The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - POST MORTEM

[eddiev14]

Bingo.

People, stop it please otherwise when the next window closes there won't be any input from our ITK's at all. And while i'm here this is worth repeating, bolding and posting in red.

We've been told people are sending our resident ITK's PM's badgering them for information. This is bang out of order and it'll just piss them off so much that they'll stop posting info.

If you do this, they will tell us and you'll be banned from the entire site for good.

Fair enough!

It was my favourite few hours of the window so, whatever the meaning, thanks Breezer!

 

[Ossie85]

I wish that about Sancho were true but Dortmund is not Standard Liege. I don't see them doing that kind of thing. Plus they would also piss City off without having the need

Good news about Sessegnon

Great judgment by Poch on Gomez

And Foyth was like I thought. The PSG offer never existed

 

[adamsky]

Does feel like we are missing an option in the AM position but if/when Lamela returns then I actually think we are covered. I have never been Lamela's biggest fan as he has been frustrating but I think he will thrive in the 343 formation. He has never had chance to play in that and I think it suits him as he isn't one to skin a full back in the wing but has very clever movement.

Let's just hope he returns asap. All those wanting Barkley need to bear in mind that he wasn't going to be fit till November at the earliest anyway

 

[eddiev14]

I wish that about Sancho were true but Dortmund is not Standard Liege. I don't see them doing that kind of thing. Plus they would also piss City off without having the need

Good news about Sessegnon

Great judgment by Poch on Gomez

And Foyth was like I though. The PSG offer never existed

To be fair, you got that bang on!

 

[dk-yid]

Wonder what Daniel got up to with PSG over Foyth? If they weren't interested were they pretending to enhance our case for a work permit or something? And, if so, why?

Get a big fish involved to create the sense for others that there is no point in entering the race.

 

[Mr Pink]

No idea why Sissoko gets so much stick. Yes, move didnt work out. But he has always been a professional on & off the field. Lets back him this season. I am sure he will get his chances till & if Lamela recovers

I completely agree but can we even say it hasn't worked our after just one season? Unequivocally no for me.

Yes he had a poor first season but the stick he's getting is absurd imo.

I for one hope he kicks on this season and plays his part in another successful season for us.

He had some fantastic games for Newcastle, despite what their fans claim, and more recently France.

The funny thing is a lack of support doesn't help the player, and it actually impacts on the team, you know the one we all support.

So he's here now and we should all be behind him.

 

[goughie1966]

If the reports of a Zaha's new contract being £100000pw are true we won't be signing him no matter what his release clause is imo

What if Palace look like being relegated come January? Will he be on £100k a week in the Championship. I'd be amazed if Palace will have PL contracts if they get relegated. And would he rather play in the CL or the Championship.

Actually Breezer has said we didn't go back for him due to the money. But things may change if Palace continue to sit at the bottom of the PL.

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

Does feel like we are missing an option in the AM position but if/when Lamela returns then I actually think we are covered. I have never been Lamela's biggest fan as he has been frustrating but I think he will thrive in the 343 formation. He has never had chance to play in that and I think it suits him as he isn't one to skin a full back in the wing but has very clever movement.

Let's just hope he returns asap. All those wanting Barkley need to bear in mind that he wasn't going to be fit till November at the earliest anyway

Agree on AM/WF that added pace etc .. someone who can wrigle through a defence a create and score something. We were looking from itk we thankfuly recived, we just didnt get him this time and i feel the crazy market had an immense affect on it.

 

[_widen]

Thanks for the updates and summary of the window.

I especially like the fact the club has decided to play Lamela as a No. 10. I personally feel that is where he performs best. He isn't blessed with pace, and he usually ends up in that space anyway in matches (even though that leaves a gap in the RW spot). Good stuff.

 

[mil1lion]

So it seems KWP is staying so I guess he pushes forward to give us a right winger option with Nkoudou on the left. With Janssen staying too we actually have depth up front. I would not be surprised to see Kane play in behind on occasions. We have some good options to try various formations now. I also look forward to seeing this young squad continue to grow and a breakout or two.

 

[Bulletspur]

Summary of the window. We have to commend Daniel Levy. There were differences of opinions between him and Poch. I think it is safe to say both saw the light. There is absolutely no way anyone can criticise Daniel and moan about our missed targets, and 'Pinch of salt' ITK's who have given you very accurate, and honest updates, be it positive or negative. We do cross reference on occasions know

Big shout out to Rob (Governor) and A&C, for their excellent work. Before I go any further, I will be donating £50 between today and tomorrow. Bosses please inbox me to remind me.

I will bullet point what was said with results and reasons, to the best of my knowledge.

