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

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#nufc call a press conference to unveil mystery World Cup involved striker

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Controversial striker promises to bring the title back to Saint James' Park

View attachment 409439
Rob Lee
Published at 9:49PM, August 05 2016

Newcastle certainly took their time to wrap up the hunt for a new striker after a protracted saga involving unhappy Neymar. It is the summer of discontent at Tyneside as the new front man Hristov signed is notorious for his on and off the pitch antics and peculiar mood swings, to put it mildly. World class players often come with strings attached and in Mario Balotelli's case it is more like ropes. The 25-year old Italy international provoked controversy during his short spell with Tottenham and ultimately forced their hand to sell him for a measly 29.5 million pounds fee after falling out with the manager, demanding new signings, publicly stating his unhappiness with the club's league position and poking three coaches and a physio in the eye.

View attachment 409435
Super Mario promises interesting times

For all the trouble Mario brings something that makes manager after manager to give him a chance - goals. He scored 21 in 26 starts for Spurs during his only season with them and currently boasts an impressive record with Italy - 34 in 58 caps. Mario promised to bring the title back in Tyneside and Hristov was confident of handling his personality:

Reporter: After your move for Neymar got so public and ended up in disappointing failure, you finally have your man. Do you think Mario Balotelli will be comfortable with the label of being second in your shortlist though?
Dimiter Hristov: At the point we were discussing a potential move with Chelsea we simply had no idea Mario would be available. He knows that and the media also know that but it doesn't make a good story. Honestly, it's the hunger for bad-boy stories out there that gets all this bad publicity for Balotelli, he's constantly being stalked and everything he does is dragged completely out of proportion. You'd think with everything that's been written about him he'd have spent the past ten years in jail rather than the football pitches scoring goals.
Reporter: You are aware we've heard these words in one shape or another a number of times already from nearly every coach he has had? What makes you think you will be the one to eradicate the controversial behaviour?
Dimiter Hristov: I have no such intentions. Mario is a grown-up man and I trust him to make his own decisions. What I expect him to do is play football - that's the one thing I'll hold him accountable for.

I wonder if Hristov will be so confident in this position 12 months from now.

Mario Balotelli transfer verdict: 9.5/10 - as controversial as he is, Mario is filling a long-standing void for a natural striker at Saint James' Park - Suarez, Donovan, Remy and Depay have all played on the wing and it makes a nice change to have someone solely focused on scoring goals.
 
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BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes a look at the title contenders

6 days and counting down to the start of the new season! Who will challenge for the title? Who will suffer relegation? Stay with us to see Mark Lawrenson's take at the title contenders!

View attachment 409417
Who will win it this season?

Red-hot favorites are Chelsea, who dramatically won the title last season. They are confident of repeating the feat and most of the pundits are backing them to do just so. Media predictions: 1st place.


Chelsea
View attachment 409416

History: 5 times champion, 5 times runner-up
Title odds:
Evens
Pundits:
View attachment 409414View attachment 409413
iiiiRay Wilkinsd Tony Cascarino

Manager: Jose Mourinho (since June 2013)
View attachment 409412

Pre-Season:
Training Camp in England


Friendlies:
Sparta Prague (H) 3-0
*Cech Testimonial*
Lukaku, Lewandowski (2)

Cardiff (H) 5-1
Lukaku (2), Lewandowski (2), Fabregas
Cardiff (A) 2-0
Lukaku, Shaqiri (pen)
Sevilla (H) 3-2
Willian, Falcao, Lewandowski
Bristol City (A) 4-0
Lewandowski (2), Oscar, Shaqiri
Sampdoria (A) 2-0
Mata, Lukaku
Espaniol (A) 2-2
Oscar, Lukaku


Preferred Formation:
4-2-3-1

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:
View attachment 409394View attachment 409392
Thibaut Courtois (24) / Petr Cech (34)

Central Defenders:
View attachment 409391View attachment 409389View attachment 409388View attachment 409386
Samuel Umtiti (22) / Mats Hummels (27) / Daviz Luiz (29) / Steven Caulker (24)

