Quick look on newsnow, and it appears as though the hacks have run out of players that we are linked with, so have started at the top of the list again and have gone back to Fellaini.
Actually, whilst I'm struggling to find any excuses for our failure to make additions this Summer, there is a small possibility that players we're after will have stipulated CL Group stage involvement as minimum criteria, so perhaps there are one two deals that may cheer us all up after all given a couple of positive results against the Turks ?
You know that might not be that far fetched ....... ? Anybody fancy a last minute bid for Juan Mata ? Mourinho doesn't seem to be too impressed with him and might be tempted to let him go.
Mourinho not stupid enough to see one of his players leave and improve a rival. Tonights result guarantees our CL group stage involvement so if there are any players out there waiting before deciding on a move they know the answer now.
When was the last time Mourinho saw us as rivals? That little bit of ignorance might actually work in our favour.
But Mourinho has barely used Mata, so i can't see why he'd be opposed to him leaving. Plus Mourinho doesn't consider us rivals, he sees us as being below Chelsea.
We are not guaranteed CL qualification, BUT we are bloody close. I can't se us failing to score at home so they are going to need 4-5 goals i recon which i just can't see happening (even with our defensive injury problems). So we may see some movement on transfers as we are highly likely to have CL football now. Most doubts about us making it will now be gone. Some players may want to wait until after the second leg but i'm quietly confident this result may trigger some movement in the transfer window.
I don't get why any manager would want to sell a player to another club in the same league unless there was a clear gulf between the two sides, we may not be on Chelsea's level right now but if Wenger can pull a rabbit or two out the hat before the window closes we could be a hell of alot closer, so I'd say we are still rivals.
Agreed, now that would be a marquee signing. More to the point, why is Mourinho not convinced by Mata, when Mata is the best midfielder in the league?
Wenger saying things are only just starting to happen for us now. I think we are working on a few things and can still expect signings. Looks like he has faith in Sagna as CB cover (and i agree Sagna does look a good CB) but he has admitted we are maybe short a defender so we might see as RB or CB comming in i think.
All of it has been speculation AFAIK as there is no clear instance in which Mourinho has shown he doesn't rate Mata. The papers see that he wasn't as involved early on and they make up the headlines. He's been their player of the year for 2 seasons in a row for ****'s sake. No matter how arrogant you are you don't just come up and say that type of player doesn't belong in your plans. I don't think there's anything to the Mata rumours.
Mata and Cazorla linking up in midfield, with the likes of Rosicky and Wilshere not too shabby with a pass either would make for some great passing play. Mata could take free-kicks for us as well.
We need a CB. I don't see the point in signing an RB, because Sagna is still top drawer, and i'd prefer him to play RB than cover as a CB. Ideally, we could get a utility defender, someone who can play across the back, like Benedikt Howedes.
