Summer Transfer Window
Seems like a relatively quiet summer so far. How do I know this? Because Newcastle haven't done all that much but still look more active than most clubs. First they added (avoided subtraction?) by keeping Dubravka and Kenedy. They added Ki for the midfield. Most recently they signed defender Fabian Schar but this is really just replacement for the departed Chancel Mbemba. Analysts are saying this is probably an upgrade and Newcastle got real value for the money with this signing. And now they are simply waiting for a work permit to complete the signing of Yoshinori Muto. He's a center forward with a decent goal scoring history in the Bundesliga. However, it's not clear he's the real scoring threat Benitez is still craving. Now that they've completed the sale of Mitrovic to Fulham for 20+ million pounds, maybe Benitez has the funds to get a striker he really wants.
Liverpool look like the real winners in this transfer window, which now closes the day before the season starts as opposed to September 1. They spent a lot on a new keeper - Alisson from Roma - but given how costly their weakness at that position was for them last year, it's probably money well-spent. They've also added Shaqiri and Fabinho to bolster both offense and defense, plus Keita in the midfield.
Of course there's still plenty of time for some blockbuster transactions to occur (Maguire to Man United?) so stay tuned.
Early Predictions
As I sift through some of the preview and prediction articles, I'd say the EPL is plagued by a surfeit of mediocrity. Last year the mid-table arguably consisted of Burnley and Everton. This year looks even worse. It's like there are six teams at the top and an indistinguishable blob of sides after that. Here are some links with predictions for the coming season:
HTC predictions - NSFW - but pretty good anyway
The 18 - Don't know anything about this but they are interesting
Guardian - This is a series in progress that will be completed in the next week or so
We Love VAR: Part Infinity
In its short history, VAR has been a great friend to the Union and last Wednesday's match with Houston added two more examples. Down 0-1 Bedoya may or may not have been offside when he took a pass from Dockal and leveled the match. These days, if it's close, the ARs are keeping the flag down, knowing that if the play results in a goal the VAR will make things right. But, if it was tight to begin with, the VAR probably won't overrule the call on the field because it won't be a clear and obvious error. So the goal stands. Then, in the 59th minute, the VAR signals the center referee (Dickerson) about a possible red card foul; after consulting the monitor, Dickerson judges that Martinez had stomped on Trusty and sent him off. People keep yapping about intent, as in Martinez did not seem to go in with intent, but that's not the criteria. Dickerson decided it was excessive force. I was skeptical at the time; that the independent panel rescinded the card supports that view. But there it was. The Union score two goals while a man up and come away with another three road points.
This was a much happier outcome than the 1-3 loss at home to LAFC the previous Saturday, which Graham and I enjoyed in the pouring rain. Geez, Ibrahimovic is huge. Seems like a real ass too.
The Union have a tough road match on Saturday against Portland so not looking for any points there. Big six-pointer at New England on 8/11; massive implications for the Union playoff chances in that one.
Neymar Apologizes (Sort Of)
In this article Neymar admits to overacting but says he does suffer a lot. He promises to improve. We assume that means he'll stop acting as opposed to being better at acting.
Keeping it short this week. Will be back next Thursday, the eve of the Premier League season start.
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