Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!


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Leonardo DiCaprio @LeoDiCaprio what a tool @ Marseilles can youiiiilieve 1m

Good move #liverpool. Though what do we do with so many central mids? Where
are the wingers?! We can't rely on Moses!

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story looks great already...and it's barely even begun! Good idea to put in the transfer verdicts as well!!
 

Hristov early mistakes while Newcastle sell Elliot

July , 2013

By Kevin Keegan

Amidst reports Newcastle fans are organizing a march to drive the notorious trio Ashley, Kinnear and Hristov out of the city, the new manager wasted little time to make his first moves at the club. Despite claiming he'd not make any major changes in the backroom staff, Hristov swiftly terminated the contracts of coaches Steve Stone and Willie Donachie, Academy Head coach Joe Joyce, youth coaches Kevin Richardson, Liam Bramley, Chris Terpcou, fitness coaches Rick Akenhead, Jack Ade, Simon Tweddle, Faye Downey and the physio crew Michael Harding and Carl Nelson. This amounts to a total of 12 changes which suggests Hristov is looking to totally revamp the current structure at Newcastle. It also brings a scent of inexperience as you won't see many managers rush into such an overhaul during their first days at a new club. I wonder if Hristov even met these guys before sacking them, let alone get to know them and their respective qualities.

Of course you won't hear me saying a manager doesn't have the right to pick his own crew he trusts to do a job. It is a delicate matter of managing the atmosphere and Hristov should be well aware the wind is blowing in his face right now so a little patience could have helped his cause. My gut feeling is he is trying to do all the unpopular things at once and spare any future negative PR disruptions but the real question is will he control the situation? Because what he is doing right now is irreversible and could cripple the club for years to come. I am honestly trying to be fair here and what I can give him is he has a plan - all the terminations were backed by ready-made replacements rather than replicate the chaotic decisions so characteristic under the current regime. Here is a list of all the recruitments:

Jason Dodd - Head of youth development;
David Court, Dave Parnaby, Bruno Demichelis, John Murtough - coaches;
Jose Manuel Otxotorena, Joe Corrigan - goalkeeping coaches;
Massimo Neri - fitness coach;
Liam Kershaw - physio;
Paul Mitchell - scout.

There is some quality in these names. Court arrives from Arsenal, Dodd and Mitchell come from Southampton, Kershaw from Liverpool and Otxotorena from Valencia so they can do a job. It also suggests Hristov does have some pulling power although we are yet to see if he can reproduce it on the transfer market. But getting the pieces together doesn't mean you can make them work and getting too many pieces in and out will certainly decrease your chances of success.

View attachment 456768
Rob Elliot​

Newcastle also confirmed the first player transfer under Hristov. Backup goalkeeper Rob Elliot (27) leaves the club for Ian Holloway's newly promoted Crystal Palace in a 1.3m pounds deal, all to be paid up front. Elliot managed 10 appearances for Newcastle over the past two seasons and provided much needed experienced cover for number 1 Tim Krul. When asked to comment where this deal leaves Newcastle in terms of depth, Hristov refused to be bothered:

Reporter: Selling Rob Elliot leaves just academy product Jak Alnwick to challenge Tim Krul for the number 1 jersey. Doesn't that trouble you?
Dimiter Hristov: If I had a problem with that deal I wouldn't have sanctioned it.
Reporter: Can we expect a replacement brought in or you will put faith on young Jak?
Dimiter Hristov: We have a number of targets we are working on but goalkeeper isn't on top of the list of positions I'd like to strengthen. It all depends on how much we can spend in the end of the day. If there are no funds to strengthen that area I have absolutely no problem with putting Jak on the bench.
Reporter: Can we expect any new signings soon then?
Dimiter Hristov: It is pretty complex at the minute. What I want to do is buy quality but you can't do that if you don't spend. I have had a chat with Joe and the owner and we agreed to bump up the percentage of transfer revenue made available. To put it simple - right now I am looking at how much money we can raise before I decide which and how many players we will go for. What I can promise is you won't see these funds disappear, they will be reinvested.

