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04 Sep 2026 21:09:05
If there was a competion where players represented the league, would the Premier League win?
What would everyone's PL team be?
Only 2 players allowed from any one club.
Here's mine: 433.
Allison
R. James, Van Dyke, Gabriel, L Hall
Rice, B. Fernandes, Tonali
Doku, Haaland, M Rogers
(I really struggled for a LB once I ruled out Calafiori.)
04 Sep 2026 23:14:16
VVD is no longer an elite player.
05 Sep 2026 08:05:29
Raya
Porro, Saliba, Vvd, Hall
Caicedo, Anderson
Palmer, Cherki, Bruno
Haaland.
05 Sep 2026 14:57:34
Several close calls, like Anderson, Mbeumo, and others I didn't include, but this is what I ended up with.
Raya
Timber, Saliba, Murillo, Hall
Caicedo, Szoboszlai
Cherki, Bruno, Gibbs-White
Haaland.
05 Sep 2026 15:03:23
Donred, 3 Arsenal players?
05 Sep 2026 18:49:59
He's always at it, Dodgy! Bit of a cheat, is old Don. I'd say he goes out with 6 lads, has 5 pints and disappears off home when it's his round. ?
05 Sep 2026 20:47:39
Don't know why my responses weren't posted! I was looking to swap Allison in for Raya. Should have had him in there from the off, in fairness. Important to get whatever edge you can, though, Ken!!
06 Sep 2026 01:49:03
I was lazy and asked AI:
David Raya, Arsenal - 2 Clean Sheets.
Nobel Mendy, Hull City - 23.4 DA, 15.4 Clearances.
Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal - 1 Clean Sheet, 2 Assists from progressive overlaps.
Jacob Greaves, Ipswich Town - 9.6 Clearances, Blocks, Interceptions, & Tackles per 90.
Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United - 3 Goals, 1 Assist (Joint-Top Scorer).
Cole Palmer, Chelsea - Top projected FPL xG, xPts for midfielders (36.5 xPts).
Phil Foden, Manchester City - 2 Assists & high shot-creation actions.
Rayan Cherki, Manchester City - 2 Assists, elite final-third chance creation.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City - League leader in Expected Points (40.1 xPts), Golden Boot favorite.
Alexander Isak, Liverpool - 3 Goals (Joint-Top Scorer).
I would never have put two Liverpool players in there, but maybe the unemotional machine knows better than we do.
06 Sep 2026 10:47:38
3 City players, DB.
06 Sep 2026 12:14:59
Assuming everyone is fit.
Raya.
Timber, Gabriel, Saliba, Califori.
Caicedo, Rice.
Bruno.
Semenyo. Haaland, Cherki.
Or you could just put Bruno and Haaland in the Arsenal team and be done.
06 Sep 2026 13:45:28
Lol, and that is why you can't trust AI.
I would play Mainoo in place of forensic. Because I recognize you actually need midfielders to compete, even though attacking midfielders might have better stat padding potential.
06 Sep 2026 20:34:57
I don't think you understood the mission, Fallguy.
04 Sep 2026 21:16:58
Reading this i was thinking about the brilliance (as you say) of Gibbs White. I too agree he is a very goodz or potentially top player. Ed001 and posters, do you think he can be the long term replacement for Bruno ; I think he was supporting us when he was a child
{Ed001's Note - he is probably the best possible option as of now to do so. That is a good shout that.}
05 Sep 2026 07:36:22
His contract expires 2028. I think he will move next summer. I'm not sure whether Utd will try and develop Lacey this season, with a view that he could replace Bruno long term.
I was surprised MGW didn't go to the WC.
05 Sep 2026 13:10:02
Thanks Ed001. Do you think he would be a good addiction Mad Hatter ;
05 Sep 2026 18:52:20
I think he is a super player, Heaven. Great attitude too. His delivery from wife areas is top class. Very underrated imo by many.
05 Sep 2026 19:48:10
I think we'd all like to see his wife areas.
05 Sep 2026 19:56:04
I agree, Ken, although he must make the next step, I think, if he is to be the Bruno successor.
06 Sep 2026 06:42:35
Heaven,
He would definitely be up there as a choice to replace Bruno, especially if he doesn't sign a new contract. I've always been impressed with his work ethic and eye for goal.
