The College Dropout

Maybe starting to get thin on the homegrown players. Carvajal leaving, may want to get rid of Fran Garcia too. Although I think the likes of Vini Jr. and Valverde will be considered homegrown so I might be talking nonsense.

No a buy back in the Real Madrid sense is an agreed return fee at point of sale.

What’s people’s opinions on Raphinha?

Only watched the second half but well deserved I thought. Diomande is 19????? FUCK. I thought he was 21 or 22. The pace is crazy. The trickery is crazy. Clearly a super high ceiling. Love the Cote manager. He’s kicking and heading everything.

Nice finish that. I wanted Diallo after his Sunderland spell. They would’ve sold him to us for £20-30m when the egg head was in charge.

He’s strong arming the entire midfield. Strong arming Caicedo is impressive.

Diamonde has super speed and has genuine 1v1 ability. 2 men on him he’s still going to finish his action.

Won’t have made a lot of accounting profit on him. £20m or so. Sold for a real world loss. Only slight upside is they probably don’t need to replace him. They must have 3 more on the books.

Not been true for what 14 years? Quietly they’ve become England of yesteryear R16-QF level team. Think they go out to the first contender they face.

European teams relying heavily on set pieces so far

Don’t like his contract situation. 2 years left no renewal noises right? Bruno Barnes Joelinton Livramento Al have contracts expiring 28. For me? Bruno - give him the 6-year Bowen/Son/Kane super max. Sell him to Saudi or MLS if needed in 3-5 years. £200k+ Barnes - renew to 2030 consider selling from next season Joelinton - I reckon he leaves next season or for free. Dont think there’s a big market for him now anyway and he’s a lad. Livramento - need to consider selling. I get the feeling he’s going to pull our pants down Gordon style. If his form and fitness is indifferent next season we’ll end up selling him cut price.

Not in my view. The others are highly coveted and sought after - becoming full internationals. Botman would be tier 1 after his first season but signing when he did his stock was low. All the others would be genuine coups to re-sign. If Tino’s injuries persist he may also fall into the tier below.

No dickheads refers to being a good lad in the changing room and good professionals, no massive egos. Same way Arsenal are all good lads. People dislike Gabriel but he most likely is a god lad in terms of being on time, respectful to team mates, trains well. Arsenal lads routinely look like bible bashers, settle down with partners young. Don’t hear much about them off the field. A big part of ‘no dickheads’ require great club leadership and management mind. Arsenal have been paying Saka and Saliba good money and everyone believes in the project. That is so key. We’ve only had 1 top tier contract renewal since Ashworth and Staveley left. And that was Gordon who has left anyway. Didnt get Isak one, haven’t got any for Livra, Hall, Bruno & Tonali (post Ashworth). I guess we have a different model and actually have to sell.

He made the right choice. Good chance he wouldn’t make the squads for either England or Nigeria. Certainly doesn’t start for either.

Paraguay what are you doing?