BlueLyon

No Messi? Im dissapointed.

You are right. But if we want Andre Gomes or someone else from Valencia, we will get him for the price. Therefore if someone of "top" clubs will want Imbula, they will get them. Thing is Valencia as you said is now owned by Lim and they dont need much money. That will make players like Gomes or Imbula even more expensive because they wont need to sell. Pay our price or leave. Unless players force transfer... Valencia is building good project, but I doubt they will be able to keep their best players.

Watch him being sold for 30m plus in couple of years.

You are spot on everything. Though I think it will have to happen something spectacular that Mou will play Zouma and Varane (who are now 20 and 22) at same time as our starting CBs in NEAR future. Eventualy very possible, but I think he will always prefer a more experienced CB next to Varane/Zouma. For example, Terry will retire next or in two seasons, then Varane will be 24 and Zouma 22 and even if they perform brilliantly, I dont think Mou will consider playing them at same time in CL semis or similar big matches. Another problem is that both Zouma and Varane need experienced CB to play next to now, while developing. It will be damn hard to give both of them regular time here to develop. Zouma would go on loan I guess, but I dislike that idea alot.

Exactly. He will not make our defence twice better instantly. He is amazing prospect that will eventualy become one of best CBs in world, but we have such prospect in Zouma. Dont see why wouldnt we focus on our players and give them chance instead of buying buying buying. I wont be dissapointed having Varane here at all, IMO best prospect in CB department in world, but right now someone like Godin would suit us more. We will never see Mou play Zouma-Varane because those two are way too young to play at same time, maybe eventualy. Therefore if we get Varane, Zouma will be even more sidelined than he already is and I dont like that at all. Zouma is our Varane. Period. Varane needed two seasons to break through, we should give Zouma that time too. If Mou will give Varane and Zouma equal chances, then Im all for it. I just hate the fact that people bandwagon other teams talents and when/if we get them completely ignore that we have similar ones in our team already, just a bit more raw. Guess what, if Varane wasnt given play time, he wouldnt be as good either. Give Zouma more playtime (he certainly did well enough this season to get more time) and he will show progress. One more season and he could be on par with Varane in pure defending (Varane is ball playing CB that Zouma will probably never be as good at it though)

Hi I agree with you, but with one thing to add. Varane needed two seasons to fully establish himself under Mou at RM. Zouma so far has one season. Next year, he could maka major leap forward Like Varane did in second season. If we bring Varane it will limit Zouma chances alot. He would probably go out on loan sadly. Thats why I think we should just keep faith in Zouma and give him more play time next season. Thats only way for him to improve like Varane did. And also; Varane is getting way too much hype here. He is great prospect but he still has ups and downs. Much like Pogba.

Ba wasnt as bad as people think. He didnt get much chance, but IMO would make a decent 2nd/3rd striker. In my eyes very underrated striker, just like Remy is. And we sold him for mere 3mio...

If we get him good, if not we have a good promising CB here already in Zouma.

That ship sailed last summer. He is 34 and has one more year on contract. But yeah he would be great adition last season. Did realy well for Atletico this year.

No.

There will be talks between Schweinsteiger and club representatives about his future. He said nothing is certain and summer just started. I seriously wouldnt mind him in role that we wanted Tiago last year. Backup for Cesc or maybe even a starter in certain games. Cheap, experienced, character, wouldnt complain. And our bench realy needs few more quality players.

I wouldnt be surprised if Mou gave him much bigger role than just 3rd striker...

I seriously hope Mou instructed Oscar to spend next few months in gym to bulk.

