goodrobotusses

Michael Owen hamstrings. A shame, but you wonder whether he'll ever be able to last a season if he's so reliant on his pace.

He's one of the closest things to a Modric replacement they could find, I'd say, yeah.

Feel a bit bad for the lad. Was obviously made up to get a move here, and even having barely played he was still getting involved with celebrations with his teammates after games etc. But he just looked a bit embarrassed to be there on Sunday. Kind of wild he's hardly had a sniff given the level he was at a few years ago and the fact he's ostensibly fit, but seems we're just gonna flip him back to Italy in summer. If we succeed in making a profit on him, then fair play, but a big ask given how broke Italian clubs are. Maybe Napoli will throw some of the Kvara money at him.

Spurs have individually talented players whose true level and potential is probably masked by what a s***show Ange has turned them into defensively. Bergvall and Gray could become world class for all I know, but they're not going to fulfil their potential if opponents are allowed to sprint through the team every game.

After Salah and Van Dijk, has been our most important player this season. Can't remember which game it was, but there was a match earlier this season (maybe the Spurs 6-3) in which he was subbed off with us in complete control. As soon as he was off the pitch, it felt like the midfield lost all coherence, and the game tilted out of our control. Gravenberch and Jones have in large part had impressive seasons, but neither can do what he does in terms of knitting the entire team together. He basically performs the same function for Argentina too. An absolute gem.

Have been resigned to him leaving for a while but would be delighted if he stays. Not arsed about the rest, will judge him on the pitch. Still think he'll go though.

Was excellent yesterday, aye. Spurs were almost the perfect opponent for him (or for us more broadly). Two assists, shame he couldn't get a goal of his own.

Displaying the same kind of intelligent he shows on the pitch.

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Yep. They'd have been interested, sure, but we'd have priced him beyond what Madrid would pay if he had more years on his deal. His only way out then would have been to kick up a Coutinho-style fuss. This is his chance, now. If he signs a new deal with us, it won't come again. Madrid did the same with Alphonso Davies. Bayern got him to sign a deal in the end, but it's costing them some €15m-€20m a season plus a €22m signing-on fee. Penny for everyone's thoughts when he did his ACL a few weeks later.

No solid links to players in either of these positions so far. Simons is a No10 who can play wide and Frimpong is a wing-back who can play in a front three, but seem more like "Swiss army knife"-type signings rather than specialists. Haven't seen any significant link to a deeper CM and I think we need a fourth option alongside Grav, Mac and Curtis, especially if Endo gets sold. Not convinced by the idea one of the young lads (Bajcetic, McConnell, Nyoni) is ready or guaranteed to reach our level, although all have shown promise. Edit: Guess we've been linked with Semenyo (thanks for the reminder, Case), although how much Bournemouth is too much Bournemouth?

Interesting if true. We shouldn't change that policy for anyone, least of all a rookie CB.

Ah, seems quite illuminating. Thanks for checking!

Romano has been rabbiting on about Huijsen moving for the last two months, think he's being paid by the agent to drum up the auction (not on fee, but probably on wages). See this from March: Correct, he's more your garden variety clown.

By this point I feel like any player who chooses Chelsea is so badly advised and/or thick that they're probably best left well alone. Guess we'll see if this is all just bluster in the end.