R-D Posted November 14, 2017 Author Posted November 14, 2017 25 minutes ago, Dan said: I think I'd rather go for someone permanently in all honesty. I've got £24mil to spend, £81k a week free in wages (which if I sell Benalouane, Musa and Ulloa I'm going to nearly treble) and I ultimately want my players to grow in value. I don't want to grow Correa for Atletico. I'll see how much Shakhtar want for Kovalenko and then make another decision. Unless the update has changed it, Correa can be had for £12m-ish, arguably less upfront with clauses. Kovalenko does look the business though, release clause as well so no hassle if you just want to go for it. Some other names you might be interested in: Bruno Fernandes, Matias Vargas (low release clause), Samu Castillejo. Also depending how you like your #10s Savic from Lazio can be got for the top end of your budget and he looks amazing as a goalscoring #10.
Subscriber Dan+ Posted November 15, 2017 Subscriber Posted November 15, 2017 4 hours ago, R-D said: Unless the update has changed it, Correa can be had for £12m-ish, arguably less upfront with clauses. Kovalenko does look the business though, release clause as well so no hassle if you just want to go for it. Some other names you might be interested in: Bruno Fernandes, Matias Vargas (low release clause), Samu Castillejo. Also depending how you like your #10s Savic from Lazio can be got for the top end of your budget and he looks amazing as a goalscoring #10. Kovalenko has no release clause on mine. Definitely going to have a good look at Fernandes and Vargas. Vargas is excellent value for money, Fernandes I think we'll end up paying through the nose, I'm not sure I could as Leicester manager send more money Sporting Lisbon's way, it's a jinx.
Subscriber Dan+ Posted November 15, 2017 Subscriber Posted November 15, 2017 I've plumped for Gustavo Scarpa.
R-D Posted November 18, 2017 Author Posted November 18, 2017 2017/18 February to (some of) April Results Ligue 1 Another very good set of results here keeping 6 cleansheets out of 8. Very difficult to be aggrieved by that. An under-performance vs. Angers, just one of those games. But followed up with a good win vs. a tricky Dijon to get us back on track. Obviously, the result that stands out the most here is the 2-0 defeat to PSG. This came shortly after a CL game, and the rotation and tired legs had taken its toll. I'd be more worried by the result if we hadn't had such an impressive run prior. League Table Not much you can say about that. 9 points clear with a game in hand. 7 points to guarantee the league. Another reason I wasn't too concerned with the PSG defeat given the gap we had. Here we can see the title run in. Almost an identical set of final fixtures. SHOULDN'T be a problem to wrap the league up... Champions League 1st Knockout Round Atletico Madrid Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 AS Monaco The first leg didn't go to plan, as we walked away with a defeat. It was an even game on the face of things, but A. Madrid's top two of Griezmann and Diego Costa caused us all sorts of problems. A very complete partnership. The 4-4-2 caused us issues again, even with the added bodies in midfield. Griezmann with the one and only goal of the game on 21 minutes. We couldn't respond. AS Monaco 2 - 0 Atletico Madrid The difference a home leg makes! And this was where we really made the numbers in midfield count. Madrid started the game with pretty poor fitness on their players, so was important to make most of that by making them chase the ball. We dominated from the off this time round, creating chance after chance, but went into the break at 0-0. Still pretty confident going into the second half, especially with their depleted fitness. Our first came on 57 through a lovely finish from Moutinho to tie the leg up. 65 mins and Atleti had taken both Griezmann and Costa off, what a sight. We did leave it mighty late to get the winner as it came on 84 minutes through Toussart, who's becoming one of my favourite players. Final result: AS Monaco 2 - 1 Atletico Madrid Champions League Quarter Finals Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham 1 - 2 AS Monaco Our group stage compatriots. A win and a draw there puts us mentally in the lead. The game starts and Kane scores after 8 minutes. Fuck. I thought our luck vs. Spurs had finally run out, the group tage results were quite fortunate. However, Spurs were their own worst enemies, gifting us a penalty early in the second half.... And then another on 88 minutes. Fabinho slotting both home. Cheers, Spurs. AS Monaco 2 - 1 Tottenham A repeat result, except this time it was us to get the early goal as Boschilla scores on 9 minutes. We put ourselves two up with the last kick of the half. Crushing for Spurs. 4-1 on agg. at this point and not much in the way of a comeback. Our home performances are very strong, we dominate most sides regardless of quality. On 70 mins I made a couple of subs to rest some key players, and then we instantly conceded... But held on with little difficulty. Final result: AS Monaco 4 - 2 Tottenham Champions League Semi Final Opponents Champions League Story So Far A quick 'tree' look at how the other fixtures have fared from the first knockout round. Coupe de France Since the 7-0 win vs. the farmers of France, we played, and beat, Dijon in a tightly contested game, and some more farmers in Marignane Gignac - a game I'm pretty disappointed to have only won 2-0 given the absolute vast difference in quality. That brings us on to Brest, I think it's fair to say these draws have been pretty nice for us. Coupe de la Ligue Final AS Monaco 1 - 1(p) PSG We played a mix of first team and rotation/youngsters as this fell only a few days before the first match vs. Spurs. PSG the better side in all and field a very strong XI. Disappointed to have not won given the extremely late equaliser - the last thing we really wanted was ET and forced us into some changes to bring first teamers on. However, the usual Mr. Reliable from the spot was the only to let us down, and we miss out on a trophy nobody cares about on penalties.
