The Footie Thread

[ColchesterFC]

Kane is backtracking massively due to the Messi situation.

Can't see anyone other than PSG paying Messi's wages. But you never know.

Would City gamble on getting one exceptional season out of him to bag the CL?

Seems like Messi was willing to take a 50% pay cut to stay at Barca so he might not be as ridiculously expensive as he might've been previously. He's still going to command big wages but with no transfer fee he's definitely worth a punt for a couple of seasons at least.

 

[SteveW86]

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Seems like Messi was willing to take a 50% pay cut to stay at Barca so he might not be as ridiculously expensive as he might've been previously. He's still going to command big wages but with no transfer fee he's definitely worth a punt for a couple of seasons at least.

Reports that he was going to get a £50mil signing on fee and £40mil after tax wages at PSG

 

[Pin-seeker]

Wonder what Neymar would think of Messi joining him at PSG

 

[ColchesterFC]

Reports that he was going to get a £50mil signing on fee and £40mil after tax wages at PSG

And they've still probably saved themselves £150 - £200 million compared to paying a transfer fee for him.

Are PSG going down the Kevin Keegan Newcastle route of it doesn't matter how many we concede, we'll score more? Icardi up front with Messi, Mbappe and Neymar alongside or in behind. There aren't too many defences that would fancy coming up against those four. Surely they've got to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation if Messi joins. I've just had a look at the PSG squad list. There are going to be some disappointed players this season with the amount of game time they're going to get. In midfield they've got Verrati, Paredes, Di Maria, Rafinha, Wijnaldum, Draxler, Herrara and Gueye. Either Pochetino is going to have to sell some of them or try to find a way to keep eight midfielders happy while only picking two of them to start each week.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

And they've still probably saved themselves £150 - £200 million compared to paying a transfer fee for him.

Are PSG going down the Kevin Keegan Newcastle route of it doesn't matter how many we concede, we'll score more? Icardi up front with Messi, Mbappe and Neymar alongside or in behind. There aren't too many defences that would fancy coming up against those four. Surely they've got to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation if Messi joins. I've just had a look at the PSG squad list. There are going to be some disappointed players this season with the amount of game time they're going to get. In midfield they've got Verrati, Paredes, Di Maria, Rafinha, Wijnaldum, Draxler, Herrara and Gueye. Either Pochetino is going to have to sell some of them or try to find a way to keep eight midfielders happy while only picking two of them to start each week.

He is 34 - I don’t expect any club would pay that level of fee for him and wages that can see only one club can pay

lots of talk of Mbappe being sold to Madrid because he won’t sign a new contract

 

[4LEX]

Wonder what Neymar would think of Messi joining him at PSG

He's too busy partying to worry. I think he's lost all ambition to be the best player in the world and just bullies a few nomark sides in France and saves his best for Brazil.

 

[4LEX]

And they've still probably saved themselves £150 - £200 million compared to paying a transfer fee for him.

Are PSG going down the Kevin Keegan Newcastle route of it doesn't matter how many we concede, we'll score more? Icardi up front with Messi, Mbappe and Neymar alongside or in behind. There aren't too many defences that would fancy coming up against those four. Surely they've got to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation if Messi joins. I've just had a look at the PSG squad list. There are going to be some disappointed players this season with the amount of game time they're going to get. In midfield they've got Verrati, Paredes, Di Maria, Rafinha, Wijnaldum, Draxler, Herrara and Gueye. Either Pochetino is going to have to sell some of them or try to find a way to keep eight midfielders happy while only picking two of them to start each week.

It's all a toxic mix though. A side full of mercenaries who shouldn't be wasting their time in the Farmers League. Arrogance and complacency will creep in, just like it did last season as they bottled the title to Lille. Poch isn't a manager of egos and it'll end in another title but another failure in the CL.

Shame on Messi for wasting his final years putting 5 past Championship level teams.

 

[GG26]

I enjoyed the Community Shield. I could get used to winning trophies. ?

 

[Rlburnside]

Spurs sign Christian Romero from Atalanta, never heard of him but he was voted best defender in Seire A last season so must be a good signing.

 

[pendodave]

Spurs sign Christian Romero from Atalanta, never heard of him but he was voted best defender in Seire A last season so must be a good signing.

I have a long running concern that Spurs will sign someone good that will improve them considerably.
Mostly unrealised, thank the Lord, but it still troubles me nevertheless.

 

[Fade and Die]

I have a long running concern that Spurs will sign someone good that will improve them considerably.
Mostly unrealised, thank the Lord, but it still troubles me nevertheless.

Yes I hope they don’t get Antonio!?

I went yesterday and thought we looked pretty good, Benrahma was excellent but it was disappointing to just see the same old faces though, the lack of action on the striker front is more than just worrying. It's getting ridiculous.

 

[GreiginFife]

Messi's press conference ❤
Held it together really well until they gave him a standing ovation and he broke down.

Clear he doesn't really want to leave but the years of poor signings has finally caught up with them.

 

[hairball_89]

Messi's press conference ❤
Held it together really well until they gave him a standing ovation and he broke down.

Clear he doesn't really want to leave but the years of poor signings has finally caught up with them.

The poor signings... well, that and paying him so much money that everyone who isn't him and playing every week asks for a pay rise when he gets one. I'm convinced Barcelona were hoping to call La Liga's bluff in that the league would lose its prized asset the rule was magically changed or circumvented.

 

[Piece]

The poor signings... well, that and paying him so much money that everyone who isn't him and playing every week asks for a pay rise when he gets one. I'm convinced Barcelona were hoping to call La Liga's bluff in that the league would lose its prized asset the rule was magically changed or circumvented.

15 months ago, he couldn’t wait to leave.

Despite the lovely sentiments at the presser, it would be interesting to know what financial model would have worked to keep Messi.

 

[GG26]

Unfortunately, it’s been reported that Fofana has ligament damage now that they’ve been able to do a scan, which is a further blow. Six months minimum on the sidelines and I suspect that’s the season gone for him.

 

[pendodave]

Yes I hope they don’t get Antonio!?

I went yesterday and thought we looked pretty good, Benrahma was excellent but it was disappointing to just see the same old faces though, the lack of action on the striker front is more than just worrying. It's getting ridiculous.

Iron(!) Mike's dodgy hammies are all that stands between us and a flirtation with relegation.
My son went yesterday - had a great day out and echoes your remarks re. the performance.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Unfortunately, it’s been reported that Fofana has ligament damage now that they’ve been able to do a scan, which is a further blow. Six months minimum on the sidelines and I suspect that’s the season gone for him.

That's tough on the player. Psychologically having to deal with a season missed at this point in his career is brutal. Hopefully he will come back okay.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

15 months ago, he couldn’t wait to leave.

Despite the lovely sentiments at the presser, it would be interesting to know what financial model would have worked to keep Messi.

If the issue is purely money, and based on what he must have in the bank, why not get paid the wage of the lowest paid member of the squad? It's crocodile tears if the ability to stay is there but money is the sticking point.

 

[Crazyface]

Macclesfield FC have started well in there new league of NW Counties Premier. 1-0 last week in the league and a 4-0 win this week in the FA Cup.