Swagger

I don't expect Barcola to start this: Alisson Szoboszlai Jacquet Virgil Kerkez Mac Grav Munoz Wirtz Gakpo Isak

Yeah, Trent and Robbo had peak Fabinho covering, as well as Wijnaldum and Henderson. I don't expect Frimpong to succeed with us, but it will be interesting to see whether Iraola can coach a decent player into him.

I don't think you can say hiring Klopp was a masterstroke. Klopp and Ancelotti were both available, both were the outstanding candidates at the time (won titles with big clubs), and both wanted the job. They deserve credit for choosing Klopp over Ancelotti, but Ancelotti is no slouch either. If, for example, Iraola turns out to be a success here then that could be said to be a masterstroke as he arrived with promise rather than proven track record.

I'd be surprised if they are still here this time next year. I expect that we will soon see Bhatia become more and more influential. Whoever is making the calls, however, they need to bring in a top-class Director of Football immediately.

No way are either Monaco or Camara going to wait because Liverpool may come in for him in 2027. Surely if Iraola wanted him the club would have got him. Spanish coach, much bigger club, higher wages.

To be fair to FSG, when Klopp announced he was leaving, they went out and got the best person they could to run the football side of the club. Edwards knew the club inside out, had a very good reputation within the game and was in high demand (Chelsea and Man United amongst others were reputedly interested). They had no way of knowing that his second stint - including his hiring of Hughes - would be so disastrous.

I take some comfort in Man United having Carrick as manager.

Football is gone. Transfer fees which have always been ridiculously excessive have skyrocketed this summer. Man City spending like crazy despite the charges over them. Chelsea too spending like crazy with an obscene turnover of players. Clubs fabricating deals to remain within rules that are anyway hardly even enforced (Chelsea-Aston Villa, Spurs-City). No wonder Jurgen couldn't take it any longer.

I can't believe Camara and Kone are available for 40-50 million euros each and we aren't taking a chance on one of them.

I like Neto but his injury record is a worry. Also, Chelsea would want an obscene amount of money for him. If we shop there I'd much rather Acheampong.

Not a big fan of Minteh, but much rather him than Sarr, younger and greater potential. To be fair, Edwards was supposed to be that person, and that is why they went all out for him after Jurgen announced he was leaving. Turns out he came back with his ego out of control, and he brought in his pal Hughes who decided to take it upon himself to totally decimate our squad.

They should give him shares in the club and make him CEO of Football.

Agreed wholeheartedly. Definitely need someone from the outside. In the full articles, Ornstein writes that the negotiations were helmed by Hughes, Hogan and Gordon. I had expected Hughes to be on gardening leave.

Unfortunately, it seems as if Camara is going to Chelsea. I expect we make another try for Minteh before the window is shut. The whole football structure needs a serious overhaul after the mess left behind by Edwards and Hughes.

Yes please.

80m is a joke, even in this market. Brighton know we are desperate. I hope the club walks away.

No way are Bayern paying anywhere near what we paid for him.

Fully agreed. Edwards and Hughes have set us back years.

Who is this? Alvarez?

Does this mean that they want both Minteh and Mbaye on top of Barcola? I assumed it was one or the other.

What I don't like about the move for Minteh at this stage of the window is that it reeks of desperation. If we really rated and wanted him, we should have gone for him as soon as it became apparent that Diomande was no go.

But he's the greatest even manager don't you know?

If Brighton are holding out on 70m I hope we walk away.

Chelsea have a very talented and deep squad, a very good manager and no Europe this year. I wouldn't put money on them winning the league, but they should do well, certainly top four.

So, did FSG intentionally lie, or have they never specifically said 30% and no option for 1892 Holdings to get controlling stake? Either way, they deliberately chose not to disclose full details of the agreement, and that stinks as the fans have earned the right to know.