My word, Gabriel Jesus seems like a proper decent chap!
I’ve seen him tell the media:
‘I’m not here to be a superstar’
… and then:
‘I’m looking forward to playing with a striker with his qualities’ (Eddie)
I don’t know about you but I’m still absorbing his performance from yesterday.
It’s still quite amazing that there has been quite a few people that have doubted whether adding a proper striker to our system would change our system.
Well, you saw in one game what quality adds to the way we play.
Lacazette was too slow to link play and attack the box.
Auba was too old to change his game.
Eddie showed the way with limited games.
Gabi Jesus has shown where the next level is.
He attacks the front post, he links play, he runs at players, he has a beautiful weight of pass, and he has an incredible work ethic.
We’re not just adding raw football to our forward line, we’re adding a really clever player that has been schooled at the University of Pep G.
There’s still work to do on the squad.
Keiran Tierney needs proper cover. Martinez would be great but we have to be prepared for him choosing Manchester United.
We haven’t addressed our midfield challenges. Mo Elneny is a very good player but we need more quality in midfield. Tielemans, Savic, whoever… we need more experience and players with different tools. I love Sambi Lokonga, but I’m just not sure you can put a season on his shoulders if Thomas Partey gets another long-term injury.
Then we need to look for goals in that frontline. There will be a natural uplift. Jesus will inspire people to take more chances. Experience should add calmness in front of goal. But we need a rocketeer adding to the tally. We need 70+ goals. If it’s not Raphinha, who is it?
The good news is that we’re out the woods regards to a starting 11, bar Thomas Partey who wasn’t in Germany. We have enough depth for the opening month. Going to Palace with two fullbacks and a striker will be good for us. I’d still like to see a full squad by game day one. Last year was so damn messy.
I’m also fascinated to see which young players stay and which go. Charlie Patino looked much more in control of his body when he played yesterday. He’s bulked up, he wasn’t shoved around, and he looked more assured and ambitious with his passing. Does he need a loan? Possibly.
I wonder who is staying on for Europa and who is going out on loan?
Right, short post today. See you in the comments.
WE Raphinha is a top player, I think he’ll explode in a top team, surrounded by better talent. You think he’s some bum, time will tell who’s right and who’s wrong, but there’s a reason ourselves, Chelsea and Barcelona are willing to punt £60 million on him You don’t see the difference between technicians in central areas in their 30s, or technicians in the wide players in their 30s Than players who are reliant upon elite athleticism in their 30s in the wide areas, and who’s games are based on the number of intensive sprints the make, and the ability… Read more »
If Jose Mourinho was a tennis player he would be Nick Kyrgios?.
Arrogant specialists in gamesmanship.
Really hope he doesn’t win today.
Habesha
We will see. I’d rather raphinha over Sterling by far but barca has been a graveyard for promising players over the last 5-6 years and beyond (sanchez, ibra, dembele)
Interesting debate with eagle and Rich but haven’t say I’m very much with rich on this.
Odd move for Sterling considering the racial abuse he got off the chelsea mob
I wouldn’t want to play for those wankers if I were him. Weren’t Madrid in for him?
WengerEagle
Talk to Man city fans, they sound like you talking about Walcott. He has had a lot of contributions for City. But he is also one of the most frustrating attackers they have had. He is a very good player for sure. But the coach has had to do with some of his stats. I will say this, if he gets 20 G/A under Tuchel next season, he will have done well.
Have to say* 🤦🏻♂️
Habesha
Agree
Sterling is hugely frustrating when he plays for England
Drives me mad every time he kills one of our attacks.
Was it not Arteta who was credited with getting Sterling to actually produce and fine tune his running off the ball
Rich
I don’t think that Raphinha is some bum, lmao. If that is what you have taken from all of that then you’re nowhere near as smart as I had hoped you were.
Not even going to bother continue this debate because you’re too black and white in your perceptions and it is why these exchanges lead to nowhere most of the time with you.
