Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Somniloquism on March 24, 2026, 10:33:31 PM
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Probably close enough to June to use its own thread for signings rather then the Winter one.
Aston Villa are among several Premier League clubs considering a move for Paris St-Germain's Senegal forward Ibrahim Mbaye, 18, this summer. (Sky Sports)
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"We'll be sitting in the Holte cheering Mbaye,
Watching defenders roll away...."
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They’re on about us being skint again in the Daily Heil.
Wilson, Sancho, Sinesi, Mingueza on frees? Dougie and Mbaye in?
Guessand, Malen and Elliott out?
Senesi being linked again today.
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They’re on about us being skint again in the Daily Heil.
Wilson, Sancho, Sinesi, Mingueza on frees? Dougie and Mbaye in?
Guessand, Malen and Elliott out?
Senesi being linked again today.
Barrenechea out as well, really. Might well see us looking to move on Dobbin and Iling-Junior as well.
Senesi and Mingueza in would likely mean a couple of defenders going out.
I wouldn't be surprised if we're open to offers for Bailey and Buendia as well, so it might be a busy summer.
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Think it depends on how we do for the rest of the season - going in to the Champions League having just won the Europa League and finishing 3rd in the PL (i.e. looking like an outside shot for Champions League winners) is a very different proposition from finishing 6th & getting knocked out of the QF of the Europa League to a mid-table Serie A side.
Definite outs:
Guessand, Malen, Elliott, Sancho, Barrenechea. Quite probably one or both of Buendia and Bailey. Should get us about £50m-£60m (assuming nothing from the 2 loans, very little from Bailey & Buendia, and pre-agreed fees for the others). There's a few players who clearly aren't going to make it with us (Dobbin, Iling-Junior, Gauci, Ned, ..), so if we can punt all of those out for £10m or so combined that'll probably represent decent business for us.
Can't see us letting go of many/any of the current first team if I'm honest.
Definite ins:
Dougie is the only one I think we'll definitely get. At the price - what is it? £20m? - he's a bargain. We're not going to find a better player at that price point.
Probably wages will be more of a thing than transfer fees, so can see us going for young & promising rather than free transfers (at least ones that are likely to come with big wages attached). Assuming the UEFA sanctions are lifted, of course. But maybe that's why we've been holding off playing Elliot ... no way can we spend 70% of our transfer budget on 1 player when realistically over the next few years we're going to have to completely overhaul the majority of our first team.
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Think it depends on how we do for the rest of the season - going in to the Champions League having just won the Europa League and finishing 3rd in the PL (i.e. looking like an outside shot for Champions League winners) is a very different proposition from finishing 6th & getting knocked out of the QF of the Europa League to a mid-table Serie A side.
Definite outs:
Guessand, Malen, Elliott, Sancho, Barrenechea. Quite probably one or both of Buendia and Bailey. Should get us about £50m-£60m (assuming nothing from the 2 loans, very little from Bailey & Buendia, and pre-agreed fees for the others). There's a few players who clearly aren't going to make it with us (Dobbin, Iling-Junior, Gauci, Ned, ..), so if we can punt all of those out for £10m or so combined that'll probably represent decent business for us.
Can't see us letting go of many/any of the current first team if I'm honest.
Definite ins:
Dougie is the only one I think we'll definitely get. At the price - what is it? £20m? - he's a bargain. We're not going to find a better player at that price point.
Probably wages will be more of a thing than transfer fees, so can see us going for young & promising rather than free transfers (at least ones that are likely to come with big wages attached). Assuming the UEFA sanctions are lifted, of course. But maybe that's why we've been holding off playing Elliot ... no way can we spend 70% of our transfer budget on 1 player when realistically over the next few years we're going to have to completely overhaul the majority of our first team.
Maybe we can ask juve for another loan of dougie to save money? So we can spend the money on another position
As good as barkley has been he is unreliable. Only plays half a season.would happily take dougie as a replacement otherwise.
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I believe the prearranged fees for those account for about £70m on their own.
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I am not one to gossip but massive dependent on ECL qualification. £50m minimum income difference assuming we win 3 or 4 matches.
Other unknown is Rogers who we could glean well over 100m + for - whether he wants to stay.
Out
Of the established ones - Bailes and Buendia. I think Digne and probably Watkins and Emi are all likely departures. Those 3 are high earners but depends on who comes in for them.
In
Trafford would be a good shout to replace Emi IMO but anyone filling those boots is gonna be hard for all concerned. Other than that no idea if I am being honest. Depends on Emerv - I thought Elliot was a great fit and Lindelof an expensive stocking filler.
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This is going back to the time when we were delighted to get Kevin Philips as our only signing.
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Think it depends on how we do for the rest of the season - going in to the Champions League having just won the Europa League and finishing 3rd in the PL (i.e. looking like an outside shot for Champions League winners) is a very different proposition from finishing 6th & getting knocked out of the QF of the Europa League to a mid-table Serie A side.
Definite outs:
Guessand, Malen, Elliott, Sancho, Barrenechea. Quite probably one or both of Buendia and Bailey. Should get us about £50m-£60m (assuming nothing from the 2 loans, very little from Bailey & Buendia, and pre-agreed fees for the others). There's a few players who clearly aren't going to make it with us (Dobbin, Iling-Junior, Gauci, Ned, ..), so if we can punt all of those out for £10m or so combined that'll probably represent decent business for us.
Can't see us letting go of many/any of the current first team if I'm honest.
Definite ins:
Dougie is the only one I think we'll definitely get. At the price - what is it? £20m? - he's a bargain. We're not going to find a better player at that price point.
Probably wages will be more of a thing than transfer fees, so can see us going for young & promising rather than free transfers (at least ones that are likely to come with big wages attached). Assuming the UEFA sanctions are lifted, of course. But maybe that's why we've been holding off playing Elliot ... no way can we spend 70% of our transfer budget on 1 player when realistically over the next few years we're going to have to completely overhaul the majority of our first team.
Maybe we can ask juve for another loan of dougie to save money? So we can spend the money on another position
As good as barkley has been he is unreliable. Only plays half a season.would happily take dougie as a replacement otherwise.
Maybe as a straight replacement for Barkley, but that's about it. Would say he's behind Tielemans and Onana in the 'number 8' position. What we really need is a back-up to Kamara in that defensive midfielder position as we haven't got another player like that. Unfortunately Bogarde hasn't really taken his chance, so I'd be looking to sign that type of player rather than Luiz really.
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Aston Villa ‘very attentive’ to 27-year-old – Want him, will get big discount on clause
Aston Villa’s long-standing interest in Pedro Gonçalves is back in the conversation again, with fresh claims from Portugal suggesting the Premier League club remain attentive to the Sporting CP attacker.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-very-attentive-to-27-year-old-want-him-will-get-big-discount-on-clause/
Can we finally buy this guy
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Aston Villa eye 18-year-old Ligue 1 sensation in bold summer plan
Aston Villa are interested in signing the highly talented PSG attacker Ibrahim Mbaye at the end of the season.
According to a report from Sky Sports, the 18-year-old has attracted the attention of the Premier League club, and Aston Villa are hoping to get the deal done in the coming weeks.
&t=153s
Should be our number one target
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Aston Villa ahead of Newcastle United in Gabriel Sara race
Aston Villa have leapfrogged Newcastle United in the pursuit of Galatasaray midfield mainstay Gabriel Sara.
Gabriel Sara looks set to return to England in the near future, as he has emerged as a potential target for multiple Premier League clubs following his impressive performances for Galatasaray.
The media said we were looking at him last year.
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^^ Quite a reel for an 18-year-old.
Edit: I meant the Mbaye one. By the time I posted the Sara one had appeared.
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Aston Villa Lead Chase for €25M-Rated Sunderland Attacker
Aston Villa Plans a Surprise Move to Sign Brian Brobbey
For Sunderland, the outstanding performances this season from several of their players have put them on the radar of various clubs interested in potentially acquiring some of them for the next season.
https://www.si.com/soccer/sunderland/sunderland-nation-transfers/aston-villa-lead-chase-for-25m-rated-sunderland-attacker-01kmkbqza9re
Noooooooooooooooo
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Is that the fella who did well against us for AZ?
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That was Pavlidis. Brobbey is the one who looked grindingly mediocre when we played Ajax.
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Brobbey’s a tough one.
I actually think he could be a good fit for us, but not as a main starter.
What Sunderland would want wouldn’t make it a great deal for what would be, initially, a back up
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^^ Quite a reel for an 18-year-old.
Edit: I meant the Mbaye one. By the time I posted the Sara one had appeared.
I think that video is a bit out of date ans is from when he was 17.
To me he looks like a very good, but very 'normal' young winger in that he's quick and has a decent trick which has made him stand out at youth level but he now needs to learn how to adapt to senior football where the defenders are quick enough and experienced enough to nullify those advantages. If he does that he can be special, if not he'll be another who gets stuck at being decent with the odd great game. If the price is right I'd still take him but I think I'd prefer us to put that sort of time into Burrowes who I reckon has similar potential.
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Have to be honest, only links I've really liked so far are Senesi and Wilson.
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Have to be honest, only links I've really liked so far are Senesi and Wilson.
Gonçalves would be a superb replacement for Buendia, he'd be top of the list for me of everyone that's been linked.
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Where we finish (and what we qualify for) is crucial; last summer it felt like we had a plan for staying in the Champions League only and spent most of the summer running around with no aim.
Hopefully this year we’ve a blend of targets who are gettable based on being in the Champions League, those who are focus regardless of what European competition we are in, and those for Europa league only etc.
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Have to be honest, only links I've really liked so far are Senesi and Wilson.
Gonçalves would be a superb replacement for Buendia, he'd be top of the list for me of everyone that's been linked.
Yeah i like him too. Wont be cheap but a good player and knows where the back of the net is
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Brobbey seems to thrive on roughing up defenders and attacking crosses. The latter doesn't seem like a thing we do much of.
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Brobbey’s a tough one.
I actually think he could be a good fit for us, but not as a main starter.
What Sunderland would want wouldn’t make it a great deal for what would be, initially, a back up
£17.3m plus £4.3m in add-ons on a 5 year contract. Swap deal for Tammy or Watkins?
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This is going back to the time when we were delighted to get Kevin Philips as our only signing.
He was very disappointing afterwards. Errik Bakke around then too, grim!
Was it Lamberts last transfer window we went deep into the bargain basement? Cole, Senderos, Richardson et al
All going well it would be great to get the Luiz deal done early. Pre season going to be disrupted with the WC hangover so good to have midfield sorted early.
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I'd forgotten Senderos played for us. Fucking hell.
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Seem to recall he and Vlaar looked like a pretty decent partnership for about three games until one, or both of them got injured.
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Yeah, the signing of Senderos was greeted with a sub-euphoric response, but he was mostly fine, IIRC. Think he might have scored our winner at Anfield once.
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Yeah, I don't remember him being bad, I just don't remember him. Ally Cissokho and Carlos Sanchez, however...
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Aston Villa eye 18-year-old Ligue 1 sensation in bold summer plan
Aston Villa are interested in signing the highly talented PSG attacker Ibrahim Mbaye at the end of the season.
According to a report from Sky Sports, the 18-year-old has attracted the attention of the Premier League club, and Aston Villa are hoping to get the deal done in the coming weeks.
&t=153s
Should be our number one target
Him and Brian should reduce our average age considerably! Nothing like a bit of youthful exuberance in the attacking line to get behind defences and get the crowd on their feet.
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Although by the time Brian is cleared to play for us........
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Seem to recall he and Vlaar looked like a pretty decent partnership for about three games until one, or both of them got injured.
I'd forgotten all about it, but this sounds about right. Stirs something anyway, whereas if you nudged me toward the contributions of Bret Holman I'd laugh.
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Take a bow Big Phil. Should have scored, helped his defensive partner who also had a great game, but importantly used all of his experience, savvy and muscle to harass and intimidate Balotelli who has historically killed us. We'd be rightly fucked off if the opposition CB treated our main forward like that, but by the end he completely nullified a major threat . Well done and huge reason for our great start this season.
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You must have access to a special search function on this site Dave, because when I use it I'm presented with dead ferrets, a kick in the testicles and a message saying "hahaha, you fucking dick. Imagine searching for that."
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Not saying we should sign these players, but expecting things will be tight for another 12 months: Mingueza, Senesi and Wilson on frees seem logical
Pau and Martinez out seem logical
Try and get Trafford and Nic Jackson in on loan
If we’ve got some money then Bergvall will be a target surely
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I don't see anything logical or likely that Pau gets shunted out.
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I don't see anything logical or likely that Pau gets shunted out.
Not sure he's still the teachers pet either. No harm maybe.
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That was Pavlidis. Brobbey is the one who looked grindingly mediocre when we played Ajax.
Yeah, Ajax, it was him I was thinking about. Although I seem to remember him causing us problems. Maybe it was someone else I was thinking of after all.
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I don't see anything logical or likely that Pau gets shunted out.
Seconded. At his best he’s a very good CB with excellent ball playing skills. We will be replacing Ty at the end of the season too can’t see us ripping up the whole back line e.
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Sell Pau. We could probably get a couple of million for Youri let’s sell him as well…..
We are many times better as a time with Pau at defence, he’s crucial to how we play. We’d be unable to replace him with without spending more on a younger version.
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Senesi's more likely a replacement for Mings isn't he?
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Selling Pau would be an error. He’s integral to us when we play well.
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I don't see anything logical or likely that Pau gets shunted out.
No! We’re so much better when he plays. We just been good cover as he seems a little fragile and needs the rest.
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Half watching the Wales game, Wilson is quicker than I remember and could be ideal for us. Therefore we'll sign him on big money and be utter shite.
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Half watching the Wales game, Wilson is quicker than I remember and could be ideal for us. Therefore we'll sign him on big money and be utter shite.
Mustapha Hadji just needs a run of games.
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Half watching the Wales game, Wilson is quicker than I remember and could be ideal for us. Therefore we'll sign him on big money and be utter shite.
Mustapha Hadji just needs a run of games.
He'll be on fire once we've signed his mate Kachloul/Ampadu
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And a H&Ver sells him a piano.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
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Don't forget The Unsworth (I thought B6 was in Cheshire) and The Balaban (the video looked good)...
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Don't forget The Unsworth (I thought B6 was in Cheshire) and The Balaban (the video looked good)...
Doh. How could I forget those two spectacular examples?
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Seem to recall he and Vlaar looked like a pretty decent partnership for about three games until one, or both of them got injured.
I'd forgotten all about it, but this sounds about right. Stirs something anyway, whereas if you nudged me toward the contributions of Bret Holman I'd laugh.
Scored in a 1-1 draw against QPR I think. I'd forgotten about him though.
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Seem to recall he and Vlaar looked like a pretty decent partnership for about three games until one, or both of them got injured.
I'd forgotten all about it, but this sounds about right. Stirs something anyway, whereas if you nudged me toward the contributions of Bret Holman I'd laugh.
Scored in a 1-1 draw against QPR I think. I'd forgotten about him though.
Scored a stunner vrs Norwich
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
What category is The Emile Heskey…??
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Aston Villa will also move for Rashford if they fail to sign England forward Jadon Sancho, 26, who is on loan from Manchester United but out of contract this summer. (SportsBoom)
- SportsBoom????
Barcelona and Spain left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, is attracting interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Sunderland could face a battle to keep on-loan RB Leipzig utility player Lutsharel Geertruida, 25, at the club next term, with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Crystal Palace all interested in the Netherlands international. (Teamtalk)
A few links. Two sites are definite clickbait places. Not sure on Mundo Deportivo's links but I can't see us beating the other two teams if they are interested.
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Don't forget The Unsworth (I thought B6 was in Cheshire) and The Balaban (the video looked good)...
'The Coutinho' where the selling club halves its asking price and we think we've pulled their pants down, but it turns out to be an expensive mistake.
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Aston Villa will also move for Rashford if they fail to sign England forward Jadon Sancho, 26, who is on loan from Manchester United but out of contract this summer. (SportsBoom)
- SportsBoom????
Barcelona and Spain left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, is attracting interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Sunderland could face a battle to keep on-loan RB Leipzig utility player Lutsharel Geertruida, 25, at the club next term, with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Crystal Palace all interested in the Netherlands international. (Teamtalk)
A few links. Two sites are definite clickbait places. Not sure on Mundo Deportivo's links but I can't see us beating the other two teams if they are interested.
I'd also be surprised if another expensive young left-back is where we'd be focusing our limited transfer abilities this summer.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
The Juninho (“in the ground”)
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The Louie Barry - Speculate to sell on.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
We’ve had quite a few players who’ve joined, left, joined again. Staunton, Young, Gray, Cowans… Is that the boomerang category?
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I know I'm in a minority, but if we had of signed Carton Palmer at the time, we'd have won the league that year. He was exactly what we needed
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
The Mathieu Berson ("Chase him for more than year and then never play him")
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
The Mathieu Berson ("Chase him for more than year and then never play him")
Ahhh. Berson. The best player on the pitch in a 3-0 defeat away at Boro. Which is all I remember of him.
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Aston Villa will also move for Rashford if they fail to sign England forward Jadon Sancho, 26, who is on loan from Manchester United but out of contract this summer. (SportsBoom)
- SportsBoom????
Barcelona and Spain left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, is attracting interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Aston Villa. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Sunderland could face a battle to keep on-loan RB Leipzig utility player Lutsharel Geertruida, 25, at the club next term, with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton, Tottenham and Crystal Palace all interested in the Netherlands international. (Teamtalk)
A few links. Two sites are definite clickbait places. Not sure on Mundo Deportivo's links but I can't see us beating the other two teams if they are interested.
I'd also be surprised if another expensive young left-back is where we'd be focusing our limited transfer abilities this summer.
Nothing would surprise me when it comes to Villa and fullbacks.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
We’ve had quite a few players who’ve joined, left, joined again. Staunton, Young, Gray, Cowans… Is that the boomerang category?
I still find it hard to believe Axel Tuanzebe has joined us 3 separate times. Such a non-entity of a player.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
We’ve had quite a few players who’ve joined, left, joined again. Staunton, Young, Gray, Cowans… Is that the boomerang category?
I still find it hard to believe Axel Tuanzebe has joined us 3 separate times. Such a non-entity of a player.
I don’t get why he didn’t try to force a move to us at the end of the 2018-19 season.
He was still in his early 20s at the time. With our inevitable squad churn that summer, we’d have signed him just to keep a bit of consistency (rather than that Danish(?) defender from the Belgian league … Engels was it?) and he’d have probably had a half decent Premier League career.
Instead he signed a contract with Man Utd where it was clear he’d struggle for games at just the point in his career where he needed to play 30+ games a season. Thought at the time it was a bizarre choice from him & pretty much consigned him to knocking about in crap sides for the rest of his career (which he may well have done anyway, but he killed any prospect of a decent PL career)
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
We’ve had quite a few players who’ve joined, left, joined again. Staunton, Young, Gray, Cowans… Is that the boomerang category?
I still find it hard to believe Axel Tuanzebe has joined us 3 separate times. Such a non-entity of a player.
I thought he was better than Mings in the promotion year and like Algy says, should of stayed with us. Instead he became a lower prem/upper championship journeyman
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We will soon know which supermarket we are shopping in if the ‘Oyvind Leonhardsen’ signing rocks up.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
We’ve had quite a few players who’ve joined, left, joined again. Staunton, Young, Gray, Cowans… Is that the boomerang category?
I still find it hard to believe Axel Tuanzebe has joined us 3 separate times. Such a non-entity of a player.
I liked his song, though.
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I was watching the Wales Bosnia game the other night and the commentators mentioned a Bosnia player called Kerim Alajbegović who looked very decent for his age (18). Just signed a 5 year deal with Leverkusen but one to keep an eye on I reckon.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
We’ve had quite a few players who’ve joined, left, joined again. Staunton, Young, Gray, Cowans… Is that the boomerang category?
I still find it hard to believe Axel Tuanzebe has joined us 3 separate times. Such a non-entity of a player.
I thought he was better than Mings in the promotion year and like Algy says, should of stayed with us. Instead he became a lower prem/upper championship journeyman
Don't think he had the physicality to compete as a centre half in the top division. Neither did likes of Engels, Shane Long ruined him.
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Sell Pau. We could probably get a couple of million for Youri let’s sell him as well…..
We are many times better as a time with Pau at defence, he’s crucial to how we play. We’d be unable to replace him with without spending more on a younger version.
More just realism. We need a big sale. Martinez is the obvious one but maybe won't attract a big enough fee considering his age an wage demands. Barca have interest in Pau so +£30m and maybe £50k in wages in exchange for Senesi could be something they look at. I'm a big Pau fan but I'd let him go before Konsa/Rogers/Youri etc.
Regardless of CL it seems that there will be a rquirement to reduce the wage bill and generate a big transfer fees in. Shite tbh.
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I was watching the Wales Bosnia game the other night and the commentators mentioned a Bosnia player called Kerim Alajbegović who looked very decent for his age (18). Just signed a 5 year deal with Leverkusen but one to keep an eye on I reckon.
Played against us for Salzburg in January, seem to remember the commentators extolling his virtues. To be fair a number of their side were very decent young players.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
I raise you a Najwan Ghraib?
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
Nothing will surpass the “Ivo Stas”.
I raise you a Najwan Ghraib?
Was his deal with Spurs really hijacked at the airport?
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This years Benni McCarthy chase will be Jonathan Davis.
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Could we please not make any jokes involving signing Carlton Palmer. I have only just got over the the times when some thought it a real possibility.
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This years Benni McCarthy chase will be Jonathan Davis.
I don’t follow. Isn’t he the singer from Korn?
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Still do a better job than Watkins.
[/Smirker]
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This years Benni McCarthy chase will be Jonathan Davis.
Jonathan David?
According to wiki scored 7 goals in 39 appearances for Juve this season. He didn’t really impress me that much when we played Lille.
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Did very little over the two legs, apart from one save from Emi.
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prefer Castro
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This years Benni McCarthy chase will be Jonathan Davis.
I don’t follow. Isn’t he the singer from Korn?
Damn it.
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prefer Castro
We would have to Fidel the books to make that one happen.
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We should agree on categories for each type of rumour e.g.
The Carlton Palmer ("please no"),
The Benni McCarthy ("him again?"),
The Gareth Barry ("definitely sold/tapped up" - was Ollie Watkins now Morgan Rogers),
The John Fashanu ("wtf?"),
The Didier Six ("bit random that"),
The David Ginola ("past it, last paycheck"),
The Savo ("interesting, let's see how this turns out...")
The Alpay ("I've been to the World Cup I'm too good for this" - looking at you Amadou)
how about the Coutinho "loan then buy after 6 good games to disappear forever"
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Selling Pau would be an error. He’s integral to us when we play well.
Agree - Mings will go before him. Konsa and Pau are partnership for next 2 seasons. They are on paper coming into their prime
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Coots did a lot more than Sancho.
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Coots did a lot more than Sancho.
yeah but we haven't signed Sancho
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I think, as seems to be the way, it will be defined by which players we sell.
From that regard:
Will stay because they dont fancy Saudi (too big wages and/or too good for most options):
- Mings
- Digne
- Emi
- Bailey
- Watkins
Worth more to us than to others
- McGinn
- Cash
- Matasaan
- Tammy
Prime Meat
- Rogers
- Konsa
- Youri
- Kamara
- Onana
- Malen
Offcuts
- Guessard
- all the rightbacks that arent Cash
- Emi2
I think well sell the offcusts, Malen and at least 1 other Prime player, most likely Rogers (though Ezri to Liverpool wouldnt surprise me).
