Pay That Mendes His Money: The Summer 2021 Transfer Thread

bosox4283

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I'm just guessing here, but Mbappe has a chance to etch his name in history as one of the greats. He probably understands that he'll never really hit those heights putting up video game numbers in a substandard league, then playing 5-6 meaningful matches in the spring. And while the CL is the biggest prize he hasn't yet won, if he does it while playing second fiddle to the GOAT that takes the shine off the accomplishment.

He is a boyhood Real Madrid fan and so maybe he is just backing himself to lead the next Real Madrid team back to greatness, rather than staying in his comfort zone. That's just one possible interpretation from the outside but if its roughly accurate then its a choice I respect.
I took a minute to think about to what extent is the French league a step below the Spanish league. I think that, at least in Spain, Real Madrid have a director competitor in Barcelona, while I'm not sure who is PSG's equal in France -- probably no one. Then, you have teams like Atletico and Sevilla that are probably a step above France's third and fourth teams. But is Spain really ahead of France once you get beyond the top 4 (or top 6)?
 

Kliq

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I took a minute to think about to what extent is the French league a step below the Spanish league. I think that, at least in Spain, Real Madrid have a director competitor in Barcelona, while I'm not sure who is PSG's equal in France -- probably no one. Then, you have teams like Atletico and Sevilla that are probably a step above France's third and fourth teams. But is Spain really ahead of France once you get beyond the top 4 (or top 6)?
Atletico and Barca are certainly better than any other team in France, but I don't think there is a huge gap between Sevilla/Valencia/Villarreal and Lyon/Marseille/Monaco, not to mention Lille, who won the league last year.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I took a minute to think about to what extent is the French league a step below the Spanish league. I think that, at least in Spain, Real Madrid have a director competitor in Barcelona, while I'm not sure who is PSG's equal in France -- probably no one. Then, you have teams like Atletico and Sevilla that are probably a step above France's third and fourth teams. But is Spain really ahead of France once you get beyond the top 4 (or top 6)?
I think there is a real difference in the top half of the table, maybe not in the bottom half.

As you know as a La Liga watcher, the clubs in the 4th-8th positions in Spain do a fair amount of rotation. Sevilla has been the biggest mainstay in recent years but at various points Real Sociedad, Valencia, Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao, Real Betis, Getafe, and Celta Vigo have all had pretty good sides. If we say that PSG, Lyon, and Monaco have been the strongest French sides over the last 10 years or so, those Spanish clubs in aggregate are way ahead of Marseille, Lille, Rennes, Nice, St-Etienne, etc.

In the end, the best way to judge is probably by the Europa League. Spain has had a club other than the big three appear in the Europa League final 8 times in the last 15 years and those non-big three clubs have gone into the semis many many other times. France has had only one finalist in the last 15 years and rarely even had a semi-finalist.

I think France produces a lot of top tier homegrown talent that eventually gets exported elsewhere and that kind of skews perceptions of the strength of the league. Those talented players coexist alongside a lot of bad ones. In Spain, the overall level is higher because there are a ton of South American players that are just solid professionals that bring up the level of the mid-table clubs.

For whatever reason, Spain also has produced a lot of successful managers in the last decade or two. Its hard to think of many successful French managers who really cut their teeth in Ligue 1. So I think Spain might not only have better players but just better drilled, more tactical sides up and down the table.
 
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HowBoutDemSox

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UEFA association coefficient isn’t a perfect metric, but Ligue 1 is currently ranked sixth, just below Portugal’s Primeira Liga, with a coefficient of 43.581, compared to La Liga, which sits at second, below the EPL, with a coefficient of 80.570. That’s a pretty sizable gap, and speaks more to the top of the table teams (who qualify for European competition).
 

rguilmar

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UEFA association coefficient isn’t a perfect metric, but Ligue 1 is currently ranked sixth, just below Portugal’s Primeira Liga, with a coefficient of 43.581, compared to La Liga, which sits at second, below the EPL, with a coefficient of 80.570. That’s a pretty sizable gap, and speaks more to the top of the table teams (who qualify for European competition).
I was just coming to post that I pretty strongly disagree that there is just a small gap between La Liga and Ligue 1. It's a big gap. In UCL last season, obviously PSG did very well. The other two French qualifiers finished dead last in their groups . Marseille had a -11 GD in Group C (Man City, Porto, Olympiacos) and Rennes had a -8 GD in Group E (which had Sevilla finishing second FYI). Meanwhile all 4 La Liga teams advanced out of the group stage. Dropping down to the Europa League, all 3 Spanish teams advanced out of the group, with Villareal winning the tournament. Lille finished second in their group and were promptly bounced out by Ajax. Nice finished dead last in their group. Villareal ended up finishing 7th in La Liga and Lille won Ligue 1. Not scientific, I know, but in the two main competitions where the two leagues faced off La Liga was far superior.

