OneMoSalah

Athleticism is pointless though in midfield if you can’t read the game though or aren’t discplined, look at Pogba at United and even Ramires for a while here he needed to add that after his half a season with Villas-Boas where he and well probably half the team needed it 😂 Thats unfortunately an issue with midfielders now a days, there are a lot of players who are either athletic but they are more often not tactically good enough or are good on the ball but maybe not as athletic or physically strong. Its hard to find these very complete midfielders and when you do they cost a huge premium/everyone wants them. These guys now more often than not robots, playing 5-10 yard passes side to side and not really taking decisions for themselves, coaches coaching them perhaps but because their 6 ft 2, built like brick shithouses, can cover 13 or 24 km every week and win a few tackles and headers, people overlook the other bits. I mean the likes of Yaya Toure’s, Lampards, Gerrards, Scholes, Keanes, Vieras etc are done for they are so few and far between guys who can do everything and have everything.

Tbf having an agreement with the player means nothing cause end of the day everyone has to agree terms with Dortmund so wouldnt panic about Real just yet 🤣

Mane’s goals dried up which is why having a natural CF in and around the box is better no? Liverpool still created chances just lacked someone to put them in the net because Firmino was probably positioned more as a number 10. Kane wont really need to drop deep at City though as often to the extent he does for Spurs. Obviously he will do his bit and that, more than Aguero or Jesus but I mean why would he need to do it as often when creative players like Foden, de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Gundogan etc are going to be there and putting chances on a plate for him? It would be baffling if he did it as frequently as at Spurs in that team. Spurs were lacking creativity in midfield to get Son and Bale in behind teams which probably contributed to why Kane dropped deep on top of Mourinho’s approach. And even then he did it for god knows how long after their good start with Jose (most of his assists came in the first half of the season IIRC, 10 of the 14 before December. 4 alone v Southampton where they played that suicide high line which is one of the stupidest defensive performances I think I have ever seen) and all it really did was take away from Spur’s attacking play (also Mourinho's set up didn’t help but I mean how you meant to go a bit longer/over the top if your CF is playing as a number 10 in his own half?) I get a CF has to be of a decent standard at linking up the play but the likes of Haaland etc we aren’t talking League 2 levels here. Most of these top CFs/options we will look at will probably all play in fairly good teams where they need to do more than just score goals. Its almost a prerequisite now a days for strikers. So if they are very good at it or average at it, as long as they score goals regularly, that will be more important. 100%. and another essay 🤪🤣

Haaland’s got the technical ability and time to improve his back to goal play but our biggest issue has been a lack of players in and around the box and conversion rates. I mean is Haalands hold up and link up play even that bad? Its not perfect but hardly poor either. Haaland is clinical in the box and ultimately he’s more likely to go away from the ball than come to it a lot which opens up spaces for the other attacking players to operate in. Very similar to Costa for us with Jose and Conte. Haaland could end up leaving more spaces for Mount, Werner, Ziyech etc in between the lines by looking to get in behind teams meaning the CBs drop/follow him. I mean you’ve backed Werner for a full season and now you don’t(?) want Haaland? Or are doubting what he would bring to the team? 👀 City and Liverpool are different examples because they have wide 2 players who come run in behind teams to get in the box without fail. Whilst its admirable, don’t forget people have criticised Liverpool and Firmino for not scoring goals (especially this season). City wouldn’t be trying to sign Kane or linked with Haaland if Pep didn’t think they needed a proper number 9, or else they would of kept going the way they did likely and offered Aguero an extension to be a back up. Yep got carried away here and there… 😂

Yeah not sure what deal is in England, Wales, Ireland & N Ireland but up here think they’re finally getting round to early-mid 20s depending on area. Maybe last month or 3 weeks or so. Is unlucky and don't to go all Roy Keane on about the situation but surely could have been avoidable for Mount and Chilwell. although, maybe not. Not seen a great deal of players embracing like that in other games. Except for the Belgium Denmark game on 10th minute. Although yeah its a weird one haha.

