January Window

[Kev0909]

One is 20 - the other is 25… One will take a lower wage and be seen as having far more resale potential.

Age and salary the driving factors here. It’s the model. Very few managers can do more than fight for top 4 under those restrictions

Surely we need a Established Centre? especially if konate is off...

I see the vision this dude hopefully being top class in future but... I don't want him starting straight away and eased in... prem is a bit different to the farmers league... hopefully we get another season out of VVD who can teach him some stuff and he can rotate with him and konate.

[Insidious]

Yep as good as this signing is, still think it's a bit of a risk but we'll see.....

Could've done with someone this window to be honest for now, never mind the future, we need the money need top5

I'd definitely welcome a centre-back now too, though with Van Dijk, Konaté, Gomez (imminently) available and Endo if pushed (more games at centre-back than DM for Stuttgart) as an option, I'd be cautiously optimistic that it shouldn't be the Lynchpin upon which our fortunes turn, all being well.

My main concern now would be keeping things tight enough in midfield to protect the back four a bit whilst still managing to keep the goals flowing from Ekitike, Wirtz and whoever else is able to step in and contribute. This would be a glorious time for Gakpo or Salah to find some form, really would.

Our points per game ratio has been too poor - we need to see the back of that 21-points-from-18-games run as we approach "crunch time" in the League.

February is crucial for points, rest and recovery. No Champion's League games to contend with.

Champion's League qualification, as you say, absolutely crucial.

Assessing who is (or isn't) part of our defensive future once we reach the Summer will be fascinating as we do have a number now who are in-and-around U21 etc.

Giovanni Leoni
Ifeanyi Ndukwe
Noah Adekoya
Jérémy Jacquet (unless there's a Lavia/Caicedo)
Wellity Lucky
Carter Pinnington
Amara Nallo
Mor Talla Ndiaye

[Kev0909]

It's odd, especially because they are so reliant on the Van Dijk-Konate partnership. I wouldn't find it as odd if they are only fighting for the Premier League, because they're out of it, but they've got a great chance in the Champions League and they don't really have any cover because Gomez is never fit.

Well said Murphy

it's like we just don't care what happens

P.S arsenal linked to tonali now, what a joke.

[Insidious]

It's odd, especially because they are so reliant on the Van Dijk-Konate partnership. I wouldn't find it as odd if they are only fighting for the Premier League, because they're out of it, but they've got a great chance in the Champions League and they don't really have any cover because Gomez is never fit.

Well said Murphy

it's like we just don't care what happens

P.S arsenal linked to tonali now, what a joke.

Squad make-up will definitely be a factor.

17 non-Homegrown lads means we are "full" there and we might not have access right now to a Home-grown lad that ticks all the right boxes in terms of age, quality, long-term etc.

I imagine we put our feelers quietly to do something like, say, selling Chiesa to free up a space and we have had no takers.

A shame (whatever the circumstances) as we look risky for Top Four/Five and have every chance in Europe, so you'd hope we don't fluff it.

[Kev0909]

Squad make-up will definitely be a factor.

17 non-Homegrown lads means we are "full" there and we might not have access right now to a Home-grown lad that ticks all the right boxes in terms of age, quality, long-term etc.

I imagine we put our feelers quietly to do something like, say, selling Chiesa to free up a space and we have had no takers.

A shame (whatever the circumstances) as we look risky for Top Four/Five and have every chance in Europe, so you'd hope we don't fluff it.

No, it's not that hard Sid you just deregister Ramsay, or get rid- then bring someone in, there's no excuse to risk top 5 and having a shot of champions league.... imagine getting far or going to the last games in the prem for top 5 and having to play Endo and Szob in the back 4.... come on, it's not good enough.

I'd assume Robertson/Chiesa/Endo might be gone in the summer possibly even Konate

Need to buy one of Wharton/Anderson- and try and find a half decent player that can play few positions at the back for cover who's english but it's limited, Livramento would be decent can play lb and rb but newcastle would change a fortune, and he's not worth that.

To be fair if the above 3 goes, that'll open up 3 spots anyway- but depends what happens with jones and gomez.

[jozza800]

For the kind of money we're paying he must be coming in as at least 3rd choice and will likely be pushing Virg and Konate (assuming he is still here) for a first team place.

We don't tend to spend daft money on 'potential'.

[JockStrap]

It's impossible to know when stories have some credibility to them, or if they are just a load of fairytales i.e. made up bs.

What a load of shite

What fucking world do you live in? The source tells you whether a story is reputable or not. Creditable sources do not spread clickbait on X. You know, the shite you read and get your knickers in a twist over.

[JockStrap]

Yes mate it’s everywhere , the deal is done having his medical tomorrow but for the summer of 26,
Everything seems so disorganised , we need people in now eve if on loan to bolster the squad , like you say one more injury and it’s absolute panic stations

We're planning for the future. Signing a 20 year old for £60m is no joke. Everything doesn't have to be about the here and now. If this kid is good enough and we have to wait 6 months, so what?

[JockStrap]

Certainly a good point. It's be interesting to see the comparison in cost over the contracts Geuhi was going to offered and the one Jacket has signed.
Obviously 40m difference in fee is a lot.
The club just don't seem to have been sold on Geuhi.

Do you think Shankly would have signed a player who was flirting with Man City?

[teesred]

Do you think Shankly would have signed a player who was flirting with Man City?

Absolutely not but was he flirting with Man City? Or were they the only club who went in for him. Same with Semenyo. It's been reported that we weren't really interested in Geuhi even in the summer and made a tentative enquiry about Semenyo but no follow up.