R-D Posted November 18, 2017 Author Posted November 18, 2017 The game only a number of days before the CL game I decide to rest most of the squad except a select few first teamers. Well you know what's going to happen to those guys then... We lost 2-1 as well and the nerves are kicking in.
R-D Posted November 19, 2017 Author Posted November 19, 2017 2017/18 End of Season Ligue 1 Results As you can tell, we finish the season as league champions! Was it ever in doubt?! As last post, we lost the game vs. EA Guingamp 2-1 and got hit with a string of injuries as well. These 4-4-2's man, I don't half struggle away from home. Jimmy Briand with the game of his life. But after that, we got a hard fought win against relegation bound Amiens, but followed it up with a slight change of tactic and a 4-0 win over Rennes, meaning we only needed a point vs. SM Caen to secure the title. We took the lead in that game before going 2-1 behind - I thought surely we weren't taking this to the actual wire. But Jovetic showing some worth, and got the late equaliser which would have sealed the title, but stole the 3 points at the death. Holidayed the final two games . Final League Table Champions League Semi Finals Manchester United Man. Utd. 2 - 1 AS Monaco United the set piece specialists. Who'd have thought. We simply weren't good enough in the defence to cope with the pressure United put on us. Mkhitaryan scoring after the 4th minute before we were gifted a pen in the 45th to level things up. But United were too strong after the break. They had a pen of their own on 56 minutes, which Lukaku skied - but 4 minutes later Mkhi doubles his tally after a bit of a scramble. 2-1 FT; not the worst result, an away goal, only need a 1-0 in the home leg to get through to the final. Simples, right? AS Monaco 0 - 2 Man. Utd. No, not fucking simples. Two corners, two goals. Murdered on set pieces. Fuck off. Final result: AS Monaco 1 - 4 Manchester United United went on to face Man. City in the final. City won 2-1 after extra time with a bit of an AGUERROOOOO moment as he scores the winner in the 117th minute. Coupe de France Semi Final Brest FC AS Monaco 1 - 0 Brest FC By far and away the better side in this game, but our finishing, or more accurately (or not) our hitting the target was poor. Brest didn't threaten, but as the game progressed it felt like 'one of those' games where they get one chance and take it. But... We got the breakthrough on 60 mins through Jovetic, and we held on to that for a spot in the final. Coupe de France Final AS Monaco 1 - 2 PSG This match started really well for us, taking the lead through the in-form Jovetic after only 16 minutes. But that's probably where the it ends. It was relatively even in the first half in terms of stats, but Pastore was the difference maker this game. The equaliser came on 25 mins where he found some space and put it in the top corner, I think Subasic could have done better. Then gets the winner on the stroke of half time. Another set piece mishap from us. The second half has to be the dullest half I've ever seen with a grand total whopping zero highlights. It kind of just ended. We offered nothing. Poor. And our record against PSG this season continues to be lacklustre. Squad Review Top scorer: Keita Balde - 19 Highest av. rating: Fabinho - 7.48 Most assists: Joao Moutinho - 15 Best pass %: Lucas Tousart - 89% Most POM awards: Fabinho - 9 I'm happy with the squad overall. We're just shy of the World Class level. A lack of goals and tightening up at the back on set pieces will need to be the aim for next season. 2018/19 Season Competition board expectations (mine) Ligue 1: Win (win) Champions League: Reach first knockout round (semi finals) Coupe de France: Win (win) Coupe de la Ligue: Not important (same) Transfers With the Mbappe money coming in we have an eye watering £229m to spend. Areas of focus: - Goal keeper; I think it's time we freshened things up here with a top drawer keeper - Striker; we need a better man upfront. Falcao and Jovetic just don't cut it. Keita did okay up there but he's not a striker - Backups; need a backup LB mostly Other than the above, I really do think the squad is in incredible shape. Here's a bit of a transfer sneak-peak of something already tied up. Can you guess who? Ah, and we're getting a new stadium so we don't have to rent off the council.
