Bookies playing the crowd with new favourite as lvan’s shortlist grows

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Tongues wagging super hard that Allegri has the milkshake that’ll bring Ivan to the yard.

Myles Palmer and a few others are saying he’s Josh and Ivan’s total favourite, and that’ll we’ll go hard to bring the dreamy Italian over this summer.

A few things to undampen those red and white panties.

There will be such thing as a favourite at this point in time, but there’s no way we’re anywhere near hiring yet.

A few reasons why.

Firstly, we only fired Wenger a week and a half ago, his caterpillar coat isn’t even cold yet. The club were very keen to stress that they wanted to run a proper search and select process, and that’s no doubt what they’ll be doing.

The only people I’d imagine they’ve had serious meetings with thus far would be the managers out of a job. I’d expect they’ve had formal conversations with Enrique, possibly Carlo who met with a club at a Rome hotel last week, maybe even Tommy Tuchel and certainly Pards.

As for the rest of the managers on our hotlist, no way.

The club will be hiring based on an in-depth interview. This won’t be a ‘do I like the cut of his jib’ hire. This will be the sort of role a decent manager will want to prepare for. No way Allegri has been moonlighting between games to speak to Ivan Gazidis. Well, that’s my educated guess. It’d look pretty shoddy if an elite manager was caught on the roof of Shoreditch House crushing watermelon margs with Ivan and Raul in a pair of swanky Speedos.

Sure, we may have sounded out his agent, but I’d imagine most decent managers in jobs will be waiting until the season is over before sliding knee deep into interviews.

I could be totally wrong of course, but I think the forest fire of speculation around 15 or so managers we’re interested in is likely the sort of PR Arsenal were hoping for. Truth is, no one has a fucking clue what the club is up to at the moment.

That said, I think I made a mistake in stating Allegri was off the radar, I misread his quotes. He’s apparently still available, and the club would be utterly mad not to have him at the top of the list.

  • He has stage presence
  • He can rejuvenate old players
  • He can shape young one’s
  • He’s not afraid to bomb of bad actors, even if they’re incredible players (Bonnucci)
  • He’s a winner
  • He’s used to working in a structure
  • He has an abundance of experience and he knows how to deal with the pressure of a big job, and the pressure of a nurturing a big name

Signing him would be an absolutely exquisite move. Without doubt, he’s the best coach we could hire, and one of the few who could go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola for thinking.

A lot of people are fussing over us hiring a young manager because we’re cheap. As a Grover in the comments smartly said… the club hired the best scout on the planet as head of recruitment, and they have a Sporting Director who signed Neymar and Suarez. We’re not going to go cheap on a manager.

However, it’s worth noting, Juve work at break-even season after season, they are no big spenders.

The worry would be that Allegri isn’t going to be working with players who have elite mentalties and a strong work ethic. He’d have to build a winning culture from nothing. He’s have to spend a year explaining how football in 2018 is played. It’d be a very tough job he might not have the patience for… but look, his salary is £6m, amazing what the lure of London and a pay bump can do for persuasion (also been learning English).

Myles made the suggestion that Arsenal should grant Allegri all the power he demands because Chelsea fucked it with Conte by restricting his decision making (Chelsea refute this). My view is if Allegri wants too much power, we should look elsewhere. Arsenal needs to be run properly, the manager is a cog. We cannot allow a king ever again. Conte is a prime example of what can happen when a manager rules by ego, he alone fucked Cheslea’s season, you knew it was coming based on the preseason preparation. We cannot hire a manager who thinks they are bigger than the club. It is an honour to manage The Arsenal, it is not an honour for us to have anyone as a manager. Always remember that.

I’m very excited to hear we’re considering Paulo Fonseca, Shaktar play great football (good read here), and his resume has all the key items we’re looking for… can do a lot with a little, tactically flexible, a developer of talent, and someone who has managed to go beyond the last 16 of the CL.

I think The Mail have our shortlist at 14 names, they have Rui Faria on there, the pugnacious assistant of Jose Mourinho… disgusting.

