Magic Lamps

Honestly, I stopped caring. Kehrer as budget options, Brmer, Skriniar at reasonable price or break the bank for de ligt or Gvardiol. Add to that all the decent CB options that switched clubs in the last few windows like Konate (would have fit us like a glove), Varane, Süle, Schlotterbeck while we already knew AC and Rüdiger would leave us. There are tons of competent CBs out there. The problem is our board, their terrible contract management and their unhealthy obsession with retards like Kounde.

I think it is a bit unfair to Skriniar. Sure, there has to be a Serie A discount. players there are slower and weaker than in PL on average, so Lukaku and Tammy look lightning there while Alonso looked reasonably quick. Skriniar definitely does not have Rüdigers absurd speed (Ironically, Skriniar is as the quicker one at Fifa which is absolute BS) But I have seen Skriniar outpace Tammy, Osimhen, Moise Kean and Morata in a sprint duells off the ball and at least hold up vs Vinicius, diaz, mane, salah and even Theo on the ball. So I would say he is capable in that regard. Definitely faster than de vrij and bastoni. He also does not need to go into sprint duels that often bc he tackles players early. I particularly like how cleanly he tackles while also putting a lot of force into it to knock the opposition players off their feet quite often. He surely makes this on purpose to give himself more time on the ball. Also I saw him do full splits on a slide tackle so he sure is mobile.

Surely, the ppl in charge were insanely incompetent but nonetheless when Madrid came through the door with those crazy wages the ship had sailed. If Rüdiger really would have wanted to stay the final offer was still good enough. But he wanted that extra 100 pw which is legitimate albeit disappointing. He chose money over becoming a legend. Given how early Madrid went in for him and how long Rüdiger kept his options open, I doubt he would have signed any earlier extension anyway. as soon as TT took over Rüdiger's stock rose so rapidly, his brother and agent Sahr Senesi saw the opportunity to monetise the situation The issue is not Rüdiger anyway but our overall contract strategy. Not extending Christensen and Rüdiger earlier, even under Lampard was stupid. The club should make an assessment somewhat independent of what the current manager thinks of players. You jsut can not afford to lose proven players for zilch. Even if Lampard had stayed as coach we could have easily prolonged those contracts and sold them at the next opportunity for more than with shorter contracts. In the current market environment when players try to run down contracts when their stock is high you just can not afford to just sit there and let it happen. The board has to anticipate the squat situation in 1, 2 years and plan their contract management accordingly, not lose 2 players for one position during their best years for free.

If we loan for Lukaku to inter for just 17m, the overall financial loss will be gargantuan. At least when measured mark-to-market. Lukaku's market value will be cut in half in the next few months just bc of his age. Even if he sets serie A on fire, no on will ever buy him. Loan deal is beyond stupid if it does not include obligation to buy but makes sense given how braindead our board is.

Kounde always has been an absolute non-starter. Would be an absolute brainfart masterclass from the board like so many before Overrated player, rash, inconsistent, has regressed over the past season (added getting red cards to his game), easily riled up, tiny ADD-kid. Now we learn he is also injured and has to do surgery. Minor or not, any surgery bears risks. Also overpriced AF. The way this saga drags on is already a bad sign. Remember Bakayoko? The sheer number of absolute qualtiy CBs that have switched clubs while the board sat there on AC, Toni contracts running down doing diddly squat waiting for Kounde is mind blowing. The sheer incompetence by ppl whose literal job it is to do transfers and squad planning. Just the fact that this transfer is so damn stupid makes me certain it will happen at some point. The guy is on his way here - by the speed of it - apparently by foot. As his legs are short and broken his arrival may still take a while.

Apparently we are thrashing Italys new team rn first 3 goals were huge mistake any Bastoni btw 2 Werner goals absolute gifts

No wonder, he is trash

Yeah they are most probably gonna sell Skriniar either to us, PSG or someone else. Maybe de vrij or bastoni as well. Nah I think we are stuck with lukaku unless we are ready to give him almost for free. Inter have all the negotiation power here. He is a toxic asset and they know it. No one else wants him, he only wants inter. at this point i would not give in. Just send him to the reserves if no satisfactory deal can be arranged. Rather shit the full 180m away than maybe just 150 but send a signal of weakness by giving in to a headstrong egomaniac in the process. Still can't believe how stupid the board was. Called it a bad deal back then and it looks worse every day. 115m for an ageing unfit striker who failed in PL twice already. Literally can't make this up.

