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13 Jul 2026 23:07:17
Appears that Alonso really rates Enzo Fernandez and wants him to stay. I would be very pleased with that.
14 Jul 2026 00:24:46
What makes you say that? The only thing he said in the press conference was that they had spoken, and what was said will remain private. A follow-up question of 'Do you want Enzo to stay?' was met with a single-word answer of 'yes' haha.
12 Jul 2026 16:22:40
In between watching the World Cup I have also been watching the way Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side set up in that undefeated season.
He really likes a 3-4-2-1 system which relies on two No. 10s behind the striker rather than natural wingers. He also switches to a 3-4-1-2, where two forwards play close together to create and finish chances.
When you consider the sale of Tyrique George, the loan of Jessy Derry, and with Garnacho preparing to leave, that only leaves Gittens and Neto as out and out wingers (I see Estevao more as a number 10), and I can see Neto, if he stays, joining Quenda, maybe Gusto, if he stays, Palestra and one more as wingbacks, that would leave Palmer, Estevao, Enzo Fernandez, if he stays and maybe Joao Pedro competing for those two attacking midfield roles behind a striker.
If Alonso switches to 2 strikers then Joao Pedro just moves further forward leaving a lone number 10 to pull the strings with the wing backs providing the width. This system also suits Valentin Barco and maybe Jackson as well.
I wonder if that is also the reason all the transfer gossip is around Chelsea FC recruiting centre backs, like Lacroix and a new central midfield partner for Moises Caicedo, plus the continuing rumours about Diogo Costa and a new left wing back?
A new striker with one of Delap, Jackson or Emegha as back up, plus of course our own 20 goal a season Joao Pedro who can play both as a number 10 and number 9.
Just my thoughts on how things might shape up.
12 Jul 2026 21:34:10
Rpd, I enjoyed your post. However, I don’t want to see Delap or Jackson next season: they’ve had their chances and they aren’t good enough to lead the line. Obviously, we don’t know who might come in, but I would prefer to see Estavou play out wide next season rather than as a 10.
As for Neto, I don’t really see where he fits in under Alonso: he’s not for me, as you probably know; very one-dimensional player.
12 Jul 2026 23:19:15
I don't think we have the squad for a 3 at the back system, tbh. I think it would require quite a lot of signings for it to work, and I think some of the previously agreed signings wouldn't fit. I think we'll see more flexibility between a 3 and 4 at the back system, depending on the game and injuries.
13 Jul 2026 09:48:46
I tend to agree with you, Jimbo, on both Delap and Jackson, but do wonder if Alonso might be tempted to have a look at them. Neto is more of an issue, because he doesn't really fit into an Alonso system.
Fuser, do we not have the players for a back 3?
James, Acheampong, and Fofana competing for RCB, Hato and Colwill competing for LCB, Lacroix, if the rumours are true, as CCB, with Tosin and Colwill also able to play there?
13 Jul 2026 09:54:45
What was Alonso's preferred shape at Real Madrid?
13 Jul 2026 11:02:34
TomB, I believe he played 4-2-3-1 at Madrid.
RPD, I'd say James probably isn't great at RCB. I think he's capable of doing it, but I'm not sure it suits him. Neto & Gittens don't have a place in a 3 at the back system either, imo. Quenda is probably better as a winger than a wingback, imo too, although he is capable there.
I do think we will play 3 at the back at times, but I just don't think we'll see it week in and week out. I think there's not quite enough depth/quality for it, and perhaps we'd have too many square pegs in round holes if we had injuries.
12 Jul 2026 14:10:06
Well done England, Argentina, France and Spain on reaching the World Cup Semi-Finals, without doubt the best 4 teams in the tournament alongside a special mention for Cape Verde.
Jude Bellingham is simply on another level and has been our star man followed by the hugely underrated Elliot Anderson and the ever reliable Harry Kane.
The players who have really disappointed are Noni and in particular, Declan Rice. The rest have been average at best with Anthony Gordon probably the pick of the wingers.
12 Jul 2026 17:00:15
Rpd, tbf, I think Rice has been carrying an injury. Saka has been poor as well, in fact, all the wingers have shown reluctance to take on the full backs, and the end product has been generally poor. Bellingham, Kane and Anderson have carried the team. The others must improve if England are going to get any further.
13 Jul 2026 09:57:29
Madueke has played how he always plays. I cannot understand why he was picked for the squad.
12 Jul 2026 01:46:35
Sounds like Zabarnyi may be available on loan from PSG. I think he'd be a good alternative to Lacroix. Thoughts?
12 Jul 2026 09:49:36
Liverpool strongly linked.
12 Jul 2026 01:03:42
Glad to see Jesse getting a loan with Sporting. It won't be easy to crack into that team but I anticipate he will become a starter for them and get a decent amount of minutes. One thing England players of old didn't do a lot was go overseas, so it's great that he has some courage and is getting out of his bubble.
