Isn't that quite young for Alzheimer's? So sad.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3132750/Former-England-forward-Stan-Bowles-diagnosed-alzheimers-family-confirm.html

Tough for him but in many ways tougher for the family

Stan Bowles diagnosed with Alzheimers. One of the many great entertainers amongst the footballers in the 70s. Sad way to live out his years and he isn't too old at 66.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3133297/Real-Madrid-directors-reported-want-new-manager-Rafa-Benitez-lose-weight-appointing-him.html

 

While we are on that subject I couldn't agree more. My Youngest Son ( 34 years old ) suffered a cardiac arrest on his way into Wembley Stadium for the CoC final. Kudos to the Paramedics on duty that day who literally saved his life.

Bloody hell. Good to see he's doing well now though.

Guessing he's gone for check ups? Have the doctors found any condition that he could manage with?

Edited June 21, 201511 yr by MANoWAR

Agent Memphis

 

Lukaku would be a strange signing for you lot tbh.

Kondogbia just went on Twitter to post a message of thanks to Monaco for his time there. He's also posted something blue and black so presumably he's going to Inter?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3133297/Real-Madrid-directors-reported-want-new-manager-Rafa-Benitez-lose-weight-appointing-him.html

 

 

It's Real Madrid so i suppose this could well be true.

Lukaku would be a strange signing for you lot tbh.

 

Don't think it's going to happen but...

 

I'd like him, he's got a lot to offer, he's a Van Gaal type of striker in the sense he limits his touches, bullies defenders, he's a pure goal scorer and has decent hold up ability.

 

 

Pretty good return on paper for his Prem career, especially if you consider the standard of teams he's been playing for. (West Brom/Everton x2)

 

Might get a bit of stick for this but I think it would be a pretty good move, considering he's just recently turned 22 as well. Pretty much the same age as your Bamford yet has 3 full Premier League seasons under his belt.

 

Edited June 22, 201511 yr by Juan Matas Beard

Don't think it's going to happen but...

I'd like him, he's got a lot to offer, he's a Van Gaal type of striker in the sense he limits his touches, bullies defenders, he's a pure goal scorer and has decent hold up ability.

Pretty good return on paper for his Prem career, especially if you consider the standard of teams he's been playing for. (West Brom/Everton x2)

Might get a bit of stick for this but I think it would be a pretty good move, considering he's just recently turned 22 as well. Pretty much the same age as your Bamford yet has 3 full Premier League seasons under his belt.

I just think he'd be disruptive, especially if he gets spells on the bench.

Having said that, he couldn't use the "I need to be playing at a big club" line....

Rumour is that Andre Pirlo could be set to sign for New York City FC to team up with Frank Lampard in midfield. 

 

Even with Frank at 37 and Pirlo at 36 that's going to be some midfield partnership. 

Marca reckon that Liverpool have bid £16m for Illarramendi:

 

http://www.marca.com/en/2015/06/21/en/football/real_madrid/1434875420.html

Marca reckon that Liverpool have bid £16m for Illarramendi:

 

http://www.marca.com/en/2015/06/21/en/football/real_madrid/1434875420.html

 

Didn't they pay something like £25m for him? 

Didn't they pay something like £25m for him? 

 

Yeah, he's really been struggling for gametime though. He completely failed to dislodge Modric, and even when Alonso left, Kroos stepped right into his place. Might not be a bad move for him in light of Gerrard leaving, he'd get quite a lot of protection if they stick him behind Milner and Henderson as well, somewhat like Juve's midfield. Possibly a diamond with Coutinho in the hole?

Yeah, he's really been struggling for gametime though. He completely failed to dislodge Modric, and even when Alonso left, Kroos stepped right into his place. Might not be a bad move for him in light of Gerrard leaving, he'd get quite a lot of protection if they stick him behind Milner and Henderson as well, somewhat like Juve's midfield. Possibly a diamond with Coutinho in the hole?

 

Be strange for Real to take a £6m hit on him. 

