Still no sign of Sanchez, Özil or The Ox signing new contracts. Are they really going to let those 3 leave for nothing next summer? At current rates there's £200m there that needs replacing, no matter how little I rate the Ox and Özil. It seems a bloody weird business decision as I don't see any of those 3 spilling blood this season in the cause of a club they're pretty keen on leaving. That said, take those 3 and Cazorla out and there's not much left.
Genuinely don't see Ozil as a major loss for them. No doubt that he's one of the most gifted footballers around on his day but the amount of times he goes missing just doesn't help them one bit, especially in the big games. Oxo-cube has only begun realising his potential so that'll be a blow to now lose him at this particular time, while if Sanchez goes, ****'s gonna hit the fan for them.
Yesterday there were a few articles saying that maybe, just Maybe, Wayne Rooney deserves an England recall. Today...
Probably for the best, both for the player and the England team. His career will be extended with the extra rest, while younger players will have a chance to take his place. It would've been very easy for him to try and nick a few more goals in this campaign and to make one more attempt for a trophy.
According to Sky, Liverpool have told Barca that there's no point bidding £138m for Coutinho, as they wouldnt even sell for £150m. Makes you wonder if they'll turn their attention to Eriksen
I worry that they will. The advantage of them pursuing Coutinho and Dembele for such a prolonged period (they're not used to anyone saying 'no' to them), the easier it will be to tell club and player that we're terribly sorry, but we don't have time to bring in an adequate replacement. And if Coutinho is worth £138m, Eriksen is worth £150m and it beggars belief what we would quote them for Alli.
I can see them having to go through the ultimate humiliation: asking PSG to sell them a former Los Ladrones player.
Not that anyone noticed as we were all asleep when the draw was made, but we face Barnsley or Derby at "home" in the EFL cup 3rd round. WBA v City and Leicester v Liverpool are probably the stand out ties of the round. Tricky fixture for us I think.
United have resigned Ibrahimovic. Fantasy football teams watch out, that's Romelu "first touch" Lukaku on the bench for the rest of the season.
He is in full pension mode now. Players like him could really help teams such as Spurs (if they could only put aside the Danny Rose) .
Throws up a couple of interesting questions. Firstly, when the hell is it going to be played? Barnsley face Derby on the 19th, which is the same midweek when the 3rd round sides play each other. We have a CL group stage game the following midweek. Secondly, how is it going to be priced and will Wembley be at full capacity? I'd guess that the tickets will be cheap and the top tier will be closed.
....and we will field the usual reserve team,get beat and wonder why we are out of it! Only our fans want us to win.......
Barnsley/Derby and then REAL MADRID! HELP!!!!!!! Please play the reserves v Barnsley/Derby.......not REAL MADRID!!!!!!