06 Sep 2017 21:33:22
I think Jose has made a very interesting, and valid, point about our transfer window. While Lukaku and Matic didn't seem like bargains at the moment we bought them, we do seem to have bought just before the rush. With terribly mediocre players like Ox (40mil), Siggurdsson (45mil ish) and others going for such prices, clearly the Neymar transfer has pushed the market into new territory in terms of prices. Maybe it corrects itself in future windows, but in this one, JM is completely right in saying that it would have cost closer to 200 mil combined for Lukaku and Matic if they had waited til the second half of the window. He may just be taking credit for brilliance when he actually just got lucky, but if JM did foresee how Neymar's transfer would push the market into overdrive, its a brilliant move getting our deals done early.

1.) 06 Sep 2017
06 Sep 2017 23:48:14
For all sorts of reasons it makes sense to get deals done as early as possible. For me both Lukaku and Matic were signed into the second half of the window, and could have certainly been done sooner, both missed the start of the pre season tour.
Neymar's transfer happend quite late into the window, things certainly got silly price wise after that, how much of that was because of the fee paid for Neymar and how much was just because teams didn't want to lose key players so late in the window when replacements would have been hard to find and would have cost as least as much as the players they sold this making selling the player pointless is up for debate.

I think our transfer window was a job well done, with a little luck in some areas and a lack of it in others. We won't truly know how successful it was until the end of the season.

2.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 00:40:43
Mourinho's record over the years for transfers is too good to put it down to just luck. Personally I think Matic will turn out to be one of the best buys of the season. I can't believe Chelsea let him go - maybe they know something I don't but he is going to allow Pogba in particular much more freedom. And with Herrera on your bench, you are looking very strong in that area now.
Yes you failed to strengthen in your wide areas (I anticipate teams trying to get at you down your left) but your side is a work in progress and if I was a Manu fan, I would be quietly confident about the year ahead. Certainly the Manchester derbies are going to be great to watch with such difference styles in action. i'm still not convinced about Lukaku whose work rate hasn't impressed me in the past but if anyone can get him to not chuck a sook when the going gets tough then its Mourinho.

3.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 06:40:59
Over on the Chelsea pages they generally seem to say Matic has been poor or average for 2 years. He is also late 20s and surplus to requirements so £40M could be seen as a heavy fee. AOC may be less f a player. It he is a lot younger and his team wanted to keep him. Lukaku obviously now looks a steal, as does Pogba. Liverpool ndelf is mteresting as we needed to strengthen CB but he isn't getting a look in, I think we exp Ted him to be first choice. Fortunately Jones is currently stepping up.

There is no rhyme or reason to fees, Walker went for getting on for £50M whilst Gibbs left for £7M, that's some difference. Keane had it right, the fees being paid for "average" players are just ridiculous.

I also think this can't continue, the money sloshing around and particularly being taken out of the game in agent fees is obscene.

4.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 07:34:05
That's called Chelsea fans being bitter Tony I think. If a multi title winner is no good and Bakayoko who has barely kicked a ball in the Prem is suddenly an upgrade on said proven Prem winner then they call that clutching I think.

5.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 08:31:21
Many Chelsea fans had been saying that about Matic for quite a while before the sale to you. You shouldn't make stuff up, Welsh Devil.
He hasn't been poor but he also hasn't been close to a world beater in quite some time.

6.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 10:10:11
i think Chelsea and United fans can agree that, regardless of how Matic has played, he's exactly what united needed.

7.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 10:22:21
That I agree with, Penfold. However, with your money you would've bought a quality mid anyway, so at least we got some money out of it.

8.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 10:40:47
I've be not made it up Jackson it's an opinion based on what I've read, Maybe some have said it for a while but it appears sour grapes to me, I'd be unhappy if I was a Chelsea fan at that sale but all about opinions isn't it.
How are you Jackson anyway, tough test this weekend at Leicester, Hazard back tho is he?

9.) 07 Sep 2017
07 Sep 2017 13:18:41
I'm fine, mate, thanks. Life is busy right now buy that's how it should be! :) we should beat Leicester, but it could be tough if we catch them on a good day.
I think Eden will Stay on the bench as long as possible. But we may end up needing him.