OneMoSalah

You'd be surprised, I think the standard of some of the teams is slowly getting better. Celtic and Rangers huge clubs and the top 2 but Aberdeen always remain competitive despite losing players every season and working on buttons. Like I would rather watch an Old Firm than watch Burnley play Sheffield United or something. Two absolute dogshit teams punting it long. Its obviously not great throughout still but seen enough of the games to know that if these guys had a 5th of the money that teams in the bottom 10 of the PL get for TV deals, it would make an absolute massive difference. The standard in the PL, particularly below the top 4, 5 or 6, has purely been accelerated because of the amount of money in it. Teams like Southampton can spend 50-60m a window if they want. Or Wolves. Or whoever. Clubs like Celtic and Rangers, are historically massive clubs so having to go through CL qualifiers when they finish 1st and 2nd is embarrassing on behalf of UEFA, while countries like England, Spain, Germany, Italy get 3 or 4 minimum then have a spot for qualifiers also (or used to) because its obviously more financially beneficial for UEFA to have these clubs in and it draws more money in for the games. I think Ajax also had a similar issue despite winning their league? Like realistically I don't see how finishing 4th in the PL warrants a CL space. I know we finished 4th but regardless of anyone finishing there, other than the financial gain having these bigger games between these clubs from these leagues, it is a bit unfair, its called the Champions League for a reason.

Think what they've got is as well is a manager who has sorted them out a bit. Plus the experience as well with Kjaer, Donnarumma (over 200 games), Ibrahimovich, Romagnoli to guide these younger players its going to help them. Sandro Tonali looks good, really rounded, impressive physically as well, the Pirlo comparisons are obviously more on looks than actual playing style although he can clearly control a game as well but he is a bit more than that, looks to break forward a bit more. Theo Hernandez also impressive yes, 100%. They are building a really good side. More watching this from a Celtic point of view, as I try watch some of their games to see their younger players but they've not been great this season at all. The likes of Eduoard, Frimpong and Ajer are interesting players. Don't think Ajer has kicked on much under Neil Lennon now but Frimpong looks like he will be the next guy to make a big move from that bunch alongside Eduoard.

Milan only playing Celtic but they look like they have the very makings of a very very good team. Good mix of pace, power, obviously then players who are very capable on the ball. Plus Ibra on top of that.

Dont praise Sarri. People on here will slag you off for that.... yes those points are true. Kepa didn't look horrendous. Neither did Rudiger and neither did Luiz at times. But everything was so much more rigid and structured which can help players look better. But people wanted him gone, the fans didn't appreciate what he was trying to do or understand him. There was so much complaining (on here especially but its not as if its any better now in terms of the style of play or that is it? Or if the gap from City and Liverpool is any/getting any closer but we do need time to get these new guys in the team but as we seen with Conte first season, certain managers are able to innovate and make that difference) because of these games where we were predictable in attack (again any surprises bar Eden its not as if he has the likes of Havertz, Werner, Pulisic, Ziyech to work with now like FL has and even then without those players and Eden, our attacking play has suffered since 2020 aftera a promising start with FL) and the fact he didn't play RLC and CHO, which many people think stopped getting him sacked when they started playing them.... as if haha, the results improved, if they got worse with them playing it would of been exactly the same, we seen it with Frank last season also playing young players and not getting good results doesn't grant you any sort of immunity. I wonder what he's going to do now. That's 2 clubs that have really given him a chance and then turned around an effectively got rid of him after a year. We didn't sack him but we may as well have because we all know that the backing of him in terms of as a manager and what he wanted to do clearly wasn't there based on his comments at the end of May where he was going to have a meeting with Marina and by the sounds of it he was basically making out he wanted to stay, the fan unrest didn't help and then Juventus, huge club was basically an escape for him. Juventus was always going to be a huge job for anyone, had been saying for ages after Conte and Allegri were the squad had the same backbone for so long, it needed fresh ideas. The Sarri/Tuchel/Pochetino's of the world were the sort of guys they need to go for while refreshing an aging squad and Pirlo looks like he's gonna be in that mould, while trying to play attacking football. I think he will get another job at some point this season but I don't know where. He will have plenty Marlboro Reds with that Juventus pay off anyway, meant to be costing them between 20-30m after sacking him because of his contract.

