Football 2025-26

[pink_triangle]

28 minutes ago, rock_on said:

 

Why would he leave apart from his own selfish reasons? He's adored (or was until this debacle) at the club in a way he simply won't understand until he leaves - he's not going to get that for Liverpool. 

Most footballer are “selfish” if you define it as wanting more money. Although for balance people are generally in life called selfish for moving to a job with better pay. Also most of the current Newcastle squad will have left their previous club for the same reason.
 

 

[Skip997]

32 minutes ago, rock_on said:

 

Why would he leave apart from his own selfish reasons? He's adored (or was until this debacle) at the club in a way he simply won't understand until he leaves - he's not going to get that for Liverpool. 

If he moves to Liverpool, he’s moving to a better team, he’ll win more trophies and presuming he does the business on the field, he get at least as much adoration. 

[Skip997]

So Diaz has gone to Bayern. Am I particularly bothered? Not really, if he wants to go elsewhere that’s his prerogative. I’m not interested in players who don’t want to stay 

[rock_on]

1 hour ago, Skip997 said:

If he moves to Liverpool, he’s moving to a better team, he’ll win more trophies and presuming he does the business on the field, he get at least as much adoration. 

 

Complete nonsense. 

[Punksnotdead]

15 hours ago, Alvoram said:

When they pull on that England shirt they're England above all else. They cease to be Liverpool, United, City or even Forest.... 

I hate this club before country attitude, it should always be country before club. And it starts at the bottom, with fans. 

I was living in Amsterdam for a period in 1998. I went to a pub to watch an England game (pre world cup friendly). The England team was full of United players & everyone in the pub was booing every time they touched the ball. I was tutting and shaking my head and an Arsenal fan shouted "hey we've got a United fan here". 2 stag parties of Leeds and city fans then started chucking bottles at me. I left the pub and about 12 of them ran after me and chased me round the red light district.

 

So, nah! f**k England!

[balti-pie]

Club above country one billion percent.

 

I'd rather spurs won a corner than ireland (passport) or england (where i live) won a tournament 😄  

[charlierc]

1 hour ago, Punksnotdead said:

I was living in Amsterdam for a period in 1998. I went to a pub to watch an England game (pre world cup friendly). The England team was full of United players & everyone in the pub was booing every time they touched the ball. I was tutting and shaking my head and an Arsenal fan shouted "hey we've got a United fan here". 2 stag parties of Leeds and city fans then started chucking bottles at me. I left the pub and about 12 of them ran after me and chased me round the red light district.

 

So, nah! f**k England!

Well when you put it like that it wouldn't help sell you on them. 

[charlierc]

48 minutes ago, balti-pie said:

Club above country one billion percent.

 

I'd rather spurs won a corner than ireland (passport) or england (where i live) won a tournament 😄  

If only you had Gibbs-White to help win or take that corner eh.

 

But then it feels to me like a lot of the league is having a bad summer. Moyes went public yesterday saying he wants Everton to sign way more players, Villa have FFP problems and have to sell to buy, Bournemouth sold their entire defence, West Ham seem slow in getting new players, Brentford have had a disaster... Feels like a lot of clubs aren't having summers they wanted. 

[charlierc]

5 hours ago, thetime said:

 

You would imagine Madrid is the dream, where he will end up if he succeeds at Liverpool. Not many go from Newcastle to Madrid.

 

It's football, its what happens. Im sure no fan is pleased, when a good player leaves for career progression. He's not a geordie, why would he stay there? 

Pretty sure the last player we sold direct to Real Madrid was Jonathan Woodgate. Which went well. But equally if Spurs can do it with Bale and Modric... 

 

I'm not disputing the central idea that players move clubs for more money and the perceived trophy winners. That's not my problem. I've said about 20 different narrative points about why it rankles with things around the club itself, around the idea success apparently means being a big 6 feeder club than challenging them, the sheet amount of rejections from other targets, who were selling it too, etc and there's probably 20 more reasons available.

 

Still, we're apparently getting Aaron Ramsdale on loan. Woop de doo.

 

(I say that, Ramsdale isn't that awful for a keeper with 3 relegations on his CV imo)

[Gnomicide]

9 hours ago, balti-pie said:

Club above country one billion percent.

 

I'd rather spurs won a corner than ireland (passport) or england (where i live) won a tournament 😄  

 

This. But obviously not Spurs 😁

 

I enjoyed watching international tournaments but how England do is of no importance. I tend to have a small bet on a team to win at the beginning and they have my support from that point on.

 

International friendlies and qualifiers are just an inconvenience, in which you hope players from your team don't get injured.

