No doubt about it. Just keep in mind that it took for them to get the best managers, buying the best players was not enough. I think there's a lesson for all of us in there.
No doubt I heard you. You sounded ridiculous. I have know idea why you think the only reasonable rationale is to fire Sarri.
I never said it was reasonable. There were several poor performances all season and it looked as though he had lost the team in several rough patches. It does seem likely he should have warranted a firing.
My guy, what's the point in discourse if you don't believe your own opinions to be reasonable? That shouldn't be conditional, it shouldn't need to be stated explicitly. I disagree with your reformed opinion but at least there's reason behind it.
Because it's the game of football. Reason doesn't always factor into it. Managers get fired all the time. Some for seemingly the perception of the club's status. I am just surprised he's still there. I don't suspect its much more than luck that has kept him.
I think a third place finish and Europa League title in your very first season probably ought to be enough to keep you around for another year at any Premier League club (particularly this year, given how competitive the top 6 have been), no matter what happened over the course of the season.
That only means he's collecting checks. If you're hurt, you still collect checks. It would be silly to not have coverage for him and Rudiger. And Christianson for that matter.
Most clearances per game for Reading Championship 2018/19:7.2 - Matt Miazga6.7 - Liam Moore6.5 - Tom McIntyre5.4 - Tiago Ilori4.4 - Paul McShane#readingfc pic.twitter.com/n61VpotxBM— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) May 14, 2019
It will be an interesting summer for MM after his highly successful Reading loan. If I were a betting man, I’d say he goes back out again but stays in England.
From your lips to God's ears. Unless Ajax comes calling. In which case it's get the f#*k back to Holland ASAP.
Hopefully to one of the top Championship teams, but I must say I'd be disappointed if all he achieves is loans to the Championship. He's a bit better than that.
His general philosophy with accepting the loan offer to Reading is that he wanted to be in England to improve his visibility. My guess is that he stays there - although he will probably have clubs in Germany and other good Euro leagues williing to take him as well.
I think a decent German team would be good for him, but not sure he'd be needed on any but a poor German team. But just for my personal dreams, goals and aspirations, I'd like to see him increase the amount of time he's required to play with the ball on his foot. Plus, I want a YA on as many Bund teams as possible so I have excuses to watch more soccer, and YA on YA games are required viewing.
I still wouldn't rule out Chelsea stashing him on their roster either. You got Rudi and Luiz (aging), and then Christensen. They need at least one other central defender. You can't go into the season with just 3.
It is difficult to prognosticate the Championship. You generally can predict regulation fodder, but picking who will get promoted is a bit trickier. Here are the preseason favorites and next to them I put where they finished in the table in parentheses. Stoke 13/8 (16) Middlesbrough 11/4 (7) West Brom 11/4 (4) Nottingham Forest 10/3 (9) Leeds 7/2 (3) Swansea 7/2 (10) Aston Villa 9/2 (5) Brentford 9/2 (11) Derby 9/2 (6) Norwich 7/1 (1) Bristol City 15/2 (8) Preston 8/1 (14) Sheffield United 8/1 (2) Sheffield Wednesday 8/1 (12) Wigan 10/1 (18) Birmingham 11/1 (17) Blackburn 12/1 (15) Hull 16/1 (13) Millwall 16/1 (21) QPR 16/1 (19) Reading 18/1 (20) Ipswich 25/1 (24) Bolton 80/1 (23) Rotherham 80/1 (22)
I read somewhere recently that Chelsea sees Ampadu as more of a d-mid in the future, but he could obviously still fill in at CB in a pinch.
Forgot about Zouma, though I thought Empadu was to be a midfielder. Though it seems Everton are trying to buy Zouma. Hopefully, Miazga can find a way to get a loan or sale. Clearly his future is not with Chlesea
Would Leeds spend money again if they got back to the Prem? Don't really know anything about their ownership.