DEALER’S CHOICES
You may have noticed that at Big Website, we proudly embrace our status as football connoisseurs. Football Daily was ahead of the curve, championing gegenpressing long before Ralf Rangnick made it fashionable. We were sporting Napoli jerseys during the pre-mohawk Marek Hamsik days, and we guzzled on neon orange fruit beers while tirelessly playing Premier Manager for 18 hours straight – long before these drinks graced any pub with a dubious firestick connection. As we dive into the summer 2024 transfer market, it’s the under-the-radar signings that excite us most; we’re not interested in the mainstream stars. So keep your Kylian Mbappés, your Endricks, and even your Leny Yoros (apologies, Manchester United, but spending £50m on a generational talent pursued by Real Madrid isn’t exactly a secret). We want to know where the true value lies.
Aston Villa’s ascent is evident, with four of the nine priciest transfers in Europe this summer involving players either joining or leaving Villa Park. Although it may not be cheap at £37.5m, the acquisition of Ian Maatsen stands out. Is Chelsea just cleverly cashing in on an academy product amidst the new profit-sharing regulations? Or is Unai Emery’s team genuinely striking gold by signing the 22-year-old who shone during Borussia Dortmund’s journey to the Big Cup final? Naturally, we hipsters have a soft spot for former BVB players, and we believe Maatsen brings a wealth of potential. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen’s snagging of Aleix García for merely £15m from Girona is a mouthwatering opportunity. He’s a top-tier midfielder who could orchestrate another significant defeat for the Munich giants. Beware, Bayern and Ko.
Stateside, Crystal Palace is flourishing in the transfer realm lately, largely thanks to Dougie Freedman. We’re captivated by the prospect of Ismaïla Sarr making his mark at Selhurst Park. Once a target for Barcelona, Liverpool, and United, he lingered at Watford perhaps a tad too long (no offense to Hornets fans) before heading to … let me check my notes, Marseille. He’ll soon be on the receiving end of Adam Wharton’s sweeping passes and Ebere Eze’s crafty flicks … just imagine the excitement! And all for just £12.5m! You wouldn’t even be able to purchase one of Elliot Anderson’s legs for that price.
Looking further down the list, £7m for Ben Brereton Díaz and his impressive locks seems like an astute buy for Southampton, while Nottingham Forest’s new Portuguese sensation Jota Silva appears to be a steal at £5.9m, and Ross Barkley is a bargain at £5m for Villa. From Kenilworth Road back to the Big Cup in a matter of months, it’s a full circle for the former Everton prodigy. Of course, Football Daily never doubted his capabilities …
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“One of the greatest individuals I’ve encountered, both in football and in life. Just last month, while he was unwell, he reached out to me following my omission from the Euros squad – a reflection of the man he was. An absolute gem. Truly heartbroken” – Jack Grealish, who collaborated with Craig Shakespeare at Aston Villa, pays tribute to the former coach and manager, who has passed away at the age of 60.
Reflecting on Héctor Vivas’s composite imagery of players in yesterday’s Football Daily (full email edition), I was reminded of the sheer absurdity of Joseba Etxeberria’s testimonial for Athletic Bilbao” – Robert Morgan.
I attended that match captured by Héctor Vivas, and let me tell you, the photo was far more thrilling than enduring the actual 90 minutes” – Jim Hearson.
In response to yesterday’s Football Daily, while all the kids in USA USA USA may enjoy hip-hop (as I’m led to believe), I advocate for replacing our anthem with Rhapsody in Blue. It’s an extraordinary piece of music that wonderfully embodies America; composed by a first-generation son of Russian Jewish immigrants, it also represents another of America’s cultural inventions: jazz” – Joe Pearson.
As for the ongoing casting call for Saipan: The Movie (a recurring theme in Football Daily letters), it should be deemed a crime if Daniel Brühl isn’t cast as Jason McAteer” – Aram Raworth.
Regarding yesterday’s Quote of the Day, AFC Croydon ‘ninth tier’? I think not – they are competing in the Isthmian South East this year, which is actually the eighth tier. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to our Kent coast against Hythe Town: a bit of celebrity spark in our division could highlight an often-overlooked segment of the football pyramid – although our local rivals Ramsgate made it to the second round of the FA Cup last year. Such a run for Hythe would be delightful, if I may say” – Adam Williams.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prize-winning letter of the day goes to … Robert Morgan. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be found here.
