Monday Hoddle of Coffee, Transfer News and Notes, July 31, 2017

Saturday’s friendly result shouldn’t have surprised anyone: Spurs lined up against a team that loves to press high up the pitch, refuse to let them build out of the back, and which is devastatingly fast on the counter. Spurs played slower fullbacks. It was ugly.

We’ve seen that tape before, y’all.

Ben Davies and Kieran Trippier are serviceable Premier League fullbacks. But they are not the sort of players you want in those roles when playing a team like City (or Liverpool). In those games, every one of their weaknesses will get badly exposed.

Which is why we need to sign a fullback. But this was all already known. Now we just have more proof.

Links

TFT’s piece on Mino Raiola is worth a read.

AC Milan’s latest big summer signing could be wantaway Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

If PSG sign Neymar, Barcelona may move to sign Phillipe Coutinho—which in turn could see Christian Pulisic head to Liverpool.

Riyad Mahrez is inching closer to Roma.

Manchester United is also moving closer to signing Nemanja Matic from Chelsea. This could also coincide with the sale of Marouane Fellaini to Galatasaray.