So we can expect more outgoing moves before Hristov even considers who to bring in. Our team covering Newcastle for you has decided to put in a counter on each move the new management takes so that the fans can see if promises are kept. A club insider has informed us Hristov agreed a 9.36m pounds transfer budget with Mike Ashley and convinced Joe Kinnear that 90% of all money made through sales will be added to that figure.

Rob Elliot transfer verdict: 4.0/10 - while the club made a neat 1.1m pounds profit from the deal, it leaves the squad desperately thin in case something happens with Tim Krul. You won't get many keepers better than Rob willing to sit on the bench so it is a poor decision for me.
Newcastle transfer budget: 10.53m pounds (9.36m initial)
 

Newcastle fans march against Hristov&Co as captain Colo, Obertan and Gosling are sold - who is next?

View attachment 456685
Rob Lee
Published at 8:44PM, July 13 2013

The planned peaceful protest march against Mike Ashley, Joe Kinnear and Dimiter Hristov turned into a frightening frenzy as news broke out Newcastle have sold three more players. Cult defender and club captain Fabricio Coloccini (31) has packed his bags and leaves what now feels more like a battlefield than a football club for Roma in a 7.0m pounds deal, all up front.

View attachment 456684
Captain Colo packs bags and leaves the circus​

The influential defender spent last five seasons with the club and earned a cult status amongst the Geordie faithful after sticking with the team through a full season in the Championship after the notorious relegation in 2009. He made 163 league appearances and scored 4 goals. I cannot but wish him the best and hopefully he will be able to do with Roma what he won't have a chance here - win a trophy.

Gabriel Obertan (24) has signed with Crystal Palace in a 6.75m pounds deal, all up front.

View attachment 456682
Surplus to requirements - Obertan sold
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Gabriel never quite lived up to his early potential but provided useful cover on the wings, playing 37 games during his two years with Newcastle. He also scored a single goal.

Dan Gosling (23) is another fringe player to move on in an attempt to revitalize his career. Dan signed for Bournemouth for a fee of 2.1m pounds, all up front.

View attachment 456681
We never saw much of Dan Gosling

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Gosling was haunted by injuries during his three seasons with the Magpies and only managed 16 appearances, scoring one goal against Manchester City.

While the likes of Obertan and Gosling are hardly going to be missed, Hristov threw a major blunder by failing to keep the most influential defender at his hands. The fans are rightly worried this transfer may be followed by an exodus of our prized assets - who will be next? Ben Arfa? Cabaye? Santon? Rumors are all of them have attracted interest from the big clubs and they will be hardly impressed with the way Hristov has handled their captain. He admitted his hands were tied in this particular situation:

Reporter: The fans were already asking for your head but now they are really ******. Doesn't selling an important player as Coloccini, a big fan favourite, feel like a bad move after your promise to keep hold of Newcastle's stars?
Dimiter Hristov: First of all I want to stress I would have kept Colo is I had the slightest chance to do so, he was always in my plans when I came in here. The thing is there was a pre-existing situation with him which I believe is well documented. He was very honest with me on day one that he wants to leave due to personal problems. Once they tell you that there isn't much you can do. No point keeping an unhappy player in the squad. I don't want to dwell on this though as once we agreed we have to part ways, we did everything right from that point forward. We have received a large fee and a sizable amount of wage budget has been released to sign a replacement.
Reporter: Do you have faith you will be able to replace your captain so easily?
Dimiter Hristov: I never said it would be easy but I'm not looking to hide from the responsibility it must be done. And it will be done.
Reporter: There is genuine fear more key players will ask to leave the club now as soon as big clubs come knocking at their door.
Dimiter Hristov: I absolutely guarantee no other first-tier players will leave this football club. There will be more sales but Krul, Tiote, Cabaye, Santon, Ben Arfa and a few others are the backbone of this team and I need them here. You will see some more fringe players leave though.
Reporter: You keep calling them fringe players but Alan Pardew was often criticized over the lack of depth in the squad. How much more can you really cut after selling Elliot, Gosling and Obertan?
Dimiter Hristov: The numbers will not be a problem. It is the quality we need to address. I understand the fans but it will work out in the end - I won't call to be patient but don't rush to conclusions either!

