Threads containing Ed001's recent posts.
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29 Jul 2026
29 Jul 2026 08:37:16
Ed, do you know if Barca's debt is still growing or is it something that have got a hold of and are reducing? 2 billion in debt is a quite staggering amount for a football club. Despite their global exposure, even elite football clubs are relative minnows compared to the businesses that usually deal with figures that large.
{Ed001's Note - they have made it worse by selling off future income, so it is going to be a problem that will never be reduced.}
29 Jul 2026
29 Jul 2026 07:27:24
Well, with the incoming financial crisis, those banks might just have to call in any and all debt, regardless of upsetting football fans.
But, you'd think Madrid would be pushing the legal itself to impose stricter sanctions on Barca, especially while Barca have been so successful in the league.
Anyway, back to football, if Kounde could be persuaded, I think he'd be a good signing.
{Ed001's Note - the banks can't afford to as they know every Barca fan would pull their money and cause a run on them.}
29 Jul 2026
29 Jul 2026 07:13:09
Do you rate Kounde Ed?
Experienced, and versatile. I'd be happy with him at a decent price!
{Ed001's Note - yes, very good player, though a better centre-back than right-back imo. He does seem to have a few injury problems though in the past.}
29 Jul 2026
29 Jul 2026 07:14:02
Gomez should have been gone out of the club years ago. To average 17 games a season in the league over a 12 year career with us is ducking laughable. Nice fella it seems. So am I though, but trust me, if I can't do my job more than 50% of the time I'll soon be on the dole.
It's not whining saying he shouldn't be here, I'm saying it years. It's common sense, pure and simple.
{Ed001's Note - are you sure you are a nice guy?}
29 Jul 2026 07:15:24
Does anyone think it's time to at least experiment with left-footed left wingers and right-footed right wingers?
Tuchel used Rio on the right in a WC warmup game and he looked comfortable, still a threat.
Just thinking how to get the best out of Isak and Wirtz personally I'd like to see variety within the same match - wingers swapping sides and asking different questions of the fullbacks.
Plus it should create space in the final third, particularly against teams who set up to frustrate with 10 players behind the ball.
Seems such a simple tweak to make in-game, Ed01 is this the kind of thing we can expect from AI?
{Ed001's Note - he likes his players to be flexible and did play wingers on different sides at times, so it is very possible.}
29 Jul 2026 07:34:27
Pompey, I've been screaming this for ages. Turning fullbacks around can cause panic in defence. Variety is the key. Be unpredictable. Unlike us last year.
29 Jul 2026 07:49:21
Experiment? This is exactly how it was in the days before introverted full backs and false nines!
29 Jul 2026 07:58:32
Honestly, I don't mind a winger who recharges their energy through solitude, focuses on internal thoughts rather than external stimulation, and often prefers quiet environments.
29 Jul 2026 08:27:27
? Good work, Meijer. ?
29 Jul 2026 08:31:48
Iraola very often used the right footed Semenyo on the RW and the left footed Tavernier on the LW. They often swapped sides throughout games as well.
29 Jul 2026 08:38:40
A left back's weaker foot is his right foot, so instead of going down the touchline to beat him, and him being able to tackle you with his stronger left preferred foot.
Robben/Salah would cut inside with their stronger left foot, so the left back would have to tackle you with his weaker right foot.
You are also turning him, and opening up a shorter route to the opponent's goal rather than running towards the corner flag sometimes, plus you have more passing lanes to your team mates cutting inside the full back, and it opens up more of the opponent's goal to shoot at.
29 Jul 2026 08:47:45
So if AI isn’t rigid on introverted wingers, would we have enuff variety with Rio, Munoz, Barcola, Frimpong and Gakpo?
Potentially means we could use any remaining funds to strengthen at CB and RB.... ?
I’m assuming midfield only gets added to if someone leaves...
29 Jul 2026 08:53:39
Gotta love that predictive text. ???
29 Jul 2026 09:03:40
Like Chrissy says, it's about variation. You want a defender to not know whether a winger is going to cut inside or try and beat him down the line and get a cross in. Last season, we knew every time that wingers were gonna cut inside, so it was easy to defend against.
29 Jul 2026 09:11:49
Iraola regularly switches his wingers.
29 Jul 2026 09:28:38
You can achieve the same by having wingers adept at going either way.
Slot didn't have that season.
