2021/2022 English Premier League

[devo22]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

lindelof's substitution, was concerning. Looked like breathing problems.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1469765604102004741

[Slava]

Seems like Covid is becoming an increasing issue for the PL now. Both United and Villa have cases and the United versus Brentford match might not go ahead. The timing isn’t great as the matches come fast and furious over the next few weeks, but I’m not sure what could be done. Leicester also had 7 players missing today.

Mikel Arteta wants clarity over how many players need to be out before a match is postponed as they were missing four when they lost to Brentford on the opening day. I think they should put something down for a number, because it seems like this is going to be an ongoing concern.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

Seems like Covid is becoming an increasing issue for the PL now. Both United and Villa have cases and the United versus Brentford match might not go ahead. The timing isn’t great as the matches come fast and furious over the next few weeks, but I’m not sure what could be done. Leicester also had 7 players missing today.

Mikel Arteta wants clarity over how many players need to be out before a match is postponed as they were missing four when they lost to Brentford on the opening day. I think they should put something down for a number, because it seems like this is going to be an ongoing concern.

This upsets me because we just played Villa...how many of those guys were on the pitch that could have potentially infected Liverpool players?

And this is right before we're sending players off to AFCON?

And now Germany is under attendance restrictions with some clubs voluntarily playing in empty stadiums.

They might have to slap the pause button on this season pretty quick here.

[cam_wmh]

I don't think we're gonna see full stadiums in the UK, heading into 2022.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

This upsets me because we just played Villa...how many of those guys were on the pitch that could have potentially infected Liverpool players?

And this is right before we're sending players off to AFCON?

And now Germany is under attendance restrictions with some clubs voluntarily playing in empty stadiums.

They might have to slap the pause button on this season pretty quick here.

It’s impossible to say for sure, but our issues seem to have started after we played Brentford when Ivan Toney was diagnosed right after. Next thing you know we have 13 cases or something and our schedule is a complete mess. I don’t know for sure that this was all from Toney, but that’s the timeline.

Rumour now is that we’ll be playing Leicester Thursday, but it will be behind closed doors. Sounds like we’re heading back to empty stadiums…

The latest on the ECL saga is that we’re waiting for a UEFA decision, but the game won’t be played. This is interesting. As far as I can tell, UEFA was in on the cancellation, so it’s to see why Spurs should be penalized for this. I mean…we got Covid and National Health also should we should close the facilities. I’m not sure how a game going forward was in anyones best interest (and particularly if this actually did all stem from us playing Brentford!). At the same time, forfeit is easy and that means Vitesse goes through. No idea why they can meet over Zoom and have a chat to make a decision, but it’s UEFA.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I don't think we're gonna see full stadiums in the UK, heading into 2022.

Frankly...I know it sucks, but there is more important things than football at the moment.

Lots of places around Europe are imposing attendance restrictions and all signs point to this nonsense getting out of control again.

I'm getting tired of this. Its like a rigged game of whack-a-mole.

[nixon45]

I cannot wait to have Conor Gallagher back at Chelsea what a player he is becoming. Incredible second goal today.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by nixon45

I cannot wait to have Conor Gallagher back at Chelsea what a player he is becoming. Incredible second goal today.

He does look really good. Palace have to try to buy him?

[Matty81]

I don't think Chelsea will sell him, they just extended his contract and he will be cheap depth for them next year across all the games they need to play. Unless Palace is willing to pay 40 mil + and blow Chelsea away which they won't be.

His career would be much better served being the focal point at a mid table club like palace for 2 or 3 years right now, but I fully expect him to go back to Chelsea, play like 50% of their games in a supporting role where he sees the ball way less and is not allowed to roam freely like he does at palace, have his development stunted and eventually get pushed out of the side in 2 or 3 years or so when the hire their next manager who brings in a few new shiny toys and he gets frustrated.

Really too bad though as I agree that he could be something if he keeps getting the development/playing time, so many young english players have their careers ruined by the big clubs desire to hoard talent. Loftus-Cheek was very similar when he was at palace albeit as more of a distributor than a finisher, and his career has been a shell of what it could have been because of being at Chelsea.

Also, he is great but I do think the EPL hype machine is a bit over the top for Gallagher as well, I do think watching him most weeks that his game still has a lot of room for improvement, he is a good finisher, is excellent at finding space and presses/tackles with a ton of energy and is a top young player, but he is not a great passer/vision and isn't very good at creating opportunities for teammates... yet. He's got some work to do to be a rounded number 10, on a bigger club he's not going to have everyone funneling the ball to him and teammates ok with all the solo dribbles and shots he attempts

Perfect scenario for all would be sale to Palace for 25 mil-ish, with a buyback clause for 35. He keeps playing for 2 more years with this level of freedom and opportunity, and if he turns into a worldie Chelsea have him back easily, but sadly ain't gonna happen.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Slava

Seems like Covid is becoming an increasing issue for the PL now. Both United and Villa have cases and the United versus Brentford match might not go ahead. The timing isn’t great as the matches come fast and furious over the next few weeks, but I’m not sure what could be done. Leicester also had 7 players missing today.

