Manchester City

[Irishnev]

He’s bought to win the biggest games - you could argue a top striker would’ve put the first leg vs Real out of sight. I think it’s just another challenge to overcome which I’m confident we can do

[Doc_Piptorious]

He’s bought to win the biggest games - you could argue a top striker would’ve put the first leg vs Real out of sight. I think it’s just another challenge to overcome which I’m confident we can do

Could also argue with one less runner in the middle in the second leg against Real, that Real might had more joy and also had to endure less pressure.

Ifs and buts I know, howver I do not see him as being the game changer for them because if it was as simple as they are going to still win the games they are winning now but he makes the difference in every tough game, then that's it.

City just win every single game they play next season and win every trophy easily. Me I just do not see that happening no matter how good an individual player he is.

I actually think a guy who is less of a goal machine like Martinez at Inter would have suited City more as he has a much higher work rate than Haaland, can drop deep and link play, is quick, very strong, good in the air despite his height, good finisher and can play in a variety of set ups without being less effective in general.

Haaland is a simply awesome finisher but he is not going to constantly link play well in the final third and not press when City are off of the ball.

I see him getting 25+ goals in the league next season but City still losing and drawing a similar number of games (actually I think they might get one or two draws more than this season if they have to tweak their formation and set up) to this year and still not winning the CL.

Him going to Chelsea would have bothered me more as said because he could have turned Chelsea into the genuine title botherers a lot of us thought they might be capable of becoming, whereas even with Haaland onboard City are still the only team that finishing ahead them of means you win the league

[Big-Red-Ed]

I agree with a lot of this analysis. But it's another example of them spending way above everyone else. They truly are the biggest financial dopers in football

YNWA

[ChesterDave]

£51m for Haaland officially. I wonder how the rest of it will be accounted for? £100,000,000 for the early termination of the clubs official Norwegian Salmon provider partnership?

[Irishnev]

£51m for Haaland officially. I wonder how the rest of it will be accounted for? £100,000,000 for the early termination of the clubs official Norwegian Salmon provider partnership?

Seen speculation that it’s lower because they owe City money for the Sancho sell on fee

[Sus]

Wrong magpies. That's just some blokes in Collingwood tops, you drongo

Poop, now drongo - some excellent insults on this thread

[Harv]

Wrong magpies. That's just some blokes in Collingwood tops, you drongo

Im impressed you know who Collingwood are

But no, they are avid Toon fans for some reason. I think one is due to family being from there originally. No idea on the others though

Drongo should always have a "flamin" preceding it, same goes for galah and mongrel

[Fosterbloke]

Whilst on the subject of Australian slang, I'm off to Coles to get a batchelor's handbag.

[Bender]

Whilst on the subject of Australian slang, I'm off to Coles to get a batchelor's handbag.

Ok Sheila

[Doc_Piptorious]

Im impressed you know who Collingwood are

But no, they are avid Toon fans for some reason. I think one is due to family being from there originally. No idea on the others though

Drongo should always have a "flamin" preceding it, same goes for galah and mongrel

I like Aussie Rules, you bogan


Think it is a pretty cool sport to watch. It's similarities with Gaelic football made it easy to get into and of course a number of Irish lads play in the leagues over there.


I'm not flamin' Alf Stewart so no flamin' galah being used in general by me.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Seen speculation that it’s lower because they owe City money for the Sancho sell on fee

There will be loads of tales from here on in to explain why Haaland was basically a free transfer as he cost so little and how the deal pays for itself.

And the media will hardly pay any heed to the massive sign on fee, his father's massive fee and any other "consultancy" fees involved.


Magic Pep doing it on on a shoe string budget yet again

[ChesterDave]

The whole world should know the fee is bull****. This is a negotiating team that paid £100m for Grealish but somehow got one of the hottest prospects in world football for half the price!

[Doc_Piptorious]

The whole world should know the fee is bull****. This is a negotiating team that paid £100m for Grealish but somehow got one of the hottest prospects in world football for half the price!

Well I think they are amazing. Find a more or less unknown player like that and getting him for a tenner.



Wish we had a manager who can spot talent as well as Ped can.

[Tribute]

The whole world should know the fee is bull****. This is a negotiating team that paid £100m for Grealish but somehow got one of the hottest prospects in world football for half the price!

...and to think they nearly paid £150m for Kane last summer. Agree that Haaland's fee will be like the tip of the iceberg with agents fees, add-ons, etc..

Maybe this is Citeh's last 'hurrah' of showcasing their buying power... before the new big kids on the block start opening their wallets in summer. Newcastle will probably spend £300m+ and that's pocket change. Wonder who will be attracted to the lucrative but equally depressing north-east next season?

**** me, that's depressing to think about - another mega-billionaire club comes into the fight for top four. Wonder if Chelsea's new owners will have pockets as deep as Roman?

It's going to be a mental summer transfer window. We only need a couple of new faces and to keep most of the squad together. Big spending doesn't guarantee success as we've seen with the Ev...

[spud_gun]

...and to think they nearly paid £150m for Kane last summer. Agree that Haaland's fee will be like the tip of the iceberg with agents fees, add-ons, etc..

Maybe this is Citeh's last 'hurrah' of showcasing their buying power... before the new big kids on the block start opening their wallets in summer. Newcastle will probably spend £300m+ and that's pocket change. Wonder who will be attracted to the lucrative but equally depressing north-east next season?

**** me, that's depressing to think about - another mega-billionaire club comes into the fight for top four. Wonder if Chelsea's new owners will have pockets as deep as Roman?

It's going to be a mental summer transfer window. We only need a couple of new faces and to keep most of the squad together. Big spending doesn't guarantee success as we've seen with the Ev...

Very much doubt it. The owners are in it to make money. The absolute best Chelsea can hope for is they become self sustaining and they get a genius manager who can elevate players, much like our current situation.

Alternatively we could be looking at a Glazers-Lite / Stan Kronke type scenario. Irrespective their days of spending their owners billions with little regards for a return are over.