It is but I think the fact they didn't take him to Paris and he stayed behind with Maguire, Greenwood and whoever else to train would indicate they want him ready and could possibly be looking to use him in the game v us. By sounds of what Solskjaer said in his interview, he's hinted more that Cavani will be closer/more ready than those others who stayed behind. Course the risk is greater because he hasn't played competitive football since March at club level (think it was March they cancelled Ligue 1?) but I don't think its highly unlikely he will have been doing work prior to his contract expiring and maintaining it over the period he was out of contract. Plus as mentioned before the time he was self isolating, he wouldn't just of been sitting about and he's been in about with their first team training so would think he will be close to offering something be it starting for 55-60 minutes or coming on for 25-30 minutes. And either way I hope he doesn't. He's a different proposition to what they have in CF positions and now the fact they have Fernandes who can find those guys in the advanced positions, as I said I hope he doesn't play because everytime he seems to do so against us he has a tendency to score.

There is but how are you meant to get match fit not playing any games? At some point you've got to play somebody, match fitness and getting some rhythm from playing games is different from training yes but they can't get it keeping someone out... I think they'll throw him in if they don't play 3412 again.

Maybe but I still think its easy to see we arent that organised and purely blaming it on the GK isn’t necessarily correct. A good bit of them he who shall not be named should have done better perhaps but your not going to sit and say that the team doesn’t have its shortcomings defensively or the in game management and tactics hasn’t contributed at all either in moments either, surely not? Same last season. The in game management was more of a contribution to how the game went v Southampton the mistakes from Zouma and Kepa for that second goal. Even Danny Ings goal what are Christensen and Zouma doing? There’s countless games you can use from last season for the argument its more than just one person why our defensive record is so bad. Most goals teams conceded from open play they more than likely have more than one opportunity to prevent the chance from being created, not just necessarily due to individuals making a mistake like Zouma did or he who shall not be named again.

Only made 7 starts in Ligue 1, 7 more appearances as a sub. Then 3 CL games and 3 French cup games (not sure if he started them or not) but he was more or less second choice to Icardi when he was fit and did miss portions of the season due to injury. I think he has been training prior to signing for United. Plus he’s had 14 days self isolating, where I am sure he has managed some sort of exercise work again as more so now clubs have been making programmes for people to maintain their fitness during the lockdown initially and will have more than likely continued that for guys self isolating so I don't think its completely unlikely he could feature. Hes only trained with his United team mates since Sunday according to the Express. I mean I think with how the pre-seasons gone for most clubs and players, its hardly out of the picture to think he could play. If he was lacking fitness he wouldn’t of been outside doing much with the group I wouldn’t have thought. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1350024/Edinson-Cavani-debut-why-not-playing-PSG-when-Cavani-Man-Utd-debut-evg/amp

It would and I think we will see it.

Thats a bit of an odd statement. It’s actually incorrect because OGS started Telles last v PSG for his debut. Which v PSG would defo say is a big game. Also started Fred, who has only played 145 minutes so far this season so again debunks the doesn’t trust his subs carry on. Scott McTominay as well started and has played just 225 minutes. Axel Tuanzebe also started for his first game all season but was more likely forced but again he put him in and the way he played by the sounds of it wouldn’t be surprised if he plays against us. Playing those guys v PSG is probably as big a sign he trusts them as theyll get. For any manager, not just OGS, at any club, why would you not throw in someone who despite only making 22 appearances due to injury last season still scored 7 goals, who if fit could have a good impact? United will look better with an actual 9 I reckon and not a winger upfront. Whether or not Cavani is the man for them, although I think he still has plenty to give, I don’t know. Cavani has a good goal record against us as well from his time in Naples and Paris. Lets hope he doesn’t play even at 33 think he could get a few chances. I think they will set up the same against us as they did v PSG though and just try to exploit us on transitions. This is a huge game for Frank, not picking up any points here leaves us with 8 points after 6 games and whatever way you look at it, thats not great. When you consider the fact we drew with West Brom and Southampton in the manner we did, I think we need to get a win. Then have to beat Burnley, Sheffield United, Newcastle before the Spurs game comes up at the end of next month or the pressure will get more intense.

