Apple fanboy
macrumors Ivy Bridge
Well I have no skin in the game in the PL this year, so I’ll support whoever is playing against the greedy six!
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The 2026-2027 Football Thread
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Apple fanboy
macrumors Ivy Bridge
The good thing about being in the Championship is we started the season 4th from bottom. Southampton on -4 and Wrexham and Wolves are behind us alphabetically!
Apple fanboy
macrumors Ivy Bridge
I was surprised by our signing of Midfielder Engles. Not by the signing, but the fa t that at £22 million he’s a Championship record signing. Seems quite low. Just shows the gulf between the first and second tier of English football.
Anyway we kick off against Burnley this afternoon. Really looking for a good win.
I expect elsewhere an easy win for Arsenal in the charity shield. Post pep Man City may be like post Fergie Man United.
Anyway we kick off against Burnley this afternoon. Really looking for a good win.
I expect elsewhere an easy win for Arsenal in the charity shield. Post pep Man City may be like post Fergie Man United.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Arsenal are dominating Man City thus far. Donnarumma has been surprisingly dodgy, but Arsenal have had the upper hand pretty much across the pitch. Of course, it's worth pointing out that the winner of the Community Shield usually fails to win the league in the same season....take out Fergie's record in the competition and this match is almost a barometer for who will NOT win the league.
With that being said, who else in the league really looks like a strong challenger for Arsenal? I would never rule Man City out, even post-Pep (for all we know Haaland might score 40 goals this season) but none of Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea look like a big threat...though with Chelsea I suppose you never know. And after that you're looking at Villa, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton as the best of the rest from last season. This could be a big opportunity for Arsenal.
Ferguson left behind a Man Utd squad that needed a total rebuild. By contrast this Man City squad is fundamentally sound, so I doubt post-Pep Man City will suffer the way Manchester United have after Ferguson. As long as the government that owns them keeps the financial taps open. They had an average season last year and nearly beat Arsenal to the title.
With that being said, who else in the league really looks like a strong challenger for Arsenal? I would never rule Man City out, even post-Pep (for all we know Haaland might score 40 goals this season) but none of Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea look like a big threat...though with Chelsea I suppose you never know. And after that you're looking at Villa, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Brighton as the best of the rest from last season. This could be a big opportunity for Arsenal.
Ferguson left behind a Man Utd squad that needed a total rebuild. By contrast this Man City squad is fundamentally sound, so I doubt post-Pep Man City will suffer the way Manchester United have after Ferguson. As long as the government that owns them keeps the financial taps open. They had an average season last year and nearly beat Arsenal to the title.
Apple fanboy
macrumors Ivy Bridge
I don’t think it was just about the players. It was the vacuum left behind.
Easy win for Arsenal as predicted. I expect them to easily win the league this year as well.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
I am sure there will be a dip in performance at Man City...and we'd all love to see that. But they still have a very strong squad, have piles of money, and can attract the best managerial talent. So while I'd love to see them wander in the wilderness for the next 15 years I doubt that will happen.
Arsenal certainly look to have a golden opportunity to secure a repeat title. But there is a long, long season ahead.
daneoni
macrumors G5
Arsenal win the Charity Shield which probably means they won't win the league. But they looked hungrier and fitter.
City really will struggle without Rodri and Silva and i don't think Anderson and/or Kovacic will be enough
Also crazy still no outcome re-115 charges
Liverpool even with Barcola still don't have a ball progressing CM and have yet to upgrade both full backs
Utd may struggle juggling Europe
Chelsea actually look set for top 4 due to not having to play in Europe. And Alonso factor
Ditto Spurs but more getting rid of Romero and not being in Europe and getting Tonali + Maddison staying fit
EDIT: Rodri to Barcelona confirmed for £65m
City really will struggle without Rodri and Silva and i don't think Anderson and/or Kovacic will be enough
Also crazy still no outcome re-115 charges
Liverpool even with Barcola still don't have a ball progressing CM and have yet to upgrade both full backs
Utd may struggle juggling Europe
Chelsea actually look set for top 4 due to not having to play in Europe. And Alonso factor
Ditto Spurs but more getting rid of Romero and not being in Europe and getting Tonali + Maddison staying fit
EDIT: Rodri to Barcelona confirmed for £65m
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Silencio
macrumors 68040
I expect city will back up the money truck for Bouaddi, Enzo, or both. Neither of them will actually replace Rodri.