03 Sep 2026 20:37:04
Talking of signing free agents, what about Carvajal? Obviously 34 now, but experienced and arguably still an upgrade on our right back options.
04 Sep 2026 01:39:19
Hasn't got the pace to live with flying Premier League attackers.
04 Sep 2026 10:07:57
And the rest of our back line do?
04 Sep 2026 10:37:51
JD, Maybe not, but adding another player lacking pace into a league that is faster and more physical than what he has previously played in is probably not the best idea, especially when that player is 34 and doesn't have the time on his side to adapt.
03 Sep 2026 17:33:45
We invested all our money in one position - because Mainoo has shown that he will be started unless we are resting him.
So what we spent in fees is for one new starter, plus 3 backups (2 midfield and 1 keeper) - which critically provide depth in a year where our games total will increase dramatically.
We then invested in another backup left winger who will possibly barely ever play.
Then there is Rashford. He undoubtedly has talent, but the club could look weak if it blows up with him during the season.
Frustration abound from many fans, but I think the most obvious issue is that we look over stocked in some areas of the squad and threadbare in others.
Many hoped this would be addressed, but without outgoing we seem stuck.
I think Zirkzee and Rashford staying shows us our current issues. So too the pathetic fees we took for those who left - see Toby Collier as an example.
Some interesting benches to come, where some players are going to miss the match day squad because we need balance on the bench. Can Carrick keep everyone happy and harmonious? Will Rashford and Amad, or Cuhna and Sesko happily sit on the bench?
We do look more stable in the team due to lack of movement in the squad. For our season I feel this 3 or 4 month period we need to be pushing towards the top of the table, before other teams settle down.
03 Sep 2026 18:34:11
I have no problem with bringing in 3 mids. You need a minimum of four good options to compete in more than one competition. Midfielders need the most rest, so rotation is key to avoiding injuries.
I think that one or more of the attacking players will get frustrated before Christmas.
We have 5 players that expect to be starters competing for 3 positions, and Dorgu in the mix too.
My opinion is that, when everyone is fit, Rashford should stay on the bench unless his form is world class. He has already checked out of the club, and we need to make sure that the players who are part of the long term plan are kept happy.
03 Sep 2026 19:33:55
The midfield options we have now are going to change this team imo. More control and more ability to progress the ball to our top 4, who have enough quality to do damage.
I know it was only Ipswich, but 5 goals scored last weekend is something we haven't had in 5 years, and I believe more shots than we have had in 10 years or something.
We will be okay, I think.
This is a gradual build. Unfortunately.
03 Sep 2026 19:35:24
Would give the window a 6/7 out 10. Signed 3 good to very good midfielders for reasonable prices, and I assume reasonable wages.
The strategy of fixing the attack last summer, midfield this summer, and defence next summer makes sense and is logical.
Just think not signing a backup left back is pretty ridiculous, tbh.
It was only two years ago we had to start Andrew Tate at left back in the Champions League. Also, I do not believe any of Martinez, Dorgu or Baleba could play there for a significant period if Shaw gets injured.
03 Sep 2026 19:37:54
I think I read somewhere, in the limited minutes Rashford has played so far, he has already given the 2nd best stats for chances created in the league.
Not a chance that Dorgu gets in front of Rashford, that's for sure. I don't see anyone else in this squad dislodging Rashford either.
If you like him or not is irrelevant, really, and is clearly clouding judgement. If he is producing, he plays, no matter if world class performances or not. That's ridiculous.
03 Sep 2026 21:22:36
Dorgu scored a great goal for Denmark, coming off the right. He might be more versatile than some give him credit for. Thus far this season, including during the friendlies, he seems to have stopped playing with his head up, but hopefully that will change. He's been going for the spectacular every time, when a pass would be the better option.
The issues around the transfer window have been done to death. There's pretty much unanimous agreement that we needed to strengthen the LB and possibly the right back. There's some who doubt the relative quality of our new midfielders. I guess all of this will be settled one way or another by what goes on on the field.
03 Sep 2026 21:35:19
I said we should trust in the management and listen when Wilco said judge us at the end of the window. Whilst I disagree with the vitriol of Red Man and Twenty, I agree they let us down badly.
