The English Football Thread

[Kojo 4,676]

Completely different scenarios. Berbatov won the golden boot last year, plus he was already an established star before he moved; he was hardly a poor transfer, at the very worst, a bit underwhelming. Rio Ferdinand was an immensely successful transfer, he too had proven himself in England. Veron was a flop but he was a world class player when they signed him. Hargreaves was a brilliant player whenever he turned out for them, he was just a crock, that's the only reason he wasn't a good transfer. Carrick hasn't exactly been a flop, he's had his moments and he too had proven himself in England.

Anderson and De Gea were the only two transfers that were bought for potential ability, and at less than 20 million they come in a good 15 million cheaper than Lucas Moura, plus, they had proven their potential in a European league. Ferguson is right, its absolutely insane to spend that kind of money on a teenager who's never made his name in Europe. That's the difference between spending 30 million on Rooney and 35 million on Lucas Moura; Rooney had proven in England that he was a star of the future. Rooney's transfer fee was still exorbitantly high but he was the hottest property in Europe at the time.

No way are you saying Berbatov is a good buy?, he got about 9 goals in 30 odd games in his first two seasons then finally had a good season where he scored 20 goals, but he was still shit that season. He had a good first half when Nani was on fire, but then he got benched because of his poor performances, then next season was his worst season. For 30 odd million and the high expectation he has to be considered a flop.

Michael Carrick is never in a million years worth 18 million, never ever. And that's a lot of money for a DM.

Rio Ferdinand worth 30 million?, are you on drugs?. Ferdinand along with Jamie Carragher are the most overrated english CB's in history. Rio seemed that price at first because he was brilliant when he was younger but he doesn't reach 30 million for me. Hargreaves did perform he is not a flop, but he was a waste of money, and a lot of money.

[Jase 43,479]

Hannover's second goal, that backheel off a cross was awesome. Rooney dived in a friendly to get a pen lol. But, United's attack looks the bizness tbh.

What about their defence though? Last season, they started like a house on fire and banging in all the goals but was way too open defensively.

[Jype 6,398]

Everton just announced they have agreed a fee with Man City for Jack Rodwell. Anyone know how much they will pay for him? Not Man City quality imo, and with all the injury problems he's had I'd se he's not worth anything above £15m.

[Jase 43,479]

Everton just announced they have agreed a fee with Man City for Jack Rodwell. Anyone know how much they will pay for him? Not Man City quality imo, and with all the injury problems he's had I'd se he's not worth anything above £15m.

Somewhere around 15-20m apparently.

[diskoviolente 425]

That Rodwell deal seems to me as some sort snapshot buisness, buying for the sake of buying.

[Jase 43,479]

Phil McNulty ‏@philmcnulty

Rodwell to Man City done. Everton will get £12m down guaranteed and add-ons likely to bring another £5m.

[Shogun 721]

He's not good enough for Everton's side nevermind Man City's

[Jype 6,398]

He's not good enough for Everton's side nevermind Man City's

So I take it you're happy now he's gone? After all, your club did receive a hefty fee for him. Any news on his replacement or is someone from the youth team being promoted to take Rodwell's place?

[Shogun 721]

So I take it you're happy now he's gone? After all, your club did receive a hefty fee for him. Any news on his replacement or is someone from the youth team being promoted to take Rodwell's place?

I'm thrilled, never going to reach his potential and is injury prone. No real need for a replacement because he was never in the team as Fellaini and Gibson play in the double pivot role. Also we have Osman and if need must Neville who can play there along with youngsters coming through in Junior(who most people won't know of yet) and Barkley.

Hoping with the money we sign a back up striker for Jelavic, a right midfielder and if there is any money left in the pot then a right back but that isn't an major concern.

[capriccioso 2,545]

12 million sounds great for Everton, they could always use a bit of cash

I think City are at the stage we were at the start of Mourinho's 4th season in charge. The owners feel they've invested enough and its up to the manager now to make do with what he has.