View attachment 456673
Geordie fans conclude: Ashley, Kinnear, Hristov out!​

Thing is, Mr. Hristov, you can't play a squad of 16 in a league as demanding as the Premiership. While I hate to do so I also need to mention something else our club insider shared with us. Hristov has used his contacts with the agents to cut down the wages of all youngsters at the club to 1 pound weekly! He has done so by throwing in a clause that would sky-rocket the wages if they play between 10-15 games for the first team. The penny-pinching at Newcastle reaches new levels under Ashley and Hristov!!! I can tell you these boys will get nowhere near the first team now - can you see the likes of Streete, Mbabu and Dummett getting a wage hike to 50,000 pounds? Hristov was even proud of his strategy, claiming it releases up to 40,000 pounds of wage budget - to be used on what? Stop ruining our club, Mr. Hristov!!!

Fabricio Coloccini transfer verdict: 3.0/10 - the only reason this deal isn't a 1.0 is the large fee Newcastle commanded for a figure everyone will sorely miss in the North East. Let's also mention the club now only has three senior central defenders available so additional cover issues may arise during the season.
Gabriel Obertan transfer verdict: 9.0/10 - despite the negativity this deal has to be praised for the sheer fee the club managed to get for Obertan.
Dan Gosling transfer verdict: 5.0/10 - nothing special to mention here. Time to move on, sometimes it just doesn't work out.

We also keep tracking the transfer budget Hristov promised would be reinvested straight in the squad. 90% of the transfer fees have been added to the pot:

Newcastle transfer budget: 24.80m pounds (9.36m initial)
 
Real Madrid ****** Valencia

Gary Neville
Published at 9:51PM, July 14 2013

Manchester United announced the sale of versatile winger Antonio Valencia (28) to Real Madrid in a 14.5m pounds deal. This is the first sir Alex Ferguson player new manager David Moyes has dared to part with and it sparkled an interesting discussion amongst fans who are divided in their opinions of the transfer.

View attachment 456671
Antonio Valencia leaves Old Trafford

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Valencia spent four seasons at Old Trafford and managed 101 games for the club, impressing with his ability to play in numerous positions. While some fans are unconvinced by his overall ability, others point out his tremendous work rate down the flank will be missed and the fact Real Madrid see him good enough speaks volumes. David Moyes explained the departure by his desire to work with a smaller group of players and hesitance to play anyone out of position:

Reporter: The sale of Antonio Valencia disappointed some of the fans. What do you have to tell them?
David Moyes: We simply have too many players competing for position on the wing. Antonio is a fine lad and I didn't want to lose him but we received an offer which meets our valuation and he really wanted to try a different league. This will also allow me to focus on developing some of the youngsters we have here - and I am sure the fans will back me on that.
Reporter: Okay, but Valencia provided much needed cover as a full back - an area you are yet to strengthen?
David Moyes: I'm not a huge fan of asking a winger to return in defense if it's not his natural position. I am well aware of the full back issue and it is something we will need to address in the coming months.

Antonio Valencia transfer verdict: 4.5/10 - selling players for a big fee is not what the fans want to see although in this particular case Manchester United got a good fee for a good servant and my rating would be higher if Moyes had already brought a natural right full back.
 
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Usain St. Leo Bolt @usainbolt what a tool @ Marseilles can youiiiilievmmme 1m

Will miss the sprints down the right flank but time to see what Zaha&Adnan can.
What's going on with the Baines transfer tho?! #mufc

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Newcastle exodus continues as three more first team players leave - Magpies paper thin now

View attachment 456665
Rob Lee
Published at 9:58PM, July 14 2013

The worst nightmares of everyone associated with our great club are becoming reality now as Mike Ashley is on a red hot selling streak, backed by his comfortable man in the manager seat Dimiter Hristov. Despite promises no more key members of the first team would leave, deals for three more Newcastle players have been signed and dusted. Industrious midfielder Jonas Gutierrez (30) has earned a rather shocking move to AS Monaco in a 8.75m pounds deal, all up front.

