Sportsbet.io's English Premier League Football Pool Discussion Thread

[Trofo]

I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Football clubs tend to have a load of players on the books from an early age as many won't ever make the grade or be good enough for the first team. For every Messi and Ronaldo they manage to develop there are hundreds if not thousands who don't live up to expectations or get injured etc. They spend a lot on developing them so instead of just sitting on the bench or playing in the B-Team they go and get some real world experience and it's a good tester for the original club to see who's going to be good enough. 

It further divides the gap between the rich and the poor. There's no real way to protect young players, and these top clubs poach youngsters that are 15-16 years old, even younger.
Then they cannot give them playing time, so they loan them out.

A player from, let's say, Preston is a huge potential in 14-yo categories. Preston has no way to keep him, although they had him since he was 5 years old. Let's say Arsenal got him, the case goes to tribunal, Preston gets pennies (few million tops).
Otherwise, the player would have played for Preston aged 16. Now he's in Arsenal, he can't, so he goes to 3 loans until he's 21 years old. After that he almost always gets sold for profit and his base club gets nothing.

The system is shitty and needs to be changed, otherwise let's just speed it all up and have no money limit Superleagues.

That is what the free market gets you.

Do you remember how it was in Yugoslavia? Players couldn't leave our local league before they were 28 years old.
Something like that will never happen again but some limits should be in place. Or mandatory contracts that club that had player in their ranks for more than 4 years or whatever get a percentage of each subsequent transfer.

[Igebotz]

Julian Alvarez going to ATM for €95m oh God how did they manage to pull that out? Julian Alvarez is good but he's a €65-70m max player. Sad we're watching Alvarez and Gallagher go to ATM while we're getting their bum Samu Omorodion for £35m. No more Osimhen then ... I hate this football club right now... No single ambition

[buwaytress]

Carvalho could be the next big thing this season - no  more loan?

It might appear so, but I don't count my chickens. Nunez still has to start (haha). But yes, am glad he's finally sorted out under Slot. He may not have to play our biggest games but if he does an Origi I'll be pleased.

Don't forget to sign up to the new pool for those who haven't already: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5504754.msg64378445#msg64378445 

Already did, and today paid also for CLS63, the result of a sidebet I lost to him in BSFL. The miserable cycle of sidebetting.

[un_rank]

I am really puzzled at Manchester City's reluctance in the transfer market, I would have thought the plan was to keep the squad as it is and build on that with the youngsters, but players have gotten older and now they sell Alvarez who featured in more matches for them last season than almost everyone else in the team.

Great ROI on Alvarez, their net spend will be much lower now. All the talk of using money to win the league will have to get silenced some more, not that I ever agreed with it.

- Jay -

[Trofo]

Julian Alvarez going to ATM for €95m oh God how did they manage to pull that out? Julian Alvarez is good but he's a €65-70m max player. Sad we're watching Alvarez and Gallagher go to ATM while we're getting their bum Samu Omorodion for £35m. No more Osimhen then ... I hate this football club right now... No single ambition

Yeah, you guys are signing another mediocre youngster on another 6 year deal. Almost like the goal is breeding players not playing football 

I am really puzzled at Manchester City's reluctance in the transfer market, I would have thought the plan was to keep the squad as it is and build on that with the youngsters, but players have gotten older and now they sell Alvarez who featured in more matches for them last season than almost everyone else in the team.

Great ROI on Alvarez, their net spend will be much lower now. All the talk of using money to win the league will have to get silenced some more, not that I ever agreed with it.

- Jay -

Pep never guarantees minutes to the players and Alvarez got sick and tired of waiting to be a star for the club and decide to try his luck elsewhere. Too bad, I think he would get more and more minutes on KDB place at least.

[un_rank]

Pep never guarantees minutes to the players and Alvarez got sick and tired of waiting to be a star for the club and decide to try his luck elsewhere. Too bad, I think he would get more and more minutes on KDB place at least.

It is just weird to make the move after his most capped season. He played more Premier league matches than any City player last season, accounting for injuries to Debruyne and Halland it was still a very promising season. Debruyne likely leaves next year, leaving a gap in the team with little signings this window. It seemed the most logical season to be motivated to stay.

He probably wanted certainty on his place in the squad and position as well. Will be interesting to see his stats with A. Madrid this season.

- Jay -

[Igebotz]

Yeah, you guys are signing another mediocre youngster on another 6 year deal. Almost like the goal is breeding players not playing football 

The most annoying part is that we have to wait till they get Alvarez and be 100 percent sure he's their player before letting their flop to us, we're waiting on the line with our £35m. We see mediocre, the owners sees investments.

