Home
Blog
Careers
Forums
Downloads
FM24 Real Name Fix
FM23 Real Name Fix
FM24 New Leagues
FM23 New Leagues
FM24 Tactics
FM24 Data Update
FM Database
FM Guides
FM Shortlists
FM24/25 Update Wonderkids
FM24/25 Update Free Players
FM24/25 Update Bargains
FM24/25 Update Players to avoid
FM24/25 Update Club Budgets
FM24/25 Update Club Facilities
Graphics
Installation Guides
Records
Prediction League
Fantasy Football
Search
The Platypus
Sam
Great work Chelsea, getting £40M for him is astounding.
Crane
Ninja
Horrible cunt.
Tommo.
King Luis
Poe
He's not even that good.
The Platypus
José's barely used him, so hopefully he's gone too.
Will mean a lot of signings this summer, though. The players that needed to be added, plus replacements. Could be tough.
.verse
The Platypus
Use the money to buy a tactically smarter and more focused centre back (or maybe just use Kurt Zouma, no idea how he's been doing) and buy an actual midfielder.
.verse
I'm not sure if we'll actually sign a centre back now given Terry re-signed for another year. Terry, Cahill, Ivanovic and then you have Kalas and Zouma too that can all fill the position. In saying that, if Mourinho does want another centre back I think he'll look to sign Varane from Real Madrid. Given how much he rated him during his time at the club.
As for a midfielder having MvG back is like a new signing, then there's still Lampard, Ramires, Mikel and Matic. We could still use a more creative type in the middle though if one is available for the right price.
Ba looks to also be staying, so I dare say a strike force of Diego Costa, Torres, Ba and possibly Lukaku could be had for next season. Mandzukic could be an option we've been linked with which may result in one of Torres or Lukaku being moved on, be it permanently or out on loan.
The Platypus
Let's fuck Torres right off. I don't know if I'm gonna watch another game he starts for the club. Costa, Lukaku, Ba. I'll take it.
Sell Mikel, get in a proper midfielder. Someone who can add a bit of creativity and drive in that midfield. Dream would be Vidal, but it will never happen.
.verse
I don't mind having Torres, I still think he offers something at times. While he might not score an array of goals he does tend to work well off the ball and link play between Hazard, etc. Plus, it's tough to move on a striker who's on such a huge wage unless he either takes a massive pay cut or we do a Veron/Crespo and pay a portion of his wage after he goes.
I'm also in a camp that would prefer to keep Mikel. I actually think he's exceptionally under appreciated at times because he seemingly offers nothing special. However, he's by far our best holding player, composed on the ball, strong, reads the play well and plays his way out of trouble well. He was the player Mourinho would call upon most times when it was time to shut up shop. His main issue is that he isn't suited to a 2 man central midfield. If we had to sell a midfielder I'd be selling Ramires. He had a woeful season both in terms of form and discipline, particularly after the good season he had last year. He hasn't improved at all, his technically terrible, can't pass and is neither a holding player nor an attacking one who can create/score. His engine is about all that he has going for him. To me, he's the most easily replaced.
Vidal is a no brainer as a choice but he's not an option of any sort of realistic sense. I'd actually love to see us test Tottenham's resolve over Eriksen, he'd fit in perfectly along Matic in either a 2 or 3 man midfield. The other option (which I seriously think Mourinho will consider) is to ditch the 4231 and go with the 4-3-3 and push Oscar back into a central midfield position to play that Lampard-esque role.
Crane
It's £40m. Early reports said £50m because they hadn't changed it from Euros.
Still a hell of a lot of money though.
Carroll.
VP.
The Platypus
I honestly don't think Torres offers anything besides a poor first touch and awful movement off the ball. He's one of the most frustrating strikers I've ever had the misfortune of having to endure week in, week out. And for three years no less.
I agree with you that Mikel is incredibly composed on the ball, and is pretty good at playing his way out of trouble. I don't particularly agree with you that he reads the game well. For a holding midfielder I don't see him win the ball nearly enough. Matic is all over the pitch, intercepting and tackling. Rarely do I see Mikel do either of these things.
Number 1
Given that UEFA is run by a Frenchman who was reportedly the biggest supporter of a Qatari World Cup within the FIFA circle, maybe they're seeing what limits of his resolve is.
Ninja
http://www.united.no/andy-mitten/ryktehysteriet/
It's obviously about United, but its quite interesting for what it says implicitly about everything else.
.verse
All our strikers are frustrating to be fair. Torres has his moments though, it's just that final touch or shot that he lacks that composure of the past. Again though, I don't see him being sold unless he takes a huge pay cut. I think we're stuck with him until his contract ends.
Common mistake people tend to make is comparing him to Matic. Matic covers more ground because he's more mobile and quicker, so he works better in that 2 man midfield. Mikel isn't as nimble across the turf and that's exposed when he isn't apart of a 3 man midfield, which he is far more suited to. When he sits in front of the back four he can move side to side and pick up any scraps that come through without needing to do that extra leg work. In terms of a holding player he's still our best option. Matic has more to his game and I think could be used in a more all-round role allowing him to get forward at times. A midfield 3 of Mikel, Matic and (creative midfielder) would offer us a excellent balance of power, resolve and creativity.
The Platypus
Slashman X
We should just sell him if he's gonna keep this up. Get €30m at least and free up a massive amount of wages. Buy Fernando and move 'dinho into his natural position. Sick of him now
K3V0
Ninja
Yeah, the way he plays I can't see him lasting long in to his 30s. Those lung busting runs are bound to take their toll.
Massive loss for City whilst he's still good though, if he does go.
bluemoon.
He'll last into his 30s it just won't be in the same role. Despite the attention he gets for the lung-bursting runs most of the time he's controlling the game.
I can see him leaving at this point. He's doing a fantastic job of destroying his reputation with the fans.
Ninja
Don't know how right that is, but that would make a lot of sense. Doubt Schweinsteiger's realistic, but I'd like a look at someone like Clasie as a back up to that move.
Slashman X
Slashman X
Ninja
Shola
Also apparently they're getting rid of Jose Fonte? Anyone know why, I thought he was meant to be solid and formed a good partnership with Lovren. Seems a lot better than Hooiveld/Yashida.