2016/17 Premier League & General Football Discussion

[Liquid]

In a bizarre move Liverpool have also signed 39-year old Austrian goalkeeper Alex Manninger, formerly of Arsenal and Salzburg, on a short-term deal. No mention was made about him having a coaching role and Manninger says he looks forward to playing if and when called upon.

This means they now have four senior goalkeepers in Alex Manninger, Loris Karius, Simon Mignolet and Danny Ward. I have many hopes in Danny Ward and I was kind of hoping he'd get his chance in the first team this year given that he was recalled early from his loan at Aberdeen last season. I guess not. He'll have to go out on loan again to get some game time, it seems.

---

Breaking: Steve Bruce quits Hull City

Contrary to what some may believe, Bruce's future at Hull was always in doubt with the club having been up for sale for a while now. The thinking is that he will go back to Sunderland to replace Allerdyce if Allerdyce gets the England job but both were interviewed this week.

Another one which annoys me from a Welsh point of view; Hal Robson-Kanu, much in demand after his performances at the Euros, was widely expected to sign for Hull. It's not official but I hope the ink isn't dry on that contract just yet! Why sign for a club when the manager who signs you quits soon after?

He'd be much better off in an entertaining side like Bouremouth anyway.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

England appoint Sam Allardyce on a two year deal...

 

[Akmuq]

He wouldn't get into the Bournemouth team though.

Maybe someone like Swansea or Burnley would have a use for him, but I don't think he's all that good.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Man United played Dortmund earlier and got hammered 1-4

Dortmund looked awesome, and err we didn't!, Jose was not happy at FT though I wouldn't read too much into it, we beat the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in friendlies when LVG was in charge, and the reign went well...

 

[Liquid]

He wouldn't get into the Bournemouth team though.

Even if he wasn't first name on the team sheet, I still think he'd do better there than at Hull. Then again, I'm curious as to whether Bournemouth can repeat their success of last year. Second Season Syndrome is yet to hit.

Allerdyce confirmed as England manager.

 

[Akmuq]

Even if he wasn't first name on the team sheet, I still think he'd do better there than at Hull. Then again, I'm curious as to whether Bournemouth can repeat their success of last year. Second Season Syndrome is yet to hit.

Allerdyce confirmed as England manager.

I think that Bournemouth are good enough to push on, they play good football that suits the premier league.

It's Watford I'm worried for, they got found out in the second half of last season and will go down if they don't change how they play IMO. Granted, they have a new manager, so there will probably be some change in philosophy.

Man United played Dortmund earlier and got hammered 1-4

Dortmund looked awesome, and err we didn't!, Jose was not happy at FT though I wouldn't read too much into it, we beat the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in friendlies when LVG was in charge, and the reign went well...

To be fair, Dortmund were exceptional for a lot of the time last year, the only failures they had were against Liverpool and the German cup final. Dortmund would hammer most teams.

Also yes, pre-season friendlies mean jack all.

 

[lxmmy]

Dortmund were exceptional for a lot of the time last year

Not really they had dropped vital points which they should of won easily, which made the chase of the Bundesliga ever so impossible.

More news,

Schurrle joins Dortmund for £30m.

Arsenal sign Rob Holding for £2.5m.

Few loan deals:
Guillermo Varela > Eintracht Frankfurt.
Borja Mayoral > Wolfsburg.
Filip Duricic > Sampdoria.
Carles Gil > Deportivo.

While, Watford are interested in signing Lille midfielder Sofiane Boufal. Who in my eyes very underrated, unbelievable pace and skill on the left wing.

 

[Akmuq]

Not really they had dropped vital points which they should of won easily, which made the chase of the Bundesliga ever so impossible.

What does the phrase "a lot" mean?

 

[Vegard]

 

[lxmmy]

What does the phrase "a lot" mean?

If they were exceptional for 'a lot' of last year then they should overtaken Bayern in the league. If you actually watched them then they were more frustrating as they seem to play absolute rubbish in the game week which Bayern had dropped points so they didn't take the chances to close the gap and in my opinion it was their time to clinch the Bundesliga. Last season of the Bundesliga wasn't great but quite poor in the standards of football by the bottom half of the table to which Dortmund manage not get full points against, also if Claudio Pizarro and Anthony Modeste and Kalou manage to clinch 14+ goals tells you something. So that is my interpretation of why they shouldn't be referenced to be 'exceptional for a lot of the time last year'.

 

[Liquid]

Fellaini no doubt going to Wearside soon enough.

