2017/18 Soccer Thread

Updates to my outbound transfer wishlist:

* Rooney ✅ - (D.C. United) Undisclosed
* Robles ✅ - (Real Betis) Free
* Funes Mori ✅ - (Villarreal) Undisclosed
* Garbutt ✅ (Oxford United) Loan

Still a lot of business to do before the window shuts. Some of these players are apparently on massive wages, which is an additional challenge as we try to move folks on.

Team is in Austria for preseason this week - hope that Silva and Brands can quickly determine who is going to make the cut, so they can move on the rest and bring in whoever we need to improve the squad.

davet010 wrote:

I hate to break this to you all, but....

The BetFred Cup group stages kick off this Saturday (14th)

That's ok, Celtic's Champions League starts tomorrow...

I know Scottish football is in the doldrums a little, but how are Celtic in the First qualifying round with the likes of F91 (champions of Luxembourg) ?

Just down to yet another change to the 'Continuously f*ck the little guys' Qualification process.

This year they've up'd the number of direct qualifiers from the 'top leagues' from 22, to 26, meaning there are 4 less places available for teams in the qualifiers. There's also the 'Champions Route', which is restricted to only Champions of their Domestic League, and the other route, which is 3rd or 4th placed finishes from higher leagues.

I guess due to no other Scottish team even being able to beat a team of Grannies and Postmen for the past 6 or 7 years, means the overall co-efficient is awful.

The 'plus' offered in return is that now, exit at any stage of the qualification process gets you into the following round of Europa league qualification, with a loss in the CL Playoff meaning you go directly into the EL Group stages (it used to only be from the 3rd Qual round and the Playoffs, I believe..). Yeah, thanks for that. I hope you choke on your caviar or prawn sandwiches, UEFA.

I think they should be forced to change the name of the competiton, due to such a small percentage of participants actually being... you know, champions of something...

Don't worry, though. Stevie G will "Save Scottish Football™"

Blimey, I've built things with less complicated instructions than that.

I think the aim of the French crook was to gradually move it into being a European League, but I've never felt that the support was there for that. The new head of UEFA has made lots of noises about trying to move everything away from domination by the big clubs, but he seems to be finding that saying things is easier than doing them.

Wilshere to West Ham. I wish him well.

Torreira is done + a 19 year old u20 French player who cost a decent chunk of change which means Arsenal are effectively done.

I'm fine with that. I rather keep some €€€/£££ in the bank to reevaluate the needs in January + see where Arsenal are even competing in the table.

Of the years to move on from Wenger this is working out well. Expectations are low considering where the team finished last year and a bunch of the teams ahead haven't done anything. At all.

Bookies say 3:1 to finish in the top 4. Can't really complain about that.

"Cristiano Ronaldo talk overshadows Juventus' Can unveiling"

I know they mean Emre can, but in my head, they'er talking about butts.

I hate that 4th-place gets automatically into the group stage change, it will make the league race a touch less exciting because 3rd place was worth more than 4th than just the difference in merit payments from the TV money.

Newcastle look unlikely to be better than they were at the end of last season (and I'd expect regression anyway) but with Kennedy back on loan, Dubravka in goal, and Dummett the squad's better than it was at the start of last season. Losing Merino and replacing him with Ki is a disapointment if only because of age curves, I'm not keen on the endless Andros Townsend rumours, and actually finding a decent striker would be nice (give me Plea please) but while things aren't great they look fine.

At least until Rafa gets fed up with Ashley and leaves at the end of the season.

That's one way to overshadow the WC.

So much for all those holes as to why Ronaldo isn't going.

Juventus finally got rid of the goalkeeper that couldn't save them from relegation AND they bring in Ronaldo? That's some pretty good transfer business.

Alassane Pléa moved to Borussia Monchengladbach so Newcastle's striker fetch quest continues. I'm worried they will turn to Rondon.

and Jean Michaël Seri is some damn good business for Fulham.

Will be interesting to see now that Ronaldo has moved what other dominos start falling.

The non EPL clubs don't have the same deadline but I'm sure things will start clicking.

Obvious one is Neymar. Not sure if it's this year but how long can he honestly stay in France.

Well, at least Celtic didn't stumble this year away at a 'Who?!' team...

Another fun fact for the Armenian Champions that we just played - This season the top league in Armenia has been increase to 10 teams, up from Six in previous years. Where each team would play each other six times a season... O.o

I'd really like to see Real Madrid wander in the desert for a few years without Zidane and Ronaldo.

I imagine they'll use Asensio more, and maybe go for someone like Icardi or Dybala....or even Mbappe.

davet010 wrote:

I imagine they'll use Asensio more, and maybe go for someone like Icardi or Dybala....or even Mbappe.