Surely they’d treat COVID the exact same way? You would have thought so. It would look incredibly stupid if they did it for injury and not COVID right now. Although chances of losing 2 or more GKs at once due to this is still slim for me. Regardless of what Frank and Petr has said, still think he will be number 2. As they said hopefully he wont play but doesn’t mean he cant sit on the bench. Club gonna try get Kepa out in January I reckon.

True he has been training and keeping fit but he was out the game for over 12 months. Since May 2019, EL final. I know GKs different position so maybe not as big a risk as I originally thought IF he comes in in the capacity as an emergency option. No obviously not expecting Frank to say that but saying what he said and now, making this move, "as an emergency option", do you really believe we'd be signing Petr Cech as an emergency 4th choice GK? Even with COVID? After we've just had a minor injury to our main GK and the back up has had another bad game after 6-8 months of them? When we already have what 2 other players who could have filled in for one game if there is an academy player in that 25 man squad too through the u21s (although I do see the complications playing 1 game with the first team then going n returning to the u23s/18s/whatever with COVID but again Caballero could have also played and we aren't going to be down more than 2 GKs at once). I know the squads were just confirmed but if Kepa say started the season well in the games he had played do you think Cech would of been signed as a emergency option or if Caballero had played and done well? I don't think its any real coincidence. Its probably been in the works for weeks as well because there were photos of him with his gloves and cap on involved with training what last month? Neither have a future here, that's the point, if that's the case just bin them/demote them/do whatever. Put them with the kids or u23s. Willy would of been sufficient as a number 2 anyway I think despite him not being overly convincing and he's not that good but he's surely more likely to be more consistent than Kepa. It is better for Kepa to stay out of the limelight so if Cech comes in and takes the number 2 position and Kepa goes out of the squad for the first few times you think that's going to "keep him out of the limelight" just think... worlds most expensive GK relegated to 3rd/4th choice behind previously retired and current Chelsea technical director Petr Cech.. that's going to make every sports newspaper/website in the country at some point if it happens, so just cut our loss, not embarrassing the guy even more to the point where keeping him around becomes an issue. Demote and try get him a club for January be it a transfer or a loan. Lampard's persistence playing him when he was underperforming, has contributed towards what he is now a tiny bit as well and I think Caballero probably in hindsight looking back would of been the lesser evil although I will admit, I was of the belief Kepa could have changed it around and I think the fact the club were interested in a new GK coach at some point last season wasn't a coincidence either but probably more of the effort to try see if Kepa could turn the corner with a different coach in the same way some teams change it with new managers also. The persistence in playing him similarly to like Andreas with Conte isn't obviously the main reason why a player loses their confidence or ability but it definitely isn't ideal either. Both were given numerous opportunities but just cannot/couldn't seem to redeem themselves and went backwards. I mean look at what people thought of Christensen after 3 months under Conte to after that Barcelona game he went from "one of the top young CBs in the world" to not good enough after what maybe 3 big mistakes in a run of 5 games. And Conte did keep faith with him, which might work with some players but not always.

Tbf I seen some of the highlights from the United game and they looked like they had good chances on the counter but poor decisions from Rashford and Fernandes definitely cost them guilt edge chances. I think if they play that 3 at the back system and just sit in like they did for most of the game against PSG they will frustrate us because we will be vulnerable on transitions no doubt and that suits them with Rashford, Martial, Telles (delivery looked very good in the clips I seen tonight also) and Wan Bissaka. De Gea did make some good saves though. PSG didn't do enough bar 15 minutes where Mbappe turned it up a bit after HT but even then, Di Maria and Neymar could have done more. We should be looking to win here. Ziyech - Havertz - Pulisic hopefully play from the start. Not that Mount was particularly the worst player out there but I think its time to see how these guys do and in a game like this one, where I think United will probably not be too worried about sitting in, having Ziyech and Pulisic play off the sides is key. Mount could perhaps play off the front but I think Havertz although again not great tonight, has got a real ability to find space. Mendy/Kepa (na joking, Mendy only) James - Silva - Zouma (just dont give him the ball as much...) - Chilwell Kovacic - Jorginho Ziyech - Havertz - Pulisic Werner Now on Jorginho-Kovacic. I think that is better than having Kovacic-Kante or Jorginho-Kante. Jorginho wasn't great tonight either but definitely think that we need to get back to how we played the frist 6 months of Franks spell in terms of with the ball and those 2 playing together is a step in the right direction.

