2013/2014 English Premier League Thread

[Bagor]

Uh-oh.

Chelsea are reportedly set to hijack Tottenham's attempts to sign Brazilian playmaker Willian.It was understood the Anzhi Makhachkala player was on the verge of a move to White Hart Lane - with some reports suggesting a four-year deal had already been agreed and that he was in London to undergo a medical.
Yet Tottenham's attempts to rebuild in the wake of Gareth Bale's impending departure for Real Madrid have been dealt a major blow.
According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are now in "advanced talks" with Willian over a £30m deal - and the offer of Champions League football at Stamford Bridge may be enough for Jose Mourinho to lure the 25-year-old.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...s-8780882.html

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hijacked Tottenham’s proposed £30million deal for Brazil winger Willian.And the dramatic swoop for the Anzhi Makhachkala player immediately put Gareth Bale’s world-record switch to Real Madrid in doubt.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...lian-move.html

[devo22]

makes sense, Chelsea certainly need another attacking midfielder. In other news, their starting XI for the United match has been leaked:

[Bagor]

I think they're just stirring. Would love to see United make a bid for Mata on Monday am.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Uh-oh.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...s-8780882.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...lian-move.html

Mourinho getting the last word vs Perez.

[d_phaneuf]

that would be funny

but I think it's just Kia (Willian's agent) angling for more money

[Fusebox]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Le Sulk ticks off another club on his list.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/index.html

That's a bit harsh considering reports that his agent has died. No need to call him "Le Sulk" when someone so close to him has apparently passed away.

[Bagor]

Might have been a bit harsh if reports that his agent had died were available at the time of posting. So, no, given his past behaviour of sulking and the information available at the time it wasn't harsh.

[Fusebox]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Might have been a bit harsh if reports that his agent had died were available at the time of posting. So, no, given his past behaviour of sulking and the information available at the time it wasn't harsh.

Perhaps you shouldn't run your mouth off based on unverified tabloid reports then. Shame on you. Shame.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Fusebox

Perhaps you shouldn't run your mouth off based on unverified tabloid reports then. Shame on you. Shame.

Take a hike newb.

[d_phaneuf]

so Willian to Chelsea is done

Jose's hate for AVB is funny, I hope Schurlle has fun being the new Marko Marin

[Flamenspiel]

Alright you fantasy league experts, I gather stay away from Chelsea midfield altogether? Will Frank Lampard play 50 games?

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

so Willian to Chelsea is done

Jose's hate for AVB is funny, I hope Schurlle has fun being the new Marko Marin

Is it hate for AVB or hate for Real? Sounds like Bale is pretty well done, but I could see Levy hitting the brakes until Lamela is confirmed and they can get another signing done.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Is it hate for AVB or hate for Real? Sounds like Bale is pretty well done, but I could see Levy hitting the brakes until Lamela is confirmed and they can get another signing done.

I think he hates both equally, he thought AVB was his protege and he left Inter for a manager job

supposedly they haven't spoken in 5 years

I could see that, but then a Sky reporter said this after Jose said they were signing Willian

Phil Edwards Sky ‏@philedwardssky
Have spoken to #willian in his London hotel. He claims he's still deciding which club to join. Agent also here.

[d_phaneuf]

there are pictures of Madrid building a stage at the Bernebeu which most people think is Bale's unveiling tomorrow

but that makes no sense for Spurs with a game sunday, they would delay until monday/tuesday

my guess is Bale doesn't go until they lock down Lamela, Chirches (Becali from jail now says he can go), and then another attacking midfielder/forward, I could see Eriksen

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Fusebox

Perhaps you shouldn't run your mouth off based on unverified tabloid reports then. Shame on you. Shame.

LOL! And pray tell why shouldn't I.

That his agent has died is sad but changes nothing that he is now and will always be known as le sulk due to his whiny sulky behaviour.

[devo22]

I hope Bale to Madrid is done soon ... could be the trigger for some moves. United are lurking around a couple of Reals midfielders, but I guess Madrid won't sell one until they have Bale wrapped up ... and United won't sell Rooney unless they get a midfielder in. Bale's the first link in a chain of moves. Or I'm totally insane and nothing is going to happen

[Bagor]

Agreed, it's going to trigger some pretty significant moves. There's so many scenarios that could play out but it all starts with Bale.

[Fusebox]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

Alright you fantasy league experts, I gather stay away from Chelsea midfield altogether? Will Frank Lampard play 50 games?

He'll start alongside Ramires, with Oscar playing in an advanced midfield position in front of them against Manchester United on Monday.

Lampard has been transferred in 66k times so far this week, and transferred out only 10k times, so he's a good bet. He scores lots of goals so 8.0 is not a bad price at all.

I like Rosicky from Arsenal, with all of their injuries he could be a bargain at only 5.5 if he stays healthy himself.

Kasami at Fulham is another bargain at only 4.5 - he is listed as a midfielder but plays in such an advanced role for Fulham that he really should be classed as a striker. His goals count as 5 points instead of only four, and because of this, he's well worth considering.

[d_phaneuf]

I don't think Bale triggers too much outside Spurs moves

maybe Di Maria (to Arsenal?), but they would be insane to sell Benzema (with Morata the only other senior team striker) and I wouldn't sell Ozil at gun point

[d_phaneuf]

David Moyes just stomping all over 10 years of history at Everton

"I definitely do but I also know that if I'd been Everton manager and Sir Alex had come asking for Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini, I'd have found it very difficult to keep them because I always felt the right thing to do was what was right for the players,"

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...nes?CMP=twt_gu