: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz3qSTZmTn8Today's Football
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jamesedwards
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Kai wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 1:26 pmArne "Hank" Slot trying to convince Marc Guehi to leave Crystal Palace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz3qSTZmTn8
Can't believe it worked!jamesedwards wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 1:49 pmKai wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 1:26 pmArne "Hank" Slot trying to convince Marc Guehi to leave Crystal Palace
Good transfer window summary from B/R Football : https://x.com/brfootball/status/1962641828944945359
A lot of narratives going around but all seems pretty clear-cut in the numbers etc...
Arsenal for example kept the entire squad without selling anyone, added 2 new starters, and stacked up on attackers because last season they ran out of options there.
Liverpool have 4 new starters and may need some time to bed in after a large turnover of players, but have sold extremely well. Over past 2 seasons spent 130ish mil per season or around 65m per window, (on par with FSG average of like 50m).
Chelsea look like they've had a quiet one based off that but added 10 new "wonderkids" and got rid of the most players by far, sold incredibly well and pulled Bayern's pants there at the end on top. I guess they'll keep recycling wonderkids until they hit more Cole Palmers.
Bottom 3 clubs there that are incredibly well run in Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth seemingly got raided the most so profited the most.
Arsenal for example kept the entire squad without selling anyone, added 2 new starters, and stacked up on attackers because last season they ran out of options there.
Liverpool have 4 new starters and may need some time to bed in after a large turnover of players, but have sold extremely well. Over past 2 seasons spent 130ish mil per season or around 65m per window, (on par with FSG average of like 50m).
Chelsea look like they've had a quiet one based off that but added 10 new "wonderkids" and got rid of the most players by far, sold incredibly well and pulled Bayern's pants there at the end on top. I guess they'll keep recycling wonderkids until they hit more Cole Palmers.
Bottom 3 clubs there that are incredibly well run in Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth seemingly got raided the most so profited the most.
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jamesedwards
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- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2018 6:16 pm
The whole Liverpool spending spree has been strange imo. No harm in strengthening to keep ahead of the pack, but to replace half the first team when you are already in front seems rather risky.
Maybe think they sense weakness around them (Pep/city on the wane) so looking to build a dynasty with a sober and effective manager. Maybe trying to follow the 3 at the front blueprint that has served them so well. Defo light at the back though. Also prem is won in the middle of the park and it's looking average if Gravenberch doesn't have a stellar season and Alexis looks jaded. Pretty ordinary so far but clear at the top..... It maybe comes down to Virgil staying uninjured as the gamble could wobble if the worst happens in that regard. Could flat track bully themselves to the title knowing Arteta will try and do the same. Chelsea could go with them and gather points in the tried and trusted Italian way. The 6 pointers will be key I think this season. Plus Spurs can bloody a few noses.
Every player is its own story, but despite what the league table was showing the team had some big issues and it had to be done, like I was trying to highlight last season.
Trent decided to leave and had to be replaced. Luis Diaz wanted to leave because the club had him by the balls on a low long term wage. Darwin was finished at the club and Jota passed away so 2 new strikers were desperately needed.
Isak was a big market opportunity because no other club could afford an elite striker or needed one. I don't have the stats on me atm (think I saw Sky post them after Liv-Ars as well) but goals are only a part of his package, they went for him because he basically ranks 1st on all the metrics from goals to everything else. He's seen as a complete forward and Ekitike is basically the same player, near identical on both data and eye tests.
The LB position was seen as the biggest weakness at the time due to Robertson missing the preseason and struggling for form, while Tsimikas never looked like making the position his own. So after 8 consistent years Robbo was given a different role, the vice captain one but a backup to a new fresh LB.
Wirtz was a unique opportunity in the market that rarely comes along, Bayern thought they had dibs on every German generational talent but apparently not. I see this one as the only real luxury buy that wasn't out of necessity. The club hasn't had a #10 type of player since Coutinho days.
Guehi is seen as a replacement for Konate who is expected to leave for Real next summer on a free. Leoni has replaced the unreliable Quansah but sort of seen as a long term VVD replacement, although there's no replacing the colossus.
Trent decided to leave and had to be replaced. Luis Diaz wanted to leave because the club had him by the balls on a low long term wage. Darwin was finished at the club and Jota passed away so 2 new strikers were desperately needed.
Isak was a big market opportunity because no other club could afford an elite striker or needed one. I don't have the stats on me atm (think I saw Sky post them after Liv-Ars as well) but goals are only a part of his package, they went for him because he basically ranks 1st on all the metrics from goals to everything else. He's seen as a complete forward and Ekitike is basically the same player, near identical on both data and eye tests.
The LB position was seen as the biggest weakness at the time due to Robertson missing the preseason and struggling for form, while Tsimikas never looked like making the position his own. So after 8 consistent years Robbo was given a different role, the vice captain one but a backup to a new fresh LB.
Wirtz was a unique opportunity in the market that rarely comes along, Bayern thought they had dibs on every German generational talent but apparently not. I see this one as the only real luxury buy that wasn't out of necessity. The club hasn't had a #10 type of player since Coutinho days.
Guehi is seen as a replacement for Konate who is expected to leave for Real next summer on a free. Leoni has replaced the unreliable Quansah but sort of seen as a long term VVD replacement, although there's no replacing the colossus.
It was meant to be a season of transition last year but Slot machine took over. I think the gamble is the number of players that could tread on each others toes..... I know you don't subscribe to the Isak baggage theory but it could be ego tastic the dressing room and an early search for football identity will be fascinating after a lot of signings. As it stands the club have so much momentum that Arsenal are always trying to cling on to but without silverware it becomes difficult and the swagger/magic/mentality gap grows however with the new signings it could disrupt the usual competitive/confidence advantage that champions get for free.
Jota will be missed in more ways than one and Slot's biggest problem (nice one to have) how to shuffle that pack develop an identity and style and (bit of a headache) protect the back 4 adequately enough. On paper 3-1 and 4-2 look likely scorelines. You should do a weekly Liverpool update since they are the story and the main draw. It should be a great season all round (on paper at least)
Jota will be missed in more ways than one and Slot's biggest problem (nice one to have) how to shuffle that pack develop an identity and style and (bit of a headache) protect the back 4 adequately enough. On paper 3-1 and 4-2 look likely scorelines. You should do a weekly Liverpool update since they are the story and the main draw. It should be a great season all round (on paper at least)