Transfer discussion thread

[joop]

Wow person who posts on football forum watches football content during the week (and no not Leeds pressers). Do you not use social media?

No I don’t, I’m not a boomer.

 

[SM]

No I don’t, I’m not a boomer.

You're saying only boomers use social media? Wot?

 

[mike123]

I've never understood the massive fees for Morata. He's pretty average IMO.

The figure is inflated because he gets transferred every 2 years but really it because Chelsea paid big for him after his 25 goal season for Real and neither they nor Atletico want to make a loss on him.

People forget he was quite good for scoring in big games for including the winner in the semi against Real and scored in the final as well.

 

[citizen-erased]

What makes people think Dias would be cheaper? IIRC he signed a new contract some time this year with a €100m release clause.

If Tottenham won't pony up €60m for Skrinar, why would they be ready to pay more for Dias?

I imagine Benfica put that clause in to ward off lowballers last season. Slightly different now
if i recall, Bruno had a similar clause but Utd paid well under it.

Tactic is handy. Set the clause high, negotiate under it but for more than you could get without a clause, and there is always the chance (though less likely this year) that one of the rich clubs triggers the clause.
Surprised Chelsea and City aren't looking at him.

 

[Jaymin]

I'm citing the concerns he himself has brought up, it seems like you're the one questioning his judgement.

I know plenty about him, including the fact that Leeds fell apart two season ago through injuries and exhaustion, and if not for COVID may well have fallen short last season as well. Points on the board early will be key to survival and scraping past a side that looks like they're going straight back down is an interesting start.

We had won 5 in a row when COVID hit so we weren’t exactly spluttering towards the finishing line.

I do agree that the defence is a concern as we are conceding far too easily in the first couple of games. Be interesting what combination they go with if LLorente signs.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

I'm citing the concerns he himself has brought up, it seems like you're the one questioning his judgement.

I know plenty about him, including the fact that Leeds fell apart two season ago through injuries and exhaustion, and if not for COVID may well have fallen short last season as well. Points on the board early will be key to survival and scraping past a side that looks like they're going straight back down is an interesting start.

Yet you make no mention of them scoring for fun the week before against the best side in England. Liverpool conceded 3 at home, they must be in trouble then. According to your ridiculous logic anyway.

Pep Guardiola says Bielsa is the best manager in the world. That’s enough of an endorsement for me.

 

[SM]

Yet you make no mention of them scoring for fun the week before against the best side in England. Liverpool conceded 3 at home, they must be in trouble then. According to your ridiculous logic anyway.

Pep Guardiola says Bielsa is the best manager in the world. That’s enough an endorsement for me.

Sorry? I was quoting Bielsa who is concerned because yes they scored 3 against Liverpool and 4 against Fulham, but they did so from a ridiculously small number of chances. Look at their xG, they're vastly overperforming. All I was doing was agreeing with Bielsa that it's a concern. If you disagree with him and think their form is fine and looks like it'll hold up through the season then you're welcome to do it.

 

[SM]

We had won 5 in a row when COVID hit so we weren’t exactly spluttering towards the finishing line.

I do agree that the defence is a concern as we are conceding far too easily in the first couple of games. Be interesting what combination they go with if LLorente signs.

Yes that's fair, I suppose I was coloured by the way you finished the previous season, and your improved fitness may well have helped you finish last season fine, it's one of those unknowables, but your form leading into the lockdown was certainly better.

 

[chef]

I've never understood the massive fees for Morata. He's pretty average IMO.

Because he has/had the potential and physical gifts to be a great striker, but hes a pea heart.

In saying that he has scored some huge goals.

 

[chef]

Let’s say I remain skeptical. Skriniar would give us two good centrehalves and two decent players. Reckon Sanchez and Dier would still see a lot of games.

