HBenn

Me too.

The optics look like 2 sporting directors have left because they are not being given (and don't expect to be given) the resources to allow them to do their jobs properly and are getting out before it impacts their careers and reputations. Maybe it's more complicated than that but they have both been there for 10 years and if we could all see the clusterfuck that was coming then they will definetly have.

Think we need more than the 2 first teamers we have bought

Going after 6 months cannot be down to that though can it? If, like you say, Jürgen is getting more involved you could see him feeling his role is being sidelined.

We need more than one player in midfield

Well you would hope that is why they are looking for external investment. Nothing that is happening now should be a surprise in terms of players ages etc. Hopefully Gordon saying all this internally since April is being heard.

Think the second part is more significant. Either way it doesnt sound like the actions of a man that thinks he will be in charge of spending £100-200m to spend on transfers any time soon.

Wtf is going on. Ward leaving at end of season without a role to go to. Is he going to follow Edwards somewhere? Has he seen our budget?

Not for me. The fact that FSG have left it such that we need to buy 2 players now shouldn't be used as an excuse that we now need to sell our best players to fund it. We cannot be selling our best players otherwise we go back to where we were 7 or 8 years ago. Get the money in so we can buy the players while keeping our best ones.

Could well be right. Whatever is the plan I just hope it's all wrapped up quickly. Hoping the fact that Gordon has been supposedly raising concerns about our inability to compete since April and has been moved onto looking at it is because it's further along than publically they want to admit now and it's all announced in Feb after a busy window. That This going on for another 6-9 months is a distraction we can do well without. *It's interesting that the Echo are saying top level execs were surprised by the owners looking to sell the club when it was announced 2 weeks ago. Yet Klopp and Lijnders both said they knew about if for a number of weeks. Think there will probably be a bit of misinformation put out over the next few weeks /months

Don't particularly disagree with any of that and its pretty much what Paul Joyce said as well. If we did sign Bellingham and another it would soften the blow a bit but we will have to see on that. Hopefully the fact that FSG are chasing investment means they have realised their model won't work going forward. I did wonder whether their reticence to not invest in the summer was because they were off and so they didn't care what Bellinghams price will be. Based on the latest mutterings though I think that's probably doubtful. Mind you if they were going anywhere or getting investment surely it would make sense to announce after the window and not before (unless they think it would influence players at all).

I get you don't want your time with it but probably better off not criticising those who would give the club shit if they sign two players that were most likely available in the summer. We don't know what goes on behind the scenes but there is as much/more evidence there that Jürgen wanted a midfielder and was told no as there is that he didn't. Again, if we get Bellingham and another it's all moot stuff. If Jürgen had made it abundantly clear he didn't want a midfielder then I would agree with you that the flak shouldn't go in FSG's direction but he didn't, certainly as the summer progressed. Anyway, that's my piece on it and like you say this discussion has been done to death so let's move forward.

I think if they sign two midfielders that aren't Bellingham they will get shit for not doing it in the summer and quite rightly imo. We took a massive risk in not buying a midfielder with the line being that we didn't just want anyone, we wanted top top quality. We have written off a shot at the league this season because of it. If we then sign two players we could have got in all likelihood last summer why shouldn't they get shit? If we sign Bellingham and one other then you could at least say that they were true to their word in waiting and as frustrating as this season has been it may well prove worth it long term.

Yes, that could be a big driver. Will be an interesting few months, seeing how much we spend (if anything) in Jan, whether we sell a minority or majority share. Also be interesting to see how much Utd go for. I think with investment we could be like them but without the huge debt. The article in the Echo suggests that there is a train of thought that their is still plenty of potential in the asset value yet. Maybe that will convince them to go down a minority investment instead now.

