The Footie Thread

[Billysboots]

Then again, maybe Hojlund would score more goals if he played in a side who were extremely focused on relying on him to score the goals, and doing their best to pass to him.

And maybe Delap would struggle playing in a side of primadonas like Rashford and Garnacho, that look to do everything themselves.

It is impossible to compare them either way. Delap could have come to Utd (if he wanted to) and been a sensation. Maybe he will be at Chelsea. But there is the chance he might have struggled, when he realises the media analyse his performance nearly every hour of every day between games, and rip him to shreds when he goes through a quiet spell.

Basically, it is quite tricky to be sure a young player is the real deal after one season in the PL for a side that got relegated

For my part, if anyone on the other side of this discussion wants to go back to my first post on the subject, they’ll see I was merely comparing the stats of the two players in their first full Premier League seasons.

My words have been taken out of context at best, and twisted at worst.

 

[Tashyboy]

For my part, if anyone on the other side of this discussion wants to go back to my first post on the subject, they’ll see I was merely comparing the stats of the two players in their first full Premier League seasons.

My words have been taken out of context at best, and twisted at worst.

I think that when there was a comparison between the two, that’s what people commented on. Delap is going for £30 to wherever. That’s not a massively excessive fee compared to the €400 Utd have spent the last two seasons. From Delaps point of view. Utd have Hojland now Cunha. Could he see his playing time limited like it probably will be at Chelsea. The only difference being Chelsea now have champs league football.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1928370542517637559

Very strange - if you want to stay at West Ham then stay and take their offer

The player always has a choice

 

[Swango1980]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1928370542517637559

Very strange - if you want to stay at West Ham then stay and take their offer

The player always has a choice

What a poor boy. We should all gather round and talk about how sorry we feel for him

 

[Orikoru]

I see he's playing quite well in the K-League now, surprised Tuchel hasn't called him up.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

rumours this morning

Chelsea have activated Delaps clause

Al-Hilal looking to sign Fernandes - £80mil and giving him £25mil a year

 

[Swango1980]

I see Bruno Fernandes' representatives are in Saudi Arabia talking to Al-Hilal.

I suppose that means he is pretty much leaving, because if he truly wanted to stay at Man Utd and Man Utd truly wanted to keep him, it would simply be no point in his people talking to their people.

I'm sort of happy either way, so long as it is a decent transfer fee if he goes. If he stays, it would be good to see him play in a side that hopefully brings better players into attacking positions. If he leaves, it gives Utd a chance to bring in a player 4 or 5 years younger, and look to build the team around new players. And forcing the existing players to not be so dependent on Bruno, as it seems that way so often.

 

[Orikoru]

I see Bruno Fernandes' representatives are in Saudi Arabia talking to Al-Hilal.

I suppose that means he is pretty much leaving, because if he truly wanted to stay at Man Utd and Man Utd truly wanted to keep him, it would simply be no point in his people talking to their people.

I'm sort of happy either way, so long as it is a decent transfer fee if he goes. If he stays, it would be good to see him play in a side that hopefully brings better players into attacking positions. If he leaves, it gives Utd a chance to bring in a player 4 or 5 years younger, and look to build the team around new players. And forcing the existing players to not be so dependent on Bruno, as it seems that way so often.

Trying to be positive about your club selling their only good player, fair play to you.

 

[Swango1980]

Trying to be positive about your club selling their only good player, fair play to you.

Indeed, he is a quality player.

But, when I watch Utd, it seems like many of the players are far too reliant on him. And he wanders all over the pitch to get the ball, so there is often no structure. It is like they have less faith in themselves, and he has little faith in them.

As I said, if he stays I'm happy enough. But, if he goes (for a decent fee), it could be a blessing. He is going to have to leave the club one of these days, so maybe it is the best for him to go whilst he is still of value to another club

 

[Pin-seeker]

I see Bruno Fernandes' representatives are in Saudi Arabia talking to Al-Hilal.

I suppose that means he is pretty much leaving, because if he truly wanted to stay at Man Utd and Man Utd truly wanted to keep him, it would simply be no point in his people talking to their people.

