Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:16:28 PM

Title: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:16:28 PM
https://xcancel.com/david_ornstein/status/2076380621492932886?s=46

Just a place to specifically talk about Manzambi who MIGHT be joining us, you scared pansies.



Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on July 12, 2026, 08:19:11 PM
Shame, I think he looks really good.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on July 12, 2026, 08:19:27 PM
Fuck’s sake.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 12, 2026, 08:19:56 PM
Freiburg will think of us as we think of ManC. Beat them in a final and then take their best player.


If it happens.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: SaddVillan on July 12, 2026, 08:21:04 PM
David Ornstein in The Athletic

Aston Villa finalising move for Johan Manzambi from Freiburgi

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7436085/2026/07/12/johan-manzambi-aston-villa-transfer-news/?source=user_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.xFA.KRBY.GNluSJ1nQBUQ&smid=ta-android-share
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:21:30 PM
Fuck’s sake.

Oh no… TV started a thread and it’s doomed now.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:22:41 PM
John Townley

Aston Villa are hijacking Newcastle's move for Johan Manzambi, with talks over a deal understood to be at an advanced stage. The 20yo midfielder, who starred at the World Cup and in Freiburg's run to the UEL final, would be an excellent addition to Unai Emery's squad.


https://xcancel.com/johntownley11/status/2076384967236506071?s=46
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 12, 2026, 08:23:36 PM
Would have been nice to sign him.

#sadnessinmyeyes
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 12, 2026, 08:24:49 PM
I'm not sure that the gods' wrath will be enfeebled just by putting "discussion thread".

Maybe we will be okay because Murphy's Marvellous Grin incurred their ferocity first.

https://www.toonforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=11150

Or, more likely, he signs for Tottenham or some other horrid bunch of bounders.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dogtanian on July 12, 2026, 08:25:56 PM
Will be a bit strange first home game of the season if they show off the trophy he lost.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Olneythelonely on July 12, 2026, 08:27:59 PM
Would have liked to have signed him. Shame he’s been super-jinxed.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:30:41 PM
I'm not sure that the gods' wrath will be enfeebled just by putting "discussion thread".

Maybe we will be okay because Murphy's Marvellous Grin incurred their ferocity first.

https://www.toonforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=11150

Or, more likely, he signs for Tottenham or some other horrid bunch of bounders.


Maybe Newcastle would have signed him if the person starting their thread spelt his name correctly.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 12, 2026, 08:35:43 PM
Maybe it's a sneaky ploy to avoid celestial detection.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on July 12, 2026, 08:40:34 PM
If we could sign him I’d be delighted - exactly what we need.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:40:49 PM
Alex Crook

As #NUFC feared #AVFC now closing in on the signing of Manzambi. Told that deal is virtually done.

https://xcancel.com/alex_crook/status/2076386129029316872?s=46

Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: brontebilly on July 12, 2026, 08:43:25 PM
Looking forward to this one. Great age, technically sharp, can play in a few positions it looks like, what could possibly go wrong?
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 12, 2026, 08:45:02 PM
Jesus Christ.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dave on July 12, 2026, 08:45:34 PM
Exactly the right profile of player we should be trying to sign.

And would also give the club a bit of a lift from the "well, what's the point?" doldrums.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:46:39 PM
Jesus Christ.

If we are also signing Christ, start a new thread. Manzambi needs to keep it on the ground and not send in crosses to him.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: SaddVillan on July 12, 2026, 08:46:45 PM
Scored 3 goals at the WC.
20 yrs old.
6'0"
He's already played 38 Bundesliga/European games for Freiburg.
16 full caps and 6 goals

4yrs left on his contract, £15-16k pw.

Suspect we'll be selling to raise funds.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on July 12, 2026, 08:47:35 PM
Exactly the right profile of player we should be trying to sign.

And would also give the club a bit of a lift from the "well, what's the point?" doldrums.

Agree completely. If it happens exactly the right player in every way.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Brend'Watkins on July 12, 2026, 08:49:36 PM
Why do we insist on Jinxing exciting potential signings?
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on July 12, 2026, 08:51:15 PM
Scored 3 goals at the WC.
20 yrs old.
6'0"
He's already played 38 Bundesliga/European games for Freiburg.
16 full caps and 6 goals

4yrs left on his contract, £15-16k pw.

Suspect we'll be selling to raise funds.