Anyway, we’ll search high and low and I’m hoping the decision is a really good one.

Gut says Ivan Gazidis and Josh want to do something PR worthy like the LA Rams did in America. I’d say Raul probably wants to go for someone experienced. Sven, someone German because that’s the smartest guess I could make. Again, who knows, I’m just shooting in the dark like the rest of you.

Just don’t fall for the people telling you who it’s going to be, because I know that much for sure, the club are doing this properly… it’s been a long time coming for Ivan, no way he’s going to rush this decision.

Right, that’s me tapping out. See you in the comments.

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Champagne charlie

This is an opinion piece, but kudos to the writer because he’s put some impressive leg work in.

Well worth a read if you’re interested about Allegri beyond the superficial, it’s in immense detail.

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/platform/amp/2017/2/8/14541156/juventus-4-2-3-1-system-max-allegris-coaching-philosophy-team-management-tactics

Romford Pele

CC, I would err on the side of caution. A couple of weeks ago they played Napoli at home where a win would’ve seen them go 7 points clear and effectively seal Serie A. They played so reactively, only having 4 shots on goal the whole match (at home) and ended up losing 1-0. Even this weekend they were getting dominated by 10-man Inter before two late goals changed it round.

Alex Cutter

“Every elite manager would find the Arsenal job attractive for all the reasons already stated plus this: the manager would have security of tenure.”

Are you mental? Do you really think that ownership would ever give someone that amount of power again?

“It is an honour to manage The Arsenal, it is not an honour for us to have anyone as a manager. Always remember that.”

It’s a corporation. Run by an American. In a multi-billion dollar industry. The days of “honour” in professional sport are long gone.

Romford Pele

“Napoli net spend in last 5 seasons is £102m”

They’re building. Juve are already in a position of strength

Romford Pele

“Eh what do you think Liverpool are doing these days and it’s working for them”

Liverpool spend much more money than BVB ever have, that in itself is a completely different approach. All they’ve done is hire their ex-coach, that’s not a copying their approach.

Anyway it’s missing my wider point which is that you don’t full-on copy a club. That’s just silly because football is always moving and changing, just like society. You can take good elements of one’s working but you always need to put your own stamp on it.

gambon

Romford

To be fair, Juve were 4 points clear of their only rivals with 5 games to go.

They also conceded in injury time, so got quite unlucky.

Had they seen it out they wouldve been 4 clear with 4 to play.

If we had similar pragmatism we would probably be going to Madrid on Thursday with a 1-0 lead and favourites to go through.

Champagne charlie

Romford

Mmm, disagree. Allegri himself said it was a poor performance and his team struggled with whether to stick or twist. Negotiating the last 5 games when you have a 4 point lead isn’t easy. I mean Napoli scored in the last minute, so Juve were 2 mins from doing exactly what they needed to.

It would’ve been foolish for Juve to play expansive and hand Napoli the chance to punish them. The onus was on Napoli to chase after all, Juve sat and waited for their desperation. Element of fortune to the result imo.

Champagne charlie

Fuck sake gambon.. lol

gambon

Charlie

Youre my best friend in the world now.

I love you.

Moray

“Gazidis very purposefully put in a structure that didnt just revolve around one dithering, frightened old man, so that should help.”

Excepting our youth team of course…

Marko

CC, I would err on the side of caution. A couple of weeks ago they played Napoli at home where a win would’ve seen them go 7 points clear and effectively seal Serie A. They played so reactively, only having 4 shots on goal the whole match (at home) and ended up losing 1-0. Even this weekend they were getting dominated by 10-man Inter before two late goals changed it round. Err on the side of nothing they’re about to win their what 6/7th title in a row. And Napoli ain’t building nothing they’ve been playing catch up for years… Read more »

steve

@Gambon

What’s your take on if Simeone replaced Wenger?