United need to get their act together and sign a new left back and another midfielder. The U23 prospects that could take those slots (Amass at LB, Collyer in MF) are intriguing, but probably not good enough to step in at the level required.
United need to get their act together and sign a new left back and another midfielder. The U23 prospects that could take those slots (Amass at LB, Collyer in MF) are intriguing, but probably not good enough to step in at the level required.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Liverpool have followed through on the rumored sale of 30% of the club to a consortium of moneymakers including Amit Bhatia, Eduardo & Elaine Saverin, and Jeff Bezos.
The Bad: Bezos is involved. I can already smell his foul stench as his miasma settles on Anfield. No need to get into details, but suffice it to say he represents / is actively involved with most of the things I think are wrong with the world right now. And it's yet another step towards the club's interests being dictated by capitalists focused on extracting value from something, and who don't understand or care about the sport, regardless how savvy they may be at making money. It could even be a step towards FSG getting out.
The Less Bad: Bezos will not be on the board. Bhatia appears to be the front man of this operation, and will join the board along with Elaine Saverin and Bryan Baum. The reality is that ALL elite football clubs are now reliant on the ownership of states, oligarchs, mega-billionaires and/or venture capital to survive. Liverpool need money to compete, and this is how FSG are going to get more. This arrangement keeps the day-to-day unchanged and the new part-owners are very much minority shareholders. For now.
It almost seems pointless to complain about the state of things anymore, which of course is exactly what people like Bezos, Infantino, Todd Boehly, Sheik Mansour, etc are hoping for. You buy stuff from Amazon, right? So what's your problem? Don't peek behind the curtain....
The Bad: Bezos is involved. I can already smell his foul stench as his miasma settles on Anfield. No need to get into details, but suffice it to say he represents / is actively involved with most of the things I think are wrong with the world right now. And it's yet another step towards the club's interests being dictated by capitalists focused on extracting value from something, and who don't understand or care about the sport, regardless how savvy they may be at making money. It could even be a step towards FSG getting out.
The Less Bad: Bezos will not be on the board. Bhatia appears to be the front man of this operation, and will join the board along with Elaine Saverin and Bryan Baum. The reality is that ALL elite football clubs are now reliant on the ownership of states, oligarchs, mega-billionaires and/or venture capital to survive. Liverpool need money to compete, and this is how FSG are going to get more. This arrangement keeps the day-to-day unchanged and the new part-owners are very much minority shareholders. For now.
It almost seems pointless to complain about the state of things anymore, which of course is exactly what people like Bezos, Infantino, Todd Boehly, Sheik Mansour, etc are hoping for. You buy stuff from Amazon, right? So what's your problem? Don't peek behind the curtain....
Agree completely.
You forgot to mention Gyokeres.
I think Villa may sell if we increase, or improve, our offer.
A passionate amen to this.
Actually, I do not understand this peculiar compulsion to purchase utterly underwhelming and mediocre players from Chelsea.
And yes: Kepa was a poor buy and is an erratic goalkeeper with very questionable judgment, a goalie who simply cannot be relied on; we need to offload him.
We have a strong squad, but the persistent (and serious) injuries in defence trouble me, as does the lack of genuine goalscoring talent.
Very good and confident victory for Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Not only do I expect that Manchester City suffer from the usual manager succession related issues, - not least following the lengthy tenure of such an influential and wildly successful manager as Pep Guardiola - but I would further argue that the sale of (the invariably excellent) Rodri will also hurt the team and their performances.