We might well do, but we have already brought in a fair amount and have the Onana SCR gap too.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 08:52:10 PM
It’s only a jinx if you believe in such nonsense. It’s being reported by reputable journalists and right now the Claret & Blue podcast are discussing this potential signing.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Crown Hill on July 12, 2026, 08:52:49 PM
Maybe he wants to play in the Super Cup?
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: SaddVillan on July 12, 2026, 09:01:21 PM
Found this on the BBC report of SUI 0-0 Colombia which went to pens

"They progressed here without one of the breakthrough stars of the tournament in Johan Manzambi. He missed out through injury, and Switzerland missed the attacking verve and pace which has helped him score three goals and create two more in this tournament."
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 12, 2026, 09:05:30 PM
Signing players who did well against us when their team lost a cup final is a big step up from signing players who did well against us when their team got relegated.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Tuscans on July 12, 2026, 09:07:34 PM
The reported fee when he was supposedly off to Newcastle was £49m. I didn't expect us to sign another player over £4m again.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dave on July 12, 2026, 09:09:14 PM
If I were being very cynical, if we do sign him, I wonder whether this might be one of those signings that are why the enormous amounts of money we pay to agents are even more enormous than most other clubs.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Crown Hill on July 12, 2026, 09:10:31 PM
These players seem to be moving once their teams eliminated. There were a couple last week. So u guess once England finish the tournament we’ll know one way or the other with Morgan.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 09:11:16 PM
I’d like to think that happened more when we weren’t the club we are now. To make that leap from relegation candidates to a club perennially in Europe. Being CL 2 out of 3 years I’m hoping we are now more a club players will chose naturally than have to be coerced to do so.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: rob_bridge on July 12, 2026, 09:11:57 PM
 Would be very happy
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Tuscans on July 12, 2026, 09:19:35 PM
🚨💣 BREAKING: Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa — DONE DEAL! Fee is worth almost €70m, including add-ons. Long-term contract agreed with medical soon!
@Plettigoal
 
£60m!? Really?
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 12, 2026, 09:24:02 PM
Someone sent me a mocked-up picture of him in his new team's shirt and it looks like we have been gazumped by the Heart of Midlothian catering staff. Sorry, everyone.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Bent Neilsens Screamer on July 12, 2026, 09:24:44 PM
Signing players who did well against us when their team lost a cup final is a big step up from signing players who did well against us when their team got relegated.

I can’t say I remember him doing too much in the final.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: KRS on July 12, 2026, 09:26:18 PM
Don’t know much about him. Is he likely a replacement for Rogers or play alongside him?
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Tuscans on July 12, 2026, 09:30:22 PM
Watching the vids he moves a little bit like ( maybe not as gracefully ) as Olise.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 09:30:37 PM
Signing players who did well against us when their team lost a cup final is a big step up from signing players who did well against us when their team got relegated.

I can’t say I remember him doing too much in the final.

We basically snuffed out their entire attacking intent.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dave on July 12, 2026, 09:31:22 PM
Think he had their one real chance, which he dragged wide a few minutes before Youri's goal.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Beard82 on July 12, 2026, 09:31:34 PM
To be fair it would be exciting to buy a player.

I have never seen him play - but hopefully he's better than Pele
 
I have never noticed him playing - but hopefully he's better than Pele

I wonder if there is Morgz movement and were trying to get targets before. 
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dante Lavelli on July 12, 2026, 09:31:51 PM
Don’t know much about him. Is he likely a replacement for Rogers or play alongside him?

Transfermarkt have him playing done the centre, mainly as a Ten.  An alternative to Buendia most likely, assuming Rogers starts from the left.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: RamboandBruno on July 12, 2026, 09:32:33 PM
To be fair it would be exciting to buy a player.

I have never seen him play - but hopefully he's better than Pele

I wonder if there is Morgz movement and were trying to get targets before.
If you watched the europa league final you hsve seen him play
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 12, 2026, 09:32:56 PM
Scored the winner in the semi-final, three times in the World Cup and home and away against Bayern Munich (albeit they lost both) so doesn't seem averse to a big game performance.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Beard82 on July 12, 2026, 09:34:01 PM
To be fair it would be exciting to buy a player.

I have never seen him play - but hopefully he's better than Pele

I wonder if there is Morgz movement and were trying to get targets before.
If you watched the europa league final you hsve seen him play
Thanks - yeah put the 2 and 2 together and realised I'd made a tit of myself. 
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: eamonn on July 12, 2026, 09:36:24 PM
With Louie Barry finally gone for good, a replacement was crucial.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dogtanian on July 12, 2026, 09:37:02 PM
Cue all the posts on social media saying this is the latest reason we MUST sell Rogers on the cheap.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: dave.woodhall on July 12, 2026, 09:43:07 PM
🚨💣 BREAKING: Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa — DONE DEAL! Fee is worth almost €70m, including add-ons. Long-term contract agreed with medical soon!
@Plettigoal
 
£60m!? Really?