Still think it will be a rarity but you never know. I think like Tomo said he's gonna be signed and once fit, be in as the number 2. Based off what we've seen from Kepa and even Willy in the last 6 or 7 months I am not surprised one bit either even if I think its a risky move. Suppose he will bring experience and a bit of the old mentality back to the changing room which may give some of these boys a bit of help. But I do think its a bit of an odd signing. If we wanted a 4th choice GK why not just use one of the young guys? Or one of the many many loan army GKs like Jamal Blackman or something. Although I suppose the circumstances are a bit different with regards to Cech being a non contract player, not fully sure what the fuck that means entirely yet other than he doesn't have a contract but there's bound to be some loophole based on how we've registered him in the 25 man squad. Perhaps but that's a can of worms and you'll find someone who would say person X is this and person Y is that because its all perspective and Ozil, Gundogan, Tosun are all Turkish/of Turkish descent. Plus the whole fallout from there resulting with his retirement, it was even more of a mess and I am sure the German FA came out and said that afterwards in hindsight. I assumed you meant through genuine footballing reasons but yeah 350,000 to sit on his arse though - well whatevers left when he pays for the mascot's weekly wage - and basically play Fortnite 24/7, worse jobs out there. Lampard should follow suit with Kepa though if Cech and Caballero go ahead of him though in his thinking (would say they already are). Just put the guy out of his misery and make it very clear. Same with Emerson. Same with anyone else he doesn't fancy.

Looking very much like we are either going to be able to keep clean sheets and be not so effective in attack or effective in attack but not keep clean sheets. Cannot really get a read on this team, every game it seems to be different. We don't consistently do one thing well enough that you see every week and could identify as a trait or common pattern bar maybe the fact we utilize the fullbacks in the final third a lot. Good points: Reece James and Ben Chilwell tonight really solid defensively, more so Chilwell after Southampton where he wasn't good defensively if I am quite honest. Thiago Silva did the job well, still a bit more to come from him and well Zouma the guys who were saying he wasn't too bad on the ball, well I disagree, he is going to be a reason why we don't build so well among other things which is more due to other players positioning and the fact we aren't so stubborn on playing this way every time like with Maurizio. Suppose Rennes drawing as well, it means 1 point isnt too bad for a start.

Maybe. Still risky. No sympathy but its clear Frank doesn't rate him and has no confidence in him, so why is he not just getting rid of him? Be it training with the kids, not putting him in 25 man squads etc? Same way Sarri did to Bakayoko straight away, what Frank did to Drinkwater and Moses last season and Drinkwater again this season. I don't think signing Cech and keeping Kepa in the 25 man squad is exactly great, or exactly looks great for either Kepa, because we've just signed a 38 year old who hasn't played football for like 1.5 seasons who along with having another 37 year old will undoubtedly probably be counted on more by the manager than him, or, for Frank as it looks like it was a very desperate move, I mean we seen the mistakes last season from both GKs or uncertain performances. Be interesting to see what the people saying Cech was finished at Arsenal when he was Bernd Leno's back up will think of us getting him in if he is the number 2 though..... Is Ozil a toxic character? If so how? I don't see it. He is a lazy bastard (also these sort of languid styled footballers are rare in the top teams now a days also) for someone on 350-400k a week I'll say that but toxic not so much. Same with the whole Willian being a toxic character here in 7 years one rash moment. Just don't see it. Yes we shouldn't care about what makes Kepa happy but having demoralised players who clearly dont have a clear and obvious future in a squad isn't good. Its not just Kepa, You've got the 3 left back situation, where 2 will certainly enough minutes to keep them satisfied, one wont even make the squad most times and then 5 CBs to pick from including Rudiger who looks completely frozen out and still here. These players might not be knob ends but you've got the potential for 3 or 4 disgruntled players and we already seen Giroud had rumblings last season because he didn't play (and again I think hes probably going to be third in the pecking order with Timo and Werner so keep eyes on). Franks got to think of things from a footballing decision but also see how having 2 or 3 guys not happy can have an effect on guys around the place. That's why I think if he's at the point of no return with Kepa he's got to just get him out of there. Be it bombing him or just saying look you need to look elsewhere it hasn't worked here, your done. At least he'd know where he stands then if he already doesn't (I would imagine he does so being in the squad probably even more a mystery). Why else would he ask the club to sign Cech though realistically? I mean Mendy if he's out, Kepa if he wasn't the way he was would come in or since the way he is playing, Caballero would come in. No need for 4 GKs even if they are chalking Cech down to an emergency signing. Only way I can see why we would sign him is if he is going to be the back up but even then how many games does a back up GK play on average each season, the FA cup and Carabao Cup? I know Willy's not that good and Kepa's more than done here but surely Willy could cope with those. I know they've cited COVID but what are the chances 3 GKs will go down with COVID at one go? Or 3 with injuries at one go? It will be interesting to see who's on the bench v United for the GK position.

