2024/2025 English Premier League Thread

[devo22]

after spending over €200m in January alone on new players, City are signing central midfielder Tijani Rijnders for a cool €70m from AC Milan ... you know, just in case the new €60m central midfielder they signed in January won't do the job. Oh, and how about adding Rayan Cherki from Lyon and Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves while we're at it? Both are expected to join soon.

All while Pep was whining just a few weeks ago about having suuuuch a big squad, because he can't possibly coach 24 players ... poor dude. But hey, I'm sure the punishment for the 115 breaches is coming aaaaaany day now, right?

[Locke]

Damn, I liked Rijnders.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by devo22

after spending over €200m in January alone on new players, City are signing central midfielder Tijani Rijnders for a cool €70m from AC Milan ... you know, just in case the new €60m central midfielder they signed in January won't do the job. Oh, and how about adding Rayan Cherki from Lyon and Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves while we're at it? Both are expected to join soon.

All while Pep was whining just a few weeks ago about having suuuuch a big squad, because he can't possibly coach 24 players ... poor dude. But hey, I'm sure the punishment for the 115 breaches is coming aaaaaany day now, right?

It’s strange that the decision on the punishment is taking so long. I’d have to think that at the very least they are in for a big points deduction next season, although it still won’t be anywhere close to what they deserve.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

It’s strange that the decision on the punishment is taking so long. I’d have to think that at the very least they are in for a big points deduction next season, although it still won’t be anywhere close to what they deserve.

A season like this would make the most sense. They get this huge point deduction, it doesn’t change who wins the league and the overall impacts are somewhat muted. If that happened in the year they won 4 competitions, it’s much more significant upheaval.

[Senator Clay Davis]

None of you are actually expecting a points deduction, are you? Feels like it's obviously a fine and nothing more, but I guess dare to dream and all that.

[The Big Chill]

I won’t be surprised at anything, but I think they kind of have to give them something. Some of their charges were for not cooperating and handing books over, weren’t they? They should be able to give a deduction based on that alone even if it’s decided the charges for financial doping can’t stick.

[Senator Clay Davis]

You basically described the exact scenario that ends in a fine. A walk on everything but the "failing to cooperate", and a fine for that. Maybe we're in for a shock, but I sincerely doubt it.

[devo22]

might as well fold the league if it's just a fine. I'm not naive, but there needs to be more than that.

some speculate their recent spending spree might be an indication that a transfer ban or something like that might be coming, but I guess we'll see. Not having a resolution to this in June is crazy.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

None of you are actually expecting a points deduction, are you? Feels like it's obviously a fine and nothing more, but I guess dare to dream and all that.

Truthfully, how do you give deductions to teams like Everton that are offside, even though it's small-time compared to 115 charges, and then not do anything like that for a huge offender?

And yes, innocent until proven guilty, but we know this is where we are. This should be levied right away to ensure that all these players they're signing see that they will start the league at -35 or whatever that penalty is.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Because Everton were actually convicted. As of now City have been charged and nothing else. I'm expecting them to get a walk, and if it's just "failing to cooperate" and nothing actually on violating the rules then it's nailed on to be a fine and nothing more.

[devo22]

Ange is indeed out.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1931012691943891242

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Because Everton were actually convicted. As of now City have been charged and nothing else. I'm expecting them to get a walk, and if it's just "failing to cooperate" and nothing actually on violating the rules then it's nailed on to be a fine and nothing more.

Yeah, and I don't think you can deduct points if there is no conviction and no wrongdoing found. I'm saying that there is pretty obviously something amiss, though. You don't pile up 115 charges and have nothing there with any validity.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Of course. And if we lived in a time of honesty and integrity things might turn out different. Alas, we live in the most corrupt and unethical time in modern history, so it feels like the outcome here is a fait accompli.

[Locke]

Yes, yes....Ange is sacked, City are skating by, Beckham is getting a Knighthood and the Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

Yes, yes....Ange is sacked, City are skating by, Beckham is getting a Knighthood and the Oilers are in the Stanley Cup Final.

Liverpool won the title. That alone should have told you that it's a dark timeline

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

Liverpool won the title. That alone should have told you that it's a dark timeline

Its the only bright spot in my sporting life.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its the only bright spot in my sporting life.

at least you have one lol

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its the only bright spot in my sporting life.

We're only two weeks removed from Tottenham winning another European championship, though! That's the real bright light in the sporting world!!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

We're only two weeks removed from Tottenham winning another European championship, though! That's the real bright light in the sporting world!!

I think a part of my soul just died. Yup. There it goes.

Lets be honest, it would have been hilarious if Arsenal had dropped out of a CL spot and Spurs 'yoinked' it via Europa.

Why settle for the lesser evil? Introduce a little Chaos!

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Slava

We're only two weeks removed from Tottenham winning another European championship, though! That's the real bright light in the sporting world!!

well, it was your first title since about the time that Columbus stumbled upon the Americas, so ... we'll let you have this one.