robsblubot

Also reported in Brazil -- perhaps from the same source, the agent Kia Joorabchian. Thought Carney was more of a left winger, or at least that's where I liked him the most in the couple of games he played.

One of the worst CMs I've ever seen in Brazil midfield. The other one was (United) Fred.

Duh Alexandre Pato was 18 too when he joined Milan. Anyway, suppose Maresca and other coaches took one look at Marc in training and thought he needs more time. 🤷‍♂️

Are you serious here? You think a CB, a goalie, a striker, wingers require the same experience level? Physicality? really?! Any 18yo successful goalies you remember? Any 18yo CB for that matter? Now wingers are a bit more common to see u20 aren't they? because they are not in the "contact zone" are not the "backbone" of a team. I specifically listed only 2 strikers that I can remember who had success at the highest level u20... now if you are not interested in this discussion, I honestly don't know you replied. 🤷‍♂️

Again, I'm talking about the Striker position (referring to expectations around Marc Guiu), which is the player who plays centralized and has to beat the opposition CBs. He has to be comfortable playing with his back to the opposition goal, which is a very specific skillset to be learned. Estevao is not a striker either and his build suggests he may be better used elsewhere.

I specifically mentioned striker, and you were very specific about what you want from strikers in a post earlier, but my point exactly: only the truly exceptional have delivered so young. Strikers have a harder time avoiding contact than wingers for obvious reasons. I'm not talking about 22yo young here. I'm referring to Marc Guiu (18yo) and u20 strikers.

Some people have extremely unrealistic expectations regarding (very) young players. I mean, for the striker position, I can think of Rooney and Ronaldo #9 (in Italy) and that's about it for u20 strikers delivering from the get-go.

I honestly don't understand this point esp when you consider he plays, like I mentioned in multiple positions in attack, and their main striker is Haaland. He even played many of these games behind Haaland. I also don't understand when people simply project number of goals from other leagues into the PL when we sign strikers from other leagues. Similarly you can't project what Alvarez would do in a completely different system, with teammates with different characteristics, and playing in a different role. I'd always trust a player who is an excellent footballer like him, with great skill on the ball, versus limited strikers like Lukaku. I would love to see Alvarez linking up with Cole for ex, but that's me I guess.

Agreed on that all signings are a gamble to some degree. Compared to a limited player like Lukaku, Alvarez is as sure as it gets. Alvarez can play in all 3 attacking positions, or even behind the striker. He's just an excellent round footballer; no, he's not a pure striker, which is a good thing in my book.

Newcastle did not exist, footballing wise, a few years ago and have not really done anything worthwhile since getting the oil money. It was a second tier team then and remains so. It will likely change at some point, but so far … crickets. liverpool has a very good staring xi with quality subs esp in attack. They may lack depth when they play CL but it’s still a strong and experienced group of players with one of the best wingers in the world.

I'd not waste another day with Mudryk, but agree that he will be given minutes again unless Nkunku remains fit for most of the season (Jackson should also be ahead of Mudryk on the left). Madueke is more useful as a sub/option imo; I don't ever see him becoming an Elite winger int he PL tho. Someone posted on this thread that large squads don't work and I have the same take/information on the subject: end up with too many unhappy players and groups within the club. It's less of a problem when many of these players are so young, so they are naturally patient, but that won't last. And I'm still assuming that a #9 and a goalie may still arrive.

I'm actually curious as to when/where all these players will play? All going out on loan?

Haaland, KDB, and Rodri. All bought and paid for. And once again, my point was that we should be doing both: acquiring talented prospects (which we are doing) and strengthening the start XI with proven players (which we are not doing).

The post I replied to alluded to, sarcastically, that signing proven players had never provided success, which is factually wrong here and elsewhere. The current approach is the one which has not yet provided any silverware. Now, we can discuss what the future holds, but that's the case so far. Heh those 2 were very poor signings from the get go -- both 30+ too. Casemiro was showing signs of fast decline for Brazil way before Madrid let him go. Kovacic was a proven player at his peak form and age; he was an excellent signing in my book. The best example is goalie; that's the one position you don't bet on.... at least not if you want silverware.

And a couple of years earlier, just won a small CL after beating Real Madrid and City with Jorginho and Kova in midfield. The formula we are using now is the unproven one. If we go back in our recent history you will see a lot of proven players behind a lot of silverware. Or perhaps are you suggesting Chelsea FC is now a small club who can't sign proven players anymore? What exactly is the upside with the self-imposed wage structure which makes us less attractive to talented players? Last time I checked, City, Madrid, Bayern, and even Barca keep on signing pretty proven footballers. 🤷‍♂️ IMO, you have to both, sign promising young players as well as proven players to solidify the squad and compete at the highest level. Unfortunately, we have only been doing the former.

heh just heard that! He's supposed to be a talent, but he's only turned 16. He's represented by Neymar's father/family. It could be poaching given that in Brazil players can only sign a professional contract once they turn 16, so until then they are fair game; my understanding is that he has not yet signed that contract.

Luis Diaz is great! Really like the way he plays football. prob the best left winger in the pl atm.

Elite athletes playing on smaller pitches 😆 soon enough fifa will have to make pitches larger. argentina is the better team.

Mind boggling Dier moved to Bayern Munich -- couldn't think of a single player less suited to that style of play. He's just not good enough on the ball and lacks mobility too. Can't be a CB and named Kim -- gotta change your name buddy. 😅 Upamecano now that's a CB's name alright except folks have nicknamed him UpaMaguire. You are obviously wrong about de Ligt though. Anyone named "de [something]" is automatically Dutch and therefore a good footballer.

Fair enough, but I am definitely referring to seeing him as a top player which is impression I got from the mention above esp considering the comparison with Hazard; I wasn't crazy about some aspects of Eden's game, but simply a different tier here. Evidence tells me James needs a team to play for him exactly like Colombia does. He's not going to get that at any top club.

in what "normal" world would a player leave £325,000-per-week on the table? Mudryk on loan elsewhere alone -- given nobody would buy him -- would provide the competitive advantage we need to climb a few positions in the standings. Agree that we need to get options for Nkunku until he has a full season. His injury history isn't the cleanest.

James is shit. 😄always been and always will be. He's a player for a different era. He's simply not competitive enough for top football. Plus I hear he's absolutely awful in the locker room.

It's a Hail Mary from him and his agents with almost zero chance of succeeding; FIFA will expand the ban to all countries where it has a presence. Unlikely to happen unless WHU gets a significant amount (even if a fraction of what they paid), which would make no sense for Flamengo given the imminent ban.

From a competitive standpoint there is zero upside in not being able to land quality players (some actually fairly young too) due to some arbitrary wage structure.

My problem with Jack Grealish isn't the partying. Does that mean they don't want to see Alvarez? That first touch from a long ball against Canada was as good as it gets.