Tbf Costa was bashed a lot for how he did in our build up play at times haha but he scored goals and was able to occupy defenders physically. I think Haaland is maybe more in this mould than the likes of a Benzema or a Kane or a Firmino for instance who all drop in and link the play together a lot. Haaland isn’t a bad player technically and its not like he cannot contribute towards the build up play but at the same time, look at the Aguero’s, Suarez’s, Kane’s, Benzema’s, Lukaku’s, Eto’o’s, Henry’s, Drogba’s etc past and present, they were all different profiles of players and all have been successful in their own rights as players. For this team, its about finding the right CF. I don’t think we need a CF who can link the play exceptionally well as we really need someone to score the goals. In and around the 18 yard box is the big big issue for us, if we stick someone in the team who you know is going to at least work the keeper or score with a half chance or a good chance, personally, couldnt care if he’s going to be the best build up player in the world or not. This is maybe a bit off topic re Haaland for say but for me there is nothing more soul destroying than watching a striker come get the ball to feet constantly throughout a game. Its probably the easiest thing in the world to defend unless your Messi or you’ve got a Salah/Mane/Son who can get in to these sort of spaces left. You want them in and around the box or running in the channels etc mixing it up, trying to stretch teams. Harry Kane does it far too much at Spurs, more so after a good spell where hes got the assists to justify it but I mean how many came in the first half of the season, probably 75% of them? Even then if they work it well from him dropping deep, whos in the box to score the chances? He sure as hell isnt because he’s like 30-40m from the goal or arriving too late.

Not sure on the ins and outs for athletes but I don’t think there is a criteria to not take it so to speak. For sure now, its much more of a personal choice now as the governments are all encouraging folk to get them and obviously there is the conspiracy theories claiming “microchipping” or whatever things people will believe but I doubt footballers are really that daft (although could be wrong…) 😂 They did prioritise older age groups or folk with existing health problems or who were more vulnerable due to their age and also NHS staff, who were more susceptible to being at risk due to being exposed to personnel with it at the beginning. I mean professional athletes/elite sportsmen&women are in bubbles (or should be) as per the government’s guidelines and their relevant countries & footballing associations so obviously they should be less exposed if these are any good but you’d still think they’d still want their players and staff to get vaccines but obviously I doubt its in their hands, more the individuals themselves. I don’t think being a footballer would accelerate getting the vaccine though. It seemed more an age or health condition thing in terms of priority. If it were possible you’d have thought clubs and national teams would have asked players to get vaccinated as soon as they could do so but even then you can still get it, not show symptoms and give it to someone who isn’t vaccinated.

I think he’s a slightly different profile which is maybe more beneficial for our team as he is a more rounded player maybe, particularly on the ball but his actual level is hard to judge. He is talented for sure but he will still have inconsistencies and is better suited to another 2 seasons playing every week in Ligue 1 I think. Really wasn’t that impressed with him when we played Rennes in the CL in November either. Talk he wants to go to PSG anyway so wont be coming here in all likelihood. People will say he’s good enough to be going to Real Madrid or Barca or Bayern, which maybe 2/3 years down the line he could be, all were linked but he’s not at that level yet. He was left out of the France Euros squad by Deschamps so I think that says a lot considering he took Sissoko, Lemar and Rabiot, who granted aren’t bad players in their own right but hardly special (although Rabiot on his day is pretty good just not often enough). This is what Deschamps had to say about not including him: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.beinsports.com/us/uefa-european-championship/video/deschamps-details-decision-to-drop-camavinga/1696943/amp

Wasn’t convinced of him at Atalanta, particularly defensively but would also say that maybe we have to wait and see how he does the rest of the tournament. Lets not forget, he was poor vs France in both offensive and defensive phases of the game and you want to see how these guys do in the big games before getting too carried away. Improved against Portugal and was very impressive going forward but Portugal didn’t exactly offer a tough test.

Not so sure. I know theres a huge issue with the supply of the vaccine in the UK or has been at times periodically but surely you’d of thought clubs would have looked into it but I suppose they probably couldn’t pull rank for it ahead of other folk and rightfully so. Even then, you can still be vaccinated and carry it. I could be wrong but I am sure the vaccine only negates someone suffering from the side effects of the virus as opposed to outright carrying it? It does lower the transmission rate also but doesn’t fully stop it being transmitted either to unvaccinated folk either. There will be someone who knows more than I do who can maybe but I am sure I read that somewhere.

If so, I can’t help but admit I would be disappointed if he was our midfield signing this summer. Well, if he was to play as a number 6 in a 3 man MF, maybe I could see why we would go for him but in a 2 man MF in (I think we will remain with 343 more often than not), you need to be more capable on the ball and he simply isn’t going to break team down. If he was a 6 in a 3 man MF and say his job was protecting that central area in front of the defenders, winning it back and giving it to the other guys in midfield or attack, it wouldn’t be so bad. Not because of the Euros but I think Locatelli would be a good alternative but watch him go to Juventus. Has been good for Sassuolo the past couple of seasons, Milan made a huge mistake letting him. Don’t know the French guy at all who’s been linked also but not trusting anyone who plays for Monaco because Bakayoko is the prime example. People thought he was the next Yaya Toure almost and he turned out to be a championship footballer by the looks of it in terms of technical ability.

