Summer Transfers 2023

Most of the transfer windows shut now, still a few open which doesn't seem right?
Turkey, Greece, and a few others still have up to 2 weeks.
The Saudi one is now closed so Liverpool will be relieved.

Anyway here's where the Premier league cash was splashed this season.
Another monopoly money window with over £2.5 billion spent!!
With the so called "big 6" accounting for £1.5 billion of that.
(Info based on the best sources I could find, includes squad and youth players).

Big spenders by a mile were Chelsea again, with Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City also doing over £200m.
Just 4 teams making a profit this season.


The Chart:

Total Spend - £2,671,600,000

Most Players In - Burnley 18, Nottm Forest 17, Chelsea 16

Most Players Out - Chelsea 50, Man City 41, Wolves 38

Most Money Paid - Chelsea £453.9m, Tottenham £246.3m, Man City £219.22m

Most Money Received - Chelsea £251.7m, Brighton £191.2m, Man City £152.86m

Largest Profit - Brighton £99.3m, Wolves £58.95m, Everton £39.5m

Largest Defecit - Chelsea £202.2m, Arsenal £144.6m, Man Utd £133.13m

Largest Fees Paid (£50m +)

Used to do this list for £10m + but now you can't get an untried kid for that.

Moises Caicedo [Brighton - Chelsea] £115m

Declan Rice [West Ham - Arsenal] £105m

Harry Kane [Tottenham Hotspur - Bayern Munich] £95m **

Josko Gvardiol [RB Leipzig - Man City] £77m

Rasmus Hojlund [Atalanta - Man Utd] £72m

Kai Havertz [Chelsea - Arsenal] £70m

Dominik Szoboszlai [RB Leipzig - Liverpool] £70m

Sandro Tonali [AC Milan - Newcastle] £64m

Christopher Nkunku [RB Leipzig - Chelsea] £60m

Romeo Lavia [Southampton - Chelsea] £58m

Jeremy Doku [Rennes - Man City] £55.4m

Moussa Diaby [Bayer Leverkusen - Aston Villa] £55m

Matheus Nunes [Wolves - Man City] £55m

Mason Mount [Chelsea - Man Utd] £55m

Aleksandar Mitrovic [Fulham - Al Hilal] £52.6m **

Matheus Cunha [Athletico Madrid - Wolves] £50m

First impressions are that Chelsea way overspent on Caicedo and Lavia, but did good business on getting those fees for Havertz and Mount.

Not sure on the Man City signings but Pep is rarely wrong.

RB Leipzig in Germany have done well with bringing in over £200m from English clubs, while taking Carvalho from Liverpool on a free loan?

Would be good for Harry Kane if he actually wins something at last in Germany (or is he a jonah??), must be awkward for him at England time with Kalvin Phillips showing off his large collection of winners medals despite only playing for a couple of hours in 2 seasons 😀

Premier Predictions (Week 04)

Week 4 already, and the last week before another International break.
Transfer window shuts on Friday night, and will be interesting to see how many players Chelsea end up with as they've been linked to nearly everyone.

Friday night start again with Luton's first home game in the Prem against table toppers West Ham 😀
6 games on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.

Luton v West Ham
:
Sheff Utd v Everton
Brentford v Bournemouth
Burnley v Tottenham
Chelsea v Nottm Forest
Man City v Fulham
Brighton v Newcastle
:
Crystal Palace v Wolves
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Arsenal v Man Utd

Good Luck All  😃

Premier Predictions (Week 03)

The week is flying along, Thursday already which means the games start again tomorrow.

Another Friday start, with 6 games on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.

Chelsea's billion pound team will hope to beat paupers Luton and get a first win.
The bottom 2 meet at Everton, West Ham go to bogey team Brighton who are top 😟


Chelsea v Luton
:
Bournemouth v Tottenham
Arsenal v Fulham
Brentford v Crystal Palace
Everton v Wolves
Man Utd v Nottm Forest
Brighton v West Ham
:
Burnley v Aston Villa
Sheff Utd v Man City
Newcastle v Liverpool

Good Luck All  😃

Premier Predictions (Week 02)

Friday night starts in the first 4 weeks of the season  😠

1 game Friday, 5 on Saturday, 2 games Sunday and 1 on Monday.
(the Luton v Burnley game has been postponed due to Luton having a crap ground)

Big game is on Saturday night as Man City who have just won the Euro Super cup in 30c Greece play in form Newcastle.
West Ham face Chelsea who have spent another £300m this summer so far in an attempt to finish above the Hammers.


Nottm Forest v Sheff Utd
:
Fulham v Brentford
Liverpool v Bournemouth
Luton v Burnley (Postponed)
Wolves v Brighton
Tottenham v Man Utd
Man City v Newcastle
:
Aston Villa v Everton
West Ham v Chelsea
:
Crystal Palace v Arsenal


Good Luck All  😃

The Womens World Cup 2023

Congratulations to the England womens football team on reaching Sunday's final.

