I really rate Nico Williams but I 100% agree with you. Gil has never really been given a fair shot with us also Ange’s system should suit him very well. I really hope that Ange gives him a fair chance between now and Christmas. Obviously that also comes down to Gil impressing as well.Why move on Gil before we know how he fits and works in Ange's revolution? No point in spending money just for the sake of it.
Yes, Kubo was on loan at Yokohama when Ange was there.Kubo is tearing it up with Sociedad at the moment. Think Ange worked with him in Japan (maybe wrong)
can't find any reliable sources stating this on Google
Thats tough to pull off in January. More like one for next summer.I think we need to find a HG GK backup too, Forster's contract ends next June
I wonder if there’s a case for extending Foster’s contract. Guess it depends on if he maintains his level between now and the summer, and if he is happy to be back up.Our current squad looks like this:-
GK:
Vicario - key player
Forster - backup, HG, contract ends in 2024
Lloris - contract ends in 2024
Whiteman - backup, HGC (HG & club trained)
Austin - backup, HGC, contract ends in 2024
LB:
Udogie - key player
Davies - rotational player, HG
Sessegnon - backup, HG, injury-prone
RB:
Porro - key player
Emerson - rotational player
CB:
Romero - key player
Van de Ven - key player
Dier - contract ends in 2024
Phillips - prospect
CM:
Bissouma - key player
Maddison - key player, HG
Sarr - key player
Bentancur - key player *returning from injury
Hojbjerg - rotational player, deemed to be surplus
Skipp - rotational player, HGC
Lo Celso - rotational player, deemed to be surplus
FW:
Son - key player
Richarlison - key player
Kulusevski - key player
Solomon - key player
Perisic - rotational player, contract ends in 2024
Johnson - key player, HG
Veliz - prospect
Gil - injury concerns
the red names indicate that we may offload them or definitely leaving next summer. so based on the assessment,
GK: a HG backup e.g. Johnstone
LB: depends on whether we keep Davies
CB: a LCB is desperately needed e.g. Kelly
RB: no change needed
CM: Skipp is likely to stay for at least one more season if we manage to get European football for next season for club trained requirements (4 players need to be club trained). If we move on PEH and GLC then I would like us to go for Eze/Gallagher
FW: the current group of FWs is performing well, so not sure if we will spend big on a new FW like Vlahovic/Chiesa/David next summer unless we sell Richy in addition to Gil/Perisic (end of contract)
I'd still like us to get Orban. Think he's got a big future. Kelly makes lots of sense and I'd swap out Sessegnon for Rico Henry in a heartbeat.
Was speaking to a Sunderland season ticket holder at the weekend.If we have a buy back option for Dennis Cirkin he could be a smart option.
Signed a new deal recently but seems to be delivering on his potential, is homegrown and club trained for future european campaigns.