OneMoSalah

Think its been more of a deeper routed issue than their managers though. Players haven't been good or consistent enough. Think if he gets to get 4 or 5 good players into that squad they can push on a bit but I have to agree it will be a tall order if they finish top 6 next season which is probably where they want to be. Coleman came out and said players cant keep hiding behind managers at some point this season and that is spot on. They've invested heavily and have some good players in there and even some less good but more experienced ones who have really shirked any sort of responsibility.

Meant overall in all comps, 15 or theres about in PL would be more than fine imo. As youve said here weve not had many in league score over 20. Even the other teams very rarely do players go over 20 each season, ok Vardy did this season and maybe Aubameyang but think most were between 15-19, likes of Salah, Sterling etc. You do get the odd year where a Ronaldo will score a crazy amount of league goals (that season at Utd he had 40 odd in all comps) or a Suarez (20 odd and then 30 odd in last 2 seasons at Liverpool) or a Aguero (20+ in 5 or 6 diff seasons in PL) but those players are harder to find. if we have a group of players say Puli, Werner, Abraham and say Havertz if he moves, who get between 10-15 PL goals each and then pushing 20+ at least in all comps, I would imagine we would have a very successful season. Great teams dont just have one player scoring every week they have a collection of guys throughout the season getting reasonably solid numbers. That’s without mentioning assists as well. We've missed Edens goals and other sources such as Gaz and Luiz’s couple a season as well this year, 100%.

Surely he will be our new number 11? Heres hoping he can get settled in and make a difference from the beginning but also have a feeling there may be initial teething issues at the start. Have big expectations for him still and he can definitely add another 15-20 goals in his first season to this team. I expect people will want more but I think to consider the potential that he may need time to get accustomed to the PL and the team, 15-20 in his first season would make a very good addition to a side lacking more goals for the amount of chances we created. Plus I like that he can feature also on the left, if push comes to shove and Tammy is doing well, we can accommodate both in or if it suits some games better, giving us real flexibility. Or even when chasing games go to a 433 with those 2 and Christian in attack, who is also likely to be a another goal threat next season (10-15 minimum I think is very possible bases on this year) as well as throw in Ziyech into the midfield, it bodes well to have real options and different profiles of players. Havertz joining would be icing on the cake in terms of attacking positions but we still need to look in the backline at LB and CB as well as GK probably. Also need to consider selling Barkley as we cannot expect to persist with him in the squad when we will have guys like Ziyech, Havertz, Mount and Ruben who will all play more advanced roles. Also mentioning Ruben I am not so sure where he will fit in if this Havertz moves happens also? Its certainly going to be interesting but I dont think only selling Barkley is going to be ideal. Gilmour will be back also and then there is the talk of Jorginho to Juventus. I think in advanced positions, Barkley, Ruben, Mount, Ziyech and Havertz is far too much. Even if Ziyech and Havertz can play wide but both probably like to be more central. At least one has to go maybe 2.

If Lampard wasnt so enforcing of playing him at LB it would of been considerably less I think. James got a good portion of playing time this season. Like 2000+ minutes I think I seen somewhere. Also don’t think Azpi had a bad season either, limited on the left at times but still, the usual 7/10, consistency was there all season. Played well. Got some assists. Good influence on the group.

Number 2 yea. Number 1 no.

Seen he was leaving Zenit, not sure Everton the best move for him but he could be a good addition for his experience and influence on some of their younger players.

Get the FA cup won now. Good step for the young guys and Frank. Still a lot of bad things to look at and address though. Next season will be better though, or heres hoping.

Bar Udinese hes been really solid for them. Hes still only young and inconsistent moments are to be expcted but he has been much much better in 2020.

True but having his best year in terms of goals and assists this season. Been one of our better players over the course of the season.

Just bin him. Please.

Well it depends if he plays tucked inside on the left or through the middle. First season as well I would expect some slight teething issues maybe too fitting him in either through the middle or on the left.