If that keeps going for the next 2-3 seasons, they will find themselves in the same place we found ourselves after Bad Moment version Ancelotti. Hopefully they then keep messing up in the transfer window and enter Bad Moment version Villas-Boas.

[OneMoSalah 8,615]

12 million sounds great for Everton, they could always use a bit of cash

I think City are at the stage we were at the start of Mourinho's 4th season in charge. The owners feel they've invested enough and its up to the manager now to make do with what he has.

If that keeps going for the next 2-3 seasons, they will find themselves in the same place we found ourselves after Bad Moment version Ancelotti. Hopefully they then keep messing up in the transfer window and enter Bad Moment version Villas-Boas.

What where they keep all the old players who are past it and struggle to get someone to pay 3 million for someone like say.... Flo Malouda.... because he has about 100k wages? then they all go crazy like a bunch of idiots and end up destroying the team moral because they aren't playing and aren't happy? Ah the City downfall shall be a great one.

[capriccioso 2,545]

What where they keep all the old players who are past it and struggle to get someone to pay 3 million for someone like say.... Flo Malouda.... because he has about 100k wages? then they all go crazy like a bunch of idiots and end up destroying the team moral because they aren't playing and aren't happy? Ah the City downfall shall be a great one.

Milner can be their Malouda!

[OneMoSalah 8,615]

Milner can be their Malouda!

Or Barry, what a shit cunt he is.

[Kojo 4,676]

PSG STOP BUYING EVERYTHING

[capriccioso 2,545]

Lets look at their squad and the high paid dead wood:

Milner

Adebayor

Dzeko

A. Johnson

Santa Cruz

Barry

Bridge

De Jong/Rodwell

Kolarov

Boyata

That's going to be about ~700k a week that they're paying for players who're either shit in general or too shit to crack the starting XI.

I assume their line up will be:

Hart

Richards-Kompany-K.Toure-Zabaleta

Silva-Y.Toure-Rodwell-Nasri

Tevez-Aguero

Bench (likely to get a lot of game time)

Pantili-lol

Lescott

Clichy

Nasri

Milner

Balotelli

Dzeko

Depth/deadwood:

A. Johnson

Savic

Nielsen

Barry

Kolarov

De Jong

100% deadwood:

Adebayor

Santa Cruz

Boyata

Bridge

Compared with us in 2007:

Starters:

Cech

Paulo Ferreira-Carvalho-Terry-A.Cole

Essien-Ballack-Lampard

J.Cole-Drogba-Malouda

Bench:

Hilario

Alex

Belletti

Makelele

Mikel

Kalou

Anelka

Depth/deadwood:

Cudicini

Ivanovic

Bridge

Shevchenko

Utter wank:

Wright-Phillips

Sidwell

Ben-Haim

Sahar

Pizarro

Roughly the same as City.

[OneMoSalah 8,615]

100% deadwood:

Adebayor

Santa Cruz

Boyata

Bridge

See if Adebayor wasn't on such high wages, I reckon he'd be a good back up striker for us tbh. I really liked that Boyata kid as well, thought he would have a big future at City when he got games 2 seasons ago. Seems he won't play too often though, sadly.

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

Roughly the same as City.

as i once memorably said: "read your history, for history always repeats itslef!"

[capriccioso 2,545]

A. Johnson: Contracted to 2016, should be on about 70k.

Adebayor: Contracted to 2014, should be on 150k, at least.

Dzeko: Contracted to 2015, should be on 140k.

Santa Cruz: Contracted to 2013, should be on 90k.

Kolarov: Contracted to 2015, should be on 90k.

M. Johnson: Contracted to 2013, should be on 60k.

Barry: Contracted to 2014, should be on 130k.

Milner: Contracted to 2015, should be on 100k.

Bridge: Contracted to 2013. Out on loan, should be getting about 60k out of 80k from City, subsidised by the loanee.

That's 890,000 pounds a week they're bleeding for players who aren't first teamers, aren't really needed. 890! 46.280 million a year! We thought we had it bad, we probably never crossed more than ~650k in unnecessary wages.

890k is worth 5-6 world class players. They've really missed a trick.