It is just weird to make the move after his most capped season. He played more Premier league matches than any City player last season, accounting for injuries to Debruyne and Halland it was still a very promising season. Debruyne likely leaves next year, leaving a gap in the team with little signings this window. It seemed the most logical season to be motivated to stay.

He probably wanted certainty on his place in the squad and position as well. Will be interesting to see his stats with A. Madrid this season.

I'm sure it's more to do with his relationship with Pep than playing time( listening to his last interview) but....

Getting more playing time is one thing; playing in your favourite position is another, and as long as Halaand is on the team, he will never be able to claim the top position. He'll always be in his shadow; it must be difficult for a top striker like him to not know where he fits in the team, as he's picked at random whenever Pep wants... At his age, he needs stability. He will get that at ATM.

Now Manchester city needs to replace him before league resumes -  can't see anyone on their list right now.

[cryptofrka]

Financially - selling Alvarez is a great deal. But does City need the money?
I would have kept him, he played a lot and played great last season. If I was Alvarez and was looking for a place to settle, Atletico would be really low on the list.

Weird transfer from all angles.

@igebotz - theres a silver lining for you there - you're getting rid of Gallagher.

[Igebotz]

Financially - selling Alvarez is a great deal. But does City need the money?
I would have kept him, he played a lot and played great last season. If I was Alvarez and was looking for a place to settle, Atletico would be really low on the list.

Weird transfer from all angles.

@igebotz - theres a silver lining for you there - you're getting rid of Gallagher.

City didn't want to sell, it was Alvarez decision to find stability somewhere else, being a bench player for both club and country must be really hard, he saw what Palmer became after leaving his comfort zone. There were not too many options for him BTW. PSG are behaving broke these days and do not longer want to invest like fools, they've learnt their lessons.

Gallagher sale was long overdue but getting Samu for £35m feels.like we sold Gallagher for nothing. The Samu guy was so bad that ATM had to send him away on loan, that's the guy we're getting. Lol

[Harkorede]

Financially - selling Alvarez is a great deal. But does City need the money?
I would have kept him, he played a lot and played great last season. If I was Alvarez and was looking for a place to settle, Atletico would be really low on the list.

Weird transfer from all angles.

@igebotz - theres a silver lining for you there - you're getting rid of Gallagher.

Man City doesn't need the money, Yeah. Is having the money not a better business move than a player who wants more than the club can afford to provide, it will only lead to further toxicity like the case of Joao Cancelo after the World Cup, with the way things were heading Alvarez mind seemed to be made up, and I don't think City can afford him more minutes than he's already getting, for a player that started 23 premier league games last season, according Man City website, he played in 54 games, and started in 39 of them in all competitions. He had the most games played in than any other Man City player last season, also had the most games started in than any other Man City attacker other than Foden and Haaland. I understand this doesn't translate into his level of importance for the club, but I think he's being considered a part of their imminent transition given the departure of Gundogan last season, De Bruyne almost left this season and is probably playing his final season with the club too, Alvarez look pretty much like the next in line to be a focal part of the face of the club imo, perhaps the club could have had better dialogue, I just don't think Alvarez camp was in for it, I mean as a player that young, he's won it all too in terms of trophies right ? aside for personal accolades which I think he would stand a better chance too away from City as an individual.

Stats source: https://www.mancity.com/news/mens/season-overview-julian-alvarez-63853709#:~:text=Alvarez%20finished%20the%20season%20with,19%20goals%20and%2013%20assists.

[Harkorede]

PSG are behaving broke these days and do not longer want to invest like fools, they've learnt their lessons.

Apologies for double posting, I just had to keep this one separate...

PSG still look pretty dumber to me, you sign Joao Neves for over £50m, while sending Renato Sanchez the other way as part of the deal (on a loan btw), and the same team is loaning out Xavi Simons yet again to RB Leipzig for another season while being interested Alvarez ? I mean I'm struggling so hard to make the most sense out of these web of fcukery from them, who is calling these shots, the club manager, sporting director or is it the club president Al-khelaifi himself ??

[Igebotz]

PSG are behaving broke these days and do not longer want to invest like fools, they've learnt their lessons.

Apologies for double posting, I just had to keep this one separate...