Full Backs:
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Sergio Ramos (30) / Eliaquim Mangala (25) / Ashley Cole (35)

Midfielders:
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Cesc Fabregas (29) / Kevin Strootman (26) / Thiago Alcantara (25) / Ramires (29) / John Obi Mikel (29) / Nathaniel Chalobah (21)

Wingers:
View attachment 409374View attachment 409373View attachment 409372View attachment 409371View attachment 409370View attachment 409369View attachment 409367
Eden Hazard (25) / Xherdan Shaqiri (24) / Juan Mata (28) / Oscar (24) / Willian (27) / Jeremie Boga (19) / Victor Moses (25)

Strikers:
View attachment 409366View attachment 409365View attachment 409364View attachment 409363
Neymar (24) / Robert Lewandowski (27) / Radamel Falcao (30) / Wilfried Zaha (23)

Captain: Ashley Cole

Vice Captain: Sergio Ramos

Notable Transfers In:

Samuel Umtiti - AS Monaco, 20.5m pounds

Shane James - Crystal Palace, 4.3m pounds
View attachment 409362

Notable Transfers Out:

Mark Schwarzer - retired

John Terry - retired

Frank Lampard - retired


Wallace - Inter, 15.0m pounds
View attachment 409361

Hector Moreno - AS Monaco, 11.75m pounds
View attachment 409360

Romelu Lukaku - Blackburn, 11.25m pounds

View attachment 409359

Tomas Kalas - Bolton, 1.7m pounds
View attachment 409358

Branislav Ivanovic - Paris Saint-Germain, 825k pounds
View attachment 408265

Juan Manuel Mari - Lekhwiya, 450k pounds
View attachment 408267

Haris Engstrom - Everton on loan
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View attachment 409293

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes a look at the title contenders

6 days and counting down to the start of the new season! Who will challenge for the title? Who will suffer relegation? Stay with us to see Mark Lawrenson's take at the title contenders!

View attachment 409292
Who will win it this season?

Now let's take a look at Manchester City - they came third last season after a shocking final round defeat at home to Stoke when a point would have been enough to clinch the title! Media predictions: 2nd place.


Manchester City
View attachment 409291

History:
3 times champion, 4 times runner-up
Title odds:
Evens
Pundit:
View attachment 409289
Lee Dixon

Manager: Jurgen Klopp (since May 2014)
View attachment 409288

Pre-Season:
Training Camp in UAE


Friendlies:
Luton (A) 2-0
Jovetic (2)
Benfica (H) 2-0
Nasri, Ronaldo

Lyon (H) 0-0

Blackpool (A) 1-0
Jovetic
Hamburg (H) 4-0
Modric, Nasri, Ronaldo, Silva
Newcastle (A) 1-1
Newcastle win 11-10 on penalties
Jovetic

Inter (H) 3-1

Silva (pen), Gotze, Ronaldo
Al-Jazira (A) 3-1
Ronaldo (3 - 1 pen)


Preferred Formation:
4-2-3-1

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:
View attachment 409267View attachment 409265
Manuel Neuer (30) / Joe Hart (29)

Central Defenders:
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Vincent Kompany (30) / Thiago Silva (31) / Dejan Lovren (27) / Matija Nastasic (23)

Full Backs:
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David Alaba (24) / Philipp Lahm (32) / Pablo Zabaleta (31)

Midfielders:
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Arturo Vidal (29) / Lucas Leiva (29) / Yaya Toure (33) / Derek Gorman (18)

Wingers:
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Mario Gotze (24) / David Silva (30) / Luka Modric (30) / Pedro (29) / Samir Nasri (29) / Gylfi Sigurdsson (26)

Strikers:
View attachment 409238View attachment 409237View attachment 409235View attachment 409234
Lionel Messi (29) / Cristiano Ronaldo (31) / Sergio Aguero (28) / Stevan Jovetic (26)

Captain: Vincent Kompany

Vice Captain: Yaya Toure

Notable Transfers In:

None

Notable Transfers Out:

Jed Steer - Cardiff, 525k pounds
View attachment 409233

Adrian - free transfer
View attachment 409231

Jordan Jones - free transfer
View attachment 409229
 
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View attachment 409225

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes a look at the title contenders

6 days and counting down to the start of the new season! Who will challenge for the title? Who will suffer relegation? Stay with us to see Mark Lawrenson's take at the title contenders!

