The Mailbox insists there is no pressure on big-money new signing Rasmus Hojlund to catch fire for Manchester United in his first season. Also: new rules; Jay-Z at Spurs; Johnny’s Saudi stance; and more…
Get your views in to theeditor@football365.com…
Hojlund expectation
I’m not sure I agree with all the hot takes, including yours, that Hojlund needs to be a “sure thing” this year for Man United. He’s only 20, and if he’s as good as Ten Hag, Fletcher and the rest presumably think he is going to become, then they’re buying him for a decade, not a year, which is precisely the kind of planning that United have needed since forever.
Of course, he probably needs to be able to play 20-30 games in some capacity and score 10 or 15 goals. But does he need to do any more than that? He’ll be joining a group of forwards that still includes Martial, who, if he stays fit and hungry, can still score an awful lot of goals; Rashford, who can do a job up top in a few games if needs be; and potentially (though many might not like it) Greenwood, if he is brought back into the fold, which, if I had to speculate, I would guess the PR people are already war-gaming strategies to deal with it when it happens. Add to that Sancho (who is looking very sharp indeed in pre-season), Anthony, Garnacho, maybe Pellistri and Hannibal, and you’ve got a fairly formidable group of attacking players to choose from across the season in various combinations.
So, I’m not sure Hojlund will be under any pressure this season. Nobody is expecting Van Nistelrooy yet, who was five years older when he arrived at Old Trafford. If anything, you could argue that the opposite is true: Hojlund’s role, at least initially as he beds down, is to take pressure off of Rashford and Martial (especially if the latter has periods where he is not fit) while offering everything Weghorst offered when he played with more goals.
Matt, Sheffield
Read more: Hojlund the new Haaland? He’s not yet the new Nunez. He needs time Man Utd might not have…
Back the refs
I see that the FA have recently launched a new Participant Charter aimed at better supporting match officials and improving player and manager behaviour.
I think this is a great idea and one that is long overdue. HOWEVER, I do think that without support, guidance and the backing of the PL, this initiative will become another widely ignored rule (goalkeepers holding the ball for 6 seconds anyone???).
The Ref’s need to be supported and encouraged to use these powers, including yellow carding EVERY player who surrounds them. They then need further backing from the media, players and ex-pros, with no waffling on about ‘passion’ and ‘competitive nature of football’.
In our current society there is simply no reason why one human thinks it’s acceptable to scream in the face of another whilst playing a game. And it’s long overdue that this is addressed.
Dan (Yes, i’m looking at you too Jurgen), LFC in London
…Having lots of time to kill during the rain delays in the Ashes (oops, sorry, wrong site!), a couple of un-cricket thoughts came to me…
An Eye For An Eye
If a player fouls a player badly enough that the fouled player has to go off for treatment, why is the offending team not punished? Why not make the fouling player also stand on the sidelines until the injured player re-joins the play or a substitute enters the game?
Hassling Refs
This whole circling refs and intimidating them has really gone too far. One of the governing bodies needs to take some steps to address this or eventually no one will want to beocme a referree. IT’s just as bed, if not worse at kids games where the parents literally lose their minds. Why dont referees institue a “10-yard” rule and only the captain can approach the ref. Any other palyer who gets closer than 10 yards gets an immediate yeloow card.
Rolling Subs
I get that teams are probably using the time during a substitution to give the players a breather but when there are multiple subs in the last couple of minutes, it breaks up the game so much, it resembles an NFL football game. Instead, unless it is a substitution for an injury, why not keep the clock running? You bet your sweet bippy that players would be literally running off the field.
Penalty Alternative
Not only are deciding games on penalties a lottery, I have seen teams spend the whole game trying to last out until penalties. At the least, it is very common for teams to “park the bus” in extra time to avoid conceding a goal. At the highest level of the game, instead of going to penalties, why not count goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands during a game (except goal kicks)? The logic is, if the goalkeeper needs to touch the ball with their hands, it is most likely a shot on goal, and hence a chance. Imagine the change of mindset in teams during extra time. They will be shooting from anywhere at any opportunity to try and force the keeper to catch it. Conversely, imagine keepers trying to save shots by only using their bodies, like a regular outfield player.