Not only do I expect that Manchester City suffer from the usual manager succession related issues, - not least following the lengthy tenure of such an influential and wildly successful manager as Pep Guardiola - but I would further argue that the sale of (the invariably excellent) Rodri will also hurt the team and their performances.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
Rodri is irreplaceable, at least in terms of finding a 1:1 replacement to slot into the team.
Lord Blackadder
macrumors P6
The Cardiff - Wrexham match was a good end-to-end match, albeit lacking something in the final product. But it had the feel of a derby in terms of tension and energy levels. Great last-kick-of-the-match equalizer to cap it off, with Wrexham's new big-money keeper almost, but not quite, getting a palm on the well-taken free kick.
Watching the Premier league feels more like watching a combination of highlight reels, a documentary, and the 24-hour news. Watching the Championship feels more like just watching football.
Watching the Premier league feels more like watching a combination of highlight reels, a documentary, and the 24-hour news. Watching the Championship feels more like just watching football.
Excellent.
Have just read that it has been agreed that Ezri Konsa is to move to Arsenal - from Villa - for a little over £50m, less than Villa's original price of £60m and considerably more than Arsenal's initial offer of £40m.
Konsa is an excellent defender and will - should - allow for a little peace of mind and add to strength in defence in the absence through injury of both William Saliba (a serious back injury incurred during World Cup duty for France, and worse, a serious loss) and Jurrien Timber.
Candidly, while I was worried (a little), I had also always assumed that Villa and Arsenal would come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement and agreement.
Anyway, an excellent addition to the team.
Have just read that it has been agreed that Ezri Konsa is to move to Arsenal - from Villa - for a little over £50m, less than Villa's original price of £60m and considerably more than Arsenal's initial offer of £40m.
Konsa is an excellent defender and will - should - allow for a little peace of mind and add to strength in defence in the absence through injury of both William Saliba (a serious back injury incurred during World Cup duty for France, and worse, a serious loss) and Jurrien Timber.
Candidly, while I was worried (a little), I had also always assumed that Villa and Arsenal would come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement and agreement.
Anyway, an excellent addition to the team.
Silencio
macrumors 68040
Looks like Man Utd are finally set to land Carlos Baleba from Brighton, bringing a year-long transfer saga to a close. Brighton are backing off from their absurd valuation from last year: the quoted £65M price tag is much more palatable, especially in light of the overall market for midfielders this summer.
He's a 6 that covers a lot of ground. His attributes should mesh well with Thielemans, Mainoo, and Santos. Now it will be up to Carrick to find midfield partnerships between those four that suit the way he wants to play and match up with the opposition.
I was concerned seeing his levels drop last season when he didn't get the move. Hopefully it's a temporary blip.
He's a 6 that covers a lot of ground. His attributes should mesh well with Thielemans, Mainoo, and Santos. Now it will be up to Carrick to find midfield partnerships between those four that suit the way he wants to play and match up with the opposition.
I was concerned seeing his levels drop last season when he didn't get the move. Hopefully it's a temporary blip.
daneoni
macrumors G5
Spurs continue to splash the cash and look set to bring in £85m Savinho with Marmoush another potential arrival
Whats that £314m spent so far and counting by Spurs?
Granted they've sold a total of £140m
Whats that £314m spent so far and counting by Spurs?
Granted they've sold a total of £140m
Apple fanboy
macrumors Ivy Bridge
Maybe they can manage higher than 17th for a change.
In this instance - as Liverpool have also discovered - it is indeed about the vacuum left behind and the chalenge of filling the outsized footwear of a club legend as manager.
Comfortable, - and confident - rather than easy, is how I would phrase it.
No.
Winning the Premiership is never easy even with a very good team.
We finished second for three consecutive years, and, even then, it took a significant upgrade (of the team) for us to actually win the Premier League title.
