Strike

Albion is a good call with the competition in the Leeds and Aston Villa midfield.

I am officially done now. Was still holding out that he will get back to a decent level but even yesterday, I was worried everytime a ball was crossed or a long-range effort was heading towards goal.

Looked like Alonso was pushing a trolley up and down that left side. The centrebacks were good defensively but their tendency to go long whenever they are pressed worries me. Reece-Kante midfield to see out games is interesting and could be solid Don't care it was ugly. Will take the three points and run. This could be like Conte 2016-17 where finding the right team could take a while.

Yes. Not saying defense is great but by keeping Tomori on and selling one of Rudi, Chris or Zouma we should get by this season. If Thiago Silva was brought in as a leader to help guide our younger defenders, then it makes sense to keep Tomori at the club. And I expect the defense to be generally better this year with a better attack in front of them. In most games, scoring a goal simply changes the tasks a defense has to do and too many times last season, the team was unable to get the goals or put themselves in a situation where they were chasing games and the defense got caught out trying to play up.

I don't mind missing out on Rice this year. Too many changes in one year. He can continue at West Ham and club can take a call in a year when his value will have decreased and Jorgi/Kante will be sold.

2021 might be a bit too early for Chelsea to be in the conversation. I think he'll be looking at Real Madrid or Klopp's Liverpool to replace the ageing front 3.

Matchday! Isn't this the most exciting opening day in years?

Will be hilarious if West Ham hold off on selling Rice and get relegated

Unnecessary challenge

The Patrick Bamford era is here

yes, these situations are rare which is why I was hoping this season to be a one-off where we have 3 genuinely good options for the striker position. Still not convinced by the Giroud rumours. May still be Juve smokescreen to get Dzeko/Suarez to move

I hope the Giroud rumours are not true. Give us one season of Werner Tammy Giroud - a survival of the fittest competition for the striker position!

This was an option for Chelsea too then and club decided against it. Interesting

Worried about the preparation for this. Hardly any time for training and Ziyech is injured. Mount on the left and Havertz down the middle. CHO on the right.

Now that people cant groan about signings, they are groaning about players linked? Brozovic and Soumare are linked. Just like Zakaria and Camavinga are linked. Not saying Lampard and Cech are above questioning but at least after the summer they've had in recruiting, wait and see how this plays out?

Is there a TC Fantasy Premier League code?

The statistics have Kepa bottom of the league and the improvement in terms of performance, results with a dependable keeper could be very big this season. The game against Palace for instance, we were coasting 2-0 up when Zaha's long range effort (Palace's first real shot) flew in. Completely changed the flow of the game. Conceding a goal especially in a tight game in this league pretty much takes away the chance to win There were only two comeback wins last year - vs Arsenal and vs Villa. I can see a lot of results turning in our favour with a 6 or 7/10 keeper.

Actually think if we wait another year, Rice will be coming in as a defensive midfielder (primarily) rather than a centreback target. There is Silva, Zouma, Christensen, Rudiger, Tomori at the club + Ampadu, Clarke-Salter, Sarr and Mbuyamba possibly waiting to get a chance.

Lot of reports of a loan to Sheffield United

Silva- Rudiger - Christensen - Zouma - Tomori - Ampadu Surely 2 will leave before the window is closed?

This is always the cycle. Its quite likely one of Giroud or Tammy will want to leave at the end of the season but at least it gives a great set of options to be used for this season. It will be tough replacing Giroud or Tammy with a similar level of player too so this season is a unique opportunity where everyone goes into it competing and thinking anything could happen.

and Ben Chilwell wondering what the fuck the rest of them are speaking about

How did Goal.com break the story lol?

Statement signing for 62m while rivals are chasing tails! Terrific business from the club this summer. Wisely stayed away from the Sancho saga and identified 2-3 players for the same price