Some of the players may go out on loan (bailey etc)
I think well see probably Dougie come back, 2 new forward options and a couple squad players.
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I'd forgotten Senderos played for us. Fucking hell.
Wait, what the Arsenal guy? This feels like new information.
Did he know?
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I think, as seems to be the way, it will be defined by which players we sell.
From that regard:
Will stay because they dont fancy Saudi (too big wages and/or too good for most options):
- Mings
- Digne
- Emi
- Bailey
- Watkins
Worth more to us than to others
- McGinn
- Cash
- Matasaan
- Tammy
Prime Meat
- Rogers
- Konsa
- Youri
- Kamara
- Onana
- Malen
Offcuts
- Guessard
- all the rightbacks that arent Cash
- Emi2
I think well sell the offcusts, Malen and at least 1 other Prime player, most likely Rogers (though Ezri to Liverpool wouldnt surprise me).
Some of the players may go out on loan (bailey etc)
I think well see probably Dougie come back, 2 new forward options and a couple squad players.
That all feels mostly right. Bits I'd quibble:
I think that we'd be very comfortable letting someone else pay Emi £200,000 per week and paying a new young goalkeeper £100,000 per week. I don't think we'd be forcing him out the door, but I reckon it we were asking for £20m rather than £50m, a deal could very easily be done now, unlike in previous summers.
I think Rogers is on the verge of being in the group above. Obviously he's more valuable (in a monetary sense) than the others, but I think we're getting to that point in global football finance where most clubs don't want to spend £100m+ on a player, and those who do...probably have two Rogerses (pl?) of their own already. I think his future depends massively on June and July. But I don't see us selling him for less than £100m, and I think he needs to have a pretty impressive World Cup for the three or four clubs who would pay that to WANT to pay that.
Feels harsh on Emi2. It's one of those where loyalty feels like it shouldn't be a one-way street. If we expect Kamara or Tielemans or Rogers or any future player to feel an affinity to the club, maybe we shouldn't just want to bin out anyone who becomes a mild inconvenience because they've had six weeks of poor games during a bad run. At time of writing, the season looks like it will be a very good one, and could potentially be the best in nearly half a century. And Emi is one of half a dozen players that over the course of it, picked it up by the scruff of the neck and dragged us into a position where that was a possibility. He probably shouldn't be a starter in our best side, but if he is an option from the bench and starting ten games a season for us for the rest of his contract, I'll be very happy with that. And doesn't really deserve to be on a list of misfits.
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I'd forgotten Senderos played for us. Fucking hell.
Wait, what the Arsenal guy? This feels like new information.
Did he know?
Doubt it, he looked like he had a bony head where brains should be.
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Recent criticism of Buendia on here is way OTT. He hasn't been playing well in a team that's struggling, still better than Rogers Id argue, Sancho or Bailey obviously or Watkins during that time. Can't ignore his contribution earlier in the season. But he loses the ball...sure but brilliant goals v likes of Arsenal, Feyenoord and Newcastle aren't easily forgotten.
I guess then there's the business reality. He's had a serious injury, only this season has consistently showed the form that made him our record signing and we need to lower the age profile of the squad. He's in that group with Mings, Digne, Barkley, Bailey, Bizot, Lindelof, 12 months left on their deals, where we either extend their deals this summer or move them on. We can't address the age profile of the squad by continuing to extend them.
Both Martinez and Watkins are in decline. Hope they shine down the stretch but the evidence is there. Both will go I reckon, Martinez definitely. I'm not sure we get crazy money for Rogers, bar an unbelievable World Cup, so think/hope he stays and we strengthen around him.
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I like the guy but he's been garbage and a real problem for us with the constant ball turnover. He's a useful impact sub and maybe when we have Tielemans and/or Kamara playing, when he can get some space and be found where he can really shine, but outside of those ideal circumstances he's a liability, and to be honest it's the case since he walked through the door.
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Emi2’s best position is as an angry impact sun with something to prove when he gets on the pitch. He doesn’t seem to be able to sustain his hood form if he plays too much. I’d cash in if we can get the money for him. He’s had some great games but too inconsistent.
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Emi2’s best position is as an angry impact sun with something to prove when he gets on the pitch. He doesn’t seem to be able to sustain his hood form if he plays too much. I’d cash in if we can get the money for him. He’s had some great games but too inconsistent.
He's put together a tidy highlights reel this season so it would be the best time to cash in on that and move on.
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Emi2’s best position is as an angry impact sun
Some people on here want the moon on a stick.
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Buendia is definitely in the “useful sub” category. He’s better when teams tire, but if we were offered decent money I’d sell.
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Buendia is definitely in the “useful sub” category. He’s better when teams tire, but if we were offered decent money I’d sell.
Agreed 100%.
He could be worth a lot of money to a newly promoted club.
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Emi2’s best position is as an angry impact sun
Some people on here want the moon on a stick.
When he's on form, I reckon he's one of our star players
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What would constitute good money for Buendia?
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I like the guy but he's been garbage and a real problem for us with the constant ball turnover. He's a useful impact sub and maybe when we have Tielemans and/or Kamara playing, when he can get some space and be found where he can really shine, but outside of those ideal circumstances he's a liability, and to be honest it's the case since he walked through the door.
Gets judged to different standards to Rogers and Watkins regarding constant ball turnovers!
Highlight reel this season aside, he's a good scrapper too. Having a stinker at Lille and still out jumps their centre back to put Ollie in. He's not an elite player but he's made a big impact this season. Covers a couple of positions too.
Harsh business reality though and unlikely we offer him a juicy contrast extension in the summer. Particularly if CL football is secured. Time might be right to cash in and replace with a younger option.
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Has Rogers been all that this season? Seems to have had one purple patch around November to January then all a bit meh.
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Has Rogers been all that this season? Seems to have had one purple patch around November to January then all a bit meh.
But as with West Ham where they had Wan-Bissaka chase him all game his presence and threat should make space for others who haven’t stepped up as much as they should.
My only gripe with Rogers is the same as with Sancho, they seem more obsessed with being the assister than the scorer.
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Saw some bollox that Chelsea have slapped a 200 million quid price tag on Cole Palmer to fend off interest from Man U and other clubs.
So that's like, what, 600 million for our Morgan?
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Saw some bollox that Chelsea have slapped a 200 million quid price tag on Cole Palmer to fend off interest from Man U and other clubs.
So that's like, what, 600 million for our Morgan?
No. Rogers isn't three times as good/valuable as Palmer and Chelsea aren't as desperate for income as we are.
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Emi2’s best position is as an angry impact sun
Some people on here want the moon on a stick.
When he's on form, I reckon he's one of our star players
I think in the form he was in earlier this season he would be. But I think that’s a level above good form for him, I suspect it was a bit of an exceptional freak period. He was brilliant but I wouldn’t be surprised if he never hits those heights again. I think in terms of reasonable expectation of him, good form gets him to be a useful squad player.
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Yep. Buendia, like Bailey, is all about confidence. When things are going well he can look a really useful player but as soon as the mistakes drift in he falls apart. That's the difference between players like them and the likes of Rogers, McGinn and Watkins (and Sancho recently), who also give the ball away cheaply at times but all 3 of them you can trust to keep going and try to make amends.
If you're having a bad day then you at least need to fall back on the basics and do a job, Buendia often goes the other way and starts trying to do ever more complicated things and gets more and more frustrated as things don't go his way.
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Saw some bollox that Chelsea have slapped a 200 million quid price tag on Cole Palmer to fend off interest from Man U and other clubs.
So that's like, what, 600 million for our Morgan?
No. Rogers isn't three times as good/valuable as Palmer and Chelsea aren't as desperate for income as we are.
Ok, they can have home for £500m then.
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Interesting point - forgive me if done previously.
What value would you put on each of our main players by todays market value considering age etc
Rogers - £100M +
Watkins - £20m
McGinn - £25M
Digne - £15M
Cash - £20M
Kamara - £80 - £100M
Martinez - £30M
Konsa - £70+
Maatsen - £40M
Pau - £40m
Tielemans - £60m+
Bailey - £15
Buendia - £20M
Barclay - £6m
Bizot - £3m
Mings - £5m
Garcia - £5m
I personally think we could cash in on Konsa / Rogers and buy some more than adequate replacements in
Ndiaye - Everton
Lacroix - Palace
Bade - Leverkuesen
Gibbs-White - Forest
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Harsh on Bailey. I wouldn't sell Rogers, as it would send out the wrong message if we're aspiring to move to the next level.
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Assuming we qualify for the CL, we need to keep Rogers and Konza, not sell.
I also feel a few of your valuations maybe on the high side Hookey.
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I'd spend £15 on Leon just to hear that beautiful voice every day. Maybe he could replace Alexa/Hey Google.
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Yep. Buendia, like Bailey, is all about confidence. When things are going well he can look a really useful player but as soon as the mistakes drift in he falls apart. That's the difference between players like them and the likes of Rogers, McGinn and Watkins (and Sancho recently), who also give the ball away cheaply at times but all 3 of them you can trust to keep going and try to make amends.
If you're having a bad day then you at least need to fall back on the basics and do a job, Buendia often goes the other way and starts trying to do ever more complicated things and gets more and more frustrated as things don't go his way.
You're job has never been so safe, Unai.
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(https://i.ibb.co/WWhqBFQh/Screenshot-20260330-180654-Instagram.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WWhqBFQh)
(https://i.ibb.co/9kNWBDGJ/Screenshot-20260330-180637-Instagram.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9kNWBDGJ)
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Why have we signed David Gower?
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David Gower, I thought Unai had signed up for the latest Star Trek film.
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RB Leipzig decide against exercising purchase option for Kosta Nedeljković
As reported by Bild, Leipzig will not exercise their €10m purchase option on Nedeljković, who joined the Saxony club on loan from Aston Villa in February 2025, after falling behind Ridle Baku and Benjamin Henrichs in the pecking order.
https://www.getfootballnewsgermany.com/2026/rb-leipzig-decide-exercising-purchase-nedeljkovic-aston-villa-bundesliga-premier-league/
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Shit, does that mean we have to sell Buendia?
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I'd assumed he'd be coming back for a while, it'll be interesting to see what happens next because I suspect we're going to have to take a loss on him if we want to sell.
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Shit, does that mean we have to sell Buendia?
Apparently not as Valencia are said to be interested in both Garcia and Kosta Nedeljković. Expect an offer of €4m for the pair.
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Rogers ‘open to leaving Villa’ according to today’s rags with the usual subjects interested in him.
It’s not necessarily selling him that bothers me, it’s selling him to one of those cunty clubs (arse,Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U) that does.
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Morgan Rogers, 23, would be open to leaving Aston Villa this summer - with Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United all in the mix to sign the England midfielder. (Sun)
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If he goes at top price we need to spend wisely, not like this season.
But no games for a while, the newspapers have to talk about something, one of best young talents in the league being linked with all the money machines, hardly news.
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If he goes at top price we need to spend wisely, not like this season.
But no games for a while, the newspapers have to talk about something, one of best young talents in the league being linked with all the money machines, hardly news.
Yes, the same every fecking transfer window. The money machines just hoover up the best of the rest and the gap gets wider and wider.
Doesn't take a genius to put bids in for the likes of Guimaraes, Tonali, Garner, Anderson, Wharton, Rogers and Konsa.
We have to qualify for the Champions League and hope Unai convinces them that Villa are the future.
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I'd imagine Villa are just as open to selling him as he is to being sold.
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It's in The Sun, so it must be true.
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I'd imagine Villa are just as open to selling him as he is to being sold.
Everyone is available at the right (or release clause) price.
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I'd imagine Villa are just as open to selling him as he is to being sold.
Everyone is available at the right (or release clause) price.
Yep. I hope when he sold, it’s to a club in a different country, but it almost certainly won’t be.
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I imagine we've never had a player in our entire history who hasn't been "open to leaving" us.
That's how the lives of footballers operate.
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That's not new, it's just a (likely accurate enough) guess, worded vaguely enough for deniability. It's as much news as a horoscope is.
I mean, journalists have famously low trust-ratings among the public, the habit of hacks to just make shit up is at this point proverbial, and yet I would say a majority of people still believe pretty much anything they read.
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Shame they couldn’t wait until the end of the season, but him playing for England is probably enough for the inevitable rumourmongering to be click worthy outside of ‘worried’ villa fans. He’ll go to Man Utd or Liverpool (hopefully playing for a new manager).
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I imagine we've never had a player in our entire history who hasn't been "open to leaving" us.
That's how the lives of footballers operate.
Spoke with the chaplain at Wrexham a few years back. Lovely bloke, Everton supporter. From what he was saying, it’s quite hard being a footballer - certainly at that level (non-league at the time) but a lot of it would be appropriate further up the chain.
Down there it was all 1 or at most 2 year contracts, or worse (for the player) a loan. It’d meant that you’d have lads coming from all over the country, or from other countries, staying for a year or two then moving on. No chance to put down any roots anywhere, few friendships that last any amount of time, a long way away from their families with limited opportunities to visit them during the season, … tbh it sounded a bit of a shit, unfulfilling life to me considering the amount of dedication it must’ve taken to even get to the bottom rung of being a professional footballer.
I suppose what I mean is that as a footballer it must go with the territory, and perhaps one thing that might’ve upset (for example) Big Emi is that he was settling down in to a vaguely normal life and then we tried to shunt him out last spring/summer.
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You really think he wasn't keen to move on, himself? And still is, presumably.
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No chance to put down any roots anywhere, few friendships that last any amount of time, a long way away from their families with limited opportunities to visit them during the season, …
Back when Bury FC were a football league club and just prior to their financial collapse, we had a player who regularly came in to the school where I was teaching to do coaching sessions with the kids. I had a conversation with him about this and he said that many players in the lower echelons tended to base themselves in Greater Manchester/West Yorkshire as there are plenty of clubs within commuting distance. He subsequently moved to... Plymouth!
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Two and two makes Unique Sports Group.
‘Time to go’ – Roberto Olabe can now secure Aston Villa transfer cheaply
Celta Vigo’s Óscar Mingueza has been on Aston Villa’s transfer agenda for a long time.
The right-back has parted ways with his long-time agent Josep María Orobitg and is now represented by British agency Unique Sports Group.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/time-to-go-roberto-olabe-can-now-secure-aston-villa-transfer-cheaply/
And
Aston Villa join open race for Harry Wilson – Unique Sports Group client’s free-agent summer could ignite bidding war
https://www.footballagencies.com/news/aston-villa-join-open-race-for-harry-wilson-unique-sports-group-clients-free-agent-summer-could-ignite-bidding-war/
Passed and present players with Unique Sports Group
Jacob Ramsey
Cameron Archer
Bradley Burrowes
Finn Azaz
Arron Ramsey
Axel Tuanzebe
So we clearly do business with Unique Sports Group, am I putting two and two together and getting five?
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What about our old pal Jorge Mendes and his stable of Shetland showponie, is he still hawking Felix around?
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What about our old pal Jorge Mendes and his stable of Shetland showponie, is he still hawking Felix around?
Emery seemed to have a weird fascination with Felix. If ever there was a guy stealing a living at a very high level - showpony!
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Don't think we're hugely worse off for not having Paqueta and his famous disappearing routine at VP either.
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What about our old pal Jorge Mendes and his stable of Shetland showponie, is he still hawking Felix around?
Emery seemed to have a weird fascination with Felix. If ever there was a guy stealing a living at a very high level - showpony!
15 goals in 26 games so far this season
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In a joke league.
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What about our old pal Jorge Mendes and his stable of Shetland showponie, is he still hawking Felix around?
Far too good for us, more suited to a top club like Chelsea.
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I imagine we've never had a player in our entire history who hasn't been "open to leaving" us.
That's how the lives of footballers operate.
Yep. If Man U at the height of their powers, winning just about everything at the time could sell Beckham or Ronaldo, then it's likely not a shocker a player might want to leave Aston Villa who have won nothing in a very long time. It's the nature of the industry. Our job as it has always been is to provide players with the best opportunity of career success and for a long time we have failed in that regard. It's the closest we have been right now with Unai but truthfully, as wonderful as it probably is to be a Villa player today, the chance of trophies consistently lies elsewhere. So whether it is back in the day with Yorke, Barry, Milner, Jack or possibly now Morgan Rogers, they will always be opening to leave us for club x. That's pretty much the case for any footballer further down the food chain looking to maximize their short careers.
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Rogers ‘open to leaving Villa’ according to today’s rags with the usual subjects interested in him.
It’s not necessarily selling him that bothers me, it’s selling him to one of those cunty clubs (arse,Liverpool, Chelsea and Man U) that does.
That's a massive coup for the "journalist" who has unearthed this news. No one could have come up with this on a quiet week or two in football news.
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we need a replacement option for McGinn if we can box off other priorities this summer and we have a bit to spare. Not easy, mind you.
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we need a replacement option for McGinn if we can box off other priorities this summer and we have a bit to spare. Not easy, mind you.
Wilson on a free. Keep Luiz and we’ve got one of the best midfield mini-squads in the world.
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we need a replacement option for McGinn if we can box off other priorities this summer and we have a bit to spare. Not easy, mind you.
Wilson on a free. Keep Luiz and we’ve got one of the best midfield mini-squads in the world.
Harry Wilson has really come on this past year or so, he'd be a fantastic option in the attacking midfield options.
as a free transfer :D
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Harry Wilson is flavour of the month. He’s 29.
It’s taken him this long in his career to have a half decent season and suddenly he’s in massive demand.
I watched closely in that World Cup playoff game, and he disappeared for large parts of that game.
Decent enough squad player but not someone who we should be expecting to take us to the next level.
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Harry Wilson is flavour of the month. He’s 29.
It’s taken him this long in his career to have a half decent season and suddenly he’s in massive demand.
I watched closely in that World Cup playoff game, and he disappeared for large parts of that game.
Decent enough squad player but not someone who we should be expecting to take us to the next level.
Yeah, never been convinced by him either.
On a free - and realistically on his last chance to earn his biggest contract - he'll be on an inflated wage n'all.
That's a problem for us anyway. But becomes a bigger problem when better players we currently possess want parity. Or other new signings use it as a benchmark.
Kamara and Tielemans were smart deals.
This one wouldn't be.
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I'd take Casemiro on a free if he could be persuaded. Can cover for Kamara until he's back and then we would have competition all over midfield. We also need more nasty twats. No more than a two year deal, though, given his age.
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I'd take Casemiro on a free if he could be persuaded. Can cover for Kamara until he's back and then we would have competition all over midfield. We also need more nasty twats. No more than a two year deal, though, given his age.
Wages would kill us
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That's why only on a one or two year deal. No different to loaning Rashford/Sancho as we have done in the last two seasons.
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That's why only on a one or two year deal. No different to loaning Rashford/Sancho as we have done in the last two seasons.
Agree with the logic but feel that money should be spent on a winger/AM.
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Hmm, winger you say? I could be persuaded.
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I'd take Casemiro on a free if he could be persuaded. Can cover for Kamara until he's back and then we would have competition all over midfield. We also need more nasty twats. No more than a two year deal, though, given his age.
Wages would kill us
And doesn’t help the age profile of the squad either
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Casemiro would also get sent off regularly once the protection he receives by playing for Utd disappears.
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No to Wilson...coming off a fantastic season no doubt but going to demand a massive contract. Casemiro, that's a piss take? 22-25 year olds needed.
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Wilson won’t demand a “massive” contract. He’s worth it as a squad player.
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Our form fell off a cliff when the midfield got injured. Can't let that happen again. Need younger players for the future and to keep the wage bill manageable but also sign some immediate impact players, doesn't matter if one or two are older so long as you don't give them stupid length contracts.
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I’m absolutely fine with Wilson on a free. Hard working midfielder who has played well all season at PL level. He’d come in to replace Barkley is my guess if we signed him. But a bit of quality is absolutely needed. CL qualification is critical for us to do that. And if we do need to sell Morgan, then for it needs to be someone like MGW at Forest. A player of that quality.
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20 yr-old Reece Walters looks like a very lively midfield operator for Port Vale...
... just saying.
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Some good players at the relegated clubs. Wolves and West Ham have good young DCMs. Summerville and MGW in attacking positions.
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Wilson won’t demand a “massive” contract. He’s worth it as a squad player.
He certainly won't be looking for a squad player contract. Even Barkley managed a 3 year deal off the back of a decent season with relegated Luton. Wilson is 29 and this will be his biggest contract of his career. 3-4 years easy on big wages to account for the lack of a transfer fee.
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I normally concur with a lot of your views CD, but Casemiro is exactly the sort of signing we should not be making.
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Isn't Wilson a bit of a Henders, playing better when a new contract/move is on the cards? What's he done for the last 7 years?
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Henders?
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Henders?
Little Lee.
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Henders?
Little Lee.
Ahhh. Cheers.
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I wonder how useful Henderson would have been as a back-up to Kamara and playing a significant role once that Spurs twat ended Kamara's season. Also the leadership he could have given behind the scenes.
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Wilson is bait. He's been non descript for years and is too old for a breakout year. He's just having his Michael Ricketts moment.
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I was impressed by the Southampton goalkeeper last night.
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Wilson has always been good but lacked consistency. It’s been around 18 months now. I share the concerns of others, but transfers do go wrong and ultimately, 29 with 18 months of good form and years of OK form prior. It’s a worthwhile gamble I think.
Mingueza would be a coup, I’ve seen a bit of him and he looks good. Great passing range, good offensive runs, tall and versatile. Lacks pace which may be a problem in the Prem
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Wilson is bait. He's been non descript for years and is too old for a breakout year. He's just having his Michael Ricketts moment.
Football's littered with players who only realised their potential later in their career. It could be he's just having a good season, or he could be going full Di Natale. You definitely need to take each case in isolation though.
There's a bit of a checklist isn't there? Does he have quality? Undoubtedly. Is he in form? 100%. Does he seem like a prat? No. Is he affordable? Yep. Feel like it's a low risk no-brainer personally. Saves money for the other players we need in attack too.
One thing I've noticed is he seems to keep doing it when the pressure is on as well. You can't teach that.
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Isn't Wilson a bit of a Henders, playing better when a new contract/move is on the cards? What's he done for the last 7 years?
He's been great for Wales for quite a significant part of those last 7 years. I don't think he'd be a regular starter for us, but as others have said he's very affordable and he'd be an excellent squad player.
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Wilson is bait. He's been non descript for years and is too old for a breakout year. He's just having his Michael Ricketts moment.
Football's littered with players who only realised their potential later in their career. It could be he's just having a good season, or he could be going full Di Natale. You definitely need to take each case in isolation though.
There's a bit of a checklist isn't there? Does he have quality? Undoubtedly. Is he in form? 100%. Does he seem like a prat? No. Is he affordable? Yep. Feel like it's a low risk no-brainer personally. Saves money for the other players we need in attack too.
One thing I've noticed is he seems to keep doing it when the pressure is on as well. You can't teach that.
Football really isn't littered with players who came good in their late 20's. It's a tiny percentage. Our biggest problem at the moment is wages. I think he'll want big money. He's light weight and it's his first good season in 7 years. It's a definite no for me but if we did sign him and he's finally found his feet then great.
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What level of wages is acceptable and what would be taking the piss?
He might be better off asking for a massive signing on fee and then reasonable wages. Big wages could trap him at a club. Bit like Martinez with us.
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I'm not sure what wiggle room we have but I'd imagine whoever he is replacing he'd need to be on less wages than them as we need the bill down.
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I'm not sure what wiggle room we have but I'd imagine whoever he is replacing he'd need to be on less wages than them as we need the bill down.
