That’s the spirit.
Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap
- Thread starter davidmichael
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This lad who we may not even end up signing has inspired a 300+ page thread.
He must be a bit good.
He must be a bit good.
Most of the reports I’ve heard say that he’s not especially keen on leaving Barcelona, even though he’s on the bench. I think he’s more concerned with fighting for his place than a move to the PL.
That’s my understanding too. A few Barca fans believing the spin they’ve been told. They are in the shit
They’ve managed to convince some players to play for free and receive a payout at the end of their contracts.
They’re going to do whatever it possibly takes to hang on to their best players. I wouldn’t be surprised if De Jong isn’t sold.
First team players yes. Not u23 players
I think you’re underestimating the severe lack of quality in the squad
The current midfield options are Fred, Van de beek, McTominay and Garner. It wouldn’t look out of place at Brentford
The full back options are even worse. Dalot, Wan Bissaka, Telles, Shaw, Williams. Shaw aside (who gets one big injury per season at least) not one of them would get a single PL minute for a top 4 club.
Henderson going would mean an injury to De Gea and we’d have Heaton in goal, who was what, 3rd or 4th choice at Villa?
Garnacho and Hannibal offer some hope to the attack, but beyond Ronaldo the next best striker will be Martial, who they want to shift too.
There are a lot of signings needed
Obviously. What do they think I make a phone call to Murtough everyday although I'm on vacation for?
Maguire. Chased for 2 summers
Sancho 2 summers
Bruno 2 windows
Thats are last 3 big signings. Maguire we ended up paying more than the original asking price from the 1st summer.
So going by previous activity we’ll sign De Jong next summer then. Again Im not saying that will happen by thats the context of previous summers.
Didn’t think when I started this thread we’d end up 300 pages deep and still going ha ha, on topic though if Barca want €80 million guaranteed then off them €75 million with no add ons as I don’t see Barca arguing over €5 million and then we move on to the next target to bring in or we move on from De Jong if they don’t take it.
I get that the new regime don’t want to be held to ransom and comply like they old regime but at the same time there’s a lot to be said for a settled squad heading into pre season, reality is that the club need to accept that right now we’re in a position where we pay around the asking price for proven quality or go with players with potential on the way up and trust ETH’s coaching.
Yes Barca are in a bad way financially right now but the longer we leave it the more chance they have of sorting their finances on a shorter term basis and we lose De Jong completely, I’d go with €75 million for De Jong then bring in Eriksen which then brings a lot of balance and creativity to our midfield although we’d still be short of a box to box ball winner with defensive capabilities.
I get that the new regime don’t want to be held to ransom and comply like they old regime but at the same time there’s a lot to be said for a settled squad heading into pre season, reality is that the club need to accept that right now we’re in a position where we pay around the asking price for proven quality or go with players with potential on the way up and trust ETH’s coaching.
Yes Barca are in a bad way financially right now but the longer we leave it the more chance they have of sorting their finances on a shorter term basis and we lose De Jong completely, I’d go with €75 million for De Jong then bring in Eriksen which then brings a lot of balance and creativity to our midfield although we’d still be short of a box to box ball winner with defensive capabilities.
I agree with much of this. I don't think we can compromise on two central midfielders this summer personally, we need a new partnership in there and if three or four players are the max we can get (as seems likely) then I'd strengthen full back next. Shaw has had more than enough chances in my view and the others aren't up to it. Hopefully Laird emerges this season but he's another who seems injury prone.
Heaton I do slightly disagree on - I think he'd be fine as number 2. Was first choice at Villa before injury and then couldn't get back in ahead of an in-form Martinez after that. Was also decent at Burnley for a number of years, I'm okay with him as back-up personally.
Wide attack we might have to hope one or two of Garnacho, Hannibal, Amad, Pellistri or the new lad we're looking at from Derby can step up. At least they'll presumably get a chance at some point, even in cup games.
The prospect of Martial as back up striker is not appealing. But looks like the budget isn't ideal and I think if we can sort central midfield and full back this summer, we should look far better as a first step at least.
We still have til the end of the month on them possibly sorting their finances don't we? It'll drag on for another while yet I think.
That proves my point more.
I used to work for a financial software company who had a great bar chart to show in the coming years what ST/LT debt is due in what year for a given company. All Barca has done has shifted the bars further down the chart. Everything they sold has to exponentially and dramatically increase in revenue for them to make the same money they were making before.
I'm surprised no other top clubs are all over this and we seemingly have a free run at it.
If some of the big boys decide they want him it'll be all over. They'll pay what Barca wants and it'll be done in like a second.
I fear no amount of Hag would salvage the situation if a CL club comes for him.
If some of the big boys decide they want him it'll be all over. They'll pay what Barca wants and it'll be done in like a second.
I fear no amount of Hag would salvage the situation if a CL club comes for him.
No. There is no longer any deadline for barca
Value in agreeing sooner…
Some of the “big boys”
Honestly, there is no bigger club in the world than us, cl or not.
Real Madrid take players from us market or otherwise quite a bit. Even in our primeSome of the “big boys”
Honestly, there is no bigger club in the world than us, cl or not.
There's every reason for De Jong to be cautious. Who's to say either of Hag or Xavi would be in a their current jobs at the end of the campaign.
Because the management of United and Barca is wild and unpredictable.
Because the management of United and Barca is wild and unpredictable.
Ok, other big boys with actual CL participation.Some of the “big boys”
Honestly, there is no bigger club in the world than us, cl or not.
We didn’t chase Bruno for two windows at all, and barely ‘chased’ him in the actual window we signed him in.
You think Real Madrid are going to buy FDJ?
Sure
You think De Jong won't join City, PSG, Liverpool, Bayern or Chelsea given the chance?
Actually if you read the article its the opinion of Ten Hag
It’s a possibility but I don’t think you realise how much bigger we are than those clubs (Bayern are of similar profile). That’s a massive consideration for players.
Yeah because he's just a fan and not a journalist who clearly has contacts, he asks questions at uniteds press conferences.
Some of the “big boys”
Honestly, there is no bigger club in the world than us, cl or not.
Have some fans not seen the state we are in? The historical size of the club has no relevance if we can’t qualify for the Champions League. That’s why we end up with so many ‘superstars’ earning twice as much as any other club would pay them.
What exactly does that mean in the context of this particular point? Because he is a journalist he is qualified to inform Manchester United that there is ‘value in getting deals done early’? Because he is a young kid who was fortunate enough to be chosen to write about football?
What did this ‘chase’ look like the previous summer? Haggling with Sporting? Or perhaps simply scouting? He was not chased at all, he was simply watched in the summer, and WE decided not to make a move. In January, we decided that we would, and we signed him.
Some of the “big boys”
Honestly, there is no bigger club in the world than us, cl or not.
Jesus Christ.
Sure
Some of the “big boys”
time to wake up and burst your bubble mateI think I misunderstood what you meant. Carry on.
Not sure you read the tweet properlyYou wrote this and then immediately posted a tweet which says there is a June 30th deadline
You're right. I completely misread that.
Haha easily done
Some of the “big boys”
Honestly, there is no bigger club in the world than us, cl or not.
I am standing right by you on this one. We are the biggest football club in the world. CL or not, every team will be in transition from time to time. Does not stop the fact that we are massive.
We are also on the right path to catch up on the clubs who at the moment are better sporting wise.
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