ES Soccer Thread

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

For anyone sensible that didn't stay up the wee hours this AM. (Or watch yesterday evening out in the US.).  With the usual caveat of 'it's still only a pre-season workout'- 

Despite the unlucky 2-3 reverse, that was a hugely entertaining, very competitive game for a friendly. On an absolutely atrocious pitch. (Newly laid over the normal field turf. And it sadly showed. BADLY!). Played out in ridiculous heat. It was apparently pushing 100 D Fahrenheit at times. (37 C or so.). And barely dropped out of the 30's in our parlance all night long. Every last player who participated was absolutely drenched in sweat. MASSIVE props for them all for putting on such an entertaining, fast paced spectacle in those conditions. 

A great fitness training exercise as everything really stepped up another level this pre-season. And the first time we've gone longer than two 45 minute teams this summer with the 10 outfield players from the first XI going for 58/59 minutes. Which, ironically, cost the result as Dortmunds 8 changes at half-time took advantage when all our legs had gone to score two quick second-half goals that were the difference. Excellent, quick, one/ two touch passing the majority too which added to the fitness workout. 

Very few negatives to take from a historic, first ever game of 'proper' football at one of the most iconic and important stadiums in the US for 'your' version of 'football.' *Smiles.. At one of the most iconic and important US Universities. Notre Dame. 

A few stand-outs-

Mignolet. I'd be remiss to not give one of my least favourite Reds massively deserved props when he warrants them. Made at least three absolutely top drawer saves. Nottin he could have done with any goal. Distribution was great all night. Only lad to play the full 90 and as the senior goalie right now, leading by example in a terrific outing. 

Talking senior players- 

Joe Gomez/ Fabinho/ Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: JMG was as imperious as ever the back against top quality pre-season opposition. Kudos to him for the early return this summer. That's certainly paying off already with the question being asked of who starts alongside big Virg the Charity Shield? Rivalling at worst Matip stride for stride this summer/ Not mentioned Fabinho yet this pre-season but he's played every game like it was Madrid. And his top form of the second half of last year has continued. Perfect all around #6, as we view one/ Oxo-Chambo. Getting stronger and stronger. And it's showing with improved display's by the game. Really started to flash last night. MASSIVE bonus to have him back. For all the talk of no new, top players being added to the squad, there's a living, breathing, technicolour example of just that who's upgraded the group since last year. 

And the youngsters continue to impress- 

The open LB battle was skewed a little with the return of Andy Robbo. Larouci played the hour there. Then Lewis, showing his versatility and competency to slot in all over the park as he has regularly at youth level, having a storming half-hour the left of the midfield three. Pluses and minuses from both. Yasser super going forward again. And some of his recovery tackles and work-rate were very pleasing to see. But the most he's struggled this summer defensively with the massive step up in opposition quality. (Naturally. Given he's 18 and a one-year FB learning the position.). Adam's versatility and composure/ vision on the ball will just aid what we so highly value across the squad. I make him, as he should be, winning this battle through the three games to date. Massively pleasing to see the step-up hasn't phased either. 

Kent/ Wilson. Still don't see much of any future for either here as regards the first team. But both continued their excellent pre-season topped off with a great Wilson goal. Which Kent played a big part of the build-up with a very intelligent dummy making the space in behind and taking out Hummels I think it was of all people. Hopefully, if they are to leave, clubs are watching and will be willing to pay the price. Two talented kids who will have a decent career. Just have to wonder where they get any sniff of a chance the top bracket level we're now at?

Jones/ Woodburn. Again, you wonder where they get a chance given the high calibre of midfield options? But there's no need to give up on either yet given their younger age. And both continued very promising pre-seasons with another excellent half-hours workout. Massively pleasing to see Ben in particular playing with a smile on his face again after the confidence draining experience he had last year down at Sheff Utd. High level loans for both, if we can find the right club that play a similar style to ourselves, look like the next beneficial step for the pair before the window shuts. 

Mbappe. Uhmmm, I mean Rhian Brewster. Can he stop scoring and playing so well pre-season? Hard to keep him an in-house 'secret' when he's hogging the headlines every game! Held his own relatively well again against another big step up in opposition quality. And to have the confidence to both get in on the penalty ahead of all the senior pros, and then blam it away the top bin .....  4 goals, 1 assist and counting through two halves and 30 minutes of football this summer. This one's an absolute diamond who is going to shock a Hell of a lot of people this season.