Well if that's the case just do it. Even if he isn't playing or cant get a move look at what Arteta has done with Ozil, excluding him from Arsenal's PL squad and Europa League squad. And yes Ozil didn't cost 71m but he is on £350,000-400,000 a week and effectively, giving him that contract contributed towards them losing Ramsey on a free who was much more important to them than Ozil had been in about 3 seasons. That's the scary thing, I think Frank has genuinely signed him to be number 2 as well. Which is ridiculous I think considering he's not played football or probably even trained at such a level for 17 months now. Plus as I've said regarding Kepa and Willy - Kepa's confidence is already non existent, this is going to be even more demoralising - what does this mean for them?. Especially if he does go on to be the number 2, its a giant sign he doesn't trust them. I mean there's no way he resigns Cech or the club okays it if he is going to be like 3rd or 4th choice. It makes no sense. Wonder if we keep having CB problems is he going to ask JT next?

Think this is a stupid decision. Lampard has came out and said he wants to support Kepa then takes a guy whos been retired for 2 years in as a emergency GK. Talk about contradiction. Also so naive someone who hasnt played or trained for 2 years even if as an emergency GK, sort of message does this send out to Kepa and Caballero? Completely demoralising.

Fucking hell when he flops? What does he have to do to prove to folk? He has been pretty good in every match so far this season so even if he plays poorly tonight you still going to sit crying about him getting picked? The agenda against him and even Mount, who I was critical of at times last season, is ridiculous. Mount and Jorginho clearly not everyone's cup of tea but the way people are acting as if they are second rate relegation fodder is mental. Who next? I mean its almost as borderline ridiculous as the whole fans and Sarri incident. If it isn't one thing its something else, plenty of issues at the club right now with the team but Jorginho right now and Mount as well probably nowhere near an immediate issue. Particularly based on how theyve started the season. Yawn. Frank has his flaws but picking the only midfielder we have capable of controlling the game isn't one of them. Particularly in a European game where controlling the ball is even more pivotal than in the PL. Also go from almost being sold? Being one of the best players last season means very little in the run of things because obviously Frank 1) hasn't been overly impressed or 2) there's another issue with Kova right now.

