Sideshow Luiz

That is the definition of a flattering scoreline.

Hop step incomming

We absolutely need a 2nd. We are going to concede (at least 1).

OMG!! So late

Especially when it's 2v1 at the end. They got in their own way on the last one

Nice assist from Willian!!!!

How the fuck was that a foul on Barkley?

We're currently suffering with the ball. So, that's progress at least.

Agreed. This is why I think that Willian is starting. If the game is a bit fragmented, which it will be. He's someone who can get something out of nothing. (though I'm shocked that Moses is on the bench instead of CHO).

Yup. We're playing at speed 2 or 3. Will be 6 or 7 before we're looking good.

I thought that CHO was the only one that was nailed down (exaggeration: Jorginho, Rudiger, Azpi, Morata). I figured his on-appearance against Lyon meant that he was being rested for this. He's arguably been the best and most consistent performer throughout pre-season.

I'm not sure how popular this site is outside of North America, but they have some pretty good articles (and the only American football articles I'll read) Why Álvaro Morata, Mesut Özil, and Paul Pogba Are Better Than You Think Meet the five most intriguing players ahead of the 2018-19 Premier League season https://www.theringer.com/soccer/2018/8/10/17672154/premier-league-preview-alvaro-morata-mesut-ozil-paul-pogba-players-to-watch

Courtois confirms that he blows himself Courtois: due to my height, I can reach places other goalkeepers cannot https://sportblitzz.com/2018/08/10/courtois-due-to-my-height-i-can-reach-places-other-goalkeepers-cannot/

I suppose I should have stated that pulling it out of your ass is not a viable long term strategy. The buy option, or lack there-of has been discussed. So, if Madrid had plain refused to include an option, then what? Don't do it? Because you're not getting 100% of what you want, you just say no to the whole thing? Go out and buy 2 40M "good enough" players instead (that we'll "upgrade" next season)? Unless we are claiming resources are unlimited, which does not seem to be the case. There is also a theory going around that the details of a purchase agreement and the nature of it's existence has been kept quiet because Madrid didn't want to let other clubs know that they were a midfielder short and needed to get a new one. This theory was making it's rounds on Reddit yesterday, and would normally be classified under wishful thinking. But with Madrid buying Thiago and Kovacic making that post, it seems to be gaining some traction.

The way I understood the deal, was that we wanted a GK and a midfielder. But, we couldn't sell Courtois until we got a GK. It was going to be virtually impossible at that point in time to get a quality player for both positions with whatever budget it seems that we had. So, we get Kovacic on loan, now we can spend twice as much on a keeper (which we did). We got both positions sorted and now Courtois can leave. Everyone wins. So, if there is a deal in place for Kovacic, then it's all about FFP. Much like how Mbappe went to PSG on loan last season. We need him now, but we'll buy him next season. Why would Madrid agree? Because it greases the wheels for the Courtois deal. Now, if this is all true, and how it pans out, and people are saying that Marina needs to have some of the stuff taken back about her (which I agree, this would be a really good piece of pull it out of your ass business). Then, imagine (100% not true, but imagine) if it turned out that Courtois knew about all of this, and staged his protest to force Madrid in to action? Worlds would be shattered.

Because the selling club would know that you are short a midfielder, especially a 24 year old one that way supposed to replace Modric. Like how we were never going to get a keeper for less than extortionate money. This could also mean that Modric is going to go to Inter. But that post from Kovacic certainly sounds like Bye, and thanks for the memories.

One of the theories going around reddit yesterday, was that the option/no option to buy was not really reported on (or at least had a lot of confusion) because Madrid didn't want to let on that Kovacic might be leaving permanently. If that was known, it could have possibly made negotiations for another midfielder harder. We'll see.

Not sure where to post this, but this seems as good a thread as any. Statsbomb 2018/19 Chelsea season preview: https://statsbomb.com/2018/08/chelsea-2018-19-season-preview/

Nope. It will be Neymar to RM. Mbappe is going to be the face of PSG. Neymar isn't gong to love that idea. Works for everyone.

Silly season over. What do people have as predictions? I'm going for 0-0 or 1-1. We're not there yet and we're not playing our best XI (highly doubt it).

And let Pep film it.

Kepa's price went up because he signed a new contract with Bilbao and they increased his buy out clause. Bilbao don't do business. You pay the clause, or you piss off. It's not exactly the same with Fekir.

I think I've got a bunch of junk in my shed that I can add to "sweeten" the deal too. Zouma for Martial straight swap. Do it Marina.