Romford Pele

Gambon, CC – the goal conceded was in injury time, yes, but it had been coming. Napoli dominated that game from start to finish. The fact the goal came at the end of the match was just reward for taking the initiative and trying to probe all game. The bit about negotiating the final few games I’d take if it was an inexperienced team in that position. Juve have won 3 Serie A’s on the trot. RE us, we’re idiots but that’s noting new. Also pragmatism had nothing to do with us not winning last week. Again, I’m not saying… Read more »

Romford Pele

“Err on the side of nothing they’re about to win their what 6/7th title in a row. And Napoli ain’t building nothing they’ve been playing catch up for years now. It’s not building if every time they have a truly great player they end up selling them. Expect the same to happen this summer with Koulibaly and Jorginho” Exactly. So if your best players are constantly getting taken, it’s going to be hard to compete isn’t it? Southampton are the perfect example of that right now. Sarri has only been in charge since 2015 but his approach has brought them… Read more »

gambon

“What’s your take on if Simeone replaced Wenger?”

No.

Dont like Simeone, dont like Atletico.

It just wont happen.

Romford Pele

Simeone is ultra-regressive man. Can’t be having a manager that’s happy playing with 28% at home to Levante. Especially when he has talent like Koke, Saul etc available.

gambon

Best players constantly getting taken.

Like Bonucci, Pogba, Vidal, Coman, Morata?

Allegri has done very well on a low spend in recent years.

salpardisenyc

Can’t see Allegri coming in as much as i’d like him to.
Shame as I think his pragmatic adaptability on the pitch would be a breath of fresh air coming out of the Wenger – express yourself tour.

Emiratesstroller

Frankly I haven’t got a clue who will be Arsenal’s next manager. Yet at the back of my mind I do think that the candidate is likely to be in his early or mid forties. Despite many of the names posted I still think that Arsenal would prefer to recruit one of their own i.e. an ex Arsenal Player. The history of the club since the Herbert Chapman era suggests this. Also I would prefer to recruit someone who has a background as player or manager who is a winner and tactically astute. Far too many of the coaches on… Read more »

NEEG

Klopps number 2 is on a meagre salary – his head has been turned by City and possibly AFC.

Champagne charlie

Romford The last few games of a title when you’re leading are like that irrespective of the teams calibre or recent experience mate cmon. Juve said to Napoli “over to you” and they sniffed them out until an injury time winner. You can call that unfortunate, or bemoan Allegri for being defensive. Personally I see that situation as unfortunate, I’d have been roasting Allegri if Juve went all out and got beat. It’s always easier chasing than being out in front. Pragmatism at such a time is definitely the right approach for me. I’m very much a style advocate which… Read more »

Romford Pele

“Like Bonucci, Pogba, Vidal, Coman, Morata?”

Bonucci didn’t get taken. He left to go to a poorer team after falling out with Allegri.
Pogba – sure.
Vidal – sure.
Coman – they were happy to let him go.
Morata – have you seen his goal record? He didn’t exactly set the world alight at Juve and is now getting benched at Chelsea for Arsenal’s third choice striker.

Romford Pele

CC – They had 4 shots on goal at home! If it was away I would get that but that’s at home. It’s poverty. Again, I’d be happy to support Allegri if he came but just have my doubts as I always prefer a more proactive manager. Probably be reading too much of the Juve forum where some think he’s too negative/reactive, despite the fact he’s gonna win Serie A again: http://www.juventuz.com/threads/40977-Massimiliano-Allegri/page1905

China

40m for Bellerin isn’t bad. I’d bite someone’s hand off for 50 but 40 is useful and as has been said, he can probably be improved on for less than half that

Marko

Liverpool spend much more money than BVB ever have, that in itself is a completely different approach. All they’ve done is hire their ex-coach, that’s not a copying their approach.

I was thinking more their playing style to be honest

salpardisenyc

Bellerin’s fashion is way to strong to let go of.

Romford Pele

“I was thinking more their playing style to be honest”

Even then there’s differences between all the managers. Klopp is all about heavy metal gegenpress, Tuchel prefers a possession-based game with a lot more discipline in terms of structure. The ex-Ajax boss who was sacked tried a similar iteration to Tuchel but results went against him.

Romford Pele

We have so many problems. Bellerin is very low down on them. Would sell loads before I sold him. And his problems are more technical than anything else, that can be improved under a better manager. His athleticism is great.

