King Kante

Not really, FFP was just a cartel system that allowed all the big clubs to take out massive loans and prevent smaller ones from doing so. City will continue as they always have (but I do not see them getting overly crazy). PSG may go mental but they play in the French league which will always be an issue for them.

Well I did say it was dependent on the getting of a good CF.

Tbf, he is a bit of a risk. Very injury prone and gives the ball away a lot. That doesn't really strike me as a player we should be going all in for. At CB the only real need we have at the moment is a left footed one. Furthermore, with our lack of goals I prefer to get a CF and roll with Guehi instead. If we keep 3atb and get a good CF, I am comfortable with a CB unit of: Silva, AC, Rudi, Dave, Zouma/Guehi.

For sure, as I have said about Mount he can play No.6, No.8 or No.10 (the modern day version of it); although not sure about a No.4 as I think he would be wasted their a little. Personally, I reckon he ends up a No.6 or No.8 (depending on formation) as I am not sure he will ever be clinical enough with his finishing/final pass to be a premier No.10. However, it is good to see that Mount is now starting to be more widely recognized for his talents and potential. @Tomo is another who has said this all along.

As Conte said, he is a very nice boy who you would be delighted with if your daughter was dating them.

It is hard to say, I think the Menuier challenge was the one to have tipped him over the edge but something like that could've happened here. I remember saying when he left that it was a shame he was going then as I felt he had one more season in him before his peak would end. Fortunately for us, we sold then as it actually looks like his peak ended in the Ropey League Final 2019. For me, it is not that much of a surprise as I gave him only one more peak year; although I did also conceded that he may be able to turn it into two in La Liga with the less physical demands. However, I always thought he was not someone that was going to be a top player into his early to mid 30's owing to his application. Either way, I feel really sorry for Eden, but equally happy we played an absolute blinder with it.

Good player but very injury prone and not really what we need in a CB (left footed) if we buy another one.

I think you will find he was the most fouled player in Europe whilst with us for virtually every season he was here. Some years, it was by a ridiculously long margin and those where the fouls given and not the ones allowed to run on. Just because he didn't flop to the ground and rolled around like he was Limp Bizkit's biggest fan, doesn't mean he wasn't kicked up in the air. Well, I think everyone was half expecting it with Hazard as he has never been one to keep himself in great condition. For me, it is twofold: 1) Lack of conditioning/application to training throughout his career has come back to bite him. 2) The fouls he has had put on him have finally caught up. The only way I am surprised is that it has happened so early. I thought he would get to a Rooney cliff edge at about 30/31 like he did, not at 28/29.

Tbf, with the way things have panned out it looks like we got his last prime season out of him, then sold him for prime money.

Team prediction: Mendy Dave Silva Rudi CHO Jorgi Billy Alonso Mount Werner Giroud

Let's see. For Dortmund it is a case of selling Håland this Summer or next. He is going either way. If they do get CL then for sure, I think there is a good chance he stays, if not I think there is a good chance he leaves. This is because: 1) they will have to take a serious hit on his fee next season if they keep as his value will never be higher owing to his buyout. 2 ) I am not sure he would be happy to not play in the CL as he knows he only has a year left there so it is not as if it is going to be a one year blip in a 5 year+ plan. 3 ) if he isn't sold Dortmund will have to sell other players / not be able to buy better players. If they do not qualify this year, with there current crop, then there is no guarantee, even with Håland, that they qualify next, especially with a weaker side. For me, if Dortmund do not get CL there is very little chance Håland stays, if they do, it will increase their chances as they have more ability to ask for a ridiculous fee and can take a hit owing to ongoing CL finances.

The problem is the market seems even more depressed than last summer. Additionally he has a year less and whilst his stats are on track to be similar, he hasn't shown much improvement from last season. That affects his price in the sense that some may worry his peak level isn't going to be as high as it looked it could reach last summer.

Damn, I forgot about Mendy being Senegalese. We are going to need a new/another GK. My opitions: Donnarumma - I think we are actually interested in him although I think he would be overkill. Areola - If Fulham go down he would be an excellent GK2 option.

Personally, I do not believe the price tag. The reason for this is due to his buyout. Now I know there are rumours going around his (Håland's) buyout isn't a thing but I am not buying that as otherwise all of Europe's top clubs would've been all over him last season when he left Salzburg. That consequently caps his price this season as the next he is going to leave. That gives Dortmund two choices, take €100-110m now or keep him for a extra season (potentially without CL) and lose the next for €65-70m. If they get CL they may be able to push the price up or keep hold, but without it they'll need to plug the gap, as they are the type of team that balance the books. As for Sancho, they probably should've taken the money last summer as his value is less now. I reckon this will also be considered when it comes to Håland.

With no CL Dortmund would need to start to get more realistic.

I think a lot depends on whether Dortmund qualify for the CL or not. Of they do not I see one or both or Sancho and Haaland being sold.

I can see us signing Donnarumma. Personally, I am happy with Mendy but we love the sort of deal Donarumma presents. Also wouldn't surprise me if we use that deal as a means to butter up Raniola.

No.

He is currently their 4th choice CB for their three. I don't think this is up their with Tibo v AM in 2014.

I think he has a good chance starting against WBA. Kova is going to play the whole international round and Kante has a minor injury (which I believe is not anything.) Would not be surprised to see him start with Jorgi or Kante against WBA and then Kova and one of Jorgi/Kante against Porto.

Well, I for one always maintained that he was our best (non-Silva) CB from a technical and tactical standpoint. The problem with him was always mentality, which I will admit I did worry he wouldn't be able to sort at times.

Small tear can mean anything. If I had to bet, it is the most minor of tears and he is back training at Cobham next week. I think from reading around a little, Kante's departure is more to do with giving him a rest as the next two French games are against cannon fodder teams.

PSG would, possibly City too if FFP is dead. That sort of figure would rule us out completely.

Yeah, reports in Germany last year were saying Werner rejected us and had no interest too: https://www.the-sun.com/sport/premier-league/788920/timo-werner-Chelsea-man-utd-liverpool-transfer-rb-leipzig/