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Andre Gomes

JayB

Well-Known Member
Aug 24, 2011
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Fact is the "transfer committee" have had far greater success than they have failures, and yet for some reason there are a lot of posters on here that can't seem to understand that.

Any way we are getting nowhere. as I have said before last three weeks or so of the window is where we will do the bulk of our business. Getting upset about stuff now is pointless, there is a long time to go.
On the whole this is absolutely true, but I think many are frustrated with our failures in the transfer market since we began to qualify for the CL. In that time the only players we've bought who have been unquestioned successes have been Wanyama and Sanchez, though the jury is still out on Lucas (where the early signs are good) and Aurier (where, well... not so much).

We haven't signed a single attacking player or non-defensive midfielder who has come in and made a major impact in years since we have been CL regulars (though again I have hopes for Lucas), and there's a feeling that the squad has stagnated compared to our rivals. We've reached a point where our first XI is of a standard that it is very difficult to improve upon within our financial constraints, which I think is why we have found it so difficult to do successful business in recent windows. The most obvious place within the first team where we should be able to bring in a player who can slot right in is central midfield, so to see us linked with the likes of Barrios and Gomes is just compounding years of frustration for many of us.

(Post edited for clarity)
 
Last edited:

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
5,694
156,565
On the whole this is absolutely true, but I think many are frustrated with our failures in the transfer market since we began to qualify for the CL. In that time the only players we've bought who have been unquestioned successes have been Wanyama and Sanchez, though the jury is still out on Lucas (where the early signs are good) and Aurier (where, well... not so much).

We haven't signed a single attacking player or non-defensive midfielder who has come in and made a major impact in years (though again I have hopes for Lucas), and there's a feeling that the squad has stagnated compared to our rivals. We've reached a point where our first XI is of a standard that it is very difficult to improve upon within our financial constraints, which I think is why we have found it so difficult to do successful business in recent windows. The most obvious place within the first team where we should be able to bring in a player who can slot right in is central midfield, so to see us linked with the likes of Barrios and Gomes is just compounding years of frustration for many of us.
Fair and valid observations. Ones that has to respected.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
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The two known targets are:

Barrios - car crash in the making
Gomes - definite talent but currently going through a mental breakdown. Not mocking him but this isn’t going to be something he gets over any time soon

Hopefully with Wanyama staying we’ll only be pursuing one of them, with the other CM someone who can take us to the next level. Otherwise it’s a bizarre strategy to go after a quality attacking player in Martial or Pulisic and a quality CB in de Ligt but to have a hope for the best approach for central midfield is madness considering it’s our current and only area of weakness.
All anyone would need to do is watch the Argentina game today to see how important the midfield is. You can have all the forward players in the world but if you don't have the players to link them together it won't matter.
 

Trix

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2004
19,335
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All anyone would need to do is watch the Argentina game today to see how important the midfield is. You can have all the forward players in the world but if you don't have the players to link them together it won't matter.


They have but didn't play them imo. Banega is a creative genius and should have started.
 

allatsea

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
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Fact is the "transfer committee" have had far greater success than they have failures, and yet for some reason there are a lot of posters on here that can't seem to understand that.

Any way we are getting nowhere. as I have said before last three weeks or so of the window is where we will do the bulk of our business. Getting upset about stuff now is pointless, there is a long time to go.

Echoing your post perhaps those criticising could tell us who has a better hit rate for bringing players who are a success ? Not even SAF or Wenger at their best got even 50% successes.
 

JayB

Well-Known Member
Aug 24, 2011
6,652
26,046
Dude :-

"We haven't signed a single attacking player or non-defensive midfielder who has come in and made a major impact in years (though again I have hopes for Lucas)"
I was talking about the windows since we qualified for the CL, which I specifically mentioned in the first sentence of the post. It's all well and good that we did great business with Eriksen, Son, Dele, etc. but we were in a different place as a club when we brought those players in, and since we've been in the CL we haven't been able to make that next step. That's what I was getting at.
 

Wheeler Dealer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
6,863
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No he was a top player in a top league scoring at 1 in 2, 1 in 3 rates in a top league, before he arrived, he was supposed to be the finished article.

Still find him and morientes head scratchers personally
He was a fucking unmitigated disaster here though.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
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They have but didn't play them imo. Banega is a creative genius and should have started.
Agreed that Banega can be that player but my point still stands that they struggled today creating a bunch of chances given the forward talent that they have because of the midfield players they had on the field. It's without a doubt the most important area on the field and the spot that will absolutely be crucial for us to get right this summer.
 

Wheeler Dealer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
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Dude :-

"We haven't signed a single attacking player or non-defensive midfielder who has come in and made a major impact in years (though again I have hopes for Lucas)"
You're not far wrong. Our best attacking player of recent time, who we bought, was signed as a left back.... Bale!
 

daryl hannah

Berry Berry Calm
Sep 1, 2014
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I was talking about the windows since we qualified for the CL, which I specifically mentioned in the first sentence of the post. It's all well and good that we did great business with Eriksen, Son, Dele, etc. but we were in a different place as a club when we brought those players in, and since we've been in the CL we haven't been able to make that next step. That's what I was getting at.
Dele was signed for a box-to-box role. Poch moved him forward eventually, didn't he?
 