One of the greatest cities on the planet, so I'm sure he will have a fantastic year.
11 Jul 2026 15:23:34
RIP boss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
11 Jul 2026 19:10:57
Yes, RIP to Mr Bates. Not exactly uncontroversial in his lifetime, but very pleasant to me on the one occasion I went up to him in Fulham Road outside the Bridge (Bates Motel?!) more than three decades ago. Tom probably had greater contact? He did help the club crucially at a time of need.
11 Jul 2026 19:19:16
RIP, Ken Bates. Certainly part of the club's recent history.
11 Jul 2026 21:48:53
R.I.P Ken Bates, an honourable Englishman who always had the club at heart.
12 Jul 2026 13:27:49
Nice piece in Sunday Times on him by Tony Cascarino ... Worth reading.
12 Jul 2026 13:37:03
I had several chats and a one-off drink with KB. He always spoke his mind to me. No beating around the bush. I much preferred him to MH.
The club owes KB a lot, in my opinion. RIP.
11 Jul 2026 07:39:11
{Ed's Note - EHL2020 has posted a new article entitled, Why Patience and McInnes Matter at Rangers
10 Jul 2026 18:22:39
I see a lot of Man U fans are very underwhelmed by the Andre Santos signing.
Will be interesting to see if he succeeds there or flops like Mason Mount, and indeed Conor G, who may struggle to even get a game at Spursy following their summer signings.
This was one Man U fan's take on their midfield.
"The wide-ranging disappointment around Andrey Santos signing stems from the fact it follows Ederson. Those two simply must be 3rd and 4th choice. But if either has been bought to be 1st choice alongside Mainoo, we're in trouble.
Rice and Guimaraes. Anderson and Rodri. Caicedo and Enzo. Gravenberch and Szobozslai. Kamara and Tielemans.
Tonali and Fernandes. All levels above. I'm even taking Kamada and Wharton and Scott and Adams as potentially stronger midfield pairings than anything we can field with two of Mainoo, Ederson and Santos. What a bizarre (and pretty embarrassing) window so far for us. It needed one of Tchouameni, Guimaraes, Tonali or Fernandes in the door."
Taken from the Man U banter page.
10 Jul 2026 17:38:28
Hi again, Ed and fellow blues.
Whats your opinion on lavia, I was happy when he signed, now for me he has to play and perform this season, we have 1 game a week, full pre season.
He is quality everytime he plays but his injuries are becoming a joke now.
{Ed001's Note - the lad has so much quality but it is useless when on the sidelines, I would have looked to move him on if it was up to me, much as I rate him.}
10 Jul 2026 18:23:22
Just have absolutely no confidence he will ever be fit enough to play regular... and he's a big problem whilst still on the books.
10 Jul 2026 19:12:28
Does anyone actually know what is the injuries that keep him out.
Is it lots of different ones, in one leg, same muscle injury??
Like Ed, I think he is quality and we need him
10 Jul 2026 19:54:52
Ed001, it is clear that Lavia can't be relied on to stay fit and make a meaningful contribution to the squad. As a previous poster said he will be almost impossible to move on. A very difficult situation for the player and the club.
10 Jul 2026 20:57:56
SteveCfc, Lavia has a history primarily consisting of recurring hamstring, thigh, and quadriceps muscle strains. As others have said, you can't really build your midfield around him despite the very obvious talent. Jimbo is correct. He is a problem. A shame for both club and player. A world-class player to partner Moises Caicedo is needed, with Essugo, James and Lavia as options, plus the highly rated Valentin Barco.
I imagine Santos asked to be guaranteed that position, and Alonso could/would not commit to building his central midfield around him, so he was sold to Manchester United.
10 Jul 2026 22:21:46
Rpd, obviously Alonso can't guarantee any player game time: he's only just walked into the training ground. As for Santos, if he can't back himself to fight his way into the starting line-up under a new coach, perhaps that shows a lack of mentality, and we're better off without him.
10 Jul 2026 22:46:24
If Lavia stays fit, and it's a big "if," he will be Pos in my opinion.
He has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in Europe. It would be fantastic if he had a trouble free pre-season.
11 Jul 2026 01:03:58
He won't, sadly. History shows that repeated hamstring issues have long-term effects, and, sadly, he's not considered that young anymore - i.e., he's not at the end of his growing, as, say, a 16-18-year-old may be considered.
10 Jul 2026 16:32:40
I was impressed by Alonso's first interview. Obviously, being in-house he wasn't pressed about any contentious issues. I was pleased to hear him speak about building a culture and hard work. Makes a change from respecting the ball.
11 Jul 2026 08:41:19
Agree, Jimbo.