The Skipper

So because of that you'll completely dismiss the article because it's not what you want to read? Interesting. Weren't you also one of the chief pioneers that suggested that Fellaini would be a great signing back then? Look how he's panned out at United as a real DM... Doesn't mean that you're wrong about everything as well. Anyway, very interesting and very well written that article, challenges your views on Luiz as a CB. Very interesting read.

Nope, it's like playing Lampard at number 10. Ineffective. Doesn't play to his strength which is that natural run in from deep at the right moment.

Nah, Ramsey is a CM, he's completely wasted in the front three. I've watched Ramsey since his Cardiff days so I can fully assure that to you. Signing Fabregas would mean that either Wilshere or Ramsey get sold, they already have trouble fitting both in the team, and I doubt Arsenal (specifically Arsene who loves both) would be willing to do that.

Actually Ash when he came here was known for his ability going forward - not just defending. He isn't just a defend-first fullback, he's very complete. Folios Luis is way too old as well, think he's turning 30 this year, plus he isn't even a "defend-first" left back, so it's far better that we either go for someone like Ricardo Rodriguez, who's just as good as Filipe Luis going forward, and defensively but has far bigger scope to improve (especially if Shaw isn't attainable at a reasonable price).

A Fabregas transfer would be highly unlikely but it's not because Arsenal would stop us from doing so lol. They don't even need him to begin with - stacked in that position with Wilshere and Ramsey.

PVA might be kept because of HG status. If we aren't resigning Ashley and we sign a player like Shaw or RR we'd be okay with PVA and either going forward, especially with Azpi also being able to man that position.

Atleast we won't hear anything from his agent anytime soon...

I personally would've taken Shaw and Cole, Shaw as starter - giving him vital tournament experience and Cole as the reliable, more defensively sound back up.

Of course they're still affiliated with us, maybe registered to play is a better word to use to explain it. It's not about disagreeing or not, those are the rules... Loan players who are not registered to play at CFC for that season will not have a HG year added to their status if they aren't in the country because they'll be registered to play for the other club in that different country. They aren't under the English FA's jurisdiction in that year, and aren't being trained in England or Wales.

Yeah, 100% sure. They're still Chelsea players but they're being loaned out to another entity who obtained their playing rights - thus they are representing that club for however long the loan spell is - not Chelsea, until they come back.

When someone goes out on loan, they become affiliated to the FA of the league they're going out on loan to - so a loan year in a foreign country does not count as a HG year.

L3G3ND.

Get Cesc.

With Josh I've lost hope on him developing into a top player because almost everyone of his loan moves just haven't really developed him. Maybe it's better for him to stay at Cobham and train with top players. But yeah, we might start signing HG players for the sake of it now - or at least someone who's HG will probably have brownie points over someone who doesn't. It's why a Song signing would make sense too though, since he is homegrown too. Luke Shaw as well, even though he's very expensive.

Lukaku, if we keep him. Could keep someone like Josh McEachran around too to fill the quota.

Don't know why Chalobah isn't included in there tbh. NVM: Seen he's been included in the U21 squad. Lukaku will be HG this year; yet another reason why we should keep.

This. Him and Lamps coaching next season (if we do sign Frank as a player/coach or even as a player and then a coach the season after) would be amazing.

Van Gaal is a fantastic appointment for United, he's a really, really good manager. Ask Jose and Pep - who both owe a lot of their managerial experience to him. Some call him the father of Jose and Pep in Holland. Another character for English football too. As abrasive as Mourinho (maybe even worse), so they'll love him. United + Van Gaal + that huge war chest they'll probably have this summer... 100% another challenger we have for the PL title now. A difficult one too. Expect a revitalised RVP too.

Bild aren't bad but from what I can remember, they're a bit hit and miss. From what I can gather though, Bild aren't saying that Mandzukic is 100% coming to us... They're just stating that a deal is potentially being discussed.

I don't want Phil Jones here, but to say that anyway that's saying he's a good player should stick to FIFA is a bit ludicrous. The Cahill comparison isn't really that off either because both were players who were ready to make the next step - difference with Cahill is that he's been managed properly (especially under Mou) whilst Jones hasn't. Jones is only 22 though so has plenty of time on his side. Regardless, this is not me making a case for wanting him here. You're right in saying that I'd also rather see our crop of CBs develop - doesn't mean you can't appreciate a good player when you see one though.

Bony is not that quick lol. He's relatively fast, moves well but nowhere near one of the fastest strikers in Europe.

Come home Didier! (As a coach)

It really depends on what type of system you're going to play. If you're going to play a predominately possession based system where you're likely to have most of the ball then a Gerrard - Wilshere midfield is probably the most extreme midfield you can put out there, with Gerrard holding. If you need a bit more steel/legs in midfield though you can obviously just take him out and put Henderson in there.

True, Barry's not bad though. No one long term coming through atm though. It will be the next generation before we see a quality CDM coming through (Chalobah, RLC - if they make it).