Administrator Stan Posted November 19, 2017 Administrator Posted November 19, 2017 an elite winger for free but on that wage has me absolutely stumped as to who it could be
R-D Posted November 19, 2017 Author Posted November 19, 2017 I've gone really silly with this transfer window - like to level I've never been before. I mean why give me £300m to spend. Of course I'm going to spend it. So we'll see what £300m gets you, besides a crippled club and failed FFP for the next 5 years. Luckily the plan is just one more season before I start a new save, so meh.
Dave Posted November 23, 2017 Posted November 23, 2017 On 19/11/2017 at 5:35 PM, R-D said: I've gone really silly with this transfer window - like to level I've never been before. I mean why give me £300m to spend. Of course I'm going to spend it. So we'll see what £300m gets you, besides a crippled club and failed FFP for the next 5 years. Luckily the plan is just one more season before I start a new save, so meh. So win a major trophy and scuttle? You're nothing more than a higher class Harry Redknapp.
Subscriber Dan+ Posted November 27, 2017 Subscriber Posted November 27, 2017 It's got to be Alexis Sanchez surely. Right age, right position, right description, free agent.
R-D Posted November 28, 2017 Author Posted November 28, 2017 I've been in the process of moving house, so spent most of my time lately sorting that out and doing a Monaco by buying things that'll come back to bite me down the line. I think the transfer window is closed now, so should get an update up soon.
R-D Posted November 28, 2017 Author Posted November 28, 2017 2018/19 Transfer window "Four through the door for AS Monaco in £327m transfer window spend" Well, 4 main signings anyway. Let's get to it. Alexis Sanchez - Free - 29 - Chilean - Inside Forward I'm sure you all guessed right, but we fought off competition in Jan time to secure the services of Sanchez on a free. Not the spring chicken he once was, but you just can't pass an opportunity up like that. Dele Alli - £105m - 22 - English - Attacking Midfield Right, here me out. Correa was leaving. That's my justification for this signing. He's bloody good though, and not even the most ridiculous transfer of the window. Paulo Dybala - £125m (rising to £150m) - 24 - Argentinian - Striker OK now the most expensive signing of the window. Paulo Dybala. Because if you have the money you don't hesitate. I mean we don't have the sustainable income for it, but I had the funds at the time. What a signing, love it. Eden Hazard - £90m - 27 - Belgian - Inside Forward So... Yeah. We finished the transfer window by bringing in Eden Hazard (these are all in date order). We didn't need to, we had Lemar and Keita to play one flank with Sanchez on the other, but why wouldn't you. I've absolutely unsettled a few players when this signing went through. But it's Hazard. Actually, one more signing of note. Ruben Dias - Loan - 21 - Portuguese - Centre Back I am convinced I can't win the Champions League without this guy in my squad. So my lucky charm is here. Total expenditure: £327m As you'd expect with such lavish incomings, we needed to offset the books (a bit) with some outgoings. Kylian Mbappe - £160m - PSG Stevan Jovetic - £27m - Barcelona Radamel Falcao - £22.5m - Everton Guido Carrilo - £10m - Burnley Diego Benaglio - £2.5m - Watford Total income: £232m All the players left that we had intended to get rid of. Falcao, despite his strong dressing room stance, was taking up a foreign player spot which Sanchez needed. The New Look Squad Obviously the main signings all feature, knocking the harshly done Keita and Lemar to the subs bench. No changes to the defensive mid and defence personnel. Couple younger players promoted to first team to provide defensive backup if needed. Finances 18/19 Season Projection Looking pretty rosy there I must say. Dig deep, Mr. Chairman. August Results Trophée des Champions PSG 0 – 1 AS Monaco A match we totally dominated but failed to capitalise on the chances we had. Jemerson scored the one and only goal after 18 minutes from a set-piece. All our new signings featured and largely did poor, just failing to hit the target. We ended with 21 shots 7 on target, to PSGs 4 and 1. I expect better, but put it down to a bedding in phase. Ligue 1 3 played and 3 wins, as you'd expect. We dominated them all, as you'd expect. Will be looking to improve on our points and goals tally from last season. Champions League Group Draw Team - Country - 17/18 league finish - Key player AS Monaco - France - 1st - Paulo Dybala Arsenal - England - 3rd - Mesut Ozil Dynamo Kyiv - Ukraine - 2nd - Eugene Khacheridi FC Krasnodar - Russia - 3rd - Soslan Djanaev I would expect little to no trouble qualifying from the group despite some hostile matches in Russia and Ukraine.
...Dan Posted November 28, 2017 Posted November 28, 2017 That's quite a transfer window. Surely you're gonna win everything with that team.
Subscriber Dan+ Posted December 5, 2017 Subscriber Posted December 5, 2017 Surely you'll absolutely cane Europe with that side.
Administrator Stan Posted December 9, 2017 Administrator Posted December 9, 2017 That frontline is just ridiculous. Will tear teams apart no doubt.
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