Mid-window review: ins/outs?

[Ghost Hardware]

Can't see us being interested in Raphinha or Neto to be honest. Someone like Nico Williams, Soule, Roony B makes a whole lot more sense with the direction we're going in imo.

Yeah I struggle to see us spending big on a WF. It's a nice idea for sure but realistically I struggle to see it. For what it's worth Williams has a €50 mil release clause I believe which we would need to pay in full up front so that one might even be more unrealistic then Neto as even if Neto is more expensive we would probably be able to structure a deal which we would probably find more appealing. Ether way I would expect us to be more looking in the 20-40 mil bracket like you say. Players like Nusa, Nuamah, Osman, Soule, Roony etc. I would obviously LOVE us to go into the market and spend properly on a WF but I just don't see it. Hopefully im wrong!

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Thanks for the insight. I haven't watched him as much for Barca as I did when he was in the PL and I trust your views on players.

Like I said I wouldn't go for him anyway. I want young and hungry players on the way up.

I think the fact both Neto and Raphinha are on our list proves both that we're willing to spend big for that position and that the club understand that actually we're quite poor out wide compared to our rivals and that's the area we really need to focus on.

I really hope Neto, Williams etc are on the list and that we are aiming that high. Honestly I'd also be keeping an eye on Napoli and Kvara if they don't get into Europe. I know he's LW rather then RW but still... what a player. Best case scenario is if Richy continues to play as well as he has and the money we earmarked for his replacement goes into the wings. I think im just jaded after years of wanting us to spend large on a winger that I can't see us doing it now but here is hoping!

 

[Trix]

Yeah I struggle to see us spending big on a WF. It's a nice idea for sure but realistically I struggle to see it. For what it's worth Williams has a €50 mil release clause I believe which we would need to pay in full up front so that one might even be more unrealistic then Neto as even if Neto is more expensive we would probably be able to structure a deal which we would probably find more appealing. Ether way I would expect us to be more looking in the 20-40 mil bracket like you say. Players like Nusa, Nuamah, Osman, Soule, Roony etc. I would obviously LOVE us to go into the market and spend properly on a WF but I just don't see it. Hopefully im wrong!

Where do you think we would spend big now(if anywhere)? We are nearly at the point where that is the only way to upgrade on what we have. there has been a lot of talk about CM but I get the feeling Bergvall isn't coming in not to play and go out on loan, so I don't see us going heavy there unless one of our ever-presents go. Richy is looking like he will be hard to upgrade on without spending a ridiculous amount and we are only 2-3 off filling out the squad completely imo.

 

[felmani26]

Where do you think we would spend big now(if anywhere)? We are nearly at the point where that is the only way to upgrade on what we have. there has been a lot of talk about CM but I get the feeling Bergvall isn't coming in not to play and go out on loan, so I don't see us going heavy there unless one of our ever-presents go. Richy is looking like he will be hard to upgrade on without spending a ridiculous amount and we are only 2-3 off filling out the squad completely imo.

GK (Replace Forster with a keeper more adept playing out from the back)
LB (Davies replacement possibly or more feasible Sessegnon)
WF (young prodigious talent in same vein of Nusa/Soule or an established star such as Neto with an eye on succession planning for Son)

I personally don't see the requirement for transfer resources allocated elsewhere and Bergvall's signature makes signing say a Gallagher redundant even if we eventually sell Hojbjerg.

 

[Tucker]

I suppose a lot really depends on if we have that sweet sweet Champions League cash.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Where do you think we would spend big now(if anywhere)? We are nearly at the point where that is the only way to upgrade on what we have. there has been a lot of talk about CM but I get the feeling Bergvall isn't coming in not to play and go out on loan, so I don't see us going heavy there unless one of our ever-presents go. Richy is looking like he will be hard to upgrade on without spending a ridiculous amount and we are only 2-3 off filling out the squad completely imo.