Decent strategy but would mean a replacement for Sancho or not at all I suspect.
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Mingueza looks a really good fit for us, he's very good and competes with both Cash and Konsa to really round out our options. Add in Rowe coming back in and the right side of the defence looks sorted for a while, even when/if Lindelof leaves next summer. The left side is a bit more of a worry as I'd really like to see another one in to start the plan to move on from Mings and Digne. I love them both but they're at the age now where their replacements (in the squad) should be starting to become clear or we should be looking at signings.
I'd take Wilson in midfield simply because I think he'd offer similar to McGinn and make us less vulnerable to a drop in form with injuries. If Alysson can settle and start getting involved and Young and JJA come back and push on in pre-season our option there suddenly look pretty decent.
Those 2 signing on frees would help a lot with bulking the squad out and wouldn't be as harmful as most seem to think on the SCR calculations because too many people seem to miss that transfer amortisation and agent fees are part of that calculation and get completely fixated on the wages part.
With incoming fees for Malen, Barrenechea and Guessand accounting for something like £70m in cash and knocking a big chunk of wages and amortisation off the bill. If we can move on a few other fringe players as well (Bailey, Iling-Junior, Dobbin, Ned and Garcia, maybe Buendia) I could see that being enough for a couple of signings on top whilst not really having any net spend or any major sales and not really removing any real depth from the squad. Another option up-front/10 and that left sided defender and I'd be pretty happy with where things are, especially if those 2 are a little younger. We do have an older squad but it's mostly because of the number of players in the 26-30 range rather than a load pushing into their mid-30s which does give us a few years to plan for the big rebuild we'll need.
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These are the types of singing, along with loans, that ramp-up agents fees which is why we're near the top of that list. Rashy and Asensio were probably worth the CL punt but what difference did Disasi really make last year for the c£10m we spunked on him and his entourage for four months?
But then we can't afford to pay the going rate of a Harvey Elliott on a permanent either so we're buggered either way, it seems.
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Wilson will NOT offer similar to Mcginn.
Ginny is a machine, he just keeps going.
Wilson drifts in and out of games and disappears for long periods.
The Wales / B&H playoff was a very good example.
I’d much rather have Barkley on an extended deal.
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There was talk about us being in the lead to get Senesi too who would be a good option to Torres on the left side.
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Wilson will NOT offer similar to Mcginn.
Ginny is a machine, he just keeps going.
Wilson drifts in and out of games and disappears for long periods.
The Wales / B&H playoff was a very good example.
I’d much rather have Barkley on an extended deal.
Barkley will already be here he's got another year and what I mean by offering similar to McGinn is that he'll play wide but largely as an auxiliary midfielder rather than a winger, which allows us to keep up the box midfield a little easier than we do now if McGinn is out and we end up with a more traditional winger of Bailey or Sancho out there.
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Wilson will NOT offer similar to Mcginn.
Ginny is a machine, he just keeps going.
Wilson drifts in and out of games and disappears for long periods.
The Wales / B&H playoff was a very good example.
I’d much rather have Barkley on an extended deal.
Barkley will already be here he's got another year and what I mean by offering similar to McGinn is that he'll play wide but largely as an auxiliary midfielder rather than a winger, which allows us to keep up the box midfield a little easier than we do now if McGinn is out and we end up with a more traditional winger of Bailey or Sancho out there.
Good point, well made.
Wilson would be fine on a free on a realistic and reasonable wage, but WHEN we qualify for the CL next season I hope we will target the type of players who can elevate us to the next level.
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Ive always thought Wilson flattered to deceive a bit, from his days at Derby in the championship onwards. However, he has had a very impressive season.
I wouldn’t be distraught at signing him, if it was backed up by other more high profile signings, but if that was the calibre of our main signings this summer, if we have qualified for the CL, it would be a bit under whelming (not as much as last summer mind). Wouldn’t have that Asensio wow factor.
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Ross Barkley had his best game for us v West Ham but he's 32 and has started I think 5 x PL games for us in the past two seasons. Strong finish to the season and he's the ideal player to sell on for a few quid this summer. Barkley gets a 2 year deal at Coventry or Leeds.
If transfermarkt is a reliable source ...the market for out of contract players across Europe is weak this summer. But midfield players with 12 months left on their deals include Ampadu (25), Hackney (23). I'm a big Ampadu fan, think he's the perfect player for Emery, similar to Kamara in that he can play CB at a stretch. Was really impressed with him at Villa Park recently. I've never seen Hackney play so can't comment there bar we have a strong relationship with Boro so if Emery is keen we will be high up the list of buyers. An interesting one maybe is Curtis Jones (25), technically strong, PL winner and maybe an option in a few positions including the sides of our midfield where we struggle without McGinn. What I can't figure out is if he this seasons equivalent of Tom Cleverley, decent in a winning team but very average elsewhere. That Liverpool squad will be breaking up this summer so could be a useful addition at a decent price. 4 years younger than Wilson.
Luiz + Ampadu + Jones > Onana + Barkley + Bailey
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Wilson is an ideal fit for Emery's system ,a goalscorer who adds width.I thought he impressed against us last season .It surprised me that he wasn't a regular starter then for Fulham.
Most of his career has been in the Championship but he's always been a consistent goalscorer.
He's not a speed merchant nor is he a great dribbler and he's rather lightweight and it's easy to see why ,until recently,he's never imposed himself against top flight defenders. Playing for a midtable team hasn't helped.He 's now very experienced knows the game better and being a lightweight is no longer a disadvantage.
His career trajectory is similar to Ray Graydon's who didn't play in the top flight until he was 28 and who was also a consistent goalscorer.
The other wide player who would fit our system is Harvey Barnes,not the most gifted winger but one of the best for getting into goalscoring positions and finishing.
As the lone striker is now prevalent,goals need to come from other areas.A goalscoring wide plsyer would be an asset.
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I hope we're looking further afield than players in lower mid-table (or on the bench of good teams) in the PL.
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Ampadu would be a good addition. He has had a strong season at Leeds and for about £22m would really improve our squad in an area we get a lot of injuries.
Hackney in the championship looks special but not better than Youri. Its how much we can throw at our strongest area when they are all fit.
We need more goals without a doubt.
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Ampadu is shite.
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Ive always thought Wilson flattered to deceive a bit, from his days at Derby in the championship onwards. However, he has had a very impressive season.
I wouldn’t be distraught at signing him, if it was backed up by other more high profile signings, but if that was the calibre of our main signings this summer, if we have qualified for the CL, it would be a bit under whelming (not as much as last summer mind). Wouldn’t have that Asensio wow factor.
Absolutely, the important part is upgrading the squad as whole.
Not including players already out on loan I expect to see Sancho, Elliott, Garcia and Bailey leave, and Luiz will need to be considered after his loan.
Garcia > Mingueza is a clear upgrade
Elliott > Wilson is an upgrade if only because he'll actually be available to play
Luiz staying for the reported fee
So we'd already be in a strong position.
So any funds that come in (again £70m-ish for Malen, Guessand and Barren is pretty much confirmed and I can see another £10-20m in from fringe players that would pretty much cover the fee for Dougie) can all be targeted to the wings. Personally I'd be happy to let a combination of JJA, Young and Alysson fight for 1 of those spots and throw the money at Ferran Torres (supposedly available for about €60m).
The following summer sees Onana and Maatsen drop off the SCR calculations as far as I can tell (because UEFA amortise fees in and out over 3 years) which takes a lot of pressure off and gives us scope to focus on replacing the likes of Mings, Digne and Barkley with a little less pressure on the finances.
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Curtis Jones is a cocky cvnt who's been useless this season. At least Harvey is a nice young man.
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Ampadu is shite.
He's better than that. But he's the sort of player Martin O'Neill would have signed to move us from tenth to sixth.
An "if we shat the bed this season, needed to sell Kamara or Tielemans for £80m and needed a £20m replacement to make sure we hung around in mid-table next season" player.
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What level of wages is acceptable and what would be taking the piss?
He might be better off asking for a massive signing on fee and then reasonable wages. Big wages could trap him at a club. Bit like Martinez with us.
Fullham have offered him between £120-£140k per week to stay, according to various reports and he's turned them down so far.
I don't think he's going to accept a whole lot less from us or any other side he ultimately opts for.
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Fullham have offered him between £120-£140k per week to stay, according to various reports and he's turned them down so far.
I don't think he's going to accept a whole lot less from us or any other side he ultimately opts for.
We've offered him a starring role in our Xmas video, plus he's allowed to keep the jumper.
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... Personally I'd be happy to let a combination of JJA, Young and Alysson fight for 1 of those spots and throw the money at Ferran Torres (supposedly available for about €60m).
I don't see F Torres as a net talent improvement for us. Maybe I'm missing something; just don't see it.
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16 goals already for Barcelona this season.
Might just edge out Sancho, Bailey, Little Emi or Watkins etc.
Not that I think it's likely for the fee and wages involved.
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Some good players at the relegated clubs. Wolves and West Ham have good young DCMs. Summerville and MGW in attacking positions.
Summerville under Unai is yes from me.
Cassimero now way.
Wilson - not sure
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Might just edge out Sancho, Bailey, Little Emi or Watkins etc...
when you put it like that ... ;D
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Amadou Onana: Aston Villa could accept ‘huge’ offer after his confession
https://www.footballinsider247.com/amadou-onana-aston-villa-could-accept-huge-offer-after-his-confession/
a bit of clickbait here - but he'd be one I think we could cope with selling over Rogers etc
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A few days ago West Ham announced a loss of 104.2 million for the 2024 - 2025 season. Commentator yesterday said they may be forced to sell.
Bowen or Summerville should be on our radar.
Re Onana, yes, if we get a good offer let him go.
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Amadou Onana: Aston Villa could accept ‘huge’ offer after his confession
https://www.footballinsider247.com/amadou-onana-aston-villa-could-accept-huge-offer-after-his-confession/
He’s the one big sale, >£40m, that would not impact the quality of the first team. Of course squad depth would be weaker but Bogarde is a year older and Hemmings is coming through. Not sure there’s many clubs that could find in excess of £40m though.
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Yes, Onana is one i think we could replace. Shame really, as he's at a good age and on his day, he's excellent.
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Man Utd. Not shit for a couple of months and they’re buying everyone. ******.
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The press make me laugh. Deciding who a football club is going to buy in a few months time when that football club doesn’t even know who their manager is going to be.
That said, Onana would be a decent sacrifice to keep other players. Utd would be the perfect fit really.
With their injury record they must have absolutely banging state of the art medical facilities.
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Man Utd. Not shit for a couple of months and they’re buying everyone. ******.
Said it before, but I hope they do. Their squad is already massive, and signing new players will push existing ones to the periphary. As a result the atmosphere will become more toxic and wage burden even bigger. We need them to waste their financial advantage.
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In fairness if the gossip column is to be believed Man Utd are going to be pretty busy this summer, they’re signing about 20 midfielders.
I found the most egregious thing about Monday’s version was us being linked to Ugarte.
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Is he any good? Was very highly rated but was shunned by Amorim the manager he thrived under (I think).
A Man U player can look completely different once away from the chaos; in theory he could solve the DCM problem if cheap enough.
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I have very limited info on most of their players. I’d have Rashford back though.
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Is he any good? Was very highly rated but was shunned by Amorim the manager he thrived under (I think).
A Man U player can look completely different once away from the chaos could solve the DCM problem if cheap enough.
He's absolutely shit.
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Is he any good? Was very highly rated but was shunned by Amorim the manager he thrived under (I think).
A Man U player can look completely different once away from the chaos could solve the DCM problem if cheap enough.
He's absolutely shit.
On a good day at that.
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Is he any good? Was very highly rated but was shunned by Amorim the manager he thrived under (I think).
A Man U player can look completely different once away from the chaos could solve the DCM problem if cheap enough.
Goldbridge thinks he is their worst player.
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Aren’t we still going to be badly hamstrung by UEFA rules anyway?
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Is he any good? Was very highly rated but was shunned by Amorim the manager he thrived under (I think).
A Man U player can look completely different once away from the chaos could solve the DCM problem if cheap enough.
Goldbridge thinks he is their worst player.
Goldbridge is a fucking idiot. I’m sure the grizzling little pissflap lives in Dorridge as well.
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Football insider is keich, so probably just rehashing rumours from circa 2024 when Onana was linked with the Red Mancs initially.
Don't think he has the conditioning to make an impact for a full PL season, sadly. So if there was any truth to that I'd bite.
The player himself might be better of in a less demanding league like Serie A, though.
Who do Juve or Inter have who might be a consideration for swapsies.
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Onana stays for me. He’s been very good recently and can get better if he can curb the injuries. Bailey, both Emi’s, Digne, release Sancho and Elliot way before I’d consider letting Onana go. We are being linked on Instagram with a young, soon to be out of contract keeper called Benchaouch from Monaco.
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Is he any good? Was very highly rated but was shunned by Amorim the manager he thrived under (I think).
A Man U player can look completely different once away from the chaos could solve the DCM problem if cheap enough.
He's absolutely shit.
He’s bloody awful.
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Onana stays for me. He’s been very good recently and can get better if he can curb the injuries. Bailey, both Emi’s, Digne, release Sancho and Elliot way before I’d consider letting Onana go. We are being linked on Instagram with a young, soon to be out of contract keeper called Benchaouch from Monaco.
I’d prefer to keep Onana but we know that we probably need to make at least one significant sale and I’m not sure those listed would raise enough. I know we should take these rumours with a pinch of salt but he does strike me as one that would fit the bill to be this season’s Jacob Ramsey.
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Is he any good? Was very highly rated but was shunned by Amorim the manager he thrived under (I think).
A Man U player can look completely different once away from the chaos could solve the DCM problem if cheap enough.
He's absolutely shit.
He’s bloody awful.
Yup he cannot pass.
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Onana stays for me. He’s been very good recently and can get better if he can curb the injuries. Bailey, both Emi’s, Digne, release Sancho and Elliot way before I’d consider letting Onana go. We are being linked on Instagram with a young, soon to be out of contract keeper called Benchaouch from Monaco.
I’d prefer to keep Onana but we know that we probably need to make at least one significant sale and I’m not sure those listed would raise enough. I know we should take these rumours with a pinch of salt but he does strike me as one that would fit the bill to be this season’s Jacob Ramsey.
I'd keep Onana as well, still improving and one of our younger players.
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Onana stays for me. He’s been very good recently and can get better if he can curb the injuries. Bailey, both Emi’s, Digne, release Sancho and Elliot way before I’d consider letting Onana go. We are being linked on Instagram with a young, soon to be out of contract keeper called Benchaouch from Monaco.
Yep agree. He’s never as bad as is made out sometimes and has generally had a good season. I think we’ll see him thrive in the remaining games with McGinn and Tielemans back alongside him. Agree on the sales, though would probably keep Digne and big Emi for another season if they wanted to stay. I know re sale value etc, but there still arent many better keepers than Martinez.
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In an ideal world, most of us would probably keep Onana. But things work differently for clubs outside the so-called “Sky Six.”
If selling him helps us hold on to players like Rogers, Tielemans, Konsa, and maybe even Martinez, then he’s arguably the most valuable one we could afford to lose.
He’s a solid player, but I expected more from him—especially when our midfield was hit by injuries. He didn’t really step up when we needed him most.
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We are being linked on Instagram with a young, soon to be out of contract keeper called Benchaouch from Monaco.
Sounds like someone getting injured as a sub
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I like Onana, he's great.
The only slight reservation I have is that he seems quite injury-prone, which is a problem when you consider how physically demanding his role is.
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Onana stays for me. He’s been very good recently and can get better if he can curb the injuries. Bailey, both Emi’s, Digne, release Sancho and Elliot way before I’d consider letting Onana go. We are being linked on Instagram with a young, soon to be out of contract keeper called Benchaouch from Monaco.
Isn't that the type of injury that reserve goalkeepers regularly pick-up from spending too much time with splinters in their arse?
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That johnathan rowe looks some player
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That johnathan rowe looks some player
We were linked with him when he was at Norwich. Looks decent.
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That johnathan rowe looks some player
We were linked with him when he was at Norwich. Looks decent.
This could be a "rogers" moment we only knew about him after playing boro in the cup.
He reminds me of eze
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That johnathan rowe looks some player
We were linked with him when he was at Norwich. Looks decent.
This could be a "rogers" moment we only knew about him after playing boro in the cup.
He reminds me of eze
They'll have known about him before he played for the Norwich first team.
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Jonathan Rowe is exactly the type of player we need on the wing. Emery will know this.
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He’s been good in 2026, I’d be wary signing a player off seeing him have a good game. That’s not saying he’s not worth it, but I’d hope our scouting is a bit longer term. Who knows maybe we’re already looking at him.
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It was one of him or Rogers when we signed Rogers. Percy was reporting it all month but we couldn’t get it done with Norwich.
Definitely see us being back in for him.
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He’s been good in 2026, I’d be wary signing a player off seeing him have a good game. That’s not saying he’s not worth it, but I’d hope our scouting is a bit longer term. Who knows maybe we’re already looking at him.
Exactly
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I agree, Mustapha Hadji is exactly the player we're crying out for.
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Rowe reminded me of Doku before he joined Man City. Let's go get him.
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Bailey out, Sancho out and put the money towards Rowe.
Someone needs to have a quiet word in his ear when he comes to Brum for the second leg. That's what big clubs do.
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I agree, Mustapha Hadji is exactly the player we're crying out for.
He just needs time FFS.
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I agree, Mustapha Hadji is exactly the player we're crying out for.
It’s kachloul for me.
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I agree, Mustapha Hadji is exactly the player we're crying out for.
It’s kachloul for me.
I always consider Kachloul as "opportunistic free transfer to show how we can still just about chuck our diminishing weight around", rather than "had one of his best ever games against us so we now need to base our whole transfer strategy around him".
As apparently Jonathan Rowe now is.
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Rowe reminded me of Doku before he joined Man City. Let's go get him.
Doku is hit and miss, I guess that's wingers for you.
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Rowe is only 22? Seriously Bologna, take your pick. Take anybody except McGinn from the forwards/attacking midfielders.
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Looking forward to seeing Rowe play again next week, not sure we don’t make him look better than he is with Cash standing off him constantly, possibly because he started on a yellow and we need him next week. Did like how direct he was though. Also helpful thst he seemed to control the ball, something Bailey has really struggled with for a season and a half.
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I agree, Mustapha Hadji is exactly the player we're crying out for.
It’s kachloul for me.
I always consider Kachloul as "opportunistic free transfer to show how we can still just about chuck our diminishing weight around", rather than "had one of his best ever games against us so we now need to base our whole transfer strategy around him".
As apparently Jonathan Rowe now is.
Yes, your memory is better than mine, I just remember the clamour to get him and it seemed linked with Hadji as they were mates.
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Reminds me a bit of Rashford/Doku.
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I agree, Mustapha Hadji is exactly the player we're crying out for.
It’s kachloul for me.
I always consider Kachloul as "opportunistic free transfer to show how we can still just about chuck our diminishing weight around", rather than "had one of his best ever games against us so we now need to base our whole transfer strategy around him".
As apparently Jonathan Rowe now is.
Yes, your memory is better than mine, I just remember the clamour to get him and it seemed linked with Hadji as they were mates.
Yeah like I say, he might be brilliant and we might have been scouting him for a while. But I would want a bit more evidence than a really good 90 minutes. He’s not exactly shredded Serie A has he?
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I think they said 4 goals in 6 games after he scored yesterday so he’s definitely experiencing a purple patch.
I wonder if he was a monchi player and Emery preferred Rogers? If originally an Emery player than you’d expect we’ll have meticulous files on him regardless.
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I think they said 4 goals in 6 games after he scored yesterday so he’s definitely experiencing a purple patch.
I wonder if he was a monchi player and Emery preferred Rogers? If originally an Emery player than you’d expect we’ll have meticulous files on him regardless.
Seeing we’ve played Bologna, I’d imagine Emery has seen pretty much everything Rowe has done as a player in the last couple of seasons - regardless of what he knew before.
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Indeed, and for those comparing it to Hadji, the counter argument is it's similar circumstances to the lad who was in our number 10 position last night.
Rowe just set the bar very high regarding where his level is. I've never seen anyone do that to Cash, who's arguably the best right back in the league right now.
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Indeed, and for those comparing it to Hadji, the counter argument is it's similar circumstances to the lad who was in our number 10 position last night.
Rowe just set the bar very high regarding where his level is. I've never seen anyone do that to Cash, who's arguably the best right back in the league right now.
I was just going to post similar, Cash is on top of his game and nobody has come close to giving him the runaround he got last night. Was impressed also with Rowe's physicality, that bodes well for being able to play in this league
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He looks a bit like that lad Man City have on their left wing.
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I liked it when we signed Hadji.
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I liked it when we signed Hadji.
I assume you liked it less once he’d played for us.
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Rowe strikes me as similar to Rogers in that attributes are there and Unai could take him up another level or two.
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I think Rowe looked very good last night, but personally I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play before that game. He looks to be in a purple patch, based on his statistical output (I know that’s not everything) which might be the start of something or it might be a purple patch. I would just hope the club would take a longer-term look.
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Looking at his goals this season (stats)
6 goals and 3 assists more than sancho and bailey combined
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Need convincing that his form is long-term consistent. Like with Harry Wilson, see if they can do it year in, year out.
If they're still good at 34, let them have a go at the Villa for a year before they retire.
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Asking price will be key they paid 17m for him so i would imagine 30m would be enough. He is only 22 as well which means his value will hold
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Looking at his goals this season (stats)
6 goals and 3 assists more than sancho and bailey combined
Not sure whether that’s supposed to be a positive comparison.
In any case, he has done well of late in Europe it seems. His Serie A returns are very modest. That might be adapting to a new league. But it certainly isn’t, this guy is the nailed on real deal.
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He'd probably cost similar to Guessand, I know which I would prefer. As long as there aren't any doubts over him as a person, which when Marseille think you're a wrong 'un is some going.
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He'd probably cost similar to Guessand, I know which I would prefer. As long as there aren't any doubts over him as a person, which when Marseille think you're a wrong 'un is some going.
Oh yeah, it’s coming back to me now, didnt he have a dressing room fight with Rabiot?
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Wouldn't blame him, Rabiot is a preening tosser.
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A little over a month ago he had 3 goals and 1 assist from 30 appearances. Yes he's in impressive form in the last 6 matches but that is all it is right now. I'd hoped we were over the period of wanting to sign anyone who had a good game against us.
As I said he reminds me a lot of Bailey in that you can see there's plenty of talent there but there's some concerning signs around his attitude.
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Emery has always struck me as someone that will impulse buy a player based on one game.
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I liked it when we signed Hadji.
I assume you liked it less once he’d played for us.
Was he really that bad? Memory has faded from a generally depressing time watching Villa. Kachoul was awful.
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Rowe reminded me of Summerville, who we've been linked with recently and were when he was at Leeds after they had been relegated.
Re: the purple patch comments. Scouting departments often try to sign players when they think they're on the cusp of consistently delivering stats. He's 22 and spoken about how working with Italiano has improved his game so he may well be starting to establish himself.
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Emery has always struck me as someone that will impulse buy a player based on one game.
Yes, like Morgan.
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Rowe reminded me of Summerville, who we've been linked with recently and were when he was at Leeds after they had been relegated.
Re: the purple patch comments. Scouting departments often try to sign players when they think they're on the cusp of consistently delivering stats. He's 22 and spoken about how working with Italiano has improved his game so he may well be starting to establish himself.