View attachment 409224
Who will win it this season?

Now let's take a look at Manchester United - they had a largely disappointing campaign last season and ended up fourth some distance behind the top three. Media predictions: 3rd place.

Manchester United
View attachment 409222

History:
20 times champion, 16 times runner-up
Title odds:
5-4
Pundits:
View attachment 409221View attachment 409220
Gary Nevilleddd Roy Keane

Manager: David Moyes (since July 2013)
View attachment 409219

Pre-Season:
Training Camp in England


Friendlies:
Spartak Moscow (H) 1-0
*Vidic Testimonial*
Pogba

Newcastle (H) 2-1
Pogba, Fellaini
Stevenage (A) 2-0
Wilson, Fellaini
Sunderland (A) 2-1
Bale (2)
Sheff Utd (A) 1-0
Bale
Antwerp (A) 2-0
Pogba (2)
FC Porto (H) 1-1
Kagawa
Everton (H) 2-2
*Rooney Testimonial*
Pogba (2)


Preferred Formation:
4-2-3-1

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:
View attachment 409216View attachment 409215
David De Gea (25) / Kieren Westwood (31)

Central Defenders:
View attachment 409214View attachment 409213View attachment 409212View attachment 409211
Jonny Evans (28) / Phil Jones (24) / Chris Smalling (26) / Nemanja Vidic (34)

Full Backs:
View attachment 409210View attachment 409209View attachment 409208
Rafael (26) / Jordi Alba (27) / Kyle Walker (26)

Midfielders:
View attachment 409201View attachment 409200View attachment 409199View attachment 409197View attachment 409196
View attachment 408259
Paul Pogba (23) / Christian Eriksen (24) / Marek Hamsik (29) / Marouane Fellaini (28) / Andres Iniesta (32) / Marco Verratti (23)

Wingers:
View attachment 409193View attachment 409192View attachment 409191View attachment 409190
Gareth Bale (27) / Shinji Kagawa (27) / Angel Di Maria (28) / Nani (29)

Strikers:
View attachment 409189View attachment 409188
View attachment 408258View attachment 408256
Mauro Icardi (23) / Wayne Rooney (30) / Olivier Giroud (29) / Angelo Henriquez (22)


Captain: Nemanja Vidic

Vice Captain: Marek Hamsik

Notable Transfers In:

Marco Verratti - Paris Saint-Germain, 14.5m pounds

Andres Iniesta - Barcelona, 23.0m pounds

Mauro Icardi - Inter, 19.25m pounds

Olivier Giroud - Blackburn, 10.0m pounds


Lloyd Lions - Crystal Palace, 1.1m pounds
View attachment 409186

Notable Transfers Out:

Ryan Giggs - retired

Javier Hernandez - Paris Saint-Germain, 14.5m pounds
View attachment 408262

Robin van Persie - Juventus, 825k pounds
View attachment 408261

Michael Carrick - Derby County, 200k pounds
View attachment 408260
 
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View attachment 409183

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes a look at the title contenders

6 days and counting down to the start of the new season! Who will challenge for the title? Who will suffer relegation? Stay with us to see Mark Lawrenson's take at the title contenders!

View attachment 409182
​Who will win it this season?

Now let's take a look at Newcastle - who came just one goal shy of winning a third consecutive title on the last day of the season but couldn't get it and had to settle for second place. Media predictions: 4th place.


Newcastle
View attachment 409181
History: 6 times champion, 3 times runner-up
Title odds:
6-4
Pundits:

View attachment 409180View attachment 409178
----- Rob Lee --- Kevin Keegan --

Manager:
Dimiter Hristov (since July 2013)
View attachment 409177

Pre-Season:
Training Camp in U.S.A.


