Official Football Thread - 11/12

[Sleepy]

In the last few years everybody became a Barca fan.

I haven't, fuck barca....

co-sign

[SajN]

Luckily, I became Barca fan way before they were this big, and it all because of a game
So I haven't followed the bandwagon

[dR3]

Since when is San Siro Barca's stadium, Chris?

[K Reidy]

In the last few years everybody became a Barca fan.

I'm only a Barca fan when they play Manchester United!

YNWA

[MikeNUFC]

Anyone watching the Euro U21 Championships? Been few good upcoming players so far. Beast of a game next though with England vs Spain. Honestly see England winning this tourney with this squad. Spain are the only other Big threat though imo.

I watched Switzerland vs Demmark and fuck, that Swiss team are talented - really skillful players, definitely gunna watch out for them.

I'm glad toon are being linked with so many players. Rumours are Demba Ba has been signed on a free, and lots of reports about N'Zogbia and a big bid coming in for a European striker. The Gervinho rumours are still going on, but lost interest in that one, really. Can't say it happening now. What's great is, it shows ambition and gets us ahead of other mid-table Prem teams - getting in Cabye early for example (which will be a steal, I reckon).

I still think Ashley's plan is to get in young foreign players in cheap, then sell them on a year or 2 later. The fact Barton and Nolan are being given poorer contract offers, compared Danny SImpson for example. But I could well be wrong.

[momentsgolden]

Just saw this... should make for interesting comparison!

Defenders_Table1 (2) - Copy by momentsgolden, on Flickr

[mcZu]

This is what Wenger said.

"One thing's for sure, we're not selling him to Manchester United."

And this is what Nasri said.

"I don't know if I will sign a new contract. Anyway, the discussions are on-going. For the moment, I don't want to think about this. We will speak about it after the match with Poland [on Tuesday]. Do I want to go to United? We should see if their interest is real and if it is concrete first."

Arsene Wenger has dismissed speculation that he’s about to lose both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas this summer, declaring: they’re going nowhere.

Nasri has just one year remaining on his current contract and is understood to have attracted the interest of several clubs, including Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester United.

Inevitably, at this time of the year, Fabregas has again been linked with a return to childhood heroes Barcelona. But the Arsenal boss refuses to entertain talk of a mass exodus at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger on Samir Nasri....

"We will do everything to keep Nasri at the club. My wish is that he stays here. If he looks back he can see that he's come quite a long way with us, and I think there is still a bit to do. It's the club that makes the player's career."

Arsene Wenger on Cesc Fabregas....

"I will be pretty clear about this. For me, Fabregas is with Arsenal for a long time and he will stay with Arsenal. It sometimes happens that the rumour can make the transfer.”

Arsene Wenger on future transfer activity....

"Next year will see the introduction of the financial fair play system, which will limit the big transfers. I think this is the last year that the summer will be hot - very hot."

They will both stay at Arsenal.

[dR3]

Yeah lmao saw it earlier, I laughed and cried at the same time.

[Hiphopdane]

All those United rumours are leaked by Nasri's agent to put pressure on Arsenal. Expect him to sign a new deal with them and become one of the highest paid in the squad.

It was exactly the same with Rooney last summer.

[Tornado]

I would assume so with pretty much all seasons over. I agree about the manager thing though, No big name signings will get announced till a manager is in anyhow. Is a tad depressing seeing United actually going in for some players and us sat around doing nothing. I don't get all the Neymar AND Lukaku talk going around though. If that is the case and Drogba & Anelka stay then i seriously worry for Sturridge.

Tbh i dunno what it is with clubs getting rid of young strikers too early. United did it with Rossi (tho to be fair, he never really shone at United too much) and i have a feeling Sturridge will spend half a season on the subs bench, getting frustrated before someone comes in to snap him up (depending on what coach comes to the bridge). Can also see Welbeck leaving, but that'd be stupid.

[MikeNUFC]

Pardew has confirmed we should be getting Mevlut Erdinc in the next few days, which sounds good from what I know, plus one more player. We're keeping tabs on Ba, he confirmed, and wants 2 other players before the season starts. I'm guessing it'll be Ba and Erdinc in the next few days, then N'Zog and Neil Taylor after that. I'd personally like a centre back in, I'm not a fan of Saylor defensivley but whatever.

it's great we're getting our work in quickly. I can't see Enrique staying to be honest, and I think one of Barton and Nolan will be out, along with Ranger. I think Ranger could be part of the N'Zog deal.

Harper

Simpson Colo Saylor Enrique/Naylor

N'Zog Tiote Cabaye/Barton Jonas

Ben Arfa

Ba/Erdinc

^Force to be reckoned with, I reckon.

[Tornado]

Kalou out wide is ineffective and as a CF don't contribute enough when he has the chance imo plus Sturridge has pace and a little trickery, something lacking from Chelsea's attack i feel.


And i agree, but tbh i woulda released Owen at the end of the season. Allow Welbeck and Macheda to grow

[dR3]

Apparently Gourlay said that the new manager will be revealed within a week. Hopefully that's true, and Hiddink ftw!

[momentsgolden]

And i agree, but tbh i woulda released Owen at the end of the season. Allow Welbeck and Macheda to grow

You echo the sentiment of any United fan.

[MikeNUFC]

Nolan apprently having a medical at West Fucking Ham as we speak.

Thinking about this, if we can get 5m for him, it's not the end of the world. We've bought Cabaye, and still have Gosling to come back. Although he was our top scorer last season, I think we can do well without him. I couldnt imagine him starting next year anyway.

And Barton needs to shut the fuck up on Twitter. Really not helping himself.