Marmoush has always struck me as an excellent player, (and thus, an excellent buy), but was less noticed - or, had less attention paid to him - than some of the more flamboyant and visible members of that team.
Yes, plenty of movement both ways.
I have long wondered whether Spurs - who had a very good, gifted, very talented, if incomplete, - team at the time - would have achieved more, a greater degree of success, (such as titles, and silverware) had Pocchetino been supported with this sort of money and resources when he served as manager of Spurs.
Strange to relate, but I must confess that I hate (in an acknowledged self-deprecatory manner, of course) just how much I have missed the entirely illogical and utterly irrational tension of the Premier League......
Moreover, I am fully aware that I shouldn't be stressed or uptight before the season starts this evening, with Arsenal playing newly promoted Coventry.
And I know that I shouldn't even begin to pay close - or any - attention to results (and games, and performances) in the Premiership until - at least - the end of September.
Of course, it is entirely possible that I have been paying closer attention to - indeed, seeking refuge in - developments in the world of football, so that I can avert my eyes from, (and pinch my nostrils, and grind my teeth) events occurring elsewhere in our ah, troubled world.
Moreover, I am fully aware that I shouldn't be stressed or uptight before the season starts this evening, with Arsenal playing newly promoted Coventry.
And I know that I shouldn't even begin to pay close - or any - attention to results (and games, and performances) in the Premiership until - at least - the end of September.
Of course, it is entirely possible that I have been paying closer attention to - indeed, seeking refuge in - developments in the world of football, so that I can avert my eyes from, (and pinch my nostrils, and grind my teeth) events occurring elsewhere in our ah, troubled world.
daneoni
macrumors G5
Alphazoid
macrumors 65816
Glad to get the points on the board. Wish we scored more. It’s nice that the attackers look hungry so far. Tzolis has slotted in perfectly so far.
Overall I’m enjoying the more fluid football, granted Coventry gave us space which won’t always the case.
An of course its typical that Guimaraes is already injured and out for a few weeks *sigh*
Please stay fit Tzolis, do not want to rely on Madueke or Martinelli
Overall I’m enjoying the more fluid football, granted Coventry gave us space which won’t always the case.
An of course its typical that Guimaraes is already injured and out for a few weeks *sigh*
Please stay fit Tzolis, do not want to rely on Madueke or Martinelli
Apple fanboy
macrumors Ivy Bridge
Never good to play a newly promoted side on their first home game.
Poor Man United! I’m sure they will bounce back!
Poor Man United! I’m sure they will bounce back!
Silencio
macrumors 68040
Very poor outing for United at Hull today. Low energy, low concentration, disjointed. Hull was certainly hungrier and more ruthless.
The problem with buying a whole new midfield in one transfer window is the lack of continuity and understanding. I don't think Santos and Thielemans is going to be a good pairing under better circumstances, but they were quite poor today, as they were against Milan last weekend. Need more Mainoo and, when he's signed and fully fit again, Baleba. Mount getting injured again was a big blow — but he's always injured.
I wasn't impressed by the Maguire / Heaven pairing at the back, either. Give Licha and Yoro a try next time. At least De Ligt is back in full training and hopefully ready to play soon.
Like I said earlier, getting the midfield balance right is going to be the challenge for Carrick.
The problem with buying a whole new midfield in one transfer window is the lack of continuity and understanding. I don't think Santos and Thielemans is going to be a good pairing under better circumstances, but they were quite poor today, as they were against Milan last weekend. Need more Mainoo and, when he's signed and fully fit again, Baleba. Mount getting injured again was a big blow — but he's always injured.
I wasn't impressed by the Maguire / Heaven pairing at the back, either. Give Licha and Yoro a try next time. At least De Ligt is back in full training and hopefully ready to play soon.
Like I said earlier, getting the midfield balance right is going to be the challenge for Carrick.