Friendlies:
Schalke (A) 2-1
Remy, Cabaye
Dortmund (A) 1-3
Donovan
Paris Saint-Germain (A) 3-1
Grimm, Balotelli, Suarez
Man United (A) 1-2
Grimm
Arsenal (A) 2-3
Suarez, Depay
Chicago (A) 1-1
Suarez
DC United (A) 3-2
Remy (3)
Sporting Kansas City (A) 3-0
Suarez (2), Donovan
Marseilles (A) 2-1
Suarez, Zouma
Man City (H) 1-1
Newcastle win 11-10 on penalties
Grimm


Preferred Formation:
4-1-3-2 Ultra-attacking

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:
View attachment 409172View attachment 409171View attachment 409170
Tim Krul (28) / Jeronimo Rulli (24) / Jak Alnwick (23)

Central Defenders:
View attachment 409169View attachment 409168View attachment 409167View attachment 409165
Marquinhos (22) / Raphael Varane (23) / Eder Alvarez Balanta (23) / Kurt Zouma (21)

Full Backs:
View attachment 409164View attachment 409163View attachment 409162View attachment 409161View attachment 409160
Leighton Baines (31) / Gino Peruzzi (24) / Davide Santon (25) / Alex Sandro (25) / Mathieu Debuchy (31)

Midfielders:
View attachment 409156View attachment 409151View attachment 409149View attachment 409147View attachment 409144
Javi Martinez (27) / Will Hughes (21) / Moussa Sissoko (26) / Yohan Cabaye (30) / Pero Sunara (18)

Wingers:
View attachment 409140View attachment 409139View attachment 409138View attachment 409137View attachment 409136
Erik Lamela (24) / Eduardo Salvio (26) / Adnan Januzaj (21) / Hatem Ben Arfa (29) / Markus Grimm (18)

Strikers:
View attachment 409133View attachment 409132View attachment 409131View attachment 409130View attachment 409129
Mario Balotelli (25) / Luis Suarez (29) / Memphis Depay (22) / Loic Remy (29) / Landon Donovan (34)

Captain: Yohan Cabaye

Vice Captain: Eder Alvarez Balanta

Notable Transfers In:

Mario Balotelli - Tottenham, 29.5m pounds

Roberto Garcia - Valencia, 7.0m pounds
View attachment 409128

Notable Transfers Out:

Adam Campbell - Leeds on loan, 200k pounds p/m
Alberto Cerri - Aston Villa on loan, 200k pounds p/m
Christos Ntaflas - Reading on loan, 200k pounds p/m
Mario Pugliese - Stoke on loan, 200k pounds p/m
Sercan Akarsu - Valencia on loan, 200k pounds p/m
Robert Partington - Hull on loan, 185k pounds p/m
Billy Marples - Brighton on loan, 110k pounds p/m
Massadio Haidara - Everton on loan, 90k pounds p/m

(listed by same order below)
View attachment 409125View attachment 409124View attachment 409123View attachment 409122View attachment 409121View attachment 409120View attachment 409119View attachment 409118
 
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View attachment 409116

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes a look at the title contenders

6 days and counting down to the start of the new season! Who will challenge for the title? Who will suffer relegation? Stay with us to see Mark Lawrenson's take at the title contenders!

View attachment 409114
Who will win it this season?

Now let's take a look at Arsenal who once again failed to clinch a much coveted return to top four and Champions League football last term but managed to beat rivals Spurs to fifth position and win the Europa League. Media predictions: 5th place.