Absolutely, and if our scouts identify him as an option then I'd be ok with it, I just think some people on here have gone a little over the top on the basis 1 one game against us.
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Rowe reminded me of Summerville, who we've been linked with recently and were when he was at Leeds after they had been relegated.
Re: the purple patch comments. Scouting departments often try to sign players when they think they're on the cusp of consistently delivering stats. He's 22 and spoken about how working with Italiano has improved his game so he may well be starting to establish himself.
Absolutely, and if our scouts identify him as an option then I'd be ok with it, I just think some people on here have gone a little over the top on the basis 1 one game against us.
Exactly. He might be brilliant, but I suspect most on here stating we should sign him have seen more a less as much as I have - which is last night. I don’t remember what he did when he came on against us on earlier in the season. One good game against us isn’t enough to assess.
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Seeing wingers generally that attack their man and take shots is something of a novelty for us these days so you can understand why we get a bit excited when we see one.
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Emery has always struck me as someone that will impulse buy a player based on one game.
Yes, like Morgan.
Which would have been based on thr countless footage Unai watches before we play someone.
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Rogers wouldn't have exactly been new to our recruitment department since he was being discussed in the Grealish deal but City valued him at £10m.
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Seeing wingers generally that attack their man and take shots is something of a novelty for us these days so you can understand why we get a bit excited when we see one.
The last one to make an impact was Bailey for
about six months. Unless Emery changes shape a player like Rowe would struggle tactically in our midfield four. He's physically stronger and more direct than likes of Bailey, Elliot, Guessand or Sancho. But that's a pretty low bar.
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Rogers wouldn't have exactly been new to our recruitment department since he was being discussed in the Grealish deal but City valued him at £10m.
Anyone who actually believes we signed someone on the basis of one performance is a bit of a plonker.
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Rogers wouldn't have exactly been new to our recruitment department since he was being discussed in the Grealish deal but City valued him at £10m.
Anyone who actually believes we signed someone on the basis of one performance is a bit of a plonker.
I think we might have with Yorke.
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Nope. He was asked to come for a trial but wasn't signed for a few months. But I suspect the op was more talking about these days when massive amounts of material is there for scouting rather then a several part timers asked to visit different matches in the lower leagues a couple of times a week.
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Yorke was spotted by Doug, who pointed him out to Graham Taylor when we played a friendly in Trinidad. That's Doug's version; Sir Graham's tale differed slightly.
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Yorke was spotted by Doug, who pointed him out to Graham Taylor when we played a friendly in Trinidad. That's Doug's version; Sir Graham's tale differed slightly.
Didn't SGT used to do things like that, convince Doug it was his idea about a potential signing to get him to open his wallet?
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Can we just clarify here please, it was never Doug’s wallet we were opening it was the clubs. He never put a penny into the club other than to buy the controlling share off the Bendalls.
Never forgive, never forget.
(Yes I am bitter.)
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Rogers wouldn't have exactly been new to our recruitment department since he was being discussed in the Grealish deal but City valued him at £10m.
MR was well known due to connection to Mark Harrison and Steve Hopcroft.
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Can we just clarify here please, it was never Doug’s wallet we were opening it was the clubs. He never put a penny into the club other than to buy the controlling share off the Bendalls.
Never forgive, never forget.
(Yes I am bitter.)
Quite correct.
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Happy that Guessand appears to have found his form, there's a chance we might get our money back.
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Malen also seems to be doing well at Roma, not sure they need to finish in a euro place to be interested in signing him as he’s doing so well regardless.
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Yes, if we can pick up 50 to 60 million total for the sale of Guessand and Malen that can only bode well.
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Seeing wingers generally that attack their man and take shots is something of a novelty for us these days so you can understand why we get a bit excited when we see one.
That's what impressed me most running at defenders however talking to Bologna fans afterwards they were not that vocal about him. They said he's 1 in 6 player often totally anonymous.
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Malen hattrick yesterday.
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Can we just clarify here please, it was never Doug’s wallet we were opening it was the clubs. He never put a penny into the club other than to buy the controlling share off the Bendalls.
Never forgive, never forget.
me too
Add my Dad to that list, Iam sure he has looked Doug up and had a word
(Yes I am bitter.)
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Yes, if we can pick up 50 to 60 million total for the sale of Guessand and Malen that can only bode well.
What will we get for Barranchea? THere’s also the young RB at Leipzig but I think I read they’re declining the option to buy him. Are there anymore?
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Yes, if we can pick up 50 to 60 million total for the sale of Guessand and Malen that can only bode well.
What will we get for Barranchea? THere’s also the young RB at Leipzig but I think I read they’re declining the option to buy him. Are there anymore?
I think he already left for about 10 mil
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No to Wilson...coming off a fantastic season no doubt but going to demand a massive contract. Casemiro, that's a piss take? 22-25 year olds needed.
It’s one of those situations, as with Tielemans, where Unai makes a personal visit to ascertain the player’s “sporting objectives” (i.e., gentle incitation not to take the piss).
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From what I can find online Barrenechea, Guessand and Malen have set fees in the region of £15m, £30m and £25m. There's probably some performance clauses in amongst that but given all 3 are either confirmed or look highly likely we're looking at £60-70m incoming from them. That can be added to the removal of their wages and amortisation costs from the SCR calculations. The fees get spread over 3 seasons under the current rules but even still all told it's going to be about £40m a year freed up for the next 3 seasons.
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Yorke was spotted by Doug, who pointed him out to Graham Taylor when we played a friendly in Trinidad. That's Doug's version; Sir Graham's tale differed slightly.
Didn't SGT used to do things like that, convince Doug it was his idea about a potential signing to get him to open his wallet?
He did, but to repeat, it was never his money.
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Guessand's move to Palace on a permanent seems far from certain. He's got a way to go to hit those goals and assist targets they have in the agreement. And I'm not sure his form recently has been strong enough for them to dismiss the performance clause and just sign him anyway? Hopefully he scores an important goal in their winning of the Conference.
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Guessand's move to Palace on a permanent seems far from certain. He's got a way to go to hit those goals and assist targets they have in the agreement. And I'm not sure his form recently has been strong enough for them to dismiss the performance clause and just sign him anyway? Hopefully he scores an important goal in their winning of the Conference.
No way Guesand is going anywhere he’s just no where near good enough for any prem team
I think we will be stuck with him loaning him out constantly until his contract expires
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Guessand not in the squad today for Palace.
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Guessand not in the squad today for Palace.
Injured midweek
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Guessand not in the squad today for Palace.
Injured midweek
Think he is out for a while supposedly.
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From what I can find online Barrenechea, Guessand and Malen have set fees in the region of £15m, £30m and £25m.
It's a weird, dysfunctional world where Guessand can cost more than Malen.
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Townley tweeted today that our starting XI against Nottingham Forest had an average age of 29 years and 328 days - our oldest for a Premier League game since March 2001 under John Gregory. Im sure our owners are aware of this but it does indicate how much we are going to have reshape the squad over the next couple of years
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Guessand's move to Palace on a permanent seems far from certain. He's got a way to go to hit those goals and assist targets they have in the agreement. And I'm not sure his form recently has been strong enough for them to dismiss the performance clause and just sign him anyway? Hopefully he scores an important goal in their winning of the Conference.
The PAlace fans love him.
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He's out for a month and Glasner is going in the Summer. Guessand will be back here.
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Just been looking at the expiring contracts on Transfermarkt.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/statistik/endendevertraege
With or without CL, we should be looking to pick up a few of these - we've done very well with free transfers recently (Kamara, Tielemans, Lindelof)
Harry Wilson - already linked
Marcos Senesi - would be a good replacement if we wanted to cash in on Konsa or Torres.
Julian Brandt - maybe a Rogers alternative/replacement if we cash in
Oscar Mingueza - previously linked, good alternative/back up for Cash and RCB.
Ryan Sessegnon - still young LB, could replace Digne
Rico Henry - older LB, could replace Digne
Yves Bissouma - was good a few years ago, and we'll need cover for Kamara's inevitable season-ending injury next January.
There's also Sancho, but I don't think he's done enough for us to be paying him £150k-£200k a week.
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Bissouma is a knob, steer clear of him.
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Bernado Silva, 31, up for grabs as well on a free in June 2026. Big wages though.
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Hopefully our transfer department has a bit more imagination and a wider scope.
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Bernado Silva, 31, up for grabs as well on a free in June 2026. Big wages though.
If he was going to stay in England, he'd renew with Man City.
I think he wants to go to Spain.
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Hopefully our transfer department has a bit more imagination and a wider scope.
Well the media is speculating that we'll have to sell even if we're in the CL, suggesting we don't have a lot of scope. I doubt we're going to be spending £100m+ without selling Rogers.
Free transfers like Senesi, Mingueza and Wilson are cheap(er) ways of getting good quality players to strengthen the squad for a CL campaign.
I'm not suggesting that's all we do, but it leaves our budget for the likely big ticket transfers - like a replacement keeper, a striker and a winger.
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Hopefully Guessand will hit the ground running in August having had a year to acclimatise to English turf.
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I miss Footy's free agents lists, where he would suggest us going for a load of old duffers, some mono legged.
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I miss Footy's free agents lists, where he would suggest us going for a load of old duffers, some mono legged.
Also the occasional dead person.
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I miss Footy's free agents lists, where he would suggest us going for a load of old duffers, some mono legged.
I had no idea Footy went to indie clubs in the 90s.
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Bernado Silva, 31, up for grabs as well on a free in June 2026. Big wages though.
If he was going to stay in England, he'd renew with Man City.
I think he wants to go to Spain.
I’m probably alone in this but I’ve always thought he was vastly overrated. Decent enough but not as special as many think. Maybe it’s a Silva thing as I thought the same about David Silva.
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Bernado Silva, 31, up for grabs as well on a free in June 2026. Big wages though.
If he was going to stay in England, he'd renew with Man City.
I think he wants to go to Spain.
I’m probably alone in this but I’ve always thought he was vastly overrated. Decent enough but not as special as many think. Maybe it’s a Silva thing as I thought the same about David Silva.
Must admit I’m with you on Bernardo Silva but David Silva was a lovely player and much superior.
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David Silva was fantastic. Bernardo was okay, but overrated.
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Hopefully Guessand will hit the ground running in August having had a year to acclimatise to English turf.
Better suited to the flat tracks in France.
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Just been looking at the expiring contracts on Transfermarkt.
Julian Brandt - maybe a Rogers alternative/replacement if we cash in
Brandt is on my extensive player watch list. I would take him if Barkley didn't have another year left. If we move him on in the summer we should be looking at Brandt as his replacement.
Benjamin Nygren at Celtic is who I hope we are in for this summer. His stats are excellent, he's young and he protects the ball very well almost McGinn esque.
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Bernardo was okay, but overrated.
Really?? I had a quick check and his record is 'quite good': 1 CL, 6 PL, 2 FA cup, 5 League cup. In eight of nine seasons at city he's played more than 30 games (20/21 was 26).
I think Bernado suffers in that he's tactically disciplined, so has been used in a number of different roles over the seasons - Pep has trusted him to carry out jobs for the good of the team. I don't think it's a mistake he's had such a long career at Man City, and invariable picked in big games.
In that sense he's a bit like McGinn for us - you can't really say exactly what he does, but when he's not in the team everything else looks worse.
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Whatever we do we need to start bringing the age profile of the squad down.
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Bernardo was okay, but overrated.
Really?? I had a quick check and his record is 'quite good': 1 CL, 6 PL, 2 FA cup, 5 League cup. In eight of nine seasons at city he's played more than 30 games (20/21 was 26).
I think Bernado suffers in that he's tactically disciplined, so has been used in a number of different roles over the seasons - Pep has trusted him to carry out jobs for the good of the team. I don't think it's a mistake he's had such a long career at Man City, and invariable picked in big games.
In that sense he's a bit like McGinn for us - you can't really say exactly what he does, but when he's not in the team everything else looks worse.
He is a bit of a water carrier but a very good one, always available to receive the ball, rarely gives it away, keeps momentum going and covers a lot of ground with and without possession.
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Just been looking at the expiring contracts on Transfermarkt.
Julian Brandt - maybe a Rogers alternative/replacement if we cash in
Brandt is on my extensive player watch list. I would take him if Barkley didn't have another year left. If we move him on in the summer we should be looking at Brandt as his replacement.
Benjamin Nygren at Celtic is who I hope we are in for this summer. His stats are excellent, he's young and he protects the ball very well almost McGinn esque.
I’ve always thought Brandt should offer far more than he does, he’s clearly got it all but whenever I’ve seen him play, he rarely dominates games in the way he could.
Nygren is a blank page to me.
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Bernado Silva, 31, up for grabs as well on a free in June 2026. Big wages though.
If he was going to stay in England, he'd renew with Man City.
I think he wants to go to Spain.
I’m probably alone in this but I’ve always thought he was vastly overrated. Decent enough but not as special as many think. Maybe it’s a Silva thing as I thought the same about David Silva.
Bernado is vastly overrated (although he seems to fit into Guardiola's world well), but David was an elegant and talented player.
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Bernardo put in one of the best individual displays I've seen from an opposition player when they beat us under Gerrard and he scored that mad volley.
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Hopefully our transfer department has a bit more imagination and a wider scope.
Well the media is speculating that we'll have to sell even if we're in the CL, suggesting we don't have a lot of scope. I doubt we're going to be spending £100m+ without selling Rogers.
Free transfers like Senesi, Mingueza and Wilson are cheap(er) ways of getting good quality players to strengthen the squad for a CL campaign.
I'm not suggesting that's all we do, but it leaves our budget for the likely big ticket transfers - like a replacement keeper, a striker and a winger.
It's exactly the way we need to go: bring in a couple of really good free transfers and then 2 or 3 really good youngsters and blend them in to the squad. The target over the next 2-3 seasons has to be to compete in the Chumps League, do well in the Premier League and slowly churn the older players out of the squad with well-blended youngsters.
The current PSG model is a good one.
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Bernardo put in one of the best individual displays I've seen from an opposition player when they beat us under Gerrard and he scored that mad volley.
Yeah, the McGinn comparison above is a good one. There's no specific job that he is in the team to do better than anyone else, but his presence elevates everyone else around him and the team is much worse without him in it.
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Yep, I think he's their 2nd most important player (after Rodri).
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Yeah, I think some on here are really underrating Bernardo.
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I'm kind of amazed at the 'overrated' comments. He's an incredible player. The team that picks him up will easily get another two years out of him when he's not especially far off his best.
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The current PSG model is a good one.
I agree in concept. Our difficulty will be that we’re not the same magnet as PSG for young (mainly) french players and we do not have the cash (we do, but…) to persuade/demand the clubs further down the food chain sell their best players. It is the correct route but I feel we will be fishing in the championship/lesser leagues for a few seasons yet.
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How Unai speaks about Sancho is interesting. It might be a short term boost thing, but I do wonder if we are pursuing a permanent signing.
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How Unai speaks about Sancho is interesting. It might be a short term boost thing, but I do wonder if we are pursuing a permanent signing.
wouldn't be surprising at all on a free transfer and on a more reasonable longer term deal. But he will likely have other offers at a better salary.
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I suppose it will depend on how personally happy Sancho is here as its not as though UE has him firing on all cylinders .
It shows how little interest I have in seeing Man City wallop everyone in sight, Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
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I suppose it will depend on how personally happy Sancho is here as its not as though UE has him firing on all cylinders .
It shows how little interest I have in seeing Man City wallop everyone in sight, Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
Same. I'm like that with most football. I saw people on here giving Ugarte the bird the other day and it struck me that, though I knew his name (and that he's from Uruguay because I'm a sucker for Uruguay), I had no idea what he looks like, where he plays, how much he cost or whether he butters bacon rolls. It largely passes me by.
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Bernardo put in one of the best individual displays I've seen from an opposition player when they beat us under Gerrard and he scored that mad volley.
he's been superb lately
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Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
That's because he's good enough to be able to play most positions (and has across midfield) in Guardiola's side.
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Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
That's because he's good enough to be able to play most positions (and has across midfield) in Guardiola's side.
Poor mans lamare bogarde
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With Sancho, I remember reading his agents saying that his next move will be a football decision rather than being about maximising the amount of money they can make. So it's possible that we might sign him on more favourable terms.
With Bernando Silva, I don't watch Citeh much either but I did watch the Liverpool-City league game a month or two back. Silva was brilliant. Absolutely ran the game and was obviously the man of the match.
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Silva is an absolutely brilliant player.
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I suppose it will depend on how personally happy Sancho is here as its not as though UE has him firing on all cylinders .
It shows how little interest I have in seeing Man City wallop everyone in sight, Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
Same. I'm like that with most football. I saw people on here giving Ugarte the bird the other day and it struck me that, though I knew his name (and that he's from Uruguay because I'm a sucker for Uruguay), I had no idea what he looks like, where he plays, how much he cost or whether he butters bacon rolls. It largely passes me by.
I’m pretty much the same.
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Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
That's because he's good enough to be able to play most positions (and has across midfield) in Guardiola's side.
OK, I just think of him as one of the players on the highlights congratulating Harlaand after he's scored another tap in to complete his hat trick in a routine win.
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Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
That's because he's good enough to be able to play most positions (and has across midfield) in Guardiola's side.
OK, I just think of him as one of the players on the highlights congratulating Harlaand after he's scored another tap in to complete his hat trick in a routine win.
He's probably the player that's had a dozen touches of the ball in the build up before playing a great pass into the winger, who then squared it to Haaland.
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Im all for Silva on a free but who's shirt is he taking? I doubt he's leaving city to sit on a bench, if its Tielemans no, Buendia? yes bring him in. Class player who's played 60 game seasons for years and never gets injured
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Silva wouldn’t come here - but if he were here he starts every game.
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Silva wouldn’t come here - but if he were here he starts every game.
Yep.
He has been talking about returning to Portugal for a long time, he will be going back to Portugal or Spain.
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Bernardo Silva is brilliant, and will probably remain so for another year or two. But he's not coming here. My guess is it will be a big contract somewhere not particularly competitive.
He's getting plenty of games at City, so if he wanted to continue playing at the top level, he'd probably stay there for another year, at least. My guess is he's either doing one big mega-wages move to the middle-east, or he'll go back to Portugal for his family.
Shame, as he'd be a massive upgrade on Buendia.
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Bernardo Silva is brilliant, and will probably remain so for another year or two. But he's not coming here. My guess is it will be a big contract somewhere not particularly competitive.
He's getting plenty of games at City, so if he wanted to continue playing at the top level, he'd probably stay there for another year, at least. My guess is he's either doing one big mega-wages move to the middle-east, or he'll go back to Portugal for his family.
Shame, as he'd be a massive upgrade on Buendia.
Yup, great player, not coming here. My guess would be a couple of years at Juventus, finish with a couple of years at Benfica.
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Silva wouldn’t come here - but if he were here he starts every game.
Yep.
He has been talking about returning to Portugal for a long time, he will be going back to Portugal or Spain.
I think he has being going back to Portugal since 6 months after he arrived.
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Silva would be the perfect tactical fit for us but there isn't a chance of him signing for us. Barca will probably find a way to squeeze him into their squad on the final day of transfer window.
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Funny how we all see the game different - yes he is a brilliant player but it boils my piss that every time he has the ball in forward positions he never crosses it but instead chops inside then outside, then inside then lays it off
He does it that much Matty Cash must have a boner watching him
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I suppose six-time league winner and one-time Champions League winner Bernardo Silva should've focused more energy on Whipping It In.
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Annoys me that Erling Haaland steadfastly refuses to charge into the goalkeeper when he has the ball in his hands. It's almost like the game has changed in the last eighty years.
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A bit like Gilberto Silva his namesake - you know they are very good players but nobody knows what they do.
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I suppose six-time league winner and one-time Champions League winner Bernardo Silva should've focused more energy on Whipping It In.
:)
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Silva is such a fantastic player, would love him here.
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If Bernardo Silva wanted to stay in England, he'd just stay at Man City.
They don't want to lose him, he just wants to move to sunnier climes.
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If Bernardo Silva wanted to stay in England, he'd just stay at Man City.
They don't want to lose him, he just wants to move to sunnier climes.
Isn't Birmingham further south than Manchester, and less rainy?
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If Bernardo Silva wanted to stay in England, he'd just stay at Man City.
They don't want to lose him, he just wants to move to sunnier climes.
Isn't Birmingham further south than Manchester, and less rainy?
Lisbon has more rain than Birmingham 28.6 inches vs 26.8 inches, only difference is the number of days it rains, 77 vs 125. (Manchester 365).
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Its OK to prefer crosses to short passes.
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If Bernardo Silva wanted to stay in England, he'd just stay at Man City.
They don't want to lose him, he just wants to move to sunnier climes.
I have never thought he would come here, just had to question the Stevie Wonders on here.
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That’s two games I’ve seen Rowe play now (don’t really remember him in the group game) - one brilliant and one not so much. Might be good, but wouldn’t put him in the “definitely sign” category.
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That’s two games I’ve seen Rowe play now (don’t really remember him in the group game) - one brilliant and one not so much. Might be good, but wouldn’t put him in the “definitely sign” category.
Maybe. The way Bologna set up didn't favour him.
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That’s two games I’ve seen Rowe play now (don’t really remember him in the group game) - one brilliant and one not so much. Might be good, but wouldn’t put him in the “definitely sign” category.
Maybe. The way Bologna set up didn't favour him.
Cash also was much improved and got into him very early.
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That’s two games I’ve seen Rowe play now (don’t really remember him in the group game) - one brilliant and one not so much. Might be good, but wouldn’t put him in the “definitely sign” category.
Maybe. The way Bologna set up didn't favour him.
Cash also was much improved and got into him very early.
Cash played like last week was a personal affront and was absolutely not happening again. Tremendous.
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Indeed - as I said last week, when he was great, he might be amazing but need to see much sustained evidence.
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Wingers struggle to offer sustained evidence. It's part of their DNA.
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True, but for me personally that still doesn’t say one good game against us is the answer. I’m not saying that is what you’re saying by the way.
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Today, Barca are not buying Rashford. Is that because of him not taking a paycut or can they not afford £21m.
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Today, Barca are not buying Rashford. Is that because of him not taking a paycut or can they not afford £21m.
If we get into the Champions League, and can make it work financially, I'd love to have him back here. But I suspect he'll have some very attractive offers from top clubs across Europe.
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True, but for me personally that still doesn’t say one good game against us is the answer. I’m not saying that is what you’re saying by the way.
I agree, I'm not sold on him, as we're seeing, the PL looks so much stronger than other top flights across Europe.
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Rashford will not find another club without taking a massive wage cut.
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Rashford will not find another club without taking a massive wage cut.
Man Utd dont want to pay him £300k per week, and the only way they can stop doing so is by selling him for much less than he's worth, so his new club can put the money they've saved into paying the player.
So Rashford's next club gets a £60m+ player for £20m, and Rashford doesn't have to worry about coins to put in the meter.
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Rashford for 20m is a no brainer if we can get the wages down. 3 year contract i wiildnt go 5 years as thats a expensive gamble
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We wouldn't get the wages down. That's why he's available for a fraction of his actual value.
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I think his wages go up if Man U qualify for the CL. I suspect Barcelona are very aware of that change and seeking to mess Man U about a bit.
I still thought Rowe was decent. Impactful given he barely had the ball. Cash was much better and McGinn/Konsa were much quicker to double up on him. Given those structural changes he did well to set up the chance he did (the Digne block being the best).
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Today, Barca are not buying Rashford. Is that because of him not taking a paycut or can they not afford £21m.
