Winter Transfer Window Scouting Thread 23/24

[Japhet]

Tbh I would have been more then happy if we went out and got the likes of Nuse, Williams, Soule etc because I think there are players out there that look like they could very much be on their way to being serious talents. They all have something that our squad is lacking even if there talent is still raw. I think at the moment our team has too many gaps to spend big on one position. That being said, if we are going to be looking in the players with high potential bracket then we have to be very convinced they are going to develop into something special. Udogie and VDV are proof that we can have success if we scout well. My concern tho is when we start looking at players because they are maybe HG, a CAA Base connection or due to a opportunity arising rather then being the best possible addition within our budget. Whilst I understand squad building is a puzzle that is never truly finished and sometimes opportunities do arise and HG players are a necessity to balance a team, we can't loose track of what is needed to take the squad to the next level.

We've got a hell of a lot of players to get rid of too and we have to be prepared for some of them to return from loans at some point. Off the top of my head, Lloris, Spence, Dier, Rodon, Perisic, Reguilon. Ndombele, Hojbjerg, Richarlison can all be moved on and then possibly Skipp, Gil and Sessegnon. I've probably missed a few too. There must be a few quid to be had from that lot.

 

[WiganSpur]

Agree.

It is going to be extremely frustrating if we fail to sign a proper 1v1 winger. Until we address this lack of profile our team will continue to have issues particularly against low blocks and we will have a ceiling we can’t break through as a team.

Every top team has a minimum of 1 quality, explosive 1v1 wide player.

If funds are limited we need to get creative about the low blocks problem. I'd be looking at a number 8/10 with a rocket shot on them for instance to replace Hojbjerg and Skipp. Even if they are a limited player, someone who can come off the bench in such games and offer us a different option would be useful. So many times Gareth Bale got us out of the woods against parked buses with some insane worldies 10 years ago.

 

[ukdy]

He’s decent but not the top class option that is required.

Please tell us why you think he's not 'top class'.. or why he wouldn't be 'top class' for us.

Then I'd love to see an example of someone who is 'top class' or would be 'top class' for us... that we could afford, buy/loan in January, that fits into our squad of home grown and non-homegrown, and also all the other data attributes the club use.

Just saying no thanks on the internet, is a bit lazy!

 

[DenverSpur]

I’m going to view all these Italian links with a little suspicion now that we have a new recruitment team in place. If Paratici and Gabianini were still calling the shots then stuff in Calciomaercato might be worth paying attention to.

I suspect we’ll be going after different kinds of targets from here on out.

Paratici is still working for us in a consulting role is he not?

 

[ukdy]

Paratici is still working for us in a consulting role is he not?

Yes.

 

[DenverSpur]

The Godfrey link is bizarre to say the least. Possibly his agent trying to get him a move from Everton where he hasn’t played.

Weren’t we interested in him when he was at Norwich. HG and I think he can play pretty much anywhere along the back 4. He’s played various positions at Everton. He’s unlikely to get much game time at Everton as Dyche doesn’t rotate his CBs

 

[DenverSpur]

I don't think it's bizarre. We're looking for cover and he can play right across the back 4. He young, quick and HG. He doesn't suit a Shaun Dyche team but if Ange thinks he can work for us, why not?

Didn’t see your post so basically posted the same thing. I think for the price he’s a good buy for January.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Please tell us why you think he's not 'top class'.. or why he wouldn't be 'top class' for us.

Then I'd love to see an example of someone who is 'top class' or would be 'top class' for us... that we could afford, buy/loan in January, that fits into our squad of home grown and non-homegrown, and also all the other data attributes the club use.

Just saying no thanks on the internet, is a bit lazy!

I know the question wasn’t for me but I’ll give some reasons why I’m not convinced he’s the exact profile match. First I’ll say that I haven’t watched much of him so I’m going off of a mixture of highlight footage, reports from Chelsea and Juve fans and other opinions on SC.

I’m not convinced he’s got the nimble feet and agility aligned with explosive acceleration that we need to play high up on the wing. He looks a bit bulky and heavy framed. Looks quick when he gets going for sure and can definitely go past players but I’m not convinced he is a 2 way dribbler from a standing start which is what really need.

Added to that he hasn’t got much of a track record of goals and assists though in fairness as it his age that’s not so important as young players can explode numbers wise.

He looks better suited to the inverted LB role from the bits I have seen. Would be happy to take him as Udogie back up and develop him.

Obviously as I said I haven’t watched loads of him but you can generally see what profile of player someone is even from limited footage and while he definitely looks like he can take players on and has power and pace, I’m just not sure he’s got the real key attributes we need (acceleration from a standing start, high level of agility and low centre of gravity, 2 way dribbling ability).

As for top class, I agree with you that top class is going to be extremely difficult to get.

I would suggest the likes of Nusa, Jota and Bakayoko fit the profile we need better though. What their exact ceilings are, I can’t tell you but I think they’d fit our system better on the wing anyway.

 

[Teegart]

Just my gut feeling, but I think our purchase of Johnson was to enable a long term move for Kulusevski as one of the 8s and have Johnson as the RW, able to beat a man with sheer pace and cut the ball back. A staple of Ange’s Celtic side.

Problem being that just now, imo, Ange feels that the depth at CM compared to on the wing, means it’s worth shoehorning Johnson over to LW and bringing in an extra CM, rather than playing Gil. Issue here is neither wants to hit the line, Kulu just refuses to 90% of the time and you can see Johnson is not comfortable crossing with his left. Also, Johnson’s finishing always historically, to me anyway, looked better with power right foot shots across the keeper rather than the weak side foot “curlers” he tried a few times last night.