View attachment 456664
Jonas makes a move to French moneybags Monaco​

Just like Coloccini, Jonas is a part of the old guard who remained with the club after relegation and fought hard to return to the top flight. He spent five seasons with Newcastle for 155 appearances and 10 goals in the black and white shirt. And just like his fellow compatriot, he seems more certain to fight for trophies with his new club after years of fantastic service in Tyneside.

Shola Ameobi (31) is also set for Champions League football after signing with Scottish giants Celtic in a 1.8m pounds deal, all up front.

View attachment 456663
Shola heartbroken at leaving Newcastle
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Shola has spent his entire career with the club except for a short loan spell for Stoke and had the honor of playing alongside Alan Shearer under the legendary sir Bobby Robson. His sale comes to show there will be nothing sacred for Hristov in his quest for money.

Mike Williamson (29) is the last victim of today's clearout and becomes the third player we sell to Crystal Palace this very window after his 3.5m pounds transfer, all up front.

View attachment 456662
Done nothing wrong but sold nonetheless - a Willo tale

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Williamson was a great example of a squad player - he never moaned for sitting on the bench, was always ready and never let us down. He spent four seasons with Newcastle and made 86 appearances for the club.

Hristov is certainly stripping bare flesh off the squad now and I wonder if Jonas doesn't qualify as a key first team player how on earth would Monaco want him but obviously our new "manager" doesn't think the same:

Reporter: You promised the fans no more key players would be sold and yet here we are, discussing the transfer of Jonas Gutierrez to France.
Dimiter Hristov: I never mentioned Jonas in that list though, did I? Last season - and I know because I follow Newcastle very closely, the fans were calling for Guti to be dropped as he was bringing nothing to the side and it felt like we were playing 10 players while he was on the pitch. Now while I'm not agreeing with this assessment because I can only admire Jonas' tremendous work rate, you can't have it both ways. He's either good enough to be a key player or not good enough so a decision to sell him for a large sum while we still could is the right call. Which one will it be?
Reporter: After the departure of Obertan the team is certainly short of wide players though. There have been reports Newcastle scouts have watched a Benfica pre-season friendly, checking out Nicolas Gaitan. Considering he is transfer listed and could be purchased at a bargain price, can we expect him to become your first new signing?
Dimiter Hristov: Not really, no. We are watching a number of players right now and I wouldn't single out any names at this stage.
Reporter: The sale of Mike Williamson leaves Newcastle exposed at the back with just two specialist center backs available after captain Coloccini was also sold. Which one of them will you sell first?
Dimiter Hristov: I appreciate your delicate irony but I'll have to disappoint you here - Steven Taylor and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa will remain at the club. At least until January.
Reporter: Oh, that's a bold thing to say right now! What about the striker position? Shola Ameobi wasn't the most prolific player up front but he did provide an additional option and your predecessor suggested we need another striker before you moved in. What is your stance now? Will you try to introduce Adam Campbell in the first team as many fans are guessing?
Dimiter Hristov: Nope, it is too early for Adam to put such burden on his shoulders. I want him to grow naturally without added pressure so he may even go out on loan at some point. We will be looking to add strikers to this team, on a permanent basis.

I wonder how thick does your skin have to be to be able to pull jokes in such a dire situation. Hristov seems to be enjoying driving the fans crazy and creating all this uncertainty-threatening-to-turn-into-disaster and I'm not sure if I should be amused or terrified. Simple maths suggest the latter: seven first team players sold, incomings: zilch.

