Football

Got to say, setting aside our kamikaze football and inability to get results, I'm quite enjoying the championship.

Far more enjoyable seeing players not going down because someone breathed near them (and the ref ignoring it if they do) and no VAR is great. Add to that the randomness of the results and it's a breath of fresh air.

Mane had a year left, but he'd already decided that he wanted a new challenge etc

We are about to hit the big plunge in the “united season” rollercoaster aren’t we?

“Lads it doesn’t fucking matter what we do this year, just don’t lose to Liverpool. Or city”

Got what we deserved from last night, shite performance and made the proper mancs look competent

That protest seemed to be quickly misplaced unless the glazers are murderers or responsible for Gerrard not winning a league. Guess it's only when they're losing it matters? I did chuckle at the very popular protest scarf and replica shirt combo though... brainless

I maintain that it's the best league in the world. Most competitive, level playing field etc.

You joining us on the Friday night game?

level playing field

Parachute payments totally skew the league

and no VAR is great

This was certainly one of the things i was most looking forward to when our relegtion looked inevitable. VAR is stil absolute garbage.

Since 2016 season, Norwich, Fulham, Newcastle, Villa, Bournemouth & Baggies have been promoted whilst being paid parachute payments.

More teams have been promoted whilst not being paid them:

1. Brighton
   
2. Huddersfield
   
3. Wolves
   
4. Cardiff
   
5. Fulham (17-18)
   
6. Sheffield Utd
   
7. Leeds
   
8. Brentford
   
9. Forest
   

Sadly not. Had it pencilled in as one of the games to go to this season (mainly for the curry) but the switch to Friday night makes it impossible to get home afterwards.

Norwich have been up and down four times, Baggies, Burnley, Hull City and Fulham three times. So it clearly creates a group that have a financial advantage, especially when you take into account ffp in the league

Leeds lost 64 million the season they went up, Wolves would have broken ffp if the didn't go up the season they did, even Brighton had gone over ffp the year they went up, without picking through all of the other 9 you have to bet the house to get up.

That's a shame. Next season. Despite the win on Saturday, I think we'll still be here this time next year.

Maybe. I've no idea how we'll be doing this season. It's all a lot different from the past 10 years.

£50m+ for Gordon is mental. Boehly is spending money like a drunk gambler that found wallet in a Vegas casino.
@Tonts - any insights why he’s worth more than £10m?

Don't forget there's a British player premium due to the homegrown rule...

really rate Gordon. but the numbers are getting silly. still, he is a big improvement on other players Chelsea have in that position that aren't performing - Pulisic, CHO, ziyech

We’re pretty well stocked up on that department

Shame pulisic isn't working out. He has shown flashes of how good he could be but I feel he needs constant 1st team starts to build confidence and get a rhythm.
Out of CHO Pulisic and Ziyech I'm not sure who deserves a place or who goes

really hard. all of them have been brilliant at times. havertz in the same boat though is a cut above obviously. if you get Gordon and Aubameyang I kinda wonder how everyone is going to fit in.

More lols:

https://twitter.com/garytaphouse/status/1562012516921794560?s=21&t=FPayL1_KI28zZgaPkqvI6g

any insights why he’s worth more than £10m?

Well... he's worth a lot more than £10 million, but £50million is bonkers.

Straight numbers (goals/assists) aren't that impressive and he's still a very raw talent. His attitude is excellent, his ability to run with the ball and go past players is also excellent. Last season he was one of the 2/3 stand out performers in a team was really struggling. He's got character in buckets, he never hid once, he was the only player who spoke to a fan who came on the pitch to remonstrate with the team after the derby defeat. So while I say he's not woth £50m, I also wouldn't sell him for that. He's a player that supports the club he plays for, he's young, got bags of talent, is fully commited to us and one of the only players giving us any spark at the moment. IMHO, for Everton at this point in the tranfer window, I don't think he has a price (quite obviously he does, though. and you're getting pretty close to it.)

Also for him as a player it would be an absolutely dreadful move. Starting every game at Everton compared to being limited to the odd start, some sub appreances and cup games. Barkley serves as a cautionary tale.

Yeah it's a bit of the collecting attacking players again.

CHO to Leverkusen is ominous for his career trajectory.

Just checking, do we care about Carabao cup results?

There’s not been much chatter so I assume not, should probably @Soul just to check in on him as he’s gone from posting every third comment to not at all.

He needs regular football a step down might be good. Another that has suffered simply because there are so many options at chelsea and you need to be right on top of your game. Hope he does well

I think the rule is you only care if you win