The only place to be

Let's not pretend that spending £30 million on an 18 year old is a normal bit of long-term spending. When you spend that much, you're looking for an immediate contribution as well as a long-term prospect. The fact that he's a left-back as well makes it a tricky one.

I like how people say we could afford him....surely that depends on what other transfers we're looking to make not just this summer, but January, next summer and beyond as well as what the health of our balance sheet is like this year. Maybe they're acquainted with them intimately, but I doubt it. Ultimately the player has a lot of power in these negotiations. £27 million may well be the United bid but it means fuck all if the player says he has his heart set on one club. The guy says he's a big Chelsea fan and we're certainly interested (at a certain price) so I'm going to wait and see how this one plays out.

That's actually a fantastic point. Everyone seems to assume we'll be looking for a DLP in the pivot a la Modric or even Rakitic, but I don't know if Mourinho wants or needs that. Oscar tends to drop deep to pick-up the ball so he could play that role, and the pivot becomes an engine room/creative hybrid. Look at Matic's ability to pick a pass whilst also doing the dirty work. I think what Paulinho could offer is a goal threat from midfield which is something we really don't have at the moment. He can also spread the play better which isn't me saying he's Alonso, capable of long-raking 30 yard passes which some people seem to think. What he does is make those 10-15 yard passes quicker and more consistently than Ramires currently does. I think some people dislike this deal because he doesn't fit into their plans for the team, not Joses's.

Great to finish with a win but it's always sad ending the season. No matter how bad the football is at times, we love this club for those 90 minutes of drama whenever they might pop up. Going down the Fulham Road with your mates, seeing the old boys turning up or a young lad getting his first experience of the Bridge, the tension before the match, the beers after, the piss-taking on Monday morning. And now a summer of transfer speculation and the fucking world cup....urgh. The first day of next season can't come quick enough.

Not a bad season when Liverpool fans come so close....yet so far. And Stevie G you cost them the league.

What a class act. Honestly the national team can go fuck themselves though. The FA are a bunch of cunts and the sooner England are knocked out the better.

A kid from Kingston rushing to put on the shite shirt of United....how delightfully 90s.

I've donated to this website. I offered suggestions as to who I thought would make good mods and I've actually congratulated Special Juan and said what a great pick he is. Sorry, but I'm just surprised at the pick of rmpr when I've seen him deride this club and it's supporters. Ultimately it's up to the admins what type of person they want being mods and I'm simply a user offering an opinion. I have nothing more to add after this post.

At least someone sees sense. No reason to say he's leaving when he's still under contract.

This post is hidden because you have chosen to ignore posts by Rmpr. View it anyway? Aah....bliss. :blue scalf:

I'll still call you mod.

So that makes him scum? Some people....

Oi, what the fuck is wrong with you?

Same old shit. Our striker fails to score an open goal, we get unlucky at the other end and all of a sudden we're shit. You know we're losing when lionsden is posting in a match thread.

You can't add mods to the ignore list so I was worried that I might have to see your posts if you were made mod. Fortunately I had you on ignore before then so I won't have to read your posts. As it is I've congratulated Special Juan because I think he's a great guy and a top poster. You....um.

Scored one goal, should've had another after a fantastic late run into the box.

http://livesport4u.com/stream2.html

Torres did well there, the defender did better but those fucking balloons on the pitch are a joke.

Matic is a nailed-on starter and I think it's just a nice move to give Mikel a start in what is probably his last game. I'm not his biggest fan but he's been a stalwart of this club for a long-time and deserves our thanks for that. Would be made-up if he could get a goal. :blue scalf:

I agree that they both need a step-up, I'm just not sure if there's room for both of them here. Atsu probably has the best bet whereas Piazon could probably do with another loan. His first-half of the season was great but (like Oscar a bit) he seemed to struggle after Christmas. I think both will get a chance in the summer, especially with Hazard, Oscar, Schurrle and Willian hopefully getting a holiday after the World Cup.

Spot on. Young players by their very nature are inconsistent (especially coming from another country) and need our SUPPORT. Yet some people simply want us to buy success rather than nurturing these youngsters. Oscar has shown enough for anyone to realise he has a lot of talent. He just needs to get that consistency which will only come with patience.

Could do but financially it's a big hit and Oscar needs at least a season more here to prove himself. His form earlier in the season was spectacular but he's been shit in the second half (maybe a bit harsh). Need to stick with young players like him who will have dips in form. Atsu and Piazon need to be part of the squad in the summer but I'm not holding my breath on either of them.

It's almost like the newspapers were printing complete and utter bollocks. Oscar and Hazard to be sold at half-time and if Roman isn't in Cardiff today then he's selling the club.

Kalas starts, 6 changes.... Last starts possibly for Cole, Mikel and Torres...maybe even Schwarzer. Swifty on the bench with Ake.

When you let any player go, you have to factor in the cost of replacing them surely. Who do we replace Oscar with? Plus swap deals are far rarer than posters on here make out.