I think folk could of noticed he’s not progressive enough with the ball months ago, never mind after the Euros game v us. Has good defensive attributes but too safe with the ball and for England or for Chelsea where your going to have the ball most games, its not exactly helpful. Lampard’s hard on for him was incredible though, I mean there are defensively minded players who are better on the ball out there, there has got to be because if there isn’t European football is in a bad way then. Obviously Kante is one of them that we already have but he needs a backup. I think Kalvin Phillips is probably better actually for a more progressive team but whilst a good player, is he going to be top level? Maybe not - more based off his season for Leeds than those two EURO games, I think he’s good but he probably wont surpass this level. Kante rotation option/potential successor is a big concern for us, I mean these profile of players are hard to find at the very highest level.

Perhaps we arent going to a 4 a lot but signing Hakimi wouldn’t necessarily rule it out because he can play RB also and people forget this. Plus Tuchel’s even said himself the difference between playing with a back 3 and a back 4 isn’t that much, cant remember the game but even then, look at Italy at the Euros. The LB pushes up so high and one of the CMs tuck in/sit in and Chiellini goes to a left sided CB coming out with the ball. I have been saying though previously in the season, the 343, if it aint broke, dont fix it. We will be closer to winning a title with that shape but you need a plan B or C also. I think we will likely remain with a back 3 but even then we can go and play with 3 CMs still. It depends, Conte also did it with Kante Cesc Bakayoko. Honestly wouldn’t say he’s not at a good enough level to play here though but realistically, its about playing regularly for his development so I fully agree. Would say RLC and Gilmour though, its two totally different scenarios. Gilmours situation is maybe potentially closer to Fodens actually than RLC’s depending what happens this summer. People questioned Foden not going on loan or Pep not picking him more frequently for 2/3 seasons then he did and he was the driving force for them. But I see the point also and what I have said there will be wrong if Tuchel doesn't play him. The loan has to be right. It has to be a decent level in a foreign league or the PL because if you seen him yesterday, he showed he can play against boys like Rice, Phillips, Mount and cope extremely well. On his first international start. Plus his first 2 game v Liverpool and Everton, so it has to be a team who have a go and will not be scared to play.

I dont think its as easy as that, no point loaning him it we don’t buy a central midfielder. Would certainly say he’s good enough to get minutes and believe Tuchel will maybe afford him the chance more than last season considering he has to come in and instantly pick a strong team to get us back around the top 4. It depends what set up we play. I mean if we go 433 then theres a definite argument for keeping him unless we buy, if we still play with 2 and get cover for Ngolo, yes loan him.

Spurs 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

The comment wasn’t anything to do with the Alex comparison but the fact that Gaz probably doesn’t/didn’t get the respect he deserves due to his personality maybe or some other reason from certain fans. I remember on here folk were questioning him as the captain on here at one point as if it was undeserved that he has made it there or whatever and I tend to remember someone saying he was one of the worst PL captains at that time which was ridiculous. There was obviously questioning his performances or level rationally, if he had a bad game for instance or if he dropped his level. Like during ‘the Mourinho season’ as Conte called it, as well as the second season with Conte but there was also the extreme where people continuously had doubts about him when he was playing well, particularly with Di Matteo, Benitez, Jose and the first season with Conte. Was always the tactics, the partners, the system or we need to always replace him or whatever when I think some maybe didn’t see he was a v good player for a period. For about 3 and a half or 4 seasons out of his 7 here, he was pretty much always amongst the top performing CBs. Got 3 PFA TOTY awards also for 13/14, 14/15 and 16/17 here too.

Tbf Gattuso was an excellent midfield player, I think its fair to say. To say aggressive and brainless is harsh. He won 2 CLs and a World Cup as a vital cog in both teams. As a manager he’s not been successful though. And to have him as a better option ahead of Fonseca I would disagree as well. Hes only under consideration at Spurs because the sporting director theyve appointed wanted to try take him to Juventus. Not because he’s an outstanding candidate. Fonseca isn’t a great manager either to be fair and is probably again only considered because Fonseca was in Italy with Roma but he’s not bounced around like Gattuso has in a lot of short term jobs really. Plus he only got the Milan and Napoli jobs because of them sacking Montella and Ancelotti rather stupidly. I know he did not too bad at Napoli but again, did he take them beyond what they were with Ancelotti or Sarri? Not even close. Then he basically did well an idiotic thing at Fiorentina, took the job without getting assurances for player investment, then left after finding out he wouldn’t get the investment he wanted 😂 For me, say we were looking for managers in an alternative universe and linked with him and Fonseca, he’s not tried or tested outside Italy as a coach, which could be difficult. At least Fonseca has managed in 3 different countries and managed both CL and Europa League regularly at all of his clubs meaning he’d maybe be more adaptable or more able to maybe see that playing that way in Italy wont work in the PL perhaps.