Yes, I agree we needed three midfielders, because Carrick had tested a whole range of the academy players several times and, sadly, they're not up to the task as of yet. That doesn't mean another fringe year won't see improvements, but those who were coming through like Collyer, Moorhouse and Fletcher aren't there yet. Collyer missed his chance.
But to ignore a back up for Sesko and a left back is just negligent, and I do have to concede that those who claimed that we made the ECL and the owners would wing it — I have to begrudgingly agree that's definitely the result. It's a 4 out of ten for me and no more. We sorted the midfield and I don't agree we needed showstopping megabuys, as we have seen across the window; it so very rarely works out that the top price was the bargain. We saw that with Pogba. It seems to bring arrogance, complacency and a lack of desire, a mentality of 'ah, I've made it', and there's a drop-off almost always before any catch up and especially for any advance.
But that aside, they absolutely could afford to and should have sought another striker and another LB. They let us down badly. Very badly. And proved they're not to be trusted. I believe they improved in approach and negotiation to bullying and also applaud not to repaying, but our sales unit is utter garbage, incompetent still, and the owners failed to support the manager and have set up yet another manager to fail who made great strides. Same errors. One thing they categorically do still fail at despite the claims of having a plan, bcde is to have a failsafe loan with option negotiated for key positions earlier in the window to take the pressure off and maintain momentum. Failing to do so does seem to support the idea they talk a good game and don't back it up. Making Rashford and Zirkzee the fall guys for their own lack of competence or diligence is cowardly. I'm no fan of either, but our woes are not of their making; it's entirely on Wilcox and Barrada.
04 Sep 2026 00:37:11
They should drop Shaw and have Dorgu operating as a hybrid LB/WB.
That probably works well with Cunha in front of him, as between them they'd cover the yards required in both directions.
Rashford has to prove he is up to that.
If he is not, we end up with having Rashford as an out and put LW and Shaw as a dedicated LB. That is very predictable to play against, and limits our attacks to the centre and right hand side, to a degree.
04 Sep 2026 09:10:38
We can all agree that we could have done with bringing in LB/ST, whether as cover or first team.
That being said, I think the additions that we have brought in, alongside the players from last summer, will give us a good core to the squad, and, assuming they gel and we see the second half of the Ipswich game as the norm, we should have a good season.
Midfield - we definitely needed 3 additions, and now have a core that can rotate and offer different options.
Rashford - I did not want him back, but now he is here he needs to be viewed as an option to start/sub the same as the other players.
If he is performing and we are better with him in, play him... If not, have others play. We will see how he goes, and if it does not work out, he will be moved on next year.
LB - I am hopeful that Amass will be our cup LB and we get to see if he can develop. Whether he sees much league action over Shaw/Mazroui/Dalot, I am not sure.
Zirkzee - I hope he gets his head down and we can utilise his obvious talents. Whether this is as Sesko replacement (will need runners) or as a second striker in games.
04 Sep 2026 12:19:05
Fwiw, we were unable to move as many players as we thought (Ugarte, Rashford, Zirkzee) and got a pittance (as usual) for many that we did. That meant the club couldn't do more, and made some choices re prioritization. We may agree or disagree, but it's what it is and won't change stuff.
What I am looking forward to is whether the coaching and medical teams can make a difference in how much we can get out of this squad. I am (still) cautiously hopeful. ?
04 Sep 2026 18:09:12
Urgarte and Zirkzee - we wouldn't have bought additional. With amortised book value it wouldn't have brought much in profit.
Rashford is pure profit. So his wages gone and 20-25 million wouldn't get you much.
04 Sep 2026 18:54:45
I really don't buy the argument that the lack of sales financially prevented us from making further signings. Our net spend was lower than two of the promoted sides. I don't believe for a single second that adding a left back would have tipped us over the ffp line.
Our spending in this window is completely down to the decisions of the club and nothing to do with falling foul of the rules.
The club decided that their top targets, Anderson and Fernandes, were overpriced. They shifted to cheaper targets. Fair enough, good players were brought in. I have no problem with that.
