Premier League 2023/24

[Twist]

Man Utd have announced Antony won't return to the squad after the international break until the current allegations have been investigated. 

[Lineker]

Hope they've got Getafe on speed-dial.

[Naitch]

Getafe's social media person is salivating at the prospect.

[Colly]

My mate who had Kane and Mitrovic in his draft team also has Antony. It's basically Homer at the Bat at this point, expect Saka to mysteriously disappear in the next few weeks.

[Bobfoc]

I wonder how Saka feels about Pitt the Elder.

[Colly]

Lord Palmerston!

[The Lusophone]

1 hour ago, Colly said:

My mate who had Kane and Mitrovic in his draft team also has Antony. It's basically Homer at the Bat at this point, expect Saka to mysteriously disappear in the next few weeks.

Of all the Arsenal players to mention there, surely it's Partey 

[Colly]

I generally only post these when there's an important and profound point being made, this one just made me laugh though:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2023/sep/12/david-squires-on-james-maddison-the-main-man-at-a-roast-dinner?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

No idea why the url has an iOS reference, I'm Android as fuck.

[Lineker]

The Henderson frame was excellent.

[Hobo]

1 hour ago, Lineker said:

The Henderson frame was excellent.

Generally I don't really think those cartoons are that funny but I did enjoy that one.

[FLiam]

United have excluded Jadon Sancho from first team training sessions. 

Two £70m+ right-wingers banished from the first team. Wild.

[Lineker]

 

 

[gunnar hendershow]

The general effort to keep the story quiet is the worst part about that. If you can't name him and he can't get punished due to whatever legal reasons there are that's fine, but trying your hardest to make sure nobody knows that even that happened is going to raise a lot of alarm bells.

[DavidMarrio]

Man U have more statements put out than wins this season...

[Lineker]

Quote

Farhad Moshiri has signed an agreement to sell his entire stakeholding in Everton to American investment firm 777 Partners. Takeover talks between the British-Iranian billionaire and the Miami-based company had advanced after the collapse of a proposed equity deal with another American investment firm, MSP Sports Capital, which has loaned £100m towards the construction of Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The two parties have now signed an agreement for a full takeover, which Moshiri claims will secure the funding to complete the 52,888-capacity stadium on Liverpool’s waterfront, although the deal remains subject to approval from the Premier League, the Football Association and the Financial Conduct Authority. 777 Partners has been embroiled in numerous controversies since being founded by Josh Wander and Steven Pasko in 2015, including allegations of fraud, which the company denies. Wander also pleaded no contest to a drugs charge in 2003.

The Premier League introduced a more stringent directors’ and owners’ test this summer which will be tested by 777’s attempt to add Everton to its stable of football clubs that includes Genoa, Sevilla, Vasco da Gama, Hertha Berlin, Standard Liège, Red Star in France and Melbourne Victory. The purchase of Everton, which could be completed by the end of this year, would be its biggest acquisition to date. The company will also have to provide proof of funding to the Premier League.

Moshiri has invested over £750m in Everton since becoming a shareholder in 2016 and majority shareholder in 2018 but the club has gone backwards under his ownership. Everton have narrowly escaped two successive relegation battles and are without a win in the new Premier League season after another troubled transfer window. The club have also racked up debts of over £430m in the last five years and will appear before an independent commission in October over an alleged breach of financial fair play rules.

Everton’s owner, who will write to the club’s minority shareholders asking for their support in the coming days, confirmed: “The nature of ownership and financing of top football clubs has changed immeasurably since I first invested in Everton over seven years ago. The days of an owner/benefactor are seemingly out of reach for most, and the biggest clubs are now typically owned by well-resourced PE [private equity] firms, specialist sports investors or state backed companies and funds.

“I have been open about the need to bring in new investment and complete the financing for our iconic new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, on the banks of the Mersey, which I have predominantly financed to date. I have spoken to a number of parties and considered some strong potential opportunities. However, it is through my lengthy discussions with 777 that I believe they are the best partners to take our great club forward, with all the benefits of their multi-club investment model.

“As a result of this agreement, we have an experienced and well-connected investor in football clubs who will help maximise the commercial opportunities, and we have secured the complete financing for our new stadium, which will be the critical element in the future success of Everton. Today is an important next step in the successful development of Everton and I look forward to closely following as our club goes from strength to strength.”

The agreement would mean 777, which has been advised by Tifosy Capital, acquiring 94.1% of the club’s shares. Earlier this year Tifosy attempted to raise over $200m for 777 but it is believed it was unable to do so.

Wander, the founder and managing partner of 777, said: “We are truly humbled by the opportunity to become part of the Everton family as custodians of the club, and consider it a privilege to be able to build on its proud heritage and values.

“Our primary objective is to work with fans and stakeholders to develop the sporting and commercial infrastructure for the men’s and women’s teams that will deliver results for future generations of Everton supporters. As part of this, we are committed to partnering with the local community over the long-term, working on important projects such as the development of Bramley-Moore Dock as a world class stadium venue, allowing thousands more Evertonians to attend our home matches and contribute to the economic and cultural regeneration of Merseyside.”

 

[gunnar hendershow]

For those curious (Liverpool supporters) they have a funny track record of buying clubs that immediately get relegated.

[Szumi]

They also may not have even paid fully for Hertha Berlin after taking them over. Hertha were relegated last season and are already second bottom in the 2.Bundesliga. They own stakes in multiple clubs and none of them really seem to be doing well.

[gunnar hendershow]

4 minutes ago, Szumi - A Polack said:

They also may not have even paid fully for Hertha Berlin after taking them over. Hertha were relegated last season and are already second bottom in the 2.Bundesliga. They own stakes in multiple clubs and none of them really seem to be doing well.

Genoa did get promoted last season but it feels like the same story with these investment portfolio companies. Buy up whatever you can and see if any of them can make you money. The others just gut and write off a loss of sorts.

I'd be very concerned with whether or not they actually have the money, this isn't like a lot of takeovers where the group or person has more money than god.

[METALMAN]

I read a feature on that lot in the Financial Times a few weeks ago and they seemed proper dodgy.

[DavidMarrio]

Whilst I do find it funny given my club allegiance, this is bad news for Everton and I do feel sorry. 

They're glorified asset strippers and the one thing Everton have in the pipeline is the new ground. Could honestly see a situation of Everton not owning the ground and only leasing it.