Mbappe will go one day 100%. Dunno about now.

Real already effectively tapped him up with all the inviting him to youth camps meeting Ronaldo when he was a kid.

It was probably stipulated somewhere in Ronaldos previous contracts that he has to personally call Mbappe when Madrid want to make that move.

There's that silly season nonsense I'm looking for.

City sign Mahrez for £60m

60m? 27? Doesn't really matter cost wise because it's City. Probably also doesn't matter age wise because City can justify it as a Prem proven player in his prime.

Don't like it as a Portugal fan as it probably doesn't help Bernardo Silvas play time. Who is 23 btw and is entering a period where he probably needs consistent football to level up.

Please remember, it was like 90m in January, so this is technically a deal.

Also, Ronaldo to Juve now opens the door for Neymar to Madrid!

Prederick wrote:

Please remember, it was like 90m in January, so this is technically a deal.

Also, Ronaldo to Juve now opens the door for Neymar to Madrid!

Why I'm not too afraid for Arsenal. You can get back into the top 4 you just have to be that much more shrewd when buying.

Tracking Jean-Michael Seri vs Mahrez this year will be fun. Thing is from a City pov if it's just £££/shorter career for a more certain thing and it makes sense.

I think Fulham and Wolves are going to be a lot of fun this season.

Roke wrote:

Alassane Pléa moved to Borussia Monchengladbach so Newcastle's striker fetch quest continues. I'm worried they will turn to Rondon.

Funny how that stuff ripples. They'd be sitting on some cash since Soton just gave them 18m for Jannik Vestergaard. (plus he apparently asked to go to Germany)

Roke wrote:

I think Fulham and Wolves are going to be a lot of fun this season.

You bet your ass we will be.

...well, Wolves definitely will be, I think we won't be quite as swashbuckling but still fun.

Betcha Cardiff will be gahhhhbage though.

EDIT:

IMAGE(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/FCF3/production/_102455746_torres.png)

I gotta admit, "which second or third-rate league will this former European star sign with?" is becoming one of my favorite transfer window games. I had heard that Torres was considering the MLS, but I hope he gets to enjoy the far superior toilets in Nippon.

jowner wrote:

Don't like it as a Portugal fan as it probably doesn't help Bernardo Silvas play time. Who is 23 btw and is entering a period where he probably needs consistent football to level up.

I suspect Bernardo will get more time playing centrally as age begins to catch up with David Silva. He seemed to play better there in the WC than out wide.

Apropos of nothing, I'm genuinely quite shocked to discover that Italy's all-time top goalscorer for the national team has only 35 goals. Bulgaria's top scorer has more.

Sarri becomes Chelsea coach

In full silly season now!

Probably loosen Chelsea up in the transfer market.

Big names I think that could still move around to our enjoyment.

Neymar, Hazard, Pogba (please get him away from Mourinho), Bale? Levandowski but that is being reported dead today.

Definitely some more silly to happen on the merry go round.

davet010 wrote:
jowner wrote:

Don't like it as a Portugal fan as it probably doesn't help Bernardo Silvas play time. Who is 23 btw and is entering a period where he probably needs consistent football to level up.

I suspect Bernardo will get more time playing centrally as age begins to catch up with David Silva. He seemed to play better there in the WC than out wide.

That would be ideal. He plays better and wants to play as a 10.

I have never heard of either of Fulham's new signings, but we got a new central midfielder of some apparent repute and a new left-back out of it for a combined £32.5m, so I will choose to be quietly optimistic.

Apropos of nothnig, I was watching some FIFA 18 content yesterday and saw China's 2018 away kit and they are fire.

Xherdan Shaqiri to Liverpool? I don't think that one's going to work out, I have a hard time imagining him being happy as a second fiddle.

Prederick wrote:

Xherdan Shaqiri to Liverpool? I don't think that one's going to work out, I have a hard time imagining him being happy as a second fiddle.

If it's 13m I'm somewhat jealous. Not sure if he cracks Arsenals forward 3 either but probably good cover.

Thing is I'm not sure the Prem is his best league. There's talent there but I think he'd excel elsewhere.

Missed opportunity for a German team for example especially 13m.

Prederick wrote:

I have never heard of either of Fulham's new signings, but we got a new central midfielder of some apparent repute and a new left-back out of it for a combined £32.5m, so I will choose to be quietly optimistic.

Seri was (supposedly) chased by a number of Premiership teams. Sits deeper, doesn't score a lot but should help keep the formation - which is always useful. Don't know about the other chap.