Football (Soccer)

[B]

I honestly don't see Mazraoui displacing Dalot he was our best player last season and Mazraoui is fragile. I'm also hoping we bring Hermoso in on a free as by Christmas I expect Shaw and Mazraoui will both be on the treatment table, so I could see this as first choice.

LB: Hermoso
CB: Martinez
CB: De Ligt
RB: Dalot

Yoro will get plenty of games as we let him settle in, could even see him at RB with Dalot at LB in some games.

I could see a scenario this season, especially if we don't make anymore signings beyond De Ligt & Mazraoui, in that Martinez ends up playing some sort of hybrid defensive midfielder role ahead of Yoro/De Ligt when everybody is fit. I believe I recall reading as much before he signed for us that he was capable or at least had played the position on several occasions at Ajax under EtH.

 

[B]

Sad to see AWB go, exceptional ability to just lock dangerous wide players out of games was second to none. He was quite literally TAA's opposite, one excels going forward particularly with crossing/passing ability but is all over the place in any form of defending & the other is all awkward going forward & excels in defending, particularly 1 on 1's.

I think the Mazraoui replacement is at best a sidewards signing potentially even a backwards one. I actually think he's less likely to ever dislodge Dalot because the pair have similar'ish skills however even if he gets in ahead of Dalot, his career up until this point would tell you he won't be able to stay fit for long enough to keep him out of the side for any substantial time.
I think AWB's drastically different skillset actually benefited us more against certain opposition & was better competition for Dalot, however time will tell.

 

[B]

Wasn't David Silva like this at one point with Valencia?

I'm pretty sure I recall bigger sides making moves for him earlier in his career & him turning them down also.

 

[Hunter Rider]

It's beyond a joke at this point. 🙁 no to Murderous Alonso though.

 

[B]

Should have prioritised a backup/replacement for Shaw before RB. It would be a huge gamble, but based on the fact Martinez didn't look so hot against Bobb & with Malacia also still being somehow injured after 12+ months, I would promote & play Amass for the first handful of games.

I'd rather see a young player more naturally suited to playing LB, than see a player like Martinez, Lindelof or whomever get fed to the wolves by playing them out of position. It's an entirely different skillset to play as a fullback than centre back, players run at you more often than at CB for one.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[BlackFox]

I think after Varane going this about as good as we could have got, was gutted we didnt get him when he left Ajax so happy to give him a chance now and at that price and age he might just be what we need, natural born leader as well which is something we dont have an abundance of. Just hope he can get to grips with the Prem quickly but has all the attributes to succeed.

 

[BlackFox]

It's beyond a joke at this point. 🙁 no to Murderous Alonso though.

Marcos Alonso???

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[PepS]

Uncle Wrighty is Gunnersaurus in human form so I hope that isn't the case

Yeah, we'll see.

 

[PepS]

If we can offload Nketiah (Bournemouth is our best chance to do this) and Nelson, I think we'll go for an attacking option that can be like a Doku for us. Although, Nwaneri looks like he can play that part

Yeah, I don't hold much optimism in us shifting both, or either, tbh.

 

[PepS]

De Jong would be a good signing for any team but I thought Arteta wanted more of a #6 so Rice could be more box to box?

Well Merino is more of a left-side #8, although he can play the #6. de Jong is also able play in both positions. I feel de Jong would be perfect for our set-up and to partner Rice and Ødegaard. He could also interchange between the #6 and the #8 with Rice in games, which would also work with our style of play now, which is heavily built on rotations and changing formations within games to confuse the opponents, hence why one of the main attributes we look for in the profile of players we sign is versatility.

I didn't realise until recently that Merino was at Newcastle when he was younger, I think you'll almost certainly sign him now that Zubimendi has turned Liverpool down and is apparently signing a new contract with Real Sociedad. I don't know so much about the "X Factor" but I was looking at City the other day and one thing they have above any of us is at least 4 top class wide options, minimum, and they're a mix of types as well from wide playmakers like Bernardo, Grealish and Foden, to dynamic wingers like Doku and Savinho, that depth and variety is huge for changing games and keeping players fresh with rotation.

Same, lol. Yeah, one of the things I envy most about other clubs is how quickly they get their business done, while we seem to drag things out for weeks, even months. I agree in regards to the attacking options City have. I still think City with their mentality and personnel are still levels above everyone else.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Iceman]

Mbappe scores on his Real debut after Valverde had scored the opener. Real 2-0 up in the Supercup against Atalanta.

 

[BlackFox]

Didnt take him long did it, lol. First game, first goal and first trophy it seems.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

This is a really surprising move for him.

 

[B]

He looked electric in the Community Shield, shame his potential big role in City's opening to the season has been stopped before it even started.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

That Evanilson signing for Bournemouth is pretty impressive, he looks a good talent from what I've seen, look forward to seeing him in the PL.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Iceman]

Premier League 2024-25: What is new in top flight and what to expect this season

The Premier League begins this weekend, with Manchester City bidding to continue their supremacy in English football and Ipswich Town making their top-flight return.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[BlackFox]

Somehow the Premier League has returned.

United v Fulham to kick things off as well.

Any predictions this season?