If we get into the Champions League, and can make it work financially, I'd love to have him back here. But I suspect he'll have some very attractive offers from top clubs across Europe.
He probably would get attractive offers elsewhere, but, by his own admission, he really enjoyed his time with us. I think if we put ourselves in the mix we’d stand a very good chance of getting him.
How much he’d be prepared to drop his wage demands would be a major factor.
Sancho is prepared to drop quite significantly, by all accounts, so Rashford might be willing, too.
He’s never struck me as a mercenary sort.
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I think we can calm down about the lad Rowe now
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I think we can calm down about the lad Rowe now
I don’t know about that, I was impressed. He didnt get at Cash as much and we’d planned to starve him of the ball but I thought what he did, he did well. Good first touch, shielded the ball very well to drag players toward him before playing simple but intelligent passes, a few great whipped crosses and that little lofted ball through that set up what seemed their only decent attack.
No doubt last weeks was the game of his life, but if he hadn’t done that then, I’d have looked at last night and thought him a player to keep an eye on.
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True, but for me personally that still doesn’t say one good game against us is the answer. I’m not saying that is what you’re saying by the way.
I agree, I'm not sold on him, as we're seeing, the PL looks so much stronger than other top flights across Europe.
Agreed, I've convinced myself that the current top 18 (eighteen) clubs in the EPL would have a genuine chance of winning the Europa League if they entered. Basing this on Man Utd and Spuds last year and Forest this year. Money talks and we are a lot stronger in depth than any other league in europe.
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True, but for me personally that still doesn’t say one good game against us is the answer. I’m not saying that is what you’re saying by the way.
I agree, I'm not sold on him, as we're seeing, the PL looks so much stronger than other top flights across Europe.
Agreed, I'v convinced myself that the current top 18 (eighteen) clubs in the EPL would have a genuine chance of winning the Europa League if they entered. Base this on Man Utd and Spuds last year and Forest this year. Money talks and we are a lot stronger in depth than any other league in europe.
That’s because the Premier League is the Super League.
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Aston Villa tussle to sign in ‘high demand’ Bayern Munich player
Aston Villa are in the battle to sign Bayern Munich’s Noel Aseko in the summer.
The defensive midfielder has already attracted attention of clubs in Germany and across Europe, including Aston Villa.
In February 2025, Bayern Munich allowed him to join Hannover 96 on loan and later that year, extended his stay until the end of this season.
In the event of a sale, the Bavarian club would be looking for a fee of around €10-12m, which should be affordable for Aston Villa.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-in-tussle-to-sign-player-in-high-demand-summer-move-could-be-on-cards/
Add this new name to the list
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Going to have lots of fun replying "bless you" whenever anyone just posts his surname.
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He looks good, he'd be yet another attempt to find someone to backup and later replace Mcginn from those highlights, seems suited to a slightly more free role than we play in our main central mid.
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Have we had a Noel/Christmas Villa player before ?
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He's described as a defensive midfielder but he looks like more of a creative player in those clips.
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Have we had a Noel/Christmas Villa player before ?
Noel Blake, unfortunately.
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Barcelona not taking up the option on Rashford at the end of the season, apparently. Even with a reduced fee.
Not the right fit tactically.
You’d imaging Unai will be all over that if any sort of deal is possible.
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Don’t think we’re allowed to spend the money for his wages.
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Don’t think we’re allowed to spend the money for his wages.
That’s our issue, more than transfer fee with scr.
Need to get some big earners out before we can plan that, Sancho going would help.
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Don’t think we’re allowed to spend the money for his wages.
That’s our issue, more than transfer fee with scr.
Need to get some big earners out before we can plan that, Sancho going would help.
This isn't really true, the SCR calculation still includes amortised fees so we still need to consider transfer costs. The simplest way to do that now that incoming fees are also spread over 3 years is to keep net spend down to a minimum. This is why moving on Malen, Guessand, Barrenechea, Iling-Junior, Nedeljkovic and Dobbin (all players we own but are out on loan and should generate decent fees between them) is important because we remove the amortisation of their incoming fees and remove their wages without any impact on the squad.
Add in the savings on Elliott, Sancho and Luiz and we're left with, realistically, 2 useful players gone from the squad, more than half a million a week in wages freed up and a big chunk of amortised fees gone without really weakening us beyond losing a bit of cover.
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Don’t think we’re allowed to spend the money for his wages.
That’s our issue, more than transfer fee with scr.
Need to get some big earners out before we can plan that, Sancho going would help.
We need to stop overpaying on agents fees too.
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Don’t think we’re allowed to spend the money for his wages.
That’s our issue, more than transfer fee with scr.
Need to get some big earners out before we can plan that, Sancho going would help.
This isn't really true, the SCR calculation still includes amortised fees so we still need to consider transfer costs. The simplest way to do that now that incoming fees are also spread over 3 years is to keep net spend down to a minimum. This is why moving on Malen, Guessand, Barrenechea, Iling-Junior, Nedeljkovic and Dobbin (all players we own but are out on loan and should generate decent fees between them) is important because we remove the amortisation of their incoming fees and remove their wages without any impact on the squad.
Add in the savings on Elliott, Sancho and Luiz and we're left with, realistically, 2 useful players gone from the squad, more than half a million a week in wages freed up and a big chunk of amortised fees gone without really weakening us beyond losing a bit of cover.
Fair dos’s, the sale of above will help a lot also. Point I badly made was that scr puts more emphasis on the wages as % of turnover which we have been getting in loans and free signings on higher wages, which is now not such an attractive option as before.
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I take it a big signing on fee and reduced wages wouldn’t be a way around any financial restrictions?
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Don’t think we’re allowed to spend the money for his wages.
That’s our issue, more than transfer fee with scr.
Need to get some big earners out before we can plan that, Sancho going would help.
This isn't really true, the SCR calculation still includes amortised fees so we still need to consider transfer costs. The simplest way to do that now that incoming fees are also spread over 3 years is to keep net spend down to a minimum. This is why moving on Malen, Guessand, Barrenechea, Iling-Junior, Nedeljkovic and Dobbin (all players we own but are out on loan and should generate decent fees between them) is important because we remove the amortisation of their incoming fees and remove their wages without any impact on the squad.
Add in the savings on Elliott, Sancho and Luiz and we're left with, realistically, 2 useful players gone from the squad, more than half a million a week in wages freed up and a big chunk of amortised fees gone without really weakening us beyond losing a bit of cover.
Fair dos’s, the sale of above will help a lot also. Point I badly made was that scr puts more emphasis on the wages as % of turnover which we have been getting in loans and free signings on higher wages, which is now not such an attractive option as before.
I don't think it makes that big a difference for free transfers. Loans I agree, we really should try to avoid unless they're Rashford/Asensio level impact. With wages and fees as they are every extra 10k on the weekly wage (assuming 5 year contracts) is the equivalent of £2.6m on the fee and given the level we're shopping at means fees in the 25-30m range the wage demands need to be huge to work out as the same costs for SCR.
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We wouldn't get the wages down. That's why he's available for a fraction of his actual value.
Wont happen then unfortunately
We aint gonna destroy our wage budget to fuck ourselves for years on rashford
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The loan/delayed sales is smart business. A chunk more of the fee is amortised and their fees covered. The down side is the loan club get to ‘try before they buy’ but on a human level I think that makes sense too.
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I take it a big signing on fee and reduced wages wouldn’t be a way around any financial restrictions?
A lot don't know this about signing on fees.
https://www.tiktok.com/@benfcyclinggk/video/7274955738399657248
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We wouldn't get the wages down. That's why he's available for a fraction of his actual value.
Wont happen then unfortunately
We aint gonna destroy our wage budget to fuck ourselves for years on rashford
I still think it's more likely that we don't sign him than we do, but there's quite obviously a set of circumstances where we are prepared to offer him what he wants to join us permanently, because last January we did just that.
Had we decided our finances were in a suitable place to sign him, then it was all agreed with both Rashford and Man Utd that he would join us. Quite obviously the thing that stopped our finances being in a suitable place was finishing outside the Champions League places.
So assuming we don't screw up the next six weeks, if we still want him and he's happy with us, logic would suggest that there's a way to make the finances work, because it would have worked last season.
I imagine that the main barrier is likely to be someone potentially shinier (Bayern? Atletico?) thinking they might be getting a bit of a bargain.
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Rashford might factor in his 25% pay rise into any newly negotiated deal. Carrick has suggested the door is open for him to stay.
I suspect this is all a game of bluff at the moment, including Barca pulling out.
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I suspect this is all a game of bluff at the moment, including Barca pulling out.
Yup, me too. I reckon it’s a tactic for Utd to sweeten the deal a little and he’ll be back at Barca.
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Rashford will be 29 this year and we already have an aging squad. For this reason, I reckon we won't go for him.
Whatever limited money we can spend will be concentrated on younger players who Unai can develop over the next two or three years.
Otherwise, in two or three years time we will be f*ucked with a capital F.
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How long has Rashford got left on his contract at Manure?
Rather than buying him, if we lose Sancho, Bailey, Elliott, and maybe Digne off the wage bill, it could be a good option to get him on a season long loan if his wages are not crazy.
At his age and on big wages, I wouldn’t want to offer him a contract of 3 years or more. UTV
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Aston Villa plan ‘concrete move’ for Liverpool midfielder who’s ready to ‘leave’
Curtis Jones is preparing to leave Liverpool this summer, with TEAMtalk understanding that Aston Villa are ready to step up their interest in the midfielder.
The 25-year-old, a product of Liverpool’s academy, is entering the final stages of his current deal, with just over 12 months remaining.
https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/aston-villa-plan-concrete-move-for-liverpool-midfielder-whos-ready-to-leave
12 months left on his contract could be the JJ replacement?
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Rasford's contract expires in 2028. He'll be 30/31. He was very good for us, but with SCR and how things are for us, I'd say it's too costly for what is essentially a short term fix. I'd actually be disappointed if we signed him for those reasons.
Don't think I've ever watched Curtis Jones and thought "player".
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Aston Villa plan ‘concrete move’ for Liverpool midfielder who’s ready to ‘leave’
Curtis Jones is preparing to leave Liverpool this summer, with TEAMtalk understanding that Aston Villa are ready to step up their interest in the midfielder.
The 25-year-old, a product of Liverpool’s academy, is entering the final stages of his current deal, with just over 12 months remaining.
https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/aston-villa-plan-concrete-move-for-liverpool-midfielder-whos-ready-to-leave
12 months left on his contract could be the JJ replacement?
Wonder if they'd be prepared to enter into a convoluted loan-with-an-option/obligation-to-buy mechanism to help us sign him?
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Aston Villa plan ‘concrete move’ for Liverpool midfielder who’s ready to ‘leave’
Curtis Jones is preparing to leave Liverpool this summer, with TEAMtalk understanding that Aston Villa are ready to step up their interest in the midfielder.
The 25-year-old, a product of Liverpool’s academy, is entering the final stages of his current deal, with just over 12 months remaining.
https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/aston-villa-plan-concrete-move-for-liverpool-midfielder-whos-ready-to-leave
12 months left on his contract could be the JJ replacement?
Wonder if they'd be prepared to enter into a convoluted loan-with-an-option/obligation-to-buy mechanism to help us sign him?
Good idea. I don’t see why not.
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Rasford's contract expires in 2028. He'll be 30/31. He was very good for us, but with SCR and how things are for us, I'd say it's too costly for what is essentially a short term fix. I'd actually be disappointed if we signed him for those reasons.
Don't think I've ever watched Curtis Jones and thought "player".
I'm not exactly sure I'd be disappointed with signing a quality player. I get the age thing but signing this summer should mean 3/4 seasons at a top level.
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Wonder if they'd be prepared to enter into a convoluted loan-with-an-option/obligation-to-buy mechanism to help us sign him?
Yes, one of those wonderful if he plays 10 there is obligation to buy sort of deal would be nice.
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Everton apparently interested in signing Toney.
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That feels like a really good fit for all parties.
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The loan/delayed sales is smart business. A chunk more of the fee is amortised and their fees covered. The down side is the loan club get to ‘try before they buy’ but on a human level I think that makes sense too.
Not sure too many clubs (or players) will want to humour us on that one after the Harvey Elliott fiasco.
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The loan/delayed sales is smart business. A chunk more of the fee is amortised and their wages covered. The down side is the loan club get to ‘try before they buy’ but on a human level I think that makes sense too.
Not sure too many clubs (or players) will want to humour us on that one after the Harvey Elliott fiasco.
I meant from a sales perspective but suspect you’re right when buying.
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I liked Curtis Jones. We should get him on loan and play him for 10 games.
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I liked Curtis Jones. We should get him on loan and play him for 10 games.
Couldn’t we swap him for Harvey Elliott?
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I liked Curtis Jones. We should get him on loan and play him for 10 games.
Couldn’t we swap him for Harvey Elliott?
Good idea. Tell him he’ll be in important part of our plans domestically and Europe, then drop him from the CL squad.
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I want a different player for 10 games every half a season. Can we get Ben Mee and make sure he enjoys training? Imagine Kerplunk but the needles are two footers.
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The loan/delayed sales is smart business. A chunk more of the fee is amortised and their fees covered. The down side is the loan club get to ‘try before they buy’ but on a human level I think that makes sense too.
Not sure too many clubs (or players) will want to humour us on that one after the Harvey Elliott fiasco.
I just think teams will structure the loan deals differently, rather than not do them at all. i.e. "there'll be a loan fee if you don't sign them, and none if you buy them at the end of the loan for the price agreed." They get a sale or some loan income, we get a player where we don't have to count appearances.
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That feels like a really good fit for all parties.
Bambi on Ice Beto is finally coming into his own. Weird goal celebration, mind.
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I like Curtis Jones and think he's a good player, but they'd want too much and I worry he's a bit of a 'jack of all trades'.
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I like Curtis Jones and think he's a good player, but they'd want too much and I worry he's a bit of a 'jack of all trades'.
A good, solid, jack-of-all-trades midfielder would allow us to thin the herd a little in midfield, where we're probably blessed with riches we don't need (when everyone is fit, obviously). I'm not sure Jones is that player, btw, but I'm certainly not averse to having a player in the squad who can play a few different roles pretty well without ever becoming top, top class in one of them. Bogarde might become that player, of course.
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Like the rest of you, I hate the thought of having to sell another top player to comply with PSR, FFP, WTF rules. But we do have stock in reserve, a few players that have come to mind if we sold them;
Malan - 25 million (doesn't want to play for the Villa)
Guessand -25 million (hopefully)
Bogarde - 12.5 million (solid, but I do not see top 4 quality)
Mings - 5 million (Fantastic servant and would be invaluable to a newly promoted club)
That's nearly 70 million plus other fringe players to sell. With Europa League money (and hopefully Champions League money next year), increased sponsorship and commercial revenue (as our profile increases), increased TV revenue and EPL prize money we could have a big chunk of change at our disposal.
Hopefully, it will be enough to reward our existing squad and give generous wage increases when required (Morgan Rogers). Also buy two or three promising youngsters and possibly two established quality players.
I'm not an accountant but would hate it if we were forced to sell a player. If a player wants to go that is different but in Unai we trust.
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I like Curtis Jones and think he's a good player, but they'd want too much and I worry he's a bit of a 'jack of all trades'.
A good, solid, jack-of-all-trades midfielder would allow us to thin the herd a little in midfield, where we're probably blessed with riches we don't need (when everyone is fit, obviously). I'm not sure Jones is that player, btw, but I'm certainly not averse to having a player in the squad who can play a few different roles pretty well without ever becoming top, top class in one of them. Bogarde might become that player, of course.
I'm not against it either but they'd want more than it's worth paying for such a player.
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I like Curtis Jones and think he's a good player, but they'd want too much and I worry he's a bit of a 'jack of all trades'.
A good, solid, jack-of-all-trades midfielder would allow us to thin the herd a little in midfield, where we're probably blessed with riches we don't need (when everyone is fit, obviously). I'm not sure Jones is that player, btw, but I'm certainly not averse to having a player in the squad who can play a few different roles pretty well without ever becoming top, top class in one of them. Bogarde might become that player, of course.
What does Jones offer that Luiz wouldn't, assuming he'd cost more? Genuine question, as I have no recollection of ever having seen him play (which is the case for me with most players in other teams).
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He did have a few good moments in an England match recently but mainly he’s very meh. I’d prefer Luiz who has an affinity with the club and should be available cheap if juve make all the rumoured purchases.
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Jones is a bit meh for me. He’s not quick of mind and often gets caught out fo being too slow.
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Jones is a bit meh for me. He’s not quick of mind and often gets caught out fo being too slow.
He also has abysmal hair style so it's a no from me. I would prefer to continue to develop Bogarde
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We don’t need any midfielders IMO.
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Juventus set sights on Ligue 1 revelation wanted at Aston Villa
According to Tuttosport, Juventus have joined the queue for Baidoo, who has been one of the best revelations of the Ligue 1 campaign.
The 22-year-old began his career in his native Austria. After various experiences around the country, he was poached by RB Salzburg in 2022.
Last summer, RC Lens purchased the young defender for €8 million and tied him down with a contract valid until June 2030. However, his value has already soared to €25 million according to Transfermarkt.
https://www.juvefc.com/juventus-lens-samson-baidoo/
&t=150s
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Jones is a bit meh for me. He’s not quick of mind and often gets caught out fo being too slow.
Agreed.
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Sunderland’s RW Chris Rigg hasn’t had the breakout season people were expecting but is still highly rated from media reports.
His style reads very similar to SJM (apparently) so could be one to watch today. Still only 18 yrs old.
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Sunderland’s RW Chris Rigg hasn’t had the breakout season people were expecting but is still highly rated from media reports.
His style reads very similar to SJM (apparently) so could be one to watch today. Still only 18 yrs old.
Shiiit Sorry.
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I like Curtis Jones and think he's a good player, but they'd want too much and I worry he's a bit of a 'jack of all trades'.
A good, solid, jack-of-all-trades midfielder would allow us to thin the herd a little in midfield, where we're probably blessed with riches we don't need (when everyone is fit, obviously). I'm not sure Jones is that player, btw, but I'm certainly not averse to having a player in the squad who can play a few different roles pretty well without ever becoming top, top class in one of them. Bogarde might become that player, of course.
What does Jones offer that Luiz wouldn't, assuming he'd cost more? Genuine question, as I have no recollection of ever having seen him play (which is the case for me with most players in other teams).
Not saying I'd swap them (I like Luiz), but Jones also plays full-back and can play wide in midfield. So with that sort of utility player, you're getting cover for 4 or 5 positions in our formation, instead of 2 or 3.
Again, not saying "get Jones", just that there is value in having players like him in your squad.
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We don’t need any midfielders IMO.
I think we need a number 10 and a winger. Bailey, Buendia, Barkley and Sancho all to be gone. Not often I disagree with you Percy!
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No thanks to Jones. Some fella on Youtube that works at John Lennon airport (Above us only sky), said that he's the one grade-A cvnt celebrity he's had to deal with. I only want respectful lads at the football club.
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Sunderland’s RW Chris Rigg hasn’t had the breakout season people were expecting but is still highly rated from media reports.
His style reads very similar to SJM (apparently) so could be one to watch today. Still only 18 yrs old.
Shiiit Sorry.
You weren't wrong though.
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We need a right winger with pace, who is direct. We also need an all action, physical left sided midfielder to help cover McGinn.
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We don’t need any midfielders IMO.
I think we need a number 10 and a winger. Bailey, Buendia, Barkley and Sancho all to be gone. Not often I disagree with you Percy!
I am absolutely content with keeping Barkley and Buendia.
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Sunderland’s RW Chris Rigg hasn’t had the breakout season people were expecting but is still highly rated from media reports.
His style reads very similar to SJM (apparently) so could be one to watch today. Still only 18 yrs old.
Shiiit Sorry.
Please don't praise Morgan Gibbs-White just before we play Forest in the Europa League.
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We need a right winger with pace, who is direct. We also need an all action, physical left sided midfielder to help cover McGinn.
Yeah, we need to bring Ramsey back
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Ramsey can't stay fit and takes five or six games to get up to speed when he's been out. I can't see us signing any PL players outside loans, kids or frees.
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We don’t need any midfielders IMO.
I think we need a number 10 and a winger. Bailey, Buendia, Barkley and Sancho all to be gone. Not often I disagree with you Percy!
I was thinking about centre-mids really. I do think we need wingers.
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I think a midfielder comes in. Don't see us signing Luiz. Love the guy but can't get in, not up to speed and big wages.
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With bailey, Sancho and Guessand likely to be off I think we need a winger. He might not be integral to Emery’s tactic but will be very useful as a tactical point of difference. Feels pointless questioning Emery’s tactics but having one player that threaten the spaces behind the oppositions defence would add a further dimension to our play.
I wonder whether a deal could be done for Madueke. Can play both wings so offers tactical flexibility and Arsenal are rumoured to be jettisoning players to free up cash.
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I think a midfielder comes in. Don't see us signing Luiz. Love the guy but can't get in, not up to speed and big wages.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Doug plays away at Forest where Barkley is not available. Emery might be managing minutes by rotating them depending on the competition rather than not rating Doug.
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I think a midfielder comes in. Don't see us signing Luiz. Love the guy but can't get in, not up to speed and big wages.
Thought he was playing well but Barkley came in from relatively nowhere to start at Old Trafford and Luiz hasn't got much of a chance since. Should definitely have come on for Tielemans today. Didn't start during the week. Omens not great for starting permanently.
Still can't find a mini McGinn. That has to be the priority. No more wingers
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I don't think we're far away. Someone to start either wide left or 10, depending on where Rogers plays. Back up to McGinn. Back up to Cash. Ideally young and potential replacements over time. Buendia and Barkley are more than capable in reserve, as hopefully is Alysson. Tielemans needs cover if Barkley's a 10, so I'd sign Luiz.
Other than that, try and cut our cloth and start looking to the future.
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... a mini McGinn. That has to be the priority.
I agree, but it must be a nightmare of a request for the scouting dept.
His combination of attributes, ability, and attitude must be tricky to find.
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... a mini McGinn. That has to be the priority.
I agree, but it must be a nightmare of a request for the scouting dept.
His combination of attributes, ability, and attitude must be tricky to find.
Maybe that’s why we have been linked with Conor Gallagher so often?
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Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.
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Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.
Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.
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Sunderland’s RW Chris Rigg hasn’t had the breakout season people were expecting but is still highly rated from media reports.
His style reads very similar to SJM (apparently) so could be one to watch today. Still only 18 yrs old.
He was one of the few that caught the eye but I didn’t see any similarity to SJM, he bore more comparison to Harry Wilson, who would cost nothing.
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Gibbs-White ...
Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I'd love Gibbs-White but he's become a key part of their team - we really need them to be relegated to have a chance of getting him... which now doesn't seem likely.
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This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.
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He may do a serviceable job lower half but just don't see him anywhere champions league level.
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Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.
Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.
Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.
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This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.
Not sure PL football would suit him. Not the strongest or quickest. Leading the line for a Moyes or Nuno would be a disaster. Fantastic touch, movement and electric in the box. AC Milan, Dortmund or somewhere instead.
Azaz form for Ireland has been mixed but he's top half PL quality. He's going up regardless of how Soton finish the season.
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Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.
Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.
Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.
I take your point, Paul, but my comment merely reflects where the club seems to be at, and it also mirrors my cynicism that we'll not give any of them a chance to make the role theirs.
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Yesterday was my first proper look at Sunderland, and it looks like they've bought pretty well since promotion, and a bit like we did in our first year back up, with a few players in the 15-20-25m range, who've all taken to premier league football pretty well.
