Think the 2 strikers you mention will probably be seen as too expensive personally. And I wouldn’t pay a great deal for either of them - although I like the Coventry lad as a player. I’d sooner have Semenyo though if we are spending money. Han-Noah Massengo is one I’d look out for us being linked with. I suspect Lewis Ferguson and Josh Doig links will resurface again too. And I’d be all over Seri for sure. Seemed to regain a foothold (to an extent) in English football last season after flattering to deceive upon arrival. He’s nowhere near his initial promise but it’s a Gino-type move for sure. But I expect bigger parties on the continent will be well up the list of suitors. Probably unpopular - but I’d take Chalobah back from Fulham in heartbeat.
Since Reading are under pressure to adhere to FFP, I wonder could we get Joao on the cheap? Gyokeres had a great season but had a reputation for being a bit of a donkey previously, suspect Massengo will be too expensive, suspect we've missed the boat on the two young Scots, and I also think Seri will have top flight suitors all over Europe too. I don't know about Chalobah, had a mediocre first half to last season with us, then was one of the best midfielders in the division for a few months, and has hardly played at Fulham...were those few months a flash in the pan? Is Chalobah actually a busted flush?
Semenyo is a good shout. Seems like a very talented player. Agree re Qyokeres. Don't think Joao would be that expensive considering his contract(at least according to transfermarkt ends in 2023)+Reading have financial troubles. Agree re Seri. Chalobah, I wouldn't like tbf. He's been poor for Fulham.
Ooh, juicy! Massengo seems like just what we need, and Ferguson and Doig seem to got their heads down and carried on where they left off. Is Doig more of a full-back or a wing-back?
Of all the criticism of players I've seen here over the years, "runs like a muppet" might be my favourite. I can just envision our fans shouting this at him after we give up a third to Bristol City. (And yet, yes, you are right, that's such a weird running style!)
I’m not sure about Massengo. I think he could blossom into a skilful player and is still very young but he hasn’t really kicked on in Bristol. I also think that we don’t really need his profile of midfielder - he would seem to be an alternative to Louza as the midfielder linking play/progressing the ball. I think we need more of a ballwinner type. For a low fee he’d definitely be worth a punt though.
Why? I'm not sure such a long-term project would be the best use of a large chunk our limited funds again. Why would we be interested in Doig? He does not seem particularly suited to a LWB.
I don't think any of these rumours matter, I honestly think Gino's first thought is to ask Bayat and that's terrifying.
Admittedly he did ok there to. He did sign a new contract, so just on that I'd say Lee Buchanan was a better option
Just passing on credible info. It’s not really me you should be questioning if you are don’t like the links.
I’m not totally sure on the fit of each of Ferguson, Massengo and Doig though could make a case for all of them if the price is right. These are players with interesting skill sets who should only improve and are still very young. If we’re looking at a two year project/process then these are all perfect and probably preferable to the likes of say Seri who may offer more quality on day 1.
Played as much at left midfield as he has at left back this season The club will probably see it differently, but for me I don't think we should prioritise promotion at all costs next season, if we do, then great, but I'd like us to sign players like Doig and Ferguson (if we can!), let them grow, and then hopefully push on in 23/24, because the way I see it, it'll be very difficult to fully adapt to what Edwards wants without all the old players gracefully moving on
Young full-backs in the Scottish Premiership 21/22 - data analysis (totalfootballanalysis.com) Not that in depth as it's not just about Doig, but this seems fairly encouraging:
Any pickings from the soon to be rotting carcass of the Burnley squad? I am thinking among the also runs not the Cornets and Popes. Like the recruitment of Gosling, players who are short term fixes.
Bit rich to call Burnley a rotting corpse. Yes they have some financial issues due to the takeover but they got 12 more points than us and Pozzo has &&&&ed our finances as well with his ineptitude.