My issue is that the club completely f'ed up the left back signing. I think they expected to sign Hall, and didn't prioritise negotiations for him. By the time they decided to make their approach, Newcastle had already sold a number of key players and were under no financial pressure to sell Hall. Despite the club deciding that Newcastle's valuation was too high, they dithered about bringing in an alternative. By the sound of things they only looked at loans without an obligation to buy. The expectation being that they'd sign Hall next year. This strategy didn't work, and the window closed without a left back.
Last weekend, even Carrick was saying that our transfer business wasn't done. Despite all the noise about having proper football people in charge, we ended up scrambling about on deadline day trying to solve problems that were evident before the window opened. This isn't to do with concerns over breaching rules, it's solely about what the people running the club are willing to spend, and this summer says a lot about their inability to back their talk of title challenges with cash.
04 Sep 2026 19:28:25
Who cares, the windows shut. This is the squad at least until January.
Let's get on with it and hopefully some of them might surprise us.
03 Sep 2026 07:25:05
As we mull over the ruins of the summer window, several points to consider
1) Wilcox/Vivell. Rumours persist that Vivell was ignored and overruled by Wilcox. One rumour was Vivell wanted Sangare Wilcox rejected and went with Tielemans. There are other rumours about disagreements on others as well again with Wilcox overruling Vivell. Wilcox overruling the analysts. One might speculate that Vivell may leave over this.
At that point, if Vivell resigns, it may be a good point for Ratcliffe to consider Wilcox's position. I would hope for the club to bring back Rangnick, who I think should have been listened to and experience used previously. Are the club that forward thinking though?
2) I suggested two things as to why the owners didn't have a good transfer window. One being dividends and the other being owner change. Just to be clear it's my opinion not fact as someone criticised me for. Dividends being announced in Feb makes sense, however a full sale of the club shouldn't be ruled out and that was another opinion I suggested.
Profit makes the club more attractive, means the parasites can try to hold a higher price for what might otherwise be seen as a loss making enterprise and financially flawed. Does Ratcliffe have the cash? Are INEOS capable but also do we want to be a subsidiary of INEOS? Not for me. We need a new owner who pays off the millstone debt and gives us a clean break and totally fresh impetus. For me we need INEOS, Ratcliffe and especially the Glazers out, something I will buy a bottle of expensive champagne for if it happens. I suspect that despite the bravado of the new stadium plans they have not cemented the funding and as a business, because of the millstone of Glazer debt, they can't borrow any more so will rely on other methods. Selling now or soon, perhaps next year makes sense and let someone else fund it. So fingers crossed for next year.
03 Sep 2026 08:11:19
Any organisation where there aren't disagreements at the top level will struggle to be successful.
The point of hiring people like Wilcox and Vivell is because they aren't "yes men".
Disagreement isn't a negative, as long as they can work together to come to the best solution. They probably have.
03 Sep 2026 08:48:10
Who exactly are you preaching this to, Red Man? We all agree the Glazers are awful. There may be issues with Wilcox, and I've posted the same, but it's based on rumours right now. But, you state so many things as facts that you just simply don't know are facts. And, your posts just push the same agenda point that we're not spending because of the ownership, and that has no basis in reality at all.
You're entitled to your opinion, but repeating the same one over and over and over doesn't make it any stronger, and just gets tiresome for the rest of us.
03 Sep 2026 09:07:39
I read the first line and thought, this will be Red Man. We all hate the Glazers, how they purchased the club, the money they have taken out, and the general incompetence. But every single day, the same stuff, we get it!
03 Sep 2026 09:16:41
If Bayern want Vivell, then that tells you that they think he is good at his job.
03 Sep 2026 10:16:20
Shappy
Usually, with disagreement at that level, especially if fundamental, one leaves. There is a rumour Vivell is wanted by Bayern, a well run club. If true, and his recommendations are ignored at OT, then we may lose him, to be left with Wilcox.
Don
"Who exactly are you preaching this to?"
Jeez, preaching. I wonder if some of you would rather sit here and talk about the nice third kit, or just nothing at all. Before this site & social media, we used to talk about this in the pub. How many times does someone have to point out this is a banter site, set up for people to talk about the club, to say what they are thinking, to engage with others. I remain respectful of others' opinion. I get you may prefer I disappear; it is an opinion.
