Blue_nose09

As far as I am aware, Moysie is given a budget that allows him to spend £10-15M on a single player every summer. This is shown by using signing Johnson - £8M in 2006, the Yak - £11M in 2007 and Fellaini - £15M in 2008. This trend suggests that this budget is increasing every summer although of course not all the Fellaini money will be paid up-front. By adding a quality player worth that sort of money every year for 4 seasons in a row should be enough to build a core squad (not including injuries) which could challenge. Therefore on this logic, a big-signing this summer could be enough to force us in there. However this does not take into account other teams' spending so therefore I would suggest that the only way to get into the top four is if Man Shitty, Spuds and Villa struggle and one of ARSEnal or the kopites have a bad run.

My orignal replay was to Blue_nose, who said he is 6th chocie England defender, so i was asking who will get in the England team before him. Hence Carrager doesn't count. I don't beleive King will get in before lescott, nor do i think king will ever play for England again.

Ferdinand

Terry

Woodgate (when fit)

Upson

Jagielka

Lescott

Thats how the England CB picture looks IMO. Lescott is 5th at best

As an ardent Blue I have found myself saying that Im not really that fussed as to whether Lescott leaves or not. In my view getting £20-£25M for him is great business given he is sixth choice England defender (behind Jags imo), had a terrible start to the season last year and often does not perform anywhere near his top-level in major league and European games. Any thoughts?

Heard from a well placed source , that Stephen Hunt has a choice between us or Sunderland after Redaing accepted £4M bids from both. Word has it that he favours Everton and is within days of signing for us. Would be happy with that as I think he is a good winger with a good work rate and would fit into our style very well, plus he is a cheaper and better (IMO) version of Joe Ledley. Any thoughts?