Everything Soccer

[fightingirish26]

Best player, most valuable, whatever. Just give it to Van Dijk until his legs fall off. He's played every single minute in the last two years and there is zero chance without him Liverpool win #6 and #19. If he had gone to City....yikes. You may as well hope you come in second becasue it's the best you'd be able to do.

City finished with 81 points on the season, including nine losses, which is staggering to me. If it was any other team, the pundits in England would be screaming about what a massive underachievement it was. Let's not use injuries as an excuse either for the most expensive side ever assembled. They scored 102 goals this year, more than last.

If they don't win Champions League, I can't imagine the pressure there is going to be on them next season, especially if they're truly planning on 4-5 new signings on top of it. Surely no one is on the way out either. Stones maybe?

Crazy times we're living in. I'm happy Liverpool got a league this year. With City and Chelsea likely spending like crazy this window, things could be a tad rougher down the line.

I can't quite understand how that team lost that many matches when it seemed like they would beat everyone 4-0 or 5-0 every week. Long season with the shutdown. I'd have to look back and glimpse at the fixtures, but they had to have been severely unlucky.

I think the successes of the past couple years have given Pep/City somewhat of a pass this year. Definitely increases the pressure for next year. We've also nabbed a league cup this year and the CL dream is still alive. Compare that to United who have a higher wage bill/absurdly expensive squad and have been comparatively shit and have no recent success to point to.

The 9 losses are absolutely inexcusable, but pretty much every one has been a confirmation of the weaknesses we already knew we had. I guess that's in a way comforting, since we know exactly what we need to address. Also crazy that we finished 19 behind Liverpool but ended up with a 15 better goal difference. 5-0, 6-0, 0-1 is the story of the season I guess.

As far as no one on the way out, idk what you're talking about really.

Sane out -> Ferran Torres in
Otamendi/Stones out plus we never really replaced Kompany -> Garcia now fully in the first team, plus possibly Koulibaly/Ake in.
David Silva out -> Foden going to be a regular next year
Maybe Zinchenko out -> need to find a quality left back somewhere

 

[Rogue219]

They dropped at least 10 points that are completely inexcusable to Norwich (3), Southampton (3), Crystal Palace (2), and Newcastle (2). On the reverse fixture, Man City outscored those teams a combined 14-1. Just inexcusable. While that wouldn't have changed much with 'Pool's season, would have at least things a bit more interesting.

Norwich
Southampton
Wolves twice
United twice
Liverpool
Spurs
Arsenal

Having added players and lost, who, Kompany?

Very interested to see what happens with Wolves. And Eddie Howe, does he stay with Bournemouth to try and get them back up? I think Howe could go to a club like Leceister and do quite well for himself.

I think someone is going to overpay for Koulibaly and Nathan Ake this window. City could get one or both if they wanted. I'd actually be okay with that.

Chelsea are making moves. United I guess we'll see. Rumors are Dortmund rejected a bid for Sancho (they have Greenwood so why get Sacho? Go for a defender). Mourinho at Spurs for a full season will be pure entertainment.

I doubt Liverpool does much of anything. I think they'll see if they can and bring along some kids for next year. Werner would have been perfect but I think they need to focus on a midfielder and center back for depth. Maybe a fullback.

Covid is going to make this interesting for everyone but City and Chelsea.

 

[fightingirish26]

Norwich
Southampton
Wolves twice
United twice
Liverpool
Spurs
Arsenal

Having added players and lost, who, Kompany?

Very interested to see what happens with Wolves. And Eddie Howe, does he stay with Bournemouth to try and get them back up? I think Howe could go to a club like Leceister and do quite well for himself.

I think someone is going to overpay for Koulibaly and Nathan Ake this window. City could get one or both if they wanted. I'd actually be okay with that.

Chelsea are making moves. United I guess we'll see. Rumors are Dortmund rejected a bid for Sancho (they have Greenwood so why get Sacho? Go for a defender). Mourinho at Spurs for a full season will be pure entertainment.

I doubt Liverpool does much of anything. I think they'll see if they can and bring along some kids for next year. Werner would have been perfect but I think they need to focus on a midfielder and center back for depth. Maybe a fullback.

