19 Aug 2021 10:00:35
Morning Ed002, I remember you saying LFC had interest in Hoppe from Schalke and it is now being reported that Everton could sign him for as little as £4m. Have we acted on our interest and would he be considered a player to challenge for a starting spot, I don't know much about him (MK - feel free to report! )?

{Ed002's Note - Matthew Hoppe (S) American youngster has been advised to stay in Germany although Schalke are likely sell him in the summer. However, he has attracted interest from a number of sides including Everton, Barcelona and Spurs and the feeling is in the States that FSG might look to having him recruited for Liverpool as he is one of the up-and-coming American players. Certainly, clubs have been scouting him and recent form has been good. I don't see that he would be a starter for any of the leading clubs and unless paying well over the odds a Work Permit may be an issue in England.}

1.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 10:31:16
I think at £4m it’s worth a punt. Loan him back out to Schalke so he gets regular first team football and go from there.

{Ed002's Note - That is not going to happen.}

2.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 11:19:57
With our transfer budget. It’s No hoppe.

3.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 11:52:33
Not a Hoppe in hell we'd sign him!

4.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 14:34:59
Thanks Ed, interesting take on the FSG feelings towards the signing. Are they pushing LFC as a market in the US? If so, a signing like Hoppe would attract fan interest State side.

{Ed002's Note - The feeling in the US is that they should recruit an American player if they can.}

5.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 14:53:17
Should have bought dest when he was in Holland and moved Trent into midfield if that’s the case. Could probably get him from Barcelona now with all their money troubles.

6.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 15:47:38
Interesting on American players. Big fan of Weston Mckennie from Juve. Would be a nice addition to the midfield. Good Gini replacement and I think Juve are open to offers.

{Ed002's Note - He has only moved this summer.}

7.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 16:10:47
Christian Pulisic would have been our best American option.

8.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 16:48:30
I really like Hoppe. Young and with a good motor. Was the best player on the US squad during the Gold Cup in my opinion.

I tend to agree that staying in Germany may be long term, but it would be fun to see him in England like Sargent.

9.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 19:56:51
The US must be a huge potential talent pool?
Massive population and many awesome athletes, albeit soccer is far from number one sport out there.
But, with the game growing, I can really see the US being a future source of talent.
I’d certainly like to see FSG look at this, if they’re not already doing so.

10.) 19 Aug 2021
19 Aug 2021 20:53:49
If only that Clint Dempsey transfer had come off!

11.) 20 Aug 2021
20 Aug 2021 00:44:21
Juicer, believe it or not it’s the most played sport in the US by a long shot. We did coin the phrase “soccer mom”. I know it had the most registered players over any other sport for year after year. I think the biggest problem is that as kids get older and into high school (14/ 15 years of age) the sport isn’t as attractive for nailing down scholarships etc., sports in general here is a huge business within the under 18’s for both boys and girls. Sadly many of the parents think their kids will get a scholarship for college but in reality few do, and many of the scholarships aren’t even a drop in the bucket. My wife is going to Bard College in NY, she got a full scholarship, definitely not an athletic one. The tuition there is $75k per year…. that’s not a typo. So most kids go into baseball/ softball/ basketball/ football/ golf…golf is a big one too….