Negatives- 

Sloppy defending the first goal from Clyne. Same the two early the second half but that was more down to everyone just being totally goosed and legs going before the revitalised changes. 

And a mad, over officious referee who was throwing yellow cards around like it was a European Cup final important game. What was all that about?

Alll in all a very good workout from a highly enjoyable game against our friends from Dortmund. 

Onto Boston today and similar again against Sevilla Sunday night. 

Up the ticking over nicely Reds!

 

Hail. 

Edited July 20, 2019 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

*For anyone more sensible than I who didn't stay up .....

Well that was unexpected for a 'friendly' .....

Who knew Sevilla players were as thuggish ****houses as Sevilla bizzies?

 

https://streamja.com/g4rZ
 

Absolutely disgraceful attitude from them all game long. Enabled by a seriously weak referee who lost control of the game from the kick-off. The assault (no other word for it) on Larouci is despicable enough by itself. But that had been building all game long as the challenges just got dirtier and dirtier. How Banega for one stayed on for the elbow on Wilson the end of the first half is anyones guess? Just one snide tattle after another. And the irony of them haranguing the ref to book our lads the other way wasn't lost on anyone. Milner, rightly, looked like he was going to explode being interviewed after. The fume on his face was palpable. MASSIVE credit to Liverpool for keeping their calm and not retaliating. 

Don't really feel like talking about the performance after such a snide, hatchet job against them but I guess we should. 

The Reds looked very leggy tonight. But then playing during the hottest day in Boston for 28 years, coming less then 48 hours after the sapping record heat in Indiana Friday, on top of the relentless training (as per pre-season the game was our second 'session' of the day); tired legs were to be expected. Some good. Some not so good. Just a typical beneficial pre-season workout that turned out to have far more of an edge, and be a lot more physical, to be polite, than anyone ever expected. Wise to go back to two separate half teams today all things considered in those conditions. 

Kudos to 35-year-old Andy Lonergan. Picked up as a free agent camp body last Monday to cover the 'keeper crisis. 6 days later he's playing for Europe's best. Lad must be pithing himself. And he never put a foot wrong. Belter one-on-one stop. Good handling/ distribution. Solid the air. Could do nottin' with the goal. Well done Sir. Much more of that and, dependent on what happens with Mignolet before the close of the window, you may just stick around for a veteran presence. 

Some real sloppy defending first half. Of which van Dijk was one of the biggest culprits. He is human after all. Go figure?. With, in turn, poor protection from the midfield. Just the whole shape and positioning was out of synch. But hey, very beneficial to have these lapses pre-season to learn from and know what needs ironing out in training so no real concern there. 

Woodburn and Wilson looked lively first-half again. Of the youngsters the second, Lewis stood out with both his intelligent positioning and passing/ vision when he was in midfield. And his solid defensive work when he dropped back after the despicable assault on Yasser. Thoughts and prayers are with him that it's not as bad an outcome as it looked his right leg when he was stretchered off. He'd looked great again going forward up to that point. Curtis Jones had another tidy outing. With Kent probably the pick of both halves. Some super attacking bursts forward from him. Still a ways short of our standards like but you. can certainly see the difference in his development his year playing mens football in Scotland. Toughest games of pre-season thus far for Hoever and Brewster. Not that either were bad. Just up and down against very physical opponents. The experience will serve them well. 

Meh display overall with the result immaterial. But a very beneficial one nonetheless at this stage. 

As for Sevilla ..... they can just F do one! 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Still fuming over Sevilla's despicable approach last night. 

 

I half get wanting to make a name for yourself against the European champions, but that was a meaningless friendly for Petes sake! Sevilla were an absolute disgrace. And that’s being polite. Should have had at least 2 straight reds. (Oxo-Chambo was lucky he didn’t suffer injury through another shocking ‘tattle.’). Along with more if double yellows had been handed out as they should have been. (Wilson’s face didn’t look good at all after a typical, snide, South American elbow from Banega. Who was on a yellow at the time. All from a nothing confrontation the touch-line with neither player going anywhere.). Along with all the throwing themselves like they’d been shot if anyone breathed on them and the constant surrounding of the ref screaming for cards the other way. (Who was woefully inadequate to cope with Sevilla’s intimidation. He should have clamped down on their snide B/S early. But instead let it get out of hand fast.).

They ironic thing was when they actually played football they looked as tidy as they always do. But the rest of their antics were flat out disgraceful. Even the lads ‘apology’ for his Sunday league assault on Larouci reads like he intentionally went out to do him.

