Leif

The depressing thing is that Tottenham no longer enter a single derby match expecting to lose. How it's come to this so quickly is both admirable and sickening. If they played 10 games vs. Arsenal and 10 games vs. us, they'd finish with the highest points, or at least level with us, with the bonus of playing the most confident and direct football. Sad sad sad.

Personally since Conte took over, I've felt more confidence post-international breaks. Although the players haven't been here to have tactics drilled into them, he's had a lot more time to study not just this game, but upcoming ones as well. We're overdue a dominant scoreline. Also, it's a genuine deep pleasure to look forward to simply watching our striker play. I love a striker with bullet-headers like his, calm finishes like his. He's just a suave player. Next season he'll be at least the 2nd highest scorer in the league I think.

I WANT DYBALA HERE SO MUCH. I WAKE UP ON RANDOM DAYS, THE BIRDS SINGING, THE SUN SHINING, AND ALL I THINK ABOUT IS RIPPING MY T SHIRT TO SHREDS LIKE HULK HOGAN, & SCREECHING A KING KONG-DECIBEL CALL TO DYBALA THAT HERE HE WOULD BE MOST LOVED. IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AND NOW MY SUNSHINE IS FADING

Mentality mentality mentality. That is why wherever he plays, he'll be one of the best players in the squad. He could even hold his own (albeit not be one of their best players) with Real Madrid IMO. They've certainly got equal-level players in his position, despite being 8 years older than him and in their prime too (I'm looking at you Casemiro).

When it comes to football, it's hard not to trust figures who've spent the time getting the exact fit of glasses to compliment their face. Astute. (If Klopp had Harry Potter glasses he'd be fired.)

Heh. When a player was touted to leave for around £100m, it's hard not to point out he's currently a £20m player

When he was with us he had this cocky vibe as if he was so-sure he'd be the next legend of our club. Now, he's even more smug, but is he really going to end up a legend for United? I'm doubtful, no matter how much he scores. When all is said and done, the records will read - Lukaku, legend for Everton.

It's been said for many seasons that he lacks adequate fitness, specifically stamina. After around 65 minutes in the first game, he was basically done, though not useless. It was clear though that starting him just a couple days later would be lunacy - nobody thought it would happen - yet it did, and of course he ended up injured. That's just bad management, not understanding a player. Then again, it's up to RLC to address this too.

On the other hand, Germany & Brazil are surely in the top 5 international teams. Germany were recently champions, Brazil are probably second only to Spain. And neither team, one with both Neymar and Gabriel Jesus, nevermind 2 amazing full backs, could cut through a youthful England with first-timers. All credit goes to those youngsters though, of course not the 'tactics'.

One word to define him - 'tidy'. Unspectacular otherwise. 7/10 at everything; positioning, tackling, passing. Great rotational player for a Roma or Arsenal.

The main against I held before signing him was his lack of brain. Mentality wins titles, not how strong your passes are or how accurate your shots are. Mentality. Composure. Leadership. Discipline. Awareness. All of which he lacks, I think. Never been more annoyed by a signing, other than Rudiger who so far is making me eat my words to a degree. I promise, within 5 years we'll have the minority become the majority on here, with most begging to replace him. It'll start really stinking when we aren't winning the top prizes, and finally it'll be understood we need more than 'potentially very good' players who've proven nothing. Willian, Bakayoko, yes Rudiger, and so on. Absolute B-list. If he wouldn't start for Real Madrid/Bayern/Barcelona/Juventus/Man City, why the fuck is he good enough for us?

Another prolific ex-footballer claiming RLC is at least equal to Bakayoko already. Keep in mind, these people can praise RLC without dragging Bakayoko into it - and they wouldn't drag him into it if he clearly was good enough, would they? https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/660178/Chelsea-Ruben-Loftus-Cheek-Tiemoue-Bakayoko-Crystal-Palace-Loan-Latest-News Don't think there's a single ex-footballer or current footballer who's paid any compliment to Bakayoko (Makelele saying 'he can become good enough' with his eyes darting about when asked if Baka's good enough, wasn't a compliment.) On top of not having any compliments to say about him, multiple ex-pro's specifically feel the need to highlight that he lacks his touted brilliance. Nevermind that pretty much every supporter outside of Chelsea that've watched Bakayoko have laughed. I laugh too but with sadness. In my mind i want to remain the face of this 'How do we expect to reach the top with Bakayoko in our XI?' brigade, considering I was saying all of this before we signed him. I think I had the piss taken out of me on here Over this Everton-tier fraud (though granted, he'd be one of their best players). I'll take being an apparent idiot whose view is shared by *more and more prolific players. Let's hope the blue tints around here don't lead to complete blindness Nevermind the French national coach too. Deschamps must be an idiot along with Ian Wright, right. What would they know about football.

His mouth is shocking.

There's something wrong with the gods controlling youth development if before the game even begins some random pleb can predict who'll be off first.

