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.

SHOULD THE NON-EU LIMIT BE INCREASED?

Clubs are never going to stop buying out of continent talent and we’re currently filled to the brim with Non-EU players and struggling to properly disperse them. Honestly, i wouldn’t mind us branching out more into the Asian & African markets. Especially China. If we could get a Chinese talent in our XI, it would do wonders for our money making ventures all across Asia. Maybe they should up the limit from 3 to 4? or maybe 5? it’s 5 max for those that worry too many foreigners will affect the nations domestic talent pool. Personally, i’d like for us to have an Indian starlet. The economic power of those 2 countries would do wonders for our finances. Who knows, the Next Ronaldo/Messi could be in China playing on the set of rush hour 5 with Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. But he’ll only ever be a shaolin stuntman for the Hollywood cameras cuz there’s no football scout to lead him to his true destiny on the football pitch of a top European club. Same goes for the other continents not named South America that we don’t go to great lengths to get talents from.

VINI

I truly hope neither one of Vinicius, Rodrygo or Militao pays the price for Gareth Bale’s decision to stay because the club is still unsure if he’s now a Non-EU player.

VARANE ALARM

This is your random Varane reminder that he’s still at our club (Even though he doesn’t want to be) awaiting the outcome of his pending Man Utd transfer.

MARIANO

Mariano actually retired from the Dominican Republic national team in 2013, so he could play for Spain as he was born in Spain and was eligible to represent Spain. Funny enough, Spain could’ve actually used him instead of having to suffer with sugar-free M&M’s (Moreno and Morata) in the euros. Mariano is actually clinical in front of goal, unlike those two. But he’s never going to be given a serious chance at our club but at the same time, he doesn’t want to leave. By the time his contract runs out, he’ll have no choice but to take lesser pay elsewhere, further ruining his earning potential. I wish he’d go out on loan and do well so he could find a buyer that will pay him even more in salary than he earns here. He’s a quality striker with no ambition, injuries or no injuries. Then again, we shot ourselves in the foot by bringing him back so Sevilla didn't get him. Reminds me of another Spanish midfielder we currently have because we didn’t want Barca to get him after his U-21 showings for Spain. Unfortunate for him, we also have no future for him in the team.

LASTLY

Why don’t players ever often come out publicly and say they want to go to another club? happens rarely. Instead we have media saying words they never said themselves. Most likely instigated by the players agents.

BRITISH ACCENT ENDING: And with this my fellow north watchers. I must retreat to the mountains of the Mods, to obtain far greater power than i necessarily need. Till next time.

ICYMI:

Ancelotti’s relationship with Odegaard, remember when eh called him a PR stunt? Camavinga wants to come here. Churrrooss Y Tactiiccasss podcast discussing Uncle Flo’s power and Morriba’s demands.