General Premier League Thread 2024-25

Is it up to Arteta? Isn't it that the sporting directors job? Of course the coach will have an input and desires, but ultimately Afaik, they don't decide.

In the away end ?

What controversy? Is this the rumours that's been circulating for nearly 3 years now? I'm assuming if there was any truth to that something would've came of it before now

whatever one wants to call it, ‘rumours’ is a bit disrespectful to the alleged victims in a case serious enough for the police to build a full file over years of investigations that’s been passed onto the CPS.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn858080e9xo.amp
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn858080e9xo.amp

The allegations are extremely serious and shouldn't be dismissed so lightly. Due to the nature of the allegations they are extremely difficult to prove, in many cases alleged prepertators aren't even charged due to lack of evidence, this doesn't necessarily mean the allegations are untrue, realistically unless reported immediately it's extremely difficult to get a conviction and even then conviction rates are low. There are multiple alleged victims in this case, which lends weight to the allegations.

Having said all that, I do acknowledge that false allegations of this nature do happen and have destroyed the lives of those falsely accused.

Ironically it's the type of case that's very difficult for a victim to prove guilt, but, also difficult for someone who is falsely accused to clear their name. Sorry to bring the thread off topic, but, felt this was too serious of a subject to ignore.

Just look at Everton. Back in 2021 their all time record signing was accused of multiple child sex offenses and they suspended him straight away.

Couple years later, after player being arrested and bailed at least 7 times, the CPS dropped the case against him.

He could have played for them all through that time. Arsenal know this.

'Unnamed Premier League footballer in his 30s'......whatever about being stuck with him mid contract and the legalities of 'sacking' or penalizing him mid contract, very very questionable morally to be rewarding him with a new deal IMHO. Then again, morals aren't for everyone.

Didn't Bernard Mendy take Man City to court and win after his trial and subsequent acquittal?

Morality vs. money and football clubs (.i.e. businesses) are more concerned with the latter.

You saw a big drop off from Mané at Bayern, so much so that he got sold after just 1 season there.

He was sold because Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota had already been bedded in. The front line needed refreshing and the prevailing thought all that summer with contracts expiring was that of Salah, Mané and Firmino, one would be sold, one would be let run their contract down to leave on a free, and only 1 would get a new contract.

Complete no brainer to be Salah given the new contract - and we've seen the clear benefit of that since

Mané was washed but nobody outside the club new it. Easy £20m from Bayern.

For Arsenal the question is if they've already got a replacement lined up because even if you extend someone's contract, you need to replace them eventually - and pretty soon if they player is already past 30 (I think Wenger used to have a policy of just 1 year extention for such players)

IIf Zubimendi is that replacement, then you could let him go. But I'm not sure that he is. Partey also covers fullback.

No, all over the stadium. Be a handy one for away fans to get a ticket to watch their team.

I dont personally think Mane would have regressed if he had stayed at Liverpool another season or two.

I find it hard to marry any internal view that he was washed based on what he was out putting for the club in that 21/22 season.

Lots of other issues though.

Ah OK I think that's different. I don't think he was under investigation or arrested or anything like that where at any moment you would be forced to suspend him or not play him. But even then as I said they had Díaz and Jota already at the club

My point with Partey is that I can see why you'd give him a new contract because although he's been charged, it could get dropped in future like the Everton player so why suspend him now.

However, I think you can only do this if you properly mitigate the risk that he could suddenly be arrested again or prevented from playing because there is an actual investigation ongoing

Liverpool already brought in attackers to cover Mané so regardless of the why, there was little risk in letting him go.

If Partey is important enough to warrant a new contract then who is the mitigation, is it Zubimendi? And Jorginho might go too.

Seems like they're continuing to keep this 30+ player around because they haven't lined up a proper replacement yet.

We might not agree with arranged marriages, especially when they involve teenage girls but it appears to be part and parcel of Islam.

Suggesting Mane was involved in "child grooming" seems a stretch. If it was just a cheap shot because your uncomfortable with the accusations around Partey, fair enough.

Red all day long