Adidasmufc (Not that Rooney has retired, how about mic’ing up refs like they do in Rugby?)
Spurs’ dirty Sanchez move
Apologies in advance if this has already been covered, but I am so ashamed of my beloved club right now that I felt the need to vent (Rant)
I am seeing reports that Tottenham have a deal in principle to sell Sanchez to Spartak Moscow… WTF!
Whilst most major corporations pulled out of Russia last year for…reasons, it seems that some football clubs see themselves above all that frivolity, and will continue to do business with a nation that is currently embroiled in killing as many civilians as it can at the whim of a psychotic small minded Dictator.
Why are Tottenham even speaking to Russian clubs regarding transfers? Why are they even allowed to?
I never want to see Sanchez play for Spurs again, but this is just a completely unnecessary, tone deaf decision, barren of any type of ethics, just to save few quid.
Also this comes hot on the heals of snapping up Solomon on a Free and paying dynamo Kiev nothing (so far).
I have supported this club for over 30 years and have never been so angry and ashamed of them as I am right now.
Shame on you Levy, I hope Sanchez tells you to stick it up your arse.
TLDR – Old man discovers that Football lacks any moral integrity, More at 10!
Alex THFC (Just about)
Jay-Z’s takeover
In reply to Person McPerson : given who they’ve waved through the gates already, Jay-Z would pass that ‘fit and proper person’ test with flying colours…
Pablo, MUFC, Dublin
…Surely ‘H.O.V.A’ would be perfect for Spurs? As the legendary rap singer himself once toasted….
“If you’re having goal problems I feel bad for you Son. I got 99 problems but the pitch ain’t one.”
Quarantino, ITFC, Chairman of the Bored
Cough up, Clarets
If you ever felt embarrassed by how your club is going about it’s transfer business, be thankful that your owner’s daughter isn’t comparing a player they wish to sign for under the fee the owning club is wanting to the struggle against apartheid.
Alan Pace’s daughter on TikTok
😱😱😱😱😱 #twitterclarets #FreeTella pic.twitter.com/I1lXP8yoKR
— TurfCast – Burnley FC Fan Channel (@TurfCastPodcast) July 31, 2023
Of course, it might help if you offer more then £9m for your top scorer from your Championship winning campaign last year, we were relegated, not lobotomised…..
Jesus truly wept.
Colin (Just pay the money, of course he isn’t ‘free’) Brown
New season surprises
Rather than piling in on the seemingly never-ending debate on Saudi Arabia and Henderson, I’d like to politely highlight that the Premier League begins in but a mere two weeks time!!
Naturally, this also heralds another season of fantasy football, much to the utter despair of my wife who has enjoyed a rare summer of no football to distract us from doing wonderful activities such as hiking in the Irish rain or frequenting ‘cute cafes’ or farmer’s markets, in the rain.
The range of discussion points on the new season are endless but I’ll only ask the distinguished mailbox one key question: who is going to have a surprisingly brilliant season? No obvious Halaand or Salah answers please!
I think Isak will flourish even more so than last season as Wilson stands aside with niggling injuries. I think Sterling will rediscover his mojo under Pochettino and menacingly remind us of his quality. Finally, I think Evan Ferguson will truly soar this season and cement his early promise as the great green hope of Ireland.
Yours excitedly,
Eric (Jiminez will spectacularly fail to fill Mitrovic’s shoes) Dublin
No sweat about City
Blimey, a mailbox containing an entry about footy that isn’t steeped in moral ethical or political dilemmas! Who knew?
So, to respond to Louis THFC (about City), I’m not worried about this transfer window as such (so far), more like wary. This time last year mind, I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t alarmed to learn that we’d let Sterling, Jesus and Zinchenko go at the same time. And what happened? We went on to win the Treble so what do I know?
Secondly City, in recent years anyway, have tended to get their business done early doors so I’ve been mildly surprised at how long, relatively speaking, it’s been before both Gundogan and Mahrez departed. Does their leaving make the team weaker? I’d say yes, but in the City Management Team we trust, and they haven’t let us fans down so far. That is to say, there’s (mostly) been a plan behind the scenes that neither we, nor the mainstream media, are necessarily aware of.
