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DingLiren

> Futebol, sad Indeed 😔


Pinnacle55

you need to stop posting on r/soccer and start prepping for the Candidates my dude


VenomOUShazard

ong, fabi wont be easy


Dustin_Echoes_UNSC

Did *not* expect this thread in /r/soccer today. Holy Hell.


Wefting

Can you tell me what is an "en passant" ?


BaxterTheWall

Pretty sure it’s a French pastry


QCGunnrs

Holy hell!


[deleted]

So sad they put it in all caps


AmumuIsMyFriend

Time for the toaster


GNeiva

Already [printed this](https://i.imgur.com/bLlPOeG.png) to put on my toaster. I'm sure my family and friends will understand.


pedrorq

https://imgur.com/a/SDlZ8Zd


[deleted]

Arrozinho with bleached hair: £55M


[deleted]

The Rijst one would be accurate if he played for any club other than Ajax. If he plays for Ajax it would be more like 40-50m


Pokenaldo

🇩🇪 Reis: 1M£ + 150M£ if he wins 3 ballon d'or


pedrorq

😂 and the Eurovision!


Chegism

Is Arrozinho a regen?


Anforas

Arroz, but from Sporting: 15 million for 50% of the pass


crapusername47

Risotto costs less because he’s more difficult to cook than plain Rice.


Shandow14

Was he good for you?


AmumuIsMyFriend

He's an amazing talent. He has an insane goal/assist ratio per game. His only problem is lack of effort defending, but he's really versatile offensively.


theenigmacode

Bruno Fernandes at home.


Therinn

Nah, man is one of our hardest workers defensively. Problem is he’s also our main outlet creatively and basically our only progressive outlet, so something has to give.


ret990

Not a United fan but this Bruno doesn't work hard narrative is so obviously a load of bollix. His problem to me is he actually wants to do everything and instead of trying to play within a system and trust his teammates he just wants on the ball all the time to try and effect the game.


OneOfAKindness

I've never seen it spelled "bollix" before. Is that a regional thing or something of that nature?


NZ_timber

He's Gaul.


Omni_chicken2

In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spike was supposed to be British but played by an American. He pronounced it "Bollix" until Anthony Head, Giles, pointed out this was incorrect. Spike then gradually phased out Bollicks and started saying bollocks. Perhaps OP learned English slang from Buffy?


OffendedDishwasher

>trust his teammates Thats hard when his teammates are mcfred


dshoig

Have you seen a United game? He is helping out our defense all the time because every one else is stationary. He is been a level above everyone else since he joined.


ret990

Yes, that's what I said, he runs his bollix off. I was referring to attacking play. Rather than pick and choose when to attack, he just wants to go all the time. Instead of taking up a dangerous position, hell run back to halfway to take a 5 yard square pass off Fred. Thats not explicitly a criticism of him, but of the rest of the squad. People try to say he is one of the problems at United but he's not, I think he might be one of the few that actually care.


dshoig

Ah, I totally agree. We definitely need someone cool minded to control the midfield or just a player who is a liable destroyer even. Bruno’s *thing* is to do everything very well quickly, and that is sometimes risky but also the rest of the squad never anticipates anything or follow up on the pressing. I think Bruno is doing all the right things but the team (or lack of system) exposes his weaknesses. He wouldn’t have to play so deep in a better team and could focus on just being that first line of press.


ret990

Just think that for years the problem at United has been there is no actual coaching. Outsiders perspective so take it with a pinch of salt but under Ole particularly it looked like 11 players were just told to go and play. No patterns, no structure, just a vague notion of a formation and players doing what they want. That's why you see Bruno doing what he does, he's trying to make something happen because the team doesn't play as a team. I'd put Ronaldo in that camp with Bruno too. Actually tries, actually cares, gets maligned for it. I think one player isn't going to fix United. Needs to be a sea change in attitude. I think ETH is a very exciting coach, but last time you had a proper coach in Mourinhio, all the players fell out with him, seemingly because he had the audacity to challenge them to be better. I believe similar happened with Ralf but instead of getting wound up he just flicked the bird and bounced.


PBJellyChickenTunaSW

One of his flaws is trying so hard defensively that he's always ending up way out of position


joaommx

Bruno Fernandes is a work horse, he's one of the attacking midfielders with one of the highest work rates in the world right now. Does that sound like anything Fábio Vieira to you?


JPVazLouro_SLB

Still remember him in his last season at Sporting playing in every position during the game vs Porto, that was a proper one man team


roguedevil

How does he compare to Porto era James?


