CHOULO19

He used to be very promising, but I don't think he was anywhere near amazing. His loan at Valecia didn't go as planned, although that had more to do with the bad season Valencia had than himself. The change of manager there really hurt him because it came just after he established himself as a starter and he was never really in the team after that. Anyway, I don't think he's particularly a player that suites our current system. I can't see Jose trusting him in the pivot if I'm honest.

I must admit I'm disappointed, I expected by now at least one media outlet to say that the real reason Frank has rejected a contract renewal is because of the imminent arrival of Fabregas...

Well, that's an underwhelming end to one of the most glorious careers, if true.

That's a great idea. I'd start one, but I'm on my phone. Maybe you or someone else can do it?

He actually said that?! Can't get any more soulless than that...

Of course you can. There is no one way to win in football. The game is much more complex than that! Any certain combination of a team can win, it just comes down to opinions about which combination/age group/strategy/philosophy is more likely to win you stuff. And even then, there's still a huge amount down to sheer luck. For example, we won the CL with the likes of Kalou, Bosingwa, Torres, Malouda...etc. So obviously you can win the CL with players of that 'caliber', but if I want to win the CL, I would not go buy those players because it is extremely unlikely that you win the CL with those even if it still could, and has happened. Similarly, I believe that you are most likely to win with a squad of players all in the peak of their careers. There still is a possibility that a bunch of 18yo can win, but I won't go into a season with a team of U20 players because you're much more likely to win with a team core made up of experienced and established players in the best moment of their careers.

Of course, the 'hip' thing to do is to play youngsters only and never win anything like Arsenal

No, but that could be a factor. Of course, we can win with Shaw, but we'll have a better chance with an established and experienced LB.

I don't know. I'm just saying he might because most players, especially young ones, struggle in their first seasons in Europe because the level and intensity are different. On any account, that is not why I'd prefer Luis but the fact that I want instant success next season.

Of course we can win with Shaw, but we'll have a better chance with an established LB like Luis. Honestly, if your team had a big CL match and you had both in your squad, who would you start ahead of the other? Why wouldn't Luis adapt to the PL? It's not like we're talking about a striker or a tiny AM who will struggle to deal with the physicality of the league. He'll practically be playing in the same system since Atleti's defensive system is very similar to ours (pressing with two up front, then with two banks of four and forcing the play to the wings). In fact, I'd be more worried about Shaw adapting to European games than about Luis adapting to the PL.

One is vastly experienced and has played at the highest level in Europe, the other has played two top flight seasons with Southampton. One is already one of the best LBs in Europe, the other has the potential to become the best. Shaw is a great talent, but if you want to win things next season, you'll need an established LB. You can't get a 20yo who has never played a game in a European compitition in his life and throw him in the deep end because mistakes will happen. Had Cole stayed, then I would have seen a case for signing Shaw because we would have had someone who we can rely on in big games, but now, I think Jose and the board are making the right call in going after Luis, even though I don't like the quoted price tag.

The highlight of his Chelsea....unfortunately.

Hasn't made Netherland's final 23, unfortunately.

I think Jose wants instant success next season. I mean if your team was going into a CL semi final next season let's say, who would you rather have at LB, Luke Shaw or Felipe Luis? Shaw is undeniably a great prospect but Luis is vastly experienced and is, imo, miles better at the moment.

Though that might be fake when I saw it on Twitter, but he actually said it to Marca! http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3875/transfer-zone/2014/05/30/4849774/di-maria-it-hurts-to-be-linked-with-tottenham

Party pooper!

I honestly thought that our best FB combination this season was Azpi and Cole. But Jose wanted a more physical back four with better aerial abilities. Plus, Iva was used as a target for long goal kicks due to the absence of any wingers with good headings ability. Iva does great when we defend deep with all the back four inside the box and when he does not need to provide width and contribute offensively, mainly because he's a CB, not a RB. But against weaker teams, he's really hurt us this season in continuously failing to close down crosses and also in wasting possession more often than not when he puts in 'crosses'.

So the project of having a team of 11 Hazards (codename: 'Project Hazard FC') is well in track

Said he's very happy at his home, Atletico, and he wants to stay there no matter who comes in for him. http://www.ar.beinsports.net/football/article/j64rx9i3n60n1p3azgfjq90lk/%D9%83%D9%88%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A3%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%88-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF (arabic because I'm too lazy to find one in English ) EDIT: Here's a couple of English links: http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/110607/koke-i-want-to-continue-at-atletico/ http://www.ftbpro.com/posts/chris.deeley/973960/atletico-madrid-midfielder-koke-insists-he-s-going-nowhere

I literally laughed out loud!

The amount of goals conceded from cross from Iva's side

Heard that Zulte want to replace Thorgan with his younger brother, Kylian.

Charlie Mosunda got a couple for Belgium as well and Joao Rodriguez also scored for Columbia today against England in the 1-1 draw.

Nothing too serious, I hope?

So England U19s won't be going to the next Euros. They needed a draw against Ukraine yesterday but lost to a goal in the 95th minute. Lewis Baker hit the post from a FK in the 97th! Extremely unlucky.