Probably their best performance so far in beating Australia 3-1.

 

Hopefully they can play as well against Spain on Sunday

Premier Predictions (Week 01)

(Drum Roll) ....  🥁
Here we go again the Premier League is back, so if anybody is still interested here we go with the 14th NBTF Premier Predictions competition (2023-24 Edition).

Hopefully the regular players will be back and anyone reading this blog is welcome to join in at any point, just let me know a name and club supported so I can give you some colours.

It looks like there are going to be lots of Friday night games which muck up this and fantasy football, plus hundreds of re-arranged for TV games over the season. 😠

T&C's - Usual rules apply
3 Points for a correct score, 1 Point for a correct result.
Predictions League will be decided on weekly wins first, if 2 or more people share a weekly win that will be classed as a draw, if at the end things are still level the total points for the season come into play.
Predictions in the comments please  😀   
Obviously predictions will only count if they are made before the kick offs, please try and post the whole set at once (but I won't enforce it as these Friday night games catch everyone out including me).

Prizes - Just the admiration of everyone who plays

I guess the comments problem is still going on? so if your comment does not post straight away don't worry it should be in my comment moderation box as it assumes every post is spam.
Will publish as soon as I check.

Here we go  👍

Week 1 - Friday 11th August to Monday 14th August
1 game on Friday night, 6 games Saturday, 2 on Sunday and one on Monday

Burnley v Man City
:
Arsenal v Nottm Forest
Bournemouth v West Ham
Brighton v Luton
Everton v Fulham
Sheff Utd v Crystal Palace
Newcastle v Aston Villa
:
Brentford v Tottenham
Chelsea v Liverpool
:
Man Utd v Wolves


Good Luck All  😀

Early Season Thoughts

Premier league back next weekend.
Early season thoughts.

Man City should be favourites again but Pep is shedding some of his reliable players with Gundogan and Mahrez gone, So far just Kovacic in.

Arsenal have been on a spending spree with over £200m already spent on Rice, Havertz and Timber, with only Xhaka going out so far. I think Top 4 for them but would be surprised if they go as close this season.

Chelsea have had a massive yard sale with more to come, over £250m received for many first teamers and players like Lukaku just back from loans probably being moved on. Over £130m spent on new players means they still have about 50 potential first teamers on the books.
I like Pochettino and think he can only improve them.

Liverpool have lost a lot of their reliable heads like Henderson, Milner, Firmino, Fabinho with just MacAllister and a £70m Leipzig player coming in.

Man Utd have brought in Mount and a new goalie, at the moment I can't see them doing any better than Europen places.

West Ham losing Rice and with money in the bank, but as usual they are struggling to bring anyone in.

Will interesting to see if Brighton can carry on improving, if they do Top 4 is not out of reach.
If Kane stays at Tottenham they might be in with a shout at European places, without him I doubt it.
Newcastle, Aston Villa and Fulham could all be in with a shout at Top 6.

I think Burnley and Sheff Utd should stay up and do reasonably well, Luton maybe not.

The fact that the Saudi transfer window goes on for 3 weeks after the European one could derail a few teams this season, as older players will find it hard to resist the money on offer.

Predictions???
Champs - Man City
Other Top 4 from - Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool, Brighton
Relegated - Luton + any 2 from Bournemouth, Palace, Wolves, Forest and hopefully not West Ham

The Womens World Cup 2023

I've watched way more of this than I expected to.
The skill and quality level has improved massively from previous editions, and there has been many enjoyable games so far.

The biggest problem with the men's game in recent seasons has been the amount of play-acting, diving and time wasting. There has been virtually none of that in this World Cup so far.
The VAR and referees have been as bad as in the men's game, with every decision taking forever to sort out.
Most of the games running over with huge amounts of time added, mainly down to the VAR delays.
Amusing bit has been the referees having to explain the decisions, with a lot of them seeming really embarrassed about public speaking.

At this point a few teams are standing out, Japan have been superb with pinpoint passes all over the pitch.
England winning all 3 games so far, but not quite on top form yet.
Sweden, France and Netherlands all looking potential champions.
Usual top team USA have struggled so far.

Fantasy Premier League

This Years Nothing Better Than Football - Fantasy Premier League

Code -  trqqvr

Auto Join - https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/trqqvr

Fantasy Football

One final table for completion 

The top 10 for this seasons NBTD TFF Telegraph fantasy football.

This used to be the best fantasy football game around, but with less prizes and the overall prize money being reduced, it is close to death.

Won several cash prizes in the past (about £300) and a box load of medals and trophies, but now just play for fun.

Used to be a Super Leagues prize which made it worthwhile recruiting lots of people, most seasons I would make the Top 100 and did win the Euro version a few seasons back.

