San Siro; Tales of Two Sides

The final whistle accompanied by the boo’s of the AC fans and the cheers of the Inter fans made the scene quite chaotically poetic. This final meeting cemented Inter as the new face of Milan as they not only triumphed over their rivals twice in the league but also twice in the greatest club competition on Earth. Surely new signings must be made and new tactics developed if they ever hope to repeat this success in the coming years. For Internazionale, it means one simple thing, a must-win game to grant themselves immortals on the murals of their city and the history books of the great winners who came before them.

Glory Glory Manchester

Although the first leg was a draw one could see the clear intent and firepower of this Man City team on their quest for Champions League glory. They came out swinging meanwhile Madrid went defensive. Seemingly the right decision as Vinicius Jr struck home a lovely shot to make it 1-0 before so the game was entirely City’s. In the 2nd half, Madrid bore their fangs but despite this, a strike courtesy of Kevin De Bruyne ensured that there would be all to play for in Manchester. On the day of reckoning, one expected a fierce competition one filled with attacking football and high entertainment. However, in the eyes of neutrals, this was far from being the game they hoped for. Man City physically ran circles around this Real Madrid team who only entered the City box once in the first half. They rarely ever passed the halfway line. City went on to demolish them 4-0 courtesy of goals from Bernardo Silva(2), Julian Alvarez(1) and what was given as an own goal to Eder Militao deflecting off of Manuel Akanji. This performance was reminiscent of the weekly punishments they hand out in the Premier League to all manner of teams.

After the dust settled it will be underdogs Inter Milan VS the favorites Manchester City to conclude the 2022/2023 season of the UEFA Champions League.

During the 2020/2021 season for Mendy, the shot-stopper was sensational keeping 16 clean sheets in 31 games more than a ratio of 1:2. Through that season as well he conceded only 25 goals which had him being hailed as one of the world’s best goalkeepers.

The next season was more of the same for Mendy on a personal level while contributing heavily to bringing Chelsea to a UCL placing in the league. Then it all went downhill from there.

In May of 2022, Chelsea was acquired by American Todd Boehly after a conflict over former owner Roman Abramovic and his ties to Russia during the invasion of Ukraine, Boehly sacked Thomas Tuchel and appointed Graham Potter from Brighton and Mendy couldn’t get a look in.

How funny is life? From heading to the unemployment office in 2014 to being on top of the world, having people chant your name, the love of a city and a country, to now is known as a benchwarmer, second to a goalie who is a mistake away from being a meme long term. Does Mendy have a chance to regain his spot? Not likely as he may be moved on in the summer.

Hugo Lloris is a World Cup winner with France but honestly, at 36 years old his decline has been evident and after suffering an ACL injury putting him out for the rest of the season, this is the time when Spurs get a top custodian in goal to have them competing for the biggest trophies.

With developments like these, Brentford may look to cash in on Raya so they don’t lose this gem of a ‘keeper for free. A tenacious goalkeeper with a passing range that would make some midfielders jealous, David Raya has got to be one of the main targets at the GK position for Tottenham.

TRANSFER FEE: £20 million

The youngest goalkeeper in Premier League history to make 100 appearances at 23 years and 16 days old. With this much experience at such a young age, to build your defense around a player like that is what Tottenham should look at doing.

The French shot-stopper has already etched his name into Premier League history, and continuing on this path could become one of the most consistent, world-class goalkeepers in the world. Apart from Raya, he is not close to the end of his contract, so poaching him would prove much more difficult.

TRANSFER FEE: £45 million

In his debut season in the Premier League with Sheffield United, the Englishman kept 13 clean sheets, ranking him joint-third amongst ‘keepers in the league during the 2019/20 season. Ability, swagger, and a point to prove, “Deano” moving to a team competing in Europe is what he may need as he approaches his prime and attempts to get back into the England squad.

TRANSFER FEE: £30 million

At 6ft. 6”, he is a monstrosity in the goal that can be an excellent piece to build around still at the age of 22. With international experience, and all the years ahead of him, I wouldn’t be surprised if Mamardashvili conquers his position for the better part of a decade. This new crop of Georgian players is taking the world by storm.

TRANSFER FEE: £50 million

With an average of one clean sheet every three games (28 in 88 games) his record is decent compared to the way Brighton has played football with him in goal. Would he be interested in a move to North London though? With the mess of Spurs sitting on the bench on the sunny south coast wouldn’t be such a bad option.

