2021-2022 English Football Thread

[Krebstar]

Quote: Originally Posted by ImTellinTim

Saw something that struck me as sort of odd. Phil Jones now has more league starts this season than Donny van de Beek. What did they even buy him for? Their midfield doesn't exactly set the world on fire. Bruno has come back down to Earth. You'd think he could get a start somewhere in there.

He was shiny and other clubs wanted him.

—

It's an ongoing joke, but seriously—they have no real recruitment strategy of any kind. They wanted Alexis Sanchez so Man City couldn't get him, and despite the whole "Oh, Ronaldo never would've actually gone to City, he loves United too much" nonsense, he was set to go there until United just couldn't have it. Yes, he's scored goals and will continue to, but it's yet another band-aid over a gushing wound.

With van de Beek, I assume the manager at the time had zero interest in the player, or zero understanding of how to best utilize him.

Further, even if they have an actual technical director/DOF, it still seems like it'll be an ongoing issue for them as the club will always want to maximize the commercial side through the use of signings. Ronaldo was just as much a commercial transfer, if not more than a footballing transfer.

[Keirik]

Quote: Originally Posted by ImTellinTim

One of my friends who supports United said he actually did OK. When's the last time he even played?

He was fine until he headed his clearance right to the top of the box to allow the winning goal.
I can't remember him playing at all in 3-4 years

[ImTellinTim]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keirik

He was fine until he headed his clearance right to the top of the box to allow the winning goal. I can't remember him playing at all in 3-4 years

He hurt his knee in January 2020 and hadn’t played since.

Meanwhile it looks like there’s a massive Covid outbreak within Liverpool - possibly 10+ new positives among players and staff - and the upcoming three Cup matches are in doubt.

Will be interesting to see if the FA postpones stuff or says “sorry, play the U18s if you have to,” like they have in the past (not Covid but schedule-related). I honestly have no idea what the FA’s stance is on this.

If they say the games are on, I wouldn’t even be mad if Liverpool said “fine, we forfeit enjoy the 3-0 wins, Arsenal and Shrewsbury” and took a week off.

Also, the AFCON players all left yesterday, seemingly while testing negative before leaving. Will be interesting to see if any of those three test positive when they join their teams.

[KG]

Makes you wonder how many players are playing matches/training while contagious but not asymptomatic and just spreading it because their levels aren’t high enough to test positive.


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[Krebstar]

Liverpool have officially requested the match be postponed.

If common sense were a thing they’d postpone both semis and make them a single match, but…we know common sense won’t make an appearance.

[jrnlgrn]

Newcastle signing Kieran Trippier for a reported $12mil plus add-ons.

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[ImTellinTim]

That's....actually a pretty sensible deal for Newcastle.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Quote: Originally Posted by ImTellinTim

That's....actually a pretty sensible deal for Newcastle.

He will probably already be Newcastle's all time best Premier League right back.

Manquillo, Danny Simpson, Warren Barton, Debuchy, Ryan Taylor, etc.

The whole back 4/5 need a major upgrade. Lascelles shouldn't even be first choice let alone captain. Fernandez, Dummett, Clark, Schar all need replacing.