Yes he is limited in some ways but every player has limitations. And teams have limitations which affect players of different types with different strengths and weaknesses. Yes teams will come and attack us but again forcing passes with no one making runs? Isnt that just giving the ball away? Then it would be ‘Fs why does Jorginho keep giving the ball away’. I am sure this was a recurring issue with David Luiz at times and people were annoyed about it, so... I mean its all a matter of perspective. We don't only just fail to exploit it because Jorginho doesnt play forward, under Frank for a period we tended to lack ideas bar hope Pulisic can do something. Or certainly last season. So again if failing to exploit teams is merely down to one player who plays at the base of our midfielder, god help us we are fucked. Didnt we play a false 9 system v Liverpool? You going to tell me there were obvious runs in behind we didn’t pass to? Because I am struggling to think of anything we could of done there because we were quite conservative, which isnt a Jorginho related issue, is a coaching decision. Did the game plan not pretty much look like kick it longer to Havertz and Werner, hoping they could conjure something up? Hardly as if it was precise passes in behind when it was 10 men it was pretty much aimlessly going longer because they were pressing us and had the numerical advantage, would you not agree? In 2 and a bit seasons as a player who predominantly plays as a number 6 or in a 2 man MF in a 4231, Jorginho has created 12 big chances and completed 52 through balls. In the whole period Fernandinho has played for City, he has created 24 big chances and completed 75 through balls. Matic since coming back has created 11 big chances and completed 26 through balls. Rodri 3 big chances and 2 through balls. Yes they do other things but the he passed forward with Sarri so why doesn't he with Frank is a bit of a flawed argument because the style of play was so much clearer and even when it started to go a bit stale you knew how we were going to play. The passes Jorginho made under Sarri yes I would like to see if he could do them more but its not just down to him is it? As I said, if the run isn't on its a waste because the other team get it. Thats why the expectations on a player like him is getting daft. I mean do you want him to make the pass, make the run himself, then score the goal? Or should it not be looked at more as an issue with not just Jorginho but Kante and Kovacic as well as some other players? Which I think would be more accurate. I do agree regarding Cesc but Cesc was also a totally different style of midfielder as well though also and while he played deeper for us his best football throughout his career at Arsenal and playing in one of the most successful teams in the history of football was as a more advanced midfielder. He was certainly a great passer and had the range yes but he was effectively a number 10/false 9 for Barcelona and Spain. A more advanced midfielder for Arsenal. Mourinho’s teams have always been strong on counters and its obviously something thats worked on. Theres no way that happens by luck. That Madrid team he had for instance that won the league scored a huge number of counter attacking goals and these sort of things don’t purely just happen by luck. Same with some of the goals here in the first 2 years of his return. There were goals or chances from transitions that were probably more coached than people will give credit for or to get to a certain point then its on the players. Or thats what my take on it is. More so in his first spell also. Still the goal v Barcelona when Damien Duff scores strikes me as something that was very much coached because I mean you look at the movements and the one touch lay off straight away. Then second spell Schurrle v Man City which starts from us defending a corner. Some obviously rely on individuals and their actions also yes but I think some are worked on and coached on these guys getting into positions for these break aways.

You cannot just say Jorginho is limited because he doesn't play that pass every week. We don't play Southampton who like to play and have a very high line (look at the Spurs game also) with plenty of space in behind every week. We are not Bournemouth or whatever, teams sit off us, teams will play with 10 men behind the ball against us and not give guys like Werner the space to run into. "It is not suddenly like attacking players suddenly stopped making runs of the ball." Why do you think it went so stale under Sarri? Cesc had mentioned something in an interview as well I am sure, trying to find it. After the first 4 months it seemed to be a lot more rigid and seemed to be as if he didn't want to let the most advanced midfielder get into goalscoring positions for stability in midfield then he decided to let RLC play and he seemed to provide a bit of drive in the midfield as well as goals. Pedro who was really the only guy who would get into the box in the same way Pulisic was doing so for us last season also. Willian and Eden would probably come shorter more and get the ball to feet. When you don't have anyone really moving off the ball or getting beyond players its easy to criticize players for playing sideways and backwards but that's unfortunately something we had to deal with. And still have to deal with. The Fabregas and Costa combination was very good aye but Costa is slightly different to Timo Werner. And Cesc is slightly different to Jorginho so its not as simple as saying okay it should work. Plus the ones I am thinking of where Cesc would find Costa with those long passes - Arsenal, space in behind. Man City, space in behind. Watford one comes from us defending a corner so the space is in behind, Everton, again, space in behind. Same with his assist for Eden v Southampton, same with his assist for Pedro v Newcastle. Same for assist for Pedro v Hull. The a recurring theme here isn't to do with who the passer is or who it isn't, its to do with the movement or the fact there is some space to exploit. Okay Fabregas probably has better quality than Jorginho with those passes or is more likely to make a difference with that sort of passes but still you going to tell me we create the opportunity for these sort of passes every week? Because we don't or we wouldn't be complaining that watching our attacking play has been very uncoordinated and relying on the actual individuals as opposed to coordinated movements or patterns like we had with Jose in transitions or Conte at times since maybe the turn of the year. Jorginho may have his limitations but I don't know what more people are expecting from him. He was a vital component in our best period last season under Frank. He has been good so far this season. I don't know what else he has to do? 3 assists a game? 5 goals a game? 100 key passes a game? The expectations are getting a bit ridiculous.