Now you can't even find out where your league sits as their isn't a table anymore 😒

So this season just 6 players (up to 5 teams per person).

Probably because I ddn't bother promoting it on Socal media (only did so for the FPL one).

At least I won 😀 unlucky for Colin who did an Arsenal by leading for about 30+ weeks but falling away at the end.

FA Cup Final

For the sake of completion, if anyone wants to do the final FA Cup prediction.

 

Man City v Man Utd

 

Should be a reasonably even game, Man City should be favourites but will have one eye on next weeks Champions league final so Pep might rest a few names?

Man Utd will hope to stop City from possibly completing the treble and can go all out as it's their last game of the season.

Other stuff

Almost felt sorry for an English ref last night

Anthony Taylor got the Europa league final between Seville and Roma and it must have been a nightmare for him and his crew with both teams diving, cheating and surrounding him after every decision.

Seville probably deserved the win but as usual it was Mourinho's diva performance that gets the headlines.

Transfer stuff

Obviously don't want Declan Rice to leave but if he does I was glad to hear that Bayern Munich were in for him, almost a guarantee he will win something with them and get regular Champions league football.

Don't think I could bear to see him playing for another English club, and if he wants to win things Man City seem the only ones who could offer him that but would he actually get a game for them?

 

Most obvious transfer seems to be Harry Kane to Man Utd, he needs to be in a team who have a chance of  winning something and Man Utd desperately need a striker.

Season End Facts And Figures

The final predictions league facts and figures

 

Paul was the top scorer overall with 262 points
But with the way this competition runs 5 points has been enough to win for Biopunk, Paul and Gibbo this season, while I have lost with 14 points!!

Most 3 point correct scores - Lee 37
Most 1 point correct results - Paul 163
Most correct results overall - Paul 196
Highest weekly score - Paul 17

The table if everyone was included (regulars, Sutton, guests, Model)

 

The final table for this years Nothing Better Than Football FPL League.

 

A second win in a row for Hishaam, a South African Liverpool fan.
Will take some beating as he's finished in the top 0.1% of players both times.

I finished 7th overall, but can claim to be the top West Ham fan of the 16 in the league.
A bit disappointed after being 3rd only 3 weeks ago but dropping 244,583 places in the last 4 game weeks :😢

Only other regular here Paul S finished 21st.

Premier Predictions (Week 38)

The final week, and the title is still on the line 😀

Not in the Premier league where Man City are champions, and the top 4 confirmed and 6 of the 7 European places are sorted.
Aston Villa, Tottenham and Brentford still in with a chance of making the Conference league.

Main battles on Sunday are the final relegation places.
Everton with the advantage, just need a home win over safe Bournemouth.
Leicester and Leeds need to win and hope, both might expect to as Leeds play Tottenham who might not want Conference league after their humiliation 2 years ago, and Leicester will hope West Ham are thinking about the Euro final in 10 days time.

Big game at Wembley Saturday as two "blast from the past" teams Coventry and Luton play off for the final place in next seasons Premier league.

Anyway, thanks everyone for playing along this season (hope Biopunk is OK) and unless you all say "enough is enough" I'll do it all again next season?  😉

10 games all on Sunday, 4:30pm kick offs

Arsenal v Wolves
Aston Villa v Brighton
Brentford v Man City
Chelsea v Newcastle
Crystal Palace v Nottm Forest
Everton v Bournemouth
Leeds v Tottenham
Leicester v West Ham
Man Utd v Fulham
Southampton v Liverpool

Good Luck All  😃

Premier Predictions (Week 37)

Week 37 the penultimate week of the season.
Paul just needs me not to win, to be champion  😓

Anyway it's another extended week with 2 extra games
6 games on Saturday, 3 on Sunday and one each on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday (so another late finish).

Man City just need to win on Sunday to be champions, Newcastle need to beat Leicester to guarantee Champions league. Man Utd need 6 points to finish above Liverpool.
At the bottom Southampton are down, Leicester and Leeds look most likely to join them.


Tottenham v Brentford
Bournemouth v Man Utd
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Wolves v Everton
Nottm Forest v Arsenal
West Ham v Leeds
Brighton v Southampton
Man City v Chelsea
Newcastle v Leicester
*
Brighton v Man City
Man Utd v Chelsea

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 36)

3 Weeks to go
One extra game this week, 6 games Saturday, 3 on Sunday, 1 on Monday
and the bonus game is on Thursday (so a bit of a wait for final scores).

Big European week for 2 teams 😁 🛠

The pundit bit 😜
At the top Man City go to Everton, which until last week looked like an easy game.
Arsenal play Brighton which until last week looked like a hard game.
The battle for top 4 has hotted up with Liverpool on a roll and Man Utd limping over the line.
At the bottom Southampton need to win their last 3 to have even the slightest chance.
Leicester, Leeds, Everton all face top 5 teams, meaning West Ham should be safe? 😉
Forest go to Chelsea, and you never know with them.


