clause if I remember correctly 2. He wasn't playing for a top team like Juventus. In today's market, a 21 year old Hazard could easily go for £50m if the above variables were true... So in my opinion it's not really that comparable. In my opinion we need a top class CM just as much as we need a top class CF, so if the club did spend £50m on someone who I already consider world class and has the scope to even get better then honestly I don't really have a problem with it. Age is really irrelevant with talents like Pogba or Hazard.

Up to and including the 21st year to my understanding.

Pogba is already world class IMO. Already one of the best in his position and still has massive scope to grow. Easily has the potential to go down as an all time great.

Just checked and because he would be 21 if we signed him this season, he'll complete his 36 months with us (it's cumulative).

I was just going to link you to the above article. Jake's been analysing the financial situation of the club for quite some time now. The way transfer fees and wages work means it's hardly taking a hit. The money spent would be amortised over the length of the contracts that each player signs - the money is there to be spent. Let's say we spent £30m on Shaw, £32m on Costa and £50m on Pogba. That's £112m spent - add the Luiz money and money from January plus further sales of the likes of Ba, Mikel etc. we're more than fine - net spent could easily be below £50m (and that's me being pessimistic) - surely the club can afford that? That is without amortising each fee for each transfer as well. The Luiz deal has really given us a lot of ammunition this summer.

Pogba would be homegrown if we signed him right?

Starting again for England U21 today.

https://twitter.com/jakefcohen/status/471635799637651456We can afford that quite comfortably.

What would be ideal: Costa, Shaw, Pogba. What will actually happen: God knows.

Do you honestly think Ola or Jay will be ready to be first choice LBs in 3/4 years?

I'm pretty sure Luis came out yesterday and said he wants to stay...