29 Jul 2026 09:35:29
Frimpong is not a winger, he is a wing back. He cannot play with us back to goal, nor is he enough of a goal threat to be considered a winger.
29 Jul 2026 09:36:29
I've always found it mental that the so called best players in the world on incredible amounts of money struggle badly with their weaker foot. You'd think at the highest elite level that being good on both feet would be the bare minimum required. But it's not, which to me is just mind boggling.
29 Jul 2026 09:41:17
Shankly used to switch Ian Callaghan and Peter Thompson when things weren't going to plan, with great success, so it's been done before.
29 Jul 2026 09:44:59
I agree with that too, hellohello. They kick a ball for a living, so I'd expect them to do it well regardless of what leg they're using. Especially since they're paid extremely well.
29 Jul 2026 09:54:02
It's all about being flexible. I love my women to be flexible.
29 Jul 2026 10:02:10
I'd say Frimpong is more extroverted than introverted. I don't know the fella but it's just a feeling I get.
29 Jul 2026 10:07:32
Same hellohello, I was screaming for Slot to use Kerkez at LB and Robbo at RB instead of Frimpong, Jones or Szobo, but he never even thought about it probably.
It's not that hard to play on the opposite side you're used to.
I've played every position on the pitch except for CB and GK. Was able to play semi pro. I wasn't that two-footed, just enough, and I was pretty much at the same level on either side.
29 Jul 2026 10:24:28
We were soo bad at times last year, and Slot tried desperately to shake things by changing player positions/formations - so I'm amazed he didn't at least try swapping Gakpo/Rio and Salah/Frimpong.
Like, it's clearly not working up top so I'll just keep doing the same thing?
Last season really was mind blowing on so many levels.
29 Jul 2026
29 Jul 2026 07:02:26
Debt of two billion is absolutely wild! How on earth is a club allowed to still operate while owing so much money?
Surely they should be made to sell players to finance the crippling debt, or face a similar punishment to what Rangers received.
{Ed001's Note - it is crazy. No bank will call in the debt though as they are scared of the reaction of Barca fans.}
29 Jul 2026 06:41:17
Ed1, you mentioned we were interested in Kounde pre Iraola. Does that interest still there and do Barca considering selling him? He's a good fit I think, can cover both RB and CB to a good level.
{Ed001's Note - the interest is still there, as far as I am aware. The club identified the targets during the season and Iraola just signed off and gave a few suggestions, such as Rayan. Barca are still in enormous debt of over 2bn (yes that is billion, not million) and so will always have to consider good offers for their players.}
29 Jul 2026 07:02:26
Debt of two billion is absolutely wild! How on earth is a club allowed to still operate while owing so much money?
Surely they should be made to sell players to finance the crippling debt, or face a similar punishment to what Rangers received.
{Ed001's Note - it is crazy. No bank will call in the debt though as they are scared of the reaction of Barca fans.}
29 Jul 2026 07:09:02
Wow £2bil. Even after selling off all the future TV rights and whatever else. Still can buy £70m Gordon and others. Just wow.
29 Jul 2026 07:13:09
Do you rate Kounde Ed?
Experienced, and versatile. I'd be happy with him at a decent price!
{Ed001's Note - yes, very good player, though a better centre-back than right-back imo. He does seem to have a few injury problems though in the past.}
29 Jul 2026 07:27:24
Well, with the incoming financial crisis, those banks might just have to call in any and all debt, regardless of upsetting football fans.
But, you'd think Madrid would be pushing the legal itself to impose stricter sanctions on Barca, especially while Barca have been so successful in the league.
Anyway, back to football, if Kounde could be persuaded, I think he'd be a good signing.
{Ed001's Note - the banks can't afford to as they know every Barca fan would pull their money and cause a run on them.}
29 Jul 2026 07:35:47
Would he be above Frimpong/Bradley in the pecking order? I see him as a mainly RB rather than a CB so I think he'd move if he were starter.
29 Jul 2026 07:42:40
Can't get my head around this 2bn in debt and still able to spend.
Surely, UEFA can do something? Clubs in this country are getting fines and point deductions.
29 Jul 2026 07:43:38
Is a lot of the debt stadium upgrades something like EUR1.4b. Think that's been spread over 30 years.
Think their general running debts have come down over the past two seasons.
But I don't think they have much wiggle room because of all the stuff they have sold off.
