Summer Transfer Window 2017 Thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Time to kickstart this baby...rumours that Kolasinac has signed a deal to go to Arsenal and that Inter are prepared to make Pochettino the highest paid manager in the world to take their job

[GSC]

L'equipe now claiming Mbappe has decided to leave

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Neymar is definitely a bloody good footballer in the elite category.

Also, why would you go get Lemar instead of Aguero?

[GSC]

Because you just paid 50m for a striker, why punt him to the wing over buying an actual wide player

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Lacazette can operate in/across the three, and it'll work even better if Wenger is sticking to the 3-4-3. Plus you just don't turn down quality like Aguero for a team who look like finishing 6th currently and just dropped out of the top four. For boosting the fans, a big name helps, and the image of the club as a whole, as well as the fact that Aguero is still world class and would be their best player.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Come to Besiktas

[Crimey]

Coutinho is seen as Iniesta's long term replacement, not Neymar's

Not even remotely in the same ballpark.

I mean who is? I don't think there is a single player with Iniesta's quality (at his peak) currently in football.

[GSC]

I just don't see the point of paying that money for Laca then shifting him rather than just buying round pegs for round holes. I know he can play across the front but Arsenal didn't pay a club record to not play him in his best position.

And I love Aguero. But if Arsenal sign him it has immediately out for 3 months with a hamstring problem written all over it.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Arguably the signings Arsenal need are the same as ever: domineering central midfielder and centre back. Wenger will hope that 3-4-3 masks the deficiencies, but Tottenham and Chelsea didnit with very good defensive midfielders

[lfc91]

Latest links for Liverpool: Luan and Mbappe.

TBH, if I got to pick 1 more transfer in this window I would go for a CB. Front 3 probably hour strongest position now with Firmino, Salah, Mane, Sturridge, Origi, Solanke, Ings (Recovery permitting), Kent and Coutinho (Probably more likely midfield this year but is more than capable as a left of front 3).

Conversely, one knock to a CB and its Klavan... (A solid 4th choice but IMO nowhere near the level to play week in week out).

[Crimey]

Agreed, I think spending money on an attacking player right now would be a waste. We've got quality, depth and a diverse set of forwards who are all relatively young, so don't really need to invest there. We completely need centre back depth though. It's good to see Gomez stepping up after his injury troubles and I wouldn't be surprised to see him played fairly often this year because of his quality and his versatility. 

I think Lovren would make a good third choice centre back, Klavan a fourth choice and then Gomez as cover across all three defensive positions. Matip is class, so a partner for Matip is key. I suspect we'll still end up with Van Dijk. We also still need to sell Sakho.

We are supposedly looking at Keita alternatives, so it seems a central midfielder is still on the cards. First choice midfield is potentially going to be Coutinho, Lallana and Henderson, at least for games against the lower sides. That leaves Wijnaldum and Can as depth so another midfielder would be a good idea. If we can't splash out on Keita, I wouldn't mind seeing Klopp trying to secure a shorter-term depth option rather than somebody to take the place of the first choice midfield.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Struggle to defend against all teams: play only one player with any semblance of defensive responsibility in midfield

[lfc91]

TBF, much of the defensive issues were set piece. As in we had all 11 of our players in our 18 yard box but still can't clear a corner with any regularity.

Also, doubt you will see Lallana/Coutinho line up as part of a 3 against say, City/Chelsea this season. More likely 2 of Henderson/Can/Wijnaldum with Coutinho or Lallana.

[Fernando]

La Liga officially confirm they've rejected payment for Neymar.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Can and Wijnaldum > Henderson and Lallana too

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Were the top 7 much of an issue for Liverpool?

And do you really think you can field that few players who can defend against the rest anyway?

[Crimey]

Struggle to defend against all teams: play only one player with any semblance of defensive responsibility in midfield

Except the major problem wasn't necessarily the ability to defend, but the inability to break down the defence once we conceded. It's about playing teams who are happy to sit back and accept 0-0 draws that is a problem, they would sit back and we didn't have enough creativity in midfield. Then we would get impatient and then suddenly we start making stupid errors, or they scored from a fluke set piece. If we could break them down and score, we can outscore pretty much any of the teams in the league. 