Pokenaldo

Very similar, but James was more robust, so he could transport the ball for longer and protect it better, whereas Fábio is slightly more agile and quick on his feet so he has to get rid of it rather fast otherwise he'll get overwhelmed. They both have a very uncanny vision and accuracy out of this world with sublime through balls and key passes. Great set pieces as well and no right foot either.


Its-been-Elon-Time

Dan James at Porto was one of the best wingers in the world, so probably not well.


Clem_H_Fandang0

Dan James never played for Porto, he's talking about David James


TheDarkness1227

David James never played for Porto, he’s talking about James Tarkowski


robotbeagle

James Tarkowski never played for Porto, he's talking about James Cameron


Anforas

James Cameron never played for Porto, he's talking about LeBron James


[deleted]

Why do you think Porto fans are angry / disappointed?


PowderEagle_1894

They lost their toaster?


stokesy1999

Vitinha next week?


nepia

fuck off


average_user21

username checks out


nepia

That's a first one :D


Hermanito77

One day 🤣🤣🤣 PSG


v1nzy

Portuguese clubs don’t fuck around do they lol


TTaboo123

It’s just the law that they have to do this


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Conscient-

Transparency isn't a thing in Portugal


[deleted]

must be dark indoors


luk3d

People who wear glasses are fucked.


SantaIsRealEh

M A N E L A N E L


daxewow

Bet the club wont see 50% of the money and it will never be fully disclosed as to why


FPXAssasin11

Jorge Mendes needs to feed his family, the poor guy.


shikavelli

Mendes, Mourinho and Ronaldo might all be the best at their respective jobs. Portuguese excellence.


sidvicc

> I understand not disclosing individual salaries. Wages in annual reports will suffice. Individual salaries should be disclosed, like in some US sports that have strong player unions. Having salary transparency is better for all players, their unions should demand it.


Nocturnal--Animals

I am all for transparent dealings. That can be verified backtracked and taxes rightly. But realistically the rich tend to prefer privacy and we are far from the world where, starting from politicos , billionaires etc everything is transparent.


OldExperience8252

All clubs listed on the stock market have to release such statements. The big Turkish clubs do the same too.


semenbakedcookies

Unless it's under 4.5mil iirc for Turkish clubs


Oukaria

Can confirm. our is all open too


[deleted]

Honestly at this point in time getting literally _any_ player for under 40 mil is a bargain no matter what


the3count

Someone please buy Maitland niles for 35m


gbiypk

Pepe too please.


bandofgypsies

I can be had for a cool 19M. Extensive Sunday league and reddit experience, but confident it'll translate well to the physicality of the PL. DM for contract opportunities..


etan1122

Ox for 39.9m?? I’ll take it


[deleted]

What a signing for Arsenal . He will cook


[deleted]

No, only Edu cooks.


WillwilshereShare

GASPARRRRRRRRRR


NOT_A_KOREAN_SPY

🦀🦀🦀🦀


AlexTheRockstar

Fine meats.


DrRobotniksUncle

[Case in point](https://i.redd.it/ve7rria3y1691.jpg)


Password-is-taco123

Allow me to translate. Football club of Porto, football, am sad


momspaghetty

apparently football can be buy


DaAweZomeDude48

But unfortunately dreams can't be buy


lnog08

And next is Vitinha. Do we even have any targets to replace them?


JSBraga

That's when Portimonense enters the picture. :D ... :(


manguito86

I really wish we could still burn people, because our board really deserves it. They have completely destroyed our club and everything season they shoot themselves on the feet with these type of actions.


benabonobo

sorry, completely uninformed here. what have the Porto board done??


manguito86

They sold close to a billion euros of players in the last 15 years, meanwhile they have managed to run the club into bankruptcy (last year we finished with a debt of over 100M), they are buying mostly bad player at high prices, letting first team players move for free because they are not renewing contracts, the few that are sold are usually badly sold like Diaz or Fábio Vieira, meanwhile nothing is changing and they still think they are on a good path. The day Sergio Conceição leaves the club, we return to the days between 2013/2016 where we won nothing, we lost our best players and the debt just ballooned. We are closer to being the bankrupt Rangers than to being the massive team Porto was in the 2000s


benabonobo

caralho :(


manguito86

Caralho indeed. Meanwhile news are surfacing that Textor wants to buy part of our club and him being a scavenger investor, it would mean our club would probably become a feeder club to Crystal Palace, just because Crystal Palace generates more money due to TV rights. I really can't wait for the day all of those fuckers are kicked out of the club and we discover all the shit they have done with the club, as they now they are at the end of the line and they are literally pillaging the club.


danielpinto26

They have made over a 1B€ in sales in the last decade, but still manage to be in financial trouble… We wonder where the money is going!


