teignman

First real test. I must say that I agree with what is being said on here about Benayoun. He's always worked his socks off. Though it is only pre-season, he's been given a great deal of license to roam, create, and harass the opposing defense. Looking quite skillful.

That's my worry as well. I think a change in style and tactics with the new gaffer can only go so far to improve our squad. We need personnel upgrades in the aforementioned areas.

It's clear to me. He is probably going to get the same wages, or close to it, wherever he decides to go. Does he want to move forward and compete in the best league in the world? If he doesn't have the competitive spirit to step up and play with the big boys, I'm not sure I want him here. Note: The author of this post may have had his comments tinged with premature sour grapes.

Pastore's choices are clear. He can come play for us and not be a dead cert to start every week. However, with aging players he will see a good deal of playing time and if he proves himself he will easily become a fixture in the starting 11. Our club plays in a much better league than PSG, and has a much greater chance at meaningful silverware than last season's Ligue 1 4th place finishers. The wages are a moot point because we can offer him anything PSG does, and vice versa. If he goes to PSG he will be assured to be one of the first names on the team sheet every week. However, he will be taking a step down in leagues even from his current Serie A. His European ambitions will be limited to the Europa League. If he chooses PSG I think that will be very telling about how ambitious he is and where his priorities lay at this stage of his career. I've heard Paris is lovely this time of year, but West London is beautiful!

I think Blue Lion was speaking to the pace of the game rather than the physicality.

Indeed. His other problem is he seems to fall victim to a lot of niggling injuries that keep him off the pitch.

On the one hand, I can see the "imminent" signings being Courtois and Romeu. However, if the January transfer window last season taught me anything, it's that we can still make a big move in the market (for better or worse) after largely flying under the radar.

Hopefully we get a clarification on the buy-back/ first refusal terms.

"Spanish sources also claim that Barca will have a clause in the deal inserted which will allow them to buy highly-rated Romeu back in the summer of 2013." - Sky Sports If that's true, this is a real crock of shit. What would be the point? Maybe we catch lightning in a bottle for two seasons with him and he's fantastic. Even so he goes back to Barca most likely on the cheap. I sincerely hope that we only include a first refusal clause at most.

Romeu strikes me as a low risk (monetarily), possible high reward prospect.

I must admit that I know very little about Gatagov. Won't feel one way or the other if we sign him.

true. he would probably be much more likely to get first team football sooner at le arse.

Great Lucho Gonzalez the poor man's Ligue 1 version of Scott Parker. No, just no.

Maybe not what we need for this season, as i stated earlier in this thread, but a talent for the not-too-distant future. I've warmed to the prospect of him coming this season, but that's probably due to the lack of signings in this window.

Sad, but probably true.

I watched him last season in the CL and some La Liga. Excellent attacker. Plays either wing or AM. Even saw him play striker a couple times. Seems reasonably priced for his talent level and skill set. Plus he's young. All this being said, I don't think we will go for him. Just a gut feeling. I would love to be proven wrong.

I maybe don't have the vehement dislike of this move shared by some, but I am hardly enamored. I think the quoted price for a loan deal is quite steep. If Parker is happy being a squad player, and this somehow does not throw a monkey-wrench (or spanner if you prefer) into our success this season and beyond, I'm ok with it. Parker definitely didn't deserve PFA Player of the Year, but he can possibly be helpful to a top club like us.

Actually, the source I got that info from was Globoesporte, which is Brazilian. Neymar's contract signed last August was a five year deal worth £55k a week, well below Terry's salary. A few weeks ago Santos were discussing a new deal that would involve imaging rights, etc. that would put Neymar on £90k a week. Even with that deal he would be well below JT's weekly salary.

Vidal is a very versatile player, but is generally a DM. He likes to get forward though, as he netted 10 times with 11 assists in the Bundesliga last season. Good all around skills. Just turned 24 as well. I would love it if we got him.

Ronaldinho yeah, but Neymar makes well below to what Terry makes.

I think Udinese are merely using us to drive up the price on Sanchez.

I'm going to throw this out there: Is it possible that AVB moves Luiz to the holding role now that Essien is out for some time? Thus, we pick up Cahill for CB duty.

+1 for including Victor Meldrew and John McEnroe quotes in the same post.

From what I've seen of Bastos, he's a Brazilian Zhirkov, maybe a bit better. But not that much. Would love to be proven wrong if we end up signing him.

Pacy, creative, a nose for goal. Too bad he cut that great burgeoning mullet he had. He could have had it all!