Leif

If all the transfers they want go through, I believe the XI Monaco are aiming for and would end up with is something like; Valdes; Sagna, Ivanovic, Sakho, A. Ekotto; Moutinho, Gonalons(?); Rodriguez, Boateng, Aubameyang; Falcao The rumours are that Tevez or Robinho are wanted as a rotation or back-up option to Falcao. If they can partner Moutinho with a Frenchman (it's not a certainty or anything that Gonalons would join Monaco but they are interested), that'd be 5 French-born (including Ekotto) players in their XI which is quite impressive for a team willing to splash the cash on any player! I actually believe that'd do incredibly well in the CL if they blend together quickly assuming they have good subs; Which they would in Ocampos, Ruffier (rumoured), Tevez/Robinho (rumoured) etc.

Good lord, Modric - Van Ginkel would be an amazing pairing. Neither of them are anchors in midfield, but the amount they'll bring to the attack despite not being actual attacking players should mean that in theory we retain the ball well enough meaning we rarely defend have to defend counter-attacks. Modric has one of the highest interceptions made in La Liga this season believe it or not and his agility means he can quickly get back and try to win the ball if it's lost. I think his tackling and recovering is underrated. Van Ginkel is one of the smartest footballers around when it comes to positioning and I'm sure he'd cover perfectly well for Modric if he was to stray forward at times. Juventus don't play with defensive midfielders, Man United never do nor really have, nor Arsenal; and it's no coincidence that those 3 teams play highly attractive and winning (aside from Arsenal cos they're shit) football.

@The only place to be, Now I remember why you're Member Of The Month That all makes a lot of sense.

This is my only and major worry when it comes to Courtois. These are considered some of his best 'saves' at Atletico but just look how many times he parries the ball away for a corner or to the opposition when he should actually hold it in his hands. He needs to work on that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFwMp2l1cK4

Apparently just passed his medical.

I genuinely believe it's rubbish when people say "Courtois isn't near Cech's level yet". You know what? I believe he's better than Cech.. on a few levels. Courtois has more agility, better ball distribution, the best reflexes of a keeper I've personally ever seen on a consistent basis, he dominates when it comes to the air (something Cech hasn't put his all into ever since his head accident, understandably) and he never just stands there and acts like he doesn't have to go for the ball in 'hope' that it just goes over the cross-bar or goes out wide - something Cech has done numerous times over the past 2 seasons which has lead to quite a few equalisers and even losing goals. His only real drawback is protecting his near post at times and punching the ball when he should catch. Cech has better penalty saving I believe - some of the best in the world actually, and he's a better shot-stopper, has 'experience' (Courtois has won what, 5 trophies at Atletico Madrid? But that's not 'experience' ) and is incredible at 'clutch' moments which is more about mentality than physical attributes. We can't keep holding onto sentiment. I genuinely believe some people on here would rather keep Cech as #1 for 2 more seasons and actually sell Courtois and then go searching for someone half as good as Courtois when Cech can no longer play at this level. Sometimes, even when a player is still very good and is a legend at a club, he has to be replaced or at least have someone else bled into his position. Raul was still good at Madrid - Moved on. Klose Was still good at Bayern - Moved on. Scholes was/is still an excellent player but United kept playing Cleverley and even Jones in his position instead because they understand the concept of preparing for the future. I don't see a problem in giving Cech the Cudicini role or even letting him join another non-rival club. He deserves to play somewhere like Milan (who're looking for a new #1) with some sunshine and still play at a top, but slightly less demanding, level. Courtois is the future but he is also the present. It can't be denied that he'll be one of, if not the very best goalkeeper in the world one day. Why limit the chances of that happening at our club to just squeeze the last bit out of Cech?

I actually think this is the perfect time to buy Hulk. At Porto he was absolutely incredible, so anything he'd do here would be a let down. No way could any player keep that level up when moving to the Premier League; so instantly we'd feel deflated and perhaps label him a 'flop'. He now has to prove himself again after really 'flopping' in Zenit. There'd be none of the incredibly high expectations. If anything, other fans of other clubs wouldn't even care that much about the transfer which is a complete opposite to when we were (apparently) close to signing him. But that could be good for us. Less pressure on his shoulders. Zenit are likely to play less of the hard-ball when it comes to a fee as I believe they want him out, he wants out, and they're not exactly Porto when it comes to ransoms. I was against him coming here originally last season. He was too much of the "cut in and shoot" sort of 'winger' for me especially for the fee he'd cost. But now I just do not care. We need a goalscorer. Mata's finishing is hit-and-miss, Hazard doesn't get in front of goal enough and Oscar doesn't get played enough. We rarely have a striker banging in goals, so why not get Hulk banging them in? It wouldn't be the first time a wide player has been relied on for the goals. Messi did it for a while at Barcelona, Cruyff at Ajax (I think), The Pharaoh at AC Milan and so-on. His goal record is still good. At Porto he averaged more than a goal a game, and at Zenit he's averaging a goal just about every 2 games. Decent stat when you're getting racially abused on artificial pitches every day! Personally, £30m or under and I'd take him. That's a £22m loss for Zenit but I think they'll cope!

Never wanted him here. Never thought Jose would return. But Jose and Hulk together? I'd jizz.

So we're officially without a manager. Good.

