Sideshow Luiz

Because it wasn't us. We try, and it turns in to this summer long haggling situation.

RWB. I think he can be better than Moses there.

I think it was nice of Arsenal to use him in a 2 man CM as well as a WB during the second half of the season. I think he'd do well here and that it would be a good piece of business. He's not outstanding, but can play a number of roles well. With the current squad, I think he'd be first choice RWB. Thanks Arsene.

I think that Alonso has played some CB. In a pinch, I wouldn't really mind seeing him at LCB in a 3/5ATB formation. Maybe that's the plan if the Sandro rumours are true.

Quality player, makes us better. But, we need a RWB more than a left. Though, we also need depth, so....

Is this our BIG July 1 unveiling? I kind of hope so. This board will melt down.

Can't sell Hazard. I don't really care who the replacement is. The situation is a no-go.

Interesting. I didn't see Verratti on that list <50M Euro. Let's go!!

He strikes me as a very (very) raw version of Yaya. I doubt he can get to that ceiling (simple numbers, you don't just get another Yaya). But, I think he would fit in nicely. Conte obviously likes physical box-to-box midfielders.

That's true, it's a 2 way street and Conte didn't handle his side very well. I don't actually think any of this has cost us millions. Not selling in January has cost us millions. But, I get why it wasn't done at the time.

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.