Newcastle are enquiring about tielemans
Un
Chelsea fans have a history of racism. I’m sure it’s better now but I’m not sure that’s the best destination. Sterling’s a good player but he’s not going to be everybody’s cup of tea. He divides opinion because he’s not the greatest technically – but he’s a very good player who poses a threat with his pace. We got the best deal with Jesus, far superior player.
WE Black and white in my perceptions?… You’re the one who needed it explained to you, the difference in physical players entering their 30s in wide areas of the pitch, where there’s much more room. And technicians in central areas of the pitch, where experience, first touch, agility, and technical quality, count much more You don’t recognise that players playing in stronger teams in weaker league’s, are much more likely to produce better end product numbers, than players playing in struggling teams, in stronger league’s at the same age. You get your stats off WhoScored, then try to pass reading… Read more »
Arsenal being interested in Lucas Paqueta makes no sense when you consider we have Odegaard, Vieira and ESR. Why not actually target CM’s ffs. Makes me think there’s no proper plan in place and they’re just waiting for what falls in their lap.
Yep! Paqueta makes zero sense. He is an attacking midfielder by trade. We already had ESR and Odegaard and we added viera to that. No way we are signing him. We need a CM and a DM.
Tielemans and someone like Bennacer make more sense than Paqueta.
Also don’t care to read what was being written earlier but Sterling is a great player it’s really pretty simple
Sterling is two different players s d should be rated as such
For city: top quality. Elite winger demonstrated over many many years consistently
For England: Theo Walcott incarnate. Scores done goals but is generally a headless chicken who is over dependent on his pace and running and has a lot of torn moments.
I don’t know what the root cause of that is. I hope it’s international sterling on the pitch for Chelsea because if it’s the club version he’s a great signing for them
Rich “…players who are reliant upon elite athleticism in their 30s in the wide areas, and who’s games are based on the number of intensive sprints the make” This. In the comment I made earlier, from a sports science perspective data suggests that position has a bearing on age. It makes sense really because if you are an athlete who requires pace, age will most likely affect levels. Highly skilled players less so. The study also looked at leagues. The PL is more intense & physically demanding than most other leagues and that should be considered where age is concerned.… Read more »
How can we say Ode was close to his peak at 21?
He might get considerably better yet. He’s still early 20s. If he follows the trajectory of a late bloomer he’ll improve loads. The fact that he was playing at a decent level since he was really young in no way means he must peak young. Only time will tell on that
We are forgetting the impact of injuries on a players career length. I am sure Ramsey for example would have been a top signing for Juve if not injury blighted. Gareth Bale another held back by injuries of late whilst Ronaldo seems impervious to injury or just lucky.
AFC Forever WE didn’t understand the difference between Modric + Benzema playing well Into their 30s And athletic full backs + wingers playing well into their 30s…. The requirements of each position are chalk + cheese. Sterling is a top player, who I expect will hit the ground running, and to do very well at Chelsea initially But if you look at his strengths, which are repeated intensive sprints, and covering short + long distances at speed Then you have to have a few concerns when physically he can no longer do that at an elite level… The last 2… Read more »
Marko “Makes me think there’s no proper plan in place and they’re just waiting for what falls in their lap.” That’s nonsense. This is elite level sport not some fantasy football team building game. Not everything is done via the media. Profiling players and building a team takes a lot of work. They will have known the profile of player months ago. Arteta & his coaches will have had in depth conversations over what they need, targets and specific requirements – and Edu too. Edu has to deliver on that. This isn’t Amazon shopping. There are so many things that… Read more »
Who says we’re in for Paqueta?
We’ve been in for 50+ players if you believe all reports.
Rich
Exactly.
As I keep saying this is top level sport. These clubs know the metrics and will be aware of the risks involved beyond 30 and positional anomalies. The sport is worlds away from where it was. The rule changes too have had an impact.
This is exactly why we have been profiling younger players, we are a far cry away from the squad we had a few years ago. We have far more athletes & technical players now for a reason who have yet to reach their peak and are here for the future. Smart..
Paquetta has got to be bullshit. Marko knows that. But Marko will always Marko
Novak will drop the first set
Karsa
“Who says we’re in for Paqueta? We’ve been in for 50+ players if you believe all reports.”