Arsenal
View attachment 409111
History: 13 times champion, 8 times runner-up
Title odds:
6-4
Pundits:
View attachment 409110View attachment 409109
i Alan Smith iiiii Sol Campbell

Manager:
Arsene Wenger (since September 1996)
View attachment 409108

Pre-Season:
Training Camp in China


Friendlies:

Reading (A) 2-1
El Shaarawy (2)
Newcastle (H) 3-2
Aubameyang, Ozil, Wanyama
Wolfsburg (A) 1-1
Wilshere
Leyton Orient (A) 2-0
Wanyama (2 - 1 pen)
Beijing (A) 4-1
Walcott, Clichy, Aubameyang (2)
Tianjin (A) 3-1
Warner, Walcott, De Sciglio
Galatasaray (H) 3-3
Bernard, Aubameyang, Wanyama

Preferred Formation:
4-2-3-1

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:
View attachment 409084View attachment 409083View attachment 409082View attachment 409081
Salvatore Sirigu (29) / Lukasz Fabianski (31) / Ben Amos (26) / Jesse Joronen (23)


Central Defenders:
View attachment 409080View attachment 409079View attachment 409078
Nicolas Nkoulou (26) / Gerard Pique (29) / Ezequiel Garay (29)

Full Backs:
View attachment 409077View attachment 409076View attachment 409075View attachment 409074View attachment 409073
Mattia De Sciglio (23) / Ben Davies (23) / Filipe (30) / Gael Clichy (31) / Bacary Sagna (33)

Midfielders:
View attachment 409072View attachment 409071View attachment 409070View attachment 409069View attachment 409068View attachment 409067
Jack Wilshere (24) / Aaron Ramsey (25) / Victor Wanyama (25) / Milan Badelj (27) / Diego Reyes (23) / Gedion Zelalem (19)

Wingers:
View attachment 409065View attachment 409064View attachment 409061
View attachment 408248
Isco (24) / Bernard (23) / Mesut Ozil (27) / Ross Barkley (22)

Strikers:
View attachment 409057View attachment 409056View attachment 409055View attachment 409053
Edinson Cavani (29) / Stephan El Shaarawy (23) / Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (27) / Theo Walcott (27)

Captain: Jack Wilshere

Vice Captain: Edinson Cavani

Notable Transfers In:

Ross Barkley - Everton, 24.0m pounds

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - AS Monaco, 23.5m pounds

Joan Burgos - Barcelona, 5.25m pounds
View attachment 408249

Jesse Joronen - Leeds, 275k pounds


Notable Transfers Out:

Carlos Vela - AS Monaco, 18.25m pounds
View attachment 409052

Thomas Vermaelen - Blackburn, 10.0m pounds
View attachment 409051

Antonio Candreva - Lyon, 8.25m pounds
View attachment 408250

Joel Campbell - Wolfsburg, 5.5m pounds
View attachment 409050

Micah Richards - Everton, 750k pounds
View attachment 408252

Joan Burgos - Real Betis on loan

Emiliano Viviano - free transfer
View attachment 409049
 
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View attachment 409048

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson takes a look at the title contenders

6 days and counting down to the start of the new season! Who will challenge for the title? Who will suffer relegation? Stay with us to see Mark Lawrenson's take at the title contenders!

View attachment 409047
Who will win it this season?

Now let's take a look at newly introduced title contenders Blackburn who according to the majority of pundits are expected to overcome disappointing Tottenham in only their second season back in the Premier League! Media predictions: 6th place.


Blackburn

View attachment 409046

History: 3 times champion, 1 time runner-up
Title odds:
3-1
Pundit:
View attachment 409045
Kevin Gallacher

Manager:
Gary Bowyer (since May 2013)
View attachment 409044

Pre-Season:
Training Camp in South Korea


Friendlies:

Morelia (A) 4-1
Jay Rodriguez, Chicksen, Ince, Ljajic
Daegu (A) 1-0
Schneiderlin
Chunnam (A) 2-0
Jay Rodriguez, Insigne
Huddersfield (A) 3-1
Insigne, van Ginkel (2)
Lyon (H) 2-1
Giroud (2)
Middlesbrough (A) 2-1

Giroud (2)
Lazio (H) 4-0
Insigne, Alexis Sanchez, Ljajic (2)


Preferred Formation:
4-2-3-1

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers:
View attachment 409033View attachment 409032
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (24) / Ben Hamer (28)