Hopefully Denmark phase out some key players, fully integrate Christensen and make him captain. Our very best years domestically came when we had more than a handful of international captains as our players. More likely Eriksen though, who exudes 0 leadership.

I don't really care for the England NT, but if Rashford isn't made their main striker it'll be blasphemy. By far the best option they have; would be interesting to consistently rotate him with Sturridge. Vardy isn't what he was. Bad decision making these past 2 games; crossing the ball early since he has no faith in beating his man. Then again, he probably shouldn't be out wide. Actually with Mourinho in charge, it's probably our only chance of signing Rashford, and I'd love to. Sell a fringe player and throw 40m as our first offer, in my fantasy land. Up top alongside Morata in a sort of Javier Hernandez poacher role, would be lovely.

Seems a trend.

So excited to see Brazil tonight. It's a rubbish claim that they lack the brilliant players they used to & are getting results due to being a 'team'. Gabriel Jesus is probably as good as Neymar, Coutinho's no slouch at all, Paulinho's found his stride, and Marcelo/Alves is still the best international full-back pairing there is in my opinion. Nevermind Alisson Favourite goalkeeper around. Glad to see Bertrand start - he'll surely be solid. Wouldn't have started Loftus-Cheek - it's a great compliment to him, but he hasn't got the most stamina in the world, and his mentality's always been fickle. Jerking him around a bit like Ryan Giggs alluded to, making him crave more and throwing him on later in the game, would be better for his development. It could knock the wind out of his sails putting him up against perhaps the most in-form international side around; hopefully there's no pulling him off at half time antics. I THINK England are replicating our new 5-3-2 tonight, at least on paper, so if RLC is indeed in a midfield 3, we'll get to see exactly what we need to see. Pretty pathetic to start Livermore though; he makes the players around him worse.

Russia's shit anyway.

Ventura better run after this game. I fear for his safety.

Can't believe Candreva for over 5 seasons has been considered a worthy recruit for any top side each transfer window. If he was any worse at crossing he'd be circling.

Ventura is literally the most unqualified guy I've ever seen manage a top international side. This is shambles. How is this the guy who turned Torino into a Serie A mainstay?

Incredible. First time with my own eyes that I've seen genuine cheating in this game. We're not talking getting away with challenges because of a clumsy ref, but actual pre-determined cheating. It was already being said pre-game that there was worry of cheating - Fifa would lose 100m+ with Italy not being in the World Cup, and, pressure was already being put on refs post the previous game. So far, 2/3 rather obvious penalties denied for Sweden. And the Swedish players are acting like they know. The ref definitely knows. And a yellow card for good measure, for Forsberg, after denying him a rightful clear as day penalty He didn't even contest it.

This Italy game is definitely the most important game I've watched since our Champions League-winning campaign. Forget random teams winning titles, even ourselves winning the Premier League - games like this are so much more important. Like, once or twice in a lifetime level of importance. 2 sides to this coin tonight. Embarrassing if Italy don't get through - but getting through puts paper over the cracks; losing out is the reality check they need, sorely.

Ian Wright may not be the sharpest pin in the drawer, but he is an ex footballer, an exceptional one at that, and no ex footballer is wrong 100% of the time. One of those stabs in the dark will hit, and this one has. There is no cliche, there is no cringe necessary, in observing Loftus-Cheek, and seeing he's already doing what we're still waiting for from Bakayoko. For those observations to be pointed out by random forum users, but then highlighted completely separately by an ex-pro, isn't something to ignore. It clearly suggests this pro-Loftus-Cheek side is right about something. Neither side will be entirely wrong. Add to this that those who put down Bakayoko, on here, don't put down 'people' (as in users or pundits) in general, yet those who claim Bakayoko's good enough, do seem to slander or dismiss people due to their conflicting opinions...which paints a picture of which side is more rational, and perhaps trustworthy in their evaluations. One side is looking at players, comparing traits, and talking stats - the other side is saying 'well i'm right, you're wrong.' Or, they say 'give him time, he has potential', as if that's anything to do with the players we compare today and now. A cop-out comment. - Loftus-Cheek brings to the table more qualities than Bakayoko does. (It shouldn't go without saying - though apparently it does, that this & every post on here is 'in my opinion' btw.) All he lacks which Bakayoko has, is experience, which is clear when you measure their consistency. Bakayoko's consistently average, whereas Loftus-Cheek has high highs and low lows. Nobody can guess who'll turn out the better player, but this season, Loftus-Cheek has been superior. He's the best player in his team. He was the best player on the pitch for his national side. No? Let me wait for Bakayoko to get a MOTM award (or just put in a MOTM-worthy performance, regardless of award). I might grow a new beard. My toes might grow beards in that time. Because when you watch him, there's not much to get excited about. He doesn't inspire because he isn't great, nor does he show the potential to be, in my opinion. (Which I'll elaborate on if anybody wants. But then we'd miss out on the fun of calling eachother idiots & scoffing at eachother's perspectives.)