I’m all for physical games of footie within reason but I can’t recall ever seeing such a thuggish attitude like last night in a ‘friendly’ we’ve ever played. Christ knows why they tipped up like that?

If that’s gonna be their attitude under Lopetegui, God help teams that face them in La Liga and the Europa this season.

 

Good to read the media at large today rightly condemning them too. 

 

A selection-

Writing for ESPN, Melissa Reddy-

'It will be the tackles that live long in the memory from the encounter rather than the goals.'

Liverpool.com’s Kristian Walsh-

'There are no words for the cowardice of his challenge on Yasser Larouci. Larouci, 18, without a senior minute to his name. It is something few will forget. After a fantastic weekend, it is a shame it will be remembered in the short-term for the night everything boiled over.'

The Mirror’s Chris McKenna-

'Somebody should have told Sevilla that the outcome of this match didn’t matter. Because, judging by the way they launched into tackles, it looked like they were playing for the European Cup.'

Tthe Daily Mai's Dom King-

'The behaviour of some Sevilla players was disgraceful and it was a surprise that they only had one man sent-off.'

Klopp was his usual, diplomatic self after but I'd venture we won't be playing the Andalusians in a 'friendly' again anytime soon. 

Onto mercifully cooler NY and Sporting Thursday.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

https://twitter.com/neiljonesgoal/status/1153311127629193218?s=20

Relieving to read.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Bascombe saying tonight we will make a first team signing before the windows out. First of anyone reliable the local beat guys and girls to openly come out with that. 

Farnandes? Pépé? Sancho in a Keita-esq deal a year in advance? (Would that count?) Some lad nobody's ever heard of?

The plot thickens .....

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-still-dark-over-fifa-16629506

What the actual F are FIFA playing at?

It's been bad enough checking daily for dates and not being able to look at making any travelling plans until they're announced. But the club hasn't officially been invited yet?!!!!!

You couldn't make this up if you tried.

 

Hail. 

[Berggy9598]

Nobody pubs their footballers like Brazil, and in a country that has produced more world class players than any in the world, there was only one they dubbed "O Fenomeno." If you never had the chance to watch him play, this was arguably the best striker to ever play the game. He had explosion and balance that could have allowed him to be a decent NFL running back, as well incredible control and finishing. Absolute tragedy he was held back by injuries but still had a great career. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool/liverpool-fc-sepp-van-den-berg-clearance-sporting-lisbon-clash-a4196521.html

This is getting beyond ridiculous now. Do FIFA shut down for the summer? He'll have been here a month this Thursday and still waiting. 

Frigging bureaucracy man.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

7 weeks, 3 days on and still buzzing off being the best team in all of Europe. 

This is a fantastic video with Klopp and Pep reacting to viral videos on the road to Madrid and genuine surprise at things they don't get to see and the enormity of the club they lead. The reactions are boss along with the insight and humour. 

Really cool watch. The club couldn't be in better hands. 

 

 

 

Hail. 
 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Great news as it looked like it was fixing to be way worse- 

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/358002-yasser-larouci-injury-latest

Hopefully, Sporting will be far less aggressive the early hours of Thursday morning.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Jordan Henderson revealing that he asked both Klopp and Milner to lift the European Cup with him- THAT'S a proper, selfless L'pool Captain! 

James Milner response: 'If anyone other than you picks up that trophy they are getting ****ing wrestled to the ground!- THAT'S a proper L'pool Vice-Captain! 

Mad how some folk still want van Dijk to wear the armband when we have two lads ahead of him who embody everything, on and off the pitch, you could ever wish for in a Liverpool captain/ leader. 

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

WOOT! Sepp's FINALLY received his clearance! 

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/358110-sepp-van-den-berg-clearance-sporting

I was struggling to stay up in this oppressive heat but I'm wide awake now!

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

FINALY! 

https://www.fifa.com/news/fifa-club-world-cup-qatar-2019-to-be-played-from-11-to-21-december

Semi Wednesday the 18 Dec. Final three days later Sat’day 21. Just one league game lost so that’s not too bad at least.

 

Hail.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/358354-liverpool-fc-confirm-signing-of-harvey-elliott

 

 The summer of sound future proofing Europe’s best continues.

Welcome mate. Just look at Trent and Rhian for that open door to where you crave to be. But, as the manager brilliantly noted this pre-season, we only open it for you. YOU have to walk through it by yourself. 