Was Madrid not in the same boat years ago, and the government bailed them out by buying their stadium, then giving it back to them.
29 Jul 2026 08:32:17
I wonder if the Barca fans still say "it's not my money so I don't care"?
29 Jul 2026 08:34:05
If this was an English team, they would be hammered. The Spanish FA are as corrupt as they come, and have been under previous criminal investigations.
It's the typical example of one law for the English, another for them. And it goes well beyond football and straight into politics.
Most of it stems from one thing, jealousy.
29 Jul 2026 08:37:16
Ed, do you know if Barca's debt is still growing or is it something that have got a hold of and are reducing? 2 billion in debt is a quite staggering amount for a football club. Despite their global exposure, even elite football clubs are relative minnows compared to the businesses that usually deal with figures that large.
{Ed001's Note - they have made it worse by selling off future income, so it is going to be a problem that will never be reduced.}
29 Jul 2026 09:13:07
Ron, sounds more like the board are saying it's not our money, we don't care!
29 Jul 2026 09:33:44
Will Kounde start over Frimpong and Bradley? He mainly plays rb instead of cb, and would he move to be a bench player?
{Ed025's Note - why would he be on the bench Strad?, if he cant get in before a headless chicken and a bag of crisps he has no future in football mate..
29 Jul 2026 09:40:56
Barcelona's actual debt sits closer to the 1.4 billion euros range rather than 2 billion euros. A large part of their current debt comes from the financing of the massive redevelopment of the Spotify Camp Nou and surrounding facilities.
This is project specific debt that does not use club assets as collateral and is to be paid back over the long term using the future revenue generated by the upgraded stadium.
29 Jul 2026 09:51:28
Komza,
Or Kounde?
29 Jul 2026 10:00:08
@Ron, Yes the Barca fans were rioting against spending the money on Gordon. Then again, they may just be fans of the game.
29 Jul 2026 10:19:06
@fatwallet,............"Clubs in this country are getting fines and point deductions."
Except of course, Man Utd.
They seem to get away with it. Over £1b in debt and talks of building a £2b stadium.
Crazy.
29 Jul 2026
29 Jul 2026 06:38:03
Where are these shirts for £10?
Thanks
Bazza
{Ed001's Note - unfortunately we can no longer give those details. We got threatened with being shut down.}
29 Jul 2026 02:23:30
With all the talk of transfers I thought I would open up a different discussion. Who do we think are the players across the league who are due to step up a level going in to the season? Particularly interested in hearing ed001's thoughts.
Can personally see Cherki having a proper breakout season if Maresca gives him the keys. Also from Liverpool can really see Dom thriving with a high energy team around him.
{Ed001's Note - Lewis-Skelly I expect to really step up. He just needs a chance in midfield.}
29 Jul 2026 06:29:53
This should be a big season for Rio also. He will get a lot of chances, but he needs to take them and show the results.
29 Jul 2026 08:54:25
If I were to pick one from every "big" club I'd say
Liverpool - Dominik Szoboszlai
I think this is the year where he will truly cement his status as a world class player and take a lot more responsibility on (maybe even be penalties/vice captain). I can see him scoring 20+ goals in all competitions.
Man City - Abdukodir Khusanov
Has all the physical attributes to be absolutely unplayable. Aggressive, strong and probably the fastest CB in Europe. With Stones leaving and Dias not getting any younger, this could be his year.
Arsenal - Eberechi Eze
Had quite a slow start to his Arsenal career but I think with Rice and Guimaraes in midfield Arsenal will have the security needed to play Eze in the No.10 role despite him being a luxury player. I think he could really pull the strings for the Gunners this year.
Spurs - Mateus Fernandes
I know he's technically a new signing, but he is someone already within the league I expect to step up. In my opinion he's just been cursed with playing in terrible teams up to now, next to painfully weak midfield partners.
Having Tonali alongside him should give him the freedom to really express himself.
Chelsea - Joao Pedro
I said last summer that Pedro was the smart choice for a new ST but so many were just obsessed with his stats. He's now coming up to 25 years old and fresh after being overlooked by Brazil. Wouldn't shock me at all if he scores 30+ in all competitions.
Man United - Bryan Mbeumo
Another who had quite a slow start to life at his new club last season. I wholly believe he is the best RW in the Premier League though now Salah has departed. I'm expecting a huge season from him this year. Another who could easily get 20+ goals in all competitions.