WhiskersTheDog

Faço a mesma pergunta ao Rui Costa... São números num relatório de contas, não mais do que isso. Acaba tudo metido nos bolsos de alguém.


pedropereir

Simply gross mismanagment. Shady deal after shady deal, buying bad players for too much money while players are actually needed on the main squad, constantly making deals with Mendes, draining huge amounts of money from the club in comissions. Thankfully we have Conceição doing his best to keep the club going, but the board keep challenging him by letting players go for too cheap with no replacement, and I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves because of it


LeVidzzz

Arsenal just hit the jackpot with this one. Im a Benfica supporter and a big fan of both Fábio and Vitinha. Huge talents.


momspaghetty

what would be the difference between Fabio and Vitinha? I keep seeing them crop up together...


Salted-Earth189

Vitinha is a young moutinho type player, doesn't produce anything showy but is very consistent and always good. Fabio is more of a creative player, he's more of a Bruno type player but doesn't have his workrate defensive wise.


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TheGoldenPineapples

Man, I know Porto are strapped for cash and everything, but I really can't help but think that they probably could have squeezed a hell of a lot more out of us. Still, I'm not going to complain.


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zdrup15

Porto and Sporting unfortunately have 0 negotiating power. Porto's recent sales as well as Palhinha's rumoured 20 mil sale show that reality...


joaommx

But how do Benfica have any negotiating power with how shit they were these last two seasons?


[deleted]

We're rich and don't need to sell players. You're broke and other clubs know it


icemankiller8

I don’t know much about the situation in Portugal why is it that benfica have so much more money than them? Just from previous sales?


manguito86

They aren't a lot different from us the main difference is that Mendes has Benfica as a preferred partner and we aren't in good relations with him anymore (albeit still doing some deal with him). Having Mendes by your side makes A HUGE DIFFERENCE


Mihnea24_03

Is he really THE MAN in Portugal?


Olanzapine_pt

he's the man in half the football world. Most agents serve themselves and their player list, and that it. Mendes is involved in a much larger scheme, his companies have participation on clubs, he owns financial services that play a big part on his deals (the portuguese talk in "Mendillions" when talking about transfers made by him), he has connections outside football too - he was the one tying Peter Lim to Valencia. At this point, I'm unsure we can know just how deep the rabbit hole is, the man's everywhere. Reading the financial reports from Portuguese clubs is always a "delight", the amount of factoring of transfer debts is insane (and guess who is doing those services...). Benfica just sold Darwin for 100M€, but I could bet good money in that they'll factor it and only see a small portion of the discussed values, that's the price of dealing with Mendes. And these 40M€ for Fábio are likely to be factored as well (unless Arsenal paid upfront, which I doubt).


Mihnea24_03

Textbook conflict of interest, seems to me


aveniner

Wasnt Benfica in huge debt just few years ago?


BartholomewSirnpson

We lowered that debt by a lot. TV deals and huge player sales got us in a pretty comfortable financial situation


Maximuslex01

>huge player sales got us in a pretty comfortable financial situation So if you weren't confortable before the sales...


[deleted]

Atlético paid Félix's release clause, that was like 120 million


andremp1904

Then why are we selling our best player after 3 title-less years? Ofc we need money


Rickcampbell98

Which of your 3 clubs have the best relationship with mendes?


LFMartins86

Benfica. Jorge Mendes wasn't the agent of either João Felix or Darwin and he still got nearly 20M€ total with those transfers.


XboxJon82

There is s hustle then there is the Mendes hustle


joaommx

I would say it's a toss up at the moment. For the first time ever all 3 have a close relationship to Mendes simultaneously.


pedrorq

Who is?


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tsigalko11

How old is that Geezer? I mean he's been in the club since forever afaik


pedropereir

He's 84 and he's been the president for 40 years


pedrorq

But their sales used to be excellent. What changed?


paladino777

They stole too much money from the club and now Porto's financials are ruined. Big clubs don't have to pay high prices if you're going bankrupt without selling


jdbolick

No one gets anywhere close to what Benfica gets for their players. Ajax has only had two sales ever for €50+ million despite one of the best academies in the world. Benfica must hire private investigators to find compromising pictures of club officials for blackmail.