I think against the bigger sides, we will end up playing Wijnaldum, either instead of Lallana or instead of Salah/Mane and move Coutinho forward but against teams happy to park the bus, having the creative presence of Coutinho in midfield and the pace of Salah up front is invaluable. 

And Henderson has defensive responsibility in midfield, that's his major responsibility, he essentially plays a third centre back.

[Crimey]

Can and Wijnaldum > Henderson and Lallana too

Don't be stupid. You will find nobody who actually watches Liverpool regularly who shares that opinion. Emre Can was terrible for pretty much 90% of the season, his form only picked up in the final 1/5 of the season. Wijnaldum is a tidy footballer who rarely makes mistakes, but he also rarely creates anything, Lallana is much, much better and if it wasn't for injury spells would have probably been Liverpool player of the season last year.

[lfc91]

Were the top 7 much of an issue for Liverpool?

And do you really think you can field that few players who can defend against the rest anyway?

No generally the top 7 style of play suited Liverpools style of play (united excepted). More due to do with counter pressing vs passing game.

Would imagine there could be games next season where a back 4 and 1 defensive midfielder would be enough. Remember enough games from last season where it was basically attack vs defense. But, like I said, won't matter if all the opposition need is one corner or free kick to nick a goal.

Don't think you can break it down as just top 7 then the rest though. Very much dependent on each individuals teams strengths and weaknesses..

[Crimey]

There were games last year where Lovren and Matip were essentially playing as centre midfielders, with Milner and Clyne as wingers.

[Crimey]

Chelsea have serious interest in Danny Drinkwater...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Can and Wijnaldum > Henderson and Lallana too

Don't be stupid. You will find nobody who actually watches Liverpool regularly who shares that opinion. Emre Can was terrible for pretty much 90% of the season, his form only picked up in the final 1/5 of the season. Wijnaldum is a tidy footballer who rarely makes mistakes, but he also rarely creates anything, Lallana is much, much better and if it wasn't for injury spells would have probably been Liverpool player of the season last year.

Your maths is incorrect.

[Crimey]

Can and Wijnaldum > Henderson and Lallana too

Don't be stupid. You will find nobody who actually watches Liverpool regularly who shares that opinion. Emre Can was terrible for pretty much 90% of the season, his form only picked up in the final 1/5 of the season. Wijnaldum is a tidy footballer who rarely makes mistakes, but he also rarely creates anything, Lallana is much, much better and if it wasn't for injury spells would have probably been Liverpool player of the season last year.

Your maths is incorrect.

Thanks.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Chelsea have serious interest in Danny Drinkwater...

Sell Chalobah, loan Loftus Cheek to buy an older more expensive player who is not really any better than they are. Chelsea are weird sometimes

[Nathaniel Jacobs]

Coutinho is seen as Iniesta's long term replacement, not Neymar's

Not even remotely in the same ballpark.

I mean who is? I don't think there is a single player with Iniesta's quality (at his peak) currently in football.

Barcelona would be far wiser investing the Neymar fee on Koke and Saul from Atletico. Coutinho is no more than a luxury player. The Spanish duo would dominate the midfield for the Catalan side.

[Beer]

Can and Wijnaldum > Henderson and Lallana too

Don't be stupid. You will find nobody who actually watches Liverpool regularly who shares that opinion. Emre Can was terrible for pretty much 90% of the season, his form only picked up in the final 1/5 of the season. Wijnaldum is a tidy footballer who rarely makes mistakes, but he also rarely creates anything, Lallana is much, much better and if it wasn't for injury spells would have probably been Liverpool player of the season last year.

That is a massive catch, Olly.

[GSC]

In Olly news, Bolton have signed Wilbraham

[Crimey]

Coutinho is seen as Iniesta's long term replacement, not Neymar's

Not even remotely in the same ballpark.

