2017/2018 THE Premier League Thread

[devo22]

Fred and Diogo Dalot to Man United are done.

Arsenal have signed Stephan Lichtsteiner.

[d_phaneuf]

Fred a great signing, true box to box guys are rare now at the elite level, its gonna improve their midfield not only by adding him but assuming he stays will put pogba in a better position to impact games

Dalot going to understudy valencia for a year or two I guess, young players always a risk under jose to get playing time, but he will be gone in a few years anyway

[Senator Clay Davis]

Sounds like Fekir to Liverpool is basically done. If they can get that goalie it will be a tremendous window for them.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Sounds like Fekir to Liverpool is basically done. If they can get that goalie it will be a tremendous window for them.

I thought the latest was no deal until after the World Cup?

[Senator Clay Davis]

Probably just met the price finally.

Liverpool are set to complete the signing of Nabil Fekir on Friday after meeting Lyon’s €60m (£53m) valuation of the France international.

Fekir is on the verge of becoming Jürgen Klopp’s second major transfer of the summer, with Anfield officials having agreed a deal worth an initial €55m to the French club plus €5m in bonuses. The Lyon captain has informed his boyhood club of his preference for Anfield and the deal is expected to be finalised before the 24-year-old heads to the World Cup.

Jean-Michel Aulas, the Lyon president, told his club’s website on Thursday that the deal was “at a standstill” and unlikely to be concluded before the World Cup. Liverpool, however, continued to press ahead with negotiations and appear to have broken Aulas’s resolve to keep the attacking midfielder until after the World Cup in the hope of starting an auction.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...yon?CMP=twt_gu

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Sounds like Fekir to Liverpool is basically done. If they can get that goalie it will be a tremendous window for them.

I hope they don't end up getting Donnarumma....I don't want to have to end up hating the youngster.

[Slava]

Couple things this morning. First it looks like the league will take a break in February beginning in 2019-2020. The break will mean five games each weekend instead of ten and no replays for the 5th round of the FA Cup, which will be played mid-week.

The more important news is Kane signed for six more years! Thrilled to see that, as it means between Poch and him that we’re taking care of important business!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

Couple things this morning. First it looks like the league will take a break in February beginning in 2019-2020. The break will mean five games each weekend instead of ten and no replays for the 5th round of the FA Cup, which will be played mid-week.

The more important news is Kane signed for six more years! Thrilled to see that, as it means between Poch and him that we’re taking care of important business!

They're just making sure 'Papa Flo' has to pay double.

What, with Ronaldo wanting out and Zidane quitting I think Poch and 'Arry would be perfect replacements.

Levy is no fool, he saw this coming.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Locke

They're just making sure 'Papa Flo' has to pay double.

What, with Ronaldo wanting out and Zidane quitting I think Poch and 'Arry would be perfect replacements.

Levy is no fool, he saw this coming.

No, Levy did not see Zidane quitting, and was fortunate to re-sign Poch only the week previous. That was pure luck.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

No, Levy did not see Zidane quitting, and was fortunate to re-sign Poch only the week previous. That was pure luck.

Dude! Come on! Its no fun if you dont play along.

[Slava]

Why take Poch and Kane when Salah and Klopp are available though? They're going to want to leave and go somewhere to win things, right?

[Senator Clay Davis]

Is a Spurs fan really making quips about others winning things? Like for real? It's not a joke?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

Why take Poch and Kane when Salah and Klopp are available though? They're going to want to leave and go somewhere to win things, right?

Those two were just in the Champions' League Finals though! Going to make another run next season.

What did Spurs accomplish?

Realistically Kane wouldnt even rate Liverpool's bench.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Locke

Those two were just in the Champions' League Finals though! Going to make another run next season.

What did Spurs accomplish?

Realistically Kane wouldnt even rate Liverpool's bench.

The most glorified team that never wins anything award

I guess they also get the "We beat Madrid" award

[Senator Clay Davis]

To be fair they are working on back-to-back "Finished Above Arsenal" trophies.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

Those two were just in the Champions' League Finals though! Going to make another run next season.

What did Spurs accomplish?

Realistically Kane wouldnt even rate Liverpool's bench.

Hard not to consider this season a success for Spurs. They played at Wembley, and almost no one thought that they would finish top four. They had the group of death in the CL, topped that one and beat some Spanish side you probably know as well in that process. Of course it wasn't perfect, and a trophy would have been nice. But it SAF what...7 years to win the league? It's not something that happens overnight, but the building blocks are there.

Originally Posted by Beninho

The most glorified team that never wins anything award

I guess they also get the "We beat Madrid" award

What did Liverpool win this year? I kept hearing that they were the only team that could challenge City, and they finished 4th place.

It's amusing to me that the pundits are all picking Liverpool as the likeliest challengers for the league this year. They seem to have jumped over two other teams that finished ahead of them for some unknown reason.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Slava

Hard not to consider this season a success for Spurs. They played at Wembley, and almost no one thought that they would finish top four. They had the group of death in the CL, topped that one and beat some Spanish side you probably know as well in that process. Of course it wasn't perfect, and a trophy would have been nice. But it SAF what...7 years to win the league? It's not something that happens overnight, but the building blocks are there.

Oh come on, just call a spade a spade and say it.

"Spurs finished above Arsenal ergo season = Great Success."

Now we see if Kane and Alli can dive England to the promised land!

[Senator Clay Davis]

Well realistically no one is challenging City next year unless they have a ton of injuries, their squad depth is insane and they're probably adding Mahrez and Jorginho. But Liverpool have an elite attack, what looks like a potentially elite midfield depending on the signings, and a very solid defense. If they get the goalie, you can't tell me on paper there is a better challenger than them at present. The other difference is Liverpool beat City three times and Spurs got annihilated both times they played City.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Well realistically no one is challenging City next year unless they have a ton of injuries, their squad depth is insane and they're probably adding Mahrez and Jorginho. But Liverpool have an elite attack, what looks like a potentially elite midfield depending on the signings, and a very solid defense. If they get the goalie, you can't tell me on paper there is a better challenger than them at present. The other difference is Liverpool beat City three times and Spurs got annihilated both times they played City.

In all seriousness, Liverpool's main issue is depth.

Their best XI is among the best in Europe, obviously, but having to rotate them out and play lower level players did not yield results in the PL.

You cant fault Klopp's rotational policy but we need that GK and some help in midfield. We lack depth. Our best lineup is excellent, our next best lineup? Not so much. As evidenced by lack of results against lower opposition.

The fact of the matter is though that Liverpool basically half-assed the PL and focused on the CL.

If the question is:

- 2nd place in the Premier League and CL next season

or....

- 4th place in the Premier League and CL next season and playing in the Champions' League Final

I know which one every fan would pick every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Locke

In all seriousness, Liverpool's main issue is depth.

Their best XI is among the best in Europe, obviously, but having to rotate them out and play lower level players did not yield results in the PL.

You cant fault Klopp's rotational policy but we need that GK and some help in midfield. We lack depth. Our best lineup is excellent, our next best lineup? Not so much. As evidenced by lack of results against lower opposition.

The fact of the matter is though that Liverpool basically half-assed the PL and focused on the CL.

If the question is:

- 2nd place in the Premier League and CL next season

or....

- 4th place in the Premier League and CL next season and playing in the Champions' League Final

I know which one every fan would pick every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

What about winning the PL vs losing the CL in the final?