Jonas Gutierrez transfer verdict: 6.5/10 - if it wasn't the terrible lack of depth I'd praise the club for selling so well but money alone doesn't build you a strong team if you don't spend it.
Mike Williamson transfer verdict: 7.0/10 - another good deal in terms of numbers if we can ignore the context.
Shola Ameobi transfer verdict: 6.0/10 - you don't sell your fringe strikers with no backup if your only other shooter is misfiring and the other alternative is on loan and injured.

We also keep tracking the transfer budget Hristov promised would be reinvested straight in the squad. 90% of the transfer fees have been added to the pot:

Newcastle transfer budget: 37.45m pounds (9.36m initial)
 
****! this is going awesome, and even pre-season hasn't started.
 

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Darcey Bussell @DarceyOfficial what a tool @ Marseilles can youiiilievmmm 1m

What a signing for Spurs! Can't believe we beat City to it - some real ambition
by AVB here #THFC

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Yeah this is a lot of writing and thinking too, I was wondering that as well, it'll take you a lot of time to finish writing one save, let alone a successful career, but as a reader, it's very enjoyable. :p I think you can cut short to screenshots of results and few lines when you start the season, I'm loving the silly season drama. :p Good luck!
 
Tottenham secure Real Sociedad star
The winger turned down Manchester City​
View attachment 456543
David Pleat
The Guardian, Monday 15 July 2013
Tottenham have finalized the deal for yet another potential Gareth Bale replacement in a busy summer transfer window. Real Sociedad winger Antoine Griezmann (21) arrives at White Hart Lane for a fee of 20.0m pounds. Griezmann is a Sociedad academy product and spent his entire career with the club, playing 145 games and scoring 30 goals.​



View attachment 456540
Antoine Griezmann​

The French U21 international was also wanted by Manchester City but chose Spurs over them. Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas was convinced the exciting project he is building played a significant part in the young player's decision:

Reporter: You have pulled yet another impressive signing on the market, this time beating off competition from the financial powerhouse Manchester City. How did you convince Griezmann to pick Spurs over the Citizens?
Andre Villas-Boas: I think he only needed to look as far as Gareth Bale got - he knows we will give him the opportunity to do the same, to develop as a player and improve his game. Antoine believes in our project and wants to be a part of it.
Reporter: Can you promise him a starting place after so many signings though? You already have Aaron Lennon and Gylfi Sigurdsson on the left flank, and Lamela, Townsend and Rose can also play there.
Andre Villas-Boas: Between the Premier League and Europa League we will have more than enough games so that everyone will play their part. Starting games depends on how they perform though so they will be on their toes and give their best on the training pitch.
Reporter: You have spent all the Gareth Bale money now. Can we expect further activity from you on the market?
Andre Villas-Boas: I won't rule anything out although we are now in a position to be patient and observe the market without a sense of any urgent needs. If I see a window of opportunity to improve the squad, I will act swiftly. That's all I can tell you right now.

Antoine Griezmann transfer verdict: 9.5/10 - if Erik Lamela takes too long to adapt to English football, Tottenham will have another winger to replace Gareth Bale straight away. Quality business from Andre Villas-Boas as he also managed to disrupt the plans of another contender - you won't often hear of Manchester City failing to secure a transfer target.
 

Fans greet Hristov first Newcastle signing with 'Is this our Shearer' chants

View attachment 456528
Rob Lee
Published at 7:11PM, July 15 2013

Newcastle fans had to see seven first team players leave the club before manager Dimiter Hristov managed to secure a first new signing. Dutch winger Memphis Depay (19) arrived at Saint James' Park as PSV Eindhoven agreed a 1.1m pounds structured fee for his services. Newcastle will pay 250k pounds up front and the rest will be due over the next 48 months.