I still wonder if we will go for Gallagher and even if Chelsea are busted would they really sell for under 35/40? Maybe tbf, i have no clue. I agree tho, personally I'd quite like Bergvall and maybe Devine (if he performs on loan obv) to pick up the slack rather then sign Connor. Best case is obv Richy continuing to look this good. It would take a huge pressure of the summer.

Personally id be looking for a young LB, Patrick Dorgu of Lecce would probably be my choice there even tho he isn't HG, promote Phillips and Devine (depending on how they perform on loan) into the first team squad then put the bulk of our money into the WF positions as its by far the weakest. If Phillips looks a few years off then maybe get Kelly on a free. Oh and back up GK.

I think where my skepticism comes from is simply the amount of money good WF cost, clubs don't usually want to sell them and other teams usually want them. Makes the whole thing far more difficult then getting a young prospect and that can be tricky as it is. Hopefully ffp can make things easier this summer, that is the one thing we do have in our favour.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Where do you think we would spend big now(if anywhere)? We are nearly at the point where that is the only way to upgrade on what we have. there has been a lot of talk about CM but I get the feeling Bergvall isn't coming in not to play and go out on loan, so I don't see us going heavy there unless one of our ever-presents go. Richy is looking like he will be hard to upgrade on without spending a ridiculous amount and we are only 2-3 off filling out the squad completely imo.

Think you've hit the nail on the head there.

Realistically imo we only really need to sign 3-4 players this summer (plus maybe another young player) but at least 2 of them need to be super high quality imo.

As you say, if Richarlison keeps his form up then personally for next season I think we're fine striker wise with him, Son and Veliz as options.

We need a backup LB 100% and possibly another midfielder but as you say that depends on Bergvall and departures.

That really only leaves the wide areas where we visibly lack compared to our rivals.

As long as the player (or players) is/are still young and quality that's surely where the bulk of our budget should be spent.


Last summer was different as we had so many positions we needed to sign and we had no europe too.

 

[wishkah]

Where do you think we would spend big now(if anywhere)? We are nearly at the point where that is the only way to upgrade on what we have. there has been a lot of talk about CM but I get the feeling Bergvall isn't coming in not to play and go out on loan, so I don't see us going heavy there unless one of our ever-presents go. Richy is looking like he will be hard to upgrade on without spending a ridiculous amount and we are only 2-3 off filling out the squad completely imo.

I tried to answer this myself by looking at the everton game. how could we have scored more, and how could we have conceeded less.

my personal view is that the midfield could have done a bit more in both regards - i thought a touch more protection to the CBs in times of crisis and a bit more 'something' going forward. However i caveat that for both goals our giant CBs should have simply defended better...but nevermind.

however as you say, we have Bergv coming in - madders isn't going to be sharpe yet, and between those coming back from AFCON and returning to fitness i don't know what i'd do.

I do think Son will need replacing properly which is why Nusa got us excited. Properly in the sense of someone who can reach his levels over time not spunking 100m on a single player.

So it leads me to think that what we need is player(s) who are difference makers and take the game by the scruff. You conceed less when you have prime kante, you score more when you have prime Bale. And sometimes it's those lil moments which win/lose a game and ultimately silverware. And we might already have a few of those as they mature and Ange's style of football becomes more learned.

 

[felmani26]

I still wonder if we will go for Gallagher and even if Chelsea are busted would they really sell for under 35/40? Maybe tbf, i have no clue. I agree tho, personally I'd quite like Bergvall and maybe Devine (if he performs on loan obv) to pick up the slack rather then sign Connor. Best case is obv Richy continuing to look this good. It would take a huge pressure of the summer.

Personally id be looking for a young LB, Patrick Dorgu of Lecce would probably be my choice there even tho he isn't HG, promote Phillips and Devine (depending on how they perform on loan) into the first team squad then put the bulk of our money into the WF positions as its by far the weakest. If Phillips looks a few years off then maybe get Kelly on a free.

I think where my skepticism comes from is simply the amount of money good WF cost, clubs don't usually want to sell them and other teams usually want them. Makes the whole thing far more difficult then getting a young prospect and that can be tricky as it is. Hopefully ffp can make things easier this summer, that is the one thing we do have in our favour.