Covid is going to make this interesting for everyone but City and Chelsea.

With Bournemouth relegated, I think someone is going to get Ake on the cheap

 

[Rogue219]

I think the successes of the past couple years have given Pep/City somewhat of a pass this year. Definitely increases the pressure for next year. We've also nabbed a league cup this year and the CL dream is still alive. Compare that to United who have a higher wage bill/absurdly expensive squad and have been comparatively shit and have no recent success to point to.

Clearly, they've gotten a pass. To go from a domestic treble to a League Cup and 9 losses with barely a peep? Big clubs don't survive that from the pundits. They already established domestic dominance. The only things that should truly matter to them are League titles and Europe. Champions League is the mountain they need to climb

The 9 losses are absolutely inexcusable, but pretty much every one has been a confirmation of the weaknesses we already knew we had. I guess that's in a way comforting, since we know exactly what we need to address. Also crazy that we finished 19 behind Liverpool but ended up with a 15 better goal difference. 5-0, 6-0, 0-1 is the story of the season I guess.

The attack is remarkable. I think over the years most teams are beat before kickoff. Only way you're going to survive is to have a go. Wolves has a go and it works for them.

As far as no one on the way out, idk what you're talking about really.

A year ago. Going into this season. Other than Kompany, who left prior to the sart of 2019/20? I can't believe Kompany cost them that much of a drop in points

Sane out -> Ferran Torres in

Licketty split.

Otamendi/Stones out plus we never really replaced Kompany -> Garcia now fully in the first team, plus possibly Koulibaly/Ake in.

Stones needs to go. That's a parting of ways that should benefit both parties.

You're buying high on Kouliably and I don't know how good Ake really is.

David Silva out -> Foden going to be a regular next year

Foden looks like the real deal.

Maybe Zinchenko out -> need to find a quality left back somewhere

For what they have spent on fullbacks in recent windows, yowzers. Maybe coach somebody who is already there? I mean, it isn't my money and Lord knows they have it, but at some point when does it stop?

What the academy like?

.

 

[Rogue219]

With Bournemouth relegated, I think someone is going to get Ake on the cheap

Their relegation should not matter. The market for his position has gone bananas. He's also 25 years old.

The CB market started to get loopy when Liverpool bought Van Dijk only to see Man United subsequently blow their wad on that slabhead Maguire. As a result, Napoli is sitting pretty on Koulibaly and Bournemouth relegated or not know that Ake is going to be in demand. That's $30M easy just to start talking.

Koulibaly is better than Maguire and pretty close to VVD's quality. Napoli knows damn well how desperate English Premier League clubs are for quality center backs. He's going to yield them a boat load of money and maybe have two more good years before he really declines. He's already in a statistical decline and he's pushing 30. It's a tough call, but if Klopp and Guardiola among others are rating him, you know he's good.

 

[fightingirish26]

.

We got 100 points with Fabian Delph as a left back and 99 with Zinchenko. Zinchenko will never be a left back and I think it's remarkable that he's even been able to do as well as he has.

Let's look at who we've spent the big bucks on at fb.

Walker - worth every penny and then some
Danilo - absolutely class, deserved to play more but Walker made that impossible
Cancelo - jury is still out, been a new player since the restart so I retain some optimism, we'll see

Mendy - injuries absolutley ruined him

Zinchenko and Angelino both played some minutes at left back, Zinchenko was cheap and is really an attacking mid, Angelino came from our academy, then to PSV and back on a buy back clause, we'll sell him again for big profit. Really hard to find world class left backs. No idea who is even a realistic target to bring in. Don't think it's reasonable to expect to produce a City quality left back from the academy.

 

[Rogue219]

We got 100 points with Fabian Delph as a left back and 99 with Zinchenko. Zinchenko will never be a left back and I think it's remarkable that he's even been able to do as well as he has.

Let's look at who we've spent the big bucks on at fb.