TL: DR – Suppress the ‘Typical City’ gene that’s been active since 1972, and cross fingers.
Mark (Smiley thumbs up emoji) MCFC.
Eyes on Saudi?
Good afternoon and whilst it is all quiet on the transfer front I was just wondering is anybody planning to watch the Saudi league. I recognise the global attraction of insta-phenom Ronaldo but is anybody really going to tune in to watch N’Golo Kante. (great player, not box office). To quote my Grandad “if it was being played at the bottom of my garden I’d shut the curtains.” but I am interested in knowing what the rest of the football watching world are thinking. Secondaly, as every email has to mention Jordan Henderson, I’m used to bigger richer clubs taking our better players to fill out their benches. I guess Liverpool are going to have to get used to it too.
Paul. BRFC
Reaction to Johnny’s Saudi stance
A great article from Johnny Nic rebutting the idea that we’d all take the Saudi money, given the chance. Good for you, John. I hope I wouldn’t either. We both know so many people find what you write uncomfortable because you’re right, and there’s a silent crowd who agree with you.
Home grown courgette!
Johnny Nic: ‘We’d all take the Saudi money’ like Henderson, right? Well here’s exactly why I wouldn’t
…Johnny Nic, perhaps too fixated on climbing to the top of his ivory tower, is missing the point when it comes to his income. He desperately yearns for logic to dictate that turning down the maximum available income for greater flexibility and work life balance, means he would turn down an enormous amount more money for doing the same job. It doesn’t Johnny because there not equivalent.
The vast majority of working people could effectively earn more. Most people don’t currently work all of their waking hours, which means they have space for an additional job. The reason we’re not all rushing out to get one is because we can’t be arsed to work all day. We’re not turning our nose up at the corporate culture or capitalist clammer for more material objects. We just don’t fancy working night shifts at the Co-Op for a bit of extra money. Now, exchange additional work for the same amount of work but for more money, people would look at it. Can they be bothered to move, how much more is it, what are the prospects? etc etc. The amount they are willing to sacrifice in travel/time/ethics is probably somewhat proportional to the increase in earnings. There are obviously people who really prioritise ethics and time over income, people like charity workers as an example. Unfortunately, eco-friendly gardening doesn’t qualify as charity work.
How much of Johnny’s income is given to charity and how much volunteering does he do? These would be two of the examples of behaviour that might give an indication as to your propensity for prioritising moral values over financial gain. I obviously don’t want or expect Jon to answer those questions, he has no obligation to answer such personal questions. Regardless, what we do know is that he works as a professional journalist and author, and as much as Johnny would like standing on a soapbox to constitute charity work, the unfortunate reality is that talking a good game is easy, actions on the other hand, speak far louder…
Ed Ern
…Reading Jon Nic’s article on the Henderson conundrum was moving. It was almost poetic, stating salient points from start to finish. The article resounds all the way from top to bottom.
Personally will hold back my thoughts on the move and Jack the man, but the article paints a beautiful portrait in itself and examines cracks in our society. Kudos.
Saudi is the new Super League. They couldn’t go to the mountain, now they bought the mountain. I would look to justify that it’s just football for some of the players. An exciting opportunity for them, something I could even be a part of. But then, I remember the story and murder of Jamal Kashoggi, and I ask myself if I would love to be a part of that. The money aside, the excitement of being part of the project was for me, a bigger draw.
Yet, perhaps, we can be certain of one thing, it is not only about the money, but the feeling of importance, to be worshipped and adored, the chance to once again be larger than life itself. In the end, we must all stay to to ourselves, (but more important, stay true to what is right and true) and hope, by God, we keep our conscience clear.
Iyanu, Nigeria.
…Thank you John Nicolson for that response to the whole “would you take Saudi money” nonsense. Every statement John made was hitting some nail on the head. So if any of you still don’t get it, check yourselves for a moral spine and possibly a heartbeat too.
MIM