The aforementioned Valencia finished 13th in La Liga in an admittedly down year. But that is the team with Gaya, Guedes, Soler, Maxi Gomez. Hell, our boy Yunus who many people want to even start for the USMNT can't even get off the Valencia bench most of the time. Valencia is a decent squad and they finished 13th in La Liga. No way that happens in Ligue 1. Atletic Bilbao finished tenth and they several Spanish internationals. No way they finish 10th in Ligue 1, though for political reasons it would be fun if they could play in Ligue 1 for a season.

These leagues aren't really close. I've always felt that the depth of La Liga was very underrated. La Liga is definitely down from where they had been, but not that far.
 

teddykgb

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Ronaldo to City chatter increasing. I haven't seen anything very reliable yet though.

View: https://twitter.com/MiguelDelaney/status/1430878446813593610
I’m coming around to this transfer entirely because of how much it is devastating United fans and I am a petty human. The look on their faces when City sing “you sign Sancho we sign Cristiano” would be priceless. It’s only too bad Van de Beek doesn’t fit in the rhythm of the song.

Nonetheless I still think this is more Twitter nonsense than anything realistic. Everyone knows City need a striker and I think a bunch of people are just playing connect the dots
 

Zomp

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If you signing Cristiano gives us a run at Haaland I'm all for it.

That was my biggest bummer with Kane staying. You're gonna win the league regardless. Might as well give it to you now and then try to capitalize next season and for the future when Pep leaves.
 

teddykgb

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In my view Haaland is already done to someone. Maybe it’s United and he’s the player I would want most but the way Chelsea pushed hard for him and pivoted makes it seem to me like they were convinced they couldn’t get it done. Probably Bayern have him boxed off or Madrid but I can’t say I’d rule out United having done that legwork either. I just don’t know that there’s an actual bidding war to be had—it may have already completed

The thing that I really struggle with is that City were very forward in announcing Aguero’s departure. It seemed obvious that City must have struck a deal with someone to push Aguero out the door. Maybe that was Kane but if it was then they apparently had no discussion about feasibility and that’s just idiotic.
 

Zososoxfan

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I’m coming around to this transfer entirely because of how much it is devastating United fans and I am a petty human. The look on their faces when City sing “you sign Sancho we sign Cristiano” would be priceless. It’s only too bad Van de Beek doesn’t fit in the rhythm of the song.

Nonetheless I still think this is more Twitter nonsense than anything realistic. Everyone knows City need a striker and I think a bunch of people are just playing connect the dots
I'm also all for United's tears. My pub team is currently ridiculing our resident Red Devil for claiming that Ronaldo would be nothing without MAN U (L.O.L.). I also think Ronaldo's playing more centrally now for club and country to be closer to goal and take advantage of his remaining elite skills (heading, finishing, strength, etc.) and minimize his loss of speed.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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In my view Haaland is already done to someone. Maybe it’s United and he’s the player I would want most but the way Chelsea pushed hard for him and pivoted makes it seem to me like they were convinced they couldn’t get it done. Probably Bayern have him boxed off or Madrid but I can’t say I’d rule out United having done that legwork either. I just don’t know that there’s an actual bidding war to be had—it may have already completed

The thing that I really struggle with is that City were very forward in announcing Aguero’s departure. It seemed obvious that City must have struck a deal with someone to push Aguero out the door. Maybe that was Kane but if it was then they apparently had no discussion about feasibility and that’s just idiotic.
Regarding Haaland - a report today (athletic I think) indicated he’ll cost in the neighbour hood of £75 million per year - which includes a huge payoff to his agent - around 32m.

That’s peak Messi money. Who the hell is going to pay that? Thats in addition to the transfer fee.

The link was from the Echo’s live blog - citing a report in Bild

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-transfer-news-rumours-live-21403707
 
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johnnycomelately

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There are rumors that Haaland ultimately wants to go to Real Madrid and that this was a concern as Chelsea tried to engage with Dortmund. But who knows what will happen in a year.
 

