EPL 2024-25

[cerranoredux]

That’s not true!

(Pretty sure they haven’t made a first team signing since Laporte?)

Savinho was this past summer.

[garyclark]

That’s not true!

(Pretty sure they haven’t made a first team signing since Laporte?)

Savinho was this past summer.

I assume he meant winter transfers.

And I think Julian Alvarez counts as first team. Who was more recent than Laporte.

[cerranoredux]

That’s not true!

(Pretty sure they haven’t made a first team signing since Laporte?)

Savinho was this past summer.

I assume he meant winter transfers.

And I think Julian Alvarez counts as first team. Who was more recent than Laporte.

I stand corrected.

[garyclark]

That’s not true!

(Pretty sure they haven’t made a first team signing since Laporte?)

Savinho was this past summer.

I assume he meant winter transfers.

And I think Julian Alvarez counts as first team. Who was more recent than Laporte.

I stand corrected.

I literally almost typed the same post you did. Lol.

[mister d]

Julian was loaned back until summer.

[garyclark]

Julian was loaned back until summer.

Right, but that was a choice they made because their squad was already so loaded. He was a transfer, and definitely of first-team quality. I guess you can technically say he wasn't a first team player on Man City's starting 11. But that feels like an accounting trick for the wealthy.

Man City's ownership has been absolutely brilliant. They followed Roman's playbook at Chelsea. The loophole to break into the big traditional wealthy clubs has always been spend like crazy until you are competitive (short-term losses be damned), and they did that well. But what they did that Roman did not imagine (not surprising, given that he always fancied himself more of a bully imposing his will on the league than a strategist) was to convince those clubs to close the loophole so others can't follow their playbook (the so-called Fair Play rules, which reminds me of the way the Republicans like to name bills the opposite of their intent, i.e. "Right to Work" laws). They've also figured out how to do things that other clubs have not (i.e. owning multiple clubs in other countries that serve as feeders).

Winning all those titles in a row isn't just great scouting, great coaching, and great playing. Which they have. In addition, they brought in a cadre of super-sharp business management consultants and strategists (many of them from Barcelona) and completely changed the rules of engagement in the EPL.

If you are an EPL fan, and you haven't read this, I highly recommend it. City's ascent is just part of what is a very interesting story.

[The Sybian]

Julian was loaned back until summer.

Right, but that was a choice they made because their squad was already so loaded. He was a transfer, and definitely of first-team quality. I guess you can technically say he wasn't a first team player on Man City's starting 11. But that feels like an accounting trick for the wealthy.

Man City's ownership has been absolutely brilliant. They followed Roman's playbook at Chelsea. The loophole to break into the big traditional wealthy clubs has always been spend like crazy until you are competitive (short-term losses be damned), and they did that well. But what they did that Roman did not imagine (not surprising, given that he always fancied himself more of a bully imposing his will on the league than a strategist) was to convince those clubs to close the loophole so others can't follow their playbook (the so-called Fair Play rules, which reminds me of the way the Republicans like to name bills the opposite of their intent, i.e. "Right to Work" laws). They've also figured out how to do things that other clubs have not (i.e. owning multiple clubs in other countries that serve as feeders).

Winning all those titles in a row isn't just great scouting, great coaching, and great playing. Which they have. In addition, they brought in a cadre of super-sharp business management consultants and strategists (many of them from Barcelona) and completely changed the rules of engagement in the EPL.

If you are an EPL fan, and you haven't read this, I highly recommend it. City's ascent is just part of what is a very interesting story.

Thanks, just put a hold at the library.

[mister d]

I might too. I should occasionally read non-cookbooks.

Right, but that was a choice they made because their squad was already so loaded. He was a transfer, and definitely of first-team quality. I guess you can technically say he wasn't a first team player on Man City's starting 11. But that feels like an accounting trick for the wealthy.

I meant it more as like "they don't sign guys in January to play immediately". Like Echeverri was last January and presumably some day is in the squad but he also wasn't signed to play in the current season.

(And I'm not sure Alvarez was first-team quality at signing, right? I think he broke out immediately, but he was only a $14MM fee.)

[govmentchedda]

I might too. I should occasionally read non-cookbooks.

Right, but that was a choice they made because their squad was already so loaded. He was a transfer, and definitely of first-team quality. I guess you can technically say he wasn't a first team player on Man City's starting 11. But that feels like an accounting trick for the wealthy.

I meant it more as like "they don't sign guys in January to play immediately". Like Echeverri was last January and presumably some day is in the squad but he also wasn't signed to play in the current season.

(And I'm not sure Alvarez was first-team quality at signing, right? I think he broke out immediately, but he was only a $14MM fee.)

Didn't they get Alvarez right after a good to great World Cup or Copa America?

[mister d]

Nope. January 2022 signing (summer arrival), didn't score his first goal for Argentina until two months later and WC was at the end of the year. They were just ahead of his breakout.

[Brontoburglar]

those authors just released an F1 book that was also very good

[Rush2112]

This was an interesting read as well



and while we're on the topic of books about football (this the only one of the series of 4 so far that I've read)

[mister d]

Crystal Palace and Leyton Orient are elite club names.

[garyclark]

I might too. I should occasionally read non-cookbooks.

Right, but that was a choice they made because their squad was already so loaded. He was a transfer, and definitely of first-team quality. I guess you can technically say he wasn't a first team player on Man City's starting 11. But that feels like an accounting trick for the wealthy.

