Strike

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 ^

I can't believe the dead wood is finally clearing up

Barca's fifth lever - rob their own players

Agree with this lineup. Time to manage Silva's minutes

Surely a winger will be signed before the deadline. Can't see Werner, Callum and Hakim all leaving with no cover bought.

Ornstein article - Chelsea are having second thoughts about signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona. - FdJ prefers Chelsea over United but Barca over Chelsea. Expected to stay. - Chances of signing Antony Gordon slim. Gap in valuation. - Pulisic and Gallagher set to stay - Brighton interested in Gilmour - Armando Broja is regarded by the new ownership as one of Europe’s best young strikers. Set to be given chances

The Stamford Bridge hierarchy have opted to send Fofana to the US for his medical, and the 21-year-old flew out on Sunday after missing Leicester’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea for personal reasons. There are not expected to be any problems but Fofana has agreed a six-year deal and the club’s new owners are looking for additional peace of mind. The defender broke his leg and injured ankle ligaments when caught by a horrible challenge in a pre-season friendly in August 2021, ruling him out for seven months.

I know its a lot of money but getting a deal done is expensive - whoever it is. Ake's price was £50m, Kimpembe's price was over 50m, Skriniar price was 59m, Kounde was 55m. This Fofana deal is more money but not by a lot and among the 4-5 defenders we've been linked with this summer, I prefer the idea of spending to get him. The only worry is the injury rehabilitation. I hope the club is triple checking that fibula issue

Havertz and Cucurella played well I thought. Havertz. By the end, he was the target of goalkicks, clearances and he ran himself to the ground pressing the Leicester defense on his own.