[rock_on]

Just over 24 hours until the English Football League kicks off at 8pm with Luton Town v AFC Wimbledon. Finally after the sideshows of the Club World Cup and the Women's Euros we can return our focus to domestic men's football. No 3pm blackout this weekend as well due to lack of Premier League so plenty to watch on Saturday too. 

[charlierc]

For all the posturing and wailing I've done, Liverpool haven't actually bid for Isak yet, which... huh. Even if its a lowball one designed to unsettle the player even further, thought there'd have been one by now for all the sound and fury over the last 2 weeks.

 

I'm not even sure if keeping him's a good idea for squad morale given this pettiness but maybe the only way to gain any feeling for the season ahead now is keeping him given Sesko could well be the latest in about 60 players who Newcastle have tried to sign only for some big 6 types to get there first.

 

Also kind of uneasy that striker's not the only problem, given an injury to Joe Willock and selling Lonsgstaff to Leeds leaves us thin in CM and we can't keep relying on injury prone or 30-something defenders forever.

[charlierc]

22 hours ago, Gnomicide said:

 

This. But obviously not Spurs 😁

 

I enjoyed watching international tournaments but how England do is of no importance. I tend to have a small bet on a team to win at the beginning and they have my support from that point on.

 

International friendlies and qualifiers are just an inconvenience, in which you hope players from your team don't get injured.

I think that's how I treat them too tbf. I just like watching high quality football and at its best the World Cup provides high quality football. Maybe that's how FIFA get away with being such prats - they know they've got such an addictive product regardless of all the ridiculously unethical behaviour on display in the lead up to such a tournament.

 

I can't say I'm the most arsed for the England, but I'd be happy for those who are able to enjoy it if they finally won a thing. Three years ago today, I was at Wembley when the Lionesses won the Euros (as I don't half f**king bang on about) and that feeling of euphoria when they won was pretty special. And I wasn't even going as someone there to enthusiastically go "EN-GUH-LUND!"

[Skip997]

5 minutes ago, charlierc said:

 

For all the posturing and wailing I've done, Liverpool haven't actually bid for Isak yet, which... huh. Even if its a lowball one designed to unsettle the player even further, thought there'd have been one by now for all the sound and fury over the last 2 weeks.

 

If we buy Isak, which I doubt, I’ll only be happy if we also buy at least one central defender. Defence should be the priority, we only have 3 senior central defenders and one of them is often injured. Unless Slot intends to use Endo there or there’s a gem among the youth.

[charlierc]

1 hour ago, Skip997 said:

If we buy Isak, which I doubt, I’ll only be happy if we also buy at least one central defender. Defence should be the priority, we only have 3 senior central defenders and one of them is often injured. Unless Slot intends to use Endo there or there’s a gem among the youth.

It's interesting to hear this degree of doubt in the idea tbf. Many Liverpool fans on social media are acting like he's already there, bit like Arsenal fans were doing in January when they were linked with him.

 

I admit the news he's training alone in Spain has terrible optics, mind. Even if apparently the club were ok with it as all the main coaches and medical staff are with the first team for pre-season games in South Korea and told him just to be back for the return of the main squad to England next week.

 

Maybe there's a weirdness with Brentford's Wissa, who is apparently on strike to force a move our way and according to reports turned up to Brentford training today to tell them he wants out, then went home straight away. Which is a weird place to be in if we're encouraging someone to do that ngl.

 

As for Liverpool, I assumed that if you lot find a buyer for Darwin Nunez, that might raise the probability of coming in for Isak as there'd be cash from both Diaz & him and space in the squad for an attacker, which means it probably could've done with Napoli following up their interest earlier this window. And no I wouldn't be keen on Nunez in part exchange. There would be a degree of amusement given he was star striker for me in a Newcastle save on Football Manager (I know, dork alert), but we've all seen him miss sitter after sitter. 

[thetime]

1 hour ago, charlierc said:

It's interesting to hear this degree of doubt in the idea tbf. Many Liverpool fans on social media are acting like he's already there, bit like Arsenal fans were doing in January when they were linked with him.

 

I admit the news he's training alone in Spain has terrible optics, mind. Even if apparently the club were ok with it as all the main coaches and medical staff are with the first team for pre-season games in South Korea and told him just to be back for the return of the main squad to England next week.

 

Maybe there's a weirdness with Brentford's Wissa, who is apparently on strike to force a move our way and according to reports turned up to Brentford training today to tell them he wants out, then went home straight away. Which is a weird place to be in if we're encouraging someone to do that ngl.