Leeds v Newcastle
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Chelsea v Nottm Forest
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth
Man Utd v Wolves
Southampton v Fulham
Brentford v West Ham
Everton v Man City
Arsenal v Brighton
Leicester v Liverpool
*
Newcastle v Brighton


Good Luck All   😀

Premier Predictions (Week 35)

10 game week spread over 3 days, 5 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and 3 on Monday.
Man City with the chance to extend their lead as Arsenal have to go to 3rd place Newcastle, although with a trip to Real Madrid on Tuesday they might rest a few. But still a tough start for the return of "big Sam".
Tough games for the relegation strugglers, with the last game on Monday a must win for both.
West Ham take on Man Utd at the weird time of 7pm Sunday with both needing the points, West Ham play in Europe Thursday so might be some team juggling.

Bournemouth v Chelsea
Man City v Leeds
Tottenham v Crystal Palace
Wolves v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Brentford
Newcastle v Arsenal
West Ham v Man Utd
Fulham v Leicester
Brighton v Everton
Nottm Forest v Southampton

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 34)

A 13 game week coming up spread over 6 days.
3 matches Saturday, 5 on Sunday, 1 Monday, 1 Tuesday, 2 Wednesday, 1 Thursday.

2 games each for Liverpool, Fulham, Man City, West Ham, Brighton and Man Utd.
A couple of big relegtion battles, and 2 games on Sunday for the minor European places.
Frank Lampard going for 6 straight defeats away at Arsenal, although 39 points should be enough to stay up?

Crystal Palace v West Ham
Brentford v Nottm Forest
Brighton v Wolves
Bournemouth v Leeds
Fulham v Man City
Man Utd v Aston Villa
Newcastle v Southampton
Liverpool v Tottenham
Leicester v Everton
Arsenal v Chelsea

Liverpool v Fulham
Man City v West Ham
Brighton v Man Utd

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 32 + 33)

Double header this time as the games are so close together.

Week 32 has 8 league games and 2 Cup ties to make up the numbers.
Friday start with Arsenal aiming to restore their 7 point lead with City playing in the Cup. 5 of the relegation candidates play on Saturday.
2 big games on Sunday at both ends.
Week 33 includes the possible title decider? and the Leeds v Leicester relegation decider?

Week 32 (Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd)
1 game Friday, 6 games Saturday, 3 games Sunday
(90 minute rule on the 2 Cup games)

Arsenal v Southampton
Fulham v Leeds
Brentford v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace v Everton
Leicester v Wolves
Liverpool v Nottm Forest
Man City v Sheff Utd (FAC)
Bournemouth v West Ham
Newcastle v Tottenham
Brighton v Man Utd (FAC)

==============================

Week 33 (Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th)
3 games Tuesday, 4 games Wednesday, 3 games Thursday

Wolves v Crystal Palace
Aston Villa v Fulham
Leeds v Leicester
Nottm Forest v Brighton
Chelsea v Brentford
West Ham v Liverpool
Man City v Arsenal
Everton v Newcastle
Southampton v Bournemouth
Tottenham v Man Utd

==============================

Good Luck All  😀

Premier Predictions (Week 31)

Normal 10 game week again, 7 games on Saturday, 2 on Sunday, 1 on Monday.
Four teams in the middle of European quarter finals, so probably a few rotated teams for those, 

although I don't think West Ham would be getting anything even with a full strength rested team 😒

In form Villa and Newcastle looks the pick of the games,
or the Potter derby (without Potter) 😆

Interesting that ref Attwell is on duty as VAR man at the Wolves game? as Wolves have been the 2nd most screwed over team by VAR this season, after Brighton.

All very tight at the top with our league, just 8 weeks left.

Aston Villa v Newcastle
Chelsea v Brighton
Everton v Fulham
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Bournemouth
Wolves v Brentford
Man City v Leicester
West Ham v Arsenal
Nottm Forest v Man Utd
Leeds v Liverpool

Good Luck All  😃

Premier Predictions (Week 30)

Just the 10 games this week, 8 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday.
Relegation battle hotting up with 2 of the bottom 3 playing each other.
I guess Chelsea fans will be excited about the return of fat Frank?
Title race might warm up if Liverpool do City a favour?
Crazy that you never know what you're getting from Liverpool, Man U and Tottenham this season, could be brilliant or could be awful.


Man Utd v Everton
Aston Villa v Nottm Forest
Brentford v Newcastle
Fulham v West Ham
Leicester v Bournemouth
Tottenham v Brighton
Wolves v Chelsea
Southampton v Man City
:
Leeds v Crystal Palace
Liverpool v Arsenal

Good Luck All  😃