Marko

If we had similar pragmatism we would probably be going to Madrid on Thursday with a 1-0 lead and favourites to go through.

🙂

Freddie Ljungberg

You wouldn’t take the rumored 44m o help with the rebuild Romford?

Agree that he’s not a priority but if the reports are true he could be off. He was angling for a move last summer so there could be something there.

gambon

“You wouldn’t take the rumored 44m o help with the rebuild Romford?”

If we have to spend £30m on a replacement its only £14m to help with the rebuild.

We have a lot to do this summer, we shouldnt bog ourselves down with transfers that arent essential.

If we manage to sort out the GK, CB and CM positions, then I would say we can start looking at things like Bellerin.

Paulinho

It’s weird last few years. Munich, Juventus, Madrid just seem to be selling back and forth to each other, with Juventus the one getting the scraps almost. Really dull unimaginative signings like Matuidi and Khedira. Juve seem to get the best out of them, but really quite an uninspiring transer policy. Wonder how much Allegri was behind that. Alot of very experienced types. Have doubts whether Mislintat would be welcome Allegri. Can see him preferring someone a bit younger and wet behind the ears to bring a rock’n’roll type element to the club. Allegri is very measured and straight down… Read more »

TR7

I don’t rate Bellerin, 40M is very good money for him.

Offload Xhaka, Mustafi,Bellerin and perhaps Ramsey too and the new manager has sufficient funds to work with.

Romford Pele

“We have a lot to do this summer, we shouldnt bog ourselves down with transfers that arent essential. “If we manage to sort out the GK, CB and CM positions, then I would say we can start looking at things like Bellerin.” Agree with Gambon. Need to find my post from priorities on what we need to do but widely agree that CM, CB and GK are the most important. Then we look at wide forwards and FBs IMO. But the first three are priority. Realistically it could take 2/3 windows to achieve that. And then you have a bigger… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

That’s what Sven is there for though, no way we should be spending 30m on a replacement RB.

He’s not on my list of players that needs to be sold either, but if the reports are true I would take the money and run.

jasongms

40mil+ for Bellerin yes, please

Recoup the money paid for both Mustafi and Xakha, plus get one of the Turkish clubs or some other budding 🙂 club to purchase Ozil and we can reshape the first 11 in one transfer window.

As for the manager, really do think it’s already been decided. Hopefully, it’s Allegri or if not then Jardim.

Romford Pele

“Really dull unimaginative signings like Matuidi and Khedira. Juve seem to get the best out of them, but really quite an uninspiring transer policy. Wonder how much Allegri was behind that. Alot of very experienced types. “Have doubts whether Mislintat would be welcome Allegri. Can see him preferring someone a bit younger and wet behind the ears to bring a rock’n’roll type element to the club. Allegri is very measured and straight down the line.” Agree with all of this. If we’re to trust the premise that Sven is young, dynamic and likes young exciting potential, I’m not necessarily convinced… Read more »

Freddie Ljungberg

Agree that it’s probably going to take a couple of windows to fix the mess Wenger left.

That’s why I’m against bringing in players like Sokratis and N’zonzi now, we need to go younger, preferably 22-26.

jasongms

“That’s what Sven is there for though, no way we should be spending 30m on a replacement RB.”

Exactly, this is an area where we can bring in a hardened pro to do a job for a few seasons. To bad Arsene ruined Debuchy.

Romford Pele

This Wenger leaving is interesting in so many ways because there’ll definitely be a power struggle I feel. From the rumours, Gazidis, Sanllehi and Sven all have their wants and asks so it’ll be interesting to see who wins out and the impact that has moving forward.

Funnily enough, like Eagle said the other day, the French market is the one that appeals to me most above the German and Spanish markets.

Romford Pele

“That’s why I’m against bringing in players like Sokratis and N’zonzi now, we need to go younger, preferably 22-26.”

Agreed. We need to lower our age profile. Nobody over the age of 26/27.

gambon

I wouldnt be too against Sokratis.

