Football

Yes - along with Rui Patricio (could change depending on tribunal). Top business. Though there have been a few astute buys this summer from other clubs.

It’s pretty mental but...

If you look at his performance assists and XG for last season he was one of the top performers, he’s 21 and £50m is right at the top end of what it will be worth.

Also rumours that some of it is to stop the Silva court case/Watford dispute.

Still mad cheddar

If anyone told me 16 months ago that there would be a club that signed Sigurdson and Richarlison for £100m I’d have reported them to the mental health authorities.

Top trolling by Sane

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44933222

Thierry Henry and Steve Bould as the new villa management team? Quite a risky move...

Hmmm.

That seems like it could go one of one ways...

I'd be leaving Bruce in place after last season. Needs a bit of stability at the moment.

I'm on the fence about it really. Bruce (narrowly) failed with an expensive squad that was good enough to go up. The football was pretty dire - relying on individual moments rather than being a cohesive team. The team is almost certainly going to be weaker this season, especially if Jack goes, so expectations are already lowered - I'd be pleased if we made the playoffs - can't see Bruce getting us automatic promotion. The squad should be good enough not to be near relegation so it may be that it's a good time to take a gamble.
Then again it could be like Zola to the blues or our ill-fated RDM experiment and be a total car crash.
Never a dull day at the Villa (except on match day under Bruce etc).

A car crash for villa now could be pretty devastating to the club.

Last week we were apparently 72 hours from administration with all players for sale. I'm going for optimism this week.
When we're 20th by the international break and appoint Big Sam I'll get back to you.

crazy times at villa hope it works out and villa make it back up. Brave move with Henry and bould like u say could be a car crash or could be amazing. Good luck

Doesn't strike me as that crazy - I'd rather have Thierry Henry managing my team than Steve Bruce any day.

Chelsea turning down £65m for Willian (30) mad. Barcelona go and buy Malcom from under Roma's nose for €40m.

Now Wolves are signing Gelson Martins!

Villa are taking a chance, and I like the fact that a good/great black ex player is getting a similar opportunity to their white counterparts (see Lampard/Gerrard) but I still feel no matter how good as a player, you need to learn your trade lower down the ladder, making your mistakes, and figuring out your footballing philosophy, and style of play, and man management without the pressure of needing to get a team back into the premier league.
Hope he does well if he does get the job..

just don't take Pulis off us

I hope it works but the 2nd div (yeah I know ) is hard.

The Chelsea board strike again...unless they are holding out for swap and money's for Martial.

but I still feel no matter how good as a player, you need to learn your trade lower down the ladder

Isn't that what he's doing?

On a more serious note I would think a managers "footballing philosophy" is not something that is gained on the job. As one of the all time greats I would think he has a very good idea of the game and how he would like it to be played. Also I would argue that by dropping too far down the ladder he would not have access to players with the technical ability to put his "philosophy" into action. Wouldn't the better route in be to work as an assistant in a quality side, like he did with Belgium?

Villa were a win away from promotion to the premier league last season. I’m assuming (maybe incorrectly) that whoever is buying them and offering Henry the job wants them to go one better next season.

Some of the best ever managers have won leagues and European cups at their first clubs. It’s probably a reason why you and I are not in charge of appointments at a football club.

Kinda agree with you, about the philosophy, but modern management is as much about getting the players to buy into what you are trying to achieve as much as coaching them, and making them better.
If you can’t convince them that “your philosophy” will succeed why will they put in the work?

Sarri is a fan so maybe he's asked the club to keep him...

yeah could be be but that money for him v good and Willian has hinted he wants away so my 2p is cash in.

Well there you're just heading into a chicken and egg argument.

Surely coaching an ambitious side, currently playing below their true level, is an ideal place to be testing your "philosophy", instead of being forced to defend backs to the wall in 4 out of 5 games and having your style of play dictated by the opposition.