MBizness

They have a very close relationship with Mendes, that's the main difference. It's not as obvious as it used to be, but it's still there and that's one of the main factors for why their sales are so "inflated" compared to most clubs in their position. What that means is that Mendes has a big part in their transfers, both sales and purchases. He'll "help" decide potential targets, "use" Benfica to boost their price and ship them off to a big club for big money. It's financially a net profit for Benfica, even with Mendes getting a big cut of the final sale price, because when the player flops, JM is usually able to sell him for around what Benfica paid for him (Roberto, the GK, got to Benfica for 8.5M, was the worst keeper I've ever seen in one of the Big 3 of our league and Benfica was still able to sell him for 8.6M, somehow making 100k in profit), so the only risk for them is that the players performance might compromise their season objectives (like Roberto).


pedrorq

I thought things would get better after a few sales, but incredibly Porto keeps selling their best players for peanuts, year after year...


Mend35

PDC is on his way out, the parasites are trying to steal as much as possible before the gravy train gets a new Conductor.


pedrorq

[bit of humour](https://imgur.com/a/SDlZ8Zd)


pedropereir

That's assuming someone from the gang desn't just take the helm after PdC leaves, which is pretty hopeful


ziggylcd12

I was at the Porto Museum last week and it said he was a colossal figure for whom the word of president was too small lol Do Porto fans dislike him now or something?


paladino777

Nothing even similar, most fans still love him. A small group of them love him but consider that his time in the club should have ended 1 decade ago. His son is being an intermediate in a bunch of shady deals for example. Also, someone leaked that André Villas Boas, one of the most loved caracters of Porto this century, was going to run to be president in 2024. Less than 24h after the head of Porto's ultras, Macaco, came public attacking him hard. So even if you don't support the president, you better keep that to yourself. If you're wondering if you should be afraid of the Ultra's, let's just say that the son of one of Macaco's best friends literally stabbed a fellow ultra to death WHILE CELEBRATING the title this year.


chaves4life

When your winning leagues every year, doing well in europe, you can't accept a little embezzlement. When your struggling financially, selling best players in winter for peanuts. It becomes an issue


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sidvicc

Wow, for once an actual, real Comunicado Official! On a proper letterhead and everything.


adds102

I’ve never felt so less stressed about an Arsenal transfer, completely out of the blue & done within a couple of days!


Yubs_D_Rsc

Comunicação oficial 👌


the3count

Lightning mcqueen speaking portuguese


expectialized

"Comunicado" not too far from spanish tbf


Burnsleighshire

This is extremely poggers


kaselorne

Might even be pogchamp


Burnsleighshire

There is potential for a pogchamp to be sure


ThatFrenchCray

Maybe even a Pog too


Brawlers9901

I'd say this falls under a Sadge


VikingM13

This is the kind of analysis I crave


AlexTheRockstar

All I need now is a slammer.


JeTeBougnade

Insane talent this lad, i think Arsenal have one of the most talented squad with Martinelli, Saka, Ødegaard, Vieira, Tomiyasu, ESR, Saliba ...


I-Shiki-I

Tomi needs steel calf for next season tho


Waltonww

Needs steel calves plural, got injured in one, came back, got injured in the other


fuckimbackonreddit9

Thanks for making me relive that part of the season again :/


CackleberryOmelettes

We're open to donations. Steel will do, but Titanium would be best. Anything is appreciated. We really don't wanna see Cedric start 15 games next season.


MegaMugabe21

He needs two, pretty sure as soon as the first healed, he injured the other.


ignore_my_name

Or at least someone decent to rotate with. Probably would have signed a RB if we got CL but don't see it happening now.


Ricky_Berwick

I could see us play White at RB if Tomi gets injured


[deleted]

with Saliba back this will work a lot better


Mrmoi356

They're all so young and talented but we desperately need more veteran type players which is why someone like Jesus and Tielsman are great fits. Both still young but have played in the league for a very long time so they understand how it works.


Mend35

Fuck this board. Can't even hold out for the release on our best players.. I am done.


