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.

POCKET-WATCHING LAWMAKERS

Ancelotti was summoned before a judge on Thursday for tax fraud (Perez trigger word). They were literally waiting for him to come back to do this mess. I see why tax collectors were hated in the time of Jesus. I highly doubt ancelotti does his own taxes solely by himself, as does many other high earners in this profession. He says he was ill-advised. Then again, the Spanish tax code keeps changes depending on how greedy the law makers become each year.

MORE MBAPPE NEWS

More rumors about Mbappe reaffirming his decision to not renew. If he truly wanted to renew, he would’ve done it since. Worst case scenario, he renews for one more year as opposed to the 4+ that PSG want to tie him down for.

CITY SCOUTS

I’ve come to notice that Manchester City have some of the best scouts and recruiting system in world football. Their youth academy constantly churning out brilliant talents.....but for other teams. From Sancho to Iheanacho to Brahim etc. It’s a shame their youth academy (Kinda like ours) isn’t allowed to have staying power in the first team nor is there a direct pipeline to the first team. Foden might be the exception but only time will tell. Kane is on his way there for 160 MIL reportedly, so if they have a prodigy striker that can be quality backup for Kane. He’s probably already looking at his next team.

ARE CLUBS MAKING THIS MONEY BACK?

We’re in teh new generation of over-inflated transfer fees. These days anyone that has one good season under their belt is going for a premium of 80 M’s and up. After all these ginormous transfer fees, are these clubs actually able to make back the money off the individual player with some interest? do the trophies line up with their investment? or are these clubs just on a wild shopping spree? I’m not a financial expert but take signings like Nicolas Pepe, who went to arsenal for 80 mil.....and only has an FA cup to show for it. Now Arsenal don’t need the press, they dont need the prestige as they’re one of the oldest and more successful clubs in football history even though it’s history nowadays. Even the 4th jokes are history too along with them. But is nicolas Pepe, Kai Havertz etc, despite the immense talent they posses, commercially viable for their clubs to make back the huge sums they spent on them? Look at the top selling jerseys, player merch etc and even the cheapest brand commercials and you won’t find any of these 80+ million guys there in the top 30. So how are the clubs making this money back off the individual player?