European Football Summer Transfer Window

[IthacaMatt]

Morgan Rogers is a stud, I don't get the Rodrygo hype especially for the requisite money. Nico Jackson has all the tools needed to be a super star and Cole Palmer is a real problem for opponents. Enzo hasn't impressed me for the money and Santos I admit to knowing nothing about

Rodrygo had 57 goals and 44 assists in 236 games for Real Madrid, despite getting pushed out of position by others like Vini Jr. and last season Mbappe. Plus, he's still only 24. He's a talented LW.

Enzo had a terrific Club World Cup, and is much quicker in the center of the park than he was at times the last year or so for Chelsea. They are going to be really strong this year.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Rodrygo had 57 goals and 44 assists in 236 games for Real Madrid, despite getting pushed out of position by others like Vini Jr. and last season Mbappe. Plus, he's still only 24. He's a talented LW.

Enzo had a terrific Club World Cup, and is much quicker in the center of the park than he was at times the last year or so for Chelsea. They are going to be really strong this year.

Vini JR is absolutely filthy and Mbappe is Mbappe so can't fault a guy for losing out to either. That said, for 90+ mil being quoted, I just don't see it. Not saying he's a bum by any stretch but 40-50 seems closer that 90-100.

Enzo had looked like the next Pogba prior, aka national team stud but meh in the prem, so will be interesting to see now that he's taken the next step. He's certainly got all the tools in his locker and the Prem takes a bit to adjust in most cases. Chelsea are always a PITA regardless... that's a throw out the standing game for us but I'd rate you as our main title competition over Gunners or City this season. I don't see a glaring weakness anywhere in your side but certainly see plenty of strengths.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don't think Gyorkes' game translates to the Prem. He's a bit like Mitrovic was at Fulham... big physical poacher but will struggle to find chances.

Kepa? A Chelsea fan naming him as a positive? They want Karius as well?

Saka is a stud like Salah... behind him doesn't matter sans injury. Marinelli is scary when he's on form. He, Son and Rashford are all world beaters on their day and Martinelli specifically gives me nightmares as opposition and equally would love him in Liverpools side.

City need to replace KDB... problem is he's a generational talent and my reds just signed the closest thing. That said, I thought City would struggle to replace Spanish Dave and they got KDB so who knows. I don't think Pepsi is long for that job now that it got somewhat difficult though. If he doesn't have a clear talent advantage he all the sudden becomes pretty ordinary.

Again, not so sure I agree about Gyorkes. Arsenal have lacked a proper number 9 who can help them score from set pieces and poaching chances in the box. It's a piece they lacked, ever since they sold Olivier Giroud. They have wingers and creative midfielders in abundance, but no target man. It's not like you would have thought that Erling Haaland would have fit Pep's style at Man City, but he gave them a different dimension in attack.

Reijnders gives City a progressive ball carrier in midfield. Not quite the passer that DeBruyne was, but a very good player. Ait-Nouri and Cherki give them a couple guys who can dribble past people, and that's what Pep values. I agree that they need maybe another creative type in midfield at City. Probably another CB and another fullback, too.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Jota was the most lethal finisher in our team and it wasn't even close. The echelon of players being "in the right place always" starts and stops with him for us. I'm not certain if Ekitike is that or not and certainly Nunez needs to become exponentially more clinical if he hopes to play anything more than a sub role for us.

I love Diaz but he's 28. Ekitike is 22 so if you can get similar money and get a 6 year younger player you have to do it. Most of what I see of Ekitike's strength is cutting in from the wing vs an outright 9 like Gakpo. There is the option now to play 6'3 Ekitike, 6'2 Nunez, and 6'4 Gakpo across the front vs low block teams. Add VVD coming up and that is a serious problem to man mark.