Walker - worth every penny and then some
Danilo - absolutely class, deserved to play more but Walker made that impossible
Cancelo - jury is still out, been a new player since the restart so I retain some optimism, we'll see

Mendy - injuries absolutley ruined him

Zinchenko and Angelino both played some minutes at left back, Zinchenko was cheap and is really an attacking mid, Angelino came from our academy, then to PSV and back on a buy back clause, we'll sell him again for big profit. Really hard to find world class left backs. No idea who is even a realistic target to bring in. Don't think it's reasonable to expect to produce a City quality left back from the academy.

Andrew Robertson, $9.9M from relegated Hull City. Still incredible.

Fullbacks and centerbacks are at a premium now. It really is something how that all blew up so fast.

Sadly, I think Jurgen Klopp is going to relive his own history. That two year run at Dortmund pissed Bayern Munich off something fierce and they've won every Bundesliga since. City and Chelsea are going to throw money everywhere now. City will pay their fine, Chelsea is off of their transfer ban and everyone else is going to bump the breaks on spending because of the pandemic.

 

[fightingirish26]

Andrew Robertson, $9.9M from relegated Hull City. Still incredible.

Fullbacks and centerbacks are at a premium now. It really is something how that all blew up so fast.

Sadly, I think Jurgen Klopp is going to relive his own history. That two year run at Dortmund pissed Bayern Munich off something fierce and they've won every Bundesliga since. City and Chelsea are going to throw money everywhere now. City will pay their fine, Chelsea is off of their transfer ban and everyone else is going to bump the breaks on spending because of the pandemic.

Yeah, the robertson coup is impressive, as much as his fake tough shtick is immensely unlikable. Majority of your roster is likeable, but just can't stand him. You have also been very fortunate to have both him and Trent play such a large volume of minutes without major injury. The dropoff is seemingly immense, same goes for the front 3.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Yeah, it sounds pretty assured United is getting Sancho (rumors have it it's done, but the press have to do their usual back and forth bull that they did with Bruno, Maguire, AWB, etc.). I've seen on some boards they are looking at getting Grealish or Van de Peek and a stud CB to pair up with Maguire. Although I think we need a CB more, we have no depth anywhere on the field. Any one of Martial, Rashford, Greenwood, or Fernandes go down, we're screwed. Igahlo, Dan James, and Lingard are decent, but not good enough to compete for Champion's League qualification every year.

Koulibaly is probably the second best CB in the world, so his name is going to get thrown out there. I've also heard Upamecano quite a bit, with some other smaller named ones.

Better news is getting rid of those players on stupid high wages or those who don't play. Alexis, Lingard, Phil Jones, Diogo Dalot will be probably all be gone.

 

[NorthDakota]

Andrew Robertson, $9.9M from relegated Hull City. Still incredible.

Fullbacks and centerbacks are at a premium now. It really is something how that all blew up so fast.

Sadly, I think Jurgen Klopp is going to relive his own history. That two year run at Dortmund pissed Bayern Munich off something fierce and they've won every Bundesliga since. City and Chelsea are going to throw money everywhere now. City will pay their fine, Chelsea is off of their transfer ban and everyone else is going to bump the breaks on spending because of the pandemic.

Pool's margin for error is pretty tight now. Other big clubs with much bigger checkbooks are ready to go.

I think the window is open for a couple more years without major changes. But Salah, Mane, Firmino are all about my age and I'm not confident they'll keep it up more than another year or two.

Midfield I think it'd be nice to get another body or two in there. Hendo is not going to be around forever, and Milner is an old man.

Hopefully Jurgen knows what he has in the young guys like Jones, Brewster, and Wilson. Would be nice to see one of them pan out.

Really would be nice to see Pool stick around at the top here. Hopefully they have leveraged the last 2-3 seasons into some staying power financially.

 

[fightingirish26]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/bt0X9bSBa3">pic.twitter.com/bt0X9bSBa3</a></p>— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevenMcinerney/status/1288134249250422784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Rogue219]

Yeah, the robertson coup is impressive, as much as his fake tough shtick is immensely unlikable. Majority of your roster is likeable, but just can't stand him. You have also been very fortunate to have both him and Trent play such a large volume of minutes without major injury. The dropoff is seemingly immense, same goes for the front 3.