Ha ha. Probably 100…,!!!
Yep, got to admire the media for how they can consistently lie and get things wrong yet still trigger people. Endless BS. I stopped listening to Talk Sport years ago, the absolute shit they come out with to trigger the easily enraged is mind-blowing. In fact, they’re very unpleasant about it too, pretty nasty stuff.
Is it just me or does it look like Kyrgios has got his shit together ? Looks like it gonna be a feisty final . I am TeamKyrgios , bit of a character and Tennis in need of one.
I wouldn’t be surprised if we went for Paqueta.
We certainly seem to be in the market for a left sided No8, Paqueta has said that’s his preferred position.
Tielemans is probably more likely, but we’ve hopefully got our eggs in more than one basket, there’s links to Milinkovic Savic as well, who’s another favourite with a few on here.
Left back has to be the first priority though.
I’m confident Novak will take it
Hope he does
That’ll shove a few opinions down a few throats
Chastising the man for exercising dominion over his own body
Un
I take it your an anti-Vaxxer as well .
Rich I don’t need anything explained to me you daft old git lol. It seems that you are the one with severe comprehension issues, too much time looking over economic spreadsheets perhaps and devising hilarious nicknames like ‘Tottenham Tom’ has gotten your increasingly senile brain all foggy. Show me where I called Raphinha a bum or even somewhat implied it. I was taking the piss because you’re the moron that doesn’t see the value in signing experiences players and thinks that we should assemble a creche here that will all exponentially improve because that’s what all young players do isn’t… Read more »
Un
Kyrgios is an unpleasant, falsely arrogant individual. Hard to believe he’s an Aussie!! They all cheats just look at their cricket team & the sandpaper!!
At this stage the only player who’s likely to land this wk is Grimaldi.Which is fine by me as covers Tierney arse.Decent player,right price ,age & experience.Plus it would be great to have “ The Grimster” name back again.🤫
Agree AFC-another cocky Aussie.Nothing worse.well,maybe a cockney scouser.It’s close.
F*** ng spelling.Should be cocky NOT cockney lol.
AFC Forever
If Nick Kyrgios was a footballer , he would be Zlatan. I think Tennis needs some character like that , it was getting boring without Federer as well.
WE You need most things explaining to you, I’d be amazed if you dress yourself unsupervised in the mornings, or you’re allowed to leave the house, or even take a shit without supervision…. I’ve been suggesting we sign players aged 22-25 with at least 2-3 seasons of top level of experience, ideally PL experience, all summer So your lack of experience theory doesn’t stand up to much scrutiny, just like most of the pure nonsense you spout….. The whoscored line when pressed on how you have so much information on so many players across the globe, was an absolute classic…… Read more »
I like Kyrgios actually but i feel Novak has been persecuted and it would be nice to see him rub a few noses in another grand slam win.
Kyrgios is losing it here
If Novak takes this set then it’s game over
Rich That’s all ahead of you mate, give it about 5 years and you’ll be shitting yourself in public and getting lost walking to the shops! What you fail to comprehend with your ‘visionary’ take is that players under 25 barring rare exceptions lack experience and nous in all of the intangible aspects of football which are crucial for competing for trophies and even before that, seeing out a top 4 spot. Look at the Spurs and Newcastle games as case studies. We absolutely shat ourselves in both games and shot ourselves in the foot and made it easy for… Read more »
This is shaping up to be a proper match. Krygios when dialled-in is a serious player on Grass.
Dunno which is more exciting
Novak v Kyrgios or
Weagle v Rich
I like Kyrgios, much prefer his raw and authentic persona to false “good boy” image of some of the others. His tennis is bold and refreshing too.
Not able to watch the final but I hope he somehow wins today. Djokovic winning the second set after his usual first set blip.
Rich, you keep mentioning Aubameyang. He’s still scoring at a phenomenal rate for his age. He had 1.5 seasons of gash cos Arteta didn’t know what he wanted to do with the team attacking wise.
