Sideshow Luiz

What's with the narrative that Conte's text will cost the club millions? Diego airing the dirty laundry in public may cost us millions.

He can still go back to Madrid, just can't play until January. Barcelona bought Turan from At. Madrid when they had a transfer ban. Same thing.

I've been expecting this transfer since January. Only, I thought Costa was surely a goner this summer, and I'm less convinced about that. I think Lukaku gets some unfair criticism, it feels like he's been around for ages, but he's still only 24. Personally, I think he's one of the best under-25 strikers in football. He's not hit his ceiling yet, his prime is still a good 3-4 years away. Sure, I think it would be easier to win now with the likes of Lewandowski and players of his class, but we can't get them. And, 5 years from now, I'd totally rather have Lukaku. I like the idea of a player wanting to come here. It will be less likely that they will throw a strop in January because they want to move on. For me, one of the great things about this season, compared to the last, wasn't just the results. It was how much I liked the team. If Lukaku WANTS to be here, I'm all for it.

Came on a sub when Juve needed to make something happen. Picked up 2 quick yellows. Sent off. Was smiling as he grabbed his loser's medal. I'm okay with him being gone. He could have been better than Moses in the RWB role, but that attitude stinks.

Is Bakayoko the new Stones and Koulibaly?

I can see us playing 343 or 352 depending on the opposition. I thought we did well when we would switch systems mid-game last season. There were probably a few where we should have done it earlier when we were being overrun in midfield. Another Box-to-box midfielder is really needed. I'm optimistic about this transfer.

I think the odds are shorter than that.

Absolute numpty today. To pick up a second yellow for diving? Arsenal outplayed us, but Moses' error ensured that we wouldn't get anything out of that.

Oh well. My hope for this season was top 4, so I'm still delighted about the season. Hope this wasn't the first game of the title defence, and merely a one off. It should give Conte some ammunition for next season, can't rest on your laurels.

David Luiz was done pretty quickly. Willian and Pedro too, but both of those were pseudo hijack moves. But, I agree, the last 2 summers have been mostly long drawn out target chasing.

I'd love for us to be the one to get one of these super promising stud-in-waiting types (like we get with Hazard). But, it's better for him to be at Monaco. We know he would play sparingly here.

I guess that's 3 league titles in a row for Luiz.

I like the idea of Kante, Bakayoko + Cesc

50M is the new 20M. 100M is the new 30. So much money in football these days. After the Pogba transfer, he still isn't even the highest United player in terms of transfer fee as a % of turnover. I'd love to see Verratti here (even though it would probably mean the end of Cesc). I just can't see it happening though. We don't really get the players that Barca or Madrid want (correct me if I'm wrong) or City or Utd these days.

Stop and re-fresh for me (Chrome). It's annoying though.

That's my guess too.

I don't think we're going to be big spenders. I think the Oscar money just filled the hole that no CL football left. I think we're focused on the new stadium, like Arsenal were. I may be wrong, but I think that's where we are. We'll see. Even if we do spend big, I think that it will still pale in comparison to the 2 Manchester clubs.

I've thought about that as well, more in terms of our relationship with Arsenal. Last season, our worst in ages. Still do the double over Arsenal. This season, Arsenal beat us and it spurs us on to change it all up and go on and win the league. I hope Arsenal finish fourth and Arsene stays. Would be as huge as any summer signing short of Messi

JT and Bats should start. I'd like to see Ake, Zouma, Chalobah and RLC get some pitch time. I don't know what the regulations are on # of appearances to get a winners medal, but if anyone is close, it would be nice to see them get the appearances needed.

First real test.

The Liquidator playing before kick-off. It's an omen.

I feel like Cesc is the only player we have that gives us real tactical flexibility. The other subs and rotation players are kind of like-for-like. I still maintain that he would be amazing in a "Pirlo role" as long as he's got 2 physical box to box midfielders next to him. Can't sell him, he's crucial for us, IMO.

I thought Benzema was off the France team because of the whole Valbuena sex-tape blackmail thing. No?

He's not the best, and his decision making drives me mad sometimes, not to mention his finishing. But, I like him:

Pedro is a shining example of players being in the right position, that suits their strengths. Was quality at Barcelona, working as a winger/inside forward. Was poor last season, playing mainly as a RM. Back to being quality as a SS type again. What I like most about him is his attitude on the pitch.