I guess every club has a guy like that. I appreciated how he didn't back off in the second leg versus Barca last year. You really don't realize what a bunch of shithousing antics Barca pulls until you want them play a few against your club. Messi, Suarez. I'm glad they didn't win anything this year. I suppose Robertson is a guy you like if he plays for your club, which for me right now is fine.

Neco Williams is going to be a talent. I don't know if that pushes Trent to the midfield at some point, but he's good. I'd rather not see Gomez or Milner at fullback, but they can hold it down for a match or two if needed. There are some other academy talents at fullback, but it depends on who Klopp wants to sell and loan. Neco is clearly in the mix for the future. I think they need someone that can play both right and left back to cover, though.

 

[Rogue219]

Yeah, it sounds pretty assured United is getting Sancho (rumors have it it's done, but the press have to do their usual back and forth bull that they did with Bruno, Maguire, AWB, etc.). I've seen on some boards they are looking at getting Grealish or Van de Peek and a stud CB to pair up with Maguire. Although I think we need a CB more, we have no depth anywhere on the field. Any one of Martial, Rashford, Greenwood, or Fernandes go down, we're screwed. Igahlo, Dan James, and Lingard are decent, but not good enough to compete for Champion's League qualification every year.

Koulibaly is probably the second best CB in the world, so his name is going to get thrown out there. I've also heard Upamecano quite a bit, with some other smaller named ones.

Better news is getting rid of those players on stupid high wages or those who don't play. Alexis, Lingard, Phil Jones, Diogo Dalot will be probably all be gone.

The latest report I saw was Dortmund rejected their latest bid for Sancho and it was a significant bid.

Why do they need Sancho when they have Greenwood? He truly looks the part and wouldn't Sancho only block him from getting minutes?

 

[Rogue219]

Pool's margin for error is pretty tight now. Other big clubs with much bigger checkbooks are ready to go.

City and Chelsea. Everyone else is on pandemic wait and see.

I think the window is open for a couple more years without major changes. But Salah, Mane, Firmino are all about my age and I'm not confident they'll keep it up more than another year or two.

Your age would be 28, I assume, which Salah and Mane just turned. Bobby turns 29 this fall. That is prime for an athlete. With the physio staff Klopp has, they should get more than a year or two out of them.

Midfield I think it'd be nice to get another body or two in there. Hendo is not going to be around forever, and Milner is an old man.

Milner passes the fitness test every preseason first before everyone else. He's not being asked to start or play heavy minutes regularly. Why have "another body"? Not Klopp's style. Could they use someone with a bit more creativity and who can go on the attack? Sure. Still can't help but look at the record the last two years and realize what Hendo, Gini, Milner and Fabinho have accomplished. Fabinho is the goods. I look forward to seeing him break Bruno Fernandes in half this upcoming season.

Hopefully Jurgen knows what he has in the young guys like Jones, Brewster, and Wilson. Would be nice to see one of them pan out.

Jones will be around. I think Wilson gets sold. Brewster did everything possible to impress but does he fit the style Klopp would want? I can't see him consistently keeping pace with Salah and Mane up front.

Really would be nice to see Pool stick around at the top here. Hopefully they have leveraged the last 2-3 seasons into some staying power financially.

The Nike money would've been nice until Covid. Just won a title and have Champions League again. Another renovation was planned but, again, Covid could delay that. I still think Chelsea is a year away. United has to sort themselves out yet. Jose's window is going to be limited at Spurs because in only a matter of time they'll hate him. Liverpool and City will be the rivalry here until someone joins the fray. My guess is Chelsea in 2021/22 provided they can get some defending.

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[IHateMarkMay]

The latest report I saw was Dortmund rejected their latest bid for Sancho and it was a significant bid.

Why do they need Sancho when they have Greenwood? He truly looks the part and wouldn't Sancho only block him from getting minutes?

Greenwood can play up top. It really gives us four options for the three spots. I think Ole playing the same 11 for pretty much every game since the restart shows how much faith he has in our back ups and, as evident in the FA cup against Chelsea, the starting 11 were tired.

 

[Rogue219]

BREAKING Real Madrid star Mariano tests positive for coronavirus ahead of Man City clash

Will the "Null and Void" lot of Manchester and Everton rally to social media?

