2013/2014 English Premier League Thread

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

The problem with that is that it pushes Mata out wide, where he isn't nearly as good.

??? Not very wide, as not in winger wide. No-one is suggesting he plays winger.

You make it sound so rigid. And Fellaini may be considered a lot of things but a playmaker he is not.

And agreed CM is still an issue.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Bagor

4-2-3-1. Play behind RvP with Rooney and Januzaj.
4-3-3 Straight up with Rooney and RvP

Besides, the way injuries are going that won't be a problem.

the problem with those is that the only one of those front 4 who track back is Rooney, and it leaves Uniteds biggest weakness in midfield exposed

my guess is Moyes will probably do the 4-2-3-1 when they are all fit, but I dont think it's going to work well and I think it just leads to Rooney leaving in the summer

[SuperMatt18]

Depends though if they get a strong all-around central midfielder , like Vidal, they could make the 4-2-3-1 work.

Guy would fit in perfectly with the style of the EPL and is a world class box to box midfielder.

[d_phaneuf]

ya the Vidal rumors make no sense to me

he's been one of the 5 best CMs in Europe the last year, Juve have no reason to sell

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

ya the Vidal rumors make no sense to me

he's been one of the 5 best CMs in Europe the last year, Juve have no reason to sell

Selling brings money.


Does Fergie's biggest mistake, make Vidal expendable?


http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/16...united?cc=5901

[cam_wmh]

Apparently Chelsea is selling Mata to bring in Barkley.
To throw more insult our way, Carrick twisted his ankle on the AstroTurf while being substituted. Lol. sigh

[d_phaneuf]

Mohammed "I will never shake hands with a Jewish person" Salah signs for Jewish owned Chelsea.

[Locke]

Wenger seems a little butthurt about the Mata deal.

"I am surprised. Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent," Wenger said.

"Chelsea have already played twice against Man United, they could have sold him last week.

"I think if you want to respect the fairness for everybody, this should not happen.

"I can understand completely what Chelsea are doing, and they do not make the rules, but maybe the rules should be a bit more adapted for fairness."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...lsea-is-unfair

Well, if anyone knows about being bitten in the ass by selling marquee players to direct opponents I guess it'd be Wenger.

[DeanOMac]

Originally Posted by Locke

Wenger seems a little butthurt about the Mata deal.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...lsea-is-unfair

Well, if anyone knows about being bitten in the ass by selling marquee players to direct opponents I guess it'd be Wenger.

Anytime something happens to work against Arsenal, Wenger whines, us fans are used to it (Wenger supporters and otherwise). Even when we were winning trophies, it was the same.

While I am not exactly a Wenger admirer, I must say that this situation is a bit ridiculous, even by his standards. Chelsea sold him for what they believe to be the most money, and fair value, which happened to be a rival. If Mata was so good that he would instantly change the entire title race, Chelsea would be playing him.

That said, while I don't think this was some scheme by Chelsea, this could come back to bite them in a couple years.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by DeanOMac

Anytime something happens to work against Arsenal, Wenger whines, us fans are used to it (Wenger supporters and otherwise). Even when we were winning trophies, it was the same.

While I am not exactly a Wenger admirer, I must say that this situation is a bit ridiculous, even by his standards. Chelsea sold him for what they believe to be the most money, and fair value, which happened to be a rival. If Mata was so good that he would instantly change the entire title race, Chelsea would be playing him.

That said, while I don't think this was some scheme by Chelsea, this could come back to bite them in a couple years.

I think its a stupid deal for Chelsea. They dont need the money and Mata is an excellent player. United need a creative player in their central midfield and I think Mata is it.

This is a great deal for United and I think Mourinho is crazy.

[Imported_Aussie]

Chelsea pick up "Chelsea-killer" Salah - hopefully he scores goals for us now.
Mata out and Salah in to me signals a return to 4-3-3.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

Wenger seems a little butthurt about the Mata deal.

To be fair, he has let it be known in the past that he's in favour of getting rid of the January Transfer Window.

[The Big Chill]

Glen Johnson out indefinitely with an injury that's been bothering him a while, apparently. That's the starting back 5 out now, although Sahko is due back soon.

[scottish_flame]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Mohammed "I will never shake hands with a Jewish person" Salah signs for Jewish owned Chelsea.

Did he actually say that? What a c***

I may watch his first game against spurs

[devo22]

Mourinho confirmed the Mata Transfer in a press conference today:

"We have allowed Mata to have a medical with Man United, and things will be sorted sooner rather than later. He could still be a very important player for us but this is a fantastic opportunity to him, with an offer which is the right offer, for us, so in spite of probably many clubs, many boards and many managers, think not a to sell to a rival club, the player deserves respect and to be happy and to play where he wants."

who is this guy, and what has he done to good old Jose?

that being said, Chelsea apparently refuses to formally agree to the transfer until they have completed the Salah transfer, which could take another day or two. Mata apparently frustrated with the hold-up according to the Telegraph. Wants to start at United ASAP. Already agreed personal terms with United, it's a 4 and 1/2 years contract with 150k/week.

[cam_wmh]

United doubled his wage? No wonder...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

United doubled his wage? No wonder...

Thats pretty standard, not just from United. When Chelsea bought Torres, in addition to his fee I think they almost tripled his wages.

[cam_wmh]

I hear ya -- I was surprised his wages were increased that substantially from one of the worlds richest clubs.

That said, the wage increases are part of why I want United to pillage Dortmund.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I hear ya -- I was surprised his wages were increased that substantially from one of the worlds richest clubs.

That said, the wage increases are part of why I want United to pillage Dortmund.

Absolutely. People wonder why players always want to come and play in England and its the fact that the wages are substantially higher.

I'd love to know what Bayern promised to pay Lewandowski. I'm betting £120K/wk. How much would Chelsea pay? Or United?

[devo22]

United confirm the deal on their website.

Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Chelsea Football Club for the transfer of Juan Mata for a club-record fee. The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.

A further announcement will be made in due course.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...juan-mata.aspx


OH YES!!!!!