Rumor has it the Cesc deal is finally going to happen.

Arsenal would get 30 million euros straight up, another 5 million based on the amount of appearances Cesc has for Barça and another 5 million that is supposedly coming off Cesc own wages...

So it could total 40 million euros anyway in the end. Though they will only get the last of the money at the very end of Cesc deal.

Please, more people join the fantasy league!

Will be joining today.

Bid accepted. Contract to be signed sooner rather than later. Saga ended.

Possible Arsenal compared to last season: No Eboue, Clichy, Denilson, Cesc, Nasri...who else am I missing? That's not far from a complete turnover. Beginning of the season is likely to be a disaster.

I'd be interested to see what would happen if Barca's doctors-in-residence were to find some latent problem during the Fabregas medical (not that I'd wish any kind of injury on him). Would they be willing to give up on such a protracted chase at the final hurdle?

Depends what the problem is. If its something they can recover from, I have seen clubs take players in at the end of a transfer window - it happened pretty recently iirc. On the other hand, I've seen players rejected too e.g. Aly Cissokho's transfer to AC Milan was rejected because of some dental problem during his medical? Otherwise they will have to sit down and re-negotiate - they still have til the end of August and the Spanish season could be delayed based on player strikes anyway.

Apparently Fabregas was heading to Heathrow but received a call from Pep to turn around. Seems like everything is in place apart from a medical (post Supercup I suppose).

So Michael* what do you make of the opening round of fixtures? I think O'Shea will strike against us, even if he is injured <_< In other news, my head hurts - the all-too-familiar feeling of signing up for another season of Fantasy. I think I like to bring the pain on and I enjoy the suffering. Does that make me a sadist and a masochist simultaneously?

Possible Arsenal compared to last season: No Eboue, Clichy, Denilson, Cesc, Nasri...who else am I missing? That's not far from a complete turnover. Beginning of the season is likely to be a disaster.

But they have that Japanese kid! Arsene says he's a huge talent!

Cue the music...

Yes, it's Fantasy Premier League time again! Will Messrs Ed and Freddy retain their titles? Will the mysterious Mr. Average make an appearance? Will Cesc Fabregas find long-awaited sanctuary on the Barcelona subs bench? Will Nemanja Vidic finally admit that he doesn't know how he gets away with it either?

First deadline is 13 August (11:30 GMT) but free transfers appear to be unlimited until then. So if you're struck by a sudden urge to swap Chris Brunt for Jonathan Walters, or if Man City sign Sergio Aguero Lionel Messi the day after you pick your team - fear not.

Classic League: 86795-177476

Head-to-Head League: 86795-177552

Tried to register last night and again this morning, but site kept crashing, so sadly not in, not happy.

Does anyone know, if you can still join after the season begins, if so i will try next week.

So Michael* what do you make of the opening round of fixtures? I think O'Shea will strike against us, even if he is injured <_< In other news, my head hurts - the all-too-familiar feeling of signing up for another season of Fantasy. I think I like to bring the pain on and I enjoy the suffering. Does that make me a sadist and a masochist simultaneously?

Assuming Liverpool's starting eleven includes Downing, Adam, Henderson, Kuyt, Carroll and Meireles (and possibly Suarez) I find it hard to see how we'll be able to compete, to be honest. On paper, a full strength back four of Brown, Turner, Bramble and O'Shea certainly sounds decent but since today's will be more like Bardsley, Brown, Bramble and Richardson, I'm considerably less confident. 3-1 Liverpool, I'd say.

Tried to register last night and again this morning, but site kept crashing, so sadly not in, not happy.

Does anyone know, if you can still join after the season begins, if so i will try next week.

I noticed that too. I believe the head-to-head league is set in stone once the season gets underway but the classic league always stays open to new entrants. What we can do though is unofficially count one of your weekly scores twice and adjust the final placings accordingly - that way you won't be at a disadvantage for starting late.

Tried to register last night and again this morning, but site kept crashing, so sadly not in, not happy.

Does anyone know, if you can still join after the season begins, if so i will try next week.

I noticed that too. I believe the head-to-head league is set in stone once the season gets underway but the classic league always stays open to new entrants. What we can do though is unofficially count one of your weekly scores twice and adjust the final placings accordingly - that way you won't be at a disadvantage for starting late.

Spoke to a few other people today, and apparently they have also had problems, probably shear numbers trying to log on crashed the system.

Nice gesture Michael, but thats okay, over 38 weeks, i will get back into it, fingercrossed everyone has a really bad first week.

I think im in.

The site seems to be up, so registered my side in both Regular League and Head - Head, though dont expect to receive any points for this week, hopefully im in, the chase is now on.

Damn you Michael* :persuazn:

I don't know why Meireles and Kuyt didn't start, and where was Johnson? Aquilani, for all his preseason heroics, was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, I think Adam doesn't have what it takes. Only time will tell.

Anyway, I thought you guys did well, especially in the second half. What a beauty from Larsson! Btw, I didn't have the commentary on so I couldn't figure out what half the yellows were for

Damn you Michael* :persuazn:

I don't know why Meireles and Kuyt didn't start, and where was Johnson? Aquilani, for all his preseason heroics, was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, I think Adam doesn't have what it takes. Only time will tell.

Anyway, I thought you guys did well, especially in the second half. What a beauty from Larsson! Btw, I didn't have the commentary on so I couldn't figure out what half the yellows were for

Meireles missed most of pre-season, and is only just back from injury, Kuyt should have started instead of Henderson, and Johnson is injured.

More than likely that Aquilani is avaliable for transfer, shame he has been Liverpool's best player in pre-season.

Lol I haven't really kept up with the preseason I was shocked to see Raul's hair Kuyt should always start. He is my hero

I'm afraid to check fantasy scores because the results look horrible

Are you a Liverpool fan Enigma?

MLS alert: my Philadelphia Union signed Freddy Adu

MLS alert: my Philadelphia Union signed Freddy Adu

He was meant to be the next Pele hahaha. I guess Pele did end his career in the US

Lol I haven't really kept up with the preseason I was shocked to see Raul's hair Kuyt should always start. He is my hero

I'm afraid to check fantasy scores because the results look horrible

Are you a Liverpool fan Enigma?

Yes i am.

Who does everybody support on here ed?

Who does everybody support on here ed?

Hello, TheEnigma, my name is Frederick (not literally) and I support Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund. My favourite colour is green and I enjoy walks along the beach and the films of Kevin Bacon. Inexplicably I don't have a thread in the Guys of Bellazon section.

Damn you Michael* :persuazn:

I don't know why Meireles and Kuyt didn't start, and where was Johnson? Aquilani, for all his preseason heroics, was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, I think Adam doesn't have what it takes. Only time will tell.

Anyway, I thought you guys did well, especially in the second half. What a beauty from Larsson! Btw, I didn't have the commentary on so I couldn't figure out what half the yellows were for

One of these days, a game between Liverpool and Sunderland will be uneventful. To say we had a rocky start would be an understatement but luckily, we got better as the game progressed and held our own quite well. I thought Gyan looked distinctly off the pace (not to mention rather overweight), but it was a gem of a goal by Larsson and a tremendous showing at the back from Wes Brown. Watch Brucie stick him at right-back next week to accomodate Bramble and/or Turner. <_<

Thought Henderson looked fairly anonymous - not surprised though as he's far more effective through the middle. Since Kenny has central midfielders coming out of his ears, I doubt Jordan will get the chance to play there any time soon. Pity.