I liked the look of Enzo Le Fée yesterday. Technically he seemed very assured. He was also the one pressing Cash and Sancho high up the pitch to allow Hume in for their second goal, and he was the one who robbed Sancho in the midfield and played a great through ball for their third. Pretty good shot on him, too.
Decent age at 26, and if we're looking for players who can play in a notional 'front 3' while also being able to tuck in and play through the middle, he fits the profile. Joint highest assists this season for Sunderland, and he doesn't mind getting stuck in (demonstrably so yesterday).
One performance means little, obviously, but worth keeping an eye on him, I think.
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This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.
Not sure PL football would suit him. Not the strongest or quickest. Leading the line for a Moyes or Nuno would be a disaster. Fantastic touch, movement and electric in the box. AC Milan, Dortmund or somewhere instead.
Azaz form for Ireland has been mixed but he's top half PL quality. He's going up regardless of how Soton finish the season.
Surprised he didn’t make the Championship team of the season.
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Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.
Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.
Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.
Agree, however i think there another option: Selling with favorable buy-back clauses. Our resources are finite and reducing the total number of players may increase the time and quality of the coaching for the remaining players. Plus there's the cash in the bank that can be reinvested.
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Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.
Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.
I'd keep Barkley, but there's no way we should be spending £20m on Luiz to be our 5th/6th choice midfielder. He doesn't operate at the required level anymore.
Kamara, Tielemans, Onana, McGinn, Barkley and Bogarde is a very good CL/PL midfield selection. If we're adding to that, I'd be looking for someone who doesn't get a lot of injuries and can take a penalty.
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This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.
I think the physicality would go against him. And I love him as a player
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Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.
Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.
Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.
Agree, however i think there another option: Selling with favorable buy-back clauses. Our resources are finite and reducing the total number of players may increase the time and quality of the coaching for the remaining players. Plus there's the cash in the bank that can be reinvested.
Yeah, I think Young might be getting to the point where that's an option, not the others though, unless we're offered ridiculous money.
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I’m a bit concerned that Chelsea appear to be ready to offload Garnacho already.
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I’m a bit concerned that Chelsea appear to be ready to offload Garnacho already.
I expect Chelsea will have to offload quite a lot of players this summer.
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Nacho is another flakey winger. Where are all the good, committed and emotionally available ones ?
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I’m a bit concerned that Chelsea appear to be ready to offload Garnacho already.
I expect Chelsea will have to offload quite a lot of players this summer.
Obviously it will be hard to tell if it is deliberate as Rosenior is doing such a good job anyway, but it wouldn't surprise me if Chelsea suddenly miss out on Europe totally, especially if we either pull well ahead of 5th or lose the semi-final. They come under the extended rules they paid millions to delay next year and Europa/Conference won't help their cause in making the money to help. I'm not sure what happens with the UEFA judgement when the team isn't in Europe, is it delayed until they come back in or does the 3 years continue?
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As I understand it, if Chelsea are upfront about cocking the finances up again they get an additional £200 million poured into the coffers and automatic passage to the next club World Cup.
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I’m a bit concerned that Chelsea appear to be ready to offload Garnacho already.
I expect Chelsea will have to offload quite a lot of players this summer.
Obviously it will be hard to tell if it is deliberate as Rosenior is doing such a good job anyway, but it wouldn't surprise me if Chelsea suddenly miss out on Europe totally, especially if we either pull well ahead of 5th or lose the semi-final. They come under the extended rules they paid millions to delay next year and Europa/Conference won't help their cause in making the money to help. I'm not sure what happens with the UEFA judgement when the team isn't in Europe, is it delayed until they come back in or does the 3 years continue?
This chap seems to think that if they don't get Champions League this season then they are pretty much screwed:
https://x.com/slbsn/article/2045425088049057803
If people don't want to click on the shit link, he suggests that they'll need to make €80m of profit on transfers sales in June alone, even with the Club World Cup / Champions League money coming in from the last 12 months. That's just to keep up with what they need to do because of their existing dodgy finances.
Given it looks probable that neither of those incomes sources will be there next season and UEFA won't count any of their dodgy Strasboug dealings, they're looking properly banjaxed.
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Let's finish top four so as not to help them, then.
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When Chelsea broke the Premier League record for pre-tax losses for 2024/25, posting a £262.4m deficit I thought at the time that they are taking a massive gamble, almost relying on Champions League football.
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When Chelsea broke the Premier League record for pre-tax losses for 2024/25, posting a £262.4m deficit I thought at the time that they are taking a massive gamble, almost relying on Champions League football.
PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE DO A LEEDS
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When Chelsea broke the Premier League record for pre-tax losses for 2024/25, posting a £262.4m deficit I thought at the time that they are taking a massive gamble, almost relying on Champions League football.
PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE DO A LEEDS
It would be incredible, if despite the prem league effectively letting them off with a slapped wrist, they go tits up.
Please let it happen.
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Did I read somewhere that a lot of the money behind Chelsea is from the Saudi PIF, there is already talk of them getting a bit fed up with sport and pulling our of the Golf and Newcastle.
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Did I read somewhere that a lot of the money behind Chelsea is from the Saudi PIF, there is already talk of them getting a bit fed up with sport and pulling our of the Golf and Newcastle.
I’ve definitely read that too. From memory there’s a chunk of the Clearwater ownership which is thought to be funded by PIF. Not sure whether just rumours or proven.
If true and without the kudos/sports washing benefit you’d think this would be the funding they pull first.
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It would be a damn shame.
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Seems Doug was right.
It will all go tits up, or words to that effect
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The writing has been on the wall for PIF stepping back for a while because the entire purpose of it all was to diversify their economy using sports to drive new interest to attract businesses but it isn't working and the funding for things like NEOM is miles short of their projections. They've already scaled most of that back about as much as possible without outright cancelling it so the failing sports investments will be next. Football will go well before golf and boxing which both come much closer to breaking even.
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The Jaudis might be in for a rough ride as well then, could have a similar affect as it did when the Chinese pulled investment. A nice slow decline a la Wulvz for them would be handy, them Chelsea and Spurs out of the picture gives us an easier ride going forward.
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One part of "The Line" was supposed to host one of the stadiums for the world cup. It will be interesting what they do to replace that location.
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One part of "The Line" was supposed to host one of the stadiums for the world cup. It will be interesting what they do to replace that location.
Vape shops, Dixi Chicken and Betfred are lined up to take it's place.
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One part of "The Line" was supposed to host one of the stadiums for the world cup. It will be interesting what they do to replace that location.
Vape shops, Dixi Chicken and Betfred are lined up to take it's place.
Sounds like the Sports Quarter.
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Thinking about it, PIF have been pulling up since the sPorTs QuARteR was unveiled, they've probably just thought 'what's the point trying to compete?'.
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One part of "The Line" was supposed to host one of the stadiums for the world cup. It will be interesting what they do to replace that location.
That section is the bit they're still committing to currently. In total it's about a 1km section that will be built if they stick to the plans.
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The Jaudis might be in for a rough ride as well then, could have a similar affect as it did when the Chinese pulled investment. A nice slow decline a la Wulvz for them would be handy, them Chelsea and Spurs out of the picture gives us an easier ride going forward.
Gives the "big 4/5" an easier run of it too which isn't in our favour. Newcastle similar to ourselves with 2 from 3 CL league finishes, a cup win too to be fair but have dropped off hugely this season. Disastrous transfer window despite the crazy money they got for Isak. Howe didn't really address what seems to be an aging squad - Trippier, Schar, Pope, Burn. No cover in midfield and overly stacked in the wide positions.
I really thought we were in danger of a similar season early on. Great credit to Emery for turning it around spectacularly with the same players pretty much considering our terrible transfer window. Do think we need to overhaul the squad in the summer to avoid a Newcastle type fall off next season.
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The Jaudis might be in for a rough ride as well then, could have a similar affect as it did when the Chinese pulled investment. A nice slow decline a la Wulvz for them would be handy, them Chelsea and Spurs out of the picture gives us an easier ride going forward.
Gives the "big 4/5" an easier run of it too which isn't in our favour. Newcastle similar to ourselves with 2 from 3 CL league finishes, a cup win too to be fair but have dropped off hugely this season. Disastrous transfer window despite the crazy money they got for Isak. Howe didn't really address what seems to be an aging squad - Trippier, Schar, Pope, Burn. No cover in midfield and overly stacked in the wide positions.
I really thought we were in danger of a similar season early on. Great credit to Emery for turning it around spectacularly with the same players pretty much considering our terrible transfer window. Do think we need to overhaul the squad in the summer to avoid a Newcastle type fall off next season.
Was talking about this with my mate the other night, we've improved with a much weaker squad than we finished with last season, it's absolutely mental, even moreso when you factor in last seasons champions are likey to finish behind us having spent the best part of £500m.
But I agree, we do need to do a bit of work this summer, and I think we will cash in on someone big this summer to fund it, though I think we'll fight to keep Rogers and if my dark horse tip is Konsa going instead.
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But I agree, we do need to do a bit of work this summer, and I think we will cash in on someone big this summer to fund it, though I think we'll fight to keep Rogers and if my dark horse tip is Konsa going instead.
I think this is going to be a World Cup that could have quite a big bearing on our 26/27 season. I think we'll see one big sale, and it'll be whoever our biggest "star" of the tournament is
Konsa / Rogers / Tielemans / Martinez / Onana
(with respect to McGinn and Lindelof, who aren't likely to find themselves on that list)
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I don't think Martinez commands a big enough transfer fee to for it to be 'him', and if he went it would be and one of the others.
Liverpool are wanting one or two centre halves having mugged signing Guehi and Konsa kind of fits the bill, if we bought in Mingeuza and on the back of Lindelof being great I could see us doing business if the price is right.
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Liverpool are offering Konate a new contract I think. Can't see an experience international wanting to go there and compete.
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Liverpool are offering Konate a new contract I think. Can't see an experience international wanting to go there and compete.
Are they? Really? Ha brilliant, he's fucking useless.
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I don't think Martinez commands a big enough transfer fee to for it to be 'him', and if he went it would be and one of the others.
Probably not, but what he doesn't bring in transfer money he does saves a bit more in wages - which if Emery did want a Rashford or similar, would be pretty important.
I'm still pretty sure that they plan last summer was to nudge Emi out the door and give Rashford his wages, which is how the whole thing would have been workable had it been supplemented with Champions League money this season.
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Liverpool are offering Konate a new contract I think. Can't see an experience international wanting to go there and compete.
Are they? Really? Ha brilliant, he's fucking useless.
They also bought Jacquet from Rennes in January for £60m with him joining in the summer.
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Liverpool are offering Konate a new contract I think. Can't see an experience international wanting to go there and compete.
Are they? Really? Ha brilliant, he's fucking useless.
Only 26 so don't want to lose him for nowt - I suspect the wages won't be discounted.
If Spuds go down I suspect they will go for VanDerVen or the Greek lad if West Ham go
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Liverpool are offering Konate a new contract I think. Can't see an experience international wanting to go there and compete.
Are they? Really? Ha brilliant, he's fucking useless.
They also bought Jacquet from Rennes in January for £60m with him joining in the summer.
I forgot about that one. As you were then.
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Liverpool are offering Konate a new contract I think. Can't see an experience international wanting to go there and compete.
Are they? Really? Ha brilliant, he's fucking useless.
They also bought Jacquet from Rennes in January for £60m with him joining in the summer.
I forgot about that one. As you were then.
they also signed a young Italian lad that instantly got injured.
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As magnificent as Emi is and has been unless he restructured his deal (as some others have done) then we need to move on from him. Take the £20m or so and reinvest that in other areas. There are other excellent keepers out there but none or very few will the presence of Emi. We will lose that. Getting in a Rashford, mind you, gives it back to us in another area of the pitch.
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I don't see that many excellent keepers to be honest, most of them look shite in comparison
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As magnificent as Emi is and has been unless he restructured his deal (as some others have done) then we need to move on from him. Take the £20m or so and reinvest that in other areas. There are other excellent keepers out there but none or very few will the presence of Emi. We will lose that. Getting in a Rashford, mind you, gives it back to us in another area of the pitch.
Trafford is the obvious player looking to move.
At some point Emi's wages will be an issue. Right now, his performances and presence justify the £200k but I doubt he can maintain this level to the end of his contract. Therefore, if someone did offer £20m (Bayern is my guess) then we must take it (sadly) and also cap the new signing's wages at £100k.
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Martinez and Konsa will move on in the summer, I think. Mings, Bailey and possibly Digne will go too. Rebuild time.
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Selling Pau could be another possibility.
Senesi is available on a Bosman, and is a left-sided centre back who makes progessive passes. Also has a similarly extensive injury history.
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Selling Pau could be another possibility.
Senesi is available on a Bosman, and is a left-sided centre back who makes progessive passes. Also has a similarly extensive injury history.
I think he's more in the McGinn category.
Not in terms of how important he is to us (as the last few months has shown, nobody is as important), but in that to Emery he's more valuable than he would be to other sides, meaning nobody offers us enough to mean it's in our interest to sell.
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Pau isn't going anywhere short of a mental offer. Same with Konsa, Rogers, Kamara and Youri. Pau is critical to how Emery loves to play out from the back.
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Pau isn't going anywhere short of a mental offer. Same with Konsa, Rogers, Kamara and Youri. Pau is critical to how Emery loves to play out from the back.
this ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Well, one of them's going somewhere.
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Is Guessand out for the season? I assume we'll struggle to shift him in the summer if so which would mean another £25m to potentially find.
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WalesOnline reporting we're highly likely to sign Harry Wilson on a free in the summer. Relevant bit here:
Wales star Harry Wilson is ready to join Aston Villa on a free transfer this summer.
The attacking midfielder has been a long-term target for the Villans and they believe they are set to win the race to take the 69-cap Welsh star. Villa boss Unai Emery wants to add to his attack ahead of next season and believes Wilson would suit his team's style of play.
And it will give the 29-year-old the European football he is desperate for, with Villa on course for a Champions League place.
Wilson has not signed a new deal with Fulham and becomes a free agent in June. He has been considering his options due to his desire to test himself regularly in Europe, something Marco Silva's men have been unable to offer.
Now, while it's understood Wilson will wait until the end of the season before announcing any decision, he is expected to move to Villa Park, especially if Villa secure a place at European football's top table. Villa are willing to double the 29-year-old's wages, with a deal worth £100,000-a-week.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/harry-wilson-transfer-wales-fulham-33808275
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How reputable is this rag?
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Why would Konsa go ?
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Why would Konsa go ?
Both parties might welcome the extra dough.
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I think any of them could go were we offered what we want, not many would surprise me. I guess with Konsa, he has managed to stay living down south so maybe he doesn't fancy the move up north, which would limit his options.
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‘Serious’ – Aston Villa Face AC Milan Competition For 18-year-old
AC Milan’s interest in Red Bull Salzburg’s Kerim Alajbegovic, who is being chased by Aston Villa, is deemed ‘serious and concrete’ ahead of the summer window.
https://insidefutbol.com/2026/04/10/serious-aston-villa-face-ac-milan-competition-for-18-year-old/710208/
Play well against the Villa if you want to get a move
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If Emi goes - & I think this might be a big if as we're getting into the CL - then Bayern keeper Daniel Peretz who's pulling up trees on loan at Southampton would be a good bet.
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How reputable is this rag?
South Wales Echo … so it’s a proper paper at least, Birmingham Mail equivalent for down there.
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If Emi goes - & I think this might be a big if as we're getting into the CL - then Bayern keeper Daniel Peretz who's pulling up trees on loan at Southampton would be a good bet.
If he's that good he'll surely be replacing Neuer who must be nearly 50 by now
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How reputable is this rag?
They listed algy as the sexiest man in Wrexham, even after Ryan Reynolds came to town.
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Why would Konsa move? Starter for a top 4 side, starter for England?
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4th in the league and semifinal of Europa League and some people think it's a good idea to get rid of one of our established central defenders,Konsa,or his fellow defender,Pau.
Wolves are paying the cost of selling their best players.
Sell fringe players like Buendia ,Guessand or Garcia if there's a desperate need to find some money.
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4th in the league and semifinal of Europa League and some people think it's a good idea to get rid of one of our established central defenders,Konsa,or his fellow defender,Pau.
Wolves are paying the cost of selling their best players.
Sell fringe players like Buendia ,Guessand or Garcia if there's a desperate need to find some money.
To whom? For how much?
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4th in the league and semifinal of Europa League and some people think it's a good idea to get rid of one of our established central defenders,Konsa,or his fellow defender,Pau.
This makes me laugh when this is said. No one thinks it is a 'good idea', people are just aware that financially sacrifices are often required in our position, and people just ponder who that could be. That's it. I doubt anyone actually wants Konsa or Pau sold.
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‘Serious’ – Aston Villa Face AC Milan Competition For 18-year-old
AC Milan’s interest in Red Bull Salzburg’s Kerim Alajbegovic, who is being chased by Aston Villa, is deemed ‘serious and concrete’ ahead of the summer window.
https://insidefutbol.com/2026/04/10/serious-aston-villa-face-ac-milan-competition-for-18-year-old/710208/
Play well against the Villa if you want to get a move
That the lad the played against Wales? If so gerrimin.
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If Emi goes - & I think this might be a big if as we're getting into the CL - then Bayern keeper Daniel Peretz who's pulling up trees on loan at Southampton would be a good bet.
I was listening to The Totally Football Show European edition today and the German correspondent was talking about Freiburg, he mentioned their keeper would be well suited the Premier League and expected him to move soon.
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4th in the league and semifinal of Europa League and some people think it's a good idea to get rid of one of our established central defenders,Konsa,or his fellow defender,Pau.
Wolves are paying the cost of selling their best players.
Sell fringe players like Buendia ,Guessand or Garcia if there's a desperate need to find some money.
To whom? For how much?
A billion pounds each please.
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How reputable is this rag?
They listed algy as the sexiest man in Wrexham, even after Ryan Reynolds came to town.
Damnit, clearly bollocks then. The Fenerbache supporter at my boys’ school has been sporting their new tracksuit this week*. Tidy move, he’d got his winter fenerbache gear sorted (fenerbache woolly hat, one of those big touchline coat things), and goes with the classic Fenerbache shirt, dark blue Bermuda shorts, and Fenerbache flip flops in the summer. So the new spring collection finishes that off really, assuming he also reuses it in early autumn.
Cuts a suave and sophisticated figure on the playground. No way I’m competing with that.
* to be fair if I was in the market for some Fenerbache sportswear, the tracksuit top would be my choice - it’s dead nice.
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I suppose it will depend on how personally happy Sancho is here as its not as though UE has him firing on all cylinders .
It shows how little interest I have in seeing Man City wallop everyone in sight, Bernado Silva has been there years and I have no idea at all what sort of player he is, only that he always seems to play in most games.
Same. I'm like that with most football. I saw people on here giving Ugarte the bird the other day and it struck me that, though I knew his name (and that he's from Uruguay because I'm a sucker for Uruguay), I had no idea what he looks like, where he plays, how much he cost or whether he butters bacon rolls. It largely passes me by.
Are you Leon Bailey?
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‘Serious’ – Aston Villa Face AC Milan Competition For 18-year-old
AC Milan’s interest in Red Bull Salzburg’s Kerim Alajbegovic, who is being chased by Aston Villa, is deemed ‘serious and concrete’ ahead of the summer window.
https://insidefutbol.com/2026/04/10/serious-aston-villa-face-ac-milan-competition-for-18-year-old/710208/
Play well against the Villa if you want to get a move
That the lad the played against Wales? If so gerrimin.
That's him. Looked a real threat for Bosnia in that game.
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WalesOnline reporting we're highly likely to sign Harry Wilson on a free in the summer. Relevant bit here:
Wales star Harry Wilson is ready to join Aston Villa on a free transfer this summer.
The attacking midfielder has been a long-term target for the Villans and they believe they are set to win the race to take the 69-cap Welsh star. Villa boss Unai Emery wants to add to his attack ahead of next season and believes Wilson would suit his team's style of play.
And it will give the 29-year-old the European football he is desperate for, with Villa on course for a Champions League place.
Wilson has not signed a new deal with Fulham and becomes a free agent in June. He has been considering his options due to his desire to test himself regularly in Europe, something Marco Silva's men have been unable to offer.
Now, while it's understood Wilson will wait until the end of the season before announcing any decision, he is expected to move to Villa Park, especially if Villa secure a place at European football's top table. Villa are willing to double the 29-year-old's wages, with a deal worth £100,000-a-week.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/harry-wilson-transfer-wales-fulham-33808275
Would be a good signing, as he can play 'number 10' and on the right.
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WalesOnline reporting we're highly likely to sign Harry Wilson on a free in the summer. Relevant bit here:
Wales star Harry Wilson is ready to join Aston Villa on a free transfer this summer.
The attacking midfielder has been a long-term target for the Villans and they believe they are set to win the race to take the 69-cap Welsh star. Villa boss Unai Emery wants to add to his attack ahead of next season and believes Wilson would suit his team's style of play.
And it will give the 29-year-old the European football he is desperate for, with Villa on course for a Champions League place.
Wilson has not signed a new deal with Fulham and becomes a free agent in June. He has been considering his options due to his desire to test himself regularly in Europe, something Marco Silva's men have been unable to offer.
Now, while it's understood Wilson will wait until the end of the season before announcing any decision, he is expected to move to Villa Park, especially if Villa secure a place at European football's top table. Villa are willing to double the 29-year-old's wages, with a deal worth £100,000-a-week.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/harry-wilson-transfer-wales-fulham-33808275
Would be a good signing, as he can play 'number 10' and on the right.
He's also a 1-4 goal scorer across his entire Premier League career, while being at Fulham. Which is pretty solid (if unspectacular) for a wide midfielder. This year he's obviously 1 in 3, which has dragged his average up, but he's not on to go an entire season with hardly any goal-scoring contribution.
Honestly, though, can't say I've ever really noticed him when we've played against him. Not sure if that's a particularly bad thing. Will be paying attention this weekend, obviously.
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Honestly, though, can't say I've ever really noticed him when we've played against him.
I remember he scored the winner for Bournemouth in our first home game back after promotion.
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As a Fulham fan I’ve heard the same rumours, he’s had a brilliant season this year, and I even thought he might go back to Liverpool with Salah leaving, he will be good for if plays wide right for you, my only concern that this might be the exception, for in the last 3 seasons he’s struggled to get regular game time,
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Franky, my impression from him is that he has a touch of the Emerys about him already, intelligent, shields the ball, bit of inspiration. As you say, question as to whether or not the penny's really dropped or if he's just having one of those big years. Looks more sustainable to me than e.g. Chris Woods miracle anus, but happy to defer. Who would Tony Khan get in to replace him?
Worst of luck on the weekend pal ;).
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Hiya Londonfranky, we could give you a straight swap for Leon Bailey?
Bailey is brilliant. Honest.
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Franky, my impression from him is that he has a touch of the Emerys about him already, intelligent, shields the ball, bit of inspiration. As you say, question as to whether or not the penny's really dropped or if he's just having one of those big years. Looks more sustainable to me than e.g. Chris Woods miracle anus, but happy to defer. Who would Tony Khan get in to replace him?
Worst of luck on the weekend pal ;).
we seem to like wide players Oscar Bobb and Samuel Chukwueze look likely to replace him,probably Bobb because Chukwueze is only on loan hopefully Bobb because he’s younger, hasn’t shown much since we signed him in January, but Silva never seems to start them straight away,
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Hiya Londonranky, we could give you a straight swap for Leon Bailey?
Bailey is brilliant. Honest.