67YAZ

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Regarding Haaland - a report today (athletic I think) indicated he’ll cost in the neighbour hood of £75 million per year - which includes a huge payoff to his agent - around 32m.

That’s peak Messi money. Who the hell is going to pay that? Thats in addition to the transfer fee.

The link was from the Echo’s live blog - citing a report in Bild

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-transfer-news-rumours-live-21403707
Yow! It was reported that Raiola got about £16m in fees out of the Pogba transfer - ManU giving him £9m and Juve having to kick in £7m to send the player out! Now he wants double to move Haaland? Good business if you can get it, I guess.
 

Mighty Joe Young

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If Ronaldo (and his stratospheric salary) does go to City then I’m sure another cousin will magically conjure another bogus sponsorship deal to cover the FFP ramifications.

Given that I despise Ronaldo I actually welcome this as I can now genuinely hate City the team - as well as the owners. (Not KDB though)

Bring it on !
 

coremiller

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Hard to see how Madrid could afford both Mbappe and Haaland given their supposed cash crunch. But stranger things have happened.

I’m coming around to this transfer entirely because of how much it is devastating United fans and I am a petty human. The look on their faces when City sing “you sign Sancho we sign Cristiano” would be priceless. It’s only too bad Van de Beek doesn’t fit in the rhythm of the song.

Nonetheless I still think this is more Twitter nonsense than anything realistic. Everyone knows City need a striker and I think a bunch of people are just playing connect the dots
I don't understand this chant. I would rather have Sancho than Ronaldo.
 

Jimy Hendrix

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I don't understand this chant. I would rather have Sancho than Ronaldo.
I assume it’s more about emotional valence than rational player evaluation in 2021. Sancho’s a one who got away for City, but didn’t do a whole lot there. Ronaldo’s a United legend.
 

teddykgb

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I assume it’s more about emotional valence than rational player evaluation in 2021. Sancho’s a one who got away for City, but didn’t do a whole lot there. Ronaldo’s a United legend.
Violence. Emotional violence. Against United fans. Which is naturally virtuous. (Also it fits the song pentameter)
 

Mighty Joe Young

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Violence. Emotional violence. Against United fans. Which is naturally virtuous. (Also it fits the song pentameter)
So … @teddykgb … how in the world will Ronaldo fit into a City squad? He seems like the exact antithesis of a Pep player. I know he’s still a great goal scorer, but doesn’t really do anything else. @SocrManiac can probably provide a better scouting report. He couldn’t drag Juventus to CL glory so how is this going to work?

And selling Sterling ? In this market getting a proper fee for him will be very difficult - especially given the time constraint.

They’ve been trying to sell Silva as well?

This whole things seems like a completely reactionary move.
 

teddykgb

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I mean it’s fairly obvious he will be the striker and tasked with finishing the multitude of chances City create. Ideally he sucks up enough attention that the wingers aren’t constantly doubled up on and he uses his aerial ability to make crossing a realistic option.

the way it goes wrong is that he demands the system is changed to accommodate him and the team fundamentally changes to get him his stats at the expense of playing the football which got City here. It’s a very legitimate risk and as a Portuguese American who has watched him for years it is really hard for a team to not end up all about Cristiano. The chances he clashes with Pep are super high although they’re both football junkies so maybe there’s some way that works. City don’t press as much these days so I don’t know how much of an issue that would be.

Sterling has been very poor for City for a long time and seems like he might be running his contract down. He’s a good player but very limited and just doesn’t seem happy in his football at City at this point. I’d happily sell him for a reasonable fee as I think that would be good for both parties. Grealish and Foden are both probably better on the LW and Sterling for some reason prefers to play on that side while being so one footed. I think it’s mostly rumors and doubt the value is there but I wouldn’t be very concerned about the attack if he were sold.