Central Defenders:
View attachment 409031View attachment 409030View attachment 409029
View attachment 408240
Douglas (28) / Tom Moss (26) / Gary Cahill (30) / Kyriakos Papadopoulos (24)

Full Backs:
View attachment 409028View attachment 409027View attachment 409026View attachment 409025
View attachment 408239
Marcelo (28) / Thomas Vermaelen (30) / Luke Shaw (21) / John Stones (22) / Dani Carvajal (24)

Midfielders:
View attachment 409024View attachment 409023View attachment 409022View attachment 409021View attachment 409020
View attachment 408236
Toni Kroos (26) / Marco van Ginkel (23) / Sami Khedira (29) / Morgan Schneiderlin (26) / Jack Rodwell (25) / Adam Lallana (28)

Wingers:
View attachment 409019View attachment 409018View attachment 409017View attachment 409016View attachment 409015View attachment 409014
Lorenzo Insigne (25) / Adem Ljajic (24) / Alexis Sanchez (27) / Raheem Sterling (21) / Arjen Robben (32) / Tom Ince (24)

Strikers:
View attachment 409013View attachment 409012View attachment 409011View attachment 409010
View attachment 408237
Romelu Lukaku (23) / Wilfried Bony (27) / Jay Rodriguez (27) / Channing Chicksen (18) / Christian Benteke (25)

Captain: Thomas Vermaelen

Vice Captain: Adam Lallana

Notable Transfers In:

Christian Benteke - Paris Saint-Germain, 35.0m pounds

Luke Shaw - Southampton, 24.0m pounds

Adam Lallana - Southampton, 17.75m pounds

Morgan Schneiderlin - Shakhtar, 16.75m pounds

Kyriakos Papadopoulos - Tottenham, 13.0m pounds

Dani Carvajal - CSKA Moscow, 11.25m pounds

Romelu Lukaku - Chelsea, 11.25m pounds

Lorenzo Insigne - Real Madrid, 11.25m pounds

Thomas Vermaelen - Arsenal, 10.0m pounds


Notable Transfers Out:

Tom Brown - Leeds, 21.5m pounds
View attachment 409009

Olivier Giroud - Manchester United, 10.0m pounds
View attachment 408246

Radja Nainggolan - Paris Saint-Germain, 8.5m pounds
View attachment 408245

Georgi Milanov - Schalke, 8.0m pounds
View attachment 409006

Jores Okore - 5.5m pounds, Leverkusen
View attachment 408244

Ibrahim Afellay - Derby County, 4.5m pounds
View attachment 408243

Lee Nicholls - Derby County, 2.1m pounds
View attachment 408242

Thomas Carroll - Hull, 1.6m pounds
View attachment 409004

Scott Loach - Derby County, 425k pounds
View attachment 409002
 
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BBC Sport Call-In

6 days and counting down to the start of the new season! This is the time to get involved! Check who got what at page 133! Call in and let us know what you think:
- Which transfer captivated you this summer?
- Which club did the best business so far in the window?
- Who do you fancy to win the title race and why?
- Who will make it in the top four?
- Who will underperform?
- What weaknesses do you see in the contenders?
Plus anything else you'd like to share!
*Note - please, no more abusive calls towards Mark Lawrenson - he doesn't listen so don't address him!*
 
- Which transfer captivated you this summer?
Ballotelli, though probably not in a good way, i would never sign that guy, even he is good, is a time bomb...

- Which club did the best business so far in the window?
Blackburn, by far.

- Who do you fancy to win the title race and why?
Man United
- Who will make it in the top four?
Man United
Chelsea
Newcastle
Blakburn

- Who will underperform?
Arsenal

- What weaknesses do you see in the contenders?
Newcastle has to keep an eye into team cohesion, having Ballotelli and Suarez in the same team can be dangerous.
 
- Which transfer captivated you this summer?
Ballotelli, though probably not in a good way, i would never sign that guy, even he is good, is a time bomb...