I'm sort of happy either way, so long as it is a decent transfer fee if he goes. If he stays, it would be good to see him play in a side that hopefully brings better players into attacking positions. If he leaves, it gives Utd a chance to bring in a player 4 or 5 years younger, and look to build the team around new players. And forcing the existing players to not be so dependent on Bruno, as it seems that way so often.

£80m for a 30 year old is good business imo

 

[Swango1980]

£80m for a 30 year old is good business imo

I think so.

Of course, it depends on perspective. I'm sure there will be people absolutely slating Man Utd for selling Bruno for £80 million. But if Man Utd signed a 30 year old for £80 million, the same people would slate Man Utd for spending so heavily on such a player

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Sacrificing players is something United will need to do - help reduce the wage bill , as well as bringing funds in

Suspect a few more will be leaving

It does show how silly the money is in Saudi when they are offering clubs big money for players in the twilight of careers or only short amount left on contract

 

[RichA]

Indeed, he is a quality player.

But, when I watch Utd, it seems like many of the players are far too reliant on him. And he wanders all over the pitch to get the ball, so there is often no structure. It is like they have less faith in themselves, and he has little faith in them.

As I said, if he stays I'm happy enough. But, if he goes (for a decent fee), it could be a blessing. He is going to have to leave the club one of these days, so maybe it is the best for him to go whilst he is still of value to another club

As an outsider, it tends to look more like he can't rely on anyone else to create any threat rather than them relying on him. He must be exhausted.
As much as I dislike him, I actually enjoy his presence in the Prem. I'd be sorry to see him leave United.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Bruno has been the best player at Utd for a few years but that is a bid, if correct, that they can't turn down. Way over priced for someone his age, the money unlocks a rebuild. Sometimes you have a to sacrifice a player to build a team.

 

[hairball_89]

I think so.

Of course, it depends on perspective. I'm sure there will be people absolutely slating Man Utd for selling Bruno for £80 million. But if Man Utd signed a 30 year old for £80 million, the same people would slate Man Utd for spending so heavily on such a player

well yes. but it's just so much fun!

 

[Swango1980]

As an outsider, it tends to look more like he can't rely on anyone else to create any threat rather than them relying on him. He must be exhausted.
As much as I dislike him, I actually enjoy his presence in the Prem. I'd be sorry to see him leave United.

I don't disagree with what you say.

When Utd attack, you have Bruno and then you have a bunch of very inexperienced players. Take Bruno out of the side, and don't bring anyone in, Utd are definitely going to find it a lot lot tougher. Some of those young, inexperienced players would have no choice but to step up and take responsibility, which could be the only advantage (but risk, as it might not happen).

But, presumably players will come in, and it'll be vitally important that Utd choose wisely. This is going to be the boards and Amorim's first proper test, because they've had the whole season to figure out how they are going to rebuild. It may be another reason why Utd might not have seen Delap as their top target as No. 9. If they already knew Bruno was likely leaving, they may be more focused on bringing in some experienced players who are battle hardened. Right at this time, Utd may not be an ideal place for young players to develop, and so getting in more leaders might be the tactic at this stage?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1928395558533677564

Decent amount for a month early

 

[Billysboots]

I see Bruno Fernandes' representatives are in Saudi Arabia talking to Al-Hilal.

The sort of money being talked about I think they’d be massively criticised for not at least having the conversation.

Bruno has always been very clear. As long as the club wants him, he is happy to stay. And if they raise sufficient revenue via other sales, I do wonder if the club may resist any sale, at least for another year.

I’m with you, though. If he stays, great. If we get a good fee, great. But I will be sorry to see him go. I was there for one of his first games at OT, a Europa League game, and I was hugely impressed from the get go. He found space where others didn’t, and saw passes others could only dream about. And his movement off the ball was something you don’t often see.

And the fact that opposition fans despise him just makes me love him all the more.

 

[Orikoru]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1928395558533677564

Decent amount for a month early

Haha, that's crazy. When I was young £8mil for a right back would have been seen as an obscene amount. Now they're paying that to have a right back for one month.

 

[Orikoru]

Sacrificing players is something United will need to do - help reduce the wage bill , as well as bringing funds in

Suspect a few more will be leaving

It does show how silly the money is in Saudi when they are offering clubs big money for players in the twilight of careers or only short amount left on contract

In fairness, he's only 30, he can easily play for another five years in a poor league like the Saudi one.