 

As for Liverpool, I assumed that if you lot find a buyer for Darwin Nunez, that might raise the probability of coming in for Isak as there'd be cash from both Diaz & him and space in the squad for an attacker, which means it probably could've done with Napoli following up their interest earlier this window. And no I wouldn't be keen on Nunez in part exchange. There would be a degree of amusement given he was star striker for me in a Newcastle save on Football Manager (I know, dork alert), but we've all seen him miss sitter after sitter. 

 

I will be amazed if Isak plays for Newcastle again. 

[thetime]

2 hours ago, charlierc said:

For all the posturing and wailing I've done, Liverpool haven't actually bid for Isak yet

 

Liverpool are in the box seat. 

 

Isak wants to leave, around 4 weeks until end of window. Liverpool know Newcastle have to sell, PSR they won't be able to spend big until he does go.

 

Cards stacked in Liverpool's favour.

 

By all the reports Sesko would prefer United to Newcastle.

[Gnomicide]

If this does go through, it could end up being a good thing for Newcastle, if they then spend the money wisely.

 

Could be a Coutinho moment. Yes, a good player going, but overall strengthening, and improving the team with the funds raised.

 

Lot of ifs and buts in that, but these can be pivotal moments. Just hope Isak would be better for Liverpool than Coutinho was at Barcelona. 

 

Anyway, I reckon the deal will go through. The noises now seem to be that Newcastle are waiting for a bid, there'll probably be a lot of back and forth on the price, but I think Liverpool should go big to get the deal done so he can get some preseason in with the team and get mach fit asap.

[charlierc]

8 hours ago, Gnomicide said:

If this does go through, it could end up being a good thing for Newcastle, if they then spend the money wisely.

 

Could be a Coutinho moment. Yes, a good player going, but overall strengthening, and improving the team with the funds raised.

 

Lot of ifs and buts in that, but these can be pivotal moments. Just hope Isak would be better for Liverpool than Coutinho was at Barcelona. 

 

Anyway, I reckon the deal will go through. The noises now seem to be that Newcastle are waiting for a bid, there'll probably be a lot of back and forth on the price, but I think Liverpool should go big to get the deal done so he can get some preseason in with the team and get mach fit asap.

The thing is though that it's not really guaranteed. Liverpool can vouch for that given they got a huge windfall for Luis Suarez in 2014 and signed some total dross. See also Spurs with Bale and Barcelona with Neymar (ironically Coutinho was signed with the cash from that sale, leading to a weird moment that his best performance in a Barcelona match in that time was playing against them on loan for Bayern Munich). 

 

I get the argument but in a market where seemingly every PL level player is £50mil or higher and how chaotic the club looks at executive level, I can't say I'm confident selling Isak now would lead to such a revamp working out. 

[charlierc]

9 hours ago, thetime said:

 

Liverpool are in the box seat. 

 

Isak wants to leave, around 4 weeks until end of window. Liverpool know Newcastle have to sell, PSR they won't be able to spend big until he does go.

 

Cards stacked in Liverpool's favour.

 

By all the reports Sesko would prefer United to Newcastle.

I don't think the probability of Isak staying is zero though. A few days ago I thought it was over, but if there's no bid or at the very least nothing can be agreed in time, as has happened before with seemingly nailed on moves, then what? 

 

The Sesko thing could be a factor. Recent accounts suggest he's who we want as an Isak replacement but it feels like we're getting strung along so Man Utd get involved. Because apparently seeing them be a bad fit for several other strikers in the past decade isn't enough to put people off joining them. 

 

Incidentally, where has this idea of Donnarumma to Man Utd come from? Saw it on Sky yesterday and was fairly unexpected on the bingo card. 

Edited August 1, 2025 by charlierc

[thetime]

17 minutes ago, charlierc said:

 

 

The Sesko thing could be a factor. Recent accounts suggest he's who we want as an Isak replacement but it feels like we're getting strung along so Man Utd get involved. Because apparently seeing them be a bad fit for several other strikers in the past decade isn't enough to put people off joining them. 

 

Incidentally, where has this idea of Donnarumma to Man Utd come from? Saw it on Sky yesterday and was fairly unexpected on the bingo card. 

 

People forget what a huge name United is, biggest club in England not matter where they are in the league. If utd can afford him, (which I'm not sure) they get him. If it was a champions league club like Liverpool or Arsenal, then probably not.

 

Newcastle the competition for his signature? Unless you are a geordie, you are not turning down United. 

 

The one that doesn't get Sesko, gets Ollie Watkins? Can't say I watch Leipzig, so no idea on the class of Sesko. Wouldnt mind Watkins though, would fit in. Although age, wages and fee villa will want is putting people off. 

 

Donnarumma is a red herring one presumes. 