View attachment 456527
Memphis Depay reporting for duty​

The youngster appears to be quite talented as he already made 4 appearances for the Dutch U21 with one goal and played 28 games for PSV with 5 more goals since his breakthrough two seasons ago. Although this was not the high profile signing in the "exceptional quality" bracket Hristov promised before going on a selling frenzy and the fans hurried to remind him of that during the press conference the club arranged to present Depay. The fans greeted Hristov with "Is this our Shearer" chants, taunted by the manager's attempt to find common ground between the current clearout and the deal which saw legendary manager sell Andy Cole to rivals Manchester United back in the 90's. Depay was visibly confused and tried to explain he is a winger and not a striker although he will look to score goals, too. Hristov was quick to announce the Memphis deal is untypical and he'll be looking to sign more established players over the next week or so:

Reporter: So, Mr. Hristov, is this Newcastle's new Shearer?
Dimiter Hristov: No, no, don't make your conclusions based on one deal. It is heavily unfair on the player - all this pressure is really unnecessary. You have to be patient with your big targets and we were never going to sign our top guys, our new Shearer if you please, so quickly. It's not the speed but the right timing of the deal - I'm confident we can close up any negotiations swiftly but we need to be careful when and how to engage them to achieve maximized results.
Reporter: Isn't that a bit disrespectful to your new player? Memphis Depay is certainly not some youngster to put in the development team, he should be pushing for a place in the first team.
Dimiter Hristov: He will do just that. I brought him here to let him adapt and grow up as a player this season and we will reap the rewards of this over the next years. But you shouldn't expect him to go out in the opening game of the season and score three or four.
Reporter: This sounds suspiciously close to a bargain youngster signing so typical of the current regime. A lot of fans are expecting that despite the big talks you will merely build a young side around some of the current players and look to sell them for profit. If that is the case why don't you just say so?
Dimiter Hristov: That is a completely sound policy and I don't see anything wrong with it. It just isn't my policy. I am far from done on the market, we will talk again a week from now.

Now where did I hear that line... Oh, yes - during my interview with Hristov himself. Well a week has passed now and he asks for another one. I really don't understand why doesn't he just come out and say what is how so that we can at least know it instead of just guessing and speculating.

Memphis Depay transfer verdict: 7.0/10 - while obviously far from legendary striker of Shearer's quality, Memphis is as hot as a youngster can be and his capture is a good one for a club of Newcastle's standing - for a reasonable fee, too.

We also keep tracking the transfer budget Hristov promised would be reinvested straight in the squad. The transfer fee for Memphis Depay (250k pounds) has been deducted from the pot:

Newcastle transfer budget: 37.20m pounds (9.36m initial)
 
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Angelina Jolie @AJolieV what a tool @ Marseilles can yo-------i------ue 1m

How can we progress if we sell our stars to rival clubs? Major blunder from
Brendan Rodgers here #liverpool #mcfc

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Lee Dixon: Lucas Leiva capture shows City intent
View attachment 456504
LEE DIXON Tuesday 16 July 2013
Manuel Pellegrini continued the summer spending for Manchester City by signing yet another defensive midfielder. Lucas Leiva (26) joins the ranks after Liverpool agreed to sell him for a 23.0m pounds fee. The tenacious Brazilian is a real coup considering his transfer weakens one of City's major competitors this season.

View attachment 456486
Pellegrini puts rivals in check​

Lucas Leiva is undoubtedly one of Liverpool's unsung heroes and his absence will be felt at Anfield. He spent the last six seasons at Merseyside and despite troubling injuries managed to record 149 appearances for the Reds. Pellegrini was quick to dismiss any back thoughts on the transfer:

Reporter: How would you comment on the suggestions signing Lucas Leiva was part of a plot to weaken your competition?
Manuel Pellegrini: There is no ill feelings about the transfer, please don't try to look for such because there really aren't any! We met the asking price for a quality player and got him, the player is happy, the selling club is happy, and we are happy because at the end of the day this is what we as a club are looking for - add quality to this squad.
Reporter: But you have to agree it doesn't look like the squad you got is really short of a defensive midfielder, especially after you just signed Fernandinho. Yaya Toure plays in that role, so does Jack Rodwell, Kompany and Demichelis could also cover the position...
Manuel Pellegrini: Our system requires two defensive midfielders on the pitch so we did need another one as Kompany and Demichelis are natural defenders. Lucas also brings something we didn't have so he doesn't merely add depth, he improves us.
Reporter: You also tried to sign Antoine Griezmann but he picked Tottenham over you in the last minute. Does that mean you are out on the market for another player, a winger perhaps?
Manuel Pellegrini: You see how easy it is to make the wrong conclusions? You could as easily say Tottenham got one over us while we got one over Liverpool... It doesn't really work that way. I feel we are short of a winger so yes, I will be looking to bring somebody in before the market closes.

