The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 1st January

[SpartanSpur]

Certainly hope so. Knowledge of injury notwithstanding, he could be a great option for us across the front 3 or even in a 2 behind. If he kicks on, could even be a starter. Surely DL has to back Poch on this, especially in view of the history with RB (ie. last transfer window). Zaha stuff is presumably about us not offering the sort of contract he was expecting. Imagine that relationship would be difficult to repair so not expecting this to happen. Finally, do feel for Ajax. Such a fantastic club (have a read of Brilliant Orange by David Winner if you get time) but money available in England and elsewhere is killing them.

Work colleague of mine is a big Palace fan and has always said we massively offended Zaha and his people by offering him around £45k a week and how low the supposed bid was. You'd think people understand that's how business negotiations work but it's always a risk if you try and lowball.

Maybe Poch gives them the big love and then Levy acts like he'd be doing everyone a favour by taking the player on!

 

[Sandro30]

Thanks for the update @Hercules and thanks for the software update that puts the box around the post @Rob. Works perfectly!

 

[andyp8080]

. Sissoko going nowhere. He has impressed everybody with his turn around.

Back Poch is my advice!

i wonder that this turnaround is

consistently the most woeful player at the club. Maybe turnaround is code for "naked pictures of Levy and Poch playing about together"

 

[the yid]

I Think next season KWP will be back up to serge. The KWP situation feels like winksys couple years ago

 

[S17PUR]

If Poch truly believes that Barkley and Zaha/Mahrez are needed to push us to a top 4 finish, then surely it's more of a gamble not backing him this window than it is to spend the money required to bring them in. I guess it depends how strongly he makes the case to Levy, and how important Levy thinks Champions League football is to us.

 

[JAYSTAR]

I have just received some snippets information. Poch wants RB badly, against any ‘wait until summer Ross’. He has waited until January, and reason he did not go chavs. If we are saying same again he WILL sign for chavs now.

Goons favourites for Zaha in summer, if we don’t firm up agreement with Parish for then. He will not desert them in January, unless Palace pushes him; which they won’t. We cocked up in the summer when we had our chance. He has a clause to be allowed to talk to top clubs of fee is in excess of ******million. He would decide what he wants to do. His gang feel we did not treat talks with the respect and seriousness, as would be expected, and if the other lot came in he would likely go there.

RS, we have verbal agreement in place for summer. We want to deal now, and take him, with his brother staying until summer. Fulham want him (RS) to stay and push for possible play-offs. We want him (if we agree) to train 60-70% of the time with us if we agree such deals. Sess has already met Poch in summer, more than once.

Danny Rose feeling loved, and made up. Not a certainty he will go. May change if we fall off out of Top 4. Dier is ambitious, and do not be so confident we would not ‘consider’ if very good offer came in. Regarding Toby, it is not really about the money, as indications were in summer his team had all but agreed our offer. He wants to win trophies, and not wait 2 years to realise that. New stadium means nothing.

We have first option on Kluivert of Ajax, and couple more players interest us in Holland, with another also at Ajax.

We have 100% not bid for Malcom, and personally, from the vibes I am hearing, he is not our first choice. Poch has good relationships with peeps of Mahrez, and they have been pushing him in our direction. Doubt we will deal at fees it is believed Leicester would want.

Trippier won’t go in January, but possible in summer. KWP wants a loan, Poch wants him to stay, learn and fight. He believes he is not getting fair chances, and one of best trainers, always impressing. We have hinted we want to revisit his recent contract with a new one. He wants to wait and see.

Marcus very happy, but may want a loan. Poch does not believe it would do him good. He has 2 years after this, with option on another year. Poch speaks to him a lot, and Marcus is bulking up, and desperate to convince to even earn a bench place. You can understand his enthusiasm, and impatience a bit. He would not be human otherwise. He is very ambitious, and convinced in his own ability, without being cocky.

GKN will go on loan, or sold. VJ is done here. Sissoko going nowhere. He has impressed everybody with his turn around.

Back Poch is my advice!

I like Trippier, but it must be difficult making space for KWP as well, with him and Aurier in front. My son is hoping our interest in another Ajax player is Dolberg, who looks like a new Bergkamp in some ways, or even a combo of Dele and Kane. At least we seem to know what kind of players would suit our football style. My only concern is what if RB isn't available or fully recovered.. who else will ever replace Dembele? Anyway, thanks for sharing, lots of positives.

 

[worcestersauce]

We are told that Poch wants RB but also that the powers that be don't want to take a risk, sounds like that's the line we're spinning Everton, we want him but he's a risk so set your price accordingly.
For the record I am with Pochottino, I want Ross Barkley badly too.

