I think it's net spend AFTER sales.

Can't be bothered doing the exact math but pretty sure Chelsea have only actually spent £11-12 million this summer, after sales.

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01 Sep 2014 10:53:46

By Sam | On 01 September 2014 - 20:22 PM

Vidal next please.

That boat has sailed. Juventus won't sell because there isn't enough time to replacement him.

Also, not sure just how true this is, but a journalist by the name of Alex Kay has said that Man Utd have spent more since LVG joined than what Mourinho has during his entire time at Chelsea (both stints). Crazy if true. Wonder if we'll see how they're ruining football now...

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01 Sep 2014 09:40:12

Seems van Ginkel has joined AC Milan on loan for the season. Reportedly he rejected the chance to move a few days ago and wanted to fight for a place but Torres seems to have convinced him on moving.

Good move for him though, will allow him to get some regular football into him. Does leave us a little light centrally though, so I imagine this will give Ake and possibly Baker and Boga some potential first team action too at some stage.

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01 Sep 2014 09:34:10

By Number 1 | On 01 September 2014 - 19:29 PM

There are many non-elite players out there who would still offer improvements on Evans, Smalling and Jones (which is your strongest back 3). Plus Rojo's not a CB really, and neither is Daley Blind (is that still on?)

Pretty sure Rojo was a central defender who has been moved to fullback only recently.

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31 Aug 2014 10:35:56

Well, not quite. Mourinho carried on with the system we had been using prior to him joining. We've always been a side that has played either the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, or variations of either. All the players that were sold were ones who worked in that system, however we got ridiculous offers for these players which allowed us to sell them and invest in similar players but with more qualities that Mourinho seeked.

But on United though. LVG would have studied the squad he was taking over and should have identified these problem areas if he knew what system he was looking to play. The squad clearly isn't suited to this system to begin with. Naturally, he's signed players to combat this and aid the transition to this 3-5-2 but there are players like Mata, RVP and Rooney who are considered key players within the squad that aren't ideal for this style in the long run. In fact, it actually exposes the insufficiencies more of such players. Take Mata for example; he isn't athletic enough to play the sort of role being asked within the 3-5-2. He was signed to make a difference and change the sides fortunes, yet, now he's actually become a bit of a weak point due to the change. RVP's lack of pace is only going to continue to decline further. While he is familiar with the system, he's now surrounded by players who equally lack pace, unlike with the NT. Rooney on the other hand continues to be pulled deeper into midfield, which isn't to United's benefit at all.

Things could get grim if LVG continues to try and force this change if these are the players he'll have. If he doesn't work, he'll have no choice but to put the 3-5-2 on the back burner until next season and play someone more suitable to the squad he has. Otherwise failing to do so could mean another season out of Europe and being pulled back into the pack amongst the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham.

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31 Aug 2014 10:14:54

By Crane | On 31 August 2014 - 17:51 PM

Did Costa dive on the edge of the box before Ramires scored? BBC didn't show a replay, looked on first viewing like he should have been off.

When was this? IIRC Costa was well and truly inside the 18 yard box being marked by two defenders when Ramires and Matic played their one-two before Ramires scored.

#193769 Macbook Pro upgrade (or not)

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31 Aug 2014 06:55:40

Was in a similar position when my old 2009 (iirc) model died on me last year. Battery needed a service and was looking at a possible HDD replacement to get it up and running again. In the end I opted to just buy a new one up to date MBP 13" retina. Didn't see the point in investing nearly $400-500 into a 4 year old machine when I could put it towards something new.

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31 Aug 2014 03:55:23

By Ninja | On 31 August 2014 - 04:36 AM

http://babb.telegraph.co.uk/2014/08/van-gaals-philosophy-begins-to-take-shape-still-not-great/

I know this will go down like a lead balloon with some on here, but this is a pretty good account of whats happening.

Lead balloon indeed.