I'm guessing not. LOL

 

[Rogue219]

Greenwood can play up top. It really gives us four options for the three spots. I think Ole playing the same 11 for pretty much every game since the restart shows how much faith he has in our back ups and, as evident in the FA cup against Chelsea, the starting 11 were tired.

Sancho is a right winger. Greenwood, Martial and Rashford can all play across the front. One of them is the odd man out. You're not paying all that money for Sancho to sit him, but you don't want to limit Greenwood right now.

Bruno's first full season in the Premier League is going to be quite interesting. Especially after Boxing Day. Judgement on these players always comes in their second year. Salah went completely bonkers his first year at Liverpool. The regression to the mean was inevitable, and his regression was still pretty damn good.

Great player. I just don't think he sneaks up on anyone now.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Sancho is a right winger. Greenwood, Martial and Rashford can all play across the front. One of them is the odd man out. You're not paying all that money for Sancho to sit him, but you don't want to limit Greenwood right now.

Bruno's first full season in the Premier League is going to be quite interesting. Especially after Boxing Day. Judgement on these players always comes in their second year. Salah went completely bonkers his first year at Liverpool. The regression to the mean was inevitable, and his regression was still pretty damn good.

Great player. I just don't think he sneaks up on anyone now.

It is a lot of money, but I think they will have to rotate. Rashford is a great left winger, but (when Martial was out), he was okay as a lone striker. I can see Martial doing well at left wing, but he's best up top. Sancho could probably slide over and fill in for Fernandes if needed, but he's amazing at right wing. Greenwood, although he is amazing, still has some growing and learning to do. However, he can probably cover any spot up top and do exceedingly well at it.

Look at City for example. Gabriel Jesus could probably start on 90% of any team in the big leagues. However, a lot of games (at least that I see, correct me if I'm wrong please), he is coming off the bench. And if he starts, it's Foden coming off the bench. Both Foden and Jesus are getting a good big of playing time and it hasn't affected them yet.

Agreed on Fernandes, though. It'll be much different now that a lot of teams have defended against him and they can show others how to play against him.

It'll be an interesting season next season. Some teams are completely hammered due to Covid (Arsenal especially from the sounds of it), others have some money to spend. I'm seeing around $150m (before transfers out) for United, which could get us Sancho (probably 80m up front, 20-30m in bonuses), Grealish (50m+10-15m) or VdB (40m=10m), and a CB. The more deadwood we get out, the better.

 

[fightingirish26]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/bt0X9bSBa3">pic.twitter.com/bt0X9bSBa3</a></p>— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevenMcinerney/status/1288134249250422784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

doctored emails as well! lolololol

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turns out some of the leaked emails were manipulated or were sent before FFP was even a thing. The original leak made out as if they were after. Disgraceful from <a href="https://twitter.com/derspiegel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@derspiegel</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManCity?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManCity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FFP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FFP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAS</a> <a href="https://t.co/69eE0Vu8PA">pic.twitter.com/69eE0Vu8PA</a></p>— Hello City. (@HelloCity1894) <a href="https://twitter.com/HelloCity1894/status/1288145090536329218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Rogue219]

It is a lot of money, but I think they will have to rotate. Rashford is a great left winger, but (when Martial was out), he was okay as a lone striker. I can see Martial doing well at left wing, but he's best up top. Sancho could probably slide over and fill in for Fernandes if needed, but he's amazing at right wing. Greenwood, although he is amazing, still has some growing and learning to do. However, he can probably cover any spot up top and do exceedingly well at it.

I think with Greenwood, you can consider taking all of that Sancho money and going in for a keeper and another CB. Harry Maguire is not going to deliver a Premier League title unless he has someone really good with him.

Look at City for example. Gabriel Jesus could probably start on 90% of any team in the big leagues. However, a lot of games (at least that I see, correct me if I'm wrong please), he is coming off the bench. And if he starts, it's Foden coming off the bench. Both Foden and Jesus are getting a good big of playing time and it hasn't affected them yet.

I don't know that City is the best example when comparing....anyone.

