We've all been busy following the comings and goings at CFC, but our opponents are making some serious improvements as well. Liverpool and Man Utd especially seem to be bringing in quality players, Arsenal too. Now Liverpool look likely to offer 20m+ for Lukaku. I'm underwhelmed with our key players being so lacklustre in Brazil, Hazard was ordinary, Oscar just so so, Ramires all but invisible, Willian did little to inspire. Costa you can excuse. Only Schurrle Courtois and Atsu impressed. Shaping up to be another tough season from where I sit. We're in better shape for sure, but so are the others. This could well be the season that Managers show the way. Jose v Van Gaal v Brendon especially interesting.
Always feels like this CP. There is a tendency to look at other clubs and have concern that they have strengthened more than we have - only time will tell whether they have. The fact is that this season JM will not get away with his 'little ponies' and 'we are not ready' excuse bollox. Expectation levels are high and he will be expected to deliver. I'm still piss*d off we didn't win it last season. But for some pathetic, inexcusable reversals we would have done. The only thing that consoles me is we stopped Liverpool from doing so. Performances in the World Cup don't bother me in the slightest but Lukaku going to Anfield does. I would be amazed if that one went through.
Not quite sure which quality players you are referring to that Man Utd and Liverpool have bought in. Herrera and Lallana are decent. Shaw is a child and Lambert is so so. None of those are anywhere near the quality of Fabregas and Costa so that doesnt worry me. City and Arsenal have signed 1 player each I think (Fernando and Sanchez?) Sanchez is really good. Thing is Arsenal and Man Utd still need 2-3 more signings to challenge imo. Liverpool have lost their main goal threat and so far have signed Ricky Lambert to replace that. Lots of time left but nothing to unduly worry me so far. Really dont give a **** about who did what at the World Cup, I find International tournaments mean **** all in the grand scheme of things in regards to a players club performance.
Yeah, I'd like to think that the world cup isn't an indicator of player form fot next season, as a lot of players underperformed in Brazil. I think the arsenal are the ones to look out for, sanchez and debuchy are two top signings. With a center mid they'll be right up there with us. If Liverpool want lukaku they can have him. His heads been turned and doesn't want our shirt so I dont him. Shirley though has caught my eye very excited to see how he does next term.
No Lamps or Cole next year either , to fall back on when there are injuries! What happened in Brazil was disappointing (wonder how PSG fans are thinking re their new £50m signing) for our boys but I cant see that changing the way they perform under the Special one! What would Brazil have achieved if they had been coached by Jose?
Cole is the one we'll miss the most imo. Either Bertrand or more likely an unnecessary 20 mill lb will have a huge task next year.
I think we still need some midfielders. Right now only Matic and Fabregas fill me with confidence. Not fussed on Pogba due to the price, there's no value. Khedira or Kroos (or both, I kid) would be nice. If Lukaku does go then we need another striker although not happy being linked with the likes of Emenike and Aubameyang, who can't even get into other sides we are trying to be and expect to be better than. Higuain, Benzema and the likes are the guys we need to be targeting. If Costa gets injured I feel we may disappoint.
Plenty of time left yet for all premiership clubs. Maybe some have "behind closed doors" deals during the World cup. you had one amazing deal with Luiz getting 50 mill for him. If you had sold him after the world cup you would have been lucky to get 15. Cracking bit of business by Jose
People said that last season was exciting, but I think this coming season is going to be even better. There have already been some great signings in the PL. Sanchez for Arsenal with maybe Khedira or Bender to follow along with Debuchy. Herrera and Shaw for Utd and I reckon one more big one maybe Vidal or Hummels. You lot have signed Cesc and Costa and we still have over a month left of the window, so there's still time for all the clubs to add more players. I think Liverpool will suffer the most losing Suarez, also Gerrard is in the twilight of his career. They might buy Lukaku but Suarez was to them what Bale was to Spurs and I can't see the scousers doing as well this season. I think Utd and Arsenal are going to be the teams to beat this season, so watch out for a Jose bitch fest
On the signings so far, I don't see that Utd have improved that much - apart from the hard to discern managerial side. Shaw is not yet as good as Evra (although he will be better). They still need Jones/Evans/Smalling to step up for Ferdinand/Vidic. Of course this could change in the next month.
Good points there esp about Suarez - smart play would've been to retain his services as there are no guarantees that his replacements will replicate his goal scoring exploits up front. Must say I've been impressed by The Gooners acquisitions in Sanchez and in particular Khedira who'll add much needed steel to their midfield. Disappointed we missed out on Kroos but I guess it was inevitable with Real in the running.
Dats because i dont yous you ally give too many clues . Or maybe because Im in London on an ipad and have fat fingers ! On new players, its true Utd havent signed too many yet, but Van Gaal's been a bit busy. The line up they are "supposed " to be looking at is impressive. Anyway, what news on Spurs?? My Spud son in law is away in the Vietnam jungle somewhere, so I am fresh out of Spurs rumours.
On the Spurs rumours, very little to report - hopefully we are concentrating on getting last year's signings up to speed!
Although Arsenal have signed well (Sanchez) i still they need Defensive cover and somebody to hold the midfield together, don't find that easily. Sanchez is a great signing mind, was a bit disappointed we didn't go after him as i will be if we don't Di Maria. Liverpool are definitely weaker no matter who they sign as they won't have Suarez. They'll probably have a stronger squad depth wise but it will take some doing to replace Suarez. I wonder if they'll do similar to what Spurs did when they got rid of Bale. United had to improve, they couldn't get any worse. Still got some woeful players they need rid of, Cleverley, Anderson, Young etc. Their squad is miles away from being as good as ours. City have signed well, Fernando is a tidy player and if they get Mangala that's there problem position sorted IMO. Still got the strongest squad in the league and it seems to be getting better. We've done well so far, Fabregas is proven and exactly what we needed. Costa is also what we needed for a risk, can't be any worse than what we have surely? We've also got arguably the worlds best goalkeeper coming back to us. Still need a Left Back and Centre Back though but it's shaping up nicely for us.
Hope you do, the more London clubs going well the better as far as I'm concerned. I have decided it's not so much Clubs I dont like as managers and the odd player. Rooney per say, and Gerard, Fergie for certain. I don't "hate" anyone, even Liverpool, my long term least favourite, since Brendon Rogers went there. Never had a Spurs or Arsenal problem though love beating them. Look forward to a tough exciting and close season. As usual, we're in with a big chance, but winning the PL is not easy for anyone anymore, even the richest Clubs. Hope you Spuds get cracking and give it a big nudge.
