King Kante

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/

Nah, Dortmund by all accounts want the fee upfront. Utd work on a debt model, so buy all their players with it and spread the money out over the duration of the contracts. Barca and Real also use this method. That is why all three have massive bank debts. Utd also have the problem that the Glazer's are currently pumping over $100m into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the moment to circumnavigate the NFL cap rules. They are doing this by signing a lot of expensive players with 'signing on fees' with contracts with voidable years rather than giving them a fixed salary for each year. This works as follows: Tom Brady - $50m signing on fee with something like $9m incentives. They gave him a 5 year contract with 3 voidable years as the geezer is 44 in the Summer (thus meaning they cancel his contract in 2, which is when he wants to retire.) That consequently makes his cap hit for next year as approximately $11.8m rather than $29.5m (approx.) as this then allows them to sign more high quality players to the team as the NFL have very strict salary rules. They are doing this as their team is in a 'win now' phase where the owners have to pony up right away as they only have 2-3 years before they have to rip the side apart and rebuild (owing to age of players and the salaries.) This is great news for the Bucs as their team is now an absolute powerhouse. However, it is costing the Glazer's serious coin. Here is the signing on fees they have laid out in the last few weeks (all approx.): Brady - $50m Suh - $5m David - $20m Gronkowski - $6m Barrett - $38m Succop - $4m Godwin - $15.5m That is around $140.5m they have shelled out on signing and they still have other players they have to sign/restructure to get under the cap and have a full squad. So, essentially Utd cannot finance it as all the Glazer's money is going into the Bucs and they cannot buy Håland with debt. Barca situation is also bleak. Laporte got £100m+ loan but that need to finance existing debt, Messi's new contract for the first year (his re-signing was a pledge) and they have to buy other players, whilst the ones they have got won't attract much owing to contracts (similar to us with the dregs.) Real also have similar issues with their stadium build/debt payments/existing costs etc. That consequently only leaves City, Chelsea and PSG as options who can finance it this year. By all accounts Håland won't go to PSG due to the quality of the league (although this could be BS) which then just leave us and City who can do it this year. If he stays at Dortmund this year, then 8 clubs could probably buy him as the buyout is low and they can finance it with debt. They are: Munich, Utd, Juve, Barca and Real, along with the 3 that can afford him this year.

I would hope: DCL, Kane (even more impossible than Håland), Kun, Ings. Those are the only options imo. Maybe Martinez but I am not sold on him at all. Personally, I would be hyped if we did get Håland as I think he really is the type of player who could take us to the next level like VVD at the Dippers. Look at the first 18 with him in it: Mendy AC Silva Rudi James Kova Kante Chilwell Mount Harvetz Håland Subs: Kepa, Dave, Alonso, Jorgi, Puli, CHO, Werner After that, all you really need to do is maybe get a LCB and a No.6 who is bigger and more athletic (although I could see Mount move there to allow Puli/Werner more time.) A new GK2 may also be required but that is peanuts. The big loser would be Ziyech as I could really see him struggling to make the bench. If not him then Puli, but I reckon he will be safe. Zouma's days also looked numbered as well, although he will still pick up decent money so he is not a major worry.

What is interesting about Håland is if you read on Redcafe a lot of them think we are his best option (although they think he will go to City owing to money/Pep.) Reasons they make for this is: A) If his fee has to be made upfront, only City, Chelsea or PSG can afford him. B ) No one really thinks he will go to France as it is a poor league. C) Of City and Chelsea we play a style more suited to him and have the greatest need for a CF. Honestly, after reading through their thread, it has kind of made me think that from a footballing perspective, we may actually be his best option.

Yeah, but there next game is to Frankfurt who are the team 4 points ahead. They lose that it is 7 points with 7 to go and Dortmund have a slightly harder run in than Frankfurt. Wolfsburg's (in 3rd) run in is very difficult but if Dortmund lose to Frankfurt, they could be 10 points ahead if they win their next game. Also, Dortmund and Wolfsberg have to play each other in 3-4 rounds time so it would all in Wolfsberg's and Frankfurt's hands. FFP is dead. Good riddance as well, it was a cartel system that was illegal. This is why Juve, Barca, Real, Utd and the Dippers are now trying to create permanent places for themselves in the CL/pushing hard for league reform/a Super League.

His dentist must be like:

Well he doesn't strike me as the most initelligent player, so it is not surprising.