Aston Villa - Boubacar Kamara
With Onana doing his ACL and Tielemans leaving the club, Kamara will find himself as the main man next year in Villa's midfield once he's fully recovered from his own injury woes. Every Villa fan I speak to waxes lyrical about him and they all believe they have a special talent on their hands.
29 Jul 2026 09:31:58
MK, All Villa fans who I know say the same about Kamara. They all say he's the one player they wouldn't want to lose.
29 Jul 2026 10:02:54
Yeah, it's crazy Brazil left Joao Pedro home to pick an injured Neymar. They tried 3 or 4 options upfront in the World Cup because nothing was working while Joao Pedro was on his couch!
You rate Mbuemo this highly, Mk? I think he is a Temu Salah.
Was a star in an average team, and now his true level is showing imo.
Also don't know about Cherki, tbh. Foden just signed a new deal and Maresca apparently loves him, with Semenyo & Doku, I think Cherki will mostly come off the bench this year.
29 Jul 2026 02:23:30
With all the talk of transfers I thought I would open up a different discussion. Who do we think are the players across the league who are due to step up a level going in to the season? Particularly interested in hearing ed001's thoughts.
Can personally see Cherki having a proper breakout season if Maresca gives him the keys. Also from Liverpool can really see Dom thriving with a high energy team around him.
{Ed001's Note - Lewis-Skelly I expect to really step up. He just needs a chance in midfield.}
29 Jul 2026 06:29:53
This should be a big season for Rio also. He will get a lot of chances, but he needs to take them and show the results.
29 Jul 2026 08:54:25
If I were to pick one from every "big" club I'd say
Liverpool - Dominik Szoboszlai
I think this is the year where he will truly cement his status as a world class player and take a lot more responsibility on (maybe even be penalties/vice captain). I can see him scoring 20+ goals in all competitions.
Man City - Abdukodir Khusanov
Has all the physical attributes to be absolutely unplayable. Aggressive, strong and probably the fastest CB in Europe. With Stones leaving and Dias not getting any younger, this could be his year.
Arsenal - Eberechi Eze
Had quite a slow start to his Arsenal career but I think with Rice and Guimaraes in midfield Arsenal will have the security needed to play Eze in the No.10 role despite him being a luxury player. I think he could really pull the strings for the Gunners this year.
Spurs - Mateus Fernandes
I know he's technically a new signing, but he is someone already within the league I expect to step up. In my opinion he's just been cursed with playing in terrible teams up to now, next to painfully weak midfield partners.
Having Tonali alongside him should give him the freedom to really express himself.
Chelsea - Joao Pedro
I said last summer that Pedro was the smart choice for a new ST but so many were just obsessed with his stats. He's now coming up to 25 years old and fresh after being overlooked by Brazil. Wouldn't shock me at all if he scores 30+ in all competitions.
Man United - Bryan Mbeumo
Another who had quite a slow start to life at his new club last season. I wholly believe he is the best RW in the Premier League though now Salah has departed. I'm expecting a huge season from him this year. Another who could easily get 20+ goals in all competitions.
Aston Villa - Boubacar Kamara
With Onana doing his ACL and Tielemans leaving the club, Kamara will find himself as the main man next year in Villa's midfield once he's fully recovered from his own injury woes. Every Villa fan I speak to waxes lyrical about him and they all believe they have a special talent on their hands.
29 Jul 2026 09:31:58
MK, All Villa fans who I know say the same about Kamara. They all say he's the one player they wouldn't want to lose.
29 Jul 2026 10:02:54
Yeah, it's crazy Brazil left Joao Pedro home to pick an injured Neymar. They tried 3 or 4 options upfront in the World Cup because nothing was working while Joao Pedro was on his couch!
You rate Mbuemo this highly, Mk? I think he is a Temu Salah.
Was a star in an average team, and now his true level is showing imo.
Also don't know about Cherki, tbh. Foden just signed a new deal and Maresca apparently loves him, with Semenyo & Doku, I think Cherki will mostly come off the bench this year.
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 20:15:50
Can I just give a shoutout to Ed001 who was told by a contact at a match back in early May that we were sniffing around Kounde.
