The Blue Train

It appears he can play LWB as well? Could be useful since Alonso will need rotation/competition sooner rather than later. If we're looking at Bundesliga players I hope the club has at least inquired about Goretzka as well as his contract runs out in the summer, but there are rumours about him having pre-contracts already in place.

I imagine the first line to Madonna's La Isla Bonita is being played on repeat over at Old Trafford tonight! A good signing, which I think was needed. Won't expect him to get more than 10-12 goals in all competitions, but I think he'll find goals where we wouldn't without him in the team.

Won't be a problem at all. Might've been due to Atletico playing a low line, but I can't recall him being caught out at all actually. Probably happened, but it wasn't a usual occurence.

I watched maybe 25-30 Atletico games last season because I had become a Diego Costa fanboy the season before. The word I'd use to describe Luis is definitely 'solid'. He isn't flashy but does his job and I have no doubt he'll be a success here. Probably more excited by this signing than I should be :p

I'm very much for this deal, and I hope it goes through soon. We've been giving Arsenal stick for ages with the "you win nothing with kids" stuff, and I think there's some truth to that statement.

That stat can't be right though...surely? Considering we already have a new striker in Costa I'd rather see money be spent elsewhere. That said if it's him or nothing I'd take him for sure, you can never have too many good strikers.

Fact of the matter is that we need a new striker though, and Suarez isn't available to us. Neither Is Agüero. There are strong rumours that Falcao is going to sign for Real Madrid. That leaves Cavani, who PSG bought for around 60 million euros. I'm no businessman, but I'd assume PSG would at the very least want to break even there, maybe even make a profit, and suddenly the Costa deal doesn't look so bad considering it would be about half the price. I actually think it's a super deal. There have been plenty of top level forwards that weren't able to create chances for themselves, for example Raul, Inzaghi, and in the Premier League most notably van Nistelrooy. Not saying Costa will definitely reach their heights, but it's pretty far from doom and gloom.

I get your points about not wanting Costa because you're wary of his hamstring injury, but why on earth would you then want van Persie instead? It's like his bones are made out of biscuits. Hernandez is probably also a couple of levels below what we're looking for.

Fantastic deal if true. Probably more likely to be towards 40 mil, and that is astonishing. Almost 100 mil from Mata, De Bruyne and Luiz...here's to hoping it's spent on a forward, centre mid and left back.

God damnit. I'm already in full muppet mode and the season just ended yesterday!

Saw that someone had mentioned Torres having scored more than 30 league goals 3.5 years ago or something on the previous page. Am I crazy or isn't his best season league-wise when he scored 24 for Liverpool? Pretty far off from 30.

Would've been a good buy when we were interested in him a couple of years ago, but I think this ship has well and truly sailed.

Rakitic would do for me, a really solid playmaker that hopefully wouldn't cost more than £25m.

Something I like about his play is that he seems to spread out his goals a lot. Some strikers seem to score a couple in a game, and then not be in the score sheet the next. I'd gladly take someone scoring once every game over someone who scores twice every other, especially with the defence we currently have. Would be over the moon if this transfer went through, I do rate him slightly above Cavani.

School prom on the evening of the final in 2008. The amount of stick I got after the penalties...

Mendieta used to be the king of this technique. It felt like it was a sure goal every time he stepped up, sending the keeper the wrong way every time.

Subbed off in the 75th minute. Was more involved in the 2nd half but didn't make a mark on the game. As mentioned above I'm not sure this acquisition is needed. If he plays as a pure midfielder we have Ramires who plays in a very similar role, and we have better attacking midfielders. I guess depth in central midfield is needed though, but if it was up to me I'd go for someone else, assuming there are people available.

From what I've gathered we'd be playing him in the same style we play Ramires (which you're describing). For that reason I don't really see the point of buying since...well, we have Ramires. I'd much rather we bought a midfielder more comfortable with his passing and positional play.

First half has been horrible and I regret watching it. Guarin seems to be playing way higher up than the DM position we'd be buying him for, almost playing as a second striker. He has been largely anonymous, except getting carded and getting into a semi-fight.

Since we're looking not unlikely to sign this guy I figured I'd see the Lazio - Inter game starting in 2 minutes (5.30). I'll post what I thought about him after the game.

Some tough away games at the start of the season, but it'll be nice to have them out of the way and start the season with a bang. Our fixtures around Christmas are brilliant, two out of three games are at home, and the third one is away to Arsenal meaning no significant travel.

Yea I was thinking the same. I wonder if English to English works :P

Typed it into google translate and this came out: André Villas-Boas went to Chelsea. Abramovich took our coach Dragão. We must thank the "Mister" all work and trophies won us this season. We lost our coach but we will continue very strong. U.S. PORTO!

Didn't Big Sam say that he'd win the League and Champions League every year with Man Utd's and our squad? Big Sam it is then ;)