Lets hope we ramped the price up a bit for them, since they seem to be linking themselves with most of our targets, despite not needing them

Wouldnt surprise me if we were never in for him in the first place and it was his agent and Benifca using us to boost the price.

Im wondering what happens with Marcelo now, he was pretty good last season . . . maybe theyre thinking about playing him in midfield

I have a feeling Coentrao will become the Zhirkov of Madrid.

I have a feeling Coentrao will become the Zhirkov of Madrid.

If rumours of the fee are correct then he will be a bloody expensive Zhirkov. £27m apparently, glad we didnt pay that.

If rumours of the fee are correct then he will be a bloody expensive Zhirkov. £27m apparently, glad we didnt pay that.

f**k me, that makes the £18M we parted with for Zhirkov almost look like good value.

No, actually it still doesn't!!

f**k me, that makes the £18M we parted with for Zhirkov almost look like good value.

No, actually it still doesn't!!

Accept he is better than yuri, that was a proper Guus dud. No foward planning either, with 2 god young left backs coming through.

Edited July 5, 201115 yr by Ben

Hows this for a leap of logic. Tevez may sign for Chelsea because there is a direct flight from Heathrow to Buenos Aires but not one from Manchester.....

I bet we will now be linked in tomorrows papers.

Let Tevez go.. I think we need to stick with what we got with a few additions

--------- CECH --------

BRANO PEPE TERRY COLE

--------- LUIZ ---------

-- LAMPARD PASTORE --

SANCHEZ TORRES MODRIC

BENCH : DROGBA / RAMIRES / JOSH / STURRIDGE / ALEX / LUKAKA / KEEPER

Prob a dream lol

From the Fail - Mikel to Juve

Why would you want Pepe O.o

Hows this for a leap of logic. Tevez may sign for Chelsea because there is a direct flight from Heathrow to Buenos Aires but not one from Manchester.....

I bet we will now be linked in tomorrows papers.

Spread it around other footie forums too ;)

From the Fail - Mikel to Juve

I can't believe there isn't a section of the forum shouting this from the hilltops, they've wanted this day to come for a long time.

I still can't make up my mind to be honest, he is the only purely defensive midfielder in the team. It'd be a shame to see Essien or Ramires shackled with that responsibility.

I can't believe there isn't a section of the forum shouting this from the hilltops, they've wanted this day to come for a long time.

I still can't make up my mind to be honest, he is the only purely defensive midfielder in the team. It'd be a shame to see Essien or Ramires shackled with that responsibility.

IF and when it happens, I'll make my way to those hill-tops and I'm sure I'll be trying to catch up with bjd and Liam. ;)

I still can't make up my mind to be honest, he is the only purely defensive midfielder in the team. It'd be a shame to see Essien or Ramires shackled with that responsibility.

Dint do justice to that tag and was very average in the later half of the season, also begs the question whether we should stick to a DM if he isn't a world beater like Maka/ Di Jong or Yaya Toure. Right now I'd be tempted to re-look at the contribution of the DM role to our overall game.

He was up and down again at the end of the year. I think it was in the Spuds match he was voted MOM on here and then when we went to OT and he was horrid, not tracking Rooney well at all.

Each manager seems to play him when they first start here though. He's obviously got something but it just doesn't come consistently. I agree with you that there is an argument for getting rid of the DM fullstop and moving to more of a 'double pivot' situation. I think that is certainly plausible if Modric signs, with he and Essien sitting in behind Frank in a freer role a little like he had under Hiddink.

I think he'll be kept for two reasons: Firstly, because let's face it Essien could go down at any moment, and secondly because he is still only 24 and has his best years in the position ahead of him. Let's remember that Makelele was well in his 30's by the time he reached his peak in the position.

He's obviously got something

That'll be that "Physical Presence".

That'll be that "Physical Presence".

Not to mention excellent passing ability. I'm sure you agree... :)

My (Spurs supporting) friend just said that both Tottenham and Chelsea are interested in Hargreaves? lol

Really can't see it happening, apparently Spurs in particular are interested since they're not prepared to meet Parker's valuation.

On a similar note, lol: http://ishargreavestillinjured.com/ Poor fella.

(edit) apparently we're very much in for Nasri too.

Edited July 6, 201115 yr by blizeH

He was up and down again at the end of the year. I think it was in the Spuds match he was voted MOM on here and then when we went to OT and he was horrid, not tracking Rooney well at all.

I don't deny that he has the ability but his consistency is such that it makes me believe that it would be a smart move to let him go. Besides the point of playing an outright DM in a big game is to ensure that your solid at the back, watching him at OT and the defence struggle made me wonder if we can afford the luxury of throwing away big games only because we had to play the designated DM. The Mikel fanboys always mention his age as a factor but forget that he has been around for around 6 to 7 years, that's long enough to learn the trade if not long enough to cement a starting place.

Each manager seems to play him when they first start here though. He's obviously got something but it just doesn't come consistently. I agree with you that there is an argument for getting rid of the DM fullstop and moving to more of a 'double pivot' situation. I think that is certainly plausible if Modric signs, with he and Essien sitting in behind Frank in a freer role a little like he had under Hiddink.

I believe using a double pivot would be the best way forward and it would also help in utilizing Ramires to his best. Essien/ Ramires/ Modric in the double pivot and Lampard in a free role would address a lot of problem.

And the latest contender to to fight for our right back position, MICAH RICHARDS, COME ON DOWN!!!!!

News: The agent of Porto centre-half Rolando claims Andre Villas-Boas could try to lure the defender to Chelsea.

SSN

Graeme Bailey just tweeted

Chelsea reported to be keen on taking Di Maria as well as Pepe from Real, Spanish media say Pepe wont be moving, but Di Maria could

Would be very very happy with that. Utter bollocks obviously.

Di Maria is an absolute c**t but a brilliant winger, which we really do need. I'd be happy for him to become our c**t.

A couple of slaps could get rid of his his diving. Maybe neymar goes to real and we snap up di maria. Already good friends no doubt with ramires and luiz.

Would gladly take this move, our left side is weak.

I want a right winger aswell.

A couple of slaps could get rid of his his diving. Maybe neymar goes to real and we snap up di maria. Already good friends no doubt with ramires and luiz.

Would gladly take this move, our left side is weak.

I want a right winger aswell.

I forgot he had been at Benfica, someone tell Rammy and Luiz to get on the phone right now.

I forgot he had been at Benfica, someone tell Rammy and Luiz to get on the phone right now.

Luiz, Ramires, Coentrao, Di Maria...AVB's next move should be poaching Benfica's scouting staff (might be hard for a Porto man to do though haha).