Managing Director Football: Fabio Paratici

[THOWIG]

He has been linked I believe.

Such a shame that Brozovic signed his contract as he would have been incredible next to Bentancur. As would Bellingham, but don’t think we will be in that race.

 

[jpascavitz]

Great player but not quite sure how he would fit in at Spurs. Don't think he would really work in a CM2 and, while I suspect we'll play with 3 midfielders more often next season, are we gonna drop £59m on a player that only works in one specific system?

That's exactly why I thought Eriksen makes sense. I can see Erisksen as an option as a inside 10 in a front three or in a midfield 3 which we'll play more this upcoming season based on opponent. He's on a free compared to splashing out 60m for that scenario.. but guess we'll see!

It's all down to FP/AC and with upwards of 6-8 signings being touted, I'm sure it could play out in 4980594853 different scenarios based on how many players we know FP talks to..

 

[Ghost Hardware]

We are interested, have been for ages.

Would be a fantastic addition, better then everyone else we have been linked to at CM so far. Not sure what it would mean for a forward hunt tho if we were to hypothetically spend 60 on Bastoni and 60 on SMS

 

[Guntz]

Would be a fantastic addition, better then everyone else we have been linked to at CM so far. Not sure what it would mean for a forward hunt tho if we were to hypothetically spend 60 on Bastoni and 60 on SMS

Player sales would cover the fee for a new forward.

Rodon, Bergwijn, Winks, Lo Celso, etc would bring in 60-70m at least.

 

[wiggo24]

Would be a fantastic addition, better then everyone else we have been linked to at CM so far. Not sure what it would mean for a forward hunt tho if we were to hypothetically spend 60 on Bastoni and 60 on SMS

Dont think I’d be so bothered by a forward if we got those two. Would be game changing, especially as we’ve already sorted LWB with a free.

Would be delighted with CDK for 30m in the forward positions rather than going big for Lautaro or smtg.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I might be one of the few, but I genuinely don't care about getting a big name player in.

I care about getting the right players to fit the system, and give us squad longevity along with improvement.

Obviously an elite player might fit this criteria, and good on us if we do sign someone of that ilk.

But it's not a huge deal too me as long as we get in players that improve the team and keep Conte happy, I'll be delighted.

Oh I definitely agree with you, but I also know there will be murmurings if we’ve been given this “war chest” and spend only a fraction of it. You are totally right though, it’s about getting the right players in and not the big name, big transfer players. I simply meant that having the money available should mean we won’t hold back to compete for any player we have interest in just because other big clubs are interested. We’re set up to compete now.

 

[THOWIG]

Oh I definitely agree with you, but I also know there will be murmurings if we’ve been given this “war chest” and spend only a fraction of it. You are totally right though, it’s about getting the right players in and not the big name, big transfer players. I simply meant that having the money available should mean we won’t hold back to compete for any player we have interest in just because other big clubs are interested. We’re set up to compete now.

Have you seen much of Leao? From the little I’ve seen he looks incredible and someone who could potentially play in the middle too.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Player sales would cover the fee for a new forward.

Rodon, Bergwijn, Winks, Lo Celso, etc would bring in 60-70m at least.

It's never that simple. You can bet at least two of them will end up just going on loan rather than a straight sale.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

He has been linked I believe.

Such a shame that Brozovic signed his contract as he would have been incredible next to Bentancur. As would Bellingham, but don’t think we will be in that race.

Don’t see there being a race at all for Bellingham this year. Can see him being a Liverpool target in the not too distant future but can’t see it being this summer.

 

[Joshua shepherd]

It's never that simple. You can bet at least two of them will end up just going on loan rather than a straight sale.

Tbf those four really should be that simple, the only one I could see not being sold is bergwijn and that’ll be because we ask too much for him

 

[bungle4]

Don’t see there being a race at all for Bellingham this year. Can see him being a Liverpool target in the not too distant future but can’t see it being this summer.

He's come out recently saying he's staying this season with Dortmund and there's suggestion of Real wanting to get him in next Summer. Agree that he strikes me as a potential Liverpool target too.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Tbf those four really should be that simple, the only one I could see not being sold is bergwijn and that’ll be because we ask too much for him

A lot of teams in Europe are still feeling the effects of the pandemic so haven't got much money - that is the problem. Someone like Bergwijn is an international player with a good reputation so I wouldn't blame the club for trying to recoup what they paid for him - he's only going to improve in time.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Have you seen much of Leao? From the little I’ve seen he looks incredible and someone who could potentially play in the middle too.

