Strike

Ziyech stayed and Aubameyang signing means Havertz is also a winger option Havertz/Pulisic/Sterling/Mount/Ziyech are the options now for two positions. Seems fine to me. Will need the wingbacks to be the pace merchants

Memphis still training in Barca. So that one may not be true

Having a superhuman like Kante helped him but he was having 9/10 midfield performances with Italy too.+ Jorginho-Kovacic played a number of big games together and it was not a big drop off in quality - they were also press-resistant.

We forget he was outstanding just a year ago. Was the UEFA player of the season. He was a key part of a Champions League and Euro winning midfield and could handle being pressed by almost any team - City, Liverpool, Real. The worry is the athleticism, which was not really great to begin with, has tailed off now

Giving major Saul flashbacks. Even though Zakaria is athletically better, I really worry we've signed a player unable to pass out of midfield, cannot handle being pressed.

Shocking deadline day to be honest. Underwhelmed by all 3 potential signings to the point I'm hoping some fax shenanigans helps us avoid them.

Very disquieting to see Forest, Southampton, Wolves take star players from clubs with European pedigree

Any read on Alvarez?

Villa signed Dendoncker and look like selling Luiz to Arsenal

At least the fee is very low and nowhere near what Barca mouthpieces were reporting. Barca valued Marcos at 8m - I guess they wanted to get rid of Auba at all costs.

Ajax signed Florian Grillitsch. Most of their fans think he is a ready-made replacement and that Alvarez can be sold today for the right offer. No scope of a Ziyech swap though - Dutch transfer window is shut now

Few links to Liverpool. They are in the market for a DM too

I like the idea of of Tielemans. I think he works in a 6 and can contribute right away

but Bielsa's way requires complete buy-in by the players. Can happen at Bilbao, Marseille, Leeds. He's not a fit for bigger clubs

Haven't seen a season extinguished in August

Can't remember the last straight forward win

There is no midfield. Cut apart

Midfield's having a shocker

Such a needless corner from Azpilicueta.

I get why they want to do this - Next summer when the value reduces there might be insane competition for him. But still its 77m pounds and the market changes every year - We don't know what opportunities might be there next summer ^