Like any good chess player Manuel knows better than to beat the drums for getting one over his competitors but he simply refused to rub salt to the wound after the damage was already done.

Lucas Leiva transfer verdict: 7.5/10 - the Citizens didn't desperately need Lucas but this transfer does strengthen their team while Liverpool are likely to suffer trying to replace him.
 

Two more sold as Hristov brings the list of departures up to NINE!

View attachment 456431
Rob Lee
Published at 6:15PM, July 17 2013

The sales at Newcastle are never ending these days. The club sanctioned two more deals today. Gael Bigirimana (19) leaves for Aston Villa in a 2.5m pounds deal, all up front.

View attachment 456429
Bye-bye Bigi​

The fans are understandably disappointed Hristov didn't decide to give the youngster a chance after he impressed in his 13 appearances during his first and only season with the club.

Paul Dummett (21) leaves the club, too. The academy product joins Charlton in a 250k pounds deal, all up front.

View attachment 456428
Dummett forced out as well
​

Paul never managed to get a start for the first team despite impressing during loan spells with Gateshead and Saint Mirren. Sadly he will discover his potential away from his home club.

These transfers surprised many as it was largely expected the manager would try and build a young side. Hristov denied a potential rift in philosophies with Mike Ashley:

Reporter: You just cashed in on two of the club's most highly rated young prospects. How does the owner feel about that?
Dimiter Hristov: Mr. Ashley has complete faith in my strategy to revamp the squad.
Reporter: Does that mean we will see a change in philosophy at the club? Everybody is at loss about your plans. You sell the experienced players, including the club captain, you move on the fringe players and now the youngsters. Seems nobody is safe.
Dimiter Hristov: You can only see one angle of the picture from outside. I'm not trying to be smart here, we have big plans set in motion. I don't think there will be more sales at the time being, or at least it doesn't seem likely - unless we decide to send someone out on loan.
Reporter: So this is the team you will be playing this season?
Dimiter Hristov: Come on, give me a break. We can now focus on the incoming transfers and negotiations are being held as we speak. The club wasn't only working on sales over the past two weeks, a lot of work was done on identifying various targets and holding preliminary discussions with the respective clubs in order to check their availability and potential cost.

I just don't know what to make out of these comments. The big clubs will begin pushing for our best players in late August and I'm not certain a trigger-happy person as Hristov would find it easy to hold firm and refuse. I'm also on my toes about how he intends to spend the kitty he so carefully built up for himself. Because there is one worse possibility than the money disappearing - if it is invested in the wrong players on long term deals.

Gael Bigirimana transfer verdict: 3.5/10 - the club realized substantial profit from the deal but Bigirimana could have commanded a much higher fee in January so a loan deal would have made much more sense even from purely financial perspective - strange move here!
Paul Dummett transfer verdict: 1.0/10 - same applies here and the club didn't even generate any notable funds from the sale - why not loan the lad out and see how he develops instead?

We also keep tracking the transfer budget Hristov promised would be reinvested straight in the squad. 90% of the transfer fees have been added to the pot:

Newcastle transfer budget: 39.68m pounds (9.36m initial)
 
Great updates mate, it's really a joy to read! For a person like me (I normally like to sell my star players for a lot, and then sign replacements), I think you've made some good transfers - although I don't really see why you've sold Bigirimana and Dummett for so little. Anyway, as I said, keep it up - it's a good read!
 
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