You can probably rule out any players whose contracts don't expire soon due to them likely costing too much, and also those at clubs qualified for Europe. I also doubt we'd sign any more LWBs. That leaves: - Stipe Radic - 21, CB, Beerschot - 2023 - Beerschot relegated so likely available. Might have some promise, left-footed, not a slouch, but still very raw; 2 red cards this season. - Taichi Hara - 23, ST, St.Truiden (Alaves) - 2023 - was on loan from Alaves who just got relegated from La Liga. Could also have some promise, but might lack the kind of work rate and determination Edwards might be after. - Selim Amallah - 25, CAM, S.Liege - 2023 - our current two Moroccan internationals have hardly been roaring successes so far; he doesn't seem likely to change that trend. - Dino Hotic - 26, CM/CAM, C.Brugge - 2023 - Seems to take a good set-piece. Can't seem to see that he does much else on the pitch though, could end up a bit of a passenger. There are lots of other potential CAMs currently in the market as well.
Interesting article today about Everton's expensive approach to buying players, and how they need to gamble a bit on lesser known players (like Richarlison) rather than pay a team like us a big fees. I would say they have "gambled" but on big money signings. And there's us wishing we didn't continuously bring in so many "cheap variant" players that rarely work out for us.. There's probably a sensible compromise there somewhere.....
None of the teams @Markoa$ has listed qualified for Europe except for Brugges. Not too sure why you’ve excluded so many others. Of his list only Lucumi seems genuinely unattainable and Agbadou, Preveljak and Amallah all linked previously. Bayat is very well connected at Eupen and Charleroi but the two lads who were at Mechelen - Cuypers and Souza - would be perfect. Edit: The Brugges mentioned is Cercle Brugge who haven’t qualified for Europe unlike their more illustrious neighbours.
C.Brugge didn’t qualify either. It’s Cercle Brugge, not Club Brugge. Edit: This is why you read the whole post before replying. My apologies.
We were linked with Prevljak last summer on promotion to the PL and Agbadou in Jan (also while still just about in the Prem). I hadn't spotted that Prevljak's contract was also up in 2023 though - he's one who could actually be good in the Champ if possible. With the rest as I say I really don't see us paying the money to sign anyone whose contract isn't up soon unless they're at a lower league club.
I think the vast majority of Belgian League players at these lesser clubs are available to anyone paying £3-4m at most, regardless of contract length.
Ilay zabarnyi tonight vs Scotland looked really good. Not sure how many people will be going after him.
Good to have a Watford fan (and former club employee from the GT era) reporting on the club for the Wobby, even if only temporarily: https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/20183926.emmanuel-dennis-closest-leaving-watford/
Got to say I think that was a really strong article - much clearer and more substantive than the vast majority of coverage we’ve seen on Watford in recent years. It’s telling.
Oh FFS - Athletic invent a fabricated number and other outlets pick it up. Before long it becomes the truth. "The winger cost £28m when he joined from Rennes in 2019, and although his form was patchy last season, club officials are set on at least recouping what they paid."
Thought that too, although to be fair to him Ryan Gray seemed to have found some sources near the end of his time and had started to reverse the trend of the last decade of the opposite of what the Wobby said coming true.
Udinese have a great record with GK’s. Maybe a lazy appointment but on the face of it, it’s not a bad one. Certainly better than the one who has left us who seemed totally incapable of ironing out Bachmann’s or Foster’s flaws.
I get the feeling the guy who just left let the keepers do what they like. Foster basically did his own thing on the pitch and his kicking seriously regressed, Bachmann has shown no improvement and Elliot has lost all discipline judging by the size of him now. At least Brunner has Okoye to work with, he might be able to make a decent keeper out of him.
If he can get Bachmann to venture off his line as well, then we have 2 decent options. Although both poor with ball at their feet so that'll need work too.
Bachmann was pretty good with his feet in the Champ last time round - no idea what happened to his passing last season.
Yer just feels lazy… any idea who they have got to replace him at Udinese? Just hope they realise that Bach and Elliot need to go as they ship them off.
Thomas Henry being mentioned today. Elche still on Cucho Sanderson who was on loan at Sunderland could be on the move from Wolves. Edwards had him in the U23S at Wolves so will know all about his qualities.
As good as done. French ✅ Played in Belgium ✅ Left OH Leuven to play in Serie A ✅ Scored against Udinese ✅ Venezia relegated so will be cheap ✅ Target Man ✅ 5 yr deal so he’s here until 33 ✅
Prefer his long-lost cousin Thierry, but on paper, this guy looks like he could do a job in the Championship
As many people have stated already, along with Adam’s financial article yesterday, we’re going to loan players from Udinese. So here are our options; Ebosele or Soppy Larsen - leaving on a free, wouldn’t be surprised to see him here. Arslan - contract expiring but Udinese have option of further year. Samardzic Palumbo Lovric Lasagna - Verona do have an obligation to buy with conditions, so this is highly doubtful. Just depends on what those conditions are which is the only reason why I’ve included him.
Fits the system down to a tee and a very good striker. Be surprised if he wanted to drop a level and I’d be surprised if we paid the fee they want. But he’d score 18-20+ comfortably imo
Where has he been mentioned? He'd be a good signing. Sanderson was on loan at Brum and QPR last season, and didn't particularly impress at either. He doesn't seem good enough for us.