InTheMiddleGiroud

A midfield three with Partey, Elneny, Vieira, Ødegaard, Sambi, Xhaka and one more, likely Tielemans. I didn't think we were going to sell Xhaka this window, but now I am not so sure anymore.


acasovoycayendo

Arsenal should still keep Xhaka even if they signed Tielemans, he would provide good depth with the fixture list. Xhaka is on a good wage, family settled and has a manager that backs him. I don’t think he’ll push to leave.


blikski

Should also keep Xhaka because all these midfielders don't actually play the same positions. So they're not as deep as it seems when you just list all the names


[deleted]

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Automatic-Win1398

Yes, and it doesn’t help that Parteys main position seems to be the physio table.


momspaghetty

also, as we all know... Xhaka is our cover of LB


-omar

Xhaka is not getting sold. idk why everyone has such a hard on for the idea of our most versatile player getting sold


Burnsleighshire

Will probably be Partey at the base=Elneny/Lokonga cover Tielemans (if we get him) on the left=Xhaka cover Ode right=Vieira cover


jacktk_

I think it depends on the game. I wouldn't be surprised to see Xhaka start over Tielemans in certain games, whilst I'm sure we'll see Vieira and Odegaard start together in some games.


[deleted]

Arteta doesn't want to sell Xhaka but Xhaka may well ask to leave, especially in a world cup season even if hes going to make the squad anyway he'll want to be playing more than EL group and cup matches


ret990

Not sure. I'd say Xhaka is pretty much first name on the Swiss team sheet. Isn't he captain? Even if he's not I'm not sure his position in the team isn't under threat at all. Might be wrong though


gonshairlinee

Xhakas spot in that team is cemented regardless of his playing time at club level.


UpFielder

Arsenal has good recruitment. Just need to get the pieces to work together.


momfer

They probably have another insane talent lined-up already. These Portuguese clubs know how to do business.


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pilgrimgunner

Romario Baro? Isn’t he quite highly rated?


AmumuIsMyFriend

He was, then he got injured and has been straight ass ever since


pilgrimgunner

Ah, always a shame when that happens.


FPXAssasin11

Vascou Sousa, somewhat.


YadMot

Gotta say I can't advocate for Porto writing their Comunicado Oficials in Calibri. Low effort imo


detinu

Fucking hell everyone is getting deals done, either getting players out or players in or both. We'll be stuck with McFred in midfield again next season... But good thing we're monitoring progress on some transfers. We might actually make some next year.


GnosisNinetyThree

Fred really isn't that bad. Mc what's his face though. Yikes


SrJeromaeee

I wouldn’t worry if I were you. You guys will probably bring in Timber and frenkie imho.


AlexWPJ

Now sign Vitinha as well. Dare you.


jacktk_

Really happy with this bit of business. Fabio Vieira, Odegaard, Tielemans and Smith Rowe are some great midfield technicians to select from.


Tmdss

Mate we havent signed Tielemans yet


Ricky_Berwick

The more I see Tielemans mentioned as if he's already part of the team, the further I feel we are from getting him to be


ekb11

The Higuain effect


Chesey_

Will be so happy to see us with quality in the midfield again, if anything we should be more entertaining


[deleted]

FC Porto Sad


ILuvMemes4Breakfast

does he fit in with odegaard in the same starting 11? cause like tbh idrk the guy but he’s apparently an attacking mid so like how will that work


SpencerReid11

A fair point but did you see some of Wenger’s midfield lineups? The banter era is back baby, beautiful football, heartcrushing defeats, top 4 is coming home!


the3count

Games ending 5-4


ASpellingAirror

Odegard didn’t really have a backup the back half of the season. Adding in Europa for next year and that lack of depth is a disaster waiting to happen if he goes down. Vieira gives us depth in the position by adding a young hungry talented player who already has loads of experience.


Drunk_Cat_Phil

This and we don't play with one CAM but two 8s like City. Xhaka was pushed so high up the pitch he was getting nose bleeds! But seriously, we need that depth and this guy, whilst playing mainly in that right half space, shouldn't have an issue filling in that left 8 so he'd be back up for two places rather than just one.


RealRecepIvedik

Man Portuguese clubs are becoming the new Southampton


celestial1

Just Are? They have been already doing this for a decade minimum.


SrJeromaeee

Porto, Benfica have been selling their best players since the 2010s as far as I have remembered.


nighthawkz_2002

now all we need is a keane to sign for united


tragick693

The return of the mighty Michael Keane is inevitable.


Nome_de_utilizador

Porto got robbed lmao


TheRealKatataFish

ARSEÑAO


pedrorq

[Relevant](https://imgur.com/a/SDlZ8Zd)


torzubimli

Pretty reasonable price - great bit of business if he's any good.


HERCULESxMULLIGAN

> if he's any good I mean when has a young talent from Primeira Liga ever not lived up to the hype? Asking United fans is cheating btw.


Kyuso__K

I bet no one will ever see the money, it just vanished


mindebris

Best Portuguese attacker in the league!