If Utd easily sell the club then it would make you question the whole "self sustainability model". Utd have spent more than anyone over the last 10 years while piling debt on the club meanwhile we have spent (relatively) a pittance. Of course we will never know but had we spent another £200-300m and won a few more leagues and CLs what would that have done to the value of the club? We would have more debt of course but arguably the increase in value exceeds it. Equally if Utd struggle to sell them it would completely validate our owners approach. Somehow I don't think it will make a lot of difference though

I just think the sheer level of interest in Chelsea perhaps points to a number of Americans thinking their is plenty of potential left. I do find it interesting though that for 12 years we have been told that Utds business model is stupid and fucking them while ours is the right way and yet now we are up for sale at the same time everyone is worried that they are a real threat. Utds stadium needs massive investment and the club has run up massive debts whereas we are building new stands, have a top manager and very little debt. Surely it shouldn't really impact us. Plus, aren't they all great mates? Massive coincidence that they both just happened to put the club up for sale at the same time if there is any concern they were both in the same market value wise.

Yeah but had we got our own house in order buying Grealish would have made very little difference. They have just spent a shed load on 4 players and only 1 of them looks a really good player. Granted they can do it but if we had been in the position where we could buy 1-2 quality players every summer - with Jürgen and Edwards track record - I would back them to spend it better than City. City will always spunk money on some full backs, a ball playing centre half and a nice midfielder. I just think if Jürgen was able to continually invest in his style we would be better than City.

Arguably Boehlys takeover of Chelsea would say the opposite

I would agree with City fans to an extent. We didn't outspend City prior to knocking them out of the CL and beating them by 18 points in the league. In fact, I would say them overtaking us since 2020 is more to do with us regressing than them improving. Who have they bought since we won the league that you think you wished we had bought or improved them? Before Haaland I cannot think of one. Had we bought 2 quality midfielders in the last 2 years I think we would probably still be ahead of them. So for me it was never about matching them £ for £ as there is a world of difference between that and investing in the team. There are weaknesses in the City approach and team and we were pretty good at maximising them before we stopped investing properly. Jurgen convinced players to join us over City before and again they were spending more money than us then. Some players will choose the money but I think as long as players see that we are serious about WANTING to compete then we will be alright. We have Jurgen and Anfield and still the basis of a fantastic team, that shouldn't be sniffed at. We don't know what shape or form the investment will take yet, maybe we will match City £ for £ (I very much doubt it) but as long as we have a bit more ambition/flexibility than FSG have shown in recent years then I think we will be really strong.

Would have preferred he moved on but the best news over the last few months has been that we are looking for proper investment. Give Jürgen more of a level playing field - not necessarily a level playing field - and I think he can push us past City. The one time we had anywhere near their level of money we beat them in the CL and the league. Whether the investment comes in from new ownership or a cash injection into the current one I just hope it gets done quickly. The next few months are likely to be huge in the transfer market. If City hoover up the best options - Bellingham, Fernandez etc - then it will really set us back.

Bellingham with a carbon copy of Gerrard's goal Vs AC Milan. Is there a bigger "come and get me" sign

Take your point however the ownership group barely speaks and I imagine they get questions all the time. The fact that both of their comments came from their mouthpiece paper suggests it is more about them wanting to put a position out there than feeling pressured into respond to an interviewers questions.

Twice in a week FSG say they are in no rush to sell. The lady doth protest too much.

Got to love the press IF what Pearce says here was true. Owners are open to selling the club but didn't want it to come out now as not sufficiently far enough along the line. So nothing will happen quickly and it serves no purpose. Pull the other one James, the only people who benefit from this leak are FSG.

Interesting stuff. Personally I expect it to be more Americans. Tbh if they had a similar approach to FSG but were prepared to invest more I would be happy with that. I never felt while Klopp is here we needed ridiculous levels of investment, we just needed consistently higher amounts than we have seen. They may need to invest a bit more short term to make up for the lack of spend by FSG though. I just would like owners that are bright enough to back Jurgen and let him do the job and don't have such egos that they feel they need to get involved or know better. The right football people are in place and they won't overspend or waste your money. Just back them to do it. We don't need rich sheiks etc to do it.