Madmax

Jovanovic to Anderlecht has been completed. It's just a matter of time now it would seem.

Sergio Canales has been loaned to Valencia. Looking forward to seeing how he goes along this season, very promising player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB6q7kdXyRM&feature=player_embedded

dodojojo deserves a mention I feel. Also, Abd Chelseacrazyfan for his relentless work on video compilations of our youth, especially Josh.

I find it amusing.

Expectation - Make me enjoy watching us play again. None of the boring bullshit from last year and I'll be happy.

And the point of this thread is ...?

^ Yep, 3rd kit confirmed -

#13, perhaps?

Yeah well as I said it's just a rumour. Think he'll be used straight away. He's decided to move because the presence of Busquets and Mascherano wouldn't let him have games, can't imagine he would agree to come here if he wasn't assured of a reasonably prominent role in the team.

You guys caught on pretty quick haha, just saw our site and edited my post

Interesting rumour - there is a buyback clause at the end of each of first two years (10m €), a first-refusal clause for the next two years and after that CFC have an option to buy him for 15m €.

Barcelona have announced on their official site ----> http://www.fcbarcelo...tbol/index.html

Sport.es : 5 year deal signed in Colombia. MundoDeportivo : 4 year deal signed, buyback option at the end of each of the first two years, first refusal thereafter.

Am I the only one somewhat pleased by the fact that (apart from the Modric saga) we're flying under everybody's radar at the moment? All the noise is about what City and Liverpool are doing and what Arsenal are not doing. Having become accustomed to getting all the attention and relentless press coverage over the years, it's nice to sit back and enjoy a few quiet moments. There's a calmness about the place, a welcome change indeed.

Di Matteo unplugged

As has been said already, with no more signings I wouldn't expect us to be fighting for anything above 3rd place. I do think City have a bigger chance than ever of winning it, especially if Mancini lets them express themselves in an attacking sense. My prediction - 1. City 2. United 3. Chelsea 4. Liverpool/Arsenal.

Not sure why Mikel Arteta never gets a mention. Superb player, if only a bit injury prone.

It's 15 million € people, meaning 13.2 million £

No, I think he's a CM now because that's how he plays. We lined up with a 4-3-3 last season, on paper atleast. On the pitch it was more like a Christmas tree with Malouda playing slightly behind the striker but mostly central. How often have you seen him beat a man and put in a decent cross? His game revolves around running the left-central channel while combining with whoever is available - Cole, Lampard and the striker. Zhirkov is more of a winger than Malouda. More pace, better crossing. Malouda is better in terms of directness, trickery, strength and touch but gets too central in a bid to get goals. He started out as a winger against Villa, how many times did you see him play like one in the first half? We were crying out for width . With AvB's affinity for width and pace down the flanks, I'm surprised it's Zhirkov who's making way.

As good as the Premiership version is, I like Serie A's a lot more.

@Belgofoot : Anderlecht have set deadline of August 4 for Lukaku transfer

I'd rather Malouda go than Yuri tbh. Yuri has the ability to play on the wing if given a chance, unlike Malouda who is more of a CM these days.

Yeah, before his disaster of a loan spell.

1st Half - Defence didn't have much to do, we kept possession and Villa were reduced to hopeful balls over the top. They tried to exploit our high line but their crossing let them down and we usually had enough numbers at the back. 2nd Half - More of the same as far as long balls were concerned. But Bent and Heskey were introduced which meant more of a challenge for JT-Alex, but they rode it out comfortably enough.