GetSpurredOn

Well-Known Member
Jun 18, 2006
5,022
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So, the ITK last night/today was that Wanyama is not being sold. The constant has been targeting two CM, one WF/Striker and a CB.
CB will be a replacement for Alderweireld.
WF/Striker will be a replacement (I assume) for Llorente and Janssen.
So the two CM's will be replacements for Dembele, and probably Sissoko, possibly Lamela/Nkoudou also.
Overall that's a reduction in players, opening up opportunities for the best of our academy/development players.
From previous ITK, it sounds like our signings will signal a shift in tactics/formation, and it seems like we're loading the CM area, whilst doing away with some of our attacking midfield players, suggesting a shift from 4231 to more of a 433 like City.
On that basis, I'd assume it'll be Barrios plus one of Grealish and Gomes. Barrios to provide the steel and industry, then Grealish/Gomes to offer the craft that Eriksen does, as he seemed to play deeper as the season went on.
I'm a bit torn on Gomes v Grealish, part of me thinks if Gomes can rediscover the form that took him to Barca in the first place, great, he could be an astute signing like VDV was. However, whilst I see Gomes having more experience at international and CL level, does Grealish have a higher ceiling, plus PL experience and home grown, albeit personally I always thought Grealish was a winger not a CM.

My interpretation is, maybe Grealish was seen as a decent gamble at a low price, but other clubs coming in, have pushed the price up, and maybe now Gomes is a cheaper option? We did have ITK that we'd need to be creative in CM options. If we feel they offer the relevant balance and calibre required, but that leaves additional finance for De Ligt and Martial, so be it.
 

CurioCT

Member
Jun 14, 2018
39
130
I was talking about the windows since we qualified for the CL, which I specifically mentioned in the first sentence of the post. It's all well and good that we did great business with Eriksen, Son, Dele, etc. but we were in a different place as a club when we brought those players in, and since we've been in the CL we haven't been able to make that next step. That's what I was getting at.

Firstly you then went on to say "in years" which is what I commented on.

Secondly it is clear we have tried to augment the front line with likely candidates on our budget. Janssen for example was highly rated up coming, llorente was scoring for fun in the same division in a shit side, moura a cheaper target from a top club. We have not (until now if you believe the rumours) had the cash to improve on the attacking players we already had so the point you make has little or no validity.

as fans we have to be realistic our attacking options have not needed the attention that other areas of the pitch have in the last three years, largely due to the emergence of son kane and alli as top class players. Now with additional revenue it would be nice to add a world class talent a marquee signing to that line up.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
Hmm not particularly happy with this link. Would rather Grealish or possibly Barrios if an either/or scenario.

If we could get the Valenica version Andre Gomes we would have a useful CM however. My big worry is the prices quoted for him in the past though, way too much and I'd imagine both Barrios and Grealish are still cheaper. What about Bruno Fernandes who's free and keeping Gomes out of the national side.

The least budger used on this (what I hope to be) 2nd CM target the better IMHO.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
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Also, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I believe this specific CM spot is the only spot we haven't purchased a player at since Poch has arrived.
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,904
78,639
So, the ITK last night/today was that Wanyama is not being sold. The constant has been targeting two CM, one WF/Striker and a CB.
CB will be a replacement for Alderweireld.
WF/Striker will be a replacement (I assume) for Llorente and Janssen.
So the two CM's will be replacements for Dembele, and probably Sissoko, possibly Lamela/Nkoudou also.
Overall that's a reduction in players, opening up opportunities for the best of our academy/development players.
From previous ITK, it sounds like our signings will signal a shift in tactics/formation, and it seems like we're loading the CM area, whilst doing away with some of our attacking midfield players, suggesting a shift from 4231 to more of a 433 like City.
On that basis, I'd assume it'll be Barrios plus one of Grealish and Gomes. Barrios to provide the steel and industry, then Grealish/Gomes to offer the craft that Eriksen does, as he seemed to play deeper as the season went on.
I'm a bit torn on Gomes v Grealish, part of me thinks if Gomes can rediscover the form that took him to Barca in the first place, great, he could be an astute signing like VDV was. However, whilst I see Gomes having more experience at international and CL level, does Grealish have a higher ceiling, plus PL experience and home grown, albeit personally I always thought Grealish was a winger not a CM.

My interpretation is, maybe Grealish was seen as a decent gamble at a low price, but other clubs coming in, have pushed the price up, and maybe now Gomes is a cheaper option? We did have ITK that we'd need to be creative in CM options. If we feel they offer the relevant balance and calibre required, but that leaves additional finance for De Ligt and Martial, so be it.
Herc said he prays Barrios comes in because he's more reluctant to have Gomes. Suggesting that it's either Barrios or Gomes.
 
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