PSG still look pretty dumber to me, you sign Joao Neves for over £50m, while sending Renato Sanchez the other way as part of the deal (on a loan btw), and the same team is loaning out Xavi Simons yet again to RB Leipzig for another season while being interested Alvarez ? I mean I'm struggling so hard to make the most sense out of these web of fcukery from them, who is calling these shots, the club manager, sporting director or is it the club president Al-khelaifi himself ??

I haven't seen Joao Neves play, but when you mentioned Renato Sanchez going the other way as part of the deal, I assumed it was a good deal for PSG; Renato Sanchez and Bakayoko are on the same level, and everyone else is better than them.

Xavi Simons is good, but if you observe him closely, you would realise he's still lacking experience, and the continued loan at RB Leipzig is going to benefit him a lot, so let us not get carried away by the  Euros performance, he is not the one to fill Mbappe's shoe; they needed someone more experienced in that position.( Alvarez/Osimhen). Not a bad call isn't it?

[un_rank]

He'll always be in his shadow; it must be difficult for a top striker like him to not know where he fits in the team, as he's picked at random whenever Pep wants... At his age, he needs stability. He will get that at ATM.

He does not walk into the Atletico squad either. I think his style of play suits Spanish football more but he will still need to fight for his spot in the team, especially to be the center forward, with how versatile he is any coach will be tempted to try him in different roles.

I would have kept him, he played a lot and played great last season. If I was Alvarez and was looking for a place to settle, Atletico would be really low on the list.

Pep has always prided himself in not keeping a player that does not want to be kept, could be what played out there. Although, I sense they have pulled a few strings over the years to keep Bernado Silva there with the continued rumors of a desired move.

- Jay -

[Harkorede]

PSG are behaving broke these days and do not longer want to invest like fools, they've learnt their lessons.

Apologies for double posting, I just had to keep this one separate...

PSG still look pretty dumber to me, you sign Joao Neves for over £50m, while sending Renato Sanchez the other way as part of the deal (on a loan btw), and the same team is loaning out Xavi Simons yet again to RB Leipzig for another season while being interested Alvarez ? I mean I'm struggling so hard to make the most sense out of these web of fcukery from them, who is calling these shots, the club manager, sporting director or is it the club president Al-khelaifi himself ??

I haven't seen Joao Neves play, but when you mentioned Renato Sanchez going the other way as part of the deal, I assumed it was a good deal for PSG; Renato Sanchez and Bakayoko are on the same level, and everyone else is better than them.

Xavi Simons is good, but if you observe him closely, you would realise he's still lacking experience, and the continued loan at RB Leipzig is going to benefit him a lot, so let us not get carried away by the  Euros performance, he is not the one to fill Mbappe's shoe; they needed someone more experienced in that position.( Alvarez/Osimhen). Not a bad call isn't it?

My point is with Joao Neves at 19 and the position he plays in which PSG have plethora of player options you're just probably getting Renato Sanchez Pro Max, and Xavi Simons is a much better option for PSG to have right now because he's their player already and is PSG playing in a more competitive league than Leipzig, I don't think so, and I wouldn't have Barcola as my sole Mbappe replacement and send Xavi Simons out on loan, I barely watched Simons at Euros, but I watched him with Leipzig last season and didn't expect another loan move for him, Xavi Simons isn't an outright winger he's more of an attacking midfielder, and PSG still have plethora of strikers enough that they said they can't sign Alvarez or Osimhen unless another striker leaves the club.

[Igebotz]

He'll always be in his shadow; it must be difficult for a top striker like him to not know where he fits in the team, as he's picked at random whenever Pep wants... At his age, he needs stability. He will get that at ATM.

He does not walk into the Atletico squad either. I think his style of play suits Spanish football more but he will still need to fight for his spot in the team, especially to be the center forward, with how versatile he is any coach will be tempted to try him in different roles.

ATM frequently uses a 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 system, which provides lots of room up front for Alvarez; there is no way he will sit on the bench for a team that has Angel Correa and Morata up front. None of these are better than him right now; he provides more flexibility to a team than Morata and co.

My point is with Joao Neves at 19 and the position he plays in which PSG have plethora of player options you're just probably getting Renato Sanchez Pro Max, and Xavi Simons is a much better option for PSG to have right now because he's their player already and is PSG playing in a more competitive league than Leipzig, I don't think so, and I wouldn't have Barcola as my sole Mbappe replacement and send Xavi Simons out on loan, I barely watched Simons at Euros, but I watched him with Leipzig last season and didn't expect another loan move for him, Xavi Simons isn't an outright winger he's more of an attacking midfielder, and PSG still have plethora of strikers enough that they said they can't sign Alvarez or Osimhen unless another striker leaves the club.

Perhaps he prefers it there; we can all agree it is a better league than the French league. I wouldn't be surprised if he moved there permanently next season.

[Hhampuz]

He'll always be in his shadow; it must be difficult for a top striker like him to not know where he fits in the team, as he's picked at random whenever Pep wants... At his age, he needs stability. He will get that at ATM.

He does not walk into the Atletico squad either. I think his style of play suits Spanish football more but he will still need to fight for his spot in the team, especially to be the center forward, with how versatile he is any coach will be tempted to try him in different roles.

ATM frequently uses a 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 system, which provides lots of room up front for Alvarez; there is no way he will sit on the bench for a team that has Angel Correa and Morata up front. None of these are better than him right now; he provides more flexibility to a team than Morata and co.

And with Morata gone it'll be a lock for him to be their new star.

[Harkorede]

My point is with Joao Neves at 19 and the position he plays in which PSG have plethora of player options you're just probably getting Renato Sanchez Pro Max, and Xavi Simons is a much better option for PSG to have right now because he's their player already and is PSG playing in a more competitive league than Leipzig, I don't think so, and I wouldn't have Barcola as my sole Mbappe replacement and send Xavi Simons out on loan, I barely watched Simons at Euros, but I watched him with Leipzig last season and didn't expect another loan move for him, Xavi Simons isn't an outright winger he's more of an attacking midfielder, and PSG still have plethora of strikers enough that they said they can't sign Alvarez or Osimhen unless another striker leaves the club.

Perhaps he prefers it there; we can all agree it is a better league than the French league. I wouldn't be surprised if he moved there permanently next season.

Yes, perhaps! That's the best answer that he prefers it there because he reportedly turned down a possible to Bayern Munich as well, and as for RB Leipzig, having sold Dani Olmo, even without selling Olmo they could have signed Simons on a permanent basis, but PSG weren't opened to a final sale as far as I can tell from what  I learnt from the story, there is even no form option to sign clause included in the loan deal.

He'll always be in his shadow; it must be difficult for a top striker like him to not know where he fits in the team, as he's picked at random whenever Pep wants... At his age, he needs stability. He will get that at ATM.

He does not walk into the Atletico squad either. I think his style of play suits Spanish football more but he will still need to fight for his spot in the team, especially to be the center forward, with how versatile he is any coach will be tempted to try him in different roles.

ATM frequently uses a 3-5-2 and 5-3-2 system, which provides lots of room up front for Alvarez; there is no way he will sit on the bench for a team that has Angel Correa and Morata up front. None of these are better than him right now; he provides more flexibility to a team than Morata and co.

And with Morata gone it'll be a lock for him to be their new star.

I can't wait to see how he's partnership with Griezmann would unlock better attacking opportunities, and with Gallagher is an engine room, this should be fun even, Atletico for once seem to be going more for offense this season, perhaps having saw what Girona's attack did lasts season they know defense alone is never going to cut it with the level development that is coming into play from perceived smaller clubs.

[un_rank]

I can't wait to see how he's partnership with Griezmann would unlock better attacking opportunities, and with Gallagher is an engine room, this should be fun even, Atletico for once seem to be going more for offense this season...

They usually do not have any shortage of strikers and still play their regular type of football, they however are looking to make a shift from the style of play we are familiar with. The Laliga is looking to be exciting for next season.

My favorite signing of this window has been Niclas Fullkrug. He had a dream season for his club and also his country. I hope he lights up the EPL

- Jay -

[Igebotz]

I can't wait to see how he's partnership with Griezmann would unlock better attacking opportunities, and with Gallagher is an engine room, this should be fun even, Atletico for once seem to be going more for offense this season...

They usually do not have any shortage of strikers and still play their regular type of football, they however are looking to make a shift from the style of play we are familiar with. The Laliga is looking to be exciting for next season.

My favorite signing of this window has been Niclas Fullkrug. He had a dream season for his club and also his country. I hope he lights up the EPL

Big move , great guy, saw few of his games at the Euros but I've never seen any striker ( Sebastien Haller, Marko Arnautovic....etc) survive so long at Westham except for Antonio, he should have moved to a more attacking team like Aston Villa or Brighton.

[cryptofrka]

Zubimendi to LFC? I didn't see much of the guy, but what I did was actually very good.
I think he'll fit in nicely, but I'd still rather that we focus on our expiring contracts situation rather than bringing new players in.

Both can be done in parallel, sure, but it's of huge significance to know whether we count on Salah, VVD and Trent for the season.