To me this is still too much of a coincidence and I imagine I’ll be reading about Ronaldo’s shock move to United or PSG in the morning. City have consistently struggled to complete these deals I don’t see why this would be the one that gets over the line

Edit: Bernardo asked to leave and City aren’t gonna pull a Levy and force him to stay. That’s entirely a separate matter
 

Mighty Joe Young

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I mean it’s fairly obvious he will be the striker and tasked with finishing the multitude of chances City create. Ideally he sucks up enough attention that the wingers aren’t constantly doubled up on and he uses his aerial ability to make crossing a realistic option.

the way it goes wrong is that he demands the system is changed to accommodate him and the team fundamentally changes to get him his stats at the expense of playing the football which got City here. It’s a very legitimate risk and as a Portuguese American who has watched him for years it is really hard for a team to not end up all about Cristiano. The chances he clashes with Pep are super high although they’re both football junkies so maybe there’s some way that works. City don’t press as much these days so I don’t know how much of an issue that would be.

Sterling has been very poor for City for a long time and seems like he might be running his contract down. He’s a good player but very limited and just doesn’t seem happy in his football at City at this point. I’d happily sell him for a reasonable fee as I think that would be good for both parties. Grealish and Foden are both probably better on the LW and Sterling for some reason prefers to play on that side while being so one footed. I think it’s mostly rumors and doubt the value is there but I wouldn’t be very concerned about the attack if he were sold.

To me this is still too much of a coincidence and I imagine I’ll be reading about Ronaldo’s shock move to United or PSG in the morning. City have consistently struggled to complete these deals I don’t see why this would be the one that gets over the line

Edit: Bernardo asked to leave and City aren’t gonna pull a Levy and force him to stay. That’s entirely a separate matter
Thanks … I think that’s spot on. As for Bernardo all I meant was he’s an example of the moribund state of the market. The only teams with enough money to sign Silva or Sterling are PSG or Chelsea. Unless they sell at a very cut rate.

But I don’t see either of those teams as options. Klopp has long been a huge fan of Silva but Liverpool aren’t going to pony up 50m for him. Maybe 40m ? But I can’t see City selling to a rival. Seems to me Arsenal should be interested
 
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teddykgb

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The rumors are that Bernardo may be headed to AC Milan on an Italian special loan with a buy clause. I’m not sure I’m buying that either but I would be shocked if he moved within the Prem. Supposedly wants to head to Spain and has had enough of life in England. Arsenal should be trying for either of them but I have no idea why they’d go there
 

Zomp

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Are people really asking how Ronaldo fits in at City? He’s still a devastating finisher. Him at the end of KDB’s crosses? Forget it.
 

67YAZ

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So … @teddykgb … how in the world will Ronaldo fit into a City squad? He seems like the exact antithesis of a Pep player. I know he’s still a great goal scorer, but doesn’t really do anything else. @SocrManiac can probably provide a better scouting report. He couldn’t drag Juventus to CL glory so how is this going to work?

And selling Sterling ? In this market getting a proper fee for him will be very difficult - especially given the time constraint.

They’ve been trying to sell Silva as well?

This whole things seems like a completely reactionary move.
Theres no market for Sterling this late in the window even at a cut rate. His recent performances have been so uneven and his wage demands will be mega-club sized. And which mega-club is in the market for that right now?
 

SocrManiac

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I think this sums things up nicely... If you don't know Top Gear, I'm sorry. Also, what's wrong with you?

43787

Ronaldo was a gamble that didn't pay off. Juventus have had a bunch of young talent that has stagnated or regressed as a result of forming the attack around him.

You can predict based on his body language if he's going to participate in any kind of press. If he's sulking over not getting the distribution he wanted on the previous attack, he's going to walk around slowly with his head down. If he's angry at having lost the ball on his own, he'll chase relentlessly and berate teammates that aren't as aggressive.

He is obviously an incredible attacking talent. He has springs in his shoes and can get up for aerial battles unlike anybody I've seen. He can still dribble players and has surprising pace for his age. He picks his spots and puts his boot through the ball. All that said, there's still an element of a spoiled brat in him and he gesticulates and pouts like a child when things aren't going as he planned. It makes him absolutely infuriating to watch and took a lot of joy out of the team.

I'm looking forward to Allegri molding the immense talent he has into a fluid team without Ronaldo as a centerpiece. Dybala, Chiesa, Kulusevski, Locatelli, Bernardeschi, Bentacur, McKennie, Rabiot, maybe Kean (if the current rumors hold), and even Morata will all benefit. Juventus will also be able to score from free kicks again.

Speaking of which, they'd better make audible warnings in the Etihad whenever Ronaldo stands over a ball. The fans behind the goal looking at their phones will be in danger of a fairly hard hit ball coming at them. The safest place for them to be, really, is in the goal.