1. Ross Barkley=As was said all along, not fully fit, and issues with his injury, we wanted to deal at figure which will not go public, but less than chavs, but not much less. He came to London, hoping to be diverted William style, but Everton refused to talk to us, as chavs tried Daniel's famous (after Willian) exclusivity clause

When it became apparent after a flea got in his ear Ross scarpered, to return on our terms in January.

2. Our contingency was Gomez as loan with option to buy. We were more keen on the loan with option in our favour, and not Barca. We would have to of made a commitment to buy either way. In the region of 40 plus million. Poch was asked, and was not keen. Daniel then walked away.

3. Llorente was the silent one, and so silent that our relationship with Swansea made sure it stayed that way. Chavs wanted to deal earlier in the window, but Swans wanted Bony, but couldn't deal until GS was sold. We were tipped off by their hierarchy that bid was accepted by Spanish club, and chavs. Poch made a personal call to him. Once that was done chavs stood no chance. This is all Poch.

4. VJ, Poch loves him as a person, and admires his attitude. Poch wants it to work for him, and told him he needs 3 specialist strikers, and with all the games he would get his games.

5. DS= Without our backroom staff this deal would not even of developed. We had been talking to Ajax, having a full dossier on him. Chavs were very keen, along with the two Spanish giants. Also Bayern were keen. He spent a lot of time talking to Poch, and eventually that swayed it. He was shown videos of our complex and stadium. Enough said.

6. SA=Another one down to our backroom staff. Daniel commissioned experts he trusts in France, along with very highly regarded legal counsel in the U.K., who were liaison with appropriate authorities to risk assess. Once they knew it was over, SA was so confident he declined Yanited and chavs especially. Poch played a blinder also.

7. Foyth=Came out of Poch's influence and connections. Daniel, you naughty boy what you did with PSG. Can we say they were never serious?

8. GK=Poch wants 3, and convinced he will prove a shrewd signing, and rates his staff to improve him beyond compare. He also showed well in Spain.

9. Wing forward, we had a few options, but reasons we pulled with Poch's blessings. Zaha is interesting, and may be revisited later. All down to Poch, and Zaha has 35m clause that becomes effective around April.

10. Jadon could be a Zaki Fryers in January or summer. Watch this space.

11. Dembele will be utilised in advanced roles, subject to matches. Due to our pacey defensive additions.

12. Lamela is not far off, and will be used in No. 10 role. Hope it works out for him, because if not Roma is calling.

13. Danny boy Rose is happy. No issues with him. Still think he may go amicably end of season. We promised him that. Key to that will be if he is upgraded in his contract, as all the ones we want will be. Don't worry about Toby. All good.

There you have it. No moaning please. Overall we done good business. COYS!!!

At last! So many times we have been left hanging at the end of a Transfer window. It was like reading a thrilling book for three months only to come to the end to find the last chapter missing. Now for once we are seeing the complete picture with the last couple of jigsaw pieces (reasons, confirmations and explanations) put in place. What this has done for me (and others I will assume) has added more credibility to the info you ITK give us, and going forward will know how much salt to add if any. Well done @Hercules, you have now given me closure!

 

[Guernman]

upon reflection this really was a good window. With Aurier and Rose coming back we have the pace and width, with cover from Davies and Trippier. With Foyth and Sanchez we have the three at the back and great CB cover and this means Dier is able to play mainly in midfield. This then means Dembele can play higher up as one of the attacking three behind the lone striker (where we finally have real cover with Llorente). With Dembele, Lamela (now also as a no.10 and as pointed out finally playing in a system that will really suit him where he is not required to provide the width and pace but rather the guile and killer pass which are his real strengths) and finally Son we actually have good cover in every position.

 

[djee]

I know you deleted it but I was in the middle of replying so I undeleted it

One thing that strikes me is that, Arsenal's best and most expensive player is only worth as much as one of our "worst" first team players.

Our utility player and right back (generally the two cheapest positions) were valued around £50m. I don't think Arsenal have any £50m+ players left now. In contrast, we've got several players (Kane and Alli) who'd fetch over £100m in the current market and a fair few who'd be up in the £60m+ bracket (Eriksen, etc).

Keeping hold of those players and not losing them to the big clubs is pretty massive.

Cheers, Rob. I wasn't quite sure whether it was right for this thread.

Totally agree with your points though one may argue that Bellerin and Lacazette would still fetch over 50m in the market. Ozil and Sanchez would if they weren't in their final year. I still think Alexis will go for a fair amount in January and would help City in the CL and to a title push second half of the season. Overall, there are few sides in the league who could be sold for the equivalent amounts and this is largely down to Poch's development in tandem with Levy's business acumen and reputation.