I meant it more as like "they don't sign guys in January to play immediately". Like Echeverri was last January and presumably some day is in the squad but he also wasn't signed to play in the current season.

(And I'm not sure Alvarez was first-team quality at signing, right? I think he broke out immediately, but he was only a $14MM fee.)

I remember it being more. Transfrmarket has it at €21.40m. I also see 14 online. Either way it wasn't a bank-breaker. And yeah, they don't usually do what they're doing this year (because they've usually won the league by now).

[mister d]

They're also being weirdos and not buying in the midfield where they need it the most.

[Rush2112]

Crystal Palace and Leyton Orient are elite club names.

THE Crystal Palace was pretty sweet



I've got the Lancanshire and West Midlands volumes of the Turf Wars in my reading queue. Might have to order the newest as our local library doesn't have the one for Yorkshire.

[EnochRoot]

So this Bournemouth group is pretty good, huh?

[DaveInSeattle]

I'm trying out the Peacock "Multi-view"....

Its too much. Sensory overload...

[Baloney]

That was never in red card for the Arsenal player

[govmentchedda]

I'm trying out the Peacock "Multi-view"....

Its too much. Sensory overload...

I prefer their other option, Goal Rush. You basically watch one game and they cut in when there's a goal elsewhere. Much better experience than Multiview, IMO.

[garyclark]

So this Bournemouth group is pretty good, huh?

They've owned Newcastle this season.

[mister d]

More like Tottenham COLDspur to start this half, amiright???

[Baloney]

Impostecoglou is going to be in trouble if this score holds.

[Rex]

Ange out ffs. I’m not even a fan, I’m just tired of thinking about it

[garyclark]

Ange out ffs. I’m not even a fan, I’m just tired of thinking about it

I enjoy the pompous ways he answers reporters' basic questions. The EPL needs villains too.

[garyclark]

Ange out ffs. I’m not even a fan, I’m just tired of thinking about it

I enjoy the pompous ways he answers reporters' basic questions. The EPL needs villains too.

His new narrative is that the players are giving everything they can (and so is he), but they need new players to supplement the team or nothing will improve. There's nothing else they can do.

They have had injuries, but so do Bournemouth, who are absolutely rolling. And having lived through Newcastle's ridiculous injury luck last season, I have little sympathy.

[mister d]

He doesn't necessarily look like the guy, but something about Ange reminds me of the dude who sat on his balls on stage.

[DaveInSeattle]

Someone just put Ange out of his misery. Feel bad for the guy...I'm sure he's a decent manager, but Spurs are such a trainwreck that no manager can succeed there.

[cerranoredux]

Someone just put Ange out of his misery. Feel bad for the guy...I'm sure he's a decent manager, but Spurs are such a trainwreck that no manager can succeed there.

He’s the reason for the injuries. Has a history of it. He’s a spiky prick and I hope he stays because it’s entertaining as hell.

[The Sybian]

Someone just put Ange out of his misery. Feel bad for the guy...I'm sure he's a decent manager, but Spurs are such a trainwreck that no manager can succeed there.

He’s the reason for the injuries. Has a history of it. He’s a spiky prick and I hope he stays because it’s entertaining as hell.

Yeah, I’m enjoying it.

[Rush2112]

Levy out before Big Ange.

[cerranoredux]

Levy out before Big Ange.

That should be the case and should have been the case since the purchases with the Bale $, but that isn’t very likely.

[Rush2112]

Levy out before Big Ange.

That should be the case and should have been the case since the purchases with the Bale $, but that isn’t very likely.

There's lots of talk on the Coys subreddit about how they're doing this and that to keep costs low and make the team attractive to buy. One can hope.

[mister d]

How much of this is general roster mismanagement versus "they had prime Kane and Son and now have neither"? So like could a good director put them right back into default-ish top 6 status or was it always temporary based on having two superstars?

[Sabo]

Levy out before Big Ange.

That should be the case and should have been the case since the purchases with the Bale $, but that isn’t very likely.

There's lots of talk on the Coys subreddit about how they're doing this and that to keep costs low and make the team attractive to buy. One can hope.

I hear Dan Snyder is looking to buy an EPL team.

[Rush2112]

How much of this is general roster mismanagement versus "they had prime Kane and Son and now have neither"? So like could a good director put them right back into default-ish top 6 status or was it always temporary based on having two superstars?

They could have a starting XI out of the injured guys. Some of this is due to the style they play under Ange, but there's also a lack of depth so when they are playing 3 matches in a week it's knackering the lads as they say. The only signing they made in January is a 20-ish backup goalie and everyone signed in the last year is a teenager. They badly need a CB, someone who's not Werner on the wing, etc.

Even without Kane they've played pretty well against the big clubs, it's the second-level guys that are either lacking or are 17. Levy needs to make a signing or 5 so they have some depth.

[Rush2112]

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[mister d]

Wait ... Everton is 2nd???

[Rush2112]

From Lancashire Turf Wars: A Football History I learned that Everton refused to pay what they thought was exorbitant rent on their ground at Anfield after getting a windfall of money from being a successful side so they bought a new piece of land and built Goodison Park. So John Houlding founded ANOTHER Everton FC to play at Anfield....they evolved into Liverpool FC when the FA refused to accept the duplicate name.

[Rex]

Good to see they are focused on winning Wimbledon rather than staying up.