Elliott is always Mo's first sub and lethal from edge of the box as well as tireless worker for us. Bit like pre injury Ox but also can spell Wirtz. Personally I'd hate to see him go

Well, I think that Salah is "perhaps" a more lethal finisher than Jota, but I get your point.
Ekitike is not a similar player, though, IMO. He's more like Gakpo. He's tall. He's an aerial threat, which Jota was not. I think Elliot feels blocked and will push for a move.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Remember, too, that they didn't pay 80-100M for any of these guys. They have a good squad in need of 2 or 3 star players.

They've existed where majority of Liverpool signings have come from in the 40m range. Wirtz is our first 100m player and Nunez, at 85m, has certainly not lived up to the price. He's an Eric Devendorf type though in that he's an absolute meat head but you somehow love him if he's on your team.

Only difference between Newcastle and Liverpool is we have the sales and loan fees to offset outlay. Chelsea were brilliant in that regard as well stocking up on players prior to ffp and raking in tons on loans. We just turned Quansah into Frimpong, last year's surplus into Kerkez, Fabinho and Hendo into MacAllister and Endo, Mane and Minamino into Gakpo... hell our revival has all been bank rolled by Barca paying stupid money for Coutinho that Liverpool turned into VVD and Becker. Been a fun ride whilst watching City overpay repeatedly for players until they find one that fits. Most teams can't miss on 2 50m + players in a position then buy another to replace them.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Again, not so sure I agree about Gyorkes. Arsenal have lacked a proper number 9 who can help them score from set pieces and poaching chances in the box. It's a piece they lacked, ever since they sold Olivier Giroud. They have wingers and creative midfielders in abundance, but no target man. It's not like you would have thought that Erling Haaland would have fit Pep's style at Man City, but he gave them a different dimension in attack.

Reijnders gives City a progressive ball carrier in midfield. Not quite the passer that DeBruyne was, but a very good player. Ait-Nouri and Cherki give them a couple guys who can dribble past people, and that's what Pep values. I agree that they need maybe another creative type in midfield at City. Probably another CB and another fullback, too.

Was always a big Giroud fan. I wanted us to sign him when he left Chelsea. Him off the bench was a dream scenario I'd thought.

Ait-Nouri is another one that I wasn't that impressed with. Cherki I need to see more on

 

[ImperialOrange]

Well, I think that Salah is "perhaps" a more lethal finisher than Jota, but I get your point.
Ekitike is not a similar player, though, IMO. He's more like Gakpo. He's tall. He's an aerial threat, which Jota was not. I think Elliot feels blocked and will push for a move.

Jota was actually remarkable in the air for his size. One of the knocks on Ekitike is that, despite his height, he's not yet physical enough in the air.
Agreed, he reminds me a lot of Gakpo at this point.

Salah is for sure our most potent scorer but he's a volume scorer too. Jota would create goals from nowhere and just always be in the right place ala Firmino. He will be greatly missed as a player and as an amazing human being.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Jota was actually remarkable in the air for his size. One of the knocks on Ekitike is that, despite his height, he's not yet physical enough in the air.
Agreed, he reminds me a lot of Gakpo at this point.

Salah is for sure our most potent scorer but he's a volume scorer too. Jota would create goals from nowhere and just always be in the right place ala Firmino. He will be greatly missed as a player and as an amazing human being.

It's funny, but I've heard people compare Joao Pedro to Bobby Firmino, and I get that they both excel at coming back for the ball and linking play. I think Pedro's style is actually closer to Harry Kane (blasphemy, I know).

 

[ImperialOrange]

It's funny, but I've heard people compare Joao Pedro to Bobby Firmino, and I get that they both excel at coming back for the ball and linking play. I think Pedro's style is actually closer to Harry Kane (blasphemy, I know).

I loathe Harry Kane. He and Bobby are completely different sides of the spectrum in levels of selfishness vs unselfishness. Bobby is the only reason Mo and Sadio worked, Kane (at Tottenham) was a black hole and all about his stats regardless of standings. "I swear on my mother I touched that"... Adios you mouth breathing mfer. Everyone on that Spurs team was putrid aside from Son.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Was always a big Giroud fan. I wanted us to sign him when he left Chelsea. Him off the bench was a dream scenario I'd thought.