And, again, you are so fascinated with Sterling’s last 2 years and getting value from it. Even if he tanks, I am very sure his 3-4 years will be marvelous. And he can easily adapt his game when he gets older than, say, a Raphinha
Kyrgios getting a woman chucked out
What a little arse hole
Mystic
No it was because auba kept missing sitters and sulking like a pansie.
Should never have signed him
Beautiful drop shot from Novak there
TR7
Its shaping up well , Kyrgios is in his element and for the first time in a while I cant see for whom the crowd is rooting for . Its a cracker of a match.
Fucks being thrown out on a daytime BBC broadcast, haha!
Go on Nick. These weird Wimby posho commentators losing their mind.
The image of the Royals having to natter post-game to Kyrgios is hilarious.
Nick Kyrgios has had Djokovic on the floor twice now .
Eagle
Should fans be thrown out of other finals in other sports for cheering on their favourite athletes every time bitch loses his cool, or just Wimbledon?
Those poshos are mostly cheering for nick anyway so why is he whining?
Un
Tennis is different though and a bit unique isn’t it? Crowd go silent for serves so if one drunken muppet is deliberately distracting a player each time they serve then it’s not really fair game.
Cannot compare that to team sports with crowds.
Hopefully Krygios doesn’t meltdown from here ans can keep it competitive.
Then give her a warning and tell her to pipe down
Don’t just chuck her out
Wimbledon final tickets cost a bomb. Bit shitty to just have her out like that
Imagine being an umpire with this chap. 🤣
Kyrgios losing his shit , looked laser focused in the first set . Slowly unravelling and Djokovic being the mentality monster that he is .
Did they not just warn her Un? I wouldn’t chuck her out first time for that no.
Kyrgios lost his head when he was winning
He’s shooting himself in the foot
Eagle
I think they did but he wanted her booted out
That’s it now
Can’t see Novak dropping it here
Hard to see Kyrgios dialling back in for the 4th now after losing the rag so much.
Would love to see 5 sets.
Kyrgios paying for his poor return game. Nadal would have used back hand slice heavily to stretch the points and then pull the trigger at the right time for a forehand or backhand winner. Kyrgios a bit one dimensional with his boom boom approach.
He’s like Craig Bellamy.
Remember hearing some former players talking about him and how he would literally just shit talk all game for the full 90 mins.
Would never shut up and be talking pure nonsense, guy was a headcase.
People talk about grass courts experts like Harcakz, Berretini, Gasquets, Murray etc. but Nadal the clay court specialist is easily the third best grass court player behind Federer and Djokovic. He would have given Djokovic a hell of a match here.
TR7
Peak Murray deserves to be in the conversation too. He did beat Novak in 2 Wimbledon Finals after all.
I dont mind Kyrgios’s antics at all , look at Womens Tennis all got very lame after Sharapova and Williams sisters went away .
WE
I’m the exact opposite with you, I like your posts, even if I don’t agree with some of them, and sometimes things get a bit heated
Hopefully I’ve got more than 5 years before I’m shitting myself in public, and getting lost on my way to the shops….
If I ever get to that point though, I won’t be too proud to come and get advise from a seasoned professional like yourself, sounds brutal…
Nothing wrong with shutting yourself in public
Adds character
RichJuly 10, 2022 16:23:35
WEI’m the exact opposite with you, I like your posts, even if I don’t agree with some of them, and sometimes things get a bit heatedHopefully I’ve got more than 5 years before I’m shitting myself in public, and getting lost on my way to the shops….If I ever get to that point though, I won’t be too proud to come and get advise from a seasoned professional like yourself, sounds brutal…
Rich….Eagle’s in his twenties still…he’s a baby. But years ahead in football nous (and probably a few other things too)…he’s pretty worldly.
Shitting
?
Rich It came heavy from your side by saying I talk constant shit and know nothing about the game. You seemed to take great offence at my black and white comment which was aimed at the Raphinha take as my whole argument was that while I rate him as a very good player I don’t believe he will become an elite or world class one and that he is not as good a player as Sterling is. That is not calling the guy a bum. Anyway, we’ll leave it there. Don’t be so quick to tell someone who you disagree… Read more »
Go on WE…give ‘em another Irishman’s classic line….’we’re are all in the gutter,but some of us…..’
