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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)

Native said:
Native said:
CletiusMaximus said:
These Mata rumors all summer seem extremely far fetched and the Willian stuff makes no sense to me. I think I'd handicap Mata to United in the same tier as Falcao to ####, just slightly more likely than Iker to Chelsea.
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I never pay much attention to these rumors but for some reason I think this one may have legs...
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Here we go hot off the presses - straight from the horses mouth

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23814060



Willian: Jose Mourinho indicates winger set for Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has indicated that £30m Anzhi Makhachkala midfielder Willian will choose Chelsea over Tottenham.

Willian, 25, had undergone a medical with Spurs, but could now sign for the Blues after they entered the race for his signature on Thursday.

When asked whether the Brazilian had chosen to make the move to Stamford Bridge, Mourinho nodded.

The Chelsea boss added: "I know what the player wants, so in this moment we cannot hide. That is a possibility."

Willian joined Anzhi in January for a reported £30m after five-and-a-half seasons at Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk. But he has become available as the Russian side attempt to cut costs after a change in strategy by their owner.

Tottenham had expected to break their transfer record and make Willian their fifth major summer signing.

But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich intervened, using his contacts at Anzhi to offer a similar fee to Tottenham but with more lucrative add-ons.

Willian has not yet agreed personal terms at the Blues. It is understood he is attracted by the chance to play Champions League football, compete for the Premier League title and work under Mourinho.

"I couldn't say much in previous news conferences," Mourinho said.

"I have to answer your questions and try to be honest, but at the same time try to hide a few things.

"I'm happy with my squad, but every one of us managers, we say we are happy, but we are always unhappy.

"We always want something of more quality and we never close the door to the possibility of adding more quality."

-----

With Hazard, Mata, Oscar, De Bruyne, Schurrle and Moses already vying for three AM spots, it makes ZERO sense to sign a seventh player unless you ship someone off. Aside from Mata, the other candidates are Moses (who has been rumored to Everton though hope its not true) and De Bruyne (who I pray doesnt get loaned out again and I dont think this is an option as

hes been superb thus far).
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I suspect he will be warming Moses' bench spot and fighting De Bruyne for what time he is getting. It's a shame for Moses. Every time he got a chance he looked good.

 
Seems pretty costly for a squad player. If they move Moses I think Chelsea will barely qualify under the homegrown rules. The Rooney / Mata stuff strikes me as extremely unlikely.

 
Eephus said:
Sinn Fein said:
CletiusMaximus said:
Seems pretty costly for a squad player. If they move Moses I think Chelsea will barely qualify under the homegrown rules. The Rooney / Mata stuff strikes me as extremely unlikely.
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Might have been as much a defensive move to keep him from Tottenham.
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£30M is a pretty expensive game of #### on your neighbor
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Well, its not like he can't play - and if that neighbor is a threat to a major pay day via Champions League berth - it could be a savvy investment. Part need, part ####-block.

 
A Mata-Rooney swap does make a lot of sense. Maybe it's add one piece here, sell a midfielder there, trade for a striker.

It is Mou, so maybe he's just being an #######.

LOL at Willian getting to "play" Champions League football. At least he won't have to buy a ticket.

 
Won't happen, but fun to speculate. I can see a flurry happening after Bale's move is official. If the Ozil to United rumors end up coming through would put and end to them moving Di Maria imo.

I hope Benzema stays and doesn't put Madrid in a position to want Suarez.

 
The Gator said:
Won't happen, but fun to speculate. I can see a flurry happening after Bale's move is official. If the Ozil to United rumors end up coming through would put and end to them moving Di Maria imo.

I hope Benzema stays and doesn't put Madrid in a position to want Suarez.
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If I'm RM, I don't really want to ruin continuity by shipping out Benzema for someone else. Benzema for Suarez kind of seems like a lateral move to me, except with baggage. Well, more damaging baggage anyway. You're already making one big change to your attacking four, no sense in making another needless one.

And what can Arsenal offer Benzema that RM can't? He's going to get a lot of starts for a CL contender.

 
Good Posting Judge said:
The Gator said:
Won't happen, but fun to speculate. I can see a flurry happening after Bale's move is official. If the Ozil to United rumors end up coming through would put and end to them moving Di Maria imo.

I hope Benzema stays and doesn't put Madrid in a position to want Suarez.
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If I'm RM, I don't really want to ruin continuity by shipping out Benzema for someone else. Benzema for Suarez kind of seems like a lateral move to me, except with baggage. Well, more damaging baggage anyway. You're already making one big change to your attacking four, no sense in making another needless one.

And what can Arsenal offer Benzema that RM can't? He's going to get a lot of starts for a CL contender.
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Fashion.

 
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
Christo said:
Eephus said:
AFC Wimbledon ‏@AFCWimbledon 22 Aug

Club aims to cut down bar waiting times: http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/bars-article-for-aug-22-1007366.aspx … #MoreBeer #AFCWimbledon
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Now that's a team with the right priorities!
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But do they have an iPie app?

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/thetoepoke/id/4391?cc=5901
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Pie and :banned: mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 
Native said:
Earlier today - Manchester United have made an informal inquiry to Chelsea about the possibility of bringing Juan Mata to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window, sources from both clubs have told ESPN.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1530935/manchester-united-keen-sign-chelsea-juan-mata?cc=5901&update

Im telling you its going down..
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I always thought Sir Alex was talking about the game played on the field when he issued the famous quote, "Football, bloody hell." Seems more applicable to the transfer window drama these days.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
Native said:
Earlier today - Manchester United have made an informal inquiry to Chelsea about the possibility of bringing Juan Mata to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window, sources from both clubs have told ESPN.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1530935/manchester-united-keen-sign-chelsea-juan-mata?cc=5901&update

Im telling you its going down..
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I always thought Sir Alex was talking about the game played on the field when he issued the famous quote, "Football, bloody hell." Seems more applicable to the transfer window drama these days.
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When I play Football Manager, I always dread the end of the transfer windows. But as a fan, September 2nd can't come soon enough.