Ait-Nouri is another one that I wasn't that impressed with. Cherki I need to see more on

I think Ait-Nouri was pretty good for Wolves. Both are dribblers, in the mold of Doku. That's what Pep wants now, because everyone has worked out a pretty good press, and the best way to beat it is with people who can take people on one-on-one.

 

[ImperialOrange]

I think Ait-Nouri was pretty good for Wolves. Both are dribblers, in the mold of Doku. That's what Pep wants now, because everyone has worked out a pretty good press, and the best way to beat it is with people who can take people on one-on-one.

That's fair and each team is a bit different tactically so never quite know how they'll fit a system until they're in it. Doku dribbles into blind alleys as does Grealish. Neither fit Liverpool but if that's what Pepsi wants I guess. Hey day of City was Sterling, Sane, and other speedsters driving the end line just inside the box and cutting back to Aguero. If the can get similar service to Haaland he may well score 50. I do think they have too many players currently that need the ball at their feet to make plays. For me Foden is the one you want working give and goes off Haaland with a deeper lying attacking mid pulling strings. Their wingers are black holes and everyone knows it thus the lack of service to Haaland. Marmoush is another one... generic brand Salah that wants to shoot much more than pass.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I loathe Harry Kane. He and Bobby are completely different sides of the spectrum in levels of selfishness vs unselfishness. Bobby is the only reason Mo and Sadio worked, Kane (at Tottenham) was a black hole and all about his stats regardless of standings. "I swear on my mother I touched that"... Adios you mouth breathing mfer. Everyone on that Spurs team was putrid aside from Son.

I totally get where you're coming from. But I think in his last couple years with Spurs he became less selfish because he wanted to win something. In a way, Wayne Rooney toward the end became more of a connector of play, too, and less the guy who hung out in the box.

I read a quote from one of the Bayern wingers a couple months ago, and they absolutely LOVE playing with Kane. It might have been Musiala who said, "He so much better a teammate than Lewandowski used to be. Lewandowski demanded service all the time. You don't have to "serve" Harry for him to score goals, and he provides many assists for others."

 

[IthacaMatt]

That's fair and each team is a bit different tactically so never quite know how they'll fit a system until they're in it. Doku dribbles into blind alleys as does Grealish. Neither fit Liverpool but if that's what Pepsi wants I guess. Hey day of City was Sterling, Sane, and other speedsters driving the end line just inside the box and cutting back to Aguero. If the can get similar service to Haaland he may well score 50. I do think they have too many players currently that need the ball at their feet to make plays. For me Foden is the one you want working give and goes off Haaland with a deeper lying attacking mid pulling strings. Their wingers are black holes and everyone knows it thus the lack of service to Haaland. Marmoush is another one... generic brand Salah that wants to shoot much more than pass.

I think Pep gave up on Foden with his drunken week following winning the Treble.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Curious dealings in the transfer market.

Central defender Marc Guehi is being pursued by Liverpool, but Spurs are trying to intervene. Spurs must really want to sell Romero to Real Madrid, because they are sniffing around Guehi, too, and still have Danso, Van De Ven and a couple young guys.

Randal Kolo Muani is one of the last big strikers left on the market right now, so that's who United is turning to now. Juve is apparently willing to sell. Sesko is probably the only other big time option out there, unless Nico Jackson or Ollie Watkins push for a move. Maybe Dusan Vlahovic, too.

United think they can get a fee for Garnacho (80M?!?), but he's trash. Antony should go to Portugal, like Joao Felix, to rebuild his career - a Brazilian who speaks Portugese, he could settle better there. Felix on the verge of a return to Benfica for 20-25M. Free money for Chelsea.

Son Heung-min is being eased to the exit by Thomas Frank. He should go to Germany or Italy. He could be a star there.

Barca finds the money to pay Marcus Rashford's salary and take him on loan this year, with an option to buy. United very pleased.

