And you forget to realise just 10 years ago City were no where near the conversations for the best teams. I think things change faster in football (pitch success) as there are no moots.
Declan Rice | signs for arsenal
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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People also need to remember that Arsenal have been working on this transfer behind the scenes for months and months. Arteta will have had different conversations with Rice and his people, making him feel wanted, explaining how he would fit in, telling him we'll be building the midfield around him etc. Both sides would have been giving each other assurances.
Don't underestimate how persuasive managers can be, when they get the chance to talk to players. Seems like he's already 'convinced' Timber and Havertz, with rumours about Lavia as well. Think this is why Pep is hoping to speak to Rice as well.
Now, obviously it's all a moot point if Arsenal can't get a deal agreed with West Ham.
Arteta obviously comes under some stick on here, but he must do something right, as he seems to get players that want to play for him.
“I spoke to Mikel Arteta on a Zoom call and he told me all about the project,” Odegaard wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “At the time, Arsenal were not doing well. They were way down like 15th in the table, but that meeting … Honestly, I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.
“He is next level. It's hard to explain. He’s passionate, he’s intense and sometimes, yeah, he’s a bit crazy … but when he speaks, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen.
“He told me his plan, everything he was building towards. He knew exactly what needed to change at the club. He told me all about these amazing young players in the squad — Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, etc etc. He told me how he wanted me to fit in and how I was going to improve.
“I got this strong feeling that he was onto something really special.”
Don't underestimate how persuasive managers can be, when they get the chance to talk to players. Seems like he's already 'convinced' Timber and Havertz, with rumours about Lavia as well. Think this is why Pep is hoping to speak to Rice as well.
Now, obviously it's all a moot point if Arsenal can't get a deal agreed with West Ham.
Arteta obviously comes under some stick on here, but he must do something right, as he seems to get players that want to play for him.
“I spoke to Mikel Arteta on a Zoom call and he told me all about the project,” Odegaard wrote in The Players’ Tribune. “At the time, Arsenal were not doing well. They were way down like 15th in the table, but that meeting … Honestly, I challenge anyone to come away from a meeting with Arteta and not believe everything he tells you.
“He is next level. It's hard to explain. He’s passionate, he’s intense and sometimes, yeah, he’s a bit crazy … but when he speaks, you understand that whatever he says will happen, will happen.
“He told me his plan, everything he was building towards. He knew exactly what needed to change at the club. He told me all about these amazing young players in the squad — Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, etc etc. He told me how he wanted me to fit in and how I was going to improve.
“I got this strong feeling that he was onto something really special.”
Yeah, all it took was unlimited funds. You're extrapolating massively, a Newcastle fan could say the same thing.
And all it takes for City to drop from the favourites to one of the favourites is Guardiola leaving which may happen in 2 yrs. Also in few years Newcastle with unlimited money can anyway topple them.
So while I understand that on short term they are sure bet to win titles medium to long term anything can happen. And it seems rice is not the kind of player who jumped ships frequently.
Also for the last few years Liverpool did compete against City and not on unlimited budget so it can be done. Not saying we will buy it can be done.
I don't see why they wouldn't pay 100m for a rotation player after seeing their spending of the last decade. They have virtually unlimited funds.
Yeah you aren't gonna lose out on this transfer
Im still a bit worried we won't get the deal agreed with West Ham, and City come in and offer a more favourable deal with less installments or including someone like Phillips.
I've a feeling they haven't bid yet as Rice has indicated that his preference is Arsenal, but if Arsenal fail to agree a deal he'd be up for moving to City. We've got previous with that, you only need to look at the Mudryk deal 6 months ago.
Looking around online it seems everyone wants him to join City, West Ham fans certainly do, other rival fans seem to almost class City on different terms, seeing Arsenal as a rival but almost accepting City are a level above. They've even got ex players in the media like David James, Carlton Cole, Neil Ruddock etc telling him if he has any ambition to join City.
After wondering about his mentality, personality and leadership - it would be a real disappointment seeing that at City.
It’s literally the things City lack - like a top coating of paint.
It’s literally the things City lack - like a top coating of paint.
Have City made an offer yet?
I think it was a bit of posturing. Their 116th charge will be Gvardiol
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A lot of rumors.
Still my number 1 preference but don’t believe we are even close in this running.
Club is offering Harry to everyone for exchange? Hands to Chelsea, legs to WHU, head to Brighton...