If we get 3 seasons out of him then sell him he would still be 32.

If the rumoured £17.5m is true thats a pretty good deal.

But overall, we do need to target younger players.

Hence why im banging on about Fabinho, NDombele, Martial/Bailey etc.

TR7

Right back is as important an area to redress for me as central defense. People don’t realize how much potent can our attack be if our fullbacks can cross properly and make right decisions in the opposition box. Ballerina runs in straight lines blindly and can’t even cross.

jasongms

Im not adverse to bringing Sokratis to replace Kos, then selling Chambers and Mustafi to fund an elite centre back. Whilst keeping the Greek lad and Holding.

gambon

I would keepp Bellerin, think there could be a lot to come from him with some development.

Wenger doesnt develop players, he throws them in, overplays them, and they sink or swim.

Sometimes it works (Cesc), sometimes it doesnt (Denilson) sometimes it goes horribly wrong (Ox).

But either way, its a hugely chaotic way of managing young players.

Bellerin isnt helped by the fact Wenger just wont build a tactically strong midfield. He has been castigated for leaving gaps that other teams dont leave, because they have a midfielder that moves over and covers the gap. We dont have that.

TR7

Surely Klopp’s no 2 can’t be our next manager ? Fucking hell that would be absolutely insane. Apparently Bosnian newspapers are running this story.

salpardisenyc

Wenger leaving has me finally interested in Arsenal again, I was hitting the new york bars and watching the Serie A with Juve on my mind. Lets just see if Ivan can unite the factions and get this hire right, critical stuff.

Freddie Ljungberg

Would rather get someone younger in on a free like De Vrij and put that extra money towards a top top CB. (Koulibaly would be the dream)

Would probably keep Kos too for experience along with Holding and Mavropanos.

gambon

Think DeVrij is almost certainly Inter bound.

jasongms

Agreed gambon, but 40+mil for Bellerin would be good business. I’d sell and reinvest elsewhere.

jasongms

I could also potentially see Ramsey going as well, can’t see us meeting his wage demands (200,000+ ?) and letting him run down his contract.

gambon

jason

If we can find a better replacement I agree.

I dont think its as easy as people make out though. Man City just spent £100m on 2 full backs, so I dont think they are growing on trees.

jasongms

Yep, but Citi are the exception here not the rule, like I said someone like a Debuchy would be fine. Use the Bellerin money to fund an elite right-sided winger.

Rambo Ramsey

What is with Arsenal fans’ obsession with developing youngsters?

I don’t care if my team is filled with 30 year olds if they deliver winning football.

Now I’m reading our manager needs to be selected based on strengths of our scout. Like, what in the Fook…?

gambon

“Yep, but Citi are the exception here not the rule, like I said someone like a Debuchy would be fine.”

So we are aiming to beat our rivals with inferior players?

Thats not how it works.

Theres a reason Debuchy is playing for St Etienne on about £20k per week.

Pep came 3rd last year, and his overwhelming priority was to sign 2 quality full backs. Its just as important a position as anywhere else.

salpardisenyc

Regarding Buvac, Total left field hire much like Wenger was except he’s always been in the shadows, bizarre move if happened. I’d love an Allegri but does anyone really see a manager coming in on more salary than Wenger was and given £200m to rebuild? I don’t. It would be a huge risk for him if were honest, not like Wenger left the keys to the kingdom here. Its a pretty flawed side in need of serious help. Particularly in the rears and into the midfield. At the moment Allegri’s the king of managerial Italy, tending to the crown jewel… Read more »

Rambo Ramsey

Klopp’s No 2? Dear oh dear, this is the sort we can attract? Someone with zero managerial experience?

Might as well give a shot to Arteta

jasongms

gambon, we aren’t matching citi next season, regardless of who comes in, both new manager and or new players. If we can get over 40 mil for Bellerin, bring in a decent stopgap as a replacement and reinvest elsewhere, I’m all for it.

I think our priority next season is to work on getting the spine of the team right, then the following season managing the rest of the team. Even Pep waited until his second year to invest in fullbacks.