I doubt Jose or anyone would rotate much if they have a great pair of CBs . You just dont need to.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Sorry? I was quoting Bielsa who is concerned because yes they scored 3 against Liverpool and 4 against Fulham, but they did so from a ridiculously small number of chances. Look at their xG, they're vastly overperforming. All I was doing was agreeing with Bielsa that it's a concern. If you disagree with him and think their form is fine and looks like it'll hold up through the season then you're welcome to do it.

You took a cheap shot when I called him a genius. Every great manager in the history of football has lost games they would be expected to win or conceded three goals at home FFS. That is where I take issue. Bielsa's record speaks for itself and plenty of world class managers have lifted their style straight from his playbook. And they freely admit as much. The best managers in the world acknowledge Bielsa as a genius, yet for you it is obviously an issue.

West Brom, West Ham, Fulham, Sheffield United, Brighton, possibly Newcastle and Villa too could all quite possibly finish below Leeds. I'd back them to beat any of those teams right now.

As for Bielsa being concerned, aren't all managers concerned most of the time? He's not exactly known for being a cheery chap and has a reputation for letting his players know exactly where they are at.

Also, if you know a bit about the guy you'd understand that he doesn't exactly set his teams up like a Mourinho who places a premium on defending. Bielsa sets up with a high press and a three man defensive unit plus wingbacks bombing forward. It will bring him undone against a few of the better teams, no doubt but I can guarantee you that Leeds will belt the living suitcase out of some of the more average sides. They've scored 7 in two weeks, they'll also concede plenty but they have more than enough weaponry to finish mid-table.

 

[Pykie]

Sorry? I was quoting Bielsa who is concerned because yes they scored 3 against Liverpool and 4 against Fulham, but they did so from a ridiculously small number of chances. Look at their xG, they're vastly overperforming. All I was doing was agreeing with Bielsa that it's a concern. If you disagree with him and think their form is fine and looks like it'll hold up through the season then you're welcome to do it.

Bamford has 2 goals from an xG of 0.14.

He's either turned into Messi overnight or the xG numbers are full of shit.

I'm not sure how his xG is 0.14 when he was put through on a clear run of the mill goal scoring opportunity by Klich which he buried, and he basically hit an empty net after Van Djik coughed up the ball in his own penalty area.

Do you seriously think the average footballer only scores both of those goals 7 times out of 100 when they have those opportunities?

I can only recall one other clear cut chance he has had and he failed to take a shot, which was early in the Liverpool game following an Ayling through ball. Which the commentators were instantly on his back for.

His xG should be about 1.7, as he would of got crucified by all and sundry in the media (and on here on BF) if he missed either of those two chances.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Bamford has 2 goals from an xG of 0.15.

He's either turned into Messi overnight or the xG numbers are full of sh*t.

I'm not sure how his xG is 0.15 when he was put through on a clear run of the mill goal scoring opportunity by Klich which he buried, and he hit an empty net after Van Djik coughed up the ball in his own penalty area.

Do you seriously think the average footballer only scores in 1 out of 6 times they have those opportunities?

People who use xG numbers are FIFA nerds, nothing more.

xG numbers mean jack shit.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

I think Bielsa was spot on, too little chances and we can’t expect to convert at the current rate...we couldn’t last year.

Still quality of performance can’t be discounted. Yes we conceded 4 against Pool but one penalty was disputable shot was never going to be a goal. Second was a stupid tackle where forward wasn’t even in a dangerous spot. Although on chances Pool were more deserving winners. No shame in that though.

 

[Loonerty]

Bamford has 2 goals from an xG of 0.14.

He's either turned into Messi overnight or the xG numbers are full of sh*t.

I'm not sure how his xG is 0.14 when he was put through on a clear run of the mill goal scoring opportunity by Klich which he buried, and he basically hit an empty net after Van Djik coughed up the ball in his own penalty area.

Do you seriously think the average footballer only scores both of those goals 7 times out of 100 when they have those opportunities?

I can only recall one other clear cut chance he has had and he failed to take a shot, which was early in the Liverpool game following an Ayling through ball. Which the commentators were instantly on his back for.