Opinion, let's deal with that. "You state so many things as facts that you just simply don't know are facts." In my above post I actually say "Just to be clear it's my opinion not fact," as someone criticised me for. I speculate, extrapolate, use available facts, and based on what I see, express an opinion. Read or don't read, there is no game for several days, so let's just sit here and say 'ooh, what a nice kit,' or 'is that a new colour on the wall at the training ground, raining out again.'
AJH
Yup, it's me again. How dare I express my opinion? It's not like I am taking up anyone else's space, am I?
You guys have taken over from Angel; he used to be first to post to tell me to shut up as well. Unlucky. I rather enjoy the banter page.
03 Sep 2026 10:31:32
Red Man, I'm not trying to shut you up and I don't disagree with you, but you are like a dog with a bone
03 Sep 2026 11:34:56
AJH
I know, it's my nature and a trait that has taken me where I got in my career. Don't worry, when back at work I won't have time on my hands to post, plus it's all quite poignant right now.
03 Sep 2026 13:06:23
Red Man, I agree with some of what you're saying, but I don't see how it's constructive to make the same points over and over. It's like Nietzsche said, "If you stare too long into the void it'll stare back at you." It's not healthy.
03 Sep 2026 14:06:09
This is becoming way too philosophical, Nietzsche, on a banter board!!?!
Let's keep it light.
03 Sep 2026 14:50:46
And those who danced were judged to be insane by those who could not hear the music. ?
03 Sep 2026 15:00:51
No question that the debt, which originated with the LBO, has been a dreadful millstone. The club has also been incredibly badly managed since the departure of SAF and Gill. Others have big debts, like Spurs, but there's new stadium debt. We already have more, and we haven't redone the stadium yet. If it costs £2bn, as is projected, where's that coming from? How are we going to manage to finance £3bn in total debt, especially now with interest rates being high, and with little prospect of them coming down as western countries drown themselves in public debt.
Whatever our preferred outcome, and all of us would like to see the end of the Glazers, the club needs an injection of capital. Merely transferring stock ownership from one party to another is not enough.
If it doesn't happen, it's hard to see how we get out of this debt trap. Even if we all of a sudden start making profits, it's going to take years to whittle it down, whether or not some dividends are paid. Ineos have begun by doing what, unfortunately, was necessary. Without them, I think things would have been worse today. But Ineos is also heavily debt-laden, so I don't see how they will be able to arrange to put upwards of £500m into the club. And of course, if it's an injection of share capital, which is what the club needs, it will further whittle away the Glazers' control, in which case they might as well sell out completely.
03 Sep 2026 15:16:10
Sorry, Don, the actual quote is, "Avoid the void, or you'll be annoyed."
03 Sep 2026 16:48:11
It's one of my favourite quotes, Salford. A philosophy for life. DeGrasse Tyson's one, "The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you," is another classic.
03 Sep 2026 18:42:13
No harm intended, Red Man. I understand they were opinion based points, and pointing out that they were opinion and not fact is in my nature. I work in Risk and am studying Law, so I have a nature to be critical of things that could be misinterpreted as fact, especially in a world where there is so much misinformation - not that your intention is ever to mislead the page.
I'd rather see the same topic discussed over and over than a dead page, and people leaving because they can't voice their opinion.
03 Sep 2026 19:19:41
What a load of b******* and whataboutery.
We brought in 2 young midfielders with a lot of potential and one with a wealth of experience. Anyone who thinks we've done bad business on the midfield is delusional.
The 'management' don't have to agree and Vivells job is to keep providing lists of high quality candidates. Some will get signed. Some won't!!!
As for the idea of Rangnick coming back in... lol!!
03 Sep 2026 21:37:09
Post of the day imo, RD.
04 Sep 2026 01:44:03
Don Red, I rather liked my father's one-liner philosophical statement.
Never wash a window with a hard-boiled egg.
Totally nonsensical, but always said in a way which made me smile.
04 Sep 2026 07:38:07
Kurtis
No worries and good luck with Law. Risk is an area of business that is extremely important, so appreciate that.