Mikel Arteta wants clarity over how many players need to be out before a match is postponed as they were missing four when they lost to Brentford on the opening day. I think they should put something down for a number, because it seems like this is going to be an ongoing concern.

United's game tomorrow is postponed.

You bring up a good point. How many players are to be missing, before a game is re-scheduled? I'm not sure if a defined number exists in the NHL either.

[MegaErtz]

I think the normal rules should be thrown out the window in regards to postponements, and clubs should be given the choice to postpone any match they wish. I understand this means that some clubs will game the system, but it just isn't worth forcing clubs to play shorthanded and risking spreading Covid. The numbers in London are scary and I can't see the Christmas fixtures being played with full crowds. We all love football but some things are much more important.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Guess we should start talking about Leeds and relegation considering how badly they are being massacred by Man City.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Guess we should start talking about Leeds and relegation considering how badly they are being massacred by Man City.

Well...it sucks in a way but I can see what one major issue is.

Bielsa wants to play balls-to-the-wall football all the time...and he doesnt have the horses to do it.

Unless you're one of the top teams in the World you dont go to the Etihad and think to yourself:

"Yeah...lets play wide open and attack them!"

Because you are more than likely going to get slaughtered. Bielsa has to be smarter than that.

That is 'Dumb as Gulutzan' thinking in that if you adhere to certain principles it'll all eventually go your way. You have to play different teams differently and Bielsa isnt doing that and his guys are getting taken out to the woodshed as a result.

If the manager sets up the players to fail often enough they're going to stop playing for him.

[Locke]

Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to listen to offers for Dele Alli in January

Alli started nine of 17 games under Nuno Espirito Santo but since the Portuguese's sacking on Nov. 1, his only outing under Conte came in last month's shock Europa Conference League defeat to Slovenian minnows NS Mura -- the lowest-ranked team in the competition.

https://global.espn.com/football/soc...anuary-sources

Thats how the Pros do it....sell at rock bottom prices!

Does anyone even want Alli at this point?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

https://global.espn.com/football/soc...anuary-sources

Thats how the Pros do it....sell at rock bottom prices!

Does anyone even want Alli at this point?

It’s been a stunning drop off for him. 3-4 years ago he was this young kid with all kinds of potential and just looked so good. Today I’m not sure where he’d consistently start? Everything has gone wrong there, and while some of it is undoubtedly on Dele, there’s got to be other factors involved.

[Slava]

Pretty crazy, but apparently Leicester asked the PL to postpone tomorrows game as they have 9 players out at this point with Covid/illness, and the league refused. Allegedly, they have no CBs for the game either. No idea what they're thinking here, but I guess the game will go on!

[Locke]

Oh man....and in the midst of all of this they still want to push ahead with the AFCON.

Yeah...the tournament that is normally a logistical nightmare at the best of times and they're confident they can do all that and adhere to COVID protocols too.

Consider me skeptical.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

It’s been a stunning drop off for him. 3-4 years ago he was this young kid with all kinds of potential and just looked so good. Today I’m not sure where he’d consistently start? Everything has gone wrong there, and while some of it is undoubtedly on Dele, there’s got to be other factors involved.

I dont know what other factors, there may be some, but from all outward appearances it just seems the the wind whistles through that guy's ears.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

Oh man....and in the midst of all of this they still want to push ahead with the AFCON.

Yeah...the tournament that is normally a logistical nightmare at the best of times and they're confident they can do all that and adhere to COVID protocols too.

Consider me skeptical.

I think that they should send guys like Salah, Keita and Mane to AFCON though. I'm sure that everything is fine and there's no reason not to. Send them out Saturday this week, just in case there are border closures or travel issues to deal with!

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know what other factors, there may be some, but from all outward appearances it just seems the the wind whistles through that guy's ears.

Well it just seems odd that he could turn so fast into such a completely useless player. Maybe it is all his motivation or lack thereof, or maybe it's not related and he's got personal issues. Maybe he just bought into his own hype, and he's just frankly not that good.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Slava

I think that they should send guys like Salah, Keita and Mane to AFCON though. I'm sure that everything is fine and there's no reason not to. Send them out Saturday this week, just in case there are border closures or travel issues to deal with!



Well it just seems odd that he could turn so fast into such a completely useless player. Maybe it is all his motivation or lack thereof, or maybe it's not related and he's got personal issues. Maybe he just bought into his own hype, and he's just frankly not that good.

Obviously a combination of factors, but i think two main ones has been the loss of Erikson - the true play driver during the spurs heyday - and general move away from traditional No. 10 roles into more system-oriented roles.

I could see Newcastle take a run at him. Maybe Villa? although i dont see him and Grealish as comparable