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Post by muddyfunster on Aug 30, 2024 13:54:07 GMT
I'm not normally one to panic but I am a bit at this news. With Jesus not being reliable things were already looking marginal given how reliant we are on people like him covering multiple positions. Merino was a competent that enabled other stuff. It could have a far bigger knock in impact than Timber last year given we cleared out ESR and Vieira.
Arteta said Merino was in a lot of pain, and a fractured shoulder could be 6-8 months.
With Merino, we have the ability to drop Rice back to six where he is (and we are) more solid in the big games, without having to get Havertz (our best forward) to drop to L8 to replace him.
Havertz was already going to have to play practically every game and if Merino and Jesus are missing for a long time that's even more the case. It's just a bit farcical how we can already look so short before the season has properly started.
After the international break we could have (depending on draw tomorrow) Spurs away, Inter away and City away in the space of a week. We really needed Merino for that specific period.
If we can't get Sterling (or another forward/left 8 candidate), and if Merino has a fracture we should cancel the Nketiah deal and keep him. Otherwise we just won't have enough fit players. We're currently one injury in the front line away from having no attacking players on the bench whilst playing three games a week.
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Post by Dougs on Aug 30, 2024 14:07:19 GMT
No doubt we needed him. Not going to panic yet though.
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Post by zisssou on Aug 30, 2024 14:16:38 GMT
It's over
We lose to Brighton. Then Spurs. Title bid over.
See you next season.
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Post by muddyfunster on Aug 30, 2024 14:20:05 GMT
No doubt we needed him. Not going to panic yet though. What about now?
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Post by Dougs on Aug 30, 2024 14:23:40 GMT
Negotiating tactic innit. CFC want shot of Sterling? Better do it on pur terms! Or something.
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jp
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Post by jp on Aug 30, 2024 15:51:45 GMT
I do think we’re short this season but tbh I’m fine with keeping the powder dry until next summer.
City will win the league this year but with any luck, they’ll have charges applied and Pep will be off. Need to be ready for some big moves next summer to capitalize.
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Post by muddyfunster on Aug 30, 2024 16:28:48 GMT
I agree with that ethos, I'm just still reeling from the bad luck of the Merino injury and highly sceptical it will be only 2-3wks. If it is, we're ok. If it's longer, we're in serious trouble given the schedule at least as far as getting the 90+ points required for a title goes.
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baihu1983
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Post by baihu1983 on Aug 30, 2024 18:16:40 GMT
The dildo has returned to Sky's deadline day.
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Post by Syrette on Aug 30, 2024 18:48:06 GMT
Get in!
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Post by clemfandango on Aug 30, 2024 19:19:30 GMT
Italy is known for defensive, highly technical, cultured football with a passion for flair players. Mctominay will fit in perfectly….
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Post by Dougs on Aug 30, 2024 19:32:59 GMT
Negotiating tactic innit. CFC want shot of Sterling? Better do it on pur terms! Or something. It's on...ish.
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jp
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Post by jp on Aug 30, 2024 20:32:02 GMT
I think it’ll happen - no real upside to Chelsea to keep him even if the deal is terrible. From the Arsenal side Arteta clearly trusts that Sterling has the right character and I’ve got to imagine there’s plenty of room between where the negotiation is now and what Chelsea will accept that will still feel like a bargain for Edu.
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Post by Syrette on Aug 30, 2024 20:33:21 GMT
Upside for Chelsea is not strengthening a rival club.
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askew
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Post by askew on Aug 30, 2024 20:38:55 GMT
😒
Is Ugarte the new Torreira?
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Post by Trowel 🏴 on Aug 30, 2024 20:53:47 GMT
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Frog
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Post by Frog on Aug 30, 2024 20:56:27 GMT
Dan Ashworth is god 😂
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Post by Trowel 🏴 on Aug 30, 2024 21:06:10 GMT
Just a weird timeline we're living in
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Post by Syrette on Aug 30, 2024 21:15:23 GMT
What does Sancho offer that Sterling doesn't?
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askew
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Post by askew on Aug 30, 2024 21:22:42 GMT
Don’t have to fulfil his contract for 8 years
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RobEG
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Post by RobEG on Aug 30, 2024 21:28:58 GMT
No space for Sterling but sign Sancho. So weird.
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Post by TheSaint on Aug 30, 2024 21:36:25 GMT
Ward-Prowse to Forest is a weird one. I thought he was doing alright at West Ham.
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Post by muddyfunster on Aug 30, 2024 22:07:36 GMT
Just got back home from dinner so been out the loop for 4hrs. Delighted to see Sterling seemingly come in on the terms we wanted. Great news, and practically a no brainer for club and player.
Don't really understand how we can afford to let Nelson go given 5 forwards doesn't seem enough and this means we're immediately back to 5, but on a personal level I'm happy for him. Will enjoy watching Fulham this year.
Now we pray that the 2-3wks out estimate for Merino is genuine and that he hasn't got a bone fracture.
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jp
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Post by jp on Aug 30, 2024 22:11:19 GMT
Arteta doesn’t trust Nelson to actually play much so he doesn’t really count as cover.
Nketiah I think can light up the league if he’s given minutes in a team with the right set up. Nelson always struck me as bit of an Iwobi, destined for a solid career as a flair player for a relegation/mid-table side.
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Post by Syrette on Aug 30, 2024 22:13:17 GMT
8.4m for Lo Celso seems a bit cheap.
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Post by Trowel 🏴 on Aug 30, 2024 22:33:46 GMT
Everton submitting a last minute deal sheet for Broja seems incredibly desperate.
There's a decent player in there, but he's buried in red flags.
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RobEG
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Post by RobEG on Aug 30, 2024 22:35:42 GMT
Lo Celso has always been a strange one. So highly rated in the national team but never really did it at spurs and none of our managers really fancied him. Injuries didn’t help but Maybe he’s just not suited to the PL.
Sure he’ll do well back at Betis. Could be a massive bargain for them if he stays fit.
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Tomo
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Post by Tomo on Aug 30, 2024 22:40:51 GMT
30m for Nketiah. Wtf. How have Arsenal managed that one.
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Post by muddyfunster on Aug 30, 2024 23:08:06 GMT
Everton submitting a last minute deal sheet for Broja seems incredibly desperate. There's a decent player in there, but he's buried in red flags. Really does seem panicky given he failed the Ipswich medical and this is with an obligation to buy if reports correct. Still, he was great a few years ago and still young so maybe it'll work.
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Post by zisssou on Aug 30, 2024 23:17:40 GMT
30m for Nketiah. Wtf. How have Arsenal managed that one. We are gargantuan
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Post by muddyfunster on Aug 30, 2024 23:23:47 GMT
As I said before, I've got a lot of time for Sterling and would be keen on a 1 year loan with us paying a wage contribution commensurate with an experienced squad rotation role within our wage structure (which is probably £100-150k/wk). Could work out great for all parties but I can't see Chelsea accepting that unless they are out of other options. Still can't believe this is how it actually panned out. Chelsea had no other options so we got him on a 1 year loan with no fee, no obligation, and our only contribution is £100-150k a week (seen both reported). Chelsea are paying more of his weekly salary than we are. It's beautiful.
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