JamieZ

I see buzzwords and talking points in that sentence but nothing of substance. You'll have to define your terms if I'm to respond to it directly. But let me clarify my end of things. My assertion—relative to a footballer's character in a football thread—was that Weston McKennie is a good kid who did a dumb thing in violating local coronavirus protocol, but that I tend to view it as a blip rather than an established pattern of behavior, which would be cause for concern. I spoke to his character, his personality, and the fact that he's committed to using his voice for social justice—admittedly using that as evidence of his conscientiousness. But the fact that we're now talking about "regressive intersectional politics" makes me wonder whether maybe I'm not the one who crossed a line here. I would like us to make a bid for a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with an engine for days like Weston McKennie. I like him as a player and I think he'd be a good personality within the team. He's a hard worker, on and off the pitch, and a character at that. I'm convinced he'd become a fan favorite. Especially if he can be had for as little as €30 million.

Welp, we'll meet you here in the 21st century when you care to join us.

I'm willing to go so far as to say it was a dumb move from a smart kid and I'm sure he's learned from it. That's one of the things I've noticed from him—a marked ability to learn and adapt. I had reservations about him going to Italy because as a player he really couldn't be more built for the Premier League, but the one thing I hoped he might gain from it is the learning and tactical awareness that comes from playing in such a different league outside of his comfort zone. And despite Pirlo's lack of success with Juventus, I think Weston has definitely adapted well. But I really do think all roads lead to the Premier League for him. As for his character, he's smart, articulate, and committed to speaking out for social justice. As combative as is he is on the pitch, he's a big teddy bear off it, and he's had some hilarious moments in Italy.

Word in Italy is that there is an abundance of interest from Premier League clubs in Weston McKennie and that cash-strapped Juventus are prepared to let him go for half that. I think Phillips is good, but I don't think he's £50+ good.

I love watching Pulisic play. He has a real je ne sais quoi about him, the way he glides through defenders—and the composure he showed on both his goal in Madrid and last night's assist to Mount was a real sign of maturity. A lot of good players force that cross into heavy traffic. If we can get both him and Reyna doing that on opposite flanks at the international level, the next ten to fifteen years could be a lot of fun to watch.

I know this isn't a new kit, but I just noticed Nicolo Zaniolo flips his collar under when he plays and I think I prefer the look. I'd probably have mine stitched in if I could get away with it.

If he were Japanese, he'd have five years left in him!

He played professionally until 2011! It's not too late for a comeback!

I reckon we could get the actual Jari Litmanen or Sami Hyypiä if we wanted 'em.

I'd completely forgotten that we played that match with three right wingers.

HuffingtonPost headline is "Manchester Ignited". Well played.

Ugh. And two late goals from Ronaldo likely save Juve once again. They've been totally second best today. I really can't stand them.

I'm not so sure about that... They've been absolutely dire and are due for a major reshuffle this summer. I'll take Weston McKennie, please.

I'm slightly in the same boat. I really like Tammy and think he would be good for us, but I think it would be a big outlay when there are really other priorities. I'm wondering if we wouldn't do well to find someone who can play both centrally and out wide to kill two birds. I've got Timo Weah from Lille in mind, specifically, as someone who brings pace, energy, and skill to the team and can fit in anywhere along the front line. We're going to need a dynamic midfielder, and if we go big, I feel like that should be where we go big.

That was fun! Let's do that every week.

Wait, when did Josh King move to Everton? Has he been there all season?

Emphatic!

Love that hustle!

Was offered the Celtic job, too, but this makes much more sense. I wouldn't call the Spurs job a poisoned chalice just yet, but I'd have to be pretty sure of myself to take up that position right now. With the possibility of a summer exodus, especially, I can see things going from blah to worse in North London.

Well, I mean, Tyler Adams is already there of course, and knows Marsch well from their time together at New York Red Bull. Nagelsmann seemed to see a future for him at his preferred No.6 position but was easing him in slowly, preferring him in a sort of hybrid wingback role for the time being. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes the holding midfield position his own under Marsch. And then there's Brenden Asronson, who made a seamless transition from Philadelphia Union to Red Bull Salzburg, so I can see him being on Leipzig's radar. They've got a strong midfield, but I can certainly see Aaronson reaching that level, especially if players like Marcel Sabitzer move on as expected. The hitch, I think, is that Dominik Szoboszlai hasn't been fully incorporated into the team and is still waiting in the wings. I can see Leipzig wanting to get him up to speed before bringing in another Salzburg attacker.

Jesse Marsch taking over at RB Leipzig. He knows the system and should slot right in. I'm excited to have two promising American managers coaching in the Bundesliga.

Oops, welp, my bad. I didn't know Nagelsmann was Bavarian and grew up a Bayern fan. In that case, I guess it's no surprise at all he's going there. The only way I can't see this going poorly for every club in the Bundesliga that is not Bayern Munich is if he falls afoul of the club hierarchy somewhere along the line. What's the longest run of successive titles for a club in a Top 4 league? Or any league for that matter. Anyone know?

I'm actually a bit surprised for some reason to see Julian Nagelsmann going to Bayern. I'm not sure why, but I saw him going to a club in the Premier League or elsewhere in Europe. But I, for one, am getting real tired of Bayern's hegemony at the top of the Bundesliga. I can see Jesse Marsch from Red Bull Salzburg being the prime candidate to take over at RB Leipzig.

They remind me of that couple of years we spent circling the drain before finally going down. They've got a few solid players but they're just joyless to watch.