Non-Chelsea Transfer Pub

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

1 hour ago, LAM09 said:

I can see Neymar leaving in the near future. He wants to be the main star and that ain't happen when Messi is around

It may be so and I certainly can't claim to know that it is not, but this sounds pretty far fetched to me. Of course, under the guidance of his agent, Neymar might be quite happy to keep Barca's contract negotiators on their toes with allusions to dissatisfaction, but actually wanting to leave for such a reason? I can't see it. At all.

[LAM09 7,043]

It may be so and I certainly can't claim to know that it is not, but this sounds pretty far fetched to me. Of course, under the guidance of his agent, Neymar might be quite happy to keep Barca's contract negotiators on their toes with allusions to dissatisfaction, but actually wanting to leave for such a reason? I can't see it. At all.

Just seems probable to me. He was supposedly the best paid at Barca until a year ago and that might be an added motive. I just can't see Barca keeping that front three for much longer

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

9 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

Just seems probable to me. He was supposedly the best paid at Barca until a year ago and that might be an added motive. I just can't see Barca keeping that front three for much longer

A motive to agitate for a new contract maybe, a motive even for using the threat of moving on as part of the negotiations, but for actually wanting to move? Players love playing for Barca. They love the adulation, they love the Catalan's passion for their team, they revel in the team's dominance, and they enjoy the style of football. If, like Cesc, a player knows that he isn't good enough to hold a place in the side then maybe, but I'd say that a nailed on starter is highly unlikely to want to leave.

Now, Barcelona finding themselves needing to sell is another thing but I don't actually believe that either. There are plenty of other wage bill reductions they'd take before they part with any of their front three.

[LAM09 7,043]

A motive to agitate for a new contract maybe, a motive even for using the threat of moving on as part of the negotiations, but for actually wanting to move? Players love playing for Barca. They love the adulation, they love the Catalan's passion for their team, they revel in the team's dominance, and they enjoy the style of football. If, like Cesc, a player knows that he isn't good enough to hold a place in the side then maybe, but I'd say that a nailed on starter is highly unlike to want to leave.

Now, Barcelona finding themselves needing to sell is another thing but I don't actually believe that either. There are plenty of other wage bill reductions they'd take before they part with any of their front three.

They wouldn't push any of the three out, but their team needs strengthening all over IMO. Some cuts are going to have to be made to do that. The La Liga monopoly can only take them so far.

[OhForAGreavsie 6,058]

9 minutes ago, LAM09 said:

They wouldn't push any of the three out, but their team needs strengthening all over IMO. Some cuts are going to have to be made to do that. The La Liga monopoly can only take them so far.

Do you know when the new La Liga distribution policy comes into effect? That's going to reduce their income somewhat. No matter how big their debts however, their income is simply incredible so I'm guessing that no lender will feel the need to call in their loans. That said, I do not know the first thing about Barca's financial situation so that guess might be complete nonsense.

[LAM09 7,043]

Do you know when the new La Liga distribution policy comes into effect? That's going to reduce their income somewhat. No matter how big their debts however, their income is simply incredible so I'm guessing that no lender will feel the need to call in their loans. That said, I do not know the first thing about Barca's financial situation so that guess might be complete nonsense.

Next season IIRC. Their income won't change much and could possibly exceed what they currently earn. It will just create parity and hopefully prevent smaller teams from going bankrupt.

I'm just aware of the things that are reported. At the end of the day, the expansion will inevitably affected them one way or another.

[Yakk 2]

There are still many 'hidden' gems who we can bring over for small fees. We should look at those instead of always looking at the usual suspects.

We could for example bring in Ricardo Rodriguez and Kalilou Koulibaly, and have the best defence in the EPL.

Add one or two worldclass attacking players to this like Griezmann and Draxler who are very versatile, and we will compete for the title again next season I'm pretty sure.

We shouldn't make the mistake again to bring in already proven players who weren't outstanding at their current clubs. Like Cavani, Pedro, Rakitic, Benzema.

Adding those players won't make us compete with the likes of Real, Barca and Bayern.

 

[the wes 7,212]

[LAM09 7,043]

There are still many 'hidden' gems who we can bring over for small fees. We should look at those instead of always looking at the usual suspects.

We could for example bring in Ricardo Rodriguez and Kalilou Koulibaly, and have the best defence in the EPL.

Add one or two worldclass attacking players to this like Griezmann and Draxler who are very versatile, and we will compete for the title again next season I'm pretty sure.

