What’s the plural of pedant? 
1 Like
Google it!!!
1 Like
Internet? I will use the encyclopaedia brittanica.
2 Likes
Possibly even the Encyclopædia Britannica.
2 Likes
4 Likes
One of the myriad reasons I visit TAN.
1 Like
Is Pedant an infant ant?
Paedophile ant.
1 Like
We’re not signing Gyökeres, Sesko or Isak, right?
Armin Pecsi has admitted he was shocked when he realised LFC wanted to sign him as he lifted the lid on the club’s long-term plan for him.
"As things developed and it became clear that it could be something more serious, I was rather shocked. They see a long-term project that they outlined for me. I talked to them about the project, about what the goals might be in terms of development or even moving forward later.
“They have data on almost everything that was outlined during the meeting. It was quite astonishing how much attention they paid to every detail. Of course it gives me great motivation that such a club, such data analysts decided on my name, that they want to build me. I want to show them that they chose the right person for the job.”
2 Likes
Sky Sports reporting that Frankfurt are firm on what that want for Ekitike;
"So Ekitike will not play in the Club World Cup for Chelsea - there is no verbal agreement in place between Chelsea and Ekitike, but talks are ongoing.
"Frankfurt are demanding 100m euros (£84.5m) for Ekitike and nothing else, otherwise nothing will happen this summer - this is the price Chelsea or other clubs have to pay.
"Liverpool are in the race for Ekitike as well, but first they need departures of players like Chiesa, Nunez, or Jota, but they are still in the race for him.
1 Like
It’s insanity. He’s not even a full international.
It puts the Wirtz price into perspective though.
1 Like
His value has gone up nearly £60m in the year since he signed for Frankfurt permanently. Current deal runs to 2029.
Clearly there’s a shortage of top top strikers kicking around. Isak seems the most complete, and his fee is right up there.
Not so sure the likes of Ekitike and Gykores are worth the money they’re being put up for. But then neither is Darwin. Cunha was up at what, £70m? Quality footballer, but fails the no dickheads policy (suits United). Beginning to look like Delap to Chelsea was a decent deal.
1 Like
Ekitike was rated as an enormous prospect from years back even without being prolific. This past season he made a big leap forward in that regard and so you can imagine teams who have been looking at him since he was a teenager feel that now is the time to move even with a big increase in valuation.
2 Likes
Yep, the market is the market. If we do drop big money on him (or another stiker) the fee will hopefully be offset by outgoings.
I think the thing with Ekitike is whether last season was him taking that step forward many have suspected he was capable of doing or is this his Darwin Benfica 2021/22 season?
You look at his goalscoring record and this season just gone is a big outlier. I know we need to look beyond just the numbers but for that kind of money I think you should be getting someone with a bit more of a record.
If we’re not convinced of any of these at the very top of the market, all of whom seem to be overpriced, then I wonder if we’d be willing to take a bit more of a risk on someone in a lower tier. More of a Jota type signing where they’re doing a decent job but we see potential for them to take a leap but the fee isn’t top bracket. It’s that or keep our powder dry until some emerges but increasingly I can’t see us getting into a fight for Ekitike at that kind of price.
2 Likes
I’ve always disliked the “top top” description as I associate it with Fergie critisicing Gerard. “He’s a top player but not a top top one” I think was the quote that coined the term.
No criticism of you, it has unfortunately become a widely used term in football, just purging the bad taste it leaves in my mouth when I remember it.
He was a bitter bitter old cunt wasn’t he. Feels so much better now his team are laughably shit 
1 Like
I don’t know too much about Ekitike (and not saying he’s the one at the quoted price), but from what I’ve seen and know, quite a big part of the attraction for interested sides is his technical skills and link up aspects. Tall, slim, but attacks stay alive, he can combine with others accurately, etc.
4 Likes
Seems like a lot of overlap with Wirtz from that description although I’m aware that they’re quite different in other ways.
Presuming we get Kerkez I would only then buy a CB and let Quansah go on loan. No idea who or how.