Regarding the points and looking at the losses and draws we have this season, I think we could have had another 12-14 points at least. While I know it doesn’t always work like that I do feel we missed an opportunity with some of these which is disappointing and not ideal. Before the season started I felt top 4 should of definitely been achievable regardless of the manager and still think if we had an Allegri or even Sarri we would of gotten more points with this squad. Even under Conte that second year finishing 5th was a disappointment. it is a process though and I think now next season we have to get another 12-18 points on top of this seasons total at least. I dont think theres many excuses for next year even with the backline because the offensive players coming in has got me thinking we will be more clinical, particularly Werners arrival. He should get like 15 goals next season. Plus Ziyech can get on the scoresheet and Pulisic will kick on again. It may not make us title challengers and the defence will also be a reason as to why if it isn’t significantly improved or sorted on, there is enough optimism for us to get more points.

Maybe not but I think we should play 4231 and maybe we can have Willian as a 10? I think hes still vital to this team in regards to the work off the ball and his ability to retain possession under pressure, which is a big thing for us despite his role in first Liverpool goal, he very rarely gives it away in these positions and is also good for our transitions, where as Mount who also does well off the ball isn't necessarily as quick or good in 1 v 1s or key passes. Plus Masons played 50+ games this season and has featured every game since the restart bar Norwich. I think Willian and Reece have great combinations on the pitch in the final third also, just like Reece and Callum.

I think your right regarding Azpi. I think he will still be able to compete at a very good level for another 3 years. He isn’t necessarily the slowest or fastest fullback and his defensive nous hasnt shown any signs of declining either. Also he can play the right sided CB role as well in a 3 and that makes him a good option to keep around this team.

Good to see, as long as he doesn't over do it but I am sure he wont have. Shows commitment and the fact hes willing to put the extra yards in despite the talk of him wanting to go somewhere else for games. Which I think may be a bit exaggerated anyway.

I think their performance when coming on in the last game should warrant him considering it.

Coman will he a good signing but cant see Bayern letting him go. Coman, Sane and Gnabry is an excellent selection for them. All young and proven as well.

Forget the stats, they can be extremely misleading in many aspects. Like Southamptons the amount of goals conceded at Southampton when van Dijk was there prior to leaving in January or the amount of assists Reece has this season when he should have so many more due to poor finishing or the amount of assists Jorginho doesn't have or whatever. Be exactly the same with GKs and even then he didnt have bad stats prior to moving, for a team like Bilbao which arent exactly high flying or hugely successful they were probably as good as theyd get all things considering. There is a clear reason why he was highly regarded throughout Europe.... or you going to tell me that these clubs following him were all wrong? I mean I had seen him play in a few La Liga games and he was decent enough, wouldnt have said he would ever be world class but solid enough to have a good career at a top level club. Plenty to work on to hit another few levels like all GKs around that age 22/23, still a few wee errors here and there but doubt many would of seen him coming here doing well last season and in his second season play so poorly at times, even more so after the year he just had previously where he has gained recognition in Spain and ousted David de Gea to the Spain NT #1 spot. Also de Gea the yips? Hes been making huge mistakes constantly in the last 24 months mate. Huge mistakes. But he was world class beforehand so its different to Kepa? So whats not to say Kepa had a really good first season last year (which he did) building on a promising campaign in Spain the year beforehand and now has had the yips in phases this season? Their situations are basically the same except one guy played in Spain for the bulk of the last 5 years and one guy in Manchester. Maybe to different levels but I don’t see how its hugely different because even then, Kepa has probably made less mistakes in the last 2 seasons than De Gea has. I wont deny there have been maybe 10 games this season where be has been poor for some of the goals and he was rightfully dropped earlier in the season looking back on it and even agree to an extent that replacing him could be a good idea if he doesn't recover but again, if he remains and gets back to last seasons level, I wont complain as it will save us signing another player and allow us to focus on the defence which needs a more vocal CB and a LB. What part of he renewed after the move fell through aren’t you getting? Like it was just over a week, I am sure Real pulled the plug just after the second week of January and he renewed on the 20/21/22nd of January. Why would we trigger a 20m release clause for a GK when we had every intention of trying to keep Tibo? Or if he wasn’t the number one or two choice originally if he did go - Alisson and Oblak were. Do you think a club would just sign a 20m or 71m GK on the off chance Courtois would be sold and they didn’t feel they could get one of those other two who are undoubtedly world class? Again the clubs stance was hard regarding Tibo and if he had returned to train, he wouldnt of had been able to strongarm a sale as much so I dont get this whole panic side of it, they obviously did whatever they do and had watched him before before green lighting the buy, which again he signed before Madrid even presented Courtois to their fans so he was brought in prior to letting Tibo go so this panic buy shit is beginning to sound even dafter to me. I mean even stupider for me, if you want to bad mouth the club for this why not mention why didn’t we pursue Alisson or Oblak sooner in the January? Oh wait clubs don’t necessarily sell their better players mid season. Unless in exceptional circumstances such as release clauses being met or loaned back (ie. Pulisic). It also clearly indicates that we were keen on trying to keep Courtois and why not, he is a WC Gk. it would be daft to consider that we couldnt sway him otherwise, like we did with Eden that same summer. Yes none of them went for record fees but if you look at Bilbao’s recruitment and their stance on selling players you’ll see why they only ever sell players for their release clauses. Javi Martinez to Bayern - release clause. Clubs wanted Muniain in the past but wouldn’t pay the release clause. Same with Inaki Williams the last few seasons, been interest but they want the release clause. It wouldn’t of mattered if it was 15m, 20m, 55m or 71m, we would of had to pay it. I get the fee is a bit big for a GK of his quality but you act as if we had a choice, or as if Sarri also didnt give his blessing after Pepe Reina, his GK at Napoli, said to him he would be a good signing after having worked with him with the Spain set up also. The club knew exactly what they were buying, the potential number 1 GK for the next 7 years at least, so that would indicate to me they knew maybe their be a little hiccup here and there (but not to this extent) but theyd expect him to grow in the role as we all did after last season. Just hasnt happened and I would think the club will probably push for Oblak but if we dont get him, which in my eyes is more than likely, I think he will still be here either in the 11 or on the bench.

