Premier League Thread 2015-16

Andy Carroll, recently back from a hamstring injury, is now out with a groin strain. They shoot horses, don't they?

 

and they had the nerve to say things about Charlie Austin!

 

Ssh. Cross your fingers, throw salt over your shoulder and spit. Fate is listening, you know.

 

But persist with donkeys?

 

Gundogan close to joining City apparently.

 

Ugly Inside article on players' careers after leaving Southampton FC: http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/42069/

One of UI's better efforts, I'd say.

 

Feel rather sorry for this Aston Villa supporter of many years and now ex-employee [audio]:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03k2hdc

 

Of course, the sentiment is good for Saints fans, but I have not one single doubt that he does not regret the move, and would make the same move a thousand times over if given the choice again. Same for every other of the players who left. It's a transition season for him in particular - he'll become a regular going forward, post-VG. All the others may languish/be shifted on next season or the one after, but still none will regret the move. Who would, given the jump in wages, and the big club on their CV indelibly?

 

It will be interesting to see what happens to Leicester this summer. Even with Champions League football will they be able to hold on to Vardy, Mahrez and Kante?

 

I just can't see a top team wanting Vardy, he's really not that good, plus his age and the fee Leicester would want for him mean that I don't think he will be high up any of the usual suspects list of transfer targets. Mahrez and Kante are different stories though as they both have age on their side aswell as being very good footballers.

 

For me, it depends on whether they can win the league or not. If they win, I expect they'll keep most of their players. If they come second? Well, look what happened to Liverpool. Did Suarez stick around?

 

I think it depends on what Leicester City do to prepare for next season. Do they make the jump to 'Big Club' or do they do what eventually befell Blackburn Rovers. It's dangerous territory, but I'd like Saints to have the worry. These days, with the new TV deal, there has never been a better time in the Premier League to help make the leap forward. To my mind, Leicester City need to seize this opportunity, as it may mean the difference between big club and cannon fodder, and could conceivably never come again.

 

Vardy yes. The other two however will attract interest from top clubs and not just in England.

 

Reckon they'll keep Vardy - age is against him, when speed is his main weapon, but also he doesn't have the profile to attract a top four club - he's not an England regular, for example. No one will want to pay what he's worth to Leicester, now he's on a new contract, plus I'm not sure he's got another season like this in him. Most would want to see him do it again, by which time he'll be in his 30s.

I'd be surprised if Mahrez and Kante don't leave - both are also crucially not English, so will open up their options to go to top European teams. Whereas we know English players don't like to travel.

 

Vardy has a controvertial* background too.







*racist

 

I guess that's what Americans refer to as a dynasty. The trouble is, it's not just about keeping players, but building on the team/squad to be able to compete in Europe and domestically.
Even the mega wealthy City & Chelsea took a while to grow squads capable of doing this.

 

I know his is the rags to riches story and Leicester are having the dream season that us neutrals are supposed to get behind, but Vardy is not a man I have taken to as a personality.

 

I will be amazed if Kante and Mahrez stay at Leicester. Both players are capable of playing for the very best teams. Kante has been the best CM in the league by a country mile.

 

I know, but isn't this the best time to start?

 

Leicester have got themselves in a great position, but it's near on impossible to keep hold of top players when you don't have the wage structure or prestige. There are much bigger clubs, not just domestically but abroad.

One thing in their favour will be that any top players sold will be sold at huge prices. The biggest challenge for any club is how you re-invest that money without losing momentum.
We've done pretty well without the advantage of being able to offer champions league.