- Which club did the best business so far in the window?
Blackburn, by far.

- Who do you fancy to win the title race and why?
Man United
- Who will make it in the top four?
Man United
Chelsea
Newcastle
Blakburn

- Who will underperform?
Arsenal

- What weaknesses do you see in the contenders?
Newcastle has to keep an eye into team cohesion, having Ballotelli and Suarez in the same team can be dangerous.
- Balotelli was the best striker we could possibly get even though it's the first time I ever have him in any FM, curious how he will do. He was also transfer listed by Tottenham which gave us an easy way in!
- Blackburn have a lot of work to do to improve their squad while the others are already there - but yes, they definitely outperformed Tottenham and were worthy of inclusion in the title contenders list!
- Man United is a strange pick considering both Chelsea and Man City - as well as we - have outperformed them consistently in recent seasons. Would you elaborate?
- Arsenal are interesting, they have a tidy team and their age structure is more healthy than some of the others but injuries always murder them so I'll side with you on this one.
- Our team cohesion is fine and dandy at the time being, thank you! Harmony is a common feat in our dressing room despite Suarez and several players asking for pay rises last season didn't hamper our performances - even though we had to renegotiate a few contracts in the summer.
 
- Which transfer captivated you this summer?
Ballotelli. I can't believe I didn't think of him.

- Which club did the best business so far in the window?
Blackburn. They got a lot of good, first team quality, for relatively low prices. They're predicted to finish 6th in their second season. There's a reason for that.

- Who do you fancy to win the title race and why?
Newcastle, I felt that you just needed a superstar striker and, for all of his faults, Ballotelli is that. I don't think you'll be keeping him longer than two or three years though. By then, the regens and Cerri and Depay might be enough to see you through to titles.

- Who will make it in the top four?
Newcastle
Chelsea
Manchester City
Arsenal
- Who will underperform?
Manchester United.
- What weaknesses do you see in the contenders?
I think that Chelsea are weak in the center of defense, and Manchester City could improve on their full backs, they've got a good trio, however two of them are getting old. You are slightly lower in quality in the center of midfield then the rest, Cabaye just isn't the same strength of the likes of Fabregas. Manchester United could improve all along the back four positions, although De Gea is a beast. They'll concede too many to win it, in my opinion. Arsenal are a good unit all round, but I don't think that they've got enough quality to win the thing.
 
- Who do you fancy to win the title race and why?
Newcastle, I felt that you just needed a superstar striker and, for all of his faults, Ballotelli is that. I don't think you'll be keeping him longer than two or three years though. By then, the regens and Cerri and Depay might be enough to see you through to titles.

- Who will make it in the top four?
Newcastle
Chelsea
Manchester City
Arsenal
- Who will underperform?
Manchester United.
- What weaknesses do you see in the contenders?
I think that Chelsea are weak in the center of defense, and Manchester City could improve on their full backs, they've got a good trio, however two of them are getting old. You are slightly lower in quality in the center of midfield then the rest, Cabaye just isn't the same strength of the likes of Fabregas. Manchester United could improve all along the back four positions, although De Gea is a beast. They'll concede too many to win it, in my opinion. Arsenal are a good unit all round, but I don't think that they've got enough quality to win the thing.

Our staff doesn't think Depay or Cerri (or Campbell for that matter) will ever be as good as Balotelli, that's one of the reasons I sanctioned his transfer in the first place. He's supposedly better than Suarez, too! Interesting that you see Man United out of the top four, we'll see if you get close with that one. I'd be willing to upgrade Cabaye and Sissoko although there simply isn't anyone out there to do that right now and we have three huge potential central midfielders who are a season or two short of first team football though :(
 
Yeah, I know he's rated hugely, and Campbell, Cerri and Depay are -9 in the original database, their highest PA is 180, Balotelli's is 184. I was more meaning, with his inconsistency, and his controversy, he's always a bit of a risk. Going with more consistent, less controversial, but slightly less impressive strikers is something I could see you doing. As for Cabaye and Sissoko, I couldn't really think of anybody who could improve on them, which is why I didn't mention any replacements. That's just the area of the team that sticks out as being your current worst.
 