He was poised to go to Madrid for 20 or 25m euros in January. I think the club likely wanted that to go through so Courtois would maybe stay. Then he renewed at Bilbao when they pulled out so higher release clause, wages etc as with most new deals. Plus you would think or hope we were likely always trying to persuade Tibo anyway but always probably had targets set on Oblak and Alisson first then the likes of inferior more attainable options such as Kepa and Areola if he did leave. Which is fair enough. Dont put all your eggs in one basket, smart move. Also what does it matter how many games he’s got? Plus thats only his first team games at Bilbao. Not including his B team spells or the various loan moves before which the standard may not be the same but its experience and its definitely professional games. Even then if thats how you want to look at it, okay, Alisson had only played 49 games in European football before Liverpool signed him. Oblak had played 34 games before Benfica bought him. De Gea played 57 games with Atletico before Man United bought him. Courtois had 41 games at Genk before we bought him. The games played means very little in regard to all of these guys because people acknowledged their talent regardless. So any data gathered maybe it would be a small data set but again I doubt they’d discount the loan moves or B team games or u21s, u19s games or games in the Brazilian league for Alisson too because these things all can give off more data to be used and can help build a more accurate profile of a player.

Not big wages? His agent is notorious for getting his clients big money and he was at PSG, coming through the ranks and now on loan to Real Madrid. I refuse to believe hes would be on less than 100k a week at PSG considering he has been there since he was a youth player and they will have renewed him a few times....suppose not the biggest wage but again, its hardly as if its minimal. Edit: ok few websites reckon 80-90k currently but again, when these players move they very rarely take a wage drop, they usually want more money. I would expect the same. Saying that, he really isnt that great a GK either, not the worst, not the best. There is a reason as to why he is still behind Mandanda in the NT back up GK role. I suppose if there weren’t any better options and the fee wasn’t extravagant, yeah sure take him but he wouldnt even make the top 10 candidates for me. Reason why we bought Kepa before him too. also @King Kante just because the players only been contacted 2 weeks or a month or whatever before a transfer it doesn’t mean he is not vetted by the club for some time. Or what would be the point in having a scouting system? Plus for 71m your going to want to be doubly and triply sure that the guy will be worth the outlay so its not as if they panicked and picked his name out a hat... Chelsea had been watching Pulisic long before we made our interest clear, same with Kevin de Bruyne, the Dutch scouting fella was quoted saying he had been following him since he was 15 and also Andre Schurrle. So I would severely doubt that any shortcuts were taken with Kepa who the club knew was more than likely going to cost his buyout clause. It would be idiotic if they hadnt been aware of him or watched him live or on video as well as looking through all the various modern day data they can use to help analyse players as well as take into account their characters, their behaviours etc. I mean, cmon, this is professional football, not soccer aid. Plus the club had known for months Tibo wanted to leave because they tried to renew his contract a few times and then he put it off to the summer so I would imagine the club will have had contingencies for that, which makes that statement even more baffling. plus when his buyout was lower or whatever, he was essentially 90% ready to go to Madrid which would of pointed towards us having a better chance of keeping Tibo. But their president pulled the plug despite Zidane wanting Kepa because he wanted Courtois. Then Bilbao offered him a new deal with a higher buyout because his contract was set to expire IIRC.