I'm genuinely excited for Juventus this year. Ronaldo is gone, Allegri is back, and the side should be hungry again for the first time in ages. There's a ton of young talent (and some significant age at the back...).
 

Pesky Pole

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Probably just paper talk but rumors now circulating that PSG could take the Mbappe money and make a late push for Haaland.

Crazy transfer window, completely broken game.
As a LFC fan, I'm ok with this. I figured with Mo's contract issues and his aggressive agent, it was only a matter of time before the Salah to PSG rumors start. There is no way FSG is paying the extortion money that Raiola will demand so Haaland to PSG would kill two birds with one stone for me. We keep Haaland away from our rivals in the PL and keep PSG away from Mo.

And yeah, this is a sad state of affairs that I'm resigned to this.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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I honestly don't think Ronaldo makes sense for United at all. They badly need a CM and probably an attacking RB. They have Cavani, Martial, and Greenwood who can play CF and Rashford, Pogba, and Sancho are all at their best on the LW.

If they gazump City for Ronaldo at the expense of actually trying to sort out their midfield, its a pretty dumb PR-driven move IMO.
 

Zomp

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Somethings up.
Rio tweeted the DiCaprio face this morning. Ole was open about saying he could come back in his presser.
Stone just tweeted he’s not going to city.
 

Zomp

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I honestly don't think Ronaldo makes sense for United at all. They badly need a CM and probably an attacking RB. They have Cavani, Martial, and Greenwood who can play CF and Rashford, Pogba, and Sancho are all at their best on the LW.

If they gazump City for Ronaldo at the expense of actually trying to sort out their midfield, its a pretty dumb PR-driven move IMO.
Sometimes football is about the romance. And that’s okay.
Its like when you asked me about keeping ole over poch. Is poch the better manager? Yes. But id rather try to win with Ole.

Ronaldo coming back is something every United fan wants to see. I wouldn’t wNt it at the expense of missing out on haaland next year but maybe he’s going to PSG?

If it happens, my son will get to see Ronaldo play in a United kit. That would be better than most trophies to me.
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Sometimes football is about the romance. And that’s okay.
Its like when you asked me about keeping ole over poch. Is poch the better manager? Yes. But id rather try to win with Ole.

Ronaldo coming back is something every United fan wants to see. I wouldn’t wNt it at the expense of missing out on haaland next year but maybe he’s going to PSG?

If it happens, my son will get to see Ronaldo play in a United kit. That would be better than most trophies to me.
Yeah, I think both things can be true at the same time. Its a totally romantic move and I can completely see why United fans would be over the moon.
 

Zomp

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I do wonder if there is any chance of Pogba going the other way for reasons MMS stated above.
Like a Pogba Ronaldo swap then we try for Neves or Saul to partner Mctominay behind Bruno.
 

SocrManiac

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I do wonder if there is any chance of Pogba going the other way for reasons MMS stated above.
Like a Pogba Ronaldo swap then we try for Neves or Saul to partner Mctominay behind Bruno.
Please yes. Pogba and Allegri is a great match.
 

Zomp

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I’m coming around to this transfer entirely because of how much it is devastating United fans and I am a petty human. The look on their faces when City sing “you sign Sancho we sign Cristiano” would be priceless. It’s only too bad Van de Beek doesn’t fit in the rhythm of the song.

Nonetheless I still think this is more Twitter nonsense than anything realistic. Everyone knows City need a striker and I think a bunch of people are just playing connect the dots
I'm also all for United's tears. My pub team is currently ridiculing our resident Red Devil for claiming that Ronaldo would be nothing without MAN U (L.O.L.). I also think Ronaldo's playing more centrally now for club and country to be closer to goal and take advantage of his remaining elite skills (heading, finishing, strength, etc.) and minimize his loss of speed.
Violence. Emotional violence. Against United fans. Which is naturally virtuous. (Also it fits the song pentameter)
Hey Zomp is he association trained? He counts as Homegrown for City doesn’t he?

43793
 

Kliq

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Ronaldo back at United rules. I'm pretty confident he will do great things and people will react accordingly to them.
 

cromulence

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Honestly, I love it. I decided as soon as I became aware of Manchester United that I didn't like them, which was pretty much the same time I became aware of Ronaldo and decided I didn't like him either. Hateable athlete goes home to his hateable team. Fits.