robsblubot

£75m for Fofana says otherwise. 40m is a fee from a few years back; it's no longer what PL players go for much less an attacking player who rotated at City.

Similar in a way that he play in multiple attacking positions, but I'd say Nkunku is more of a ST/LW while Alvarez is, like you said, more of a passer and operates better in a CAM, so ST/CAM/RW. Still see them all complementary to some degree and he could be backup for Cole as well. Still unsure about Nkunku's fitness to entirely honest. I no longer try to second guess the transfer market as fees are completely nuts tho.

No, I'm not obsessed with finishing. I was very much against bringing Lukaku back, for ex. I like good players regardless of position, and Alvarez is one.

9 assists looks pretty good as someone who often played as an AM https://www.transfermarkt.us/julian-alvarez/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/576024/wettbewerb/GB1/saison/2023

Not so difficult if it is someone like Alvarez himself; someone who can play behind the striker or on the wings. Haaland himself is a pure striker -- can't really play anywhere else.

agreed. Seen good games from Matip, but he was very inconsistent at pool and is now 32. We already have a CB who is never fit (Fofana) no need for another one (in Varane). I'd like to emphasize the distinction between being available and being fit. Chilwell, for example, was somewhat available, but never fit (after a sequence). Not familiar with Hermoso, but any CB from Atletico comes with a caveat: they usually play in a very low block.

Just get him. 😃 That tight control alone is worth the price tag. Will make the team much stronger in attack -- players form fluctuate a lot over a long season, and the lack of (quality) options is the main reason I think the squad is weak (... esp for the amount spent etc). We will also need a midfield if Conor leaves. Midfield options look super green to me.

Agreed. The number of starts by Mudryk this season tells everything you need to know about Sterling's form.

I would sign him in a heartbeat. Excellent player who can operate in tight spaces and can play in multiple attacking positions.

We missed him this season; it's so so much specifically Kai, who is a good player, but a player with his characteristics. We've got nobody in the squad that can pivot and win aerial duels like he can. It was an oversight when building the squad--perhaps expecting too much from Broja?

Prob helps your argument, but people's memory of Mount is kinda funny. He was decisive in a way Conor not yet dreamt of. In 21 CL run he scored in the quarters (Porto), semis (Real Madrid), and assisted in the final. It's also a bit soon to praise that sale given his age, and the season he had -- would be akin to rule out Nkunku because of his fitness struggles. Kai was struggling too until he wasn't. I agree your assessment tho. If I were forced to give a contrarian argument, would just say that having a player clicking the way Conor has, isn't something to disregard so quickly. Also that some of or subs in midfield are very green and/or not very good (Ugo).

considering the values involved in transfers these days, that looks awful low.

I really like Nkunku, but not sure his fitness struggles should be ignore by us, much less by the club. One can say we've been unlucky with injuries past season, but the only player who has no injury history and became unavailable for much of the season was Enzo. Maybe Lavia too, as he has no history yet . What if Jackson picked a knock? Or Caicedo? I don't see any player in the squad who can do Caicedo's job remotely at the same level. This is all thinking about becoming competitive; from what I see and hear so far it's going to be another "building" season, unless it's again transfer market talk.

yeah I like these aggressive wingers. Nkunku remaining fit would help evidently, so that's a big question mark. Hope the physios are taking a look there.

I'd very much like a left winger tho. We will have to go against the likes of Doku, Luis Diaz, Martinelli/Trossard, Son, Mitoma, Garnacho/Rashford and Olise himself. They are all much superior to what we got unless Sterling gets his shit together which is a big "if." (I'd add Timo to the list too and even Grealish would have a say here) Hmm yes, Nkunku could fill that role and he's a very good player, big question regarding fitness tho.

Moneyball approach which certainly works in a stats-heavy game like Baseball. Regarding Sanchez, I'd not read too much into it; it might be a message to the transfer market saying that we are not desperate to sign a goalie, in an attempt to lower the price.

heh I know it will work very well for him. Potter is still on his well-paid vacation. I just hope it works for the club!

man 6 staff members... I'm old school 😃 Remember when it was Manager and his assistant, and *maybe* his fav fitness coach.

Carbajal had a fantastic game actually.

Yeah man good tactics get you there but it’s hard to beat a club that has that much quality on the pitch and on the bench.

Evidently Maatsen shouldn’t be starting a CL final. There is a cost to that. BTW, poch was right in not playing him at LB.

Should’ve been 2 nil Bellingham miss way too long to apply the finish

Oh well could see that coming a mile away. good players always find a way to win these matches.

Reus coming off the bench is quality right there.

Dortmund D remains impressive both in possession and defending.