Leao is an absolute beast. He has that rare combination of elite athleticism and technical ability. Comfortable with both feet, strikes the ball really well. He stands out a mile in Serie A because I honestly don’t think many players can cope with his explosiveness.

He’s absolutely made for the Premier League. Not sure where he’d fit in our system though, probably LWB ? I know what you are saying about him having the potential to play in the middle, he’d have that press resistance and ability to go past players that we wished Ndombele had show more of. Not sure he has the passing range to do it but could just be that I’ve not seen that side of his game (rather than him not having the ability to do it).

Can’t see any way he leaves Milan this summer.

 

[Joshua shepherd]

A lot of teams in Europe are still feeling the effects of the pandemic so haven't got much money - that is the problem. Someone like Bergwijn is an international player with a good reputation so I wouldn't blame the club for trying to recoup what they paid for him - he's only going to improve in time.

Not on the bench he won’t though, we’ve been in this position before where we’ve kept players for too long and their values have just decreased. If stevie isn’t going to play more football than he did this year then we’d be best off letting him go for a reasonable fee, same as we are with GLC. He won’t improve on our bench.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Not on the bench he won’t though, we’ve been in this position before where we’ve kept players for too long and their values have just decreased. If stevie isn’t going to play more football than he did this year then we’d be best off letting him go for a reasonable fee, same as we are with GLC. He won’t improve on our bench.

My original point was that some of the players listed would end going on loan. I think we're more likely to do a loan with a option/obligation to buy at a decent fee, than sell for cheap for quick cash.

 

[THOWIG]

Leao is an absolute beast. He has that rare combination of elite athleticism and technical ability. Comfortable with both feet, strikes the ball really well. He stands out a mile in Serie A because I honestly don’t think many players can cope with his explosiveness.

He’s absolutely made for the Premier League. Not sure where he’d fit in our system though, probably LWB ? I know what you are saying about him having the potential to play in the middle, he’d have that press resistance and ability to go past players that we wished Ndombele had show more of. Not sure he has the passing range to do it but could just be that I’ve not seen that side of his game (rather than him not having the ability to do it).

Can’t see any way he leaves Milan this summer.

Sorry meant more as a centre forward. But the little I’ve seen he’s looked made for the premier league. Pep is a big fan apparently.

 

[Joshua shepherd]

My original point was that some of the players listed would end going on loan. I think we're more likely to do a loan with a option/obligation to buy at a decent fee, than sell for cheap for quick cash.

Yeah could be, it looks like we’ve lowered our expectations for Gio though and I’d expect someone to sign him for 20m. Winks should have a lot of options too and Rodon is a bit of an unknown. Maybe he’ll go back to forest and reunite with Cooper.

 

[mil1lion]

Not on the bench he won’t though, we’ve been in this position before where we’ve kept players for too long and their values have just decreased. If stevie isn’t going to play more football than he did this year then we’d be best off letting him go for a reasonable fee, same as we are with GLC. He won’t improve on our bench.

I guess it depends when we're back playing 3 games a week. We didn't even play the final group game in Europe so didn't play too many games under Conte. In a congested season with a fair number of 3 game weeks I expect him to rotate more. I personally would be happy to keep Bergwijn for next season. If a good offer comes in and he wants to leave though I can understand selling. I'm not sure how high his stock is though so not sure what we would likely be offered.

 

[rossdapep]

I can't really fathom the Frenkie de Jong love-fest here... When I look at him I see a one-paced risk-averse midfielder. Specialises in short passes backwards and sideways, doesn't tackle all that well, doesn't boss the midfield and goes missing in big games. I see a slightly improved version of Harry Winks in other words... Not a Conte-player at all.

But each to his own... Time will tell

Yeah, the big question mark for me would be whether he can adapt to the physicality and fast paced PL.

He's got superb technique and is excellent at breaking the lines but if he can't match the timing, intensity and physicality, he may struggle.

I'm actually surprised United are moving for him considering what United really lack is physicality and better defensive cover in midfield.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Have you seen much of Leao? From the little I’ve seen he looks incredible and someone who could potentially play in the middle too.

Leao is incredible and Mendes is his agent who we are supposedly cosy with but Milan view him as untouchable. Really think there’s zero chance we could get him.