I think the Liverpool game is a certain one off game. I don't think it will happen to that extent again. No doubt Villa were superb and Grealish had 2 goals 3 assists but I don't think thats 1 a fair barometer for what he should be doing every game and 2 realistic either because he has decision making flaws in his game. James probably head and shoulders been the best player in the PL so far after these 5 games along with Harry Kane and Calvert-Lewin. The way your talking about Grealish is why I have compared him to James. Yes Grealish has started well, I did see the Leicester game also and at times he's frustrating because he does something good but then holds onto it for another however many touches or feels the need to go and beat another player when he could just play a pass earlier to someone in space. This is why I feel he wouldn't be suited to a top 4 club and also probably why Villa only scored 41 goals last season because his play isn't actually that creative at times (okay he isn't necessarily their only issue but he is their go to man). Its just endless slaloms of dribbles and attacks fizzle out because teams can just regroup or the opposition will see a player in acres of space and pick him up because they know the pass wont go/foul Grealish/take the ball of him when he runs into trouble. Like the need to dribble needlessly defeats the purpose, its like Pogba at United, if its when under pressure or to take someone out the match in a 1 v 1, yes by all means do it but if your just constantly running into a crowded area of the pitch like Grealish seems to do attracting challenges, getting it taken off you or even if not losing it, not seeing the movements off the ball into these areas or spaces that the initial dribbles maybe opened up for team mates what's the point? How does that benefit a team? He's not releasing it enough or even aware by the looks of it at times. That's where he needs to learn and progress and it doesn't look like Dean Smith is going to be the man to turn around and say it because it very much looks like Jack your our main man do as you please, which is great when your winning but if results aren't going your way, its tougher. Villa fans obviously would disagree, I think there's also a reason why Southgate is reluctant to use him in the England team despite the fact he had decent stats (as posted down there last season). He's definitely more like a highlight reels player. His dribbles look good when they come off but you don't always get to the see the guys who are free that he doesn't pass to half the time or even when you do, he seems to neglect them to try and take another one on. In the Leicester game at times you seen him doing it but not often enough. And that indicates to me there is something missing in his make up to be a top top player. Dribbling wise at times he is top yes he can ghost past players etc but he doesn't tend to follow it up at times with the correct decision. There was an excellent opportunity for a 3 on 2 for Villa v Leicester and I think he just ends up dribbling the ball out of play. I don't think your going to see him top that Liverpool performance this season. He is at a decent level, definitely not a top 4 starter player because he doesn't seem to let the ball go quick enough but think its far too easy to get excited about these sort of players who have the team built around them, lets not forget Villa narrowly avoided the drop last season and wouldn't have said Grealish impressed me much up to the project restart either as a lot of his play was just dribbling, losing the ball, dribbling, dribbling, dribbling, as if he struggles to understand that while dribbling is good its a bit pointless if you can't do anything with it or utilize the spaces it can open up by dragging players out of position by getting tackled or not releasing the ball. To put into context against some of the other top 4 clubs wingers last season this is his stats but it doesn't tell the full story: Jack Grealish - 36 games, 8 goals, 6 assists, 8 big chances created Willian - 36 games, 9 goals, 7 assists, 12 big chances created. Christian Pulisic - 25 games, 9 goals, 4 assists, 6 big chances created, 4 through balls completed. Raheem Sterling - 33 games, 20 goals, 1 assist, 9 big chances created. Marcus Rashford (I know some games as a CF) - 31 games, 17 goals, 7 assists, 9 big chances created. Anthony Martial (I know some games as a CF also) - 32 games, 17 goals, 6 assists, 8 big chances created. He may have better statistics in some areas but they all have much much better decision making. Even Willian. I mean 12 big chances created last season surprised me. Not even gonna put Salah and Mane's stats in there because it is depressing to see that they probably both scored over 20 goals each. I do wonder what Grealish could do if he add this sort of decision making, Pochettino getting him a few seasons ago could have been the real making of him. Right now he isn't starting top 4 standard, or if he is, on the bench. Even then 70-80m for a bench player is questionable.