Premier league players to loan Final lot for now. Potential loanees are difficult ones as there's less public knowledge about many of the players. Cole Palmer - Man City - CAM - seems very talented, but they might well hold on to him next season. James McAtee - Man City - CAM - seems quite good but there could well be other preferable more immediate choices for the CAM position he plays. Liam Delap - Man City - ST (one you missed out on your list) - from what I gather of the attacking Man City youth prospects I reckon Delap is potentially the most useful while also likely being available. Whether it's worthwhile might depend which other strikers it would be obtainable, but still, he could be a good signing. I'm not sure what his pressing is like (just considering Edwards' style)? Romeo Lavia - Man City - DM - seems very highly rated but I'd guess to early for him. CJ Egan-Riley - Man City - CB - seems a good player and to be ready. Maybe a bit small for a CB still? Could be alright in a back 3 though. Charlie Patino - Arsenal - CM - don't think he's ready yet. Daniel Ballard - Arsenal - CB - Could be worthwhile as a loan with a view to purchase. Millwall fans think he's destined to bigger things, albeit from what I've seen he seems maybe a bit prone to getting bullied at present. Xavier Mbuyamba - Chelsea - CB - weird he's got zero minutes anywhere at 20. Doesn't seem promising. Ian Maatsen - Chelsea - CB - isn't he more a LB/ML? Doesn't seem to have been particularly great at Coventry, though oddly strongly linked to Dortmund as a backup there. Dujon Sterling - Chelsea - RB - not done that well at Blackpool. Harvey White - Spurs - DM - would be surprised if either are the standard we need Alfie Devine - Spurs - CM - still 17 Joe Rodon - Spurs - CB - no chance in Champ Aji Alese - West Ham - CB - not sure he's as highly rated as others here Ainsley Maitland-Niles - Arsenal - RB/RM - no chance in Champ Omar Rekik - Arsenal - CB - unlikely to be up to standard Folarin Balogun - Arsenal - ST - was supposedly underwhelming at Boro Tyler Morton - Liverpool - CB/DM - Garner vibes. Seems well regarded but likely still too much of a shrinking violet.
Does it really seem "fairly encouraging"?! His final ball seems mediocre for a LWB, and he likely lacks aerial ability to be a LCB. Worth remembering that it's a comparison vs other Scottish PL full-backs, and the SPL is already crap and on average worse than the Champ.
We are in the 2022/2023 “seeding” stage. He’ll name about 200 players so chances are we’ll be linked with one down the line and he’ll be able to quote his earlier premonition
To be fair @lowerrous is just giving his takes on the players suggested by @Markoa$ which I think is helpful and interesting even though I disagree strongly with about 1/3 of his opinions on the players named.
I’m joking. I find it interesting as well. It’s just his quoting of himself 6 months down the line that amuses me.
Didnt Mbuyamba came from barca and has had mins in Chelsea under 21s so could just be settling into English football? Ian won Coventry player of the year and plays lb or wing back? dujon has been praised within Chelsea so could be a slow burner.
He was their 'young player of the year', which is often a fairly easy title to win when there's not much competition.
I read a report that they must repay a £65 million loan this year, and have 9 first teamers out of contract. If that’s right I think their squad is going to implode. They have only Pope and Cornet to sell. It’s all relative, but I suspect they are in a worse position than us to have a chance to rebuild effectively in the close season. selected because it’s not behind a pay wall https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...nless-right-calls-are-made-in-critical-summer
I read that the £65m repayment of capital is accelerated and must be paid back in two payments within a financial year of relegation so it might be that they are only paying back £30m or so so not quite as dire. The 9 first framers out of contract for the most part are older players who were on PL wages (though obviously Tarkowski too) so while that means they have a big rebuild on their hands that is also an opportunity to build a new squad, rather like Crystal Palace last season. Of course the financial constraints with the capital repayment should make that difficult for them. In sum, they are in a bad state and their immediate financial situation is worse than ours but I don’t think they are quite a rotting corpse.
Well I don't think he'll be playing LCB in fairness, and most of his stats are pretty good. Besides, he's 20 and can still improve, if he were already a star at everything we wouldn't be even in the hunt to sign him!
Apparently Cornet has a £17.5m relegation clause in his contract too. I'm sure they'd have liked to get a bit more for him than that, especially as he has a way to go on his contract with them and there's likely to be competition for his signature.
Yeah I’d agree right now they are in a worse position (even though it’s not their fault). If we don’t bounce back I think we will be in an even worse spot next year or the year after mind.
Sure he can still improve, but in the near future we need to be a top team in the Championship - that's unlikely to happen with players whose stats are basically average in a worse league.
Ryan fredericks available on a free now. Wouldn’t be a bad ten option and likely to be sensible wages etc wise
