Club World Cup — Semi-Finals

Maybe we can make a low bid for Jackson, who will no longer be needed by the Chavs.

Not many people know that.

I bet you didn't either until it was mentioned during the commentary! 😂😂😂

It's been a stroll for Chelsea, but somehow I think it will be a different story altogether in the final, and one I wouldn't really expect them to win.

Two excellent save by Courtois before PSG score first after just 6 minutes from a poor Real Madrid error in their own area.

Another Real Madrid mistake and they are down by 2. Rudiger at fault, Dembele scores!

I thought it might be offside... but no.

They are the masters of playing it quick, in tight area's, and if you get sucked in, god help you!

I watched that tonight.

Although not a competition to read too much into, but PSG had already proven it in the Champions League.

Best team in Europe.

You may ask what is the point of this post? Well, PSG had the likes of Neymar and Mbappe amongst other so-called superstars, and achieved very little, apart from over-hype and unfulfilled expectations.

Luis Enrique has built a side of hard-working and skilful, hitherto, mostly of unknown players. I had only known of Ousmane Dembele myself. More importantly, they play 'as a team', and all know where and when to contribute. I am hoping that Moyes is constructing a similar formula for us, with a mixture of youth and experience.

Or, am I being too optimistic?

PSG tried the superstar approach, but then reverted to a less high-profile build of a hard-working players blended with skill.

Are we building PSG? Lord no. But we can start to build something competitive along the lines of that model, within our means, whatever they may be.

Unfortunately, the anathema of agents, and poor scouting on our part, fail to spot these players when they start off showing promise. Okay, it doesn't work every time, but better to have lost a widow's mite, as opposed to a king's ransom only to find painfully later, they are only turd jugglers! (Doucoure and Harrison spring to mind, although Harrison was only an extended loan.)

They also overpaid deliberately, I believe, to help overheat the transfer market and make life difficult for the competition (at a point when many clubs were getting rich).

They have moved away from this now because they have the brand, the revenue etc. The players they have brought are not high profile but they are well known as the outstanding players in world football – like the full-backs, the hard working but technically exceptional midfield trio and gifted runners, dribblers in Barcola, Doue and Kvaratskhelia.

This has not been done on the cheap. But we can borrow certain principles even if we don't have the money.

Buying players who are on the up and capable of playing front-foot, aggressive attacking football (both physically and technically). The best place to start is the flanks – and especially the right flank which has been the worst in the Premier League for two seasons in a row now.

I doubt PSG were intentional in overpaying transfer fees and compensation for galaticos who failed to win the Champions League. Their original strategy failed and they pivoted very successfully.

That is impressive as it is hard to do.

Harry Catterick got it right: a blend of youth, experience and top price players – at that time. Kendall got the blend and gel spot on.

Hopefully Moyes will also get that blend right. It might take 3 or 4 years but slowly, carefully and a long-term plan we well get there.

Strategy, structures and standards need to be in place before a business increases net spend.

Otherwise, we will squander money, as Spurs and Man Utd have shown.

The strategy was about heating up the transfer market, creating a brand, creating revenue streams - and pricing out the competition.

Obviously there was no strategic aim not to win the Champions League. That would be strange strategic play (although Moshiri might like it).