 

[lxmmy]

Higuain is set to have a medical at Juventus.

Arsenal linked with Mahrez.

Bournemouth's bid for Brad Smith accepted.

Everton looking to finalise a move for Witsel.

Marseille sign Iseka.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

So a few Twitter rumours since last night that Martial is leaving United because he lost his number 9 shirt to Ibrahimovic and he is not happy about it, so much so that apparently Arsenal are making a bid for him, no I haven't made that up....

 

[Akmuq]

This is why you don't sign someone bigger than the team. Zlatan is here for a year, Martial has 7 or 8 good years ahead of him.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Exactly!, the only numbers strikers should be worried about is the number of balls they put in the back of the net...

 

[lxmmy]

It's a rumour made up on Twitter. I'm sure he isn't leaving because he's squad number has been taken.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

He has unfollowed United on Twitter and Instagram.

Anyway United face City in Beijing (that sounds so wrong!) tomorrow, the pitch is terrible because of some of the Biblical weather there that put the game in doubt, match still goes ahead.

In other friendly news, Leicester beat Celtic in the ICC on penalties yesterday, in that competition if its a draw in normal time then it goes straight to pens, Mahrez scored a great goal and got MOTM admist growing specutlation of his future.

 

[lxmmy]

Bordeaux have enquired about Debuchy.

Moyes could make Micah Richards his first signing at Sunderland.

Stoke and Crystal Palace are in strong positions to get Berahino.

Edit:

Allen to have a medical at Stoke.

Icardi to join Napoli while Bacca could possibly replace him at Inter.

 

[MoLiEG]

Bordeaux have enquired about Debuchy.

Moyes could make Micah Richards his first signing at Sunderland.

Stoke and Crystal Palace are in strong positions to get Berahino.

Edit:

Allen to have a medical at Stoke.

Icardi to join Napoli while Bacca could possibly replace him at Inter.

So that means that the Higuaín transfer is going to happen, right?

 

[SVT Cobra GT]

Anyway United face City in Beijing (that sounds so wrong!) tomorrow, the pitch is terrible because of some of the Biblical weather there that put the game in doubt, match still goes ahead.

Isn't going to happen now

 

[lxmmy]

So that means that the Higuaín transfer is going to happen, right?

Most likely but the transfer fee is going to be paid over a period of 2 seasons with Mandzukic or Zaza expected to be sold to raise even more funds.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

City v United was called off earlier because of an unplayable pitch...

 

[Akmuq]

Most likely but the transfer fee is going to be paid over a period of 2 seasons with Mandzukic or Zaza expected to be sold to raise even more funds.

A lot of the big transfers are paid over a number of years. I believe this year is the last that Madrid are paying Spurs for Bale.


Also, if Juve keep Pogba and get Higuaín they could be fighting for the Champions League.

 

[lxmmy]

A lot of the big transfers are paid over a number of years. I believe this year is the last that Madrid are paying Spurs for Bale.


Also, if Juve keep Pogba and get Higuaín they could be fighting for the Champions League.

Higuain and Dybala up front are going to wreak havoc. Pjaca is also a good replacement for Cuadrado.

 

[MoLiEG]

Higuain and Dybala up front are going to wreak havoc. Pjaca is also a good replacement for Cuadrado.

How good is Pjaca? Never heard of him.

 

[MUSC4EVER]

Joe Allen is now a Stoke player.

 

[lxmmy]

How good is Pjaca? Never heard of him.

Definitely one for the future, very much like Perisic but with more pace.

 

[lxmmy]

Higuain has officially moved to Juventus.

Roma are looking to buy Vermealen to replace Castan.

Lyon have revealed rejected bids of £35m from West Ham and Arsenal. Will likely to leave if they added another £10m. (Lacazette)

Pato set to sign for Villareal.

Leicester have bid £5m for Kapustka.

 

[Dennisch]

Mr High Salary Never Able To Play van der Vaart has seeked contact with Reading for a possible transfer.

If I can advise Jaap Stam and his club.

No.

 

[lxmmy]

Napoli has already started to use their Higuain money by bidding for Icardi, Milik and Maksimovic plus reaching an agreement with Lyon for Tolisso.

Chelsea have made a £37m bid for Koulibaly.

Wenger has expressed he wants to sign a centre back in replacement of injured Mertesacker. Mustafi looks to be top priority.

Pato has officially signed for Villarreal.

Szczesny is on the verge of joining Roma on a loan.

Brad Smith moves to Bournemouth.