That’s why I think a one vs one specialist LW is the most important January signing we could make other than a third CB. It would give us far more balance in the attacking third and actually play to everyone’s strengths.

 

[JayB]

I think it's clear that, in addition to another CB, we also need to add (1) the ability to pick a lock and create chances against low blocks, and (2) goalscoring. We're currently too reliant on Maddison for the former and Son for the latter.

Perhaps a single top-class LWF could add both attributes but if we aren't willing to invest the fee that would be required for such a player, then we need both a skillful winger who can carve out chances and a No. 9 to replace the misfiring Richarlison, IMO.

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

Weren’t we interested in him when he was at Norwich. HG and I think he can play pretty much anywhere along the back 4. He’s played various positions at Everton. He’s unlikely to get much game time at Everton as Dyche doesn’t rotate his CBs

So why would he be good enough for us?

 

[rossdapep]

Just my gut feeling, but I think our purchase of Johnson was to enable a long term move for Kulusevski as one of the 8s and have Johnson as the RW, able to beat a man with sheer pace and cut the ball back. A staple of Ange’s Celtic side.

Problem being that just now, imo, Ange feels that the depth at CM compared to on the wing, means it’s worth shoehorning Johnson over to LW and bringing in an extra CM, rather than playing Gil. Issue here is neither wants to hit the line, Kulu just refuses to 90% of the time and you can see Johnson is not comfortable crossing with his left. Also, Johnson’s finishing always historically, to me anyway, looked better with power right foot shots across the keeper rather than the weak side foot “curlers” he tried a few times last night.

That’s why I think a one vs one specialist LW is the most important January signing we could make other than a third CB. It would give us far more balance in the attacking third and actually play to everyone’s strengths.

Excellent point.

I was wondering why are we getting linked to Jota when we are already stacked on the left but it does actually make sense now you mention that.

I noted earlier that Ange has his hands tied with the wingers cause no-one can play on the right other than Deki and noone on the left can play the inverted role on the other side effectively.

But I guess Jota could play left, Johnson right and Deki and Maddison linking closer in the middle.

 

[Japhet]

So why would he be good enough for us?

I'd assume the scouting and data analysis bods know what Ange wants.

 

[DenverSpur]

So why would he be good enough for us?

Because he’s not a bad player and he’s cover for numerous positions at the back.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

I think I’d go for Jota on loan with an option and then go for Johan Bakayoko for RW.

Move Deki inside to midfield permanently and just use him wide for certain matches.

On Bakayoko, he is still young (only 20) and has a lot of developing to do but he is good 1v1 and his left foot is a wand. He does go outside too but could work on being even more 2 way. He is more 2 way than anyone we’ve got though and he’s more dangerous imo.

He has also played in the CL for PSV this season so he’s had good experience of high level football (rather than just Eredivisie). He was also good in the Europa league for them last season too.

I think he has the raw tools to develop really well under Ange.

Some footage here for those who haven’t watched him:

 

[guy]

I think I’d go for Jota on loan with an option and then go for Johan Bakayoko for RW.

Move Deki inside to midfield permanently and just use him wide for certain matches.

On Bakayoko, he is still young (only 20) and has a lot of developing to do but he is good 1v1 and his left foot is a wand. He does go outside too but could work on being even more 2 way. He is more 2 way than anyone we’ve got though and he’s more dangerous imo.

He has also played in the CL for PSV this season so he’s had good experience of high level football (rather than just Eredivisie). He was also good in the Europa league for them last season too.

I think he has the raw tools to develop really well under Ange.

Some footage here for those who haven’t watched him:

He certainly looks like he could be a doku/saka style explosive winger. Stats wise he lines up with those two, he leans more heavily on the assists side though.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

He certainly looks like he could be a doku/saka style explosive winger. Stats wise he lines up with those two, he leans more heavily on the assists side though.

Yeah he needs to score more but he’s only 20 years old and not many wingers are scoring loads at that age.

He also has good ball striking etc so I think he can definitely become the type of winger who can get double figures goals and assists.

 

[Japhet]

I think I’d go for Jota on loan with an option and then go for Johan Bakayoko for RW.

Move Deki inside to midfield permanently and just use him wide for certain matches.

On Bakayoko, he is still young (only 20) and has a lot of developing to do but he is good 1v1 and his left foot is a wand. He does go outside too but could work on being even more 2 way. He is more 2 way than anyone we’ve got though and he’s more dangerous imo.

He has also played in the CL for PSV this season so he’s had good experience of high level football (rather than just Eredivisie). He was also good in the Europa league for them last season too.

I think he has the raw tools to develop really well under Ange.

Some footage here for those who haven’t watched him:

Very impressive. i think Kulu just has to Duke it out with him for the RW position though. Can't see him getting into our midfield much when all are fit though, especially with Donley and Devine near to breakthroughs too.

 

[djhotspur]

I just don't agree with this at all, not because I think Spurs would ever spend £100m on a player (I highly doubt it), but more because it's very clear that you do not need to spend that sort of money to bring in top class players. Bentancur for £15m is the perfect example, when fit a potentially world class midfielder for a snip.

Yeah for every bentacur there’s an average cheap player or a flopp. How many cheap forwards have we signed and how many have worked out?

 

[Hoddle&Waddle]

I'd assume the scouting and data analysis bods know what Ange wants.

Bit of a risky strategy signing players that are not good enough for Everton.

A loan I could understand.