His xG should be about 1.7, as he would of got crucified by all and sundry in the media (and on here on BF) if he missed either of those two chances.

That is bizarre.

His goal against Fulham has been put as 0.06 by one source and another apparently 0.48 which seems much more reasonable to me.

 

[SM]

People who use xG numbers are FIFA nerds, nothing more.

xG numbers mean jack sh*t.

Again, this is something that Bielsa has talked about so I'm really not sure who you're arguing with.

 

[SM]

You took a cheap shot when I called him a genius. Every great manager in the history of football has lost games they would be expected to win or conceded three goals at home FFS. That is where I take issue. Bielsa's record speaks for itself and plenty of world class managers have lifted their style straight from his playbook. And they freely admit as much. The best managers in the world acknowledge Bielsa as a genius, yet for you it is obviously an issue.

West Brom, West Ham, Fulham, Sheffield United, Brighton, possibly Newcastle and Villa too could all quite possibly finish below Leeds. I'd back them to beat any of those teams right now.

As for Bielsa being concerned, aren't all managers concerned most of the time? He's not exactly known for being a cheery chap and has a reputation for letting his players know exactly where they are at.

Also, if you know a bit about the guy you'd understand that he doesn't exactly set his teams up like a Mourinho who places a premium on defending. Bielsa sets up with a high press and a three man defensive unit plus wingbacks bombing forward. It will bring him undone against a few of the better teams, no doubt but I can guarantee you that Leeds will belt the living suitcase out of some of the more average sides. They've scored 7 in two weeks, they'll also concede plenty but they have more than enough weaponry to finish mid-table.

I think you've misinterpreted the "Doesn't seem like the work of a genius" comment, my point was Bielsa wasn't happy with it and the goals conceded aren't a hallmark of his style at Leeds.

 

[apollo_creed]

I assume he meant Biesla was a genius of the guys in the Apple store variety.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Again, this is something that Bielsa has talked about so I'm really not sure who you're arguing with.

I just think the notion in general is flawed.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

I think you've misinterpreted the "Doesn't seem like the work of a genius" comment, my point was Bielsa wasn't happy with it and the goals conceded aren't a hallmark of his style at Leeds.

Fair enough.

Where do you see them finishing?

 

[SM]

Fair enough.

Where do you see them finishing?

Way too early to make a call either way. Whether people believe xG is for nerds or not, they were very fortunate to score with virtually every chance they had against Liverpool, and conceding 3 to one of the worst teams in the league at home wasn't a whole lot better. I need to see them against a Palace/Soton/Brighton before I make up my mind on them.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Way too early to make a call either way. Whether people believe xG is for nerds or not, they were very fortunate to score with virtually every chance they had against Liverpool, and conceding 3 to one of the worst teams in the league at home wasn't a whole lot better. I need to see them against a Palace/Soton/Brighton before I make up my mind on them.

Mate, explain the xG on Bamford then. Any half decent League 2 striker buries both of those.

 

[SM]

Mate, explain the xG on Bamford then. Any half decent League 2 striker buries both of those.

Ok? They still scored 3 goals from 3 shots on target.

Against Fulham they scored 4 goals from 7 shots on target.

I said you can ignore xG if you want and just look at those raw numbers. That's not sustainable.

 

[Pykie]

Ok? They still scored 3 goals from 3 shots on target.

Against Fulham they scored 4 goals from 7 shots on target.

I said you can ignore xG if you want and just look at those raw numbers. That's not sustainable.

I counter that by saying I dont think we are conceding 57 penalties this season either when Leicester topped the league with 11 last year.

Fulham scored 3 against us from an xG of 1.56.

 

[Jaymin]

I counter that by saying I dont think we are conceding 57 penalties this season either when Leicester topped the league with 11 last year.

Fulham scored 3 against us from an xG of 1.56.

If Koch keeps playing we will give that number a nudge.

Its good to see non Leeds supporters arguing over Leeds now.