Yeah, I know he's rated hugely, and Campbell, Cerri and Depay are -9 in the original database, their highest PA is 180, Balotelli's is 184. I was more meaning, with his inconsistency, and his controversy, he's always a bit of a risk. Going with more consistent, less controversial, but slightly less impressive strikers is something I could see you doing. As for Cabaye and Sissoko, I couldn't really think of anybody who could improve on them, which is why I didn't mention any replacements. That's just the area of the team that sticks out as being your current worst.
Dude look at his track record and stats, he's a beast! Consistency isn't something that troubles me at all, I don't know how his off the field antics and disciplinary record will be though. As for CM - any hints would be appreciated!
 
- Which transfer captivated you this summer?
Romelu Lukaku, he is rated quite highly in the game and I see Chelsea regretting letting him go. Even though they possess Lewandowski, Falcao and Neymar, Lukaku was younger and has potential to be just as good if not better.

- Which club did the best business so far in the window?
Blackburn

- Who do you fancy to win the title race and why?
Newcastle, even thought I want to say Chelsea. You came very close last season and Balotelli's clinical finishing will only help.

- Who will make it in the top four?
Newcastle
Chelsea
Manchester City
Arsenal

- Who will underperform?
Manchester United

- What weaknesses do you see in the contenders?
Some teams have multiple world class players for same positions and they might create trouble in dressing room if not given more than adequate playing time.
 
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Chelsea - Newcastle
FA Community Shield
Sunday 7 August 2016
15:00

3' Goal!! 0-1 Mario Balotelli
7' Samuel Umtiti (Chelsea) booked
41' Raphael Varane (Newcastle) booked
45+2' Half Time
75' Eliaquim Mangala (Chelsea) booked
84' Goal!! 1-1 Juan Mata
89' Goal!! 2-1 Juan Mata
90+1' Javi Martinez (Newcastle) booked

90+2' Full Time

FINAL SCORE:
Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle

What a game! Newcastle got to a dream start with a great debut goal from Balotelli but the Blues somehow completed a great comeback with a Juan Mata brace in the final five minutes to once again pip the Magpies to a trophy! Let's take a look at match stats and individual performances:

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FA Community Shield 2016/17 - holders Chelsea!
 

Robbie Savage @RobbieSavage8 what a tool @ Marseilles can youiiiilieve 1m

Paris Saint-Germain striker set to complete record transfer to #blackburn

Expand
 
Blackburn break transfer record to reunite Belgium menacing pair!
............................................................................................................
By Kevin Gallacher.........ii--iiiii..........9:03 AM Tuesday 9th August 2016 in Sport
............................................................................................................

Blackburn have officially broken their transfer record by splashing 35.0 million pounds on the signature of Paris Saint-Germain powerful striker Christian Benteke (25). The Belgium international goalscorer has 52 caps and 25 goals and will reunite with Romelu Lukaku at Ewood Park. He spent the past 18 months in Paris and scored 30 goals in 58 games for the French giants.

View attachment 408670
Benteke makes return to Premier League

For those who have forgotten, Benteke already had a very impressive spell in the Premier League with Aston Villa and grabbed 40 goals for the Birmingham club before the French moneybags convinced him to move.

Christian Benteke transfer verdict: 8.5/10 - top forward but the question now is how are Rovers going to give all those impressive goalscorers time on the pitch.
 
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Olympics 2016 Watch
Host - Brazil
Current Holders - Mexico

Third Place Playoff:

Tuesday 9th August 2016:​

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Argentina - Italy
italian-flag.png

2-3
Italy win after extra time
Vietto (2), Gomez (76); Icardi (18), Paglia (86), De Rosa (108)
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Wednesday 10th August 2016:

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Holland - Brazil
Flag_20x20_Brazil.png

1-2
Brazil win after extra time
Klein (5); Neymar (18, 91)
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Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Football Tournament - holders Brazil!
 
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