 
Good Posting Judge said:
A Mata-Rooney swap does make a lot of sense. Maybe it's add one piece here, sell a midfielder there, trade for a striker.

It is Mou, so maybe he's just being an #######.

LOL at Willian getting to "play" Champions League football. At least he won't have to buy a ticket.
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I think this was largely an expensive middle finger to AVB and Levy. Abramovich doesn't like Levy and Mourinho doesn't like AVB. Calling in a personal favor for a 30M squad player you have no need for is pretty silly even for a petro-team.

I would rather Tottenham not overpay for more than one player a season anyway. Willian was never actually worth 30M, which is why he had to go to Anzhi to begin with. Tottenham's situation was rather unique so maybe he was worth it to AVB (Levy felt he wasn't worth anywhere near the 30M, go figure), but it was probably a blessing.

The Bale money can always be spent on the stadium or someone with a bigger upside, like Lamela.

 
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jonessed said:
Good Posting Judge said:
A Mata-Rooney swap does make a lot of sense. Maybe it's add one piece here, sell a midfielder there, trade for a striker.

It is Mou, so maybe he's just being an #######.

LOL at Willian getting to "play" Champions League football. At least he won't have to buy a ticket.
Click to expand...
I think this was largely an expensive middle finger to AVB and Levy. Abramovich doesn't like Levy and Mourinho doesn't like AVB. Calling in a personal favor for a 30M squad player you have no need for is pretty silly even for a petro-team.

I would rather Tottenham not overpay for more than one player a season anyway. Willian was never actually worth 30M, which is why he had to go to Anzhi to begin with. Tottenham's situation was rather unique so maybe he was worth it to AVB (Levy felt he wasn't worth anywhere near the 30M, go figure), but it was probably a blessing.

The Bale money can always be spent on the stadium or someone with a bigger upside, like Lamela.
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:goodposting:

I like Willian, but 30M was steep. Would rather have seen Willian at Tottenham than Lamela

 
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The Gator said:
jonessed said:
Good Posting Judge said:
A Mata-Rooney swap does make a lot of sense. Maybe it's add one piece here, sell a midfielder there, trade for a striker.

It is Mou, so maybe he's just being an #######.

LOL at Willian getting to "play" Champions League football. At least he won't have to buy a ticket.
Click to expand...
I think this was largely an expensive middle finger to AVB and Levy. Abramovich doesn't like Levy and Mourinho doesn't like AVB. Calling in a personal favor for a 30M squad player you have no need for is pretty silly even for a petro-team.

I would rather Tottenham not overpay for more than one player a season anyway. Willian was never actually worth 30M, which is why he had to go to Anzhi to begin with. Tottenham's situation was rather unique so maybe he was worth it to AVB (Levy felt he wasn't worth anywhere near the 30M, go figure), but it was probably a blessing.

The Bale money can always be spent on the stadium or someone with a bigger upside, like Lamela.
Click to expand...
:goodposting:

I like Willian, but 30M was steep. Would rather have seen Willian at Tottenham than Lamela
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It'll be hard to assess the move until sometime after September 2nd. In spite of the decisive early moves for Paulinho and Soldado, it looks like Levy will be dealing down to wire like in the 'Arry era.

If Bale moves, Spurs need someone in midfield to replace him. £30M was a high price for Willian but he'd fill a need and is still relatively young. They have to spend at least part of the expected Bale windfall this month. Socking the money away for the Northumberland project is something Arsenal would do.

 
Eephus said:
The Gator said:
jonessed said:
Good Posting Judge said:
A Mata-Rooney swap does make a lot of sense. Maybe it's add one piece here, sell a midfielder there, trade for a striker.

It is Mou, so maybe he's just being an #######.

LOL at Willian getting to "play" Champions League football. At least he won't have to buy a ticket.
Click to expand...
I think this was largely an expensive middle finger to AVB and Levy. Abramovich doesn't like Levy and Mourinho doesn't like AVB. Calling in a personal favor for a 30M squad player you have no need for is pretty silly even for a petro-team.

I would rather Tottenham not overpay for more than one player a season anyway. Willian was never actually worth 30M, which is why he had to go to Anzhi to begin with. Tottenham's situation was rather unique so maybe he was worth it to AVB (Levy felt he wasn't worth anywhere near the 30M, go figure), but it was probably a blessing.

The Bale money can always be spent on the stadium or someone with a bigger upside, like Lamela.
Click to expand...
:goodposting:

I like Willian, but 30M was steep. Would rather have seen Willian at Tottenham than Lamela
Click to expand...
It'll be hard to assess the move until sometime after September 2nd. In spite of the decisive early moves for Paulinho and Soldado, it looks like Levy will be dealing down to wire like in the 'Arry era.

If Bale moves, Spurs need someone in midfield to replace him. £30M was a high price for Willian but he'd fill a need and is still relatively young. They have to spend at least part of the expected Bale windfall this month. Socking the money away for the Northumberland project is something Arsenal would do.
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And Chadli and Capoue. That's a pretty miraculous early window for Levy. Baldini has definitely made his impact.

Lamela would be the most like-for-like replacement for Bale. AVB has always liked Willian, he suddenly had the money, and Willian became available. I don't believe Wilian was ever meant as a Bale replacement. Tottenham have had an additional need for creativity ever since Modric and AVB left. They still would have needed to supplement Soldado with a more solid goalscorer.

 
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