Maybe most overrated is a bit harsh. He is good to a standard but at a top team he would be a bit out of his depth, he holds onto the ball too long which Graeme Souness pointed out last season and that does make me wonder if he could go from a Villa to a top 4 team with no sort of club in between to improve at again. Like Souness had pointed out, if your holding onto the ball for too long, can you see the bigger picture? Is he good enough to play these passes to others in better positions which might not happen as much at a Villa but still? Yes he gets a lot of fouls but look at the difference between say an Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal, Luis Suarez at Liverpool or Eden Hazard when he was here getting fouled a lot - they were definitely able to pop it off and play these passes when they could despite being fouled a lot also where as Grealish is probably more just fouled because he tries to do it all himself and doesn't look for the passes into better positions like the better players to. I know those 3 were all world class probably but there's countless of others who will win a lot of fouls but nobody questions them holding onto the ball for too long as they will create opportunities/find others in better positions. I do think he is able to buy fouls to relieve the pressure for his team at times too which is an underrated skill but still think he would be out of his depth at a top 4/6 club. Decision making is usually the difference between the decent players and the top players among playing with pressure. That's why Ross has significantly regressed and while he may still have a decent career and that, will never ever be the player he was when he broke in at Everton. Okay Grealish would play with better players but at United he doesn't start. At City no chance. At Liverpool no. Here? No. Spurs? No. An Everton or someone he would maybe be a decent player for but again if you could say at the start of the summer, James Rodriguez on arguably a free - depending how accurate these reports are about it basically being a free are true or not - or for 20m compared to Jack Grealish for 60-80m? Only one winner. Every day of the week. United would rather of spent the money on Sancho as well which would sum everything up about him for me, I think if they were willing to sign Dan James from the Championship but not take Grealish from a PL club, it speaks volumes. Not that Dan James is a top player or what not no chance but I think they must have had huge reservations about Grealish for that cash where as Dan James was effectively not expected to do anything and was arguably their best player in the first 4 months of last season. He is defos a winger. I really don't see him playing centrally to the effect he does out wide. Maybe as a 10 he could do a job eventually but the centre of the pitch is more crowded and he still holds it for too long at times, okay he will beat people, still get fouled and score the odd wonder goal but until he manages to learn to release the ball quicker, he will never hit the next level. There is usually more space out wide, particularly as teams will set up playing deep and narrow. He is more suited out there. He is more likely to be effective isolating a fullback and beating him or coming inside and shooting from the side rather than starting centrally, trying to find space between the lines and playing a key pass or making an assist.

Was it not a muscle injury? Look at what happened to Rudiger, Kante, Emerson and Hudson-Odoi last season. No point in continuing along the same path, or it will potentially get worse and then we will be stuck without him for longer. Would be hugely irresponsible. Even more so considering the fact we've already made these mistakes last season. If Frank thinks rushing him back and Mendy is not even close to being fully recovered, he would be incredibly naïve to do so. Even with Kepa, play Caballero. I will be interested to see what happens, if he did play and he ended up injured again for longer. Like Rudiger and Emerson last season which it didn't seem to irk as many people as it should have as it is poor management and planning. I suppose with 5 subs its not a major issue but still, don't take the chance just play Willy.

Did he really have a bad season in 17/18? If your talking about the Barcelona game, which many did at the time, it was one match? Even then I think the goals were hugely overplayed because of the fact it was Courtois and there had been rumblings about him not extending his contract for however long and we all know he wasn't the most liked player we've ever had as he was constantly wanting off to Madrid and didn't hide it. I don't remember him having that bad of a season overall. I think he was pretty solid throughout it. Also he was probably a huge reason why we won that FA cup final in Conte's final game he made 3 huge saves in the second half which for his last game as a Chelsea player as well, a pretty good send off and performance overall. Yeah, his first season with Real was hit and miss yeah definitely. Still one of the best GKs on the planet and the difference between him and what we have now is huge. Even Mendy, who looks like he could be a good player, I doubt he will reach the heights Courtois did. There is only three GKs in the PL who are at the level Courtois is, Alisson, Ederson and de Gea (who still is very good despite some errors over last few seasons). Lloris probably deserves a mention in that bracket as well or if not in it, hes just below it. 10m euros upfront with 5m in bonuses however many years ago, pretty much a bargain.