Red D,
Not sure anyone said it was bad business in the midfield. By Shappys price definition, the other day we haven't signed a "top" midfielder. Looking at midfield, I am not sure we have the No6, the holder and destroyer, we perhaps needed. Baleba and Mainoo are probably the go to. Baleba will run, and I think he is a good player. They are going to have to screen for that centre of defence.
Overall window 4/10 midfield 7.5/10 but definitely not bad business.
If someone keeps suggesting players and no one listens, they will very likely leave. You hire people for your team because of their knowledge and skill, very demotivating if ignored. The question is how good is Wilcox? Looks like everything is on him.
Rangnick replacing Wilcox would be a good move but the owners won't do it because he wanted to bring change and he shone a light on the issues. Like Amorim they won't like it.
04 Sep 2026 10:45:59
Who says Vivell is being ignored? Andrey Santos is a player he put forward, as was Sesko, Lammens, Dorgu, Zirkzee, and Sekou Kone.
Hardly sounds like they aren't listening to him.
In fact, last summer it was Wilcox that preferred Emi Martinez and Vivell who favoured Lammens.
Did Wilcox over rule him then?
04 Sep 2026 13:37:11
If that's the case, bloody good job he is ignored...
Dorgu is good athlete, poor footballer.
Zirkee, total waste of time in epl.
Kone... not going to see much of him in United shirt this season.
Lammens, probably his best, but we are only judging so highly at the moment because look what he replaced...
Sesko... Another fingers crossed player that we hope and prey comes good, but big concerns with the injuries whilst so young...
So, I would say keep ignoring him. Wilcox too could go far as I am concerned...
03 Sep 2026 00:24:28
Well now everybody is set.
City look like the strongest squad on paper.
Goals all over the squad and real depth in most positions. Good keeper and above average defenders. If the new manager gets them to gel quickly then I'd make them favourites.
Arsenal I'm not so sure. I think they will regret some of their outs and won't score enough goals to win the league again imo.
Chelsea again I'm not so sure they have only 1 game a week and that will play in their favour. Martinez was a great signing imo. I think like us their defence will be their weak point.
I'm not sure who their midfield will be.
Liverpool worse off than us for defenders much worse imo!
Midfield looks pretty sparce. Attack looks good and full of pace out wide which suits isak put their defence is manky.
Spurs. Will improve in sure but will be vulnerable while they are all finding their own feet. It's practically a new team and squad.
Villa again lots and lots of ins and outs. Emery will sort them quickly enough but have they replaced what they've lost I don't think so
Then ourselves. I think our play will be better than last season.
I'm happy that we've improved our midfield considerably.
I'm happy with our attack. Personally I'd have preferred one or both of Zirkzee or Rashford to have moved and a different striker come in. But on the whole I'm happy going into the season with what we have. It's up to Carrick to get the blend right and the goals coming regularly.
Keepers look solid.
Defence. Well there is not much to be said. Full back options are poor.
Cb's are too hit n miss on form and availability.
Again its up to Carrick and the likes of Yoro, Heaven and maybe even Dorgu to step up. I think Yoro will break through and become our 1st choice Deligt also needs a run uninjured.
Brentford and Brighton could be snapping at the heels of the big clubs in thunt for a European spot.
Arsenal and United have the most settled squads it will be interesting to see how quickly all the others gel and find consistency.
Big question marks over most, smaller question marks over City and Arsenal both are probably a level above.
I think it will be a great season with lots of ups and downs odd results and as competitive as we've seen for quite a while.
03 Sep 2026 00:49:26
I think our starting eleven is actually weaker this season than it was last. None of our midfield signings are better than Cas (at least not yet), and Maguire and Shaw (who already weren't really good enough for a team with title-winning ambitions) are both one year older. Hopefully Sesko having a full year of EPL experience under his belt can make up for this somewhat (I'd say the same about Heaven and Yoro, but the manager doesn't seem to trust either of them, for whatever reason).
The two teams above us have both strengthened, further widening the gap, and Chelsea will be nipping at our heels (Spurs too, if they can start to gel quickly).
On paper, I think Villa are weaker this year than last, but I can see Newcastle pushing for top four this time around despite some big outgoings. Liverpool are a bit of an unknown quantity at the moment. They haven't strengthened dramatically, but if their signings from last summer can start to find a bit of form, I can see them competing for a Champions League spot as well.