Yeah hasnt been great. I think from the off Sarri was in a difficult job because the age of that Juventus squad is very high and he is very intense about playing one way which demands a lot of pressing and emphasis on only playing the one style. Think any manager trying to radically overhaul a playing style like that with say 3/4s of their best footballers 30 and over was always going to be a difficult task. Sarri is more of a 433 manager and you can see he has tinkered with resorting to a 4312 to accommodate Dybala as well, despite only really using it earlier in his career at Empoli, he has always been more preferable of 433. Plus on recruitment: Aaron Ramsey was a really odd addition, dont get me wrong good player, can get goals but don’t see what he would of brought to Allegri’s Juventus side when they announced it in January never mind Sarri’s. I dont think he is at that level or even if he was, he needs to be built around more and afforded a bit of freedom to thrive, he is never going to get that at Juve with CR7 and to a lesser extent Dybala. I can understand the signings of Rabiot and de Ligt, Rabiot is a good player, left footed, play on the left side in that 3, was very consistent for PSG over the years, capable of keeping the ball, winning the ball and breaking the lines and then hes in his peak years where as Matiudi, Khedira, Pjanic are all 30 or over. But even now hes being mentioned as a potential sale. De Ligt was a great addition for an aging backline obviously and Demiral is another promising player who can grow into a really good CB. The sale of Cancelo and signing of Danilo as well, odd. I dont think they’ve helped themselves in the transfers either as they are normally very shrewd. Arthur is a clever signing, proper talented player and will be a huge asset for them. Personally think Allegri did similar to what Zizou did at Real, just let the players have a bit more free reign and play a bit more freely as they pleased as opposed to following a hugely stricter approach with huge emphasis on playing the ball out every time, pressing without it, to that way which managers like Sarri, Pep, Bielsa etc like to use. Honestly with the recent links, I do think Pochettino would be the man best suited for rebuilding Juventus’ squad. He did a very good job at Spurs in that regard IMO as well as giving them a clear identity despite a lack of trophies. Juventus is all about winning though but they took Sarri who isnt a huge winner in regards to trophy’s, just the one here, so I think Poch would be their first choice if they do get rid of him. Weird sacking a manager after winning a league and buying him a 70m player to be the figurehead of a vital part of his team though. Do think he will maybe have the luxury of another season though I dont think it would look good on Juve if they did sack him after winning a league despite some ups and downs but they might not be able to wait to sign Poch.

I think it will take for him to play for a Juventus or a City with great players in those attacking areas to actually appreciate him. And before people are gonna tell me Rodri at City does anything better or different then I implore them to actually watch the games because 9 times out of 10 he passes the ball 5-10 yards to either a CB, FB, De Bruyne or David Silva. He had a tough spell last season and a wee bit of a difficult time in games this season but all in all hes hardly been as bad as the usuals make out. The constant chopping and changing in MF hasnt helped either and when it was Jorgi-Kovacic and Mount we were playing some great stuff but suppose nobody cares to mention that? The fact we have managed to get our wingbacks so far up and involved in the last 2 games as well is partly done to Jorginho playing it to them at almost every possible opportunity he could.

Most possession orientated teams do this anyway when playing 433 or 4231 anyway. The deepest midfielder sits infront and the fullbacks push on. They drop in if they lose possession. I tend to remember Mikel doing it here. And Romeu. When Ramires played in MF with Mikel in a 4231 and we had possession he would push further up and it would be more of a 4123/433 whatever. Or 343 when we were really pushing the fullbacks up. All of Pep’s team have done this since Barcelona.

Wont happen. City want him but don’t want to pay his 100m+ release clause and I sincerely doubt we will pay anything near that either. Top player though.

Most amateur thing I have ever seen. He didnt even play 50 games yet alone 600-700+ which is when they normally retire numbers for certain players ie. Maldini, Baresi, probably Messi’s 10 when he retires etc. who have had that continuity and been successful. Tinpot club.