Yep. Laughable there are people who questioned him actually as a player. And what hes achieved. Also people, and a lot of people, questioned him as captain also. Crazy. I think under Mourinho in 2013/14 and 14/15 he was as good as anybody in the PL bar a few exceptional players in the position. Also under Conte again in the 16/17 season he was exceptional as a LCB. Obviously he was getting on but you cannot take away why he did. Even in the CL run and final in 2012, people don’t forget how bad he had started when he played against Napoli. People always say Azpi was a bargain at 7m, which he was but Cahill was also 7m. Credit to Andre Villas-Boas as well who had bombed Alex out of the squad and wanted the club to get Cahill.

This would be interesting. Has had mixed success but does he really have the players at Palace to do what he did at Mochengladbach, Nice and Dortmund in terms of his style and approach? I doubt it. Plus, it seems that nobody actually seems to want the Palace job and its hardly a surprise. How many players are they losing this summer? Their squad is also full of players 30 or over bar Butland (28), Zaha (28), Schlupp (28), Eze (22), Ferguson (20), Riedewald (24), Mitchell (21) and Montes (22). Sticking with Roy Hodgson for so long whilst has guaranteed them survival has also put in that position. Who will appoint a manager first then Spurs or Palace 🤣? Here is hoping Gattuso fucks Spurs off as well.

Benitez? There was talks of them considering him maybe back in May but unsure if it went any further than that. Brendan Rodgers also said he wouldn’t be interested in the job as he was one they were considering trying to approach.

Spurs are a laughing stock 🤣 Gattuso? Wow. Talk about settling for like 8th choice. If he was even on the list.

Yep would agree with this. Not even that though I mean how many times is “Player X agrees personal terms with Club Y” seen on social media or by some so called in the know/shit journalist says it? Ultimately, even if true, it means fuck all if theres no deal in place with the club. Even then, its hardly believable considering 1) who his agent is and what he will demand to do the deal 2) how complex dealing with him will be also considering he regularly tries to tout his clients to several clubs if he can to encourage a bidding war/auction and 3) Haaland’s wages will be big and I doubt we have just bowed down to whatever, there will definitely be some sort of negotiation.

Except for the whole Conte emoji thing after the FA cup then it came flooding back 😂

If he has a shite tournament now people will think he’s a right daft cunt as well for doing that to his hair. He’s just encouraged all the comparisons and basically acknowledged the expectations by doing that haha. I don’t think it’s far fetched to see why Mason didn’t win it. Mason had a v good season by all accounts but Foden definitely had a better one or a bigger impact in the PL. I think Mount will break out again though and come up another level next season where as depending on how Foden does at the Euros, he may come back and not have as good a season as expected. Even then, its hard for Foden to replicate what he did or exceed it I think regardless of how he does at the Euros also. He had a goal or assist every 108 or 109 minutes in all competitions this season for club and country so it will be tougher for him to replicate it. He got 19 goal involvements alone since 1st of December at club level as well which is incredible for 6 months. Never mind for a 19/20 year old. Mason didn’t goal or assist as often but also brings other things to the team, the expectation around him is lower/not as dramatic as they are for Foden. I think hes only going to get better with Tuchel.

Don’t know about that. I mean Andre Silva has pretty good pedigree and people forget that seeing as he had that quick break through at Porto then struggled/didn’t play at Milan. He is a fully fledged Portuguese international (39 games 16 goals for them) and has scored 56 goals in his last 3 seasons in Germany and Spain. His all round game is much better than Tammy’s also and I think that for 35m he would be a logical buy for Dortmund if they sell Haaland (or even if they don’t this season maybe next season?), they will know much more about him seeing as he has been playing in Germany for 2 seasons now at a team thats been rivalling them for European places. Tammy is a decent player but he’s not at the same level I don’t think. Fair that Silva has been playing regularly this season and Tammy hasn’t, although Tammy still got 12 or 13 goals this season in limited games. Still, I don’t think Dortmund will be that keen on him. They have also said they would prefer cash upfront no exchanges also.