A good manager will adapt to his squad eventually. It's clear LVG doesn't have the players at his disposal to employ this system in an effective way. Persisting with this system with these players will benefit no one at all, if he even managers to keep his job if such form and performances persist deeper into the season.

While it's clear the quality in defence is a huge issue, the slowness of the attacking players United have also exploits the faults with this style. Mata, Rooney and RVP have no pace between them. When all three are on the pitch together the opposition defence press more. Without having genuine wing backs in the 11, there is no run.

In a league that can be extremely quick the room for error is marginal. There is a huge importance placed upon organisation and being in position. Something that is still requiring a lot of work.

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31 Aug 2014 03:43:10

By Deano | On 31 August 2014 - 13:28 PM

Coleman conceded an unfortunate own goal and Costa rubbed it in his face.

Probably because prior to that Coleman was all over Costa getting all niggly with him to provoke a reaction, resulting in Costa then being harshly booked.

Hence he gave a little back after the own goal.

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31 Aug 2014 03:38:59

By Number 1 | On 30 August 2014 - 20:14 PM

Chelsea effectively letting Torres leave for £0? Jesus talk about spunking cash away.

No real win win situation in it. The other alternative was to keep him in the squad, taking up a foreign slot and on massive wages, while also not scoring goals.

Chelsea have actually maximised the best possible situation they had. Loan him out for the rest of his contract, Milan effectively covering about half his wages and this then allows us to then use that money saved and invest it into another striker who can contribute more- eg: Remy.

Speaking of which, apparently Arsenal have made a late offer for Remy and activated his release clause- despite 'Arry basically confirming he'll join Chelsea.

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30 Aug 2014 07:41:28

By Sam | On 30 August 2014 - 17:09 PM

Sadly it appears the Bender story was posted from a fake account. Happy with Blind though, he'll be a good signing, versatile and adds depth.

We still need a couple more I think, but I've got a feeling Blind will be the last one.

Did you think it would be true? I mean, just how many player swap deal actually come to fruition? Says it all there.

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30 Aug 2014 04:11:33

By Based Jorge | On 29 August 2014 - 09:30 AM

Chelsea's last 7 CL groups. Corrupt cunts.

Don't recall this displeasure when Chelsea were getting Barcalona and Liverpool every fucking year in either the groups or knockout rounds.

Groups mean little though, they usually always favour the top clubs and usually only consist of two real favourites. Every now and then you'll get a possible third side who can challenge too.

Ain't complaining though.

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30 Aug 2014 03:57:44

By K3VO | On 30 August 2014 - 03:04 AM

Di Maria should start against Burnley tomorrow but still no Rojo which is frustrating.

Another attacking player, just what Man Utd need.

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27 Aug 2014 05:51:01

What I don't really understand is that LVG could have effective purchased 2 high quality central defenders for the money spent on yet another attacking player in Di Maria.

Two solid defenders down back to shore things up and suddenly the team becomes a better unit overall. Then you add the attacking elements once the foundations are built. He's effectively trying to build a house from the roof down.

Can seriously see Man Utd being humiliated on a few occasions this season. Can't say I've ever felt that way before.

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27 Aug 2014 05:39:11

Seeing potentially £200m + spent in transfers by Man Utd and the possibility (if all goes to plan :ninja

failing to finish in a CL spot would be crazy.

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24 Aug 2014 02:20:53

By Flash. | On 24 August 2014 - 10:49 AM

I don't understand how they all fit in to 4-2-3-1/4-3-3

Does Rooney play behind RVP? If so, where does Mata go? Centre mid?

They've got a very unbalanced squad when it comes to flexibility in attack.

Signing Mata never really made sense when he best plays in the hole, which is where Rooney likes to operate himself. When all three of Rooney, RvP and Mata are fit it makes things difficult, which is probably why the 3-5-2 in theory suits their attack best.

Di Maria though would complicate things further and would make a change in system a requirement to slot him in. Can't see him excelling in a pure central role if he was to join, while wing back is certainly not an option either.