We shouldn't make the mistake again to bring in already proven players who weren't outstanding at their current clubs. Like Cavani, Pedro, Rakitic, Benzema.

Adding those players won't make us compete with the likes of Real, Barca and Bayern.

 

All about the scouting team being thorough. Names won't necessarily win you things and make a difference.

[!Hazard! 3,394]

Talking about hidden gems, I think the next proper Dutch striker is currently playing in AZ and his name is Vincent Janssen.

Top scorer in Eredivisie with 25 goals and only 21 years old . He seems pretty complete with ball control, strength and finishing ability. He caused problems for Jagielka and Stones in NL - ENG match earlier this year. His dribbling is on the level of Diego Costa (hopefully it will get better) but his vision and passing range are way better. Could be a bit of a gamble as a 2nd striker for next season but I think he has a lot of potential. 

 

Edit. Looking at Bayern's line-up today, I think Muller and Benatia might be available in the summer. Whether we could get them is a whole another story, of course. Also, who knows if they will be favoured by Ancelotti next year but maybe Muller wants to look for new challenges. Same for Benatia. At the moment, they are clearly seem to be surplus for Guardiola.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

6 hours ago, !Hazard! said:

Edit. Looking at Bayern's line-up today, I think Muller and Benatia might be available in the summer. Whether we could get them is a whole another story, of course. Also, who knows if they will be favoured by Ancelotti next year but maybe Muller wants to look for new challenges. Same for Benatia. At the moment, they are clearly seem to be surplus for Guardiola.

 

Nah there's no way Muller will ever leave Bayern. Not only did he just sign a 5/yr extension last season, but their Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge gave a whole interview last year about how Muller IS Bayern Munich, and that certain players should never leave certain clubs, like Messi-Barca.

Benatia is a good shout though. Really wanted him two seasons ago, and sitting on the bench so the likes of Alaba, and Lahm can play CB over you must be frustrating (although he has had injury problems throughout his tenure, so there's that.) IMO, Bayern will be interesting this summer, because I have the feeling Carlo won't go all "mad-scientist" with Bayern and more often than not, play conventional formations with 2 CBs on the regular unlike Pep, so maybe a CM is on the way out? who knows. 

TBH, I still find it flabbergasting how Bayern have had so many well-timed injuries during Pep's stay, so that everyone has stayed happy (besides Gotze whose desperately itching for a move according to reports.) If they had a top notch medical department, 3/4 of those World-Class players certainly would have left by now given the lack of playing time that would have ensued. 

 

[LDN Blue 7,903]

1 hour ago, Blue-in-me-Veins said:

Nah there's no way Muller will ever leave Bayern. Not only did he just sign a 5/yr extension last season, but their Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge gave a whole interview last year about how Muller IS Bayern Munich, and that certain players should never leave certain clubs, like Messi-Barca.

I don't know man. I would've said the same pre-2014, but then Kroos went to Real and Schweinsteiger went to United. The latter was the biggest shock because you'd think in his 30's he'd think about being the 'one-club man'. 

Muller's consistently for club and country a top performer and if Bayern win the CL why not itch for a new experience..

[chelseafan26 293]

4 hours ago, LDN Blue said:

I don't know man. I would've said the same pre-2014, but then Kroos went to Real and Schweinsteiger went to United. The latter was the biggest shock because you'd think in his 30's he'd think about being the 'one-club man'. 

Muller's consistently for club and country a top performer and if Bayern win the CL why not itch for a new experience..

Bastian was sidelined by Pep. He wanted to play in his twilight years rather than gather fat cheques (not saying he is not earning well in united, but I am sure playing time would have been the Main issue here).

I dont know how Carlo plans to use Muller but it would be a shambles of the greatest order if Muller is not used by the DON. 

Also, honestly speaking why would a mutliple CL, league and a world cup winning player come to a club with no identity, no european football, no guarantees of european football for the coming future. That would be one major step back in his career graph. So I dont have much hope, if any.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Don't understand why people are so adamant to sell off Fabregas. He can be a very useful player if in the right system. You need top options. Fabregas provides that. 

[Essien19 1,415]

Muller is going to stay, Pep's not, Ancelotti won't bench Mulller, not against these kind of opponents.
Sidelining Muller in such a game looks like a proper sabotage mission, Pep cares too much for getting his Spanish treble done;
lost all their first games against Spanish opposition in the semis. Very well done!