Tomo

Certainly puts the angst over our rivals signing the likes of Bergwijn, Gedson, Ighalo and even Bruno into perspective

Klopp.

Hazard only waited because Mata was here. Had that not been the case he'd have got it from the off.

That's what worries me, you just know the "we spent £250m we should be in this title race" comments will arise when City and Liverpool inevitably build a gap to the rest again. In my opinion expectation management has been a problem within the fanbase for the last two season's, the great start's we had last season and under Sarri made expectations (relative to our squad quality) too high and when the inevitable blip happened people were genuinely acting like it was a title winning side collapsing (especially under Sarri) as opposed to the reality that the title was never a realistic possibility.

I wouldn't go that far but he's very overrated and we should be aiming higher, in my opinion.

Italy ain't on the list.

Aslong as we have a new keeper it should be win win (unless the new one turns out bad, not worth thinking about). If he's up against Frank's choice of keeper he's going to have to do ridiculously well to even get a sniff.

That's where he played a lot of games for Charlton. Given Havertz impending arrival and Mount being well established that's probably his best shot of breaking into our lineup so may work out if Roy does play him there.

For all intents and purposes most players have more pre season games playing for internationals. Not ideal (especially to build up team rapport) but the short break plus that should make them pretty match sharp by the time we return to The Amex.

It was a great pass but I do find it quite ironic the praise Ziyech got for getting a "second assist" yet when Mount did similar against Tottenham (ie the goal mainly came down to his work but he didn't get the official assist) any attempt to give him the bulk of the praise was dismissed.

Liverpool are a major exception to the rule and even then they will eventually pay for not refreshing, infact there's signs of it already. With the intensity of the game in the 00s onwards squad depth is crucial. Look at the comparisons between us under Mou mark one and mark two. Mark one only Cech, Terry and Lampard were bonafide regulars, the rest were rotated in and out. Gallas Vs Carvalho (with a bit of Huth), Gallas Vs Del Horno/Bridge, Ferreira Vs Geremi, Drogba Vs Gudjohnsen then Crespo, four wingers for two positions, Tiago Vs Smertin in the first season, Essien Vs Gudjohnsen in the second etc the team bar it's spine was constantly fiddled around with to keep freshness at the highest rate possible and because of that we did what was on hindsight a rare thing for a Jose team and stay mentally fresh for the entire three years. Jose mark 2 soon as the second season kicked in basically had 10 untouchables with the 11th place either Oscar or Ramires depending on the tactical approach, we squeezed a title out of the season but it culminated in physical and mental exhaustion which led to the shit show next time round.

You mention Trent well. 1. Right back is completely different, that's one position, CM, AM and wingers are really fluid and offer a lot of game time and rotation, even more in the season to come. We can play two number 8s like City did (which allows room for Havertz and Mount) while CHO has actually gone from 4th choice winger to 3rd. The only academy player that's likely going to see a massive cut down of minutes is Abraham, which is no disgrace, having a back up forward like him is what's allowed us the funds to sign big names. 2. We have a young prospect at right back, and we abandoned attempts to sign Hakimi because of that. Re Lamps, back then we played 442 so any CM signing even if not exactly the same type of player was very much a threat to him.

Honestly I think his "fall" has been wildly exaggerated personally. He had a nightmare today but has recently faced the two best teams in Europe and didn't look out of place, infact I thought he was great at Anfield, went a bit under the radar because of Pulisic though.

You've destroyed your own argument mentioning Lamps. He had a world cup winning CM sign the very same summer as him and two years later Makelele and Veron. If they're destined to be great player's they'll embrace the competition like their manager did.

He will have more than enough minutes for a 19 year old. There's more ways to develop a player than starting them every game god sends,for example, at the same age CHO is now, Xavi was on less first team appearances while Pedro, Puyol and Busquets were still awaiting their debut, they turned out ok. Infact, foreign teams do tend to by inlarge take a more staggered approach (Dortmund aside), the desperation to make teenagers bonafide starters immediately is more an English (club) thing, that's why everyone freaked out and couldn't properly grasp the context when Sarri said it will take a few years until Callum is fully ready to start week in week out.

Who is the BHA keeper that went down? Button?

Beyond all the Mount debate on who does and doesn't rate him he's the one attacking player still here that started most of our games last season. In a team with that many changes you need that type of continuity, that's why if he stayed Willian would have still probably played a big role in the short term.

If anyone fancy's half time laugh Spurs have charged their fans £10 to watch the pre season friendly Vs Birmingham. Just when you think Levy couldn't get even more ridiculous...

He's on last chance saloon especially with Gallagher looking good.

When Ziyech and CHO play on the flanks together in a competitive game the record for crossfield passes will be broken.

I imagine the midfielders and attackers will be the same when we play here for real with Mount starting instead of Ruben.

I fear it's overkill, 7 new players in a team in one go is too much, even the likely 6 is pushing it. Be better for the team evolution (and our wallet) if we leave Declan till next year, i'd have even said hold back on the keeper if the situation wasn't critical but unfortunately it is.

This whole Azpi in the air narrative started after Alli beat him to two at WHL in 2017.

Fair enough but Ivan didn't and he was done at the top level in his early 30's, Lampard despite maintaining good goalscoring stats declined as an all round player post double. You never know when a player is susceptible to drop post 30, if the worst happens with Thiago S he can be our Terry under Conte type dressing room personality and we can both say thanks and goodbye next May, sign Koulibaly for £90m only for him to do an Ivan/Alexis style drop would put us in an awful situation.

To still be competing at 36 makes Thiago an exception not the norm, you point out Maka and Ballack but both were long finished by that age. Out of our entire old guard only Terry made it to mid 30s still at a level to play well for Chelsea week in week out. Koulibaly could do down Thiago's/Terry's route but he could also go down Carvalho's (who declined so badly post 30 even Jason Scotland had the beating of him).