Perfect for this site.
Kyrgios is the happy Gilmore of the the tennis world, with none of the charm
WengerEagle
Don’t know how to break it to you but we all age. It’s guaranteed. But it’s not always age that makes you shit yourself! Be careful, karma is a thing mate…,!!!
TR7July 10, 2022 16:12:32
Kyrgios paying for his poor return game. Nadal would have used back hand slice heavily to stretch the points and then pull the trigger at the right time for a forehand or backhand winner. Kyrgios a bit one dimensional with his boom boom approach.
Yeah agree I like Kyrigos wears his heart in his slave
Weagle
If you haven’t sharted then you haven’t lived
AFC
It’s a light-hearted jab mate, come on. Unless Rich is already at that stage which if that is the case I take it back.
Cheers Jonny, love football and love this site for the most part.
Never commented on any other football blog. Don’t even read any other ones.
We lol Rich has not started shitting himself by accident he may do so I anger if you two keep at it though 😂
Un
Oh I have sharted boy let me tell you.
Un I am sure we all have at some point
If he’s shitting himself in public, and getting lost in his way to the shops in only his 20s I won’t be asking him for a solution on how to manage that problem, I’ll be asking for a prevention strategy…. Went out for a meal with some friends years ago, we’ve gone to drop off my mate and his gf, and he’s gone to fart in the car on the way out, and he followed through… He was wearing shorts, it was all down his leg, absolutely disgusting, but so funny, took him a while to live that one down… Read more »
Never commented on any other football blog. Don’t even read any other ones.
Such a faithful lad. 😍
You haven’t arrived in the world if you haven’t sharted at least 2-3 times as an adult
These other hoes ain’t loyal Un running off to Arseblog and Gooner places.
I’m that stubborn alchy that only frequents one pub and will have to be peeled off the chair in a stupor.
AFC
You’re right ,we all age. We all die. But only some of us live 😉
WE
Are you a Dublin boy?
WengerEagle I know it was, I liked the humour. I’m not like most of the uptight Fannie’s on here who are too up their own arses. Rich can take it. You might like this. My Irish father in law starts almost every sentence in a debate with “oh be Jesus’. Another phrase he uses is ‘Christ on a Bike”. When I pointed out to him that as a Catholic he uses a lot of religious connotations he told me “Fek off ya English bastard you don’t really believe that religious shite do yeh?’ He’s a funny guy, but he’s the… Read more »
JonnyGunner
AFC. You’re right ,we all age. We all die. But only some of us live 😉”
That is quality. Headstone material. Hope Rich has written it down, I know I have!!!
I am for my sins Jonny yep. We don’t take too kindly to ‘culchies’ over here. 🤣
I.e anybody from Ireland outside of Dublin.
I’m that stubborn alchy that only frequents one pub and will have to be peeled off the chair in a stupor.
Carry on that way and you will be in Rich’s shitey pants league in no time 😂
WE
Most of us bicker like bratty teenage girls, absolutely pathetic….
It’s beyond weird how so many grown men, care so much about another 22 men, kicking a football around a field…. And which players are superior to others…
I don’t care what anyone says though, outside of my family + dogs, there’s nothing more important than football.
AFC
Christ on a bike is a good one and an important part of any self-respecting Irishman’s vocabulary.
We get on well with the Brits in general, banter is very similar. Same with Aussies/Kiwis.
Murican’s on the other hand can be a different breed but imo all the ones on this blog very much get the Brit/Irish humour. Maybe their love for football is part of it.
How did we get to shitting in public??
MysticleavesJuly 10, 2022 17:01:47
How did we get to shitting in public??
Cos the football chatter has dried up 😂
Tribal nature of sports Rich.
Also that competitive element to it makes it trump other forms of entertainment. Also the unpredictable nature of it.
It’s no weirder than fanboying/girling rock bands or popstars and people think nothing of that. At least our focus is the club and the game.
Speaking of shitting in public… Krygios imploding.
Kyrgios gifts so many easy points to Djokovic, really frustrating.
Mystic
Rich can’t stop shitting himself apparently