Aston Villa must have a gentlemen's agreement to sell Emi Martinez, their World Cup winning keeper with Argentina, as they failed to make Champions League (on a bad call!) on the season's last day. They are trying to get 35-40M for him, but I believe he only has a year left on his deal. They pimped him to Chelsea, now to United, but no bites. Fee is about 15M too high.

Villa also expecting Ollie Watkins to leave, and so they are also going after Kolo Muani. Ollie Watkins would be a great alternate for Newcastle as a back up to Isak.

Tim Weah is about to be sold by Juventus to Marseille to make room for Jadon Sancho's arrival from Manchester United. Samuel Mbangula, a Belgian winger is about to be sold by Juve to Werder Bremen, as well.

Thomas Frank is reaching out to Athletico Madrid about bringing Connor Gallagher to Spurs. I think that would be a great move for both the player and the team.

Mbeumo finally heads to United for 71M. Phew! Cunha and Mbeumo give them two creative players underneath a number 9, but they still have to get the number nine.

 

[IthacaMatt]

They've existed where majority of Liverpool signings have come from in the 40m range. Wirtz is our first 100m player and Nunez, at 85m, has certainly not lived up to the price. He's an Eric Devendorf type though in that he's an absolute meat head but you somehow love him if he's on your team.

Only difference between Newcastle and Liverpool is we have the sales and loan fees to offset outlay. Chelsea were brilliant in that regard as well stocking up on players prior to ffp and raking in tons on loans. We just turned Quansah into Frimpong, last year's surplus into Kerkez, Fabinho and Hendo into MacAllister and Endo, Mane and Minamino into Gakpo... hell our revival has all been bank rolled by Barca paying stupid money for Coutinho that Liverpool turned into VVD and Becker. Been a fun ride whilst watching City overpay repeatedly for players until they find one that fits. Most teams can't miss on 2 50m + players in a position then buy another to replace them.

Revisionist history. LOL
Virgil Van Dyke cost them 75M.
Allison Becker was 65M. They were the keys to Liverpool being real contenders.
Szobozlai the MF was 60M, Naby Keita 55M and Diaz was 50M.

 

[cusefan88]

Revisionist history. LOL
Virgil Van Dyke cost them 75M.
Allison Becker was 65M. They were the keys to Liverpool being real contenders.
Szobozlai the MF was 60M, Naby Keita 55M and Diaz was 50M.

The biggest thing I can say about Liverpool is that selling Coutinho did help finance the moves for VVD, Alisson, and Salah which obviously catapulted them back to the top of the sport.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Revisionist history. LOL
Virgil Van Dyke cost them 75M.
Allison Becker was 65M. They were the keys to Liverpool being real contenders.
Szobozlai the MF was 60M, Naby Keita 55M and Diaz was 50M.

VVD and Alison both came from Coutinho money. Szobo is still worth at least 60, Naby was biggest miss under Klopp, Diaz will net at least 50 if sold... We've turned down 70 already

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Your purple kits are always elite.

IMHO Serie A is a mix of La Liga and Bundesliga... but not necessarily the parts of them folks enjoy. Lots of whining and flopping players ala Spain and slow, physical and plodding at times Ala Germany. It's a fun dichotomy though as all the spritly attacking players fall over in a stiff breeze meanwhile Italian defensive players are brick walls that will try and end you if you get near them.

Side benefit is that dark purple (violet) has been my favorite color since I was a kid.

There are some very entertaining teams: Inter, Milan, Napoli, Atalanta, Bologna, Fiorentina but, yeah, a lot of plodding teams.

And the whining and flopping is irritating as he!!.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Parma have offered Dortmund 6M for Gio Reyna.

Like to see Reyna end up here.

I think he is good fit for Serie A and if he cannot get on the field on Parma...

Well, then there is no hope and he might as well come back to MLS.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Side benefit is that dark purple (violet) has been my favorite color since I was a kid.

