The return of CR7 IMHO will be fascinating to observe. The guy keeps himself in immense physical form, but is the pace of PL too much now even for him.
I remember a few years back we were linked with him, back when he was still with Dinamo Instead he signed for Barca, and his career has been on a downward trajectory ever since
In a window where: United sign Sancho, Varane and Ronaldo. Barcelona sign Aguero and Memphis. City sign Grealish. Chelsea sign Lukaku and Kounde. PSG sign Ramos, Messi, Donarumma, Hakim and Winjaldum. The gooners are the biggest spenders
And personally I don't think they've even strengthened much with those signings. Admittedly don't know much about Lokonga but I didn't think Odegaard set the place alight last season, whereas Ramsdale and White being the big money signings don't really represent value for money for me. A keeper with two relegations on his CV and a CB who's had one season in the Prem where he was being marshalled by Dunk at the back, no doubt he's got potential but I think Arsenal need(ed) a leader in that backline and for me that ain't White.
Clever by CR7's agent, seems to have played the Manc clubs off against each other. I'm not sure United were thinking of buying him before Citeh were offered. After all, it seems he's bee available and/or at least showing signs of wanting to leave for a while. In other words, if this signing is as brilliant as everyone is saying (and there has been some very uncritical reaction on the radio), then why didn't ManU pursue it earlier? Answer is because they didn't think they needed him. Now they're paying what is it £500k pw for a player they don't need, instead of spending money on those they do. Their attack is now ridiculous, and I don't really mean it in a good way. How many players are similar and how many can they play at once? Incidentally probably means less time for people like Greenwood, and Sancho might spend more time on the bench than he was expecting. I understand CR7 is also meant to be the ultimate professional, but I wonder if that is based on him pretty much always getting his way? What happens when there is a clash with other 'characters' (I think there are one or two already there), perhaps over who takes penalties. Perhaps other players may not like how his profile puts them relatively in the shade. And how much respect will he have for Ollie as a manager? Basically there's more questions than everyone has been alluding to. For example I heard allegedly respectable journo Shaun Custis on TalkShite earlier losing complete perspective about how clever the United project is, even stating how long term they are thinking. Yep, long term like Cavani and Ronaldo.... they do not represent long term planning!
It may pay for itself, but it will be fascinating to see the impact on the pitch. I don't follow Italian football but he doesn't look the player he was when I have seen him. Can Ole also mollify the squad, you have stupidly too many forwards now. Greenwood, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Cavani. That's not factoring in James, Mata, Lingard Martial, Van de Beek. Your club has a lot to do by Tuesday.
It was hilarious seeing Man Utd fans pivot from "He's 36, he's past it" to "Welcome home!!!!!" in the space of four hours yesterday
I'm supposed to be getting the luggage down from the loft... Mrs B: "Have you seen enough yet?" Brian:
The Arsenal defence are issuing invitations for City to score. If they don't wake up, this could be a cricket score.
Rumours that Pep wants to resign Arteta as his No 2 after the game. By the look of things he hired him last week....