Inter apparently close to snatch Bremer from under our fingers. Also favourites to sign milenkovic Not willing to pay 20m loan fee for Lukaku either. Becoming a real pain to deal with

As I said before, Boehly and his team will need some time to find their feet. We should brace ourselves for a frustrating transfer window and a write-off season. Even if we make a few decent signings, with Kante falling of a cliff fitness-wise, an age and WC-induced decline by Thiago and the loss of Rüdiger who we will not be able to adequately replace anyway, we will be a lot less competitive than last season. Hopefully we can use this to integrate some academy graduates and build solid economic foundations for the future. Genuinely recommend everyone to avoid frustration, not check transfer news every day and lower expections for the window and next season. Sadly, the club is deep under water atm and will not be able to drag itself out in just one window or two. KTBFFH

Agree about the first part but Klopp has been in charge sicne 2015, they finished outside the top 4 on numerous occasions under him. How is 20/21 their worst season under klopp? Also no one said this would be their downfall. they will still be up there but they have no unlimited funds, they rely on their transfers to work every time to stay close to city. At some point it will not work

yeah not sold on Nunez as alluded above. Even if Diaz continues to shine, Darwin continues his development and Jota looking competent, that will never be the same level as their attack with Salah and Mane. While they clearly have a better scouting department than we do and thus will continue to make decent purchases but they will not strike gold again like they did with salah and mane anytime soon.

Donkey surely one of our worst signings Even if he had performed, to his inter level, which still would have been just around 20 non-pen goals this was a terrible deal. Which is why half the forum was up in arms about the price tag. But while Darwin is a better value for money signing, I just do not see it. Many players had decent scoring seasons in portugal. Luis Diaz looked like an absolute beast and wasno surprise at all he made an instant impact at pool but i took some time to watch Darwin's highlight reel and while that is no indication of a player being good enough, most of his best actions do not look that impressive. he rarely makes clean contact with the ball for his goals, a lot of scrappy moves and scruffy goals. A ton of pens. Terrible defending and goalkeeping involved. A small number of very nice finishes tho but most are either very easy ones on empty goals or 1 on 1 with the goalie. Sure our strikers are proficient at fucking those up as well but you would expect a 100m to make the basics right. The Uruguayan Calvert-Lewin for me. Decent but would not bat an eye to pass up on him even if we had not signed the donkey for 100m.

I think Benfica are gonna hang on for more. They bought him for 25m which is quite a lot for their standards and they have a sell on clause agreed with his previous club Almeria. pool will have to pay way over market value to get him. he has 3 years contract left and release clause of 150m. that dude has the exact same name as the girly looking (or should I say non-binary?) lad at PSG who is hyped af. Also the same age and both are midfielders. ours is much taller, English and a DM tho

"In a few years" would still be a long ass time for CFC manager in charge so I would take that. I doubt any team can cope with TT's intensity for more than a few years anyway. I do not see him walking tho except for maybe becoming national coach. He could have gone to Madrid when we were in deep shit but he stayed loyal. Maybe I am gullible but I have this feeling TT really cares about our club. In Germany he was never loved by tha fans at all. Neither at Mainz nor Dortmund, despite his success. This might be hard to believe for everyone who has just experienced the personable, cheerful,super professional guy we are have been witnessing since his arrival. In Germany on the other hand, ppl are completely astonished how easy to work with he has been conducting himself here. This is the first time the fanbase has fully embraced him not only as a coahc but also as a person. this is why there might be a samllchance he might actually have a longer tenure here.

yeah tbf Jesus is not that dissimilar from a short version of Kai, which makes him a bit less versatile. One difference would be that Jesus has always been a striker while Kai started deeper and hence is mistakenly labelled as false nine. So, it depends. If our system is still only compatible to a technical striker only, Jesus would be a good fit. Timo and Lukaku will probably leave so we need a new one anyway and Jesus would be a low risk move. If however we wantour 2nd striker to be a target man, Jesus is obv the wrong choice As for Pulisic and Stelring, I think you can clearly see Sterling is an upgrade. He is also frustrating but not as inconsistent. A speed dribbler like Sterling always wreaks havoc and he is also not quite as injury prone. Puli has a lot of nothing games where he has no impact at all and oppositons barely care about while Sterling even on a bad day takes up at least 2 defenders.