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22 Aug 2014 10:48:56

Balo is a huge risk. Talented, yes. But when surely his history of being moved from top club to top club has to suggest something. Also can't see him and Sturridge working together, both will want to play which will mean one being pushed out wide, neither of which will be thrilled about that.

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21 Aug 2014 10:18:21

By Sam | On 21 August 2014 - 19:19 PM

Paul Scholes is genuinely scared he isn't making enough money to talk about United every five seconds.

I love him, but I do wish he'd pipe down a bit, return to his old habits!

He could be right though. "Wilderness" might be a stretch, but there is definitely potential to slip back into the pack amongst the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool if they're not careful.

Another horrid season without making the Champions League wouldn't be great. It could possibly lead to another managerial change and make it more difficult to secure the top quality signings who want to be playing in the CL. One horrid season is recoverable, two would merely increase the pressure tenfold. That's when it all could turn pear shaped.

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21 Aug 2014 09:56:23

By Poe | On 21 August 2014 - 01:55 AM

So they've basically got the rest of this window to prepare?!

Bullshit. FIFA will never punish the big clubs properly.

They should've been banned for 2 summer transfer windows. A January window for a club like Barca is a moot punishment altogether.

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20 Aug 2014 09:29:47

Sounds like Benatia is off the market with talks over increasing his wages, which probably suggests what all his transfer talk has been leading towards to begin with. I think he still has 4 years left on his 5 year deal he signed last season when joining Roma. Hike in wages and possibly another year tacked on would be a good outcome for both player and club.

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19 Aug 2014 06:18:18

By Ninja | On 19 August 2014 - 06:50 AM

He's a body. Thats about the most important thing at the moment. Whether he's first choice or not he'll play a lot of games because everyones a crock. He seems pretty highly righted by Sporting fans I've seen on the internet, so hopefully he'll do a job.

Not really sure of the sense of it all if Benetia is available for £35m but I didn't really understand why we weren't after him in the first place.

From what I've heard Rojo isn't anything special. A central player who was moved out to a fullback/wingback position and had a good WC. That's basically the end of it. Certainly not the sort of defensive purchase Man Utd need, nor the quality. But I guess, it's something when things seem a little desperate.

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19 Aug 2014 06:06:12

By Slashman X | On 19 August 2014 - 05:42 AM

Costa dive was dodgy. To me it was a dive cos he dragged his foot looking for contact.

Wouldn't really call it a dive. He lift the ball in the air and had both feet off the ground when contact was made, given he did look for contact, it was there. To me, definitely not a yellow card and either had to be called a penalty or play on, either choice would be valid.

Cesc though.

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18 Aug 2014 09:48:36

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/kDgH1zcjAbIsqfcUjFJGnwSeT8567yf1Qe0TpqCb.jpg

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18 Aug 2014 09:04:43

Definitely think the 3-5-2 is going to be ditched in the short term going on that first half performance. Too much is asked of the wing backs and not having genuine players suited to that role really showed. While a lack of a couple top level central defenders also hasn't helped.

Long way to go when you compare it to what a well oiled 3-5-2 looks like in the mould of a Conte's Juventus.

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18 Aug 2014 08:55:04

It's kinda funny seeing United scrounge around for players. All the big names linked and then most likely ending up with nothing more than respectable squad players not good enough to actually lift the side to a higher level. No Champions League definitely hasn't helped the cause.

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17 Aug 2014 00:16:17

Moses has joined Stoke on loan for the season.

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16 Aug 2014 14:14:01

Still think even with some of those defenders to return the defence lacks some real leadership and a commanding figure. Jones is probably the closest option to that and even then he's still not quite in the same bracket of a Vidic or Rio.

edit: spelling.

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16 Aug 2014 13:53:28

While knowing it's only one game and with their side having a number of injuries, I really can't see 3 at the back being overly successful with the defensive players on hand.