Saint Charlie

@alex_crook: I understand that #SaintsFC are set to kick off against Schalke soon.

Would be a great signing at CB IMO (which is where he wants to play). Source? Also yesterday he was in Hong Kong...not that it isn't true: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2375020/Manchester-City-boss-Manuel-Pellegrini-appears-push-Micah-Richards-just-Roberto-Mancini-tussled-Mario-Balotelli.html According to this though he didnt feature in their game today, despite a long list of subs: http://www.goal.com/en/match/116086/south-china-vs-manchester-city-fc/report?ICID=OP Edit, he did play.

Or Puncheon in the middle with Wanyama and Davis, then J Rod and Isgrove wide supporting RL. More likely is what you said though.

Interesting lineup. Quite tricky to work out the formation from that. Will be hard to beat Schalke without a full strength team.

Plus it often overshadows the first month of matches. Fair enough you can still sell to another country that has an open window to buy, but you shouldnt be able to add more players after the first game.

Should 100% end for buying clubs the day before your first league game of the season.

Naughton a good player and would be a great signing for around 5m, but at this stage of his career he needs to be a first choice. He would certainly get games at Saints, but IMO, isn't a better RB than Clyne, or anywhere near the level of Shaw.

Were watching him before he joined Ipswich too.

Crook: "Ive been told the game comes too soon for Ramirez and Yoshida". Told by the article on the OS earlier presumably which said exactly that? They don't do themselves any favours do they....

Really?

In that he is quick, powerful, glides past players, appreciates the defensive side of the game, good on the ball, calm in possession etc.

Just a thought, but Shaw would appear to have the attributes to also play further forward if needed.

Really?

Clyne is class and will be first choice RB all season IMO.

He did.

Not sure he is the no9 type that other targets have been. Wouldn't play up top on his own.

Thought Valencia had no money and had to sell 3 or 4 players this window to stay afloat?

Maybe they were joking?

This.

Well the reports suggest we had agreed a price with them so clearly theres a deal to be done...if he wanted to come here (which seems to be the issue).

Is there even anything in this Banega link? Been quiet for ages.

If we could persuade him to come here then we would have a very good striker in his prime. Would certainly add to the side.

Wonder which 'reports' these are...

Some excellent finishing and play around the box, albeit against weak opposition. Re Guly, he always works hard, and isn't a bad player, but this friendly just indicates he have a decent squad, he won't start many league games I wouldn't think. To echo others, Palamos got 1v 1 twice and both were as a result of Lovren being turned easily.

There has already been one...MP flying to Barcelona, from the outskirts of Barcelona...genius