The soccerball thread

[jimmy jazz]

Yeah I thought it was.
So is Duran gone to fucking Saudi Arabia? Or going? And surely if so they're not going to sell Ollie too? Self-destructing behaviour if they do. Rogers is great, and Ramsey on his day too, but we need a natural goalscorer to keep up there.

Yes Duran is gone. £70m. Not a bad fee. Paid £14m two years ago, played sparingly, £56m profit. He was always going to leave.

fucking chelsea, greedy ass club just throwing money at big names and scooping them all up to try to buy themselves a champions league win. disgustang. are they as bad in men's football?

Oh yes. They were the original sugardaddy club. They were fuck all before 2003 then Román Abramovich took them over with Russian oil money and spent outrageous sums every summer. It changed everything. They were on the brink of folding under the previous owners. There are plenty of fans who don't consider their success legit (me included) because of how they did it.

[Marie Monday]

good to know they're pathetic all around

[Trollheart]

Don't forget Man City, bought by the Arabs. I suppose much as I hate them, Man United were at least a force before the Glasers and whoever got involved. Same with Liverpool. Arsenal I don't know but I think they've had their glory days sans big money too. So it's not all clubs, but yeah, does seem to be the way things are going. Anyone remember when Man City weren't even in the Premier League? Of course you always have Blackburn, but even Jack Walker's money could only buy them one title. And Newcastle don't have any major major money behind them possibly.

All of the above information/speculation is subject to correction by our local footy oracle, JJ.

[jimmy jazz]

Don't forget Man City, bought by the Arabs. I suppose much as I hate them, Man United were at least a force before the Glasers and whoever got involved. Same with Liverpool. Arsenal I don't know but I think they've had their glory days sans big money too. So it's not all clubs, but yeah, does seem to be the way things are going. Anyone remember when Man City weren't even in the Premier League?

Are you beginning to change your views on this sort of thing? Cos I've said this to you in the past and you always had a problem with MU over MC even though the former earned their success and the latter cheated.

And:

There is controversy over Arsenal's promotion in 1919 at the expense of Tottenham. It went to a vote and Arsenal were picked, even though they finished 6th. They were also known as the Bank of England club. Don't know much about the finances although I think it was self-generated money.

See this - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Norris_(businessman)

It has been alleged that Norris bribed or in some way unduly influenced the voting members of the Football League, in particular the league chairman and owner of Liverpool, John McKenna;[11][12] at the League's AGM. Many sources claim that McKenna made a speech recommending Arsenal's promotion ahead of Spurs thanks to the former's longer spell in the League (Arsenal joined in 1893, Spurs in 1908), although Wolves – who finished in 4th ahead of Arsenal – had been members of the league since its inception in 1888.[11] However, with no newspapers at time reporting on it, it is highly unlikely that any of this actually happened.[13]

The source for the quote 'highly unlikely any of this actually happened' is an Arsenal fan site BTW.

Real Madrid have a very dodgy history as well BTW.

[Trollheart]

I can hate them without denying that they did at least earn their success. I still like Man City, but I have to hope they continue to fail otherwise my big piece on them and United is a waste of time! 

No, seriously, credit where credit is due: I'll always hate United till I take my last breath, but they did earn their success, and while City may have bought it, I do remember when United fans sneered at them because they played in the lower divisions, and when they did get into the  Prem they usually didn't last long. So I feel they're kind of having their revenge on the Man U fans, espeically since their own team, once football kings, are now struggling so badly.

I suppose if you took money out of it, the top four in England should be Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal and maybe Tottenham or Newcastle. But I'm not enough of a hypocrite or dead enough yet inside to say United didn't buy their success so I like them. I don't. I hate them. But facts are facts, no matter how fluid the truth is tending to become, and one thing I won't ignore is the truth. It's a sort of grudging, not admiration, but acceptance.

[jimmy jazz]

Top 4 would be

Liverpool
MU
Arsenal
Villa

Everton would be next.

I don't think people realise how much Villa have won. When Fergie became MU manager only Liverpool had won more.

BTW the verdict is due February or March regarding the charges 

[jimmy jazz]

Duran gone, announced officially. £70m @Trollheart

We're being linked with Joao Félix (Chelsea) and Marco Asensio (PSG).

Emery has wanted Félix for a long time and Asensio would be another huge signing.

I would be happy with one but if we get both I'd be delighted.

[Trollheart]

Good news, though I'll miss Duran. And his brother. 
See City just drew Real in the CL. I think they're toast. Celtic v Bayern? Oh dear.

[jimmy jazz]

Good news, though I'll miss Duran. And his brother. 
See City just drew Real in the CL. I think they're toast. Celtic v Bayern? Oh dear.

He was our best striker imo but it's best he goes while we get a good offer. He's just too unpredictable.

We've played three of those four this season and beat all of them. Probably beat Real Madrid too. Shit clubs.

[jimmy jazz]

@Trollheart

Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford should be announced tomorrow, loans with options to buy.

Not sure about Félix, AC Milan are in for him too.

Axel Disasi from Chelsea is the centre back we're being linked with.

If you want me to stop bringing you Villa news let me know.

[Trollheart]

No it's great thanks. Keep 'em comin'! I didn't know about Rashford: he'll be a great acquisition. We played terribly yesterday; how many times did we give the ball away? I mean, Wolves? Seriously? I like them, but if we can't beat a team that's in the relegation zone we got problems. And now Ollie is injured, so we need these new guys asap. 8th isn't good enough, though at least we're through in Europe, so that's something.

[jimmy jazz]

No it's great thanks. Keep 'em comin'! I didn't know about Rashford: he'll be a great acquisition. We played terribly yesterday; how many times did we give the ball away? I mean, Wolves? Seriously? I like them, but if we can't beat a team that's in the relegation zone we got problems. And now Ollie is injured, so we need these new guys asap. 8th isn't good enough, though at least we're through in Europe, so that's something.

https://x.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1886173385903771990

The buy price is £40m in summer.

Also if we're gonna make the CL next season we have to win it this year. We're too inconsistent to do it via the league.

[Trollheart]

Cool. I had a pic to post of him too, but the site won't work for me on my phone, and it's a pain transferring pictures via USB leads, so I won't bother. Despite his being a Manc, I always had time for Rashford. Wasn't he the one forced schools to give free dinners to kids, or paid for them himself or something?

It is funny though how they've positioned him in such a way behind the crest that it looks like steam is coming out of his left ear!  He also looks a little like "These guys are serious, dude! Just pay the ransom!"

[jimmy jazz]

Yeh he got an MBE for it.

My gut feeling is this is a transfer that isn't going to work out. I used to rate him as a player but since the World Cup he's not been at his usual level and I am not sure he can get there again.

But if Unai wants him, then I'm for it. He knows better than anyone.

[Trollheart]

Should be my picture of Rashford but the phone doesn't seem to want to cooperate.