All in all, I think we'll perform worse this season than we did last, both due to the clubs around us getting stronger and the increased demands on the squad that come with playing twice a week.
03 Sep 2026 03:43:20
How come City have not been punished for FFP, and yet they can buy & sell like nobody's business. Very fishy.
03 Sep 2026 04:18:47
I think we are weaker than last season. On current showings, I just hope that Baleba turns out a good signing, but he had half a decent season for Brighton and one awful season, so that may take time. The other two are, well, squad players, so Cass in the team made us stronger than this new midfield. Defence is another year older and slower, and now our 1 and only striker seems to be picking up injuries far too much for a 22 year old.
If we get 3rd or above, I'd be ecstatic. Doubt we get anywhere in the CL, maybe a semi of a domestic cup. I don't get all this attackers one transfer window, midfield next, then defenders 3rd year; by the time we get to defence some attackers will leave, it's ridiculous.
03 Sep 2026 06:08:47
I expect Chelsea to win the league comfortably this year. Plenty of goals in the team and one game a week.
03 Sep 2026 07:55:06
I think our unsteady defence is centrally slow, out wide open, and vulnerable. The centre of midfield does not have a ball winner; ball players, but not a No6 holder. I think people believe Baleba is that one, but I am not sure he is.
Up front, we have one central striker when fit. As we saw at Hull, we struggle with a low block, and Hulls defenders are not top level.
We are a couple of injuries from a big problem: LB and scoring goals. Legs and defensive midfield, porous central defence lacking a leader.
Positives are Cunha and Mbeumo, with Sesko to come; perhaps Baleba and Mainoo can make good runs.
I feel we will win more than lose, but Top 5 is our realistic target; anything more is a bonus.
03 Sep 2026 10:40:18
I've enjoyed watching Chelsea so far - they look like they might do well. Not sure whether any team will win anything comfortably, though. I'd be surprised if they, City and Arsenal, aren't in the top three, based on the last few games, leaving another scrap for 4-5th between everyone else again.
03 Sep 2026 12:13:12
I still think 3rd is up for grabs, City and Arsenal to fight it out for the title.
I think Mainoo will have a very good season. I expect Baleba to have a new lease of life, and for them to be the main MF. We also have depth with Tielemans and Santos to cover the extra games.
Up front, Rashford is back, like it or not, and Lacey looks ready to get proper game time, so again we have more options.
In defence, if Mdl and Martinez can stay fit, I don't see CB as an issue, we have depth, albeit you may want to argue about the quality.
Full backs remain the challenge. I don't think Dalot is awesome, but nor do I think he is as dreadful as some believe, same for Shaw. Depth is the problem, and we shall see if that hurts us.
If Baleba shows his '25 form, then that athleticism and muscle will have a huge impact.
If Rashford does knuckle down, maybe we will see a return to some sort of form.
If Sesko gets properly fit, he might make a real difference.
Of course, if my Grammy had wheels she'd be a bicycle.
03 Sep 2026 14:05:51
Or maybe a scooter?
03 Sep 2026 15:27:32
I'm a little worried about the defence, but I think we will be okay, and it could be a blessing for Amass as we may be forced to use him more often, and he could prove himself. I do like the look of him.
With the midfield, Baleba is most certainly a ball-winning midfielder, and I feel that he and Mainoo complement each other very well.
Mainoo looked exceptional v Ipswich, and I think he is a very, very strong midfielder.
Overall, I give the window a 6.5. Of course, a LB and CB would've been brilliant, but it is what it is, and we have to see how we get on. I think the squad depth is greater than last season.
03 Sep 2026 16:21:18
How anyone can think the Mdl and Martinez are the answer to the CBs is beyond me. Firstly, neither can stay fit, so getting them both fit at the same time for any prolonged period is wishful thinking.
How long is it even going to take Mdl to get match fitness? Will he come back to a decent level after surgery? Will he break down again?
Martinez, will he get any quicker? Nope.
Will he grow? Nope. Will he not be so rash in the tackle again? Nope. And you think this is a good duo? I have what you're taking, please...