"But Wilson is on a free"
"The offer still stands"
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Hiya Londonranky, we could give you a straight swap for Leon Bailey?
Bailey is brilliant. Honest. I get the feeling you’re nor struck on Bailey lol
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Hiya Londonranky, we could give you a straight swap for Leon Bailey?
Bailey is brilliant. Honest.
"But Wilson is on a free"
"The offer still stands"
Better still: buy a Guessand and get a Bailey for free. BOGOF
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As a Fulham fan I’ve heard the same rumours, he’s had a brilliant season this year, and I even thought he might go back to Liverpool with Salah leaving, he will be good for if plays wide right for you, my only concern that this might be the exception, for in the last 3 seasons he’s struggled to get regular game time,
Nice to see you again on here, Franky. Hope all's well. :)
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As a Fulham fan I’ve heard the same rumours, he’s had a brilliant season this year, and I even thought he might go back to Liverpool with Salah leaving, he will be good for if plays wide right for you, my only concern that this might be the exception, for in the last 3 seasons he’s struggled to get regular game time,
Nice to see you again on here, Franky. Hope all's well. :)
yeah I’m good laughing at spurs and West Ham
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As a squad option I think he’d make sense.
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Franky, my impression from him is that he has a touch of the Emerys about him already, intelligent, shields the ball, bit of inspiration. As you say, question as to whether or not the penny's really dropped or if he's just having one of those big years. Looks more sustainable to me than e.g. Chris Woods miracle anus, but happy to defer. Who would Tony Khan get in to replace him?
Worst of luck on the weekend pal ;).
I've watched him play for Wales quite a bit and it just seems to have clicked for him the last couple of seasons. With Bale and Ramsey departing the international stage, he's become the talisman for the team and it seems to have brought the best out of him. Very good at set pieces as well.
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As a Fulham fan I’ve heard the same rumours, he’s had a brilliant season this year, and I even thought he might go back to Liverpool with Salah leaving, he will be good for if plays wide right for you, my only concern that this might be the exception, for in the last 3 seasons he’s struggled to get regular game time,
Nice to see you again on here, Franky. Hope all's well. :)
yeah I’m good laughing at spurs and West Ham
I take it you are Spurs down first but if it happens to be Spam with their tax-payer acquired stadium and dodgy owners, that is a great consolation prize.
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Hiya Londonranky, we could give you a straight swap for Leon Bailey?
Bailey is brilliant. Honest.
"But Wilson is on a free"
"The offer still stands"
Better still: buy a Guessand and get a Bailey for free. BOGOF
We could do with getting Bailey's wage of GBP120,000 a week off our books. A replacement in Wilson at GBP100,000 a week sounds good to me.
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https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/harry-wilson-transfer-wales-fulham-33808275
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As a Fulham fan I’ve heard the same rumours, he’s had a brilliant season this year, and I even thought he might go back to Liverpool with Salah leaving, he will be good for if plays wide right for you, my only concern that this might be the exception, for in the last 3 seasons he’s struggled to get regular game time,
Nice to see you again on here, Franky. Hope all's well. :)
yeah I’m good laughing at spurs and West Ham
not sure really probably prefer Spurs all that bollocks about joining Europe super league when they’ve won nothing in the last 20 years , West Ham sold there soul leaving Upton Park so that would be good too lol
I take it you are Spurs down first but if it happens to be Spam with their tax-payer acquired stadium and dodgy owners, that is a great consolation prize.
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https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/harry-wilson-transfer-wales-fulham-33808275
Well done your boys.
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Anyone else uncomfortable that these rumours are circulating in the days before the game. Feels a bit Man U.
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Anyone else uncomfortable that these rumours are circulating in the days before the game. Feels a bit Man U.
No, there's been links for a month or two now.
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Wilson on a free is a good signing. Gives us a good rotational option with McGinn on the right hand side, can also play in the 10, and crucially, even with the wage bump he'll get, the deal will be cheaper than Sancho currently is on our books.
He really feels like an Emery player, and has great set piece delivery too. We might actually be able to score a penalty...
Smart signing, low risk, no issues at all with it. And definitely won't be our only wide player of the summer. Look forward to that one in June.
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You'd expect Alyson to be more involved next season too.
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We need to get to a place where Alyson's starting to happen.
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I suspect Alysson is Morgan Rogers' eventual replacement.
Even looks like him.
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We need to get to a place where Alyson's starting to happen.
I know this world is hurting you.
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Always liked Wilson but fear this is a one off season (Like the one Bailey had prior to new contract)
I would like to think Allyson is the Bailey long term replacement once we exchange his glass legs for footballers ones.
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Always liked Wilson but fear this is a one off season (Like the one Bailey had prior to new contract)
As Smithy says above, he's been a one-in-four player for most of his career, which has been one-in-three this season. So his record is fine, and I think someone to help manage McGinn's minutes in that wide-right-but-actually-playing-in-the-middle role that they both seem to do, he'd be ideal for a couple of years while we sort out a longer-term replacement for them both.
My concern would be that he's had a such a good season because everything goes through him for Fulham - so he gets more of the ball and more of an opportunity to shoot than he would with us.
On the plus side - we've got a pretty damn good record of bringing in out-of-contract players and them hitting the ground running.
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He'd struggle to be shitter and contribute less than the trifecta of awfulness that is Sancho, Bailey and Guessand. Even so, a bit of a meh signing.
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I think it would be meh if it were our top/main signing for the summer, but assuming it won’t be as disastrous a situation as last summer I’d expect some improvement to the squad. Him as a squad option is pretty decent, in an area of the pitch where we do need a refresh.
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You'd expect Alyson to be more involved next season too.
He couldn't be less involved. Something seems a bit off there in all honesty. Pre season crucial for him.
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We need to get to a place where Alyson's starting to happen.
I know this world is hurting you.
I’m hoping his aim is true
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Always liked Wilson but fear this is a one off season (Like the one Bailey had prior to new contract)
As Smithy says above, he's been a one-in-four player for most of his career, which has been one-in-three this season. So his record is fine, and I think someone to help manage McGinn's minutes in that wide-right-but-actually-playing-in-the-middle role that they both seem to do, he'd be ideal for a couple of years while we sort out a longer-term replacement for them both.
My concern would be that he's had a such a good season because everything goes through him for Fulham - so he gets more of the ball and more of an opportunity to shoot than he would with us.
On the plus side - we've got a pretty damn good record of bringing in out-of-contract players and them hitting the ground running.
Yep, we need to be taking the value from high level, out of contract players, like Wilson. I posted the transfermarkt link a few pages ago, and there's a handful of players there that we should be seriously considering along with Wilson - there's Sensesi, Mingueza, Brandt who would be CL level contributors; and the likes of Rico Henry, Sessegnon, Bissouma who could be serviceable backups.
Then spend whatever money we have on 2-3 big players who will make a difference in the first team.
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Given the amount of speculation, I think there’s a good chance we sign both Wilson and Mingueza on “free” transfers.
After that, what do we need? Strikes me that could be us done unless we start selling some ‘crown jewels’.
If so, this gives us the opportunity to sign 2 or 3 genuine wonderkids, preparing us for the transition from McGinn, Mings, Watkins, Emi to ? And ? And ?.
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How This Genius Winger Dominates Games By Walking
Can see him working well with Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen
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He won't want to jeopardise his future employer's odds of champions league football. I won't accept anything but an own goal from the lad.
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Wilson has had half a good season in how many years, we can do better.
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His Fulham games and goals is below, PL, FA Cup and League cup, total columns far right
Fulham
2022–23[66] Premier League 29 2 4 1 0 0 — 33 3
2023–24[67] Premier League 35 4 2 0 6 1 — 43 5
2024–25[68] Premier League 25 6 0 0 2 0 — 27 6
2025–26[69] Premier League 31 10 2 1 2 0 — 35 11
He is having the best season of his career so far, but he isn’t inconsistent in his previous seasons IMO.
He has 11 assists this season in all competitions, with a total of 34 assists then split over the rest of his Fulham career (was on loan in the championship which I haven’t listed above) so based on the above he averages around 30+ games a season and scores 5 goals and provides the same in assists?
Seems a solid player on a free who is now at his peak, although at 29 his age won’t help reduce the overall average squad age.
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Wilson has had half a good season in how many years, we can do better.
Yeah, we probably can, but with what? Magic beans?
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Tom Hanks will be happy we are signing Wilson
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Wilson has had half a good season in how many years, we can do better.
For £5m per year and no transfer fee?
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Wilson has had half a good season in how many years, we can do better.
For £5m per year and no transfer fee?
It's sad that we have to put signings into context like this, but that's the reality. Give him a three or four year contract, and it's a total outlay of about £20m, maybe a little more with signing on bonuses. But that's the fee you'd likely pay (as a minimum) to buy someone of similar-ish ability, but then you have the wages on top of that.
I hate that the football world has made us look at transfers like accountants these days, but it's the reality, unfortunately. And if we're looking at how much bang we can get for our buck, then free transfers are a great way of making limited funds go further.
Our track record on Free transfers is pretty good, so I'd hope to continue the trend for as long as we can.
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For anyone getting disheartened at how we have to manage our resources, always remember this is a league that contains Chelsea's owners and where Jason Wilcox calls the shots at Old Trafford.
It is choc full of wealthy divs, there to be exploited.
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If we get him, I still reckon we need a wide player with pace as well, real quick. Can catch pigeons etc.
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If we get him, I still reckon we need a wide player with pace as well, real quick. Can catch pigeons etc.
Given we went into the season expecting all of Elliot, Guessand, Malen and Sancho to contribute from attacking positions and the second half expecting Sancho and Bailey to contribute, if we sign Wilson I fully expect it to be him and two others.
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Pretty incredible to end up being favourites for a CL spot when our incomings over the past year have been so poor.
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Wilson has had half a good season in how many years, we can do better.
For £5m per year and no transfer fee?
He is no Brett Holman
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Pretty incredible to end up being favourites for a CL spot when our incomings over the past year have been so poor.
Yep. It shows again how amazing our core squad has been over the last few years, as was also evidenced when we lost a few of them for a couple of months this season.
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Whilst I agree about the core of the squad, I think what it mainly shows is the utter genius of Unai.
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Whilst I agree about the core of the squad, I think what it mainly shows is the utter genius of Unai.
While those things are the most important, I think you can also add that had Spurs / Chelsea / Liverpool not all completely shat the bed (relative to the resources) at a convenient time for us then with a similar season we could be sixth right now and still be very happy with how well the season was going.
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Wilson IN Bailey OUT and £20k better off in wages each week. It's a no brainer to me, and I don't expect Wilson to be that great either.
The difficulty will be shifting Bailey. Even then, there's some cash down the back of the sofa from Elliot and Sanchos loans ending.
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Whilst I agree about the core of the squad, I think what it mainly shows is the utter genius of Unai.
While those things are the most important, I think you can also add that had Spurs / Chelsea / Liverpool not all completely shat the bed (relative to the resources) at a convenient time for us then with a similar season we could be sixth right now and still be very happy with how well the season was going.
Yep. We've done well, but dumb luck has played it's part as much as anything this season, particularly since January. 6 or 7 weekends where results going our way has kept us in it.
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Whilst I agree about the core of the squad, I think what it mainly shows is the utter genius of Unai.
While those things are the most important, I think you can also add that had Spurs / Chelsea / Liverpool not all completely shat the bed (relative to the resources) at a convenient time for us then with a similar season we could be sixth right now and still be very happy with how well the season was going.
Yep agree - it is remarkable how much Unai has achieved when you look at the utter non-impact of any of the attacking signings we made in the summer. But also had the other teams not been hopeless it would have been challenging.
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Whilst I agree about the core of the squad, I think what it mainly shows is the utter genius of Unai.
While those things are the most important, I think you can also add that had Spurs / Chelsea / Liverpool not all completely shat the bed (relative to the resources) at a convenient time for us then with a similar season we could be sixth right now and still be very happy with how well the season was going.
Yep. We've done well, but dumb luck has played it's part as much as anything this season, particularly since January. 6 or 7 weekends where results going our way has kept us in it.
Nope, that's absolute rubbish. It's nothing to do with luck, teams that are capable of winning 5-6 in a row, not winning for 5 or 6 in row and everything in between are, by definition, inconsistent. All that has happened in the last few months is a continuation of that, with us adding a little more inconsistency ourselves (mainly due to key injuries) and Man Utd have a bit of a longer new manager bounce than expected.
Putting it down as luck suggests the manager and squad don't deserve to be where we are when the opposite is true, with luck on our side to not see almost our entire midfield out injured at once we'd be clear in 3rd and likely still in the title race.
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Whilst I agree about the core of the squad, I think what it mainly shows is the utter genius of Unai.
While those things are the most important, I think you can also add that had Spurs / Chelsea / Liverpool not all completely shat the bed (relative to the resources) at a convenient time for us then with a similar season we could be sixth right now and still be very happy with how well the season was going.
Yep. We've done well, but dumb luck has played it's part as much as anything this season, particularly since January. 6 or 7 weekends where results going our way has kept us in it.
Nope, that's absolute rubbish. It's nothing to do with luck, teams that are capable of winning 5-6 in a row, not winning for 5 or 6 in row and everything in between are, by definition, inconsistent. All that has happened in the last few months is a continuation of that, with us adding a little more inconsistency ourselves (mainly due to key injuries) and Man Utd have a bit of a longer new manager bounce than expected.
Putting it down as luck suggests the manager and squad don't deserve to be where we are when the opposite is true, with luck on our side to not see almost our entire midfield out injured at once we'd be clear in 3rd and likely still in the title race.
I think luck evens out over the course of a season (generally speaking), but it's also true to say the league is a lot closer in the mid-table this season, which in turn means it will take fewer points to get into the top 5 positions. Someone could finish in the top 5 with a points total in the 50s. Last year, we missed out on 66 points.
We still need 8 points from our last 5 games to beat our points total from last season, in which we finished 6th. Two wins, two draws and a loss from our last 5 games. It's entirely possible we don't get that, especially if CL is confirmed early, and we change focus to the Europa League. So we could quite easily end up with a higher league position, but a lower points total than last season.
I'm not saying that's "luck", but we will definitely have benefited from a much tighter league. To be clear, the title winners will also have benefited. Unless one of the top two wins every remaining game, the league winners will have the lowest points total since Leicester, and the 3rd lowest total in the last 20 years.
The entire league has benefited from the "top 6" being mostly mediocre this season, as it's brought the whole league closer together.
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I agree with all of that and it also leans into my point that where we are isn't about luck, it's about us and Man Utd being the 2 strongest of the pack of teams that were chasing European spots, despite also being fairly inconsistent ourselves.
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Assuming CL qualification, I can see us pushing for a Rashford-style loan again. A difference making player but without the commitment to pay them for the next 3 to 4 years.
Absolutely no idea who, other than Rashford himself I suppose. Anyone on the fringes of the Madrid/Barca squads that might be available?
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I agree with all of that and it also leans into my point that where we are isn't about luck, it's about us and Man Utd being the 2 strongest of the pack of teams that were chasing European spots, despite also being fairly inconsistent ourselves.
Yep, agree with that. After all, you can only beat who is in front of you, and in that pack we've been slightly better at it than them. It's been over 20 years since a team finished in the top 5 with less than 60 points, and it's also amazing we're almost at the end of April, with 4 or 5 games to go, and the team in 12th still has realistic hopes of European football. It's all very congested, which makes it much more interesting, I think.
It's a bit like the Leicester season, lots of mediocre sides, but Leicester were less mediocre than everyone else. You can look at it as they beat everyone put in front of them that season with no luck involved, or you can say they were lucky that they peaked in a season when the normal challengers were all mediocre. It's a far cry from Man City and Liverpool all getting well in the 90s, season after season (thankfully). It seems bonkers today that Liverpool got 97 points one season and DIDN'T win the league... but then maybe that season they benefited from a bottom half of the league all being dross and easy to hammer week in week out.
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I agree with all of that and it also leans into my point that where we are isn't about luck, it's about us and Man Utd being the 2 strongest of the pack of teams that were chasing European spots, despite also being fairly inconsistent ourselves.
Yep, agree with that. After all, you can only beat who is in front of you, and in that pack we've been slightly better at it than them. It's been over 20 years since a team finished in the top 5 with less than 60 points, and it's also amazing we're almost at the end of April, with 4 or 5 games to go, and the team in 12th still has realistic hopes of European football. It's all very congested, which makes it much more interesting, I think.
It's a bit like the Leicester season, lots of mediocre sides, but Leicester were less mediocre than everyone else. You can look at it as they beat everyone put in front of them that season with no luck involved, or you can say they were lucky that they peaked in a season when the normal challengers were all mediocre. It's a far cry from Man City and Liverpool all getting well in the 90s, season after season (thankfully). It seems bonkers today that Liverpool got 97 points one season and DIDN'T win the league... but then maybe that season they benefited from a bottom half of the league all being dross and easy to hammer week in week out.
This year i don't think it's about mediocrity but rather the exact opposite, it's that the quality in the bottom half has increased massively and it's dragged the top half back to condense the league. If you look at the squads for some of the teams down in 11-15th there's some really good players in there and those teams are capable of some top performances, which is hown by teams in 13th and 16th being in European Semi-finals and England topping the coefficient by miles. Where things fall down is that the very best clubs in other leagues have an easier time and more concentrated 'power' which nudges them slightly ahead at the very end of the champions league.
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I agree with paul_e.
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Yeah, I don't buy that the league is weaker at all.
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I agree with paul_e.
Me too 110%
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The league is definitely stronger on the whole. It would be a surprise if it weren't, given how much money is poured into it compared to other leagues.
But I still don't think that it's particularly controversial to think that we have also been helped out by Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool all choosing this season to be, worse than most people expected them to be.
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The league is definitely stronger on the whole. It would be a surprise if it weren't, given how much money is poured into it compared to other leagues.
But I still don't think that it's particularly controversial to think that we have also been helped out by Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool all choosing this season to be, worse than most people expected them to be.
Chelsea and Liverpool maybe but I don’t think there any surprise about Spurs being crap again.
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The only bit of luck we've had is persuading the best manager on this or any other planet to join us.
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We under-performed for years relative to resources. To be the other side of the coin is fantastic, next stage is to establish ourselves at the top.
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The league is definitely stronger on the whole. It would be a surprise if it weren't, given how much money is poured into it compared to other leagues.
But I still don't think that it's particularly controversial to think that we have also been helped out by Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool all choosing this season to be, worse than most people expected them to be.
Chelsea and Liverpool maybe but I don’t think there any surprise about Spurs being crap again.
I don't think many people would have put them 18th in the league with five games to go though.
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We're lucky Wolves and Burnley are having an off season.
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Yeah, I don't buy that the league is weaker at all.
Yep. It was clearly much weaker a few years ago when Liverpool got 98 points IIRC and finished second. Tedious as fuck when the top teams win all the time, that's a traditional English criticism of the Scottish League. Newcastle have loads of good players and are 14th. Palace can beat anyone on their day and are 13th. Tottenham pissed the Champions League group stage and are fighting to avoid the drop. The league is stronger than it has ever been, IMO. Transplant any of those teams back ten years and they'd probably be challenging for top four.
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Spurs have been massively shit for over 18 months, it's zero shock they could go down.
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Spurs won 2-0 away to Man City in August. I don't recall many people tipping them for relegation back then. In fact, most of the talk was about them challenging for the title *snigger*
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They've won 12 of their last 59 league games. As we know, when you're that shit there's a decent chance you'll drop.
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They were mostly shit in the second half of last season because three teams were so far adrift they could afford to concentrate entirely on the Europa League. They've still been in and around the top six for most of the last two decades and have resources that dwarf most of their competitors. Their relegation would be the second biggest shock in Premier League history after Leicester winning the league.
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I agree with all of that and it also leans into my point that where we are isn't about luck, it's about us and Man Utd being the 2 strongest of the pack of teams that were chasing European spots, despite also being fairly inconsistent ourselves.
Yep, agree with that. After all, you can only beat who is in front of you, and in that pack we've been slightly better at it than them. It's been over 20 years since a team finished in the top 5 with less than 60 points, and it's also amazing we're almost at the end of April, with 4 or 5 games to go, and the team in 12th still has realistic hopes of European football. It's all very congested, which makes it much more interesting, I think.
It's a bit like the Leicester season, lots of mediocre sides, but Leicester were less mediocre than everyone else. You can look at it as they beat everyone put in front of them that season with no luck involved, or you can say they were lucky that they peaked in a season when the normal challengers were all mediocre. It's a far cry from Man City and Liverpool all getting well in the 90s, season after season (thankfully). It seems bonkers today that Liverpool got 97 points one season and DIDN'T win the league... but then maybe that season they benefited from a bottom half of the league all being dross and easy to hammer week in week out.
This year i don't think it's about mediocrity but rather the exact opposite, it's that the quality in the bottom half has increased massively and it's dragged the top half back to condense the league.
Precisely. Premier League TV money in full effect.
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They were shit from the 13th game. Long before they were resting anyone late on. They shouldn't be where they are based purely on resources, but we shouldn't have got 17 points with the 9th highest wage bill. Once you're in a death spiral it can be very hard to get out of it and if you're making bad decisions football doesn't care where you were X years ago or how much money your stadium generates.
I'd describe it like this, it's a shock if Spurs the club go down but it's not a surprise if this Spurs setup goes down.
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Yeah, I don't buy that the league is weaker at all.
It's weaker at the top end anyway. Not exactly an elite level CL this season either. Maybe the lack of downtime is having an impact, the best players hardly have any pre/post season now.
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Spurs won 2-0 away to Man City in August. I don't recall many people tipping them for relegation back then. In fact, most of the talk was about them challenging for the title *snigger*
They could have gone second I think if they beat us at WHL.
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Spurs won 2-0 away to Man City in August. I don't recall many people tipping them for relegation back then. In fact, most of the talk was about them challenging for the title *snigger*
They could have gone second I think if they beat us at WHL.
That surprieses me. No-one mentioned it at the time.
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With the whole winger thing.... I'm not sure Wilson is the answer. Seems to blow hot and cold like a fair few of our current players tbh, and not sure we need to add one more to the mix.
Me personally, with the disarray at Chelsea, I'd be going all out to get Neto. Now THAT'S a player who would push us on.
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Spurs won 2-0 away to Man City in August. I don't recall many people tipping them for relegation back then. In fact, most of the talk was about them challenging for the title *snigger*
They could have gone second I think if they beat us at WHL.
That surprieses me. No-one mentioned it at the time.
:)
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We don't care about Tottenham, Tottenham don't care about we
All we care about is A V F C
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Spurs are on their way to Lincoln
Tottenham's going to blow it again
De Zerbi can't stop 'em
The boys from Tottenham
The boys from White Hart Lane....
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I met with a season-ticket- holding Fulham fan today. Asked about Wilson, he said he blows very hot and cold, and this season is an unusually-long hot streak. Top scorer at the moment with 8 goals.
As a free transfer, he's probably worth a crack but I'd also be looking at J Rowe* to share wide duties (assuming all of Bailey, Sancho and Guessand do one). I'd also get a couple of our young wide lads into the squad to build depth and experience.
* Rowe is young, has had good and varied experience and could be developed into a Doku type player.
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I'd rather have Wilson than Sancho or Bailey.
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Seems to be impossible to find a winger who consistently shows-up in a relationship.
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There was a time all of us probably thought we could never in our lifetimes break into the top 4. Given the power and success of the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U etc. Success with our resources compared to others, the managers we had, players, owners at the time. Now, however it has come about here we are. Year after year with Unai. Punching way above our weight based on what we can spend under rules designed to keep the likes of us weighed down.
