We are still thin in quality players and there's too many sub-par players who, as has been pointed out above, either won't/don't want to leave or where the deal just hasn't/can't be struck. That leaves me thinking for the first part someone at the club needs to be more ruthless and just tell them to do one, if that has happened - e.g. with Borini - then they obv just want to stay because they see good things happening and it's a great club - commendable attitude but frustrating when we can all see the player will never be good enough. For the second part our negotiating team need to step it up, find better contacts and maybe be prepared to take a small hit financially if it means getting those who will never make it away, if part of this is down to the players being greedy and wanting more money it's difficult because of contractual issues - can't force them out exactly. Hopefull we do make one or two top quality signings before long to prove our intent and show the deadwood that they're not up to par. I suspect it will go down to, or very near to deadline day again. This always seems to happen, especially with big money signings, even though the best thing for the squad is to get the man in early so they can bed in and train with everyone. We have bought early, but I don't think any of those brought in so far are the top CL draw kind of players we hoped for/expected when we qualified. I'm sure many of them will become top quality players but we need one or two who are top quality now.
Even if the ban is confirmed Barca will still be allowed to keep any players they signed whilst it was suspended. Its a farce, they know the ban will be upheld so they will appeal as far as they can to keep it as a suspended ban until they have signed a completely new team to carry them over the ban when it is finally imposed. This may come as a shock to some on the board but I am beginning to think that there might be a bit of corruption in football especially on the world stage, just a feeling I get sometimes. Maybe me being a little "conspiracy theory"...who knows.
Really? Thought was being quoted at around £14m a few weeks back? I was doubtful on him to start with but I'm starting to warm to him a bit and come around to the idea of signing him. Where's this come from?
Everyone knew why Barca appealed, so they could get their transfers done this summer (otherwise they would be stuck with no keeper) and then sit pretty for the rest of the season. They'll probably end up having the transfer ban lifted next year and end up paying a fine or something though.
"reports in Italy" (Berlusconi's own paper) which exploded all over twatter http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/20/liver...for-ac-milan-striker-mario-balotelli-4839609/
Balotelli is a good player on his day, but will only perform when he feels like. He seems to take offence and sulk at the slightest thing and should never be allowed near fireworks. The only advantage is he is older than when he was at City so might of matured a bit, but don't hold your breath.
I'd rather Balotelli than no one. He knows the prem, he's young, and his value is unlikely to drop below £10m so it's no big loss if we shift him next summer
Yeah he's got a far better pedigree as is much more used to dealing with big name players than Mancini and Mourinho