Work hard. Do exactly as your coaches ask. And your childhood dream to play for the Reds will be realised before too long. 

Oh yeah, get the barbers and sort that show out! And lose the earings. This is Liverpool. Yers not a tart! 

*Old arse me.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Love that young Mr Elliott is straight into the group up in Edinburgh today and then out to France tomorrow for the week long camp in Evian where pre-season REALLY starts with the band all back together save for Sadio. Get him a taste of what's expected from the get-go to survive at the very top level with the standards we require. 

Good to be back home after another really successful tour to the States ending in NY the other day with the draw against Sporting. Sidenote from that game- If that was Bruno Fernandes 'auditioning' in front of Klopp, he passed with flying colours! Everything Sporting do goes through him. Started the left but had licence to drift. Super playmaking and vision. Works hard defensively. Loves a mad web from outside the box. An all-round, top midfielder who fits what we do. Even with the caveat of it being a friendly, that was a real high energy, intelligent 82 minute display. 

Enjoyable end to the tour that one with the tempo real high through out from both sides with a combination of the much cooler temperature in NY from the record heat in South Bend and Boston. And it helped we couldn't train the day before/ the morning as we do pre-season so lads legs weren't as leggy as they naturally have been the other two games. And the strongest available XI that went the longest. Things are really starting to get serious now. 

Lot of plusses out of the States despite no wins. Both on the pitch from a fitness POV under the extreme conditions. With some good experience for the younger lads. Whilst all the work off it went down a storm yet again with our American friends. The BOSS gigs looked, well, boss with everyone packed in signing along with Webster. Pity about the Clyne injury and Sevilla deciding to tip up and try decapitate everything in a red shirt but all-in-all a beneficial 9 days. 

As noted previously, its hard to really judge much of anything from the actual games with the lack of so many top players along with the intensity of the training in the heat tiring legs. The game is in effect just another training session. That said, a few things I took from it- 

Origi. Man what confidence does for a lad huh? Really pleasing and noticeable how his movement in the box has improved. Adding a 6-yard-box poacher side to his game is most welcome. 

Brewster. Kid belongs. Kid's on the path to be a genuine superstar. 

Kent and Wilson. Sadly, they don't. Not at our level anyway. Sure they'll both have solid careers as both are tidy, exciting players. But we've moved on massively. They haven't. Similarly, Woodburn looked back to where he was but still a ways short of doing anything here. But he is younger so there's time yet. 

Hoever/ Lewis/ Larouci. With the versatility of Milner and JMG in the short term, there's why we haven't panicked into buying specific FB cover. All stepped up great and didn't look out of place. 

Mignolet. Is what he is. Some brilliant. Some the furthest thing from that. It's not like watching different players watching him and Alisson. It's like watching a completely different sport at times when the balls at his feet! But hey, I can live with him for another year whilst Kamil get's the experience nd hopefully continues his very promising development to date. 

Oxo-Chambo. Slowly getting stronger as the weeks go on. Touch wood but that's a massive addition from last year right there. 

Onto Edinburgh this tea-time and Napoli.

 

Hail. 

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

No wins in 4! 3 of those defeats! A 0-3 reverse to Napoli! BIN THEM ALL! GET YOUR HEAD OUT YER ARSE KLOPP AND MAKE SOME SIGNINGS OR WE WON'T EVEN MAKE THE TOP 4! FSG OUT! ..... The internet/ social media really is a great case study on the mentally insane getting SO bent out of shape with extended pre-season workouts. 

Meanwhile in the rational, relaxed World .....


Well that was a boring, tedious exercise huh until the kids came on and livened up the last 30? Reminiscent of proper old-school pre-season kick-arounds where nobody was ever particularly arsed outside of getting back into shape. Which this pre-season is turning into as a whole results wise. We used to suffer some hilarious defeats at some proper ****e the friendlies back in the glory years through some of out greatest ever sides. But nobody was ever remotely arsed as you knew they'd get it right come opening day. Which, ultimately, is ALL that matters. Being at it next Sunday against City for the first of 7 chances of silverware this season. Loved Klopp joking after saying (paraphrasing) 'Well at least City won't have a clue what to expect as we don't have a bloody clue what we're doing right now.' Which pretty much summed today up so the less said on it the better. 

Kudos to the youngsters again though. 

