Premier League 2018/19

[FLiam]

Transfer ban definitely incoming. 

I really don't get Chelsea's model. I don't even think Chelsea fans get it.

[stokeriño]

48 minutes ago, Liam Mk2 said:

I really don't get Chelsea's model. I don't even think Chelsea fans get it.

The only explanation that even vaguely makes sense is that if they sign/loan-out 50 players and maybe 5 of them secure big money sales then that'll be a source of income that's valid as 'football-related income' under the definitions of FFP (unlike those whose owners can create their own sponsorship deals...). Or something. Obviously it's not being used as a system to produce talent for the first-team.

I don't know the details, but presume that if Chelsea are saying the relevant kids came in on trial and never signed contracts, then that would mean they're youth players I've never heard of rather than the masses of the Loan Army. It sounds like it should be a fairly obvious case of "Did young player X sign a contract with the club? YES or NO", which strikes me as a little bemusing. Like, if it's that straight-forward then I don't get why FIFA could claim one thing and Chelsea another...unless someone's being very stupid about what the rules say.

I don't doubt what Chelsea say about it all being "common practice across Europe", mind. The article also indicates that there are four other Premier League clubs under investigation, although doesn't say whom.

[Lineker]

Quote

Neil Warnock admits he has questioned his own future as Cardiff manager following the disappearance of the plane carrying the club's striker Emiliano Sala over the Channel Islands last Monday.

Sala, who was signed by Cardiff for a club-record £15million from French club Nantes only two days earlier, and pilot David Ibbotson remain missing, with fundraisers having paid for a private search in the English Channel after the official search was called off last Thursday.

"You think 24 hours a day about whether to carry on," Warnock said as he spoke to the media for the first time on Monday following Sala's disappearance. "It's impossible to sleep. I've been in football management for 40 years and it's been by far the most difficult week in my career, by an absolute mile.

"It's been a traumatic week and even now I can't get my head around the situation.

"It's probably hit me me harder than anyone else as I've met the lad and talked to him for the last six to eight weeks."

Warnock revealed that the League Managers' Association had offered him support and that several Cardiff players had spoken to psychologists in the wake of
Sala's disappearance.

Asked whether he had sought help, Warnock said: "You have to in this instance. Who motivates the motivator?

"I am OK when I'm in the public eye or with the players, it's when I'm at I'm on my own or at home that you think about it.

"It'a probably the lads you don't expect that needed more help. But I don't think it does any harm to talk to anyone else. It's been noticeable that three of four lads have been really poor."

[Lineker]

The back of Arsenal's programmes tonight: 

[FLiam]

Ozil starts and captains the side tonight. 

I really don't get it. 

[Baddar]

As with every game lately, I'm looking forward to tonight. Plenty of changes made again to keep things fresh, and I'll never complain about Andreas getting a game. 🤩

[Colly]

Refs shat this one. 

[FLiam]

17 minutes ago, Colly said:

Refs shat this one. 

Not now.

[DavidMarrio]

GO ON RAFA!!!!!!

Also United are getting Dyche'd here. The Ole Gunnar Solskjær revolution is over...he'll be back to Hobbiton in no time

[Kaney]

Cracking goal for Lacazette, clearly doesn't like being tackled much!

[Kyle]

Managed to lose both of our left backs in one game by the look of it. Digne sent off after replacing an injured Baines. Jonjoe Kenny will be getting a runout next match as it stands.

[stokeriño]

You annoy me, Manchester United.

[Baddar]

I will take that. We played well, Rashford fluffed a one on one in the first half that could've changed the night entirely. Shit at the back as usual but I'm sure we'll do defensive business in the summer.

[DavidMarrio]

Rafa Benitez, The Spanish Scouser. What a guy. Absolute hero. 

[Colly]

I'm double happy, I stuck a fiver on at 20/1.

[DavidMarrio]

 

 Jinxed it you daft bastards 

[Hobo]

[Kaney]

Apparently parts of Salas plane have washed up on a beach in France.

[Lineker]

Where are you hearing that @Kaney?

 

OK, yeah, seeing it everywhere now:

Quote

Update from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch: investigation into the loss of aircraft N264DB north of Guernsey

Since we opened our safety investigation on Tuesday 23 January, we have been gathering evidence such as flight, aircraft and personnel records, and have been analysing radar data and air traffic tapes. We have been working closely with other international authorities and have kept the families of those involved updated on our progress. 
 
On the morning of Monday 28 January, we were advised by the Bureau d'Enquêtes & d'Analyses (BEA), the French safety investigation authority, that part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surainville on the Cotentin Peninsula. A second cushion was found in the same area later that day. From a preliminary examination we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft.
 
From the moment we were notified of the missing aircraft, we have been looking at the feasibility of conducting an underwater seabed search for aircraft wreckage. Based on a detailed assessment of the flight path and last known radar position, we have now identified a priority search area of approximately four square nautical miles. Through the Ministry of Defence's Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) Project Team, we have commissioned a specialist survey vessel to carry out an underwater survey of the seabed to try to locate and identify possible aircraft wreckage.
 
Due to the weather and sea conditions, we currently expect our underwater seabed search to start at the end of this weekend and to take up to three days. Side-scan sonar equipment will be used to try to locate the wreckage on the seabed. If the wreckage is found, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be used to visually examine the wreckage.
 
We are aware that a privately operated search is also being conducted in the area, and we are liaising closely with those involved to maximise the chance of locating any wreckage and ensure a safe search operation.
 
Our remit is to undertake safety investigations to establish the cause of accidents. We do not apportion blame or liability.

[Lineker]

Coming tonight was a moronic idea.