Tomo

Drinkwater wasn't but the other signings that window were.

Michy wasn't any better vs Fontale, likewise Giroud vs Reading. The big problem is with the strikers we have 3 super subs and no starters.

We are still keeping to the fundamentals which is crucial in the modern game (playing out, technical ability first) but with a lot more speed. I do think Frank is benefitting from taking over from a year of Sarri as opposed to straight from Conte.

Got to add we are doing this away vs a fellow CL team and Europa semi finalists of two years ago who are further ahead in preparation. There will be growing pains this season but when it clicks like it did in that 10 minutes not many teams will be able to live with us.

Azpi with James at RB?

Pepe is pretty wounding tbh (he would have solved a lot of issues for us) although out of all our rivals it's probably best he goes Arsenal because as good as he is he's not going to make Emery a good defensive coach and he will have a problem getting him, Auba and Lacazette in the same team, atleast one will be playing out of position unless he goes 424 which will in turn make their already fragile defense even worse.

It doesn't make sense atall. The first thing Sarri did when he arrived here was cut out the players who lacked the technical ability for his football (Cahill, Bakayoko,Tammy, Michy, Zouma) yet now he's actively after Lukaku? Something isn't adding up on both sides because not only is he not the type of player Sarri goes after I can't see Maurizio giving Lukaku the guarantee that he craves (getting a starting spot handed to him on a plate).

Shouldn't go to Wigan, he will be on a hiding to nothing after what Reece did.

Assuming he doesn't leave in the next few weeks Moussa Dembele could be an option, he's starting to mature more as a player and a further improvement next season could he him nicely primed for a big move.

I would argue Mount aswell, his intensity will be crucial to the way Frank wants to play. I know we have a lot better players around him but Derby lost the plot when Mason was injured last season mainly because they had no one capable of doing the tactical work he did and i'm not sure we do either. This will be considered blasphemous to many but if Lampard is planning on Azpi being first choice RB all season i would seriously consider sending him on loan to Palace (with an Ake style January recall option incase Azpi goes down or loses the plot), consistent game time trumps being cup cover for me.

That would certainly send a message to the rest of the league.

Charlie Brown's a curious case for me. I always like what i see and he smashed it last season in the Uefa YL (12 goals in 9) and the EFL trophy (4 in 5), although not so much in PL2 (4 in 17), but doesn't seem to be on the radar as far as a first team shot goes (even for a one-off cameo) and he's nearly 20. Is there a chance he could do a Pedro (who didn't break through at Barca till 22 ) or am i overestimating what i'm seeing?

A lot of rotation will be needed to keep this intense play up so they will all get their moment.

It would be very handy given Frank's emphasis on attacking fullbacks.

Set pieces were often Frank's Derby's undoing, hopefully it's not a flaw in his coaching and if it is he finds a way to fix it.

We will be so good once we play with dynamic fullbacks or even just one. I felt that last season but that feeling is even more prominent now as Lampard is really using the fullbacks overlaping as a key go to plan going forward.

Sure aslong as it's at Newcastle. I don't mind Drinkwater staying as a 4th choice filler for dead end cup games or to see out time in already won league games to reserve our first choice players fitness (he's not giving up his wages so we may aswell make use of him somehow) but Baka must be gone at all costs.

One will be 4th choice so makes sense to give both a run out and we don't want Jorginho and Kova overplayed. Probably going to give it a miss till the second half, i find half those players frustrating as hell to watch.

Had he not signed a new deal in 2015 he would have had two years left on his deal, that would have most certainly attracted a lot of interest and he could have had the pick of a lot of clubs if he choose. Also IIRC Real were playing 4231 at the time, he would have sloted in to the 10 like a glove. As for last year, the only reason we had good cards is because Hazard himself respected the clubs stance, had he got a bit more persistent and forceful we would have been in a very tricky situation.

Hazard could have left us after 3 years but signed a new deal commiting his prime years to us. He could have been more persistent with his desires in 2018 but instead respected the clubs stance and agreed to play a season of Europa League footy (a tournament he's far too good for). He owes us nothing, the transfer ban is our fault not his.

We already have two young wingers so getting a 3rd would be overkill. A winger in his prime is needed next summer to compliment Pulisic and Odoi.

He will only ever be a utility player in midfield, if he reaches his potential it will be as a CB.

I firmly disagree with that, his positional sense is average and the timing of his leaps are often wrong. Yes he can make a good recovery tackle but there's a reason he's constantly having to take such extreme measures in the first place.

If he had to go to an English club that isn't us Arsenal is probably the best option. Adding another layer of gold while ignoring the engine, although that said it probably tips the top 4 race slightly in their favour unless Mustafi goes evenl more ditzy and/or Mount and Pulisic can hit the ground running for us.