We need to better in the transfer market going forward as many of our regular team starters are aging. But we can still mix in astute experienced professionals to do a job.
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There was a time all of us probably thought we could never in our lifetimes break into the top 4. Given the power and success of the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U etc
I remember the days when it was claimed that Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal would be the top four in the Premier League until the end of time, such was their financial dominance over the rest of the league.
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And now look at the shifting landscape, Millwall challenging for CL Spring '27!
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And now look at the shifting landscape, Millwall challenging for CL Spring '27!
imagine their lot on European away days?...
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And now look at the shifting landscape, Millwall challenging for CL Spring '27!
imagine their lot on European away days?...
Millwall v Celtic would be a fiery one!
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And now look at the shifting landscape, Millwall challenging for CL Spring '27!
imagine their lot on European away days?...
Or look at 2004 and their one game which was in Hungary.
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
🚨 Aston Villa are monitoring James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emi Martínez if he decides to leave. @garyjacob
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
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Yeah, I don't buy that the league is weaker at all.
It's weaker at the top end anyway. Not exactly an elite level CL this season either. Maybe the lack of downtime is having an impact, the best players hardly have any pre/post season now.
Even then 'we' still have a team in the semi-finals. We'll also most likely have a finalist in both of the other European comps (well, guaranteed in one!). It's weaker at the top because the middle is stronger and can take points off them with greater regularity. I don't envisage a team knocking on the door of 100 points again anytime soon.
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
🚨 Aston Villa are monitoring James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emi Martínez if he decides to leave. @garyjacob
both would be excellent signings - big wages perhaps
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James Trafford needs a place to call home. He’s likely the future England keeper beyond Pickford. I think he’s a great long term replacement for Emi. Big presence in net and will continue to get better.
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I like Trafford but I'm not sure the 2026 version is a best in the world contender so we'd be weakening ourselves.
If Emi wants to go then maybe but otherwise I'd be reluctant to mess with a player who is so important to us.
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Oh if we can keep Emi on a restructured deal that’s fine by me. He’s 33 so has a few years left. My thought with the financial rules he’d be one of the salaries we would move on versus selling a top younger asset.
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Oh if we can keep Emi on a restructured deal that’s fine by me. He’s 33 so has a few years left. My thought with the financial rules he’d be one of the salaries we would move on versus selling a top younger asset.
Win the EL and qualify for the CL, I think Emi stays and possibly on revised terms.
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
He might be willing to accept lower wages if our Egyptian owner can get him involved in some construction projects in his home country. ;)
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I don't think Emi outside of a World Cup year is as good as the one in a World Cup year so I would move him on if there's a deal to be had.
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
He might be willing to accept lower wages if our Egyptian owner can get him involved in some construction projects in his home country. ;)
I'd love the chutzpah. "Five million quid less per year, but there's a start for you if you're outside the Crown on Cricklewood Broadway at 7 on Monday morning. Bring your own shovel now, Omar!"
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There was a time all of us probably thought we could never in our lifetimes break into the top 4. Given the power and success of the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Man U etc
I remember the days when it was claimed that Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal would be the top four in the Premier League until the end of time, such was their financial dominance over the rest of the league.
How could I forget? Spent years arguing against that assumption on here.
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Isn't he a bit on the small side, Trafford ?
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He's 6ft 6.
How tall do you want him to be?
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He did look a little unimposing for a keeper a couple of years back when the small criticism started.
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He's 6ft 6.
How tall do you want him to be?
Yeah but he’s a small 6ft 6.
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He's 6ft 6.
How tall do you want him to be?
Yeah but he’s a small 6ft 6.
I recall a few years back commenting on here that he looked a prospect as a young keeper. Someone commented he was too physically weak. They did not understand how players develop. I don’t think he’s anywhere near Emi’s level currently but he could be.
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Jesus, is he? He's always looked 12 and puny on tele. I don't have HD though.
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Have you considered sitting closer to the television?
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
Oomarrr Marmoush-a Marmoush-a Marmoush-a bye bye
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
He might be willing to accept lower wages if our Egyptian owner can get him involved in some construction projects in his home country. ;)
I'd love the chutzpah. "Five million quid less per year, but there's a start for you if you're outside the Crown on Cricklewood Broadway at 7 on Monday morning. Bring your own shovel now, Omar!"
This is Birmingham, so he’ll have to get to the Mermaid for 7am for the start.
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Trafford is taller then Donnarumma, but the latter has such long arms and legs he appears bigger.
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Donnarumma also appears bigger because he's an absolutely world class goalkeeper.
That ****** played an absolute blinder against us for PSG.
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
He might be willing to accept lower wages if our Egyptian owner can get him involved in some construction projects in his home country. ;)
I'd love the chutzpah. "Five million quid less per year, but there's a start for you if you're outside the Crown on Cricklewood Broadway at 7 on Monday morning. Bring your own shovel now, Omar!"
This is Birmingham, so he’ll have to get to the Mermaid for 7am for the start.
Yes, apologies. I only knew of one legendary Paddy pick-up place, apart from the one I carry with me.
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Sigh
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
He might be willing to accept lower wages if our Egyptian owner can get him involved in some construction projects in his home country. ;)
That's pharaoh enough.
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January.
@garyjacob
I imagine we'll have a lovely time fitting his £275,000 weekly wage into our system.
He might be willing to accept lower wages if our Egyptian owner can get him involved in some construction projects in his home country. ;)
That's pharaoh enough.
It should be enough to convince him, unless he thinks it's a pyramid scheme.
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Donnarumma also appears bigger because he's an absolutely world class goalkeeper.
That ****** played an absolute blinder against us for PSG.
There was a time every keeper that visited Villa Park became Dino Zoff for 90 minutes. A week later back to being Peter Enkelmann.
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I'd rather have Wilson than Sancho or Bailey.
Indeed. He’s been brilliant this season. And if you’re worried about his wages, keep in mind that as back up/rotation with SJM he replaces Guessand, Sancho, Elliott & Bailey in the squad.
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🚨 Aston Villa have also retained an interest in Omar Marmoush having tried to sign him on loan in January. @garyjacob
Marmoush has essentially been on holiday all season, having played 90 minutes only three times—and two of those were cup matches.
I can see him going to Liverpool in the summer, and knowing us, we’ll probably be in for more of their mediocre players like Curtis Jones.
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Have you considered sitting closer to the television?
That’s not how it works, mate. HD fits more pixels in to the same number of square inches. So you have to sit further away from the telly to improve the picture quality.
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Marmoush, much like Ndiaye would be dream signings. He's one of those players who I tune in specifically to watch.
Neither will happen of course, but hey ho.
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According to BBC gossip page, Sancho looking to extend his deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Reckon someone at Villa has had a word in his ear after his latest shit show.
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Have you considered sitting closer to the television?
That’s not how it works, mate. HD fits more pixels in to the same number of square inches. So you have to sit further away from the telly to improve the picture quality.
It will make people appear bigger, though.
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According to BBC gossip page, Sancho looking to extend his deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Reckon someone at Villa has had a word in his ear after his latest shit show.
Easier league for him. As already shown.
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According to BBC gossip page, Sancho looking to extend his deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Reckon someone at Villa has had a word in his ear after his latest shit show.
That story has been doing the rounds for the last few months so nothing to do with last weekend.
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If Sancho was going to be 30k a week I would take him as a squad player , but that wont happen
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30k isn't even average PL pay now.
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According to BBC gossip page, Sancho looking to extend his deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Reckon someone at Villa has had a word in his ear after his latest shit show.
How can he extend a deal when he doesn’t have one?
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According to BBC gossip page, Sancho looking to extend his deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Reckon someone at Villa has had a word in his ear after his latest shit show.
How can he extend a deal when he doesn’t have one?
To be precise:
'Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has given his approval for a return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, with both parties holding concrete talks over a deal.'
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30k isn't even average PL pay now.
crazy
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Have you considered sitting closer to the television?
That’s not how it works, mate. HD fits more pixels in to the same number of square inches. So you have to sit further away from the telly to improve the picture quality.
It will make people appear bigger, though.
Nope, that only works with cows.
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According to BBC gossip page, Sancho looking to extend his deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Reckon someone at Villa has had a word in his ear after his latest shit show.
How can he extend a deal when he doesn’t have one?
To be precise:
'Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has given his approval for a return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, with both parties holding concrete talks over a deal.'
Haven’t Man Yoo got a years option on him? No doubts happy to waive given his extraordinary shiteness for them.
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According to BBC gossip page, Sancho looking to extend his deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Reckon someone at Villa has had a word in his ear after his latest shit show.
How can he extend a deal when he doesn’t have one?
To be precise:
'Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has given his approval for a return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, with both parties holding concrete talks over a deal.'
Haven’t Man Yoo got a years option on him? No doubts happy to waive given his extraordinary shiteness for them.
They do, but there's never a world that they were going to commit to paying him another £10m.
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Does he want a lift there?
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Trafford must be like Stuart Broad.
Looks so young that you can't imagine him being a big bugger.
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Wouldn't be surprised if Trafford and Marmoush were part of a trade for Rogers. Gets round having to give 15% of whatever we sell him for to Middlesbrough.
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You need money on the books even if there were a 'trade', the percentage will still be taken.
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No reason we couldn't sell for pennies and by for peanuts. Ie Rogers sold for 8m buy Trafford for 1m and marmoush for 500k?
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No reason we couldn't sell for pennies and by for peanuts. Ie Rogers sold for 8m buy Trafford for 1m and marmoush for 500k?
If UEFA are using a fine-toothed comb to work out correct value for money for percentage shares of women's teams and saying they'll pretty much ignore any value of transfers between Chelsea and Strasbourg, I reckon they'll definitively have opinions on it.
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Yeah, something tells me that if billionaires with access to top lawyers and accountants haven't done it by now, then I don't think we're going to crack a workaround. Although we have BV, so who knows?
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I doubt we have the money for Trafford. What did Man City pay, £30m? If he goes they'll want a bit on top of that. £31m with a £4m discount on buy back clause.
I like him and always believe a keeper is the most undervalued player as well as the most important but we'd need big money for Emi if he's to be replaced.
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I also think there will be a bit of a bidding war with him, quite a few will be interested. I don't see us forking out the required. There is probably better value out there somewhere.
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Sancho will never be a top player - we saw that last weekend. He can leave once deal runs out
Aint worth the money even on a free
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Us, Spursy, Newcastle, Leeds and Juventus are the clubs linked with Trafford. I know which one i'd choose.
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Turin is pretty nice tbf.
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I suppose Trafford would only consider coming once Emi's arse was firmly out the door given what happened to him last summer.
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Us, Spursy, Newcastle, Leeds and Juventus are the clubs linked with Trafford. I know which one i'd choose.
And Brighton, Chelsea and Liverpool. I have no idea how reputable any of the links are, but it looks like he'll be able to command a decent wage. I just think we'll find better value.
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Us, Spursy, Newcastle, Leeds and Juventus are the clubs linked with Trafford. I know which one i'd choose.
Trafford won't come to Villa - I think he'll either stay at Citeh or go to Redscouse.
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It’s never going to be a a case of not having the money for any player. And it’s frustrating when it’s pitched like that.
I’m sure we could buy Rice or Haaland if it was just a matter of money.
We don’t have the freedom to do it because of restrictive practices, not because we can’t afford it.
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I also think there will be a bit of a bidding war with him, quite a few will be interested. I don't see us forking out the required. There is probably better value out there somewhere.
Man City only got involved because Burnley accepted Newcastle's bid of £31m last summer. He has huge potential, but honestly, I have no idea if that will translate into becoming a top class international keeper. He has all the right physical attributes, and his penalty saving record is already very good (I know there is luck about it, but I always judge a keeper on where they are compared to 'average' when it comes to penalty saves).
Emi has been mostly very good this season, and our chances of getting a 'better' keeper this summer are slim to none, but at 34, every year we keep him now, we run the risk of going past his peak. If the club think they can move him on and Trafford is the replacement, I'd have no issues with that.
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Us, Spursy, Newcastle, Leeds and Juventus are the clubs linked with Trafford. I know which one i'd choose.
Trafford won't come to Villa - I think he'll either stay at Citeh or go to Redscouse.
I think his position is very similar to Emi when he came here. As in, he's the back-up keeper at a big club, good enough to be a premier league number one, and realising being a cup-only keeper isn't enough to get the recognition (including international) that he craves.
There is no better career path to point at, than Emi's with us. Short of winning a club trophy, he's done everything else here, including becoming recognised as the world's best keeper.
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Us, Spursy, Newcastle, Leeds and Juventus are the clubs linked with Trafford. I know which one i'd choose.
Trafford won't come to Villa - I think he'll either stay at Citeh or go to Redscouse.
I think his position is very similar to Emi when he came here. As in, he's the back-up keeper at a big club, good enough to be a premier league number one, and realising being a cup-only keeper isn't enough to get the recognition (including international) that he craves.
There is no better career path to point at, than Emi's with us. Short of winning a club trophy, he's done everything else here, including becoming recognised as the world's best keeper.
As ever, Smithy, well argued. However, there'll be better financial offers than we can make.
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Surprised when someone said he was 6'6", I've always thought of him as a little weakling.
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Us, Spursy, Newcastle, Leeds and Juventus are the clubs linked with Trafford. I know which one i'd choose.
Trafford won't come to Villa - I think he'll either stay at Citeh or go to Redscouse.
I think his position is very similar to Emi when he came here. As in, he's the back-up keeper at a big club, good enough to be a premier league number one, and realising being a cup-only keeper isn't enough to get the recognition (including international) that he craves.
There is no better career path to point at, than Emi's with us. Short of winning a club trophy, he's done everything else here, including becoming recognised as the world's best keeper.
As ever, Smithy, well argued. However, there'll be better financial offers than we can make.
He would be coming here as an Emi replacement, rather than back-up. And that would free up a lot of our current wage obligations for that position.
And I'm not sure he would have many better options. He's not going to Liverpool to be second or even third choice. He's not going to Arsenal. Chelsea do need a better goalkeeper, but are going to be screwed by UEFA restrictions. Spurs need a better goalkeeper,but - y'know. Ditto Newcastle. Man Utd seem happy enough with Lammens.
I reckon that if we want him, we've got as good a chance as anyone of signing him.
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The Liverpool link is if they sell Alisson. I agree that he probably still wouldn't want to chance fighting the Georgian.
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I don't blame him. Who can be bothered with all that neoclassical bullshit anyway?
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I don't blame him. Who can be bothered with all that neoclassical bullshit anyway?
This is your worst opinion. #JusticeForRobertAdam
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Rogers linked with playing in Europe now .
I can see Rogers, Bailey, Elliott, Sancho and Martinez out, Trafford, Wilson, Jones and Marmoush in.
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If Rogers does go, I hope it’s abroad. I couldn’t stand seeing him play for one of the Sky6 (soon to be Sky5). If he went to Bayern I’d at least be able to wish him well.
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Rogers has made 45 appearances so far in the 2025 -2026 season. More than any other Villa player. There have been times we thought he needed a rest. But Unai knows his players inside out and 'weighing up the pros and cons' has never dropped/rotated Rogers.
What other elite club would do that for Rogers? None in my book.
If Rogers wants to keep on playing lots of football at the highest level, Aston Villa is his future.
All this talk of him leaving is 'click bait' and lazy journalism. Rogers has never hinted at wanting to leave. Money should not be an issue. If need be, instead of selling Rogers we can sell Guessand, Malen, Bailey etc and get a few others off the wage roll.
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Rogers will be off. Bayern or PSG hopefully.
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Us, Spursy, Newcastle, Leeds and Juventus are the clubs linked with Trafford. I know which one i'd choose.
Trafford won't come to Villa - I think he'll either stay at Citeh or go to Redscouse.
I think his position is very similar to Emi when he came here. As in, he's the back-up keeper at a big club, good enough to be a premier league number one, and realising being a cup-only keeper isn't enough to get the recognition (including international) that he craves.
There is no better career path to point at, than Emi's with us. Short of winning a club trophy, he's done everything else here, including becoming recognised as the world's best keeper.
As ever, Smithy, well argued. However, there'll be better financial offers than we can make.
I agree, we're not going to be the club offering the most money. But we can offer genuine footballing opportunity, under one of the best-regarded managers in the league.
I doubt anyone will offer him more than he's already earning at City, so I don't think he'll be moving for financial reasons anyway. He's unlikely to take a pay cut, admittedly, but I can see him getting £75-£100k a week at a few different places, including here.
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It’d be disappointing to lose Roger’s but financially very beneficial of course. And I think that after the past few months you could make a strong case for saying that McGinn, Tielemans and Bouba are our most important players.
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I doubt anyone will offer him more than he's already earning at City, so I don't think he'll be moving for financial reasons anyway. He's unlikely to take a pay cut, admittedly, but I can see him getting £75-£100k a week at a few different places, including here.
Most places have him on £70-80k per week at Man City.
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Rogers will be off. Bayern or PSG hopefully.
Rogers is not the type who wants to take his turn sitting on the bench. Loves his football too much. Unai knows this.
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Rogers will be off. Bayern or PSG hopefully.
Rogers is not the type who wants to take his turn sitting on the bench. Loves his football too much. Unai knows this.
It was Chelsea before they fell apart, then Man Utd, this week it's abroad.
Truth is none of the twats have a clue one way or another.
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If Rogers goes to one of the big clubs like PSG, Bayern or even Arsenal, when he hits his twice a year dip, he'll find it a lot harder to get back into form than he would here. He'll end up playing half the amount of football he does here.
I'd prefer him to stay, have a great World Cup & we sell a load of shirts to foreigners. If we want to increase our global business we need to keep the likes of Rogers.
Unless Emery thinks he's peaked & now is the time to cash in.
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He’s not peaked.
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I get the optics of selling your best players and I’d rather keep Rogers but everyone has got their price. If we were offered silly money, around £90m and upwards I think we’d bite. He’s still developing and could go onto be a world beater, I’d be reluctant to think that he would at another club because of the reasons mentioned.
The key thing is getting a replacement in. Whether we’d want to spend so much on a single player is up for debate but Gibbs White has shown great consistency over a number of seasons, gets plenty of goals and assists and works bloody hard.
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^^^ MGW would cost £60m, so we’re left with £30m to improve the team or pay off the FFP gods. It barely seems worth it.
Somehow we need to blood more youngster so when they’re sold they sell for £30m rather than our current success - and it is successful - rate of selling between £10-£20m.
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^^^ MGW would cost £60m, so we’re left with £30m to improve the team or pay off the FFP gods. It barely seems worth it.
Somehow we need to blood more youngster so when they’re sold they sell for £30m rather than our current success - and it is successful - rate of selling between £10-£20m.
MGW £60 million on a 5 year contract is £12 million a year.
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People say £90m is silly money. I disagree. £90m is minimum. Have you seen what price other players in his position at his level have gone for? £130m is silly money. Numbers in between are realistic.
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People say £90m is silly money. I disagree. £90m is minimum. Have you seen what price other players in his position at his level have gone for? £130m is silly money. Numbers in between are realistic.
Agreed. £90m is peanuts when you have to give Boro 20%. £129m is a number in between.
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I’d love us sign a player like MGB or Bruno Guimarães. Both excellent footballers, an eye for goal, gritty, tenacious, battle and wind up the opposition. We could do with some of that!
We’ve got one in goal but could do with that in the middle of midfield, would be a massive upgrade on Buendia, who I really like and has been exceptional this season, but if we’re trying to keep progressing that’s wha we need.
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^^^ MGW would cost £60m, so we’re left with £30m to improve the team or pay off the FFP gods. It barely seems worth it.
Somehow we need to blood more youngster so when they’re sold they sell for £30m rather than our current success - and it is successful - rate of selling between £10-£20m.
I did say that he’d cost a lot of money but you’d think he could rock up and slot straight in with no drop off and possibly offer greater consistency, relatively young so plenty of longevity as well.
How likely is it to find a player, probably from abroad for £20-£30m that would have the same instant impact.
South American players who’ve never kicked a ball in Europe are making the switch for £40m +
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People say £90m is silly money. I disagree. £90m is minimum. Have you seen what price other players in his position at his level have gone for? £130m is silly money. Numbers in between are realistic.
Indeed. Yanited paid £80 million + on the likes of Harry Maguire, Anthony and Sancho. Idiot tax should def apply to them if they're interested in any serious way.
Chelsea spunked £100+ on Caicedo and Fernandez.
We took £100 million for Grealish six years ago. £120 mill + or no dice.
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^^^ MGW would cost £60m, so we’re left with £30m to improve the team or pay off the FFP gods. It barely seems worth it.
Somehow we need to blood more youngster so when they’re sold they sell for £30m rather than our current success - and it is successful - rate of selling between £10-£20m.
I did say that he’d cost a lot of money but you’d think he could rock up and slot straight in with no drop off and possibly offer greater consistency, relatively young so plenty of longevity as well.
How likely is it to find a player, probably from abroad for £20-£30m that would have the same instant impact.
South American players who’ve never kicked a ball in Europe are making the switch for £40m +
Yeah, if we can afford him and he's interested I can't really think of a player who would instantly fit into the way we play better than he would.
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You have players who never let you down and always deliver goals etc. The absolute elite. They rarely move clubs, but would go for £150m to £200m now, if at their peak. Rogers is in the next bracket down.
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We set the price and it has to be Wirtz money. Premier League proven and they'll all want him. 90m is pathetic in this market.
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However we do it we need two or three quality players in the summer.
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I’ve said it before, there are a few things that need improvement and you can always improve your squad - but the attribute we noticeably, and badly, lack is pace. It really limits our ability to change things up.
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Wilson- meh! Wasn't impressed with him at all.
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Wilson- meh! Wasn't impressed with him at all.
Absolute dog shit I thought.
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You have players who never let you down and always deliver goals etc. The absolute elite. They rarely move clubs, but would go for £150m to £200m now, if at their peak. Rogers is in the next bracket down.
I’m probably coming across as anti Rogers, which really isn’t the case as he’s obviously one of out key players, but if you’re taking Mbappe, Harlaand, Yamal, Vinicius as the pinnacle, I don’t think he is in the next bracket down. He’s unplayable on occasions but he needs to do it much more.
It’s difficult judging players in different positions but would Bellingham be in the next bracket down?
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The players we sign this summer need to have bottle. They want to have the guts to dig in at games, get stuck into the opposition and put them on their back foot. How many times have we seen us get into good positions in cup or league and then throw it all away because we are scared of the opposition. They need to roar at their own players if not doing it to their extremes, to need to put 100% into every game.
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Wilson- meh! Wasn't impressed with him at all.
Nah, he’s ok, but not good enough for us.
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The players we sign this summer need to have bottle. They want to have the guts to dig in at games, get stuck into the opposition and put them on their back foot. How many times have we seen us get into good positions in cup or league and then throw it all away because we are scared of the opposition. They need to roar at their own players if not doing it to their extremes, to need to put 100% into every game.
Like an Anderson
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I think replacing Rogers with MGW + £40m would be about right for us, if we could do it.
That's the game these days and would give us some room to start reducing some of the older players. I am mindful it takes players time to become established team members and mindful of McGinn, Youri, Mings, Digne, Cash, Watkins and Martinez all leaving the team around the same period.
We do need a couple of sub 25 year olds to replace them over the next 1-3 years. Doesn't to all be in one go.
Wilson and Mingueza on frees hopefully.
We need to explot the loan market and CL should hopefully do that. Who knows who could be available... Rashford, Nic Jackson, Marmoush... Maybe even