There are some very entertaining teams: Inter, Milan, Napoli, Atalanta, Bologna, Fiorentina but, yeah, a lot of plodding teams.

And the whining and flopping is irritating as he!!.

When I first started paying attention to football (fifa 98 for n64) the Milan teams and Juve were all powerhouses. Corruption, over spending and sub par TV deals really stunted the leagues growth prior to the game making it big state side. The 2005 AC Milan team that Liverpool beat in the CL final is one of the most amazing squads ever assembled with world class players everywhere.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Side benefit is that dark purple (violet) has been my favorite color since I was a kid.

There are some very entertaining teams: Inter, Milan, Napoli, Atalanta, Bologna, Fiorentina but, yeah, a lot of plodding teams.

And the whining and flopping is irritating as he!!.

Not crazy about the announcers, either.
My favorites are the NBC / Peacock crew.

That crazy Scottish guy who is the color announcer on BeIn Sports is great. He's like Billy Connolly, the comedian.

I think the Fox Sports England based crew for Champions League is annoying as hell. Kate Abdo is pretty, but she's empty headed, and the banter between her and Thierry Henry, Jamie Carrigher and Micah Richards is so cringey.

I like some of the domestic Fox announcers. John Champion and Stu Holden are solid. Clint Demsey is a good commentary guy in the studio.

Alexis Lallas is fine when it comes to being "controversial" about the US team, but he doesn't watch any European football to speak of, and comes off as such an ignoramous when they have him on a panel / in the studio with Henry and the others.

I do like Julie Foudy in the studio for men's games. She's very knowledgeable and willing to say things. Landon Donovan is awful. He's a whiny ass bitch who should be careful not to cast stones.

Let me add that the ESPN England crew (Stevie Nichol, Shaka Hislop, et al.) are more enjoyable than any of the Fox people, although I could do without Alejandro Moreno. I like Craig Burley, too. Steve McManaman used to annoy the hell out of me, but he's not in the studio anymore; you only see him occasionally as a color man on games.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Like to see Reyna end up here.

I think he is good fit for Serie A and if he cannot get on the field on Parma...

Well, then there is no hope and he might as well come back to MLS.

Yes, I think it's a good fit for him. They finished 15th last year, and they have nobody who can score goals (top scorer had only 6). They have a lot of midfielders on their roster, but he would seem to have a chance here.

 

[IthacaMatt]

When I first started paying attention to football (fifa 98 for n64) the Milan teams and Juve were all powerhouses. Corruption, over spending and sub par TV deals really stunted the leagues growth prior to the game making it big state side. The 2005 AC Milan team that Liverpool beat in the CL final is one of the most amazing squads ever assembled with world class players everywhere.

Such a team!

 

[IthacaMatt]

BBC with an article on who is still out there in the striker market.

This must be a couple days old, because I'm pretty sure Mbeumo has signed with United for 71M, Ekitike is close to signed with Liverpool and Gyorkes is having a physical for Arsenal.

Ekitike, Isak, Sesko, Mbuemo, Gyokeres: The race for a striker is hotting up

BBC Sport tries to make sense of the search for a frontman, with the race for a striker hotting up before the Premier League season begins.

www.bbc.com

 

[Forza Azzurri]

When I first started paying attention to football (fifa 98 for n64) the Milan teams and Juve were all powerhouses. Corruption, over spending and sub par TV deals really stunted the leagues growth prior to the game making it big state side. The 2005 AC Milan team that Liverpool beat in the CL final is one of the most amazing squads ever assembled with world class players everywhere.

Serie A was, arguably, the best league in the world in the 80s and 90s and into the 2000s.

From 1991 through 1998, there was a Serie A team in the Champions League final every year.

In the last 20 years, there have only been 5 Italian teams in the final and an Italian team hasn't won it since 2010.

The Prem was the first league to get its head out of its A$$ and begin to secure TV rights deals as opposed to not wanting to put games on television. (There is a great book called "The Club" that details how TV rights helped the Prem become the richest and best, league in the world)