By definition, any player that wants to move is "unsettled", ergo, by that measure, nothing will have changed this close season compared to previous close seasons. In other words, if a player wants to go then we'll sell (at the right price).
"It was believed Southampton had the evidence to incriminate Liverpool but, in the weeks that have followed the complaint, they have not put it forward."
I'm trying to work out why we wouldn't want to incriminate one of our premier league rivals. Surely neutralising Liverpool in the transfer market (which might have been the outcome) would have been to our benefit in next season. The only logical reason is that we haven't completely closed the door to the notion that VvD might still end up at Liverpool. In other words, we'd rather take 'stupid money' from Liverpool than hold onto VvD at all costs...?
Or maybe I'm thinking too hard about this whole malarkey.
For something that seemed pretty nailed on a month or so ago it does seem to be dragging on somewhat. That said, I've taken my eye off the Pompey Takeover ball of late (#shock #horror) so perhaps there's been an update or two that I've missed.
Agree. I'm pretty sure all our previous managers in recent history have been formally introduced 'in the flesh' on the day they were announced. It does indeed have a whiff of being rushed through to avoid being gazumped.
How many weeks is it now since the wonderkid football deal broker (forgotten his name already) announced that the next Chinese premier league club takeover was 24 hours away?
Nah....he's not trying to bait people. Never has. That would be against the forum rules and the mods would have come down on him like a ton of bricks long before now if he was a wind up merchant. No, it's simply someone exercising a different opinion, innit guv?....
The article on Pellegrino's tactics posted earlier (this one: https://www.umaxit.com/index.php/columns/english-clubs-should-chase-mauricio-pellegrino-hes-the-real-deal ) suggests that Pellegrino's reputation for being predominantly a defensive coach is a misrepresentation of his time at Alavés. It would appear he adjusts his tactics depending on the opposition (which I guess Puel also did to a certain degree).
On reflection, I'd be happy if we go with Pellegrino.