Wallace

depressing fact – Chelsea battering us in the FA Youth Cup final for their fifth victory in a row and yet not one of those players has made the breakthrough into their first team.

Ishola70

lol they are not going to appoint this Buvac.

Wenger left field?

Wenger was managing in the French top league and overseeing Monaco in the Champions League working with international players.

If Wenger was left field on his appointment at Arsenal this Buvac fellow is off the scale altogether.

salpardisenyc

Wenger was shitcanned from Ligue 1 at that stage after taking Monaco to bottom of table Ishola and relegated to the J League w/ Nagoya Grampus. Left field indeed, nobody knew whom he was myself included.

WengerEagle

There’s been virtually nobody talking about it but there is a huge possibility and basically likelihood that Gareth Bale leaves Real Madrid this summer. I don’t care what anybody says, he’s still an absolute monster of a footballer, can do it all and is the closest all-round skillset comparable to Ronaldo, obviously not as spectacular and consistent but, who is besides Messi? He’s one of the handful of individual players that the Premier League has seen that have been one-man wrecking balls, include Suarez, Ronaldo and Henry in that. I’m pretty damn concerned that he’ll be a Manchester United player… Read more »

james wood

Wallace just a quick one your.

Your not Dave or are you his twin brother.
From the days of Aloyisias FC.

WengerEagle

And to anybody that says that he’s lost any pace, this was this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeveE5g5gfA

james wood

Twin?

TR7

Buvac, Faria, Arteta… I don’t remember any other big club getting linked to so many assistant managers. I wonder why Wenger’s deputy Bould is not on the radar :p

jasongms

Bale would rip this league apart for about 10 games a season.

I wouldn’t be worried if he went to United.

gambon

Yeh I think Bale would go to UTD,

Maybe Bayern but I dont see them paying his wages.

Doesnt bother me really, I dont think spending huge money for 29 year olds works that well any way.

Ishola70

However it finished for him at Monaco he was there for seven years and won French League, French Cup, reached european final and semis of European Cup.

This Buvac fellow can’t be mentioned in the same sphere as Wenger on appointment at Arsenal.

gambon

“I wonder why Wenger’s deputy Bould is not on the radar :p”

Gazidis did say the club need to be bold in their choice.

Maybe it was a hint…..

“Bould in our choice”

He was telling us all along what was going to happen.

WengerEagle

jason

Even the last 3 seasons where he’s been injury prone, he’s averaged 30 matches a season sticking in 43 goals over that period.

Guy makes a huge difference if he joins a BPL club.

WengerEagle

gambon

Depends how many seasons at their peak that you get out of them.

Bale was a relative late bloomer in that he only really exploded at age 23.

If you get 2-3 seasons of top drawer level out of him, it would be worth it.

salpardisenyc

Martial or Bale?

salpardisenyc

Martial for me, hes going to be a monster somewhere.

WengerEagle

Juventus paid huge money for a 29 year old Higuain, worked out pretty well for them as he’s scored some huge goals like the winner last weekend at Inter Milan that basically saved their league season which led in part to Napoli’s mental collapse at Fiorentina after going down to 10 men.

jasongms

last three season’s in the league, 23/ 19/ 23

______

Martial

WengerEagle

Sal

Martial would be the easy answer because of how much potential he has and the amount of upside, re-sale value, etc.

I think that people are partially forgetting the force that Bale is when fit and firing though, he carried a shit Wales team to a Euro SF and has been huge for Real Madrid up until recently.

Guns of SF

IF we bring Allegri, we must demand part of their midfield come too…. lol

Imagine a Cuadrado and Costa in our team not even mentioning Dybala

salpardisenyc

Eagle

Can’t argue with the banter aspect of it, imagine Bale opening the scoring in the next NLD.

gambon

Bale has been one of the greats of recent years, I just dont like the idea of signing 29 year old superstars on £300k pw and for £70m.

I think you need to buy your star players earlier, like we did with Sanchez.

I woudl rather push for Martial, Bailey or take a chance on someone like Malcom or Lozano, or anyone else Sven can find.

