The Football Thread 2023/24: City get one hand on the Prem trophy, Villa get CL

[Monkey Man]

Peter Drury taking over, will do one game a week - https://www.skysports.com/football/news ... -24-season

[Peter Crisp]

We just really want to be in the same thread as Luton.

That's understandable.

It'll be interesting to see who Luton bring in this season as they've said money for transfers will be extremely limited.
It's a shame the days of the golden oldies when older players went to less fashionable teams for last pay days are over.

Now they all bugger off to the Middle East for megabucks Luton could only dream of even if they won the trebble for the next decade.

[Preezy]

Ruben Neves retiring early, it seems - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65945030

Wolves have agreed a 55m euro (£47m) deal to sell captain Ruben Neves to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal.

The 26-year-old Portuguese midfielder Neves had a year left on his contract.

He said at the end of last season he was ambitious amid interest from Barcelona.

However, Barca have not been able to come up with an acceptable offer and Neves has taken the option of becoming the latest big-name player to join the Saudi league.

Karim Benzema completed a free transfer to Al Ittihad this month and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is linked with joining him, while Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr in December.

Wolves regard it as excellent business at a time where they are trying to generate funds for manager Julen Lopetegui to strengthen his squad.

[BOR]

Apparently, Kante is off to one of Saudi Arabia clubs too.

[Preezy]

Apparently, Kante is off to one of Saudi Arabia clubs too.

I get that one, Kante is 32 so this is his last big payday, but Neves is jumping to the retirement money about 6 years too early IMO. It's like when Oscar went to China, such a waste of a prime talent but I guess financial security for his children and their children is a big motivator - fair enough, can't really blame the guy.

[BOR]

Apparently, Kante is off to one of Saudi Arabia clubs too.

I get that one, Kante is 32 so this is his last big payday, but Neves is jumping to the retirement money about 6 years too early IMO. It's like when Oscar went to China, such a waste of a prime talent but I guess financial security for his children and their children is a big motivator - fair enough, can't really blame the guy.

Totally wasted.

I can't understand why. No Champions League or any other cups.

[Tomous]

Apparently, Kante is off to one of Saudi Arabia clubs too.

I get that one, Kante is 32 so this is his last big payday, but Neves is jumping to the retirement money about 6 years too early IMO. It's like when Oscar went to China, such a waste of a prime talent but I guess financial security for his children and their children is a big motivator - fair enough, can't really blame the guy.

Cant blame him but yeah its a waste. He was meant to be going to Barca and i think had agreed personal terms with them but they havent stepped up and finalised the deal.

He's a quality player and he's leaving Europe in his prime.

[BOR]

Ziyech is possibly going to the same club as Ronaldo.

[Saint of Killers]

Apparently, Kante is off to one of Saudi Arabia clubs too.

I get that one, Kante is 32 so this is his last big payday, but Neves is jumping to the retirement money about 6 years too early IMO. It's like when Oscar went to China, such a waste of a prime talent but I guess financial security for his children and their children is a big motivator - fair enough, can't really blame the guy.

Totally wasted.

I can't understand why. No Champions League or any other cups.

He's had a great career and will now money that'll seem obscene even to him. Money he'll earn in a much, much shorter span of time than if he'd stayed in the PL or some of Euro league.

[BOR]

Apparently, Kante is off to one of Saudi Arabia clubs too.

I get that one, Kante is 32 so this is his last big payday, but Neves is jumping to the retirement money about 6 years too early IMO. It's like when Oscar went to China, such a waste of a prime talent but I guess financial security for his children and their children is a big motivator - fair enough, can't really blame the guy.

Totally wasted.

I can't understand why. No Champions League or any other cups.

He's had a great career and will now money that'll seem obscene even to him. Money he'll earn in a much, much shorter span of time than if he'd stayed in the PL or some of Euro league.

I should clarify that I was talking about Oscar and Neves. They are both young age and they should think to play for some big competitions. Not for easy money like in Saudi Arabia.

[Herdanos]

It doesn't matter. In a month or so they'll announce that the Saudi league is merging with the Champions League.

[JChalmers]

This Saudi ramp up and mass signing players definitely feels like when China did it a few years ago.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

This Saudi ramp up and mass signing players definitely feels like when China did it a few years ago.

Yeah indeed. I also can't help but be a bit suspicious as to how many Chelsea players are linked considering Saudi PIF (who own all these Saudi clubs) are big investors in Clearlake who own Chelsea. A slight conflict of interest there.

[JChalmers]

This Saudi ramp up and mass signing players definitely feels like when China did it a few years ago.

Yeah indeed. I also can't help but be a bit suspicious as to how many Chelsea players are linked considering Saudi PIF (who own all these Saudi clubs) are big investors in Clearlake who own Chelsea. A slight conflict of interest there.

Yeah definitely feels like Boehly is trying to balance the books, surely at some point that'll get looked into?

Although if it's like Man City, they'll get charged and nothing happens.

[Drumstick]

If he wants to balance the books we'd love to help him by taking Colwell off his hands.

[Ste]

O'Neil sacked by Bournemouth

[Rawrgna]

Bournemouth getting in early woth the first sacking of the season

[Benzin]

Adoni Iraola the replacement.

Not sure if that's much of an improvement. Clearly the owners and O'Neil had some disagreement behind the scenes.

[jawa_]

Darren Moore and his backroom staff have left Sheffield Wednesday.

Yep, after just having been promoted to the Championship on the back of 96 points from the league campaign and a stunning fightback in the play-off.

[finish.last]

This Saudi ramp up and mass signing players definitely feels like when China did it a few years ago.

Yeah indeed. I also can't help but be a bit suspicious as to how many Chelsea players are linked considering Saudi PIF (who own all these Saudi clubs) are big investors in Clearlake who own Chelsea. A slight conflict of interest there.

Saudi PIF also own Newcastle, don’t they? As well a the top four clubs in Saudi? And a major part of Chelsea?