Keeping our stars especially this year has made it almost impossible for any other than 3/4 clubs to buy them. These clubs as I've mentioned may not even need them. I am delighted that we can all bury the Kane to Utd nonsense now they have bought Lukaku whilst I can't see City replacing Jesus (looks off reading that!) anytime soon. Who does that leave? Certainly not any other English club! Madrid, PSG - would they buy Kane with the strikers they have? Bayern, Barca or Juve wouldn't be able to afford him. Almost ditto for Dele and Eriksen - so much alternative talent out there that would be easier pickings for bigger clubs. We may struggle to buy ready made world class players but we may well be able to keep hold of the ones we develop!

 

[djee]

upon reflection this really was a good window. With Aurier and Rose coming back we have the pace and width, with cover from Davies and Trippier. With Foyth and Sanchez we have the three at the back and great CB cover and this means Dier is able to play mainly in midfield. This then means Dembele can play higher up as one of the attacking three behind the lone striker (where we finally have real cover with Llorente). With Dembele, Lamela (now also as a no.10 and as pointed out finally playing in a system that will really suit him where he is not required to provide the width and pace but rather the guile and killer pass which are his real strengths) and finally Son we actually have good cover in every position.

Kane could also serve as a number 10 behind Llorente...

 

[Lou3000]

I'll admit, I'm jealous of watching the insane speed and athleticism in attack at Liverpool (Salah, Firmino, Mane), but to play that way, we would need a whole lot more than one mystery wing forward with pace. The reality is that we aren't that team.

As for how we actually play, I think we improved a lot. Very few of us were satisfied with Dier or Wimmer's performance in the back 3. I think Sanchez makes us much stronger in that configuration.

Also, Aurier has a higher ceiling than Walker, and assuming he settles quickly, we are more deadly with him going forward.

And what type of player is wasted in a back three? A pacey wing forward. A player like Kane with good size and a deadly finish is critical in our system, and we have found a competent backup.

Which leads me to the only disappointment, still no cover for Eriksen. As I said, my review of the window is based on how we actually play, and we desperately need a good No. 10. I don't know if Barkley was the answer, but someone is needed. We are an Eriksen injury away from being totally impotent in attack.

Going forward I hope we see some contracts being signed, I hope we go back in for Sessengon and Sancho, and if Barkley is the one we want, I'd like to see us after him in January.

 

[Lou3000]

Kane could also serve as a number 10 behind Llorente...

Or Lamela.

 

[14/04/91]

didn't really understand the bit that talks about Dembele in advanced role due to quick defenders, can anyone elucidate?

One of Dembele's strengths is his ability to track back & cover if a full back (normally rose) is caught upfield. He often breaks up play like this but rarely gets credit for it.

With the addition of Sanchez and Aurier, this is less of a concern when deciding upon formation & personnel. Dembele can essentially play further forward without worrying as much about opposition counter attacks.

 

[jolsnogross]

Kane could also serve as a number 10 behind Llorente...

In terms of changing a game that isn't going our way, I think this could be a big deal. Llorente with Kane and Alli behind him offers something different and direct compared to the game-changing options we've had.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Not in the clips I've seen. Seems to have the pace of young Ledley or even faster imo

I don't think overtaking Jesse Lingard with a ball in his feet is a benchmark for abnormal pace.

As previously stated, I'm not suggesting that Sanchez is slow. My point is merely that we do him no favour by describing his assumed pace very vividly before we've even seen hm have a real go at the PL. If we build up this expectation of an abnormally quick player, fans might end up disappointed and not give him enough credit for what he really can do.

 

[dricha1]

I'll admit, I'm jealous of watching the insane speed and athleticism in attack at Liverpool (Salah, Firmino, Mane), but to play that way, we would need a whole lot more than one mystery wing forward with pace. The reality is that we aren't that team.

As for how we actually play, I think we improved a lot. Very few of us were satisfied with Dier or Wimmer's performance in the back 3. I think Sanchez makes us much stronger in that configuration.

Also, Aurier has a higher ceiling than Walker, and assuming he settles quickly, we are more deadly with him going forward.

And what type of player is wasted in a back three? A pacey wing forward. A player like Kane with good size and a deadly finish is critical in our system, and we have found a competent backup.

Which leads me to the only disappointment, still no cover for Eriksen. As I said, my review of the window is based on how we actually play, and we desperately need a good No. 10. I don't know if Barkley was the answer, but someone is needed. We are an Eriksen injury away from being totally impotent in attack.

Going forward I hope we see some contracts being signed, I hope we go back in for Sessengon and Sancho, and if Barkley is the one we want, I'd like to see us after him in January.

Agree going forward they are frightening, but they haven't improved their back line, keeper and sold their one true defensive midfielder. Not sure they've improved?

Whilst I still wish we had some explosive pace in the team, we were the highest scorers last season, and only Liverpool have improved their forward line (I know united have too but it's not in mourinho's nature to go gung-ho) so there's no reason we can't match last seasons achieveMents of best defence, best attack with the current squad.

And with Lamela back soon, I'd say the depth in the squad has increased too