West Ham is messing around here. I could be wrong but I do not believe City are in it for this one. 100 mil is too much, everyone knows it, but they seem desperate to get it. I am not sure I would do business with WH again if it is going to be like this. Get it done, or move on. More options out there..
The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that City constantly toss their name into transfers to jack up the price for rivals. I find it hard to believe that City wanted Harry Maguire or a rapidly declining Sanchez.
Maybe, but this just seems like West Ham trying to create a bidding war that doesn't appear to be materialising.
Worked with us and Maguire.
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Not sure what the point of this bid is ? They still want their 100M
Every club bends over to City. Watch it happen by tomorrow.
RIP Arsenal
If Arsenal miss out on Rice they'll probably turn to Caicedo. If United want Caicedo they really need to get it done sharpish to avoid the extra competition, and the price increasing even further.
City 
They are really bothered about all those charges aren't they!
They are really bothered about all those charges aren't they!
So Stones back to defence and Rice in midfield ? I have no idea how this works out.
I mean look at Philips. One of the best DMs of last year and is now third choice.
I mean look at Philips. One of the best DMs of last year and is now third choice.
I don't think they will be getting that. City/Arsenal neither teams get into bidding wars. I think 90m gets it done or both walkaway. Kind of like the Hazard transfer teams bid the same exact amount and then its up to the player. Otherwise why would Westham even stop at 100 they may ask for 120 then.
It would be foolish of both teams to try and up others offer and get a player that way. Its actually a good thing that City have showed their hand most likely we match with different add-ons structure as CL win clause from City and Arsenal is not same.
They can want £100m, but if no one is going to pay it they either have to accept or keep an unhappy player.
I can imagine them accepting it. City have essentially confirmed that £90m is his market value. Obviously, sometimes a players market value isn’t equal with the value to the selling club. We’ve seen that with Kane last Summer, Caicedo in Jan, Zaha…pretty much for the last five years. So they might turn it down. But, like Kane, they may end up with their best player potentially leaving on a free and no money to fill the hole he’s left in the squad.
Because 100m was the mark they set for months. Agreed it's already a good 25/30M overpay but i think West Ham will bulge with Arsenal's third bid. If not then whatever he goes on to become Declan Phillips the Second and we go for other options of which there is plenty at much lower prices. That could even be a blessing and allow us to fund another position like LB cover and/or Lavia if Partey is binned off.
Not bothered either way
Philips was a nice player, but he hasn't developed since he left Leeds, same as that bunch since they obviously were dropped from the PL
It gives them the flexibility of using Stones as a CM and CB, but now Rice can do the same CM and CB. Just gives Pep more ideas and pieces to work with. City seem to be backing into an English contingent with Rice, Grealish recently, Phillps, then Stones before him, Sterling, etc. Scott Carson is just there and training while picking up medals left and right.
So we've matched the total but more up front and possibly with more likely targets for the extra amount.
We wouldn't have bid without Rice giving the okay so I guess it's up to him now.
We wouldn't have bid without Rice giving the okay so I guess it's up to him now.
He was nowhere near the best holding midfielders in the league
Rice will play a similar role to Stones this year in my opinion
Surely he'll just take Gundogan's position unless they're buying another midfielder
I assume that you guys don't get into bidding wars. Also you generally don't do multiple bids right?
Offer what you feel is right or walk away. I dont see this becoming a bidding war its now up to the player which is how it should be
Nah that’s kovacic
they have Rodri as well
I think his versatility is what they want him for
Also, I think the amount of cash sloshing around the PL has desensitised us. £90m is a ton of money. You had West Ham fans and pundits calling the opening £80m offer “embarrassing”. I find it a bit galling to be honest.
I think there will be major surgery at a few clubs this season, but I can imagine things calm down a bit next year. I really want us to get Rice and would be happy for us overpay a bit. But he’s not a £100m player. The market has gone a little bit mad.
I think there will be major surgery at a few clubs this season, but I can imagine things calm down a bit next year. I really want us to get Rice and would be happy for us overpay a bit. But he’s not a £100m player. The market has gone a little bit mad.
This is another Grealish move. They want the most high-profile young English players to increase the popularity of their team. The media will be fawning over them even more.
I'd like to know if there's a queue of "the next Declan Rice" players out there. We're not bringing in Rice, a very decent midfielder but overhyped and overpriced and in event we're in for Mount and we are desperate for a 9, and Casemiro is still good to go for at least two more seasons, so there's no need to worry about Rice now.
I think either way this gets done at 90m now. ManCity showing their habd has taken all the leverage away from WestHam. Where the player goes is still not sure.
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