I really rate Firpo and unless he has done a Schneiderlin in his time at Barca he is a fantastic player Bamford is terrible, had a good season last year but I remain unconvinced he isn’t still the same player he has been for the rest of his career. The crowds being back should help (although I watched the Leeds Everton game in full and they were useless in that game with a crowd who hadn’t seen PL football in 20 years or whatever it’s been). As I said it’s probably my dislike for them shining through but I really think they will struggle this year. Couple of days left of the window so they may get a couple of players in that changes things
I’d be really hoping for some signings in the last phase of the window. I actually like them now as a club, like the owners and the way they play football. A far cry from the 80s.
So the latest rumour is that Leeds are going to pay £30m for Dan James. If true that sounds like terrible business
I think he'd do really well for Leeds. But yeah, that price (if true) is about double what it should be. It'll duly be explained by the "big boys tax", where the likes of Utd and Liverpool can demand whatever outlandish fees they like - and you either pay it or they stay.
I guess it highlights our issue with upgrading our attacking midfield positions. If those are the rates even for someone unproven I thought West Ham baulked at the same fee for lingard who proven. But that was likely overall package including wages
Its great business for ManUtd! If you've seen Leeds Utd Take Us Home on amazon - which is very good btw apart from them playing sky blue thanks to the horrific colour grade, there's a scene at the end of the january transfer window with Dan James literally signing the contract to become a Leeds player from swansea and he's all smiles and happiness filled as they wait for the Swansea release papers. The time starts to rack up and nothing happens, James takes a phone call and walks out at the last minute while the DoF breaks into tears. Its a pretty amazing insight. He went back to swansea and ManU took him in the following summer I believe. That red shirt and a few sub appearances will probably cost 20+m. Sad that Leeds haven't found another player in that time really.
They got Raphinha didn’t they? Who is better? James is just another person to add in. And allows them to potentially sell Raphinha to Liverpool or someone for 50m+ next summer
Sorry, wasn't clear, I meant that in the time since they thought they signed him they haven't been able to move on and are still willing to pay the red shirt premium to get Dan James. I think he will be a good signing for them because their breakaway play will capitalise on his pace brilliantly. Whether there will be any end product we will see but I think he's got good potential. 30m? Nope.
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I just don't see the Ronaldo signing doing anything but drag Utd under. They have some of the best young attacking talent in the country and one of the best experienced strikers in the world. They have some of the biggest name players in football but somehow they have been missing the services of a 36 yr old egotistical winger cum striker? It's insane. I get the impression already that their chemistry swings from lukewarm to slightly toxic and I can only see Ronaldo undermining the squad and the manager further.
Prior to the Man Utd v Wolves match on Radio 5, the commentary team actually suggested that the arrival of Ronaldo would be inspirational to the Man Utd playing staff. The reality is that Ronaldo is not an egoist but hugely competitive and that everyone will be raising their game. I think this is the final piece in the jigsaw for them and it is a game changer. In my opinion, Man Utd are very much title contenders this season and I can see this season becoming a two horse race between them and City. They will finish significantly above Liverpool in May. The impact of having Ronaldo in the team will have a significant impact on their younger players too and there will be an expectancy to win matches that might not have been there previously. There is no doubt that this is a game-changing signature.
I think Chelsea will win it. United will be let down by having a poor manager, though I suspect this is his last season.
They're the top 4 but the order is harder to pin down. All 4 teams have potentially title winning starting 11s. But over a season you would expect that City and Chelseas quality of depth will shine through and take them clear of Liverpool and Man Utd. Leicester will probably finish 5th again too. Expect Spurs and Arsenal to be between 5th and 8th. Not sure who the surprise package will be this season, maybe Brentford. Relegation seems wide open too. Most people are booking Norwich on their return journey on the yoyo express but the other 2 spots could be any number of teams.