Zola really isn't a very good tactician at all. Needs to be more flexible.

Chalobah joined Watford at bloody 17 years old and now at 18 has been considered not just one of the best midfielders; but one of the best players in the Championship this season - period. Sorry he doesn't have the finishing of Messi, tackling of Makelele and consistency of Juan Mata yet. But what he does have is better finishing than Mikel, better tackling than Mikel, and the consistency of Rami/Mikel/Lampard/whoever.

Oh yeah, of course there's always rumours regarding which clubs track which players and have genuine interest etc. which is most often rubbish, but I'm certain that the clubs which had/have concrete interest in him are:- Chelsea AC Milan (biggest interest I was aware of) Manchester United (they seem torn between him and Strootman. I personally feel Strootman would be the better fit for them) Arsenal last season before deciding to pursue M'Vila which they eventually pulled the plug on Ajax (and when Ajax want to buy Dutch talent you know they're special)

Carlton Cole & Kevin Davies are available on frees. Torres replacements anyone?

Sure. They're on here somewhere; the official PFA Website: http://www.thepfa.com/transferlist

Official! So we have to get a goalkeeper in now and register an English/homegrown player I believe to replace Turnbull's slot.

Skip to 2:28. This is what I mean by creativity and agility. He creates this whole goal almost all by himself starting in his own half. Incredible. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3Iq3epMbAg

Yeah, reports in France are actually quite lively about this one. Seems to be substance. They (Monaco) originally wanted Vidic but it didn't happen. They're now chasing Ivanovic & N'Koulou I believe as well as PSG's Sakho but I think he's unlikely to leave. I'd sell him for even £17m so go for it.

So. Done some research. He was awarded the Eredivisie Young Player Of The Year award this season. This has previously been given to the likes of Eriksen, Maher, Afellay, Kalou, Huntelaar, Sneijder, Robben, Van Persie, van der Vaart, van Bommel, Seedorf, Overmars & Bergkamp. Impressive list. He's valued at around £10m and that's roughly what he's expected to go for. I don't believe Kakuta, Kalas, PvA etc. are part of the deal, but I don't know for sure. He's an engine. Like Ramires, Toure (who he's more like), Essien of old (who he's even more like), Strootman - he won't stop running. The different between he and Ramires however is that he's not constantly bombing forward. He only does so when he needs to. He is definitely a defensive minded player; not a typical box-to-box player like the media make him out to be today. At the same time though, he's no anchor in midfield. I guess an almost like-for-like comparison would be Khedira. What he has over our current options in Ramires, Lampard, Mikel etc. is creativity. Like a huge amount of it. He's not an incredible passer like Xabi Alonso, Pirlo, Xavi - not even a great passer like Gerrard, Modric, Wilshere - but he's a very good passer like Rooney, Totti perhaps etc. He doesn't have the pace of Ramires but he has the same stamina from what I can see. He also stays up way more and is more composed displayed by his lovely finishing this season. He prefers to tackle than intercept. He'd rather get the ball forward with a risky pass than play the safe option which means another minute or 2 of passing around in his own half between another player. His aerial ability is decent. Probably near the level of Y. Toure (he's stronger than he looks). So he'll win maybe half of his aerial duels in theory. He can easily play behind the striker, but when he does so he becomes a lot less mobile for some reason. He'll take a lot of long range shots if put under constant pressure. He rarely gets booked. He's not aggressive but he doesn't mess about. He'll win the ball back. He won't just let you run past him without a fight. (You know how Yaya gets away with crazy shit without a card? Despite being a cunt he's smart about it. Same with this guy.) He has a cool name.

So - Now that Hilario and Turnbull have been released, does getting Lopez sound so far-fetched still?

He hasn't played for us yet without having a proper month or longer rest, has he? He joined us right after his work in Brazil and got started in the league right away. I wonder what godly things he can do after a long rest

I'm nervous

YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Strootman is at a bigger club in PSV and thus gets all the praise, but I'm positive Marco is just every bit as good only cheaper. Oh and quite a bit younger. With better passing ability. He's like a Ramires who can pass. And shoot. Isn't that sort of what we want at times?

Bayern ruining the Bundesliga which was just on the rise again. Fantastic.

If we sign Ibra we'll win the world cup. That's how good he is.

Ronaldo First player I ever saw play. It was for Brazil. I have no recollection who it was against but I remember being up close to the TV while in holiday in Madeira when I was 2 years old I think, so close to the TV my eyes were nearly burning. I got a headache that night and couldn't stop crying. Anyway, he scored a goal from outside the box I think and then apparently I was lost for words (not that i knew many at the time) according to my mum and could barely breathe, staring at the screen in shock. It was my introduction to football. A year later my granddad took me to a Germany - Brazil friendly as he was going to where the game was on his sailing boat (also my first introduction to boats), and Ronaldo scored the winner in a 1-2 win. Then just a few years ago (2009 I believe), my 2nd-cousin's uncle, a hardcore Chelsea fan, was in Brazil doing something oil-related as he manages oil rigs. He apparently attended a Corinthians game and got Ronaldo to sign the top he was wearing (a Chelsea top), which he gave to me when he got home. I'm a little suspicious though and for some reason believe he may have just signed it himself, but he's the same guy who got me and his son to meet Makelele and Joe Cole So yes. Ronaldo.