Apparently PSG want to get rid of Thilo Kehrer so badly, they will give him up for peanuts. The player is also willing to cut his wages. He has ruined his reputation at PSG a bit but in Germany he is still held in high regard and will get quite a bit of game time in the NT according to flick. Sounds a bit underwhelming but would not mind him basically as Christensen replacement. He is also very versatile can play RB and DM as well. Has no real strengths but also no significant weaknesses. Reasonably quick, good on the ball, assured passer and dribbler. TT has worked with him and used him routinely.

Skriniar or Bastoni would be my number 1 and 2. But I think Dumfries would be taylor made for the wing back role backup. Maybe it was selection bias (about 6 games), but whenever I watched dumfries for netherlands or Inter he scored or assisted and provided width and attacking impetus. His performance stats at whoscored are not half bad either.

I am usually super sceptic about those mega swaps. But in case of Lukaku vs inter players there would be a huge upside for both clubs. We give them the player who contributed massively to their last title on lower wages and for a discount he donkey gets his dream move and we are rid of him Surely one of Dumfries , skriniar, bastoni and de vrij would be open to come here In exchange we can do a double cash deal like Barca and juve did. on paper Everybody wins not gonna happen ofc but would make a lot of sense

Yeah I know they will sell them but not to us. Sterling and Jesus are still technically very accomplished no matter who plays behind them. Sterling was already quality in Liverpool's chaotic squad and has clearly developed under Guardiola. I think he would slot right into our system. Jesus I have not seen outside City but the way he works positions, his link up play and dcent finishing is already above any of our strikers. You see, guardiola is all about short passes when progressing to the final third but in the final 3rd, his players never shy away from the 1on1 dribble. Hence, they have the biggest collection of difference making 1vs1 players in the league. Even when you take silva and KDb out of their team which has been the case for quite a few games in the past few seasons, their players are still outstanding in terms of individual quality on the ball. It is just a different level to our attackers.

I do not believe for a sec Shitty will be mad enough to sell us two of their better attackers. Both of which would be starters on top form arguably. We might not be a direct rival to them yet, but jesus and sterling are both still in their prime and would lift us up a level immediately. Also the signal this would send to their "fans" and other squad members... I hope they are really this stupid and i will gladly eat my words but i give this less 1% atm

TT taking the lead will not help the inability of the club to make deals early and smart. I expect a quiet summer. Kounde and a couple of other compulsory mid-price duds in the Zappacosta-ilk

He is not good with crosses tho^^

He is an actual winger not a free scoring wide forward. . dembele has produced 13 assists in 1400 mins of league football. he also had 14 assists in his one bundesliga season. He is a chance enforcer, not a scorer. For us the problem has been the final ball just as often as the finish. Dembele is a final ball specialist. I do believe if TT can keep his ego in check, dembele can bring us forward with his incredible technique and pace. But we should not expect him to score a lot, that's true.

2 final thoughts on the CM/DMF and WB pressing issues: We do not necessarily need world class players as WB backups IF Chilly returns to his pre-injury level. But what we need is players who are perfectly to play the position the way TT wants them. Given that our plan is to keep Emerson as LWB backup to Chilly I doubt we have much of an ambition to secure someone like hakimi for big money fo rthis position. So our scouting department will have to dig really deep to find someone compatible. For CM/DMF i do not think we need to have a traditional holder. Many teams with double pivot roll with 2 box to box midfielder but they will nee to have a good balance of offensive and defensive capabilities. I think Kovacic-Kante DP has always worked alright defensively but just lacks end product. someone like bellingham could easily play with kovacic or Kante there. Maybe even Gallagher.