I wonder if it will become more apparent over the next few months and possibly the summer/pre-season in what Ange believes the impact the likes of Donley and Devine will have in the first team - possibly even Moore considering he was training with the 1st team squad recently.

There's definitely an emphasis on youth now and/or hungry players looking to prove themselves which is why links to say a Raphinha don't fit this MO.

 

[King of the Lane]

Neto or Bakayoko for me would be the ideal RWFs. I dont think Raphinha offers much that we dont already have.

Richy's form means we probably dont need a new CF now. So I think someone like Kelly who can play LCB/LB on a free, maybe another DM and a top RWF and our squad is set.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

One thing to note with both Williams and Neto is that both of them are excellent on either flank. They can genuinely perform to a high level on either side. Williams is also very two footed which is even more of a bonus.

Imagine having both of them though, swapping flanks. Dear God I wish dreams came true haha.

 

[Trix]

I still wonder if we will go for Gallagher and even if Chelsea are busted would they really sell for under 35/40? Maybe tbf, i have no clue. I agree tho, personally I'd quite like Bergvall and maybe Devine (if he performs on loan obv) to pick up the slack rather then sign Connor. Best case is obv Richy continuing to look this good. It would take a huge pressure of the summer.

Personally id be looking for a young LB, Patrick Dorgu of Lecce would probably be my choice there even tho he isn't HG, promote Phillips and Devine (depending on how they perform on loan) into the first team squad then put the bulk of our money into the WF positions as its by far the weakest. If Phillips looks a few years off then maybe get Kelly on a free. Oh and back up GK.

I think where my skepticism comes from is simply the amount of money good WF cost, clubs don't usually want to sell them and other teams usually want them. Makes the whole thing far more difficult then getting a young prospect and that can be tricky as it is. Hopefully ffp can make things easier this summer, that is the one thing we do have in our favour.

Thing is I'm a bit torn on it tbh. I watch that 20 minute spell in the second half against Brentford and I wonder if spending big is actually the answer to whatever problems we have. It's coaching and familiarity that is needed above all else because that is where the consistency comes from.

I don't think I want to commit to what we need player wise until Sonny, Biss and Pape are back and we see how he really wants to set us up in midfield and across the front three.

 

[rossdapep]

Thing is I'm a bit torn on it tbh. I watch that 20 minute spell in the second half against Brentford and I wonder if spending big is actually the answer to whatever problems we have. It's coaching and familiarity that is needed above all else because that is where the consistency comes from.

I don't think I want to commit to what we need player wise until Sonny, Biss and Pape are back and we see how he really wants to set us up in midfield and across the front three.

Yeah I think we have suffered as we have had certain players out at certain points so have never been able to play the same group or even rotate them healthily.

More a case of 'these are the options we have this week so we have to make it work.'

From now until the end of the season, and with players returning, this should be a period to see if we can get them to function better.

Shame that Solomon got injured as he may have missed his chance to really bed himself in, we all want a better WF now.

Regarding your opinion abotu spending big, I totally agree, we have a few young players coming through/joining so I am not sure a 'project type' winger is the answer right now, I think we need to go big there and not CM as Bissouma, Sarr, Bentancur, and hopefully Bergvall, will be the main players there.

Nerto should be very high on the list, we aren't winning titles soon by just buying prospects. We need young players who are already doing it.

 

[THOWIG]

Its hard to say at this point who we need as there are too many uncertainties.

But I can see a wing forward and possibly a central/attacking midfielder coming in. Again depends on the likes of Lo Celso, Hojbjerg, Solomon, Werner etc...

I know this is too simplistic, but does this team win the league?

Vicario

Porro
Romero
Van de Ven
Udogie

Bentancur
Bissouma/Sarr
Maddison

Kulusevski
Son
Richarlison

Personally I'm not sure and still think we are lacking top class alternatives in some areas especially IF we have Europe next season.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

We can cross Savio off our shortlist, he’s going to City. Shock.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

We can cross Savio off our shortlist, he’s going to City. Shock.

