2019/20 Soccer Thread

dejanzie wrote:

edit: back on topic, after the derail I kinda catalyzed... so Simon Mignolet signed for Club Brugge, a strong sign of their newfound status as Belgian front-runners with regards to budget and results. Then Mignolet picked... number 88 for his jersey. And subsequently acted surprised when people pointed out the obvious. His explanation: "I always pick number 22, that wasn't available, this is my fourth club, et voilà. People who know me know that I abhor etc. blablabla."

Oh Big Si, nobody's saying you're a Nazi, just maybe that this wasn't the best of ideas? I'm flabbergasted that nobody in the club thought of pointing this out to him...

Heh, I had no idea that was a thing and had to look it up. Must be more a thing in Europe than in the US? It's a pretty common number for sports that go that high here (Nascar, NFL).

Like Blitz, I had no idea there was that kind of connection to that number - so maybe he was legitimately surprised?

In LA, the number 88 would actually suggest to people that you're affiliated with a certain African-American street gang. So...still not a great message!

Edit: FWIW if you google "88 meaning" the first page of results says nothing about any negative meaning. Wikipedia does mention it on a page about the number 88, but only as one among many possible meanings.

Yet more proof I spend too much time on the internet, and more specifically: on the D&D forums here

Will be interesting last rush for the transfer window.

With Rooney to Derby the new rumor is Ozil to Derby (January only).

Laurent Koscielny off to Bordeaux. Too bad that it was somewhat contentious this off season. I rated him but at the same time he was part of many years of an Arsenal defense that was never really solid.

Rugani from Juve is the rumor. Fingers crossed as that would be tidy.

David Luiz wants to go to Arsenal is another fun rumour.

Godzilla Blitz wrote:
dejanzie wrote:

edit: back on topic, after the derail I kinda catalyzed... so Simon Mignolet signed for Club Brugge, a strong sign of their newfound status as Belgian front-runners with regards to budget and results. Then Mignolet picked... number 88 for his jersey. And subsequently acted surprised when people pointed out the obvious. His explanation: "I always pick number 22, that wasn't available, this is my fourth club, et voilà. People who know me know that I abhor etc. blablabla."

Oh Big Si, nobody's saying you're a Nazi, just maybe that this wasn't the best of ideas? I'm flabbergasted that nobody in the club thought of pointing this out to him...

Heh, I had no idea that was a thing and had to look it up. Must be more a thing in Europe than in the US? It's a pretty common number for sports that go that high here (Nascar, NFL).

I'm European and I had no idea of this. Also had to search it up, but I'm glad I did this so I could find this gem:

However, Buffon publicly explained, ​"I have chosen 88 because it reminds me of four balls and in Italy we all know what it means to have balls: strength and determination. And this season I will have to have balls to get back my place in the Italy team."
dejanzie wrote:

Yet more proof I spend too much time on the internet, and more specifically: on the D&D forums here :-)

I used to go to P&C a lot (now D&D) many years ago (my employee profile even describes me as a regular there), but found ignoring it and focusing on the rest of GWJ to be much more rewarding. It's difficult to get a sincere and friendly discussion of politics anywhere on the internet, imho, due to things like the inability to convey tone as well as John Gabriel's Greater Internet F*ckwad Theory.

Oh, I though dejanzie was talking about Dungens and Dragons.

Spurs have apparently agreed to a transfer for Lo Celso, just need to agree to personal terms. And they're apparently still in for Sessegnon, which is fun.

No, Dungeons and Dragons is a good use of one's time!

Spurs have been linked to everyone this offseason. It has been glorious at time, but if we don't actually close more than one of these deals for a first-team player then I'll be seriously disappointed.

Roke wrote:

David Luiz wants to go to Arsenal is another fun rumour.

Ugh please no.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

No, Dungeons and Dragons is a good use of one's time!

Spurs have been linked to everyone this offseason. It has been glorious at time, but if we don't actually close more than one of these deals for a first-team player then I'll be seriously disappointed.

All the deals seem contingent on Erickson leaving. Rock and a hard place.

jowner wrote:
Roke wrote:

David Luiz wants to go to Arsenal is another fun rumour.

Ugh please no.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

No, Dungeons and Dragons is a good use of one's time!

Spurs have been linked to everyone this offseason. It has been glorious at time, but if we don't actually close more than one of these deals for a first-team player then I'll be seriously disappointed.

All the deals seem contingent on Erickson leaving. Rock and a hard place.

Eriksen only having this season left on his contract makes it especially tough.

I haven't heard of a single deal being contingent upon Eriksen-sen-sen's departure, though. That would be almost impossible anyway, because the EPL window closes tomorrow.

I am reading that Lo Celso is very nearly official, but I've seen too many premature pronouncements to believe it until he's officially announced.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

I haven't heard of a single deal being contingent upon Eriksen-sen-sen's departure, though. That would be almost impossible anyway, because the EPL window closes tomorrow.

