Increased Costa Living - The Transfer Thread

Costa has been trying to return to Spain and Athletico since the moment he left. Every transfer window was a distraction and affected him negatively on the field. We got a great replacement in Morata.

 

What Wrath said. He also refused to come back. Little choice here.

 

I still regret getting rid of Asier del Horno! Levante got his best years!

 

Costa official to Atleti.

 

59 goals in 120 games, 2 titles, and a league cup is what he'll be remembered for. I don't think he ever received a red if I remember correctly. Interesting given his rep.

His rep being a crybaby wanker wanting to switch teams and nationalities when it was most convenient to him and acting like a penny-throwing baby when things didn't go his way. I understand he competed hard for us but I won't be sad to see him go.

 

I will remember him fondly, but I'm happy it's over and he's off.

 

We can use that money to buy The Next Papy.

 

Screw that. We can buy 20 Papy's!

 

I didn't love Matic but can't disagree here...

http://www.eurosport.com/football/p...ja-matic-leave-chelsea_sto6393426/story.shtml

Selling him was beyond ********ing stupid. What a damaging sale.

 

Selling him to United was stupid. I dont remember a lot of people on here wanting to keep him.

With Kante out, we have Fabregas, who shouldn't be playing every game. That's the problem.

 

I'm not convinced. I'd argue we are where we are at because of our injuries. Baka isn't a holding mid. Asking him to be one is a bad idea. He's a a less refined version of Matic. Fabergas cannot play in a midfield two, he just doesn't have the work rate to do it. Drinkwater being put for 2 months was a huge problem, we can laugh at that all we want, but he might be our second best midfielder when it's all said and done.

 

Exactly.

 

It's also clear that Conte has not gotten anywhere near his first choice targets, starting with Nainnggolan, then Koulibaly, and on and on.

If he makes it through this season, it's a miracle. I don't think he survives if we finish 4th in the league and a Ro16 exit, which is highly likely.

 

Neither of whom wanted to leave their respective clubs (who also had zero interest in selling to us).

Miracle? Meh. Blame injuries all we want, what was there to blame with our opening day defeat? Conte's 3-4-3 isn't doing what it did last season. It hasn't proven to be anywhere near as effective as it was outside of our great performance against Atletico where we went 3-5-2. What on earth was he thinking playing a midfield of Baka/Fab? You've got the Luiz option at DM and its not exactly a risk to start Christensen.

We don't have the punch to compete with City it seems but stuff like yesterday is unforgivable, both for player and coach. Total lack of creativity tactically combined with poor form and well.. thats what you get.

Everyone moaned that our squad blew and half the team should be sold when Jose was running us into the ground. All Hiddink had to do was switch the starting lineup up a bit and we were suddenly in top 4 form despite not playing great football.

Yes. Hence... my post.

 

With January around the corner and PSG in need to sell anyone interested in Lucas Moura? He's still young and has upside tho the EPL might not be the best fit.

I get the feeling we won't be using a 3-4-3 as much as we will a 3-5-2. Baka and Cesc aren't ideal in a 2 man mid. While Kante can cover ground it leaves us unbalanced compared to last year with Kante and Matic.

However, he's still talented and at 25 has years to go while replacing an aging Willian and/or Pedro.

Thoughts?

Anyone else likely available that you guys think we should target or just wait for summer?

 

The Barkley rumors are picking up steam again.

I am starting to wonder about our Brazilian base. We only have two excluding Kenedy. I wonder if behind the scenes there is something there?

 

Apparently Luiz was very friendly with Costa so the press are digging their teeth into that.

I don't even know where Moura plays on the pitch. I remember hearing how amazing he was before PSG signed him and haven't heard much since.

I don't know what sense Barkley would make. But if Conte can whip him into shape, fine. But if/when Conte leaves, we're stuck with a Barkley.

 

He plays RW but can also operate from LW.

 

God I hope we don't land Barkley. At least wait a few more months and get him on a free.

 

Hazard allegedly wanting out unless we make serious moves for players next summer.. don't know how true but wouldn't blame him at all tbh. If we don't try and make that leap to becoming an elite team then what's the point of sticking around?

 

First of all, where does info like that even come from. Players don't give direct quotes to the press like that. If anywhere, it'll leak through from other players. Even then, it's rare. If there is a quote of Hazard saying this (or a Belgian temmate), I'd like to read it.

Second, this past summer window was stressful, but step back and look at who we brought in.

Morata is one of the world's leader young strikers.
Rudiger is one of the best CB prospects around and will be part of the German national setup for years.
Bakayoko, is one of the best Mid prospects around and will be part of the French national setup for years to come.
OK, we didn't get Sandro on the right, but Zappacosta is an Italian national.
We did the right thing and kept Christensen, who is one of the best CB prospects.
Drinkwater has come in, and while he's not an England international, we could get him there by 2018.

Not upgrading at backup striker and on the wings was the biggest mistakes, though I think we tried. Letting Matic go to United was a mistake, though he clearly wanted out.

It's obvious we're not going to spend the $ like City or Barca or United or PSG or Madrid. We just don't. That's not how we operate.

 

This.