2016/2017 THE Premier League Thread

[Locke]

For some reason I'm really hoping Middlesbrough get 2 clean sheets against United with Valdes in net.

[Addick]

I wouldn't mind seeing Valdez headbutt someone, he looks the type.

[devo22]

Pogba to United is "close", according to pretty good sources in Italy (Carlo Laudisa from Gazzetto dello Sport, for example). The fee is absolutely ridiculous - €100m will go to Juventus and €24m to Raiola when all is said and done. Not a single footballer on this planet is worth that money, but hey, let the Glazers bleed.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I just read the other day that United has something like 70 different sponsors. I seriously doubt the Glazers will be out any cash here. I feel for Pogba mostly if that's the final price, he's a nice player but we all know everyone will rip on him for being overpaid and overrated if he doesn't deliver a huge season. It's not his fault for the stupid fee, but he'll be the one the media rags on regardless. For his sake I hope he's ready for it.

[cam_wmh]

Juve keeps saying they don't want to sell too. $100m/$70m can keep those cash strapped Italians going for a long time. With Zidane recently said Real is out, call their bluff, see how bad they need that money.

[devo22]

Gazzetta dello Sport running a story tomorrow that Pogba has told Juve to let him go because he wants the United move. Di Marzio said all parties met today and United made a €100m bid, which they'll probably reject but they are expected to come back with a counter-offer of €120m. All about finding a middle ground now, the Italian media is convinced that he'll go.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

Gazzetta dello Sport running a story tomorrow that Pogba has told Juve to let him go because he wants the United move. Di Marzio said all parties met today and United made a €100m bid, which they'll probably reject but they are expected to come back with a counter-offer of €120m. All about finding a middle ground now, the Italian media is convinced that he'll go.

Hell...you could damned near just buy Juve for that.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Locke

Hell...you could damned near just buy Juve for that.

Juventus isn't worth a whole lot less than Liverpool

[kobasew19]

As a Juve follower, I've been reading rumours that the team will use the money from the Pogba transfer to activate the €94 million release clause for Higuain...not sure how I would feel about that...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nik-

Juventus isn't worth a whole lot less than Liverpool

I am aware of that, we cant all be Real Madrid.

Originally Posted by kobasew19

As a Juve follower, I've been reading rumours that the team will use the money from the Pogba transfer to activate the €94 million release clause for Higuain...not sure how I would feel about that...

That would be...why? Is Higuain in some sort of amazing form that I am unaware of?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Locke

I am aware of that, we cant all be Real Madrid.

United and Bayern fans can!

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

I am aware of that, we cant all be Real Madrid.



That would be...why? Is Higuain in some sort of amazing form that I am unaware of?

hes nor worth it but his form is amazing, he just set the serie A record for goals in a season I think

[kobasew19]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

hes nor worth it but his form is amazing, he just set the serie A record for goals in a season I think

Exactly, set a new record for most goals in a Serie A campaign and had a solid Copa America. Definitely not worth his release clause though.

[Addick]

Higuain is most definitely not worth anything close to his release clause. If a club was going to spend £80m on Higuain, why not throw that much and a few million more at Dortmund for Aubameyang?

[devo22]

well Dortmund would never sell after losing Hummels, Gündogan and Mkhitaryan in the same summer.

according to Napolis president, Juve have told them that they are not going to activate the clause for Higuain, so it's not going to happen anyway.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Locke

Sunderland have granted the FA Permission to speak to Big Sam about the England job.

Yes, that Big Sam Allardyce. No, I'm not joking.

http://www.espnfc.us/england/story/2...er-england-job

90s long-balls for everyone!

Apparently it's done. And for fun, Sunderland is apparently hiring David Moyes to replace him.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Apparently it's done. And for fun, Sunderland is apparently hiring David Moyes to replace him.

Yeah, good luck with that. Not that Moyes can't work at a mid-table club and have success (see Everton), but that squad is an absolute tire fire. I still can't believe that Allardyce was able to keep them up, Newcastle and Norwich should be ashamed of themselves for finishing behind that lot.

as for Big Sam getting the England job, I still don't know how to feel about it.

[Locke]

Big Sam might not be a terrible choice. He gets a lot out of what he has. It typically isnt pretty and its usually less than inspiring, but lets be honest, he isnt being handed the keys to a Ferrari with this England squad, hes got to do the best he can with the Turnip Truck that hes given.

Honestly, and its easy for me to say as someone who isnt an England supporter, results aside if he gets a team playing with confidence rather than playing scared and can assert a culture he could have a lot of success or at least set up a successor with something decent.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Portugal was just mostly unwatchable and I doubt their fans are giving the trophy back. If Sam wins it can be ugly as sin and the fans will live with it. But if they don't win and it's ugly he'll be fired a lot quicker than Hodgson was I would think.

[d_phaneuf]

so how many games does it take Rooney to pick up this card

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36844570

I say less than 3

also could be hilarious opening weekend with a few games ending 9 v 9