Sideshow Luiz

The thing that is killing his value is not just that he has a year left on his contract. It's that he's told everyone in football that he'll only go to 1 place. So, if you're PSG or Juventus, maybe you want him, but he's not going to sign for them. So, unless Atletico get involved, there will be no bidding war. This is really how Courtois has fucked us.

Bro, stop trying to gazump me!!!! 1 post too late again, my friend. Your's is nicer though. I'll edit mine.

Don't forget to take his dad too. He can post the team line ups and tactics before el Classico. Madrid fans are going to hate him.

If he's a done deal, I have to think that we have a deal for another keeper (at least in the works). If not, we should make Courtois fly out to Australia and tell him he has to turn straight around for his Madrid medical as soon as we land. EDIT: And fly him back commercial. Some low budget airline. Otherwise, I have to think that we have a GK lined up.

Blue smoke 48 hours

How dare he. It's obvious that Roma is forcing him to go to Liverpool. He's obviously just in it for the money and we don't want players that would turn down an opportunity to work under Sarri. Never rated him anyway. That's my Bluemoon take, in case anyone thinks I'm being serious.

Edit: Nothing to see here.

Roberto Martinez should mind his own business. It's not like every other manager uses their time talking to the media about how stupid it is to play Carrasco at LWB or that Belgium's "Golden Generation" needs a better manager if they are to win something. He needs to keep his mouth shut.

First real test.

I'm actually kind of optimistic about Eden staying. Unless we've already been hard at work on it, I can't see see us selling him in the shorter window with no time for a replacement. With the price tag we've put on him, we're telling him that we think he's at Neymar level, world record fee. Madrid, I'm not sure that they will pay it. For them, I'm sure that they would rather have Neymar for that kind of money. With Mbappe really emerging now (we all knew of him, but casuals like Americans who only watch the world cup, have now heard of him), I think PSG will make him the face of the franchise. Maybe not today (with Neymar there), but it's inevitable unless he becomes a flop (not likely). I could see Madrid going for Neymar, if not this window, then next summer.

I've been watching some Napoli matches from last season, just to see what the team looked like when it's not all highlight reel YouTube stuff. I'm not convinced that Allan is better than Bakayoko, or if he is, how much better. Of course, that would be Kante's role, but Bakayoko for depth/rotation might not be terrible. I'm hoping he starts to come good this season.

Dealing with ADL in 2 of the past 3 summers has taught us something.

Haha, yeah it's amazing. I live in a bi-lingual country (technically) and have taken Spanish and French at school (albeit ages ago). My ability to pick up languages and retain anything is hopeless. I'm decent at charades, and that seems to get me by in other countries.

For sure. But, I want to see everyone in action. There will be plenty of time (hopefully) to see the finished article. I'm really excited to watch the progress/process as well as some of the bench/rotation players. I'm actually (oddly) excited to see Barkley. I'd love to see where he plays and how he plays. He really seems like a good fit (especially as a rotational player) for the Hamsik role (though I've been watching some Napoli matches and Hamsik is really underrated, his technique is ridiculous).

Get in! So excited for the matches to start. Let's go!

But, there are reports that he was bound to Juventus. City fan logic: Either someone is forcing him to Chelsea against his will, or he's a mercenary. He has the chance to play with Ronaldo.

Before we pick up the phone

They're thinking ahead?

That goal's sealed it. RM should just go for Mbappe next summer. They'll never love Hazard like we do, so just leave him alone.

Not happening unless Pedulla says so.

Shit, the reports have us going all FIFA career mode this window.

That was my concern too as soon as this became a story. I hoping that he's seen as a back-up to Kante and Bakayoko is out the door.

That's the question. I've never really liked having strikers out wide, myself. But, we'll see.

No way. If we were to mirror Napoli, Sarri has a front 3 of an inside forward (Insigne), CF (Higuain/Milik as target men, Mertens F9), classic winger (Callejon). The left side of the pitch is full of skill (and most of the attacks went down the left), the right side full of graft. Callejon up and down the flank, Allan as a B2B, Hysej (sp?) not getting forward nearly as much as the LB, sort of like a wide CB. This is a pretty good write up: