City adds the first of two Croats...Mateo Kovacic and soon to come Jokso Gvaridiol (don't call him Gvardiola)
Bayern enjoys shopping at Aldi.
They wanted Joao Cancelo for 40M when City was asking for 70M. Almost a 50% difference in valuation...you can't make that up if someone isn't negotiating in good faith.
Well, City will at least be reasonable. Daniel Levy will be fighting Bayern over the last $1.65. There’s a reason Man U, Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid all said no mas. Ain’t no body got time for that.
Levy being a prick about Kane to City ended up being a favor...when it didn't happen they ended up getting Haaland and Alvarez...and ultimately the Treble.
How about Alvarez? Kid has not lost a cup in two years...Won his league cup, league title in Argentina, won the World Cup, won FA Cup, PL and CL...only thing making it a clean sweep was not winning Carabao Cup...but they were not in the final. Alvarez isn't the physical force Haaland is...but that kid does stuff with the ball like Aguero. Cost them 14M...they will make money on that deal when all is said and done.
Alvarez is an amazing player. What a bargain. Here is something you never hear. Kane was the best center forward in the Prem last year. Not just his goal scoring but his play making skills are up there with the best midfielders in the league.
Haaland was more productive last year, but he did it with a team of all-stars. Kane scoring 30 goals last season with effectively 9 defenders and Son on the pitch is crazy. Spurs were so negative that we played every game with 3 defensive midfielders.
Kane is also 29 and has a lot more experience playing for club and country at the highest level. But he has been consistently the best at his position in the PL for the last 6-8 years. You don't approach the all time league scoring record if you're not elite.
Haaland is far from a complete player...in fact for the first 1/3 of the season I'd say he was "a big dick and not much else." He scored a lot because his size and athleticism put him in some spots he couldn't be defended. How do you defend his headers when he's 8" above everyone else?
But as the season wore on he became a more complete players and looked to hold up play, make the assist, get other guys in spots to score. But he admits he has a lot in his game he needs to work on. Thierry Henry told him if he learns how to go to his right in the box he will be impossible to defend.
Haaland will be 23 this month...it will be interesting to see how he steps forward this season and what part of his game regresses.
I'd be surprised if he scores 36 goals again.
🚨| FIFA will test a new offside law, where the whole body of the player must be in front of the defender for it to be ruled out.
— City Chief (@City_Chief) July 1, 2023
The player in picture below would not be offside under this new rule.
[DirectTVSports] pic.twitter.com/J3lZgFVWyY
@Chongo posted:Kane is also 29 and has a lot more experience playing for club and country at the highest level. But he has been consistently the best at his position in the PL for the last 6-8 years. You don't approach the all time league scoring record if you're not elite.
Haaland is far from a complete player...in fact for the first 1/3 of the season I'd say he was "a big dick and not much else." He scored a lot because his size and athleticism put him in some spots he couldn't be defended. How do you defend his headers when he's 8" above everyone else?
But as the season wore on he became a more complete players and looked to hold up play, make the assist, get other guys in spots to score. But he admits he has a lot in his game he needs to work on. Thierry Henry told him if he learns how to go to his right in the box he will be impossible to defend.
Haaland will be 23 this month...it will be interesting to see how he steps forward this season and what part of his game regresses.
I'd be surprised if he scores 36 goals again.
I would take Haaland 100 times out of 100 if given the choice. He is better than Kane was at the same age, and a much better athlete. He will score 36 goals again.
@Chongo posted:🚨| FIFA will test a new offside law, where the whole body of the player must be in front of the defender for it to be ruled out.
— City Chief (@City_Chief) July 1, 2023
The player in picture below would not be offside under this new rule.
[DirectTVSports] pic.twitter.com/J3lZgFVWyY
About time FIFA created a rule to encourage more scoring. If FIFA ran the NFL offensive linemen would still be forced to block with their forearms and QBs careers would last 3-5 years.
@Goalline posted:I would take Haaland 100 times out of 100 if given the choice. He is better than Kane was at the same age, and a much better athlete. He will score 36 goals again.
Lots of stuff he still has to figure out to become a complete player. But he has time. Not saying he will never score 36 goals again, just saying after that season he had, I am banking on a bit of a slide. Might only get 25-27 goals in the PL.
He was also incredibly healthy last season, didn't miss many games. That helped.
His set-up man DeBruyne is also going to be on the shelf for a month or so to start the season with a torn hammy. Gundogan is gone. Foden probably going to start the season in the mid but he's not the assist man KDB and Gundo are.
They have to figure out the wings too with Foden moving to the mid, and Mahrez nor Bernardo committed to returning yet even though they are under contract. Saudi is offering them top PL wages to go ride a camel for a couple seasons. 800K GBP per week for Bernardo...500K a week for Mahrez.
When you win, everyone wants your players.