5 hours ago, petre ispirescu said:

Not only Neymar. Nothing justifies Martinelli, Rayan and Luiz Enrique over Joao Pedro, either.

Truly a strange decision.

None of those players are competing with Joao Pedro.

It was a 2 out of 3 choice from Endrick, Igor Thiago and Joao Pedro. It's hard to argue for Pedro given the other 2 have been good for their clubs and also for the national team, which Pedro hasn't been.

1 hour ago, Remodez said:

None of those players are competing with Joao Pedro.

It was a 2 out of 3 choice from Endrick, Igor Thiago and Joao Pedro. It's hard to argue for Pedro given the other 2 have been good for their clubs and also for the national team, which Pedro hasn't been.

Endrick is playing in a dogsh*t league where the player of the season only has to start 9 games. 8 goals in 21 games playing in France isn't better than Pedro scoring 15 goals in 34 Premier League games. Igor Thiago is fine, but I would still have Pedro over him. Igor Thiago wouldn't score the goals he scores with Brentford at a top club, he wouldn't get the space. It's no different than Darren Bent scoring for Charlton.

Edited May 19May 19 by Scott Harris

5 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

Endrick is playing in a dogsh*t league where the player of the season only has to start 9 games. 8 goals in 21 games playing in France isn't better than Pedro scoring 15 goals in 34 Premier League games. Igor Thiago is fine, but I would still have Pedro over him. Igor Thiago wouldn't score the goals he scores with Brentford at a top club, he wouldn't get the space. It's no different than Darren Bent scoring for Charlton.

I think you missed the second part of my comment which was them playing well for Brazil and Pedro not.

Just now, Remodez said:

I think you missed the second part of my comment which was them playing well for Brazil and Pedro not.

How can you say that with so little to go on? Pedro, Endrick and Thiago have barely played. Neymar hasn't played in 3 years. It can't be based on how well they have played for Brazil when all 4 players have only played in 10 games combined since last season.

Edited May 19May 19 by Scott Harris

2 hours ago, Remodez said:

None of those players are competing with Joao Pedro.

It was a 2 out of 3 choice from Endrick, Igor Thiago and Joao Pedro. It's hard to argue for Pedro given the other 2 have been good for their clubs and also for the national team, which Pedro hasn't been.

From what I heard, Neymar took his place even if not the same position; Neymar in his current form can only play in a free role, so essentially replacing the 9 (as a false 9)... or that's the idea anyway.

Weird for sure, but it's hardly a very strong team any way we look at it. The defense line alone is as weak as it gets.

I do get both choices though, as Igor Thiago could offer more physicality from the bench if everything goes south, and Endrick gets the experience for the next WC while also providing lots of energy, speed and hunger as he's decent enough for now with the potential to be a star already by 2030. Neymar is the one who should definitely be left out, but even Joao Pedro was clamoring for him to be called up so ironically he got what he wanted at his own expense.

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

How can you say that with so little to go on? Pedro, Endrick and Thiago have barely played. Neymar hasn't played in 3 years. It can't be based on how well they have played for Brazil when all 4 players have only played in 10 games combined since last season.

Endrick has been one of Brazil's best players when he does play, scored v us too. Igor had barely played but took his chances when he did and scored, something Pedro has yet to do in more appearances.

Neymar pick doesnt matter, whoever he replaced was never gonna play anyway. Might as well use that spot in the team for expirence/locker room leader type.

A lot of murmurs he’s gonna ask to leave for Barca. Let’s wait and see. If BlueLightning is right, maybe we can send them Delap instead as he’s the far better player hmmm

WE paid £55m plus £5m add-ons for JP. So if we were selling him to Barcelona - they would have to cough up £100 million at least. Obviously we would like to keep him. But i wonder where Barca are going to get the money? I think Rashford is more Barca's price point.

Why I wonder is this not considered tapping up?