Hoever looks a complete Dutch natural in a long line whichever side he plays. Totally unfazed at LB. It's like a younger version of JMG with his versatile competency to fill in right across the back 4. But with the added bonus of a proper attacking outlet going forward from FB. 

Sepp looked very tidy on the ball again his 12 minutes in that aesthetically pleasing, elegant Dutch style they all seem to have. But not under any pressure defensively so not much more to add there. 

Wilson continues his fine pre-season but I still don't see him being here if a high enough offer comes in before a week Thursday. 

Brewster continues to shine and do all the right things. 

And talk about Harvey Elliott living the dream! Liverpool fan. Liverpool player. Liverpool debutant at 16. And fearless with it. Very tidy little display to wet the intriguing appetite on him. The 23's have a very useful, quality addition while he continues to grow and develop by the looks of things. 

So, 6 down, 1 left in Geneva Wednesday before we can put this pre-season to bed and get things up and running at Wembley next Sunday afternoon. With our pre-season properly starting tomorrow when they go out for a week of intense three-a-days in the seclusion of Evian with the return of the last 5 big names out of 6 left. Two of which, Keita and big Shaq, are already back in training apparently.

Amongst all the doom and gloom of those who madly put serious stock on half-baked kick-arounds in the summer, it's starting to come together now the bands all but back together. 

Roll on the CS!

 

Hail. 

[Berggy9598]

13 hours ago, Gibbs Hog Heaven said:

Love that young Mr Elliott is straight into the group up in Edinburgh today and then out to France tomorrow for the week long camp in Evian where pre-season REALLY starts with the band all back together save for Sadio. Get him a taste of what's expected from the get-go to survive at the very top level with the standards we require. 

Good to be back home after another really successful tour to the States ending in NY the other day with the draw against Sporting. Sidenote from that game- If that was Bruno Fernandes 'auditioning' in front of Klopp, he passed with flying colours! Everything Sporting do goes through him. Started the left but had licence to drift. Super playmaking and vision. Works hard defensively. Loves a mad web from outside the box. An all-round, top midfielder who fits what we do. Even with the caveat of it being a friendly, that was a real high energy, intelligent 82 minute display. 

Very magnanimous and sporting of you to lavish Bruno Fernandes with such praise. Much respect to you sir. 

 

Jokes aside, he was very emotional after Sporting’s friendly today so for all intents and purposes it appeared to be his last match one way or another. 

[Berggy9598]

Well Ben Woodburn gets to play football in one of the most beautiful and unique (providing you stay away from the east side) cities in the world. Watch that pub crawl the night before a match though. 

[Old Bay]

For anyone who might want to follow the rest of the English Football League there's a podcast called "Not the Top 20" that is worth a listen.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Well that was a belter performance to put pre-season to bed. Funny how when the band's all but back together, along with reasonable temperatures and next to no travelling, everything goes up a couple of levels and L'pool start looking somewhat like the best side in Europe again huh?

Alisson getting an hour back at it, along with Mo and Nabby a half and big Shaq and Bobby, back with a quality goal, getting a good half hour was just the tonic before the big kick-off Sunday. All looking like they'd never been away and not just returned this past Monday. Lallana throwing the fitness concerns of everyone who ridiculously jumped on him for a dead-leg, that cost him a mere one game this pre-season, back in their reactionary faces with another highly assured display as a controlling, play-making #6. In certain games this year he's looking like a cracking option in this new role for him. As always, you caveat it with 'it's just another training session that happens to be a friendly game.' But the real pleasing aspect was the intensity, pressing and creative, inventive one/ two touch football never dropped for the whole 90 after a shaky first 10. Even with a completely new team on the hour. 

All the kids doing themselves no harm again. Particularly Hoever, who celebrated his first pro-contract today at 17-years-of-age with another real mature outing:358760-ki-jana-hoever-signs-new-long-term-liverpool-fc-contract (What a year that young man has had BTW Stolen from Ajax. then a rapid rate of standout progress from the 18's through the 23's to being our third youngest debutant at 16 back in January the Cup at Wolves.). I have little doubt he'll be the de-facto back-up to Trent not long into this season at this rate if he isn't already. Allowing JMG to resume the best CH partnership across Europe before too much longer. (I'd figure on Matip starting the year as a reward for the second half of last season and continuity. But he's got a serious fight to remain there with Joe's imperious form all summer.). The future-proofing back there with him and Sepp ..... Oranje is DEFO the way forward.