I mean who is? I don't think there is a single player with Iniesta's quality (at his peak) currently in football.

Barcelona would be far wiser investing the Neymar fee on Koke and Saul from Atletico. Coutinho is no more than a luxury player. The Spanish duo would dominate the midfield for the Catalan side.

I honestly think, with the Atletico transfer ban they'd really struggle to get those two. They would have to pay their release clauses and who knows how much they are.

[BamBam]

Saul just signed a 9 year contract, probably higher release clause than Griezmann

[Fernando]

Both of them have a 130m release clauses.

[Holymiky]

Looks like Barca have confirmed they have received payment for Neymar, £198m.

[GSC]

Its obscene.

[GSC]

Legally La Liga could block a foreign club from paying his release but not if Neymar turned up and did it himself.

[Holymiky]

Iheanacho in at Leicester

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Not sure on Mr Ian Nacho so that will be fascinating.

Barca have been played at their own game and deserve it. Hope they go get Dybala then take Eriksen.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Looks like Everton are gonna blow £48m on Sigurdsson - makes Neymar look cheap

[Guest]

Both of them have a 130m release clauses.

I thought Griezmans release clause didn't increase, just his wage?

[Guest]

L'equipe now claiming Mbappe has decided to leave

Marca saying that Zidane believes they'll have to sell one of Bale, Benzema or Ronaldo before they can sign M'Bappe

Of course this has led to the old faithful Bale to united rumours resurfacing

[Crimey]

At his cost, I'm genuinely not sure that many teams will be interested in Bale. His injury record has been too shocking to shell out £90 million and £200k+ wages. 

I do have some sympathy for Neymar. If he had stayed at Barcelona, he would have had a fantastic career, probably won everything there is to win, but he would never get the individual accolade because he was also going to be in the shadow of Messi. Their ages are too close and Messi looks after himself too well to end up declining rapidly. By moving to PSG, Neymar has an opportunity to show the world that he, as an individual, is world class. We still have people doubting Neymar's quality, by being the main man for PSG in Europe, he'll be aiming to put that to bed.

There were only ever going to be three options for Neymar because of how much his release clause was. They were Real Madrid, which wasn't going to happen, PSG or Manchester United. At PSG he's probably around as famous as the club itself right now, where as if he moved to Manchester United, their history, their fame would still out shadow him.

It's a selfish view point, but it's the same attitude that has allowed Messi and Ronaldo to become the world's best players.

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Plus he will have a less hectic schedule, due to the ease they'll win the league, and be more rested for the World Cup this year.

It works a lot for his profile too.

[Guest]

At his cost, I'm genuinely not sure that many teams will be interested in Bale. His injury record has been too shocking to shell out £90 million and £200k+ wages. 

I do have some sympathy for Neymar. If he had stayed at Barcelona, he would have had a fantastic career, probably won everything there is to win, but he would never get the individual accolade because he was also going to be in the shadow of Messi. Their ages are too close and Messi looks after himself too well to end up declining rapidly. By moving to PSG, Neymar has an opportunity to show the world that he, as an individual, is world class. We still have people doubting Neymar's quality, by being the main man for PSG in Europe, he'll be aiming to put that to bed.

There were only ever going to be three options for Neymar because of how much his release clause was. They were Real Madrid, which wasn't going to happen, PSG or Manchester United. At PSG he's probably around as famous as the club itself right now, where as if he moved to Manchester United, their history, their fame would still out shadow him.

It's a selfish view point, but it's the same attitude that has allowed Messi and Ronaldo to become the world's best players.

Agreed. I like Bale, but for the money you'd have to invest then it just wouldn't be great business unless you could guarantee his match fitness for around 75% your fixture list

[BamBam]

Fantasy football played out through petro dollars isn't really what I'd want to see in football so the Neymar deal grates a bit.

Watching Barcelona get all Mother Theresa about something they've been doing to other teams for years is worth it though

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