The Summer Transfer Window Thread 2014/15

[King Ellis]

I look forward to Balotelli getting his first Liverpool hattrick and Nerf posting "Yeah, but you have to look at all the other chances he had. He could have had a double hattrick, he's such a wasteful striker."

[Arjen Robben]

For £16m Balotelli is probably worth the hassle, I mean if it comes to it they could probably make that money back anyway if the move is a balls up, at worst they'll only make a slight loss of a couple of million, at best he might even end up being a great signing and £16m in a market where players are going for silly money, it'll be a great deal.

Not really paid much attention to him at Milan, has he been mental while he's been there or been alright?

[Mad Jack]

When he got off the plane to Milan fans "scuffled" with police, and his signing was suggested as a reason why Silvio Bungasconi got some votes in the elections.

He also scored a 30 yard free kick that was clocked at 68 mph.

[Rafael]

His goal record was quite good for a mid-table team last season.

[Nerf]

And how can you tell Balotelli is worth/not worth on the pitch if he didn't even play yet?

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying it's a massive gamble and one that makes me feel equal parts uneasy and excited.

But anyway... DONE DEAL.

[Baddar]

Boxy beat you to that one!

[Colly]

£16m for a player of that quality is not a gamble. That's late 90s pricing.

[Lineker]

Balague has just broken the news on todays Spanish football coverage that Di Maria is off to Man Utd and he will wear the number 7 shirt.

[Gazz]

Balague.

Spanish for 'zero credibility'.

[brenchill]

The fat Spanish bloke off Sky?

[Baddar]

Here's hoping!

[Arjen Robben]

[Baddar]

Even if it does go through, we need defensive cover, and a decent CM.

[Szumi]

I honestly don't get why United would want Di Maria. He is absolutely an elite player, but where does he go in the formation? Luke Shaw is the left wing back when fit, and Mata the #10 behind Rooney and RVP. I'm not saying either one of those two are better than di Maria - they're not - but I just don't see why United would splash 50+ million on a player who would compete for a spot with two men - signed for around 30million each - who joined within the past year.

But I'm American, so lol soccerball

[Baddar]

If Di Maria comes, 3-5-2 would probably go out the window. It only lasted 45mins last week.

[Baddar]

DDG

Rafael

Jones

Rojo

Shaw

Carrick

Di Maria

Januzaj

Mata

Rooney

RVP

...in a diamond/4-4-fucking 2 formation, maybe. And that's assuming Di Maria is the only one we sign.

[brenchill]

Van Gaal and his silly formations.

[Baddar]

I really do like 3-5-2, but you kinda sacrifice having attacking wingers in your team then. It'd work at Everton where they have Baines/Coleman, but the nearest we have to a winger that can defend too, is Valencia.

[brenchill]

Kinda sacrifices winning football matches, too.

[Asuka's Gonna Kill You]

I honestly don't get why United would want Di Maria. He is absolutely an elite player, but where does he go in the formation? Luke Shaw is the left wing back when fit, and Mata the #10 behind Rooney and RVP. I'm not saying either one of those two are better than di Maria - they're not - but I just don't see why United would splash 50+ million on a player who would compete for a spot with two men - signed for around 30million each - who joined within the past year.

But I'm American, so lol soccerball

The formation will likely change once van Gaal adds the players he wants. He's already said 3-5-2 is being played because he hasn't got the players he wants for the system he'd prefer to play. IF (Won't get excited about di Maria just yet until something more concrete comes out) we actually signed di Maria, it wouldn't surprise me to see him play a role similar to what Robben does for Bayern/Holland. Certainly need a player like him because if Welbeck is actually on the way out then we really need somebody to come in and provide some pace in attack.