Add ons - could be anything from playing in twenty games to winning the Champions League.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: RamboandBruno on July 12, 2026, 09:43:50 PM
Really good signing…as long as he passes the medical!!
Hopefully an upgrade on  Sancho/Guessand/Elliot rather than  a Rogers replacement.
He looked really sharp for Switzerland, and they werent the same without him.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 12, 2026, 09:46:45 PM
I'd fancy a good 20+m of that will be add ons, which if triggered would most likely means both him and us are doing rather well.

And i'll go mid October for his first Villa injury.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Sexual Ealing on July 12, 2026, 09:49:51 PM
Don’t know much about him. Is he likely a replacement for Rogers or play alongside him?

Transfermarkt have him playing done the centre, mainly as a Ten.  An alternative to Buendia most likely, assuming Rogers starts from the left.

I admire your optimism, chaps!
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dogtanian on July 12, 2026, 09:50:29 PM
It will be the same as Newcastle agreed as once a deal is accepted by the club, they don’t care who the player ends up signing with.

The only times I would expect that not to be true is when a deal is agreed with a non-Premier League club first. The price always goes up wherever possible for Premier League teams as they know it’s there for the taking.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 12, 2026, 09:52:20 PM
The only way it would be a different price to the one agreed with Newcastle is if we agreed to restructure it to comprise a smaller fee up front with a potentially larger final fee, which may suit both parties.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 12, 2026, 09:54:52 PM
If I was Freiburg i'd charge us more. To them we're the wankers that battered them in a final and then to really take the piss are taking their best player.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Beard82 on July 12, 2026, 09:59:27 PM
If I was Freiburg i'd charge us more. To them we're the wankers that battered them in a final and then to really take the piss are taking their best player.
Fair
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dogtanian on July 12, 2026, 10:00:04 PM
The only way it would be a different price to the one agreed with Newcastle is if we agreed to restructure it to comprise a smaller fee up front with a potentially larger final fee, which may suit both parties.

Yes, I had not thought of this. But I don’t think that would help us, as the asset would still go on the accounts at the full value, and that can only be amortised over five years anyway.

A restructure would be most useful to us if we had cash flow issues, which I’m not aware we have.

Maybe someone with more accounting knowledge can shed some light?
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: olaftab on July 12, 2026, 10:07:48 PM
🚨💣 BREAKING: Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa — DONE DEAL! Fee is worth almost €70m, including add-ons. Long-term contract agreed with medical soon!
@Plettigoal
 
£60m!? Really?
Do I not like this (said in the SGT style) If this is true then there is a big player on his way out. I wonder who that could be?
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on July 12, 2026, 10:08:48 PM
🚨💣 BREAKING: Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa — DONE DEAL! Fee is worth almost €70m, including add-ons. Long-term contract agreed with medical soon!
@Plettigoal
 
£60m!? Really?
Do I not like this (said in the SGT style) If this is true then there is a big player on his way out. I wonder who that could be?

Take a seat.

I've got some bad news about Louie Barry.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Toronto Villa on July 12, 2026, 10:09:00 PM
Yeh I’ll hate it when it happens, but it’s been great Lamare. Best of luck at Brentford or Coventry.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dogtanian on July 12, 2026, 10:10:12 PM
Matt Maher says;

“If the deal is completed, the final fee with add-ons will exceed the £50m Villa paid Everton to sign Onana two years ago.”

He’s suggested the ‘total’ deal is “worth nearly £60million”.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Ads on July 12, 2026, 10:11:22 PM
Scored 3 goals at the WC.
20 yrs old.
6'0"
He's already played 38 Bundesliga/European games for Freiburg.
16 full caps and 6 goals

4yrs left on his contract, £15-16k pw.

Suspect we'll be selling to raise funds.

We already have. £35m in outgoings since January, FIFA paying Onanas wages, Elliot, Sancho, Malen, Barry etc all off the wage bill.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: Dogtanian on July 12, 2026, 10:12:41 PM
🚨💣 BREAKING: Johan Manzambi to Aston Villa — DONE DEAL! Fee is worth almost €70m, including add-ons. Long-term contract agreed with medical soon!
@Plettigoal
 
£60m!? Really?

Do I not like this (said in the SGT style) If this is true then there is a big player on his way out. I wonder who that could be?

I don’t believe this is necessarily true. We were going to be buying players whether we sell a big player or not.

I think if we do sell Rogers it just means we will up the calibre of signings.
Title: Re: Johan Manzambi - discussion thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on July 12, 2026, 10:13:00 PM
Barry being on twice as much a week as Manzambi is why English football is fucked.
SimplePortal 2.3.6 © 2008-2014, SimplePortal