robsblubot

You couldn't have picked a more different player for comparison. 😅 Timo works super hard and can contribute even when's he's not clicking, which unfortunately happens often; Mudryk is very lazy and useless unless he actually scores, which does not happen nearly often enough. Mudryk had a season and a half at Chelsea, playing a lot of games; what he has done before, under completely different circumstances, shouldn't really matter anymore. BTW, I had never heard of him prior to joining; just knew Arsenal were reportedly also interested. 🤷‍♂️

yup. Agents often create fake interests to drive up prices. It happens everywhere.

Yeah with Mbappe and Endrik looking more and more like the read deal, their attack will be tough to contain. I can actually see some of their players wanting to leave because of the competition in the future--let's hope. Not an easy duo to replace either; those maestro types are difficult to get a hold of. 🙂

To think that Camavinga is only 21 is scary. He’s prob my favorite mid in that role right now. People talk about their attack, but I think it’s their middle that makes them hard to crack.

Tbf it was baseball so there shouldn’t be that much running on the pitch. 😆

That’s because it is extremely rare to do straight swaps these days. what happens is that the clubs perform 2 separate linked transactions; it only goes through if both succeed. that is actually quite common.

Heard good things about Pedro Lima, but it's all potential; Sport Recife is playing Serie B in Brazil which is a different sport (no pun).

From what I've seen so far, I'm not sure we should even bother with loans here.

dunno how that's possible after this https://www.transfermarkt.us/wesley-fofana/verletzungen/spieler/475411 Looks like a chronic issue with his knees.

Think you may be right. We've got the numbers, but quality as well as characteristics are all over the place. Also, I've heard Lavia listed in every MD position, and the one time he played for us he was employed a bit higher up, if I recall. Carney played his best as a left winger IMO. Ugo better be shy, unsettled, whatever because if that's his game better getting rid of ASAP. Casadei looks very green and/or not good enough have to say. Andrey Santos is still a pretty big gamble as he was not that dominant in Brazil.

WHU is about to announce Luis Guilherme 18 from Palmeiras on a ~20m deal (can reach 30m). He's a really good winger with intensity and skill, and given his age can improve plenty. Smart buy IMO. He played a lot for Palmeiras in the past 2 seasons despite his young age.

hehI think you both make good points. I'm more on the team that the club needs to assess Conor ceiling, not his current level. This is always hard to do tho. The leadership does work strongly in his favor tho; we've got nobody else atm.

Which would make sense, no? If he did well at City, that meant he could a. perform well against the toughest opposition and b. work in tight spaces in a passing-heavy system (which seems to be what we are going with). Where a player played before, and how well, should and does matter. Much of his game early season wasn't super interesting IMO; that mostly head-down running with the ball is more suited for smaller clubs. Granted, he seems to be adapting well and is linking up much better with his teammates, but the upcoming change will hopefully make him a better footballer (quicker passing for ex).

I don't know...a target man, like Haaland is, has to be really good these days. Otherwise just get the better player and make the team score goals. Couldn't agree more regarding Solanke. Actually, I'd say he's simply just not good enough a footballer for an elite club.

Perhaps just to have a different option if he's really good in the air, even if not good enough to score a lot of goals from headers. I still prefer Alvarez, if doable, as I'd be looking forward to seeing how he links up with Cole.

You could've been describing Caicedo's season there. Colwill is a 21yo and at that age inconsistency is a given for a CB. Loads of potential there and he's employable as an LB as well.

"Many asked me to ignore it, others said that my fight was in vain and that I should just ‘play football.’ But, as I've always said, I am not a victim of racism; I am a racist tormentor. This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It is for all black people. Let other racists be afraid, ashamed, and hide in the shadows. Otherwise, I will be here to demand justice." made a few changes from the google translator results floating around. Amazing player and human being!

Not exactly the same physicality/movement, but reckon Lucas Paqueta and him would be similar on the ball. Paqueta will likely be banned from football tho. For the record, I think Paqueta plays better for Brazil as he plays deeper than he does for WHU.

Yes, long contracts provide some guarantees, but as soon as big clubs show interest, it's his agent's job to ask for an adjustment depending on which tier he is. Say, he's on a rotation/backup deal, and he becomes a sure starter in D; that usually comes with an adjustment to match the new role. Agreed tho. He's both the best CB in the squad atm as well as the most suited for the new system.

Looks like his agent making noise because of potential interest from big clubs on him. Wants assurances around starting position/importance and likely money to match? dunno what his current deal looks like.

Yes, maybe it's OK given that we missed out on Europe... dunno. On the other hand, Caicedo played a LOT of games this season as did Cole and Conor. Caicedo in particular has Ugo(?!) as his immediate sub. Caicedo for ex is Ecuador international, and there is Copa America this year. Conor situ is also a bit weird; is he going for a new deal or wants to walk free? If the latter, then reckon the club shouldn't wait.

I'd say a mid too. People complain about injuries, but we were one knock away from a mid table finish.

chiesa has been plagued by injuries: mostly knee and muscle. Warning signs all over.

Don’t disagree that he’s not a leading 9, but I am suggesting not to use him as such and still go for a target man to rotate (w Jackson) as needed. alvarez would make that right side much stronger, which is a win regardless who plays #9. Noni isn’t starting material if we want to become competitive again, so that’s where I think he’d work. Also provide cover for Palmer. i can certainly imagine Palmer and him working really well together.

There is a reason City have both: barely a footballer but a goal machine and and an a rounded FW. Alvarez could start in RW improving our attack tenfold--he's a far better footballer than Noni, and fairly different too, which would provide different options. IMO Alvarez numbers don't matter a whole lot given how and where he played. There is no on/off switch and repetition is key to everything in football. He is really good on the ball, and we don't have enough players like that in the team. Isn't the new manager going to implement a more possession oriented style? If so, then Alvarez is pretty much a perfect fit for that. We've spent so much money on unknown players coming from different leagues, which makes the reported fee really nothing compared to the gambling we've been doing -- not to mention Fofana which made no sense whatsoever. Pretty much a bargain compared to Mudryk too. heh. Foden has been extremely inconsistent for both City and England; let's see the Euros, but I'm starting to think his ceiling just isn't that high.