Tielemans63

I think you're right. We've looked a lot less effective when he hasn't played and now he's out for a while. This is a calculated risk, as others have said.

Is two enough for a clique?

Blimey. So we'd be basically be replacing Dennis Praet with a slightly more talented version of Dennis Praet?

9 caps for Italy - decent. Winksy has 10 caps for England.

To be fair, if you looked at Ricardo's age and injury record, you'd probably steer well clear of him too, on paper. Yet Riccy has been brilliant for us this season. If the fee is low due to is contract running out, surely that's a gamble worth taking.

Going to be really disappointed if we don't sign this guy I hadn't heard of 10 minutes ago. I know nothing about him except that he will clearly be a great signing.

100% this. This is why I'm happy to admit I'm very bitter towards JE. He was the club captain, don't forget. The leader. No wonder we went down when he was setting the tone. Compare him with Wes, for example. I'm sure Big Wes played with an injury on many occasions, but he always turned up. I lost so much respect for JE after that interview others have referenced - absolutely tone deaf. Almost as tone deaf as the decision to give the captaincy to someone with questionable levels of commitment who was also out of contract that summer. It's a shame as I loved JE for most of his time here, but last season and the way he's magically always available for United leaves a really bitter taste for me.

Tricky question: who is worse: Havertz or Nunez?

I think people underestimate the comedy value he brings when he plays. He's so bad, he's total box office.

Nyoni on the bench for Liverpool

Yeah, I'd heard that Maddison, Thomas and a the rest of the English clique basically blanked him when he arrived because he was taking LT's position. LT being quite an influential member of the squad. FWIW, I thought VK looked like a bit of a rough diamond. Didn't look brilliant technically, but had pace, determination and physicality. I agree that there's a player in there.

Seeing the names Thomas, Amartey and J Evans in a Leicester City line-up gives me PTSD

From what I've seen of Foderingham, he's pretty terrible. Whether he's Danny Ward levels of terrible, is debatable. I'd be amazed, relieved and delighted if we managed to flog Ward.

We've got a proper player in Cannon. Nelson looking promising too

I was really critical of him earlier in the season, but I've posted in the Casadei thread a few times now, there are definitely positive signs. We are starting to see what he can do. Good timing with Wilf's injury, too!

I'd rest Riccy P, other than that, that's what I'd go with too

I think Enzo could get Thomas playing well. I still think there's a good player in there.

Can I just say, whoever started this thread is an idiot whose opinions on players cannot be taken seriously

Some of the 1.3 billion Africans probably do.

Totally agree. Watched it, waited for the controversial / arrogant comment to come, but it never did. He was a bit snappy but then Lord Pearson wasn't exactly patient with reporters. Nothing out of the ordinary here as far as I can see.

Started 24 of 26 games this season. How brilliant is it to see this guy fit and healthy? Far too good for this league

Has managed the notoriously tricky Christmas period masterfully so far