 

Okay he's not broken into the first team but surely he's still a useful squad player and they'd probably need to spend more than £16m themselves to replace him? 

 

Could be a good signing for Liverpool but can't see the logic for selling from Madrid's point of view. 

BBC reporting that Manchester United are eyeing up deals for Sergio Ramos and Bastian Schweinsteiger. 

 

Ramos at 29 years and and Schweinsteiger turning 31 on August 1st suggests that United are looking for a quick fix to their squad with little thought to longevity. 

 

No doubt both players would massively improve their first team but would surely come at a huge cost both transfer fee wise and wages. 

 

After throwing £150m at their squad last season with mixed results I suppose we should expect similar again this year. Really aggressive approach from the club since bringing in Van Gaal as manager. 

Would both improve them instantly by a considerable margin.

Not long term as you say though so would be looking at those positions again in a few years although instant results is what they need at this point in time.

Money isn't really an issue for them as they generate more than anyone else and have the best sponsorship deals. Cash cows.

Ramos is a dick who I think will be found out in English football, where he will have a tough game every week for a change...hope Utd do sign him then

Personally I think Ramos is vastly overrated and a hothead who is always liable to make rash decisions. Schweinsteiger used to be one of my favourite players but he is a mere shadow of what he used to be. At this point in his career I don't see him as much, if any, improvement over Carrick or Blind in the holding role. If United want to waste more of their cash on these two, be my guest.

 

Lukaku - Very good finisher but that's about it. Yes, as a striker, that is the most important attribute. But if United want to be challenging for titles again then they need a complete, world class CF; for someone of his size Lukaku doesn't actually hold the play up very well and his touch is inconsistent at best. His fitness needs a lot of work too whilst he doesn't strike me as a very good teammate. I think United need a striker long-term but their best bet would be to stick with RVP, Rooney and James Wilson for this season. There should be more strikers available next year that I think could ultimately be good enough in all facets.

Seems like United are simply throwing more money at the problem, without really identifying what the problem is and having a structured plan to get out of it. They'll succeed to a certain extent simply because of their resources but I don't know if they actually have a cohesive plan for the future. They simply seem to be chasing whatever comes on the market. I have no idea who is identifying their targets.

BREAKING: Benteke is not signing a new contract with Villa.

He'll probably go to 'Pool...

Mandzukic signs for Juventus for £13.6 million. I don't know about anyone else but that seems very cheap to me. I'm not Mandzukic's biggest fan but he does get goals everywhere he goes so i would say Juventus have got a bargain there.

Edited June 22, 201511 yr by Scott Harris

BBC reporting that Manchester United are eyeing up deals for Sergio Ramos and Bastian Schweinsteiger. 

 

Ramos at 29 years and and Schweinsteiger turning 31 on August 1st suggests that United are looking for a quick fix to their squad with little thought to longevity. 

 

No doubt both players would massively improve their first team but would surely come at a huge cost both transfer fee wise and wages. 

 

After throwing £150m at their squad last season with mixed results I suppose we should expect similar again this year. Really aggressive approach from the club since bringing in Van Gaal as manager. 

 

Anyone would think they were trying to buy success with expensive foreign mercenaries. So much for the United Way.

Schweinsteiger is clearly a magnificent player, but I'd be concerned about his injury record, especially considering how many problems they had over the squad last season.

 

Ramos might be an idea for Man Utd though, plus Real have a ready-made replacement in Varane. I always expected Pepe to be the one to make way; I wonder who Real will get in as a replacement.

Also Sylvain Distin has transferred to Bournemouth on a free. I think that is an excellent signing, a top-notch centre back with bags of Premier League experience.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33226168

Also Sylvain Distin has transferred to Bournemouth on a free. I think that is an excellent signing, a top-notch centre back with bags of Premier League experience.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33226168

 

When Leicester signed Huth last season, having that bit of Premier League experience in the defence made a huge difference to their team, could be a smart move this by Bournemouth.