Summer 2024 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[PeterWithe]

Is there any suggestion from any credible source that we are interested in him?

Not that such minor details ever prevent us from going round the houses for a couple of pages.

[cdbearsfan]

Just a couple of Twitterati AFAIK.

[OCD]

I think Sterling is a non-starter. But I think there's an interesting question raised about whether a player is ever worth signing if you know he's going to bring unwanted attention with him. And I guess, it depends on their ability and how much service you're likely to get from them.

[PeterWithe]

Ross Barkley hasn’t had the best of profiles, we bought him a month ago.

[stevo_st]

There were warning lights flashing when signing Bailey. The club has done well managing that potential circus.

[Clampy]

What you said suggested a continuous pattern of behaviour, as opposed to one statement. That's what that meant, maybe didn't word it very well. I was wondering what behaviour it was that has led you to your belief that he attracts attention largely for the wrong reasons.

He's surrounded by a constant media circus, the focus on him never seems to be about on the pitch and what he can do, rightly or wrongly. That's just the way it is with him. It's always about him agitating for a move here or there, or doing this or that off pitch, he just creates a noise way beyond what he actually delivers on the pitch.

The press are absolutely obsessed with him. Regardless of whether he has done anything to deserve it or not, I think he would be a distraction for the team which, in my view, makes him not worth the risk.

And again, even ignoring all this other nonsense, purely that piece of ridiculous self-centred guff from the weekend, from any player, would put me off them.

I'm not saying he's shit, I am not besmirching an entire career, I just don't think he's the sort of player Emery would go for, and I'd rather we didn't.

It's that, and nothing else.

I think the 'agitating for a move here and there' comment is a bit unfair. He's 29 and he's only played for three clubs. I think there was an issue before left Liverpool according to Wiki bit that's it.

[Bad English]

I don't think you need to have a go at other people's faith to make a point, but at the same time some of the absolute worst people in the world are religious people, so it's not a selling point.

I am not 'having a go' ATAL; I am asking what this 'fact' is that they mention.

[Bad English]

Sterling also has an unshakeable faith in God, and the fact that his own talent is God-given means he's actually one of the good guys.

What fact is this again? Are you saying his talent is made-up bollocks?

I do think this is needlessly offensive . I'm of the understanding you're not of the same or any faith. Ok so I don't mean to come across in any way other than associating God with good character. However I can also see this may offend you or others in some way just by mentioning anything religious and this is not my intention.

No, I am not at all offended by people offering made-up stuff as facts; I simply like to point out that presenting talent as being a gift from something that doesn't exist and is made up does not make it a fact.

If you find being challenged 'offensive' then diddums really.

[aev]

I'm not sure what I've done to deserve that abuse, tbh. You said "He is a player who just attracts attention largely for the wrong reasons", I asked for examples beyond the statement. I genuinely don't know where you're getting this from so was wondering if there is something that I don't know about.

I dunno, it just seemed to me that 'smearing a whole career' or besmirching or whatever it was was ridiculously over the top for my comments. Hence the 'abuse' of suggesting you were being 'a drama queen'.

You asked for an example of how he attracts attention for the wrong reasons and I gave one from literally this week.

Well, maybe try taking my points that have  been made and requested people to look at from Sterling's perspective and understanding to how the media has treated him all his career and all of the struggles and battles he has faced. It's so clear.
There is nothing else to say because all of the evidence shows that he is a mature and professional footballer who brings experience, has a good character, and does God's work.

I think that everyone who continues to argue against Sterling and accuses him of having an ego, being a troublesome guy, and causing difficulty has been taken in by the media.

If Sterling does sign I do hope that some kindness is shown to a great player who is clearly misunderstood because of how the media have portrayed him.

"God's work".

If that means 15 goals and 15 assists I may be "in" after all.

[Monty]

To be fair, Michael Johnson had that "just shit himself" running style and he was fairly swift.

Don't know about that, Johnson ran upright but his arms chopped the air like karate scythes. Sterling looks like he's decorating a plate on MasterChef.

[paul_e]

I'm not sure what I've done to deserve that abuse, tbh. You said "He is a player who just attracts attention largely for the wrong reasons", I asked for examples beyond the statement. I genuinely don't know where you're getting this from so was wondering if there is something that I don't know about.

I dunno, it just seemed to me that 'smearing a whole career' or besmirching or whatever it was was ridiculously over the top for my comments. Hence the 'abuse' of suggesting you were being 'a drama queen'.

You asked for an example of how he attracts attention for the wrong reasons and I gave one from literally this week.

Well, maybe try taking my points that have  been made and requested people to look at from Sterling's perspective and understanding to how the media has treated him all his career and all of the struggles and battles he has faced. It's so clear.
There is nothing else to say because all of the evidence shows that he is a mature and professional footballer who brings experience, has a good character, and does God's work.

I think that everyone who continues to argue against Sterling and accuses him of having an ego, being a troublesome guy, and causing difficulty has been taken in by the media.

If Sterling does sign I do hope that some kindness is shown to a great player who is clearly misunderstood because of how the media have portrayed him.

"God's work".

If that means 15 goals and 15 assists I may be "in" after all.

If god exists and he's wasting his blessings on footballers whist there are so many problems in the world then he's either oblivious or a bit of a c**t.

[johnny from donny]

Without wanting to get into the whole thing about Sterling's character and attitude,  I don't think he's been great for Chelsea and  I reckon we already have better players than him at the club.

[ozzjim]

Sterling also has an unshakeable faith in God, and the fact that his own talent is God-given means he's actually one of the good guys.

What fact is this again? Are you saying his talent is made-up bollocks?

I do think this is needlessly offensive . I'm of the understanding you're not of the same or any faith. Ok so I don't mean to come across in any way other than associating God with good character. However I can also see this may offend you or others in some way just by mentioning anything religious and this is not my intention.

No, I am not at all offended by people offering made-up stuff as facts; I simply like to point out that presenting talent as being a gift from something that doesn't exist and is made up does not make it a fact.

If you find being challenged 'offensive' then diddums really.

How very dare you BE. The world witnessed proof of a higher power last month, Saint Donald was moved out of the way of the bullet by God, he told us all so. Also, apparently that faith also makes him a good guy, which seems a leap. Taking it to football terms, having watch Robin Olsen for 3 years, I am assuming he is not a good guy and doesn't have faith, because he's shite.

I totally understand faith and respect where people have it, but the ridiculousness of making a direct link to someones faith 1. making them a decent person and 2. directly impacting their talent will automatically attract people very easily disproving both, and therefore they are not facts.

[Mister E]

He's on £325k pw - that's all we need to know to conclude he won't be coming to Villa.
I'd definitely be looking at Chalobah during next week's fire-sale, though.

[ozzjim]

He's on £325k pw - that's all we need to know to conclude he won't be coming to Villa.
I'd definitely be looking at Chalobah during next week's fire-sale, though.

Chalobah and Geertruida before the deadline would do me. I would love a 10, but getting the back 4 fully sorted out is much more important. We showed last week we can create chances and have some pretty decent players going forward.