Naph Torrance

Maybe I just like Merino and Gabi goals

That was fucking incredible.

Most pumped I’ve been about a result since… Real? And before that maybe Spurs (A) last season

Tempted by Ghost of Yotei?

I just think that he is so far removed from what we ask our STs to do, we could've found someone who offered some of his good points (shot happy, strong in transition, durable) with fewer pitfalls. Especially as we compromised on age and planned for him to rotate with Kai.

Sorry to show the bad place, but:

It's also that there are many aspects to physicality, and none of them seem to be impressing.

Can't use his physique to shield the ball as you've said. But also the speed and power of his runs seem disappointingly middling in the PL. And we know he's never been formidable in the air.

I will admit that I was sour on the deal before he came. And he may well come good (I hope he does!).

But honestly I watch him and think what on Earth are we doing. By far the player I least enjoy watching for us in the past few years.*

*who hasn't been charged for rape.

100% agree.

It is kind of weird that he has the physique of a 99th centile athlete with the effectiveness of a ~60th centile athlete.

I know he's not the sole reason we didn't win yday.

But he's the biggest concern for me in our games: he can't hold up the ball or link play well. He's not effective running in behind against other top sides. He's anonymous in the box. And his overall technical level is just too low for a top team.

This is the thing I really hate about the Gyok <> Haaland comparison.

Sure, be low touch if you are a) the most dominant physical specimen to ever play in the PL, with b) elite movement & finishing.

And even then his connective play is IMO way ahead of VG's too.

I think this is the first time I've agreed with 10 of 10 points from someone on here/Twitter.

They're Simpsons characters.

I'm sorry but Kelly McJunkin Blaha and R. Otto Maly do not seem like real people.

a man in a star wars uniform is saying we were this close ALT: a man in a star wars uniform is saying we were this close

*sigh*

Apparently the PL also still conducting their own investigation, too. Although will admit I'm not very clear on the remit of PL vs FA.

Regardless, the complete and utter liquidation of anything related to Chelsea Football Club seems like a fair outcome, I think.

Slightly diminish a book:

Relatively Large Expectations

I partly agree with this – but also, some clubs are desperate: look at Fulham reportedly going back in for Sterling, Villa paying £300kpw for Sancho, Betis paying over €20m + 50% of sale for Antony, etc.

Really disappointing for Reiss to be on another loan IMO

Certainly agree with us killing value on established players. Lack ruthlessness and/or conviction to shift players until they lose their value.

Both Martinelli and Trossard are going to be worth less next summer. Now was the time to move at least one.

Lpool getting good fees for Morton, Doak, even Quansah who barely broke 100 apps together.

Plus supplemented by young non-academy buys like van den Berg, Carvalho, Elliot bringing big profit.

That’s a really interesting chart and fair points. I do think there’s some nuance there though re selling academy players.

Largely impacted by fees for Nketiah, Smith Rowe, Iwobi who were all experienced first teamers for us in PL and Europe. Circa 400 first team apps.

Whereas…

Him, Fabio, and Reiss all going on yet more loans it seems like.

Honestly our outgoings have been a 2/10 this summer.

Even the Kiwior fee was the lower end of acceptable.

I don’t think we did in the end. We wanted to, but ended paying £60 + £7.5 (so just £500k short of RC) and according to The Athletic we called and “accepted Palace’s demands” which is why it was done so quickly

Wait how would they say no the RC?

Also Andersen left a week before the deadline so not sure that would’ve been a factor.

If anything could maybe have used Nketiah as part of the deal.

Anyway, all hypothetical. But don’t think you can paint it as “see we had to wait to get him”

Could’ve got Eze for same fee last summer though 🤷‍♂️

Forest, probably?

Spurs’ process has been a mess, and they’ve had some big embarrassments - but Simons for €60m is better for them than either MGW or Eze.

Just looking at signings, not sentiment, they’ve had a good summer IMO.

It's not awful. It's not great.

Bit unlucky to get Atleti, but Kairat at home makes up for it to some extent.

Biggest thing is the scheduling tbh: would be nice to avoid big away days before City / after Newcastle / between Spurs & Chelsea.

Already the Independent have reported Arsenal actually struck a basic agreement with Palace on Aug 10. Think we were trying to shift someone first before proceeding further.

More funny this way, though.

Would really like us to go down the younger route – there's a big gap between Havertz at 26 and Harriman Annous as the key prospect at 17.

Lewis suggested Nelson Weiper, but there must be a few the club have eyes on.

A slightly different view of the Trossard extension:

If you told me at the end of the season that Leo would be our 7th attacker to replace Sterling minutes, I would've been happy.

The issue is I expected the people who came in above him to be bigger upgrades.