Let the world and the player know ur interested, turn the players head and hope he agitates for a move. A move that Barcelona can’t afford…. Then what? Your left with a player who wants to go and are forced to negotiate a sh*t deal,instalments or player swaps.

Barca can do one.

8 hours ago, TheCeleryKing said:

WE paid £55m plus £5m add-ons for JP. So if we were selling him to Barcelona - they would have to cough up £100 million at least. Obviously we would like to keep him. But i wonder where Barca are going to get the money? I think Rashford is more Barca's price point.

If a player wants to leave there is nothing that we can legally do to stop them. The only person liable for breach of contract compensation is Pedro himself, and that would be maximally limited to the remaining value of his contract. According to estimates, the maximum we'd get for him is around 52m, but that could be reduced substantially if he were to appeal it to FIFA.

Also, Barcelona will exceed the €1bn revenue point this FY (they did €972m for 24/25). That's after all those 'levers' were activated and other parties have taken their cut. The league has imposed a restriction on them as penalty, but it is likely that is lifted this season and Barcelona would have around €400m to spend given their previous limitations.

1 hour ago, C3blue said:

Why I wonder is this not considered tapping up?

'Tapping up' rules largely only exist in England and they only restrict club representatives and agents from approaching players without consent from a club. The FIFA rules only ban general "inducement" of players to break their contract, whereas England goes further to define 'tapping up' as a specific type of inducement. For the rest of the world, communicating your interest is not the same as pressuring someone to break their contract.

There's nothing that prevents agents speaking to the media, which is what every club does.

Edited May 21May 21 by SydneyChelsea

If true that Barca have that much to spend then they'd be going for Julian Alvarez.

2 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

If true that Barca have that much to spend then they'd be going for Julian Alvarez.

Why would they go for the guy that scored 8 in La Liga over the guy that scored 15 in the PL?

Alvarez might have been their top choice when they could only afford ~60m. They've got a tonne of cash and can get better targets. With Guardiola gone and 115 charges coming in, I wouldn't be surprised if they target Haaland.

23 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Why would they go for the guy that scored 8 in La Liga over the guy that scored 15 in the PL?

Alvarez might have been their top choice when they could only afford ~60m. They've got a tonne of cash and can get better targets. With Guardiola gone and 115 charges coming in, I wouldn't be surprised if they target Haaland.

Apparently Pep is still going to be working for City, in an ambassador type role like Klopp, so still on the payroll essentially. If so, they must be feeling confident, considering what he said if they were guilty.

1 hour ago, Term_X said:

Apparently Pep is still going to be working for City, in an ambassador type role like Klopp, so still on the payroll essentially. If so, they must be feeling confident, considering what he said if they were guilty.

Listen, if selling Pedro means we get Alvarez, would you take it?

I certainly would.

3 hours ago, Sconnie Blue said:

To paraphrase : "We'll accept a big offer ... "

On 23/05/2026 at 18:00, dansubrosa said:

Listen, if selling Pedro means we get Alvarez, would you take it?

I certainly would.

Probably the only situation in which I would. Alvarez is my dream signing

I thought we should have went for Alvarez when he was at City and would definitely take him now. Preferably also keeping JP but if he wants to go and they pay the fee we want or thereabouts then good riddance.

If we sell any or all from JP, Cucu and Enzo then it has to be early in the window.

On 23/05/2026 at 18:00, dansubrosa said:

Listen, if selling Pedro means we get Alvarez, would you take it?

I certainly would.

4 non-penalty/free-kick goals in 22 league games… not exactly inspiring.

On 26/05/2026 at 04:48, Sconnie Blue said:

150 mil.. and osimhen in the door.

Seems like we sent Deco and his representatives back to Barcelona with their tail between their legs. Untouchable according to Romano and several other outlets.

They clearly tried to turn Pedro’s head. It’s what they do.

They’ll be sitting back now and wait for Joao Pedro to do the dirty work for them. Will he though?