Edited August 1, 2025 by thetime

[lost]

1 hour ago, charlierc said:

I get the argument but in a market where seemingly every PL level player is £50mil or higher and how chaotic the club looks at executive level, I can't say I'm confident selling Isak now would lead to such a revamp working out. 

 

It does seem a different market this year. The super league clubs have done good business early and everyone else seems to be struggling. 

 

Looks like there is a mismatch between what PSR allows and what clubs expect and its not just in the prem in the past relegated clubs like ipswich with Hutchinson and Southampton with Dibling wouldn't be £35m players as they'd be desperate to stay in the prem. I guess they've looked at Leeds holding onto Gnonto and seen it can be done.

 

 

[charlierc]

3 hours ago, lost said:

 

It does seem a different market this year. The super league clubs have done good business early and everyone else seems to be struggling. 

 

Looks like there is a mismatch between what PSR allows and what clubs expect and its not just in the prem in the past relegated clubs like ipswich with Hutchinson and Southampton with Dibling wouldn't be £35m players as they'd be desperate to stay in the prem. I guess they've looked at Leeds holding onto Gnonto and seen it can be done.

 

 

Yeah this has the feel of an inflated market this year. Those cases with Ipswich and Southampton are pretty crazy, plus Ipswich offering Middlesbrough £20million for Hayden Hackney feels like further proof of it being an inflated go this time. But it is what it is. 

 

I'm aware Newcastle are being widely reported as having rejected a bid of around £100-120mil for Isak today because we want 150m. So I guess balls in Liverpool's court. We'll just see how long this nonsense drags on and on I guess. 

[kaosmark2]

It's hard to really know what's going on in the squad. The literal phrase used about Isak is "explore options of a move from Newcastle", which suggests to me he won't be that unhappy to stay, he'd just prefer to move to a bigger club and double his wages.

 

I do vaguely think that if we'd done decent business earlier and given him a big contract offer early in the summer, he wouldn't be kicking up a fuss. Impossible to know of course, but I think it's a combination of his agent being in his ear, and the insane unprofessionalism of our 'board' (that basically doesn't exist).

 

Our squad just doesn't look ready to compete on 2 fronts. Our 1st team (if you include Isak) I do think is CL quality, but there's no depth anywhere except the wings. Sort of at centre-back, but that's including Botman and all his injuries, and 3 who are over 30.

 

On the market as a whole, I feel there's a few chain-reactions to come. Spurs supposedly holding onto Son until after finishing this pre-season tour in Asia, then he's off to MLS and they'll presumably spend that wage budget somewhere. You've also got Palace having not done anything selling or buying yet. Half the league has been linked with either Eze or Guehi, and plenty of those clubs also with Wharton. There's also all the deadwood at both Manchester clubs, and while I can see a fair few of them going abroad, I suspect there might be some late loan deals.

[kaosmark2]

5 hours ago, thetime said:

People forget what a huge name United is, biggest club in England not matter where they are in the league. If utd can afford him, (which I'm not sure) they get him. If it was a champions league club like Liverpool or Arsenal, then probably not.

 

Newcastle the competition for his signature? Unless you are a geordie, you are not turning down United. 

 

The one that doesn't get Sesko, gets Ollie Watkins? Can't say I watch Leipzig, so no idea on the class of Sesko. Wouldnt mind Watkins though, would fit in. Although age, wages and fee villa will want is putting people off. 

 

Donnarumma is a red herring one presumes. 

I do think things like Mbuemo doing a press announcement basically every week saying it's not about the money, but a "dream move" "shirt I wore as a boy" "I buy into the project" isn't something that would have happened even 5 years ago. I'm not saying the name isn't a huge pull, and for most current footballers they're still a huge name that means something if the club is interested, but there being attempts to justify it is fairly new.

 

I think there's a type of player where Newcastle can compete with Man U for, but I think name + wages is usually going to outdo Champions League football. Yes it's now 2/3 seasons + a trophy this last one, but this window looks unambitious.

 

Wrt Sesko, I think he's an exciting prospect, but just that, a prospect. Bigger risk than when Newcastle got Isak from Sociedad, and I think people are forgetting that Isak's stats there weren't obscene because of how well he's done since. He's definitely not a Haaland-level guaranteed goal-machine. I think of the various young forwards coming from Germany, Marmoush was the clear star and Sesko/Ekiteke are hot prospects. 

 

I think if Newcastle were to sell Isak and buy Watkins and Wissa, it would age our strikers notably. Okay neither is 30+, but I think there'll be a desire to get a younger striker.

 

I don't think Donnarumma is a complete red herring, he only narrowly edged the starting goalkeeping spot for PSG at the beginning of last season, and he's not signed a new contract. But I can't see him going to Man U this year. If you get back into the CL I can see it in a year's time though.