I am reading that Lo Celso is very nearly official, but I've seen too many premature pronouncements to believe it until he's officially announced.

Probably all speculation but the rags are implying related to what Roke is saying.

Erickson on the last year means that they would then cash in on him after/before bringing in a big splash replacement.

Not ideal but probably the reality and fiscally responsible thing of a new stadium.

Right now everything I see says Lo Celso is a done deal, we're very close on Dybala and Sessegnon, and Eriksen is only going somewhere if RM give up on Pogba.

One more day for inbound transfers!

Dimmerswitch wrote:

* Luke Garbutt - ✅ (Ipswich Town) Loan

He's scored 100% of our goals so far this season, by the way.

Mr Bismarck wrote:
Dimmerswitch wrote:

* Luke Garbutt - ✅ (Ipswich Town) Loan

He's scored 100% of our goals so far this season, by the way.

Right on - he never quite kicked on here the way I'd hoped, but hope he does great for you guys.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Right now everything I see says Lo Celso is a done deal, we're very close on Dybala and Sessegnon, and Eriksen is only going somewhere if RM give up on Pogba.

One more day for inbound transfers!

This morning I'm reading that Lo Celso and Sessegnon have signed and Dybala is most likely not happening.

Pretty great window by Tottenham standards if so.

Pleased for Ryan Sessegnon. Hope Tottenham help him find his potential.

Also, Andy Carroll to Newcastle is just perfect.

Tierney in Luiz almost in?

Iwobi out but for 35-40m? Sheet is in but details being finalized. Not sure what Everton see in Iwobi for 35m. He's had flashes of great stuff but I don't see him going to the next level.

-Sessegnon getting coached by Poch should be a lot of fun.

-Even though I think it's a desperate grasp to get the supporters to be positive, I don't hate the Carroll signing. Needed a warm body up front and it's a one-year incentive-laden deal.

-Don't get Arsenal selling Iwobi.

Roke wrote:

-Sessegnon getting coached by Poch should be a lot of fun.

I really want to watch as this unfolds. Sessegnon had so much buzz last year but it sadly fizzled out. I'm curious to see if he comes to life under Pochettino. I have boatloads of respect for Poch, and this is a great test case to see how he does at improving a player.

jowner wrote:

Iwobi out but for 35-40m? Sheet is in but details being finalized. Not sure what Everton see in Iwobi for 35m. He's had flashes of great stuff but I don't see him going to the next level.

Me either. Would love for him to prove me wrong, but not optimistic there.

Also we look pretty thin in defense now, though I suppose I'm grateful that we dodged Rojo.

I'm assuming Sessegnon is a long-term buy (they all are, as none is older than 23), because we are pretty solid on the left flank either at back or winger. I certainly expect to see him several times this year, and we definitely needed more depth.

Our biggest remaining position of need is RB, because we moved out Trippier (don't tell dejanzie) but didn't replace him in any way. There was talk that Foyth was moving there from CB, but he was injured in the preseason.

Very pleased with the window! Come on you Spurs!

Excited to see what kind of comedy goals Arsenal will surrender this season.

Prederick wrote:

Excited to see what kind of comedy goals Arsenal will surrender this season.

It should be juicy. I'm warming up to the idea of Luiz as a stop gap.

34 Koscielny vs 32 Luiz. Shrug.

Will be curious to see if Holding/Chambers/Mavropanos step up to one of the CB positions. Because Sokratis/Luiz and especially Mustafi are prime to get dropped.

Not sure what to think of Leeds window, we sold a lot and didn't really bring much in. A few loan players and Costa. Clarke to Spurs was a good bit of business, £10mil plus we got him back on loan. That kid from Arsenal looks pretty useful

Dimmerswitch wrote:
jowner wrote:

Iwobi out but for 35-40m? Sheet is in but details being finalized. Not sure what Everton see in Iwobi for 35m. He's had flashes of great stuff but I don't see him going to the next level.

Me either. Would love for him to prove me wrong, but not optimistic there.

Also we look pretty thin in defense now, though I suppose I'm grateful that we dodged Rojo.

Had a hard time finding confirmation but Iwobi is off the Arsenal website and there's an official announcement on the Everton site.

Roke wrote:

-Don't get Arsenal selling Iwobi.

I don't either but at 35-40m? I do. That's an extremely safe price to part ways with him. I doubt 3 years from now he's a 80-100m target for larger clubs. If anything I would of been afraid of him stagnating then leaving on free.

I'm an American, and I feel like the PL season starting on a Friday evening is blasphemous.

But, y'know, TV money rules all so...

Just saw a video talking about how the wait for the new season was FINALLY over. I mean, Liverpool just won the Champions League two months ago! This sport never stops!

Honestly, not like I want less soccer, but I think we might enjoy it more if there was a real off-season. I think players would be better served by that, for sure.

Don't know how the rest of my fantasy team will do, but my captain & vice captain duo of Salah & Van Dijk is looking like a genius move about now.