Jesus is 23. Aguero is 32, has had some knocks the last few years and his contract is up in 2021. He's waiting in the wings to take Aguero's role as the Starting XI center forward. Foden is 20 and is a center mid.

Sancho means someone is going to lose out on time, and they're all young guys. My guess is Martial is the odd man out.

Agreed on Fernandes, though. It'll be much different now that a lot of teams have defended against him and they can show others how to play against him.

Really rated him when he was at Sporting Lisbon. From what I have seen so far in England, good player who likes to go to ground. Disappointing.

It'll be an interesting season next season. Some teams are completely hammered due to Covid (Arsenal especially from the sounds of it), others have some money to spend. I'm seeing around $150m (before transfers out) for United, which could get us Sancho (probably 80m up front, 20-30m in bonuses), Grealish (50m+10-15m) or VdB (40m=10m), and a CB. The more deadwood we get out, the better.

I honestly have no idea if any of this is even plausible.

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[IHateMarkMay]

.

Absolutely agree about another CB. Lindelof delivers occasionally, but he isn't great. Maguire is very good, but he's slow as crap. If you are running at him, you'll beat him.

It looks like the plan is Rashford, Martial, Sancho across the top three. Greenwood can cover best for Sancho and Martial. Get Grealish in, he can cover for Rashford and Fernandes if needed.

Fernandes (along with most soccer players now) go to ground way to easily. I think they need to start reviewing matches and fining players or give yellow cards after games if they see simulation. It's a yellow in the game, why can't they just review the match the next 24 hours and deal with it that way?

I think Sancho is for sure. I honestly think it's going to go back and forth in the media for a week or so then it'll be done. I think it's actually done between the clubs, but the media pushes narratives (spending 100m during a pandemic has to look like it's difficult to do, even though United has money. Dortmund have to make it seem like they are fighting for him so they don't look like a push over or they can be taken advantage of. The media will say United value him at X, Dortmund value him at Z, and back and forth and meet in the middle at Y).

Koulibaly is the best CB that can move. I'd love to have him, but I don't think MU go for him. All of their signings since Ole has taken charge have been 26 and under. Kouliably is 29. Upamacano is who I'd prefer, but Konate and Ake are also names I've heard. Not that I'm in the know, but I do frequent message boards like I do this one.

 

[NDShark]

Absolutely agree about another CB. Lindelof delivers occasionally, but he isn't great. Maguire is very good, but he's slow as crap. If you are running at him, you'll beat him.

It looks like the plan is Rashford, Martial, Sancho across the top three. Greenwood can cover best for Sancho and Martial. Get Grealish in, he can cover for Rashford and Fernandes if needed.

Fernandes (along with most soccer players now) go to ground way to easily. I think they need to start reviewing matches and fining players or give yellow cards after games if they see simulation. It's a yellow in the game, why can't they just review the match the next 24 hours and deal with it that way?

I think Sancho is for sure. I honestly think it's going to go back and forth in the media for a week or so then it'll be done. I think it's actually done between the clubs, but the media pushes narratives (spending 100m during a pandemic has to look like it's difficult to do, even though United has money. Dortmund have to make it seem like they are fighting for him so they don't look like a push over or they can be taken advantage of. The media will say United value him at X, Dortmund value him at Z, and back and forth and meet in the middle at Y).

Koulibaly is the best CB that can move. I'd love to have him, but I don't think MU go for him. All of their signings since Ole has taken charge have been 26 and under. Kouliably is 29. Upamacano is who I'd prefer, but Konate and Ake are also names I've heard. Not that I'm in the know, but I do frequent message boards like I do this one.

What board(s)?

 

[IHateMarkMay]

What board(s)?

Mostly reddit and united forum. Obviously you need to filter through the super optimistic and super pessimistic ones, but that's like every forum I know.

 

[Rogue219]

I still think next year will be a two team conversation. City just comes at you and blows your doors off with 4-0 wins. I still don't understand how they lost so many matches this year. Best way to play them is to have a go. You can lay back and try to absorb them for 90 minutes, but good luck.

Liverpool skins the cat a bit different. They just grind teams down. It was evident on Sunday versus Newcastle. Toons take a 1-0 lead early and then Liverpool just goes to work on them. Tie it up with a Virgil header and then continue to wear them down. 2-1, Origi. Then Klopp brings on Salah, Mane and Firmino off the bench. 3-1, Mane.

