The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.

MBAPPE

The Mbappe saga continues to drag on with a bunch of “he’s staying”...oh wait no! “He’ll be here in August” talk. Jose Pedrerol’s children are still on the guillotine as he’s willing to end his bloodline on this one move, claiming that he’ll announce Mbappe to Real Madrid late next month. Meanwhile Nasser is building a mini Real Madrid for Mbappe in PSG.

FRANKly SPEAKING

Gareth Frank Bale has reportedly decided to stay with us for what will be his last season, with no talk of renewing his contract. He now has one year left on his massive contract, meaning the Welsh Dragon will have to play like it’s 2012 going into 2013 and it’s his last year playing for Tottenham if he wants to even be able to ask his next club to pay him massive wages. There’s also rumors of him retiring from football after this season. More time for golf.

NO SIGNINGS???

A lot of reports have come out stating that we do not intend to sign anyone this transfer window. Obviously i call bull because this could complicate things for Ancelotti, who now faces an uphill task of trying to get the best out of some tired, tried and stone cold players. If we’re going to win any trophy’s this season without adequate signings, we’re going to need a miracle, need mad luck, need Vinicius to turn into prime henry again, need Asensio to give us the best 20 minutes of his life every late second half he’s subbed in, need Ceballos to become allergic to the Media and stop talking to them, need Odriozola to renounce his spanish citizenship and become the dani alves he was destined to be, and for Jorginho to win the 2021 Ballon D’or. I believe we can do this. Football is on the line, it needs saving and we’re the self-appointed heroes to do it.

NEW FIFA RULES BEING TESTED

FIFA are on a righteous path to save football from destruction. As of now, they’re currently testing out some new rules that will save football from the hands of their own hands. And these rules are as follows:

Reducing game time from 45 minutes to 30 minutes per half, and anytime there’s an interruption, the clock will be stopped.

From 5 subs to Unlimited subs

Yellow card time outs: Players who get a yellow card will have to leave the field for 5 minutes, just like the NBA/NFL.

Throw-ins to be replaced with Kick-ins: Players will be able to kick/punt the ball in from the sideline.

Dribbling from corners: Players will be able to dribble the ball in from the corner instead of combining with players to play the ball in.

All of these rules are still being tested and studied before being brought up to the board for full implementation across all leagues.

ICYMI

The comment section will be updated and overhauled this Thursday. Brahim has joined AC Milan on a 2 year loan. Alaba will be presented tomorrow at 12:30 CEST.