Rakitic is more of direct passer of ball, but first and foremost hard worker and runner. Barca fans say he was one of key players in new high pressing style that barca is playing under Enrique. Iniesta is more of deep playmaker these days at barca. So if any, Cesc would suit barca more and Rakitic to us. But its not like that. Cesc has nice skills, great vision, etc. but that wont win you decisive games where opponents EASILY stop Cesc from doing that with pressing. Direct and efficient play and hard work is what wins you games. Thats why I dont understand why people want Isco over Koke for example, just because the former has tons of flashy tricks. While Cesc main ability is to spray the ball, when someone cuts that part of his game off, he is more or less useless. Doesnt have power, pace, or exceptional stamina, therefore cant run after opponents. The fact Cesc is good defender is myth. He isnt bad, but average. There were countless times in games where Cesc didnt run after ball or just let opponent pass him. Lacks mobilty, takes forever to turn. Thats not what you expect from Mou midfielder. Btw Rakitic managed to set tempo for sevilla, even when they played against Real or Barca, so you cant say Rakitic wouldnt be able to set tempo here. He might struggle more, but not neccesary. He is very direct, much like De Bruyne, with slightly less vision, but exceptional work rate. All that said, there is another problem; Oscar. While I still have big expectations from Oscar (given he will be fully rested next season, I would give him one more year before selling him), but then again I dont see us being dominant in midfield ever with Oscar AND Cesc on pitch at same time.

Dont get me wrong, I think Cesc is good player. But big games are where players show their worth. Like you said, no player has flawless big game record, but for example best midfielders deliver equal performances generaly. Rakitic is good against smalk team, he is good against big team. Or Verratti, Iniesta,...Cesc is amazing against small team, but 10 times worse against bigger side. Making assist or goal isnt equal to dictating tempo or having impact the whole game. Cesc is perfect PL type player, but he will have to improve big time in Cl if we ever want to win it with him in team (same with Hazard, but he is quite younger than Cesc). I think people will eventualy realise Cesc is just slightly better Mata when comes to crucial games. I hope Im wrong tho. And when people talk about tactics that make cesc worse, than why did we even buy KEY player if he cant adopt to our needs in CL (again saying for PL he probably most useful player to have). I dont have many biases toward our players but Cesc certainly didnt impress me yet. There are so many false things known about Cesc, like he runs soo much, but in reality he is one lazy worker. Lets everyone sprint past him etc. Since summer, I was sceptic and I will remain sceptic until he has a run of quality games in CL (not demanding to win it, because that depends on many things, but just to perform great in our run). He doesnt strike me as Mou midfielder. We won PL largely thanks to Cesc, but I wish we had more completed midfielder who wont hide when shit gets tough.

As long until he convinces me the other way.

I will be very dissapointed if we bring Falcao, but sell Remy (there are rumours about West Ham)... As for Falcao alone, it all depends on how much he will cost and what type of deal is. I hope he will magicaly reinvent himself to Falcao from Atletico, but there is more chance he will do a Torres then shine here. On Fifa we will look sick as fuck tho

Most underrated player in our team. Given regular play time, he would make us alot better IMO. But Mou thinks differently. If we sell him to Atletico, we better get Griezmann/Godin/Koke as part of deal.

Chile will go to at least semis IMO. Never write off hosts in these tournaments. Chile is agressive as fuck in any match. I believe they will be willing to die to get as far as possible in tournament that they host. Not to say, they have some quality players in Bravo, Alexis, Vidal, Medel,... Brazil is in transition, but got some good results since WC. Dont think they can win it without proper striker, but...its brazil. Colombia has all the talent to win it. Very complete team, but difference will be inform Falcao and Cuadrado. If those two step up, job will be much easier. Argentina is my winner here. Most complete team, world class players, and after WC last year, they will try to win this one alot. Super Messi willl probably solve few games on his own aswell.

It makes sense why Barca sold Cesc and got Rakitic...one is amazing small game player, other is consistent.

This. And people still want someone like Isco ahead of Koke for example.

Please god no more CBs playing fullbacks here. I like Iva alot, but for a change I would like to have fast full back who is good going forward, skilled, with good cross and obviously can defend. Clyne for example.

I asked a friend who is inter and udinese fan and watches majority of their games (because Handanovic was playing in both clubs) and he told me that Allan is delivering for past two years, week in week out. He even said that he was better than Pogba this year and is very surprised Allan is still so underrated.

Allan from udinese looks like real deal. Saw only youtube stuff from him, but he looks like perfect Mou player. Warrior, b2b, very skilled and has alot of pace, stamina and power. Been on barca forum awhile when to see what they think of pogba and several said allan would be better, given the price.

Belgium vs Wales. Bale vs Hazard it is.