But is he really worth £25M-£30M (I know this is Man City)? I really don't know much about him, looked up his stats and they are pretty ordinary. Seems hell of a lot for a player with nothing more than potential and a bit of attitude.

We're gonna bounce in a minute.....

Paying so much for Balotelli is a risk. He has a real attitude problem but has big big potential. It could prove to be an outstanding signing or it could ruin him.

He's either worth nothing or a lot. I dont think there's any in between for him.

I'm gonna believe everything that's written in the papers in a minute......

Took your time didn't you? I expected you to be the last to bite.

Hodgson comfirms Mascherano wants to leave! Maybe Torres will be next

RH said in the same interview that Torres has told him he is looking forward to coming back after his holiday. As good as Mascherano is, he's wanted to leave for the last 2 years so he can leave, best wishes etc and we'll have £25million to rebuild again. ATEOTD if our squad looks like:

Out: Riera, Benayoun, Insua, Mascherano for £40 million
In: Jovanovic (better than Riera), Cole (better than Benayoun), Figeroa/Salcido (both better than Insua) and a top quality DM for £20/£25 million that'll leave us money to sign a top class striker to take the weight off Torres shoulders. We could start next season with a first XI of Reina, Johnson, Carra, Agger, Figeroa, Cole, New DM, Gerrard, Jovanovic, Torres, Kuyt/New ST. With Aquilani, Babel, Maxi providing cover for the front positions.

I'd back that starting XI to certainly challenge for the top 4 and with a bit of luck, a little bit more.

With the squad that Man City will be putting together for next season I'd doubt you'd be getting back into the top four very soon. Can see the same top 3 (in no particular order!) and City up there having said that Spurs may have too many European distractions to do as well in the league as last season, Villa could be a lot weaker so the door is open for you again. I really think we can challenge up the top of the table again this season, strongest squad we've had since Moyes arrived and barring any late leavers we've only got domestic competitions this season I think we could surprise a few this season.

Have you signed Figueroa?

That's the spirit - when all else fails, blind optimism will see you through.

Think Arsenal will have a poor season this year. Even if Fabregas stays, I can just see them struggling.

Think it will be United and Chelsea going for the title again with City third, Arsenal fourth.
Wolves, West Brom, Blackpool to go down.

Just out of interest, what don't you agree with?

I suppose blind optimism is better than having to rely on one player to carry an entire squad this season though, eh?

90% done apparently. I know he's no A Cole/Evra but he's certainly better than what we had last season.

One player has carried you(poorly) for the past 12 years.

Arsenal won't win a trophy till the sign some recognised players, they keep going out and signing young players and trying to develop there game but in truth there isnt enough of them in that squad to take them that extra mile for a trophy.

they need to make that first step and sign a big well known player they have the money, they wont win trophy's till they do this.

also Bentner might be the worst striker i have seen in the premier league up there with Diego Forlan.

Liverpool i think might just sneak back into the top 4, ONLY if Torres gets back fit though. Joe Cole is the best signing of the summer so far.

again i think Man Utd and Chelsea will battle for the title, don't think Man City are ready this season they need a few more players yet.

top 4 for me will be this

Man Utd
Chelsea
Man City
Liverpool

How do people see the new Squad rules affected there team this year?

"The new rules, agreed by all Premier League club chairmen, state that clubs must name a squad of up to 25 players, with 8 of those being ‘home-grown’ players. Furthermore, no more than 17 of those players can be over 21 and not home-grown."

Took your time didn't you? I expected you to be the last to bite.

....

Just to add, once the squad is submitted it can't be amended until the January window.

Going to create some interesting choices particularly where players are going to start the season injured. The likes of Woodgate for example, who has already pretty much been told he won't be in Spurs 25 man squad therefore won't be eligible to play in the Premier League until January at the earliest.

well i would have Hargreaves if he was fit he would be in the squad. if he isnt though he isnt a big loss, he is a good player but we havent really missed him

so Man Utd have there squad, its pretty easy to select

Campbell signs on a 1 year deal.

Good bit of business for us, especially with Taylor out until October.

Why not sign Gallas as well, then you will have a solid enough defense to keep you up

I hope Simpson gets back to fitness, then Perch can play in the centre of defence too.

Coloccini was very good for us last season, so i hope that gives him more confidence this year, as his first year in the Premiership wasn't great.

Made my day did that