Omg I’m like soooo surprised . Not sure why they agreed a deal with Girona when technically he belongs to Troyes and only on loan at Girona but I guess they are all City Group teams so it’s much of a muchness. I wonder how much he will cost, I read earlier he’d be €10 mil, I guess they just pay themselves.

I’m going to be very interested to see them start Doku LW and Savio RW, could be devastating.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Omg I’m like soooo surprised . Not sure why they agreed a deal with Girona when technically he belongs to Troyes and only on loan at Girona but I guess they are all City Group teams so it’s much of a muchness I guess. I wonder how much he will cost, I read earlier he’d be €10 mil, I guess they just pay themselves.

I’m going to be very interested to see them start Doku LW and Savio RW, could be devastating.

Pep moving back to having 2 proper wingers.

Hopefully we do the same in the summer.

 

[WiganSpur]

Its hard to say at this point who we need as there are too many uncertainties.

But I can see a wing forward and possibly a central/attacking midfielder coming in. Again depends on the likes of Lo Celso, Hojbjerg, Solomon, Werner etc...

I know this is too simplistic, but does this team win the league?

Vicario

Porro
Romero
Van de Ven
Udogie

Bentancur
Bissouma/Sarr
Maddison

Kulusevski
Son
Richarlison

Personally I'm not sure and still think we are lacking top class alternatives in some areas especially IF we have Europe next season.

Depends on the subs.

To have no excuses about challenging for the league i'd say we need a quality left winger (in the mould of Doku, or Luis Diaz), and a good number 8 (e.g Gallagher or equivalent). Bergvall then is hopefully Lo Celso without the injuries. If there are no takers for GLC then keep him around and let him wind down his deal. Then the only other minor question is whether we can rely on Davies to provide back up to Udogie and Van de Ven. Perhaps we will bring in Kelly to replace him. If Phillips excels in the Championship i'd trust him to be 4th/5th choice as a homegrown option.

WRT Skipp i'd probably look to loan him to a PL team with a view of getting a fee to make a move permanent as I don't think he's a fit.

Something like this:

- Vicario, Forster upgrade, Forster
- Porro, Emerson
- Romero, Dragusin, Van de Ven, Davies, Phillips
- Bissouma, Bentancur, New CM, Bergvall, Sarr, Maddison, GLC?, Devine/Donley
- Kulusevski, Johnson
- New LW, Werner, Solomon,
- Son, Richarlison

Sell Skipp, Sess, PEH, Bryan, Rodon, Spence, Tanguy, Japh, Reguilon, maybe GLC

 

[WiganSpur]

Thing is I'm a bit torn on it tbh. I watch that 20 minute spell in the second half against Brentford and I wonder if spending big is actually the answer to whatever problems we have. It's coaching and familiarity that is needed above all else because that is where the consistency comes from.

I don't think I want to commit to what we need player wise until Sonny, Biss and Pape are back and we see how he really wants to set us up in midfield and across the front three.

It's not that we need to spend big per se - but imo in the wide areas we definitely need someone who offers A) ability to beat players with ease and B) great ball striker and finisher. I can't see those attributes in one player coming cheap. Even playing the kind of football we do there will always be games where this kind of quality will get you out of jail when presented with one chance during a poor display.

Luis Diaz is exactly the profile we need I reckon - no idea who's out there to replicate that.

In midfield I think we can be more flexible. I'd like to see an athletic player come in (either a 6 or an 8). Maybe someone who can cover shit loads of ground and go box to box very quickly.

 

[DJS]

Where do you think we would spend big now(if anywhere)? We are nearly at the point where that is the only way to upgrade on what we have. there has been a lot of talk about CM but I get the feeling Bergvall isn't coming in not to play and go out on loan, so I don't see us going heavy there unless one of our ever-presents go. Richy is looking like he will be hard to upgrade on without spending a ridiculous amount and we are only 2-3 off filling out the squad completely imo.

Bringing back Kane!