TRANSFER FEE: £35 Million

Leaving the goalkeeper position unattended is like having an extra couple of dollars for food, you like steak, but you settle with the sardines in your cupboard because it “is sufficient.” Remember, an attack will win you games, but the defence wins you championships.

The difference between Arsenal and the chasing pack is their depth in the middle of the park. With only Jorginho as a recognized Defensive Midfielder behind the two, whether they win the league or not they need to improve their depth this summer. Being linked with all sorts of players in that position, but who would be right for the Gunners?

A deal for Moises Caicedo was 90% complete in January when the player pleaded with Brighton both privately and publicly to let him join the Gunners but Tony Bloom stood firm and said “no” or at least “not now”. Brighton stood firm on their valuation of Caicedo, 21, requesting up to £90 million for his services, which deterred the North London giants from completing the deal.

Caicedo is the type of player to be able to cover both a deep position and a more advanced role as he does for Ecuador. However, this position in the team cannot be neglected for another season and they may have to break the bank for a player of Caicedo’s caliber and fend off interest from other teams in the Premiership.

TRANSFER FEE: £75 million

Sources say that Arteta “cannot wait” for a player like that to be in his squad. Rice is the type of player who would step up into Partey’s spot when injured or suspended. The interest of clubs like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool may become challenging for Arsenal.

TRANSFER FEE: £85 million

Since Arsenal didn’t sign him in the summer of ‘22, more clubs have registered interest in the soon-to-be free agent, including money boys Newcastle United. Currently, Tielemans isn’t playing as he is recovering from an ankle injury.

TRANSFER FEE: £0 (FREE)

TRANSFER FEE: £30 Million

Finally, no list would be complete without a wild card. When the name Enzo is mentioned, some would think of Fernandez, the golden boy from the World Cup, but no there is another. Le Fée isn’t a traditional number six like Partey, but can effectively become the new Granit Xhaka. With his extensive range of passing and awareness in creating chances, he could be the creative force needed to take a load off Martin Ødegaard. His only downside would be his lack of physicality to cope in the Premier League.

TRANSFER FEE: £18 Million

Now with the lack thereof in Wout Weghorst and the injury-prone Anthony Martial, the proclaimed biggest club in England, Manchester United has a huge hole to fill in the summer when the stopgap does move. After a humiliating 7-0 loss to fierce rivals Liverpool, even though it seems the back line could use reinforcing, there was no presence up front so let’s see who United could sign to fill that spot for the future.

He also has elite movement off the ball which helps to create chances for other teammates, with winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia benefiting the most. Napoli has rebuffed approaches for Osimhen, 24, and with him saying his dream is to play in the Premier League, a deal may be on the cards.

TRANSFER FEE: €130 million

This season he has contributed 19 goals in 34 appearances, and his style of play could be beneficial to United. Manchester United (65) have created fewer big chances than Bournemouth (77) who are at the foot of the table, a striker who can create chances for himself and others is key. Kane has created 41 chances in the Premier League this season, ranking him 1st amongst strikers this season.

TRANSFER FEE: €70 – 80 million

Juventus are currently fighting for a champions league spot they might not get, and life in the Europa League could become the norm. Vlahovic, 23, is a physical striker, a target man type with enough pace to evade his defender and a deadly finish. Reports out of Italy are that Juventus are ready to cash in on the Serbian, and United is waiting in the wings.

TRANSFER FEE: €65 – 70 million

TRANSFER FEE: €120 million

The Canadian player is a recognized number nine but plays as a false nine. He is not lightning-quick or technically gifted like the others, but he can score goals when it matters and at 23, he can only get better.

TRANSFER FEE: €50 million

The 6ft. 2” striker is an all-round attacker with a sense of awareness that just needs the finish to make him world-class. He is nowhere close to being the “finished article” but he has many years ahead of him to develop and under Erik Ten Hag would be explosive.

TRANSFER FEE: €25 million

The 26-year-old is a different profile of attacker as he does not possess a blistering pace, but his technique is far from average. His positioning and awareness make him an excellent poacher for finishing chances and making space for others. He is arguably Brentford’s best player and it would not be easy to pry him away.

TRANSFER FEE: €55 million

These are all good options to don the number nine shirt for Manchester United and a case can be made for each one. However, the decision is not one of the fans, the media, or the public, it is of the manager and whoever is chosen will be looking to become the world’s most renowned forward to lead the biggest club in the world; you can bet on it.

*the fees are not based on any transfer website, more so an opinion of how much it would take to complete the deal*