Key events
“A few years ago I picked it up again and had fun getting Middlesbrough to the Champions League, partly driven by a core of youth team players including the keeper Connor Ripley and attacker Harry Chapman,” says Andy Moorhouse. “Fast forward to last Saturday and my disappointment of watching from the away end as Barnet took the lead against Southend from a long shot right in front of us was at least partly eased by hearing the scorer was Harry Chapman. A quick Google check confirmed it was the same guy. Obviously never hit the heights he did under me but glad he is still playing professionally.”
Never meet your heroes.
“In my football manager 2006/2007 you could sign Greg Halford for around £500k,” says Joe. “He was a Right Back and a striker. The game saw him as a defender so when he was played as a striker he was never marked for corners or free kicks so he scored an unbelievable amount of goals.
“I think he had 17/20 for pace, 18/20 for strength, 15/20 for shooting and was 6’3!”
A cunning plan.
Leicester City boss Steve Cooper is looking to add more players to his squad after breezing past Tranmere in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
One key target is the Genk winger Bilal El Khannouss, who has been linked with a move to the East Midlands. Asked about the situation with El Khannouss, Cooper said: “I’ve stayed away from everything outside of a matchday. I’m due to go and speak to the recruitment guys and see if there are any updates with players leaving or coming in so let’s see.
“As soon as the league started, I’ve been very clear about what I feel would be helpful but also very committed to working with the guys every day and they are (working hard), so too the coaching staff. There is a real togetherness. Any manager would say come the window they want to be in the strongest position possible and we are no different.
“If we are able to get where I would like us to be then brilliant, if not then the commitment and work doesn’t change, we give everything we’ve got to the players who are doing brilliant and hope to grow the team day by day.”
“It’s always, always Sharbel Touma, twice capped for Sweden, journeyman left winger in reality,” emails Graeme Neill. “For my Liverpool 99/00 team, someone I picked up for £325,000 and became a player whose goals and assists over the course of his career were akin to Messi and Ronaldo combined (and then some).
I always wondered how he was getting on every few years or so and would check out where he was. SPOILER: he was not doing as well as he did under my management.”
Did get two caps for Sweden, at least.
“Showing my age a little, but I remember signing Julius Aghahowa on Championship manager 01/02 and he turned into a world beater,” says Daniel McCreadie. “Following his real life career didn’t capture my interest for too long unfortunately.”
He had a fun if not world class career. His spell at Wigan does not live long in the memory.
Nolberto Solano has been sacked by Blyth Spartans. He managed six games in charge and failed to win a single one.
– Chiesa to Liverpool?
– Calvert-Lewin to Chelsea?
– Johnstone to Wolves?
Get all the hottest transfer goss, courtesy of the Rumour Mill.
I wonder … have you ever signed someone on Football Manager (or similar games) and followed their real-life careers on account of their performance for your team? Get in touch.
Leicester City women sign Chossenotte
Tom Garry is, thankfully, up bright and early to learn these things.
Leicester City Women have signed 19-year-old French youth international winger Shana Chossenotte from new manager Amandine Miquel’s former side Stade de Reims for an undisclosed fee. Chossenotte has signed a three-year contract. #LCFCwomen #BarclaysWSL
— Tom Garry (@TomJGarry) August 28, 2024
We shall start with a look back through yesterday’s Guardian transfer news …
Still plenty of fun to be had at Chelsea.
Arsenal bring in Mikel Merino.
Brighton keep on spending.
Manchester United close to Ugarte deal.
Palace to sign Nketiah.
Welcome
There are fewer than three days left for Chelsea to buy another 237 players before the transfer window is pulled shut and the lock put on.
Plenty of players have their futures up in the air from Ivan Toney to Raheem Sterling, and plenty in between. We will be bring you the latest from around the clubs as people look to get deals done. I am sure there will be the odd surprise thrown in, too.
Stay tuned …