03 Sep 2026 21:39:22
Good enough to get 3rd last season between them.
02 Sep 2026 16:01:01
Can we still sign free agents...
David Alaba and Karim Benzema anyone. ?
02 Sep 2026 18:41:25
Sancho is available too. He looked really good at Dortmund. Maybe worth a punt?
02 Sep 2026 18:55:58
I remember being told how great Sancho would be for us with his quick, intricate passing, by the same person who said Luke Shaw was world class and one of the best left backs in the world. That was the same person who said that Onana was the missing part of the jigsaw. So, maybe atm, anyone would be great.
02 Sep 2026 19:55:37
It was a genuine question.....
We've already done the Sancho part elsewhere. ?
02 Sep 2026 20:02:15
Yes, JBR, we could sign free agents.
02 Sep 2026 20:24:01
I'd actually take Benzema on a pay as you play deal. Sesko could learn a lot from him, and having just lined his pockets in Saudi, you'd like to think money won't be the key factor behind his next move (assuming he doesn't just retire).
Alaba, I'm not so sure on. He was once one of the best left backs in the planet, but not sure he has enough left in him to handle the Premier League.
02 Sep 2026 21:02:45
Guerreiro would be the one I'd imagine would be of most interest.
02 Sep 2026 21:37:41
redseven, Benzema would not want him near O.T.
He is the one who was found guilty of conspiring to blackmail a fellow French player with a sex tape.
Alaba, as you say, was once superb, those days, sadly, are gone. No way could he manage the physicality of the EPL.
03 Sep 2026 00:59:37
I mean, we should have signed the free transfers that made sense at the start of the window. Wilson and Senesi, to name a couple. But, hey ho.
Dice rolled. Let's go!
03 Sep 2026 10:53:41
Senesi is awful, and started that way at Spurs before being dropped.
As for de Ligt, he has recorded higher top speeds.
He is very very slow.
Wilson from Fulham, I suspect you mean, and not Wilson from West Ham.
The lad from Fulham is a good player, an excellent set-piece taker, but we have lots of cover in the area he plays, so neither of those make any sense for us. Neither is as good as what we have in their positions, imo.
{Ed001's Note - Wilson is lazy as hell. Had one good season in his entire career - funnily enough when his contract was about to expire and he was playing for his career. He will go back to doing bugger all now.}
03 Sep 2026 12:01:10
Not seen enough of him ed001 I know he is ex Liverpool so I'll bow to your greater knowledge on him. Not the type of player i'd want to see at united. He has his moments but they are to far and few between for my liking.
02 Sep 2026 14:11:24
Liverpool and Arsenal fans aren’t too happy with their transfer windows either so it’s not just us that like a good moan lol.
{Ed001's Note - check out Everton if you want to see what unhappy is!}
02 Sep 2026 15:20:26
??? I'd say that. Balogun a strange one!
{Ed001's Note - yeah, could be worse though, every attacker could have rejected you after getting a phone call from Arteta. I mean even choosing Sunderland over you must be worrying. How can the reigning champions and UCL finalists struggle so badly to recruit forwards? What does he tell them when he calls them?}
02 Sep 2026 16:03:31
I'm not even being facetious, but Emile Heskey is Arteta's ideal striker. Someone who is strong enough to hold up the ball, can link with the midfielders, and is a set piece threat. Honestly, it's exactly what Arteta wants from his striker.
02 Sep 2026 16:12:45
"Come watch our defenders score more than you" maybe?
02 Sep 2026 15:50:53
He asks them if they can do a job at CB Ed!
{Ed001's Note - it really wouldn't surprise me!}
02 Sep 2026 21:32:44
Arsenal already have their Heskey; he is called Gyokeres.
Arteta wants an Alvarez-type, clever, quick striker prepared to play Arsenal style of football and defend from the front.
The truth is, there are not that many top, top strikers around. The best ones are already signed up.
England will find it very difficult to replace Kane.
03 Sep 2026 10:34:04
Salford
Osimhen, but there must be something that stops people, maybe salary is one.
Agree on Kane. Lots of midfield, but an actual CF seems rare, maybe the young Villa lad.
{Ed001's Note - he is probably the best possible option as of now to do so. That is a good shout that.}