Sane for example was an incredible bit of business, would rather do something like that.

WengerEagle

Bit of a mystery as to how Cuadrado was so useless for Chelsea.

Been a very important squaddie for Juventus over the years and has always looked good for Colombia/Fiorentina before.

Ishola70

Hilarious that Buvac is favourite with the bookies now.

The bookies are trolling.

They haven’t got a clue what is going on like most haven’t.

Only when you see odds on in this market do you know that there is a good chance of the manager being appointed.

Everyone in the dark atm.

Guns of SF

Wenger Eagle
Chelsea are a killer of talent. The list goes long.

jasongms

Could be good for us if Bale went to United, Martial would definitely be available then.

WE

Bale is an exceptional player but a poor athlete if that makes sense. Don’t think his body would stand up in our league. Didn’t he have injury problems at Tottenham as well?

gambon

Will be interesting to see what happens with Zaha this year.

Friend of mine is a palace ST holder and said they will definitely look to sell for c£50m.

Question is do any of the big teams think they can inject enough end product to make it worth while?

No room for him at Liverpool or City, and I doubt UTD is an option.

So Spurs or Arsenal really.

Romford Pele

Agree with Gambon about the need to go younger. I think Rambo Ramsey asked earlier about why there’s such an obsession with going younger. This is due to the fact that we don’t have the resources of the elite clubs so have to be smarter in our use of resources. Having people in their 30s on £200k+ is problematic if they’re not producing – see Rooney for example and how that deal had to work to take him to Everton. We also have a massive rebuild job on our hands so it makes sense to plough the team with younger… Read more »

WengerEagle

gambon Can understand that, I just think that Bale in the right team has the edge over those kind of players, I think that with our team for example. Bale is a bonafide champion with the steel needed, anybody that can hold their own at Real Madrid for years as a starter is a proper player. He wasn’t even just a starter for them though, he was crucial to their success in 2013/14 when they won the UCL and Copa Final vs Barcelona scoring winners in both in late match situations. He stepped up in massive moments for them in… Read more »

james wood

These top managers are going to want a huge budget
to work with 50 million would be an insult to them.
So we are back to a uk based manager.
Benitez -Howe.

jasongms

I’ve never been a fan of Zaha, too awkward on the ball for me.

WengerEagle

‘Everyone in the dark atm.’

Except Champagne Charlie’s mate.

Wallace

james wood

“Your not Dave or are you his twin brother.
From the days of Aloyisias FC.”

er, nope, neither.

WengerEagle

jason

He averaged 40+ matches a season his last 3 seasons at Spurs, you’re right in that before that he had some problems though.

Wallace

not often I agree with WengerEagle but also think Bale would be immense for at least a couple of seasons back in the PL. signing Auba & Mkhi in January has kind of ruled us out with the age profile of our forwards now.

Romford Pele

“So Spurs or Arsenal really.”

They already have Lamela and Lucas Moura who are both squad options. Son and Erisken are normally the ones starting for them. Do you see Zaha displacing either?

Have to tinge that with the fact that I really like Zaha. His end product has gone up another level this season. Said the same thing last week and he followed that up in another performance this week with a goal and an assist in an elite performance where he outshone the beast that I Mahrez.

gambon

“These top managers are going to want a huge budget
to work with 50 million would be an insult to them.
So we are back to a uk based manager.
Benitez -Howe.”

Allegri is the biggest name in the list.

His average net spend in his Juventus time is £26m per year.

Youre talking bollocks.

james wood

Wallace thanks.

WengerEagle

RP

Rooney fell off the grid WAY before he signed for Everton though and the late was playing BPL football at 16 years old, he basically had the body of a 40 year old by the time he left Utd.

Bale is still at the peak of his powers when he plays.

WengerEagle

and the lad*

Romford Pele

“I’ve never been a fan of Zaha, too awkward on the ball for me.”

Awkward how? He’s one of the best 1 v 1 dribblers in the league. Also pretty sure he’s top 10 in Europe for dribbles competed this season. Considering how many months he’s been injured, that’s telling