***Official*** English Football Season 2020-21

[andruid]

In this instance I'm positively surprised but in general with Arsenal, I'm googling the number of a good therapist near me.

Legend has it that Bielsa was gonna make him the English Maldini...

 

[BoyBrumby]

On the "shyte Arsenal signings" theme:

Mustafi released by relegated Schalke and named "loser of the season" by fellow pros.

He's really not very good, is he? Must be a lock in any serious "worst ever £30m+ signing" discussion.

Apparently it's the first time in 30 years Schalke have gone down, so I suppose we got off lightly, money spunked up wall notwithstanding.

 

[duffer]

I understood the logic in signing Mustafi and paying 30m at the time. However this Willian, Sylvester cast off shite from our rivals who piss themselves laughing afterwards has no redeeming features.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Yeah, on paper his signing had a lot to recommend it: peak years ahead, German international, played in Italy and Spain, but on the pitch he was flattered by being described as "only slightly more than moderately two bob".

 

[sledger]

Mustafi was one of these players who was mysteriously regarded as good by everyone apart from those who had actually seen him play (prior to him joining Arsenal anyway - after that everyone regarded him as crap). There's that story about G Nev trying to get rid of him on a free during his Valencia stint only for Arsenal to later come in and pay £30m for him.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Mustafi was one of these players who was mysteriously regarded as good by everyone apart from those who had actually seen him play (prior to him joining Arsenal anyway - after that everyone regarded him as crap). There's that story about G Nev trying to get rid of him on a free during his Valencia stint only for Arsenal to later come in and pay £30m for him.

a real shanker

 

[BoyBrumby]

I presume Per must've been in a few German squads with him, so wonder if he was pushing his cart at all?

Pure speculation on my part, but if there's a grain of truth in it one does fear slightly for his judgement of the merits of his charges at our academy.

 

[duffer]

Yeah, on paper his signing had a lot to recommend it: peak years ahead, German international, played in Italy and Spain, but on the pitch he was flattered by being described as "only slightly more than moderately two bob".

Couldn't cut it at Everton should've been a big red flag though.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Torquay through to the Final. Stockport v Hartlepool tomorrow. As the Conference is dragging on until next weekend we have to wait until the 24th for next seasons fixtures, which is traditionally the day the new thread starts.

 

[Furball]

Couldn't cut it at Everton should've been a big red flag though.

I'm not sure, football is littered with players who weren't rated at their first clubs but who went on to have excellent careers.

 

[sledger]

I'm not sure, football is littered with players who weren't rated at their first clubs but who went on to have excellent careers.

Most of Arsenal's Invincibles actually haha.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

The last game of the domestic season will be Hartlepool v Torquay at Ashton Gate for a place in League 2.

 

[grecian]

@Uppercut, I know you aren't keen on Rice, but you probably need that type of player, would you be hoping United go for Phillips, he would be your ideal signing I'd have thought.

 

[Uppercut]

@Uppercut, I know you aren't keen on Rice, but you probably need that type of player, would you be hoping United go for Phillips, he would be your ideal signing I'd have thought.

I do rate Rice as a prospect tbf, being as good as he is at 22 is very impressive. But I think he’d cost far more than he’s worth. Kinda like how I felt about the Partey signing, good player and all but how much does a team really improve by going from an average to a pretty good DM?

I’d take Phillips for sure but today has probably added 20m to his price. There are plenty of DMs that would improve our 11, Bissouma and Ndidi are another 2.

I just don’t know if it’s sustainable for us to keep fixing squad gaps by heavily overpaying for players that are good but not quite world-class. Really we should have been buying these players when Leicester and Brighton did and saving the money for players that are really special.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

The last game of the domestic season will be Hartlepool v Torquay at Ashton Gate for a place in League 2.

Well I guess people who go to games have no problem deciding which end of the country they would prefer to go to.

 

[grecian]

Here's a vid, **** Torquay and all that sail in them.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

but how much does a team really improve by going from an average to a pretty good DM?

Depends on the system. I'd argue DM is the most important position in our side.

 

[grecian]

Depends on the system. I'd argue DM is the most important position in our side.

Yeah this is the thing, if it is the major signing that changes your team, like Liverpool with Van Dijk, surely you just suck it up and pay the exorbitant price.

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah this is the thing, if it is the major signing that changes your team, like Liverpool with Van Dijk, surely you just suck it up and pay the exorbitant price.

Van Dijk is better than pretty good though. If it was Frenkie De Jong I’d say yeah just pay anything.

 

[sledger]

Depends on the system. I'd argue DM is the most important position in our side.

Yeah Arsenal's lack of a good one for ages and ages was very costly across multiple seasons.