It's been that way all season. They'll grind you down 2-0 or 3-1 and do it patiently. Most other clubs outside of City will just get worn down and won't have enough to muster a counter attack. Very hard to contend with what Liverpool and City have right now.

Two team race as it stands now. Maybe a surprise. We'll see how the transfer window goes.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I still think next year will be a two team conversation. City just comes at you and blows your doors off with 4-0 wins. I still don't understand how they lost so many matches this year. Best way to play them is to have a go. You can lay back and try to absorb them for 90 minutes, but good luck.

Liverpool skins the cat a bit different. They just grind teams down. It was evident on Sunday versus Newcastle. Toons take a 1-0 lead early and then Liverpool just goes to work on them. Tie it up with a Virgil header and then continue to wear them down. 2-1, Origi. Then Klopp brings on Salah, Mane and Firmino off the bench. 3-1, Mane.

It's been that way all season. They'll grind you down 2-0 or 3-1 and do it patiently. Most other clubs outside of City will just get worn down and won't have enough to muster a counter attack. Very hard to contend with what Liverpool and City have right now.

Two team race as it stands now. Maybe a surprise. We'll see how the transfer window goes.

Absolutely, as it is right now, 'Pool and City are the top tier. However, a lot of transfers to be made. Looks like City is going all in for Torres, which should be a good signing. Not sure what Liverpool are doing, I believe Klopp said he'll keep transfers at a minimum (who could blame him, his team demolished the league last season).

 

[Rogue219]

Absolutely, as it is right now, 'Pool and City are the top tier. However, a lot of transfers to be made. Looks like City is going all in for Torres, which should be a good signing. Not sure what Liverpool are doing, I believe Klopp said he'll keep transfers at a minimum (who could blame him, his team demolished the league last season).

Torres is the replacment for Sane, ultimately. For me, nothing to see there. Very curious to see what they do on the back end of the park with CB.

Liverpool are going to be cutting loose a lot of wages with Lovern, Lallana and Clyne. Outbounds are going to be key. Maybe Sancho stays with Dortmund another year and waits. The Mbappe rumors don't seem to go away.

Should have been a great summer with a title, the Nike deal, but Covid has Liverpool on pause for now.

 

[notredomer23]

Torres is the replacment for Sane, ultimately. For me, nothing to see there. Very curious to see what they do on the back end of the park with CB.

Liverpool are going to be cutting loose a lot of wages with Lovern, Lallana and Clyne. Outbounds are going to be key. Maybe Sancho stays with Dortmund another year and waits. The Mbappe rumors don't seem to go away.

Should have been a great summer with a title, the Nike deal, but Covid has Liverpool on pause for now.

Some rumors Ederson is on his way out for a big fee and Steffen will replace. I love Steffen, and while he is EPL level, his distribution is not where it needs to be for a top 4 side.

 

[fightingirish26]

Some rumors Ederson is on his way out for a big fee and Steffen will replace. I love Steffen, and while he is EPL level, his distribution is not where it needs to be for a top 4 side.

Huh? I have seen those rumors absolutely nowhere, where did you hear that?

 

[notredomer23]

Huh? I have seen those rumors absolutely nowhere, where did you hear that?

I was more playing off the Mbappe rumor in terms of the unlikeliness of it happening. The only thing I've seen the last few days is twitter chatter from Chelsea fans hoping to spend 80MM on Ederson rather than 110MM on Oblak. There was more chatter about it on twitter before the FFP reversal, but with that happening it all but seals 1. is Ederson and 2. is Steffen.

 

[NorthDakota]

I was more playing off the Mbappe rumor in terms of the unlikeliness of it happening. The only thing I've seen the last few days is twitter chatter from Chelsea fans hoping to spend 80MM on Ederson rather than 110MM on Oblak. There was more chatter about it on twitter before the FFP reversal, but with that happening it all but seals 1. is Ederson and 2. is Steffen.

Was gonna say...would be odd to see a big name leave City at the moment, a young big name guy in particular.