 

[WiganSpur]

The Walker-Peters news is worrying.

From what I remember Poch doesn't like players asking to play either. I think his ability to give chances to academy players is still very much in question.

 

[ikky]

Hope we don’t try and play who blinks first with Everton and then end up with Ross going to Chelsea.

 

[Wellspurs]

Reason for my ‘funny’ emoticon; you had me in stitches

You'll never be taken serious with flawless grammar and spelling!

 

[thebenjamin]

Wenger is saying Arsenal will sign players in Jan. Liverpool have already made a significant move. DL will have to weigh up how much transfer fees are in January against the possible knock ons to a naming rights deal for NWHL if we were to miss out on top 4.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I like Trippier, but it must be difficult making space for KWP as well, with him and Aurier in front. My son is hoping our interest in another Ajax player is Dolberg, who looks like a new Bergkamp in some ways, or even a combo of Dele and Kane. At least we seem to know what kind of players would suit our football style. My only concern is what if RB isn't available or fully recovered.. who else will ever replace Dembele? Anyway, thanks for sharing, lots of positives.

Dolberg hasn’t been up to much this season, only scored 8 in 25. I would have assumed De Ligt and Neres were the others. I would also assume that one of the others Herc alludes to in the Dutch league might well be Hirving Lozano. Personally he should be very high up on our scouting list as he looks to be an exceptial talent and one that reminds me a lot of Alexis Sanchez.

Re the rest of his info, I really don’t see Mahrez or richarlison as financially viable options in the slightest. And it seems Zaha will be out of reach as well. No way Arsenal won’t offer higher wages then us (Assuming they really want him) . I’m not really cut up about this tho, really, I still think Pulisic should be our number 1 wing target, beyond that Fekir would be a dream. But Herc has previously mentioned we have had interest in Pulisic but no ITK has ever mentioned Fekir so that is just pipe dream.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Wenger is saying Arsenal will sign players in Jan. Liverpool have already made a significant move. DL will have to weigh up how much transfer fees are in January against the possible knock ons to a naming rights deal for NWHL if we were to miss out on top 4.

It feels like it's more than just naming rights though doesn't it?

I'd say that Eriksen, Rose, Dier, Hugo and Toby would all be massive flight risks if we didn't get in. Possibly even the likes of Kane, Alli et al - yes they're young and loyal, but they'd pretty quickly become some of the (if not the) best players not playing in the Champs League. Not a good look really.

Sure, we wouldn't have to sell them all, but how many disgruntled underpaid (in the minds of their agents, and therefore, them) could we have without it affecting squad morale?

I'd say staying in the Champs League is utterly crucial this year, and our rivals are strengthening.

I guess we'll just have to win it...

 

[eddiev14]

Cheers @Hercules

If we're preparing for Toby's departure and have an interest in another player from Ajax, then I wouldn't be surprised if we move for De Ligt, Davinson's CB partner from last season.

Hugely impressive and commanding central defender for an 18 year old, he will go right to the top.

 

[Insomnia]

Oh how I've missed the guessing game & wish lists

Thanks for the recent info @Trix & @Hercules

 

[nferno]

The Walker-Peters news is worrying.

From what I remember Poch doesn't like players asking to play either. I think his ability to give chances to academy players is still very much in question.

If it’s true that he has been performing exceptionally in training + putting the hard graft in then I can see why he’d be getting frustrated. I think even the most die-hard spurs fan youth footballer would be showing signs of discontent in that situation.

But ofcourse, there may be other factors we don’t know about.

 

[Hoopspur]

Hopefully KWP will play at the weekend. If he doesn’t then it’s probably right he goes out on loan. He is slightly down the pecking order for both full back berths. Great as back up or for the bench but could probably do with some decent playing time. If RS does come in then I could see his progress being even more hampered - even though he’s not technically a left back. Poch does like versatile players and we do have players in the squad who can cover the right back place in an emergency within a match.

 

[DanielCHillier]

Totally agree. May cost a bit, though.

I think the Sanchez signing showed, if we have the chance to get a truly world class young talent that wants to come here, then we're willing to pay what it.

 

[daryl hannah]

I think the Sanchez signing showed, if we have the chance to get a truly world class young talent that wants to come here, then we're willing to pay what it.

The previous attempt at securing Zaha shows we're not willing to pay the wages to match.

 

[MarkyP]

interesting re: first option on Kluivert.

assume must have been something to do with the Sanchez deal, as we must have to incentivise Ajax to get that first option... guess we cant really just ask for "first dibs" on him..