Respect ✊ Ed001
{Ed001's Note - I wasn't sure how true it was, but he was very sure and you don't really argue with a prince at the end of the day.}
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 20:15:50
Can I just give a shoutout to Ed001 who was told by a contact at a match back in early May that we were sniffing around Kounde.
Respect ✊ Ed001
{Ed001's Note - I wasn't sure how true it was, but he was very sure and you don't really argue with a prince at the end of the day.}
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 18:05:23
Dyche is a Liverpool fan, he was praising him.
{Ed001's Note - he is wrong though, Iraola never tried to play the 'Spanish style' at any time, he has always played the same way, even when managing in Spain.}
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 16:49:21
Eds have done me there, looks like I'm fighting with a ghost ?.
In all seriousness tho, I apologise to the Eds if me being straight with some posters has and does cause any issues. I will keep it strictly PC ?
{Ed001's Note - it is not you that is the issue. His responses were out of order. He had no need to be like that. He is taking a short break to calm down and realise that he is slagging you off for being exactly what he is! Crazy. Obviously no mirrors in his house.}
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 15:05:05
I'm pretty sure I have seen Bradley play, I was excited as anybody else when he broke through and I bought an away kit with his name and number on the back. I remember ed001 saying he expected great things from him and he was the best thing to come out of the academy since Trent.
He has only really shown flashes since then, generally he has been okay with some outstanding performances in the Madrid games, but he has a lot of faults with his game too, even discounting the injuries. Not saying that he won't get there, clearly he is a super talented footballer, but sometimes he tends to play right back like a central midfielder plays right back.
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 12:27:45
I don't know, really. I find Bradley and Spence to be around equal in all respects, both can be good (with emphasis on can be, because they aren't consistent) one on one defenders, but are not that good at defending in other respects. On the attacking end, maybe Bradley has a bit of an edge, but it's not a huge one.
Both like to carry the ball from deep, both can have questionable final product in the attacking third. Where Spence has the edge on Conor is pace, though, he really is very fast. All things considered, though, I'd hardly consider Spence to be an upgrade on Bradley.
{Ed001's Note - Spence is a rank awful defender, and he doesn't want to bother defending either. He will just stand and watch at times. Not a player anyone should be considering at this level.}
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 12:07:41
With rayan ed1 you have stated with Brighton, Bournemouth set up, they play these type of players first team football and then don't stand in there way if a bigger club comes in? I may have this wrong but be good to know
{Ed001's Note - yes, but they like to keep them for a bit first. However, they rarely stand in the way of a move as making it difficult can put off other players from joining.}
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 09:44:02
He was at the start Ed001, but I know a Brentford fan and he got progressively more frustrated with Hendo as the season went on.
In the first half of the season he started 15/19 Premier League games. In the second half he only started 7/19 due to injury struggles and poor form.
I'm not sure Chelsea are getting a player who will contribute much at all on the pitch. I mean for a start he's coming in with a broken arm!
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 09:28:30
Ed001, I think Man City, Chelsea and Spurs blowing up the market hasn't helped either. Anderson at £116m, Rogers at £117m and Tonali at £100m is absolutely mental.
£100m+ signings used to be reserved for players considered to be elite. We probably didn't help that ourselves by paying £100m for Wirtz and £125m for Isak last summer, although at least they came with a bit of genuine pedigree unlike the ones who've moved for 9 figure fees this summer.
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 08:51:53
Ed001, that's a very fair argument and I'm sure they'll be good in the dressing room. I'm just not sure they'll contribute much on the pitch though. Hendo looked on his last legs towards the back end of last season and Welbeck can barely play 30-60 minutes a week. I just feel like they could've found some players closer to the 28-32 years old bracket who can give them experience and also still be more effective when required to play.
There doesn't seem to be much in-between for Chelsea. They either want 18-23 year olds or 35+ year olds!
{Ed001's Note - Hendo was good for Brentford last season.}
28 Jul 2026
28 Jul 2026 08:51:53
Ed001, that's a very fair argument and I'm sure they'll be good in the dressing room. I'm just not sure they'll contribute much on the pitch though. Hendo looked on his last legs towards the back end of last season and Welbeck can barely play 30-60 minutes a week. I just feel like they could've found some players closer to the 28-32 years old bracket who can give them experience and also still be more effective when required to play.
There doesn't seem to be much in-between for Chelsea. They either want 18-23 year olds or 35+ year olds!
{Ed001's Note - Hendo was good for Brentford last season.}