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I honestly don't think Alonso would have given Watson and Nicoll-Jazuli shirt numbers if he didn't think they were ready ... Xabi doesn't strike me as a box ticker to show the academy pathway to the first team squad unless it's a genuine addition to the squad ...

I think the rules on spending etc don't ever take into account assets, players or anything else. It's purely what we spend ( transfers, and wages for every member of staff not just players) against income ( player sales commercial etc) I could well be wrong, but spending on a player isn't wiped out because you actually have the player as an asset? Sydney has a very good explanation regarding both our comments .

Enzo's heat map for the PL last season pretty much confirms the eye test that he spent most of the season hiding in left attacking midfield, getting in the way of Cucurella and the left winger All easily replaceable LOL Incidentally, Barco's 25/26 Ligue 1 heat map reinforces Alonso's comments today about his energy That looks pretty good to me for what we want alongside Caicedo in central midfield (assuming Caicedo is fit of course !)

Only for CBs that has a higher level on-the-ball technique and/or insane physical attributes. In most cases it's for emergencies or a different football philosophy (rarely long-term) You would never put guys like Matic in defence or Rudiger at CM unless it's an emergency I'm talking about at the very highest level where players can best express their attributes to compete with their peers (many of whom are generational talents) Drogba and Henry weren't playing their best as wingers, that's why their most successful run in their careers were as strikers. Positions have always been flexible, but at the top level in different countries require different skillsets and some players can only express their best attributes and skillsets in certain positions. I mean, most kids start out playing whatever position and the coaches specialize for them

Squad numbers for this season. I think most of the players have the same numbers as last season.

If Caicedo and Lavia remain fit we have no issues at all. Only concern is that Caicedo seems already injured and we know Lavia's history with injuries. We probably should have kept Santos in the squad as cover.

Saw him play for Swansea City in the mid 80s. John Bond was manager. They managed to avoid relegation that year to the old Fourth Division. This was when they were in a massive decline after the John Toshack years when they finished 3rd in the First division.

A fine band. Mark Feltham is a superb harmonica player.

Excellent choice. The ugly FOS logo hasn't grown on me yet BTW

A wonderful player.

Theres a lot of CBs who spend a significant amount of game time as a midfielder nowadays, I think the 2 positions are much closer than theyve ever been before.

I actually disagree with this. I think this lad would have complemented our midfield and would have fit well into Alonso’s system. The shame of this whole situation is that I think the lad wanted to join but if we have any balls we should never deal with Monaco again whilst this clown works for them, meaning the whole Camara deal will just slide past. Shame really

I vote Martinez to start as a DM... TBH, most players can play in a number of poisions across midfield and defence. strikers and keepers are the specialists, Drogba used to play as a winger for Marseille, Henry was a winger too?! anyhow, imagine if we had an Ivanovic right now...

Oversimplification here. If defenders could just plug and play into midfield, you'd see tons of it happening but it's never the case. They occupy different roles and need different skillsets. Sometimes you find players that possess attributes that can fit anywhere but those are rare at the very top level

100%

He has spoken. Seems content with his options.

BBC SportRangers-Celtic: No away fans for SPFL Old Firm matches th...There will be no away supporters for Celtic and Rangers derbies in the Scottish Premiership or Premier Sports Cup this season.

I think that's got to be a part of it. People who know he cost the Earth and don't watch him for 90 mins every week, but just notice his name pop up fairly often on the scoresheet and see his actually quite good goal/assist stats. TV highlights packages will emphasize his goals and assists, but may not show all the times he gets dribbled past through the middle of midfield (this is one of the major weaknesses that Adam Clery highlights in his video) like there's nobody there. I will also be following his progress (and Maresca's) at city this season with some interest. He's already generally disliked throughout England, so it won't take much for the Manc fans to turn on him, which would also reflect on Maresca since he's Maresca's man.

Agree, she's a good leader and knows the club well. The club has announced that Bjorn and Bronze as vice-captains. Good choices. Chelsea Women vice-captains confirmed

He will definitely help to provide some leadership to the back line.

If I remember correctly, Hughsie and his childhood mates from Wrexham all grew up as Chelsea fans.

Last 5 years.