Talking of the future, just how in the heck have Fulham managed to keep Harvey Elliott under wraps? 16-years-old, and playing with absolutely NO fear for the European Champions. Looking like a natural at his boyhood club. (https://www.thisisanfield.com/2019/07/born-a-red-new-signing-harvey-elliott-posts-brilliant-throwback-photo-as-a-kid/). No wonder Fulham are pushing for a record tribunal fee for this hidden gem. One touch passing. Beating 3/4 lads at a time. Intelligent decision making/ movement. Rapid ..... At 16? In that environment? Bloody Hell!!!!! ..... Just stunned I don't even remember Harvey become the PL's youngest ever debutant last season as he looks to have a limitless ceiling. Ridiculous half hour to go along with what he showed Sunday when he came on. No wonder they've got him straight into training at Melwood with the first team like van den Berg. 

Special mention to Larouci playing again. And playing well both ends of the park again. A mere 10 days after the brutal assault on him by Sevilla. That was great to see and thank the Lord for him getting lucky there. And a belter of a 30-yard goal for the continually perplexing, if highly talented, Harry Wilson. Still expecting someone to meet the £25 million valuation before next Thursday's deadline and him to move on. Still don't think he's good enough for the very top level L'pool are now at. But man alive all he does, no matter how quiet he is in games, like this evening against Lyon, is score and assist. A real paradox that one. 

Two more days intense three a-day's in South-East France and then we can put a nail totally in pre-season 2019. That's seen a lot of positives along with some 'meh' games and results. 

Then the proper stuff starts in earnest with what should be a real competitive CS between two managers who won't want to lose face to each other. With a real chance to put down a marker, against the other team, for the only two clubs with any realistic ambition in this league again the coming season. 

Oh yeah, and the small matter of our first chance of 7 this season to win silverware. 

Roll on Sunday. Europes best are ticking over nicely for the season opener. 

Can. Not. WAIT!

 

Hail. 

Edited August 1, 2019 by Gibbs Hog Heaven

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

On 7/12/2019 at 3:31 AM, Long n Left said:

 .....

 

The future is most definitely Oranje! 
 

 

Why the best young talent across Europe wants to come here. That open pathway if you're good enough to grasp it with both hands.

We open that first-team door whatever your age ..... The very best ones will walk though it by themselves.

 

Hail. 

[Berggy9598]

If the Bruno Fernandes deal finally gets over the line I'll be light a cigar happy. Him and AWB will be tremendous bits of business IMO. I don't like paying a silly premium for Harry Maguire, and I think he's not worth that price but probably a better player than what the general consensus among English footy fans would suggest. This United have to have leading English players because la dee da is a ridiculous gimmick and we'll do well to realize that trying to emulate anything SAF did will never apply in real life. Earlier in the window I would have been happy for Leicester to outprice us but it's too late in the window now to look at other options so whatever, Maguire it is.

 

As for Dybala, I've seen this movie before and didn't like the ending. He's a tremendous talent if deployed correctly, but he doesn't want to play in England, much less for United. If Juventus want to pay 70 mil for Lukaku, you get it done before the hallucinogenics they are obviously on wear off and see what you can do in the last couple of weeks of the window. Wissam Ben Yeder has been mentioned as a target on multiple occasions this window and I'd be more than ok with him replacing Lukaku for now. Save the leftover cash and put it toward a big time attacker if we finish top 4. I just can't see Dybala working out for United even though I'm a big fan of his. 

 

For me West Ham have had a superb window they should be right up there in the discussion for "best of the rest". Both Fornals and Haller are tremendous players IMO that they may sell for a profit at some point in the future. Leicester scored a coupled of very nice coups with Perez and Tielemans. If there was ever any doubt about the PL being the best league in the world it should be long gone by now. Best single purchase for me so far is either Rodri to City or Ndombele to Spurs. 

Edited August 2, 2019 by Berggy9598

[FanboyOf91]

I give it two months until Chelsea fans turn toxic towards him.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Leicester and Brendan have played an absolute blinder with this Maguire deal. 

Never discount the propensity for a desperate fool to be parted from his money.

 

Hail.

[Berggy9598]

8 hours ago, Gibbs Hog Heaven said:

Leicester and Brendan have played an absolute blinder with this Maguire deal. 

Never discount the propensity for a desperate fool to be parted from his money.

 

Hail.

The same fool that is inexplicably about to swap Lukaku for Dybala? Not a fan of the Maguire deal but the rest of the window more than makes up for it. 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Berggy9598