Tomo

I did a social experiment 10/11 years ago on twitter when I had it saying Ronaldinho was meeting the Aston Villa owner about a possible move. I got over 100 retweets of people losing their shit and the only reason I got caught out (would have confessed eventually after a bit of fun) was because someone who knew where the Villa owner actually was saw it.

Unless Boehly wants us to go all in on a title at all costs next season I would be happy enough to get De Ligt and (Raheem) Sterling (if we can somehow hijack the De Jong deal to United then him too) and then reacess next summer when we have a proper structure in place. Tuchel is too good a manager to fail at getting top four and with Gallagher, Broja, Colwill and maybe (Dujon) Sterling and Maatsen good enough to play a role to some degree or another that's a lot of added depth and fresh bodies.

Maybe when it's 5 years, but this is two decades worth of sample size in multiple different leagues. If you think anything can happen does that mean you wouldn't rule out, for example, Lukaku suddenly developing a Drogba esque mentality where he starts delivering in big games and Cup finals? Sometimes a manager or player is exactly what it says on the tin.

I don't think they will. Barca were the better side after Xavi took over and for all of Ancelotti's strengths dominating a league isn't one of them (he's never retained a title and only managed 1 with that great Milan side in 8 years).

Lukaku was happy as larry when he arrived. The only reason his "love" for Inter was reignited was because he wasn't getting the unconditional starting spot he felt he was entitled too here. As soon as he's dropped for Dzeko watch him turn on Inter aswell.

Fabregas wanted an Arsenal return. Drogba and Azpi wanted to stay at Marseille. If we only went for players who wanted us first and foremost we'd be lucky to stay in the top flight.

Azpi wanted to stay at Marseille, Cesc wanted a return to Arsenal. The only signing players who consider us first choice is just not realistic.

While i don't disagree we should walk away if City want £50m (although he's not as bad as being made out especially in a back 3) I've never really got the end logic. Liverpool and City signed players we deemed not good enough while trying to chase us and that ended up allright. Milner couldn't get in City's team but has since helped Liverpool compete with them.

Depends what we're looking to do next season. If it's the title at all costs it's a problem but if the general opinion that it will take atleast another year is also the opinion of Tuchel/Boehly then fuck it let's make the games fun ala Liverpool 16-18.

I mean he was "seen" about as much as Alonso and Chilwell were, players who have done a hell of a lot more for this club. Usually I'd take these type of stories with a pinch of salt but it fits in exactly with his behaviour down the years.

The fact no fans are there to greet him (which is usually a given for big signings in Italy) says everything you need to know.

May not work out like that. There's no saying he wouldn't want a new challenge at the end of his deal.

That I can agree with. Will be hard to totally stick with a trio in a world cup year but I'd try and use four (for me assuming we sign no one else Sterling, Kai, CHO and Mount) for the bulk of the minutes and have a 5th (whoever out of the rest don't get their move) behind that.

I mean, I wouldn't want Ake as our marquee defensive signing but if he's coming with MDL i wouldn't mind it too much. He ups the average age of our defense and it offers Colwill a realistic pathway if he deserves it.

One of Ten Hag's first actions in his first United presser was to suck off Harry Maguire. They invested in Varane last summer and bizarrely are dead set in making Maguire work, CB is the last place they're investing in certainly for the price it would take for MDL.

Inverted wingback Zinchenko/Milner style? In part it's me trying to convince myself we have a contingency plan to Chilwell that isn't Emerson or Kenedy but I also think he would work well there given how Tuchel likes the wingbacks to play.

While you're right in what you're saying here about Ake, why is it different for Jesus and Arsenal who has been made available for exactly the same reason Ake has been?

They've gone crazy ever since Wenger has left and they couldn't even overhaul us when we lost Hazard, had a ban and Lampard managing us. Spurs are one to watch if Conte gets them properly going but with Arsenal it's as you were, regardless of what we do.

Mana banned for a year now and Arsenal still getting sucked off on here.....

Our other CB will need to be an experienced one especially if we promote Colwill into the squad (which we should). If he's still as good as before Romagnoli on a free transfer would be a perfect solution for LCB.

Seeing this thread reminds me of the sweeping statements made when our rivals were apparently going to leave us for dust by signing the likes of Bergwijn, Cedric, Bruno, Gelson, Ighalo and Pablo Mari in January 2020.

Tbh I'm a little confused by the comparisons. From what I've seen of Raphina he likes to operate the half spaces whereas Ziyech is at his best when he's outwide launching heroballs into the box.

Playing wingback is arguably the most attractive position in this team. Ofcourse out of possesion you have to track back and do your bit but in possesion you're almost a number 10.

I'll go back to what I was saying last summer. If there's no one I'd rather wait. We must not panic and just look at the top line again. Furthermore if we go 433 I feel CHO, Kai and Sterling will be an excellent front 3. Callum will have his creativity (3rd for big chances created and key passes in the league last season) aswell as his natural chemistry with Reece on the right, Kai as false 9 and hopefully an improved goal record and Sterling as a much needed inside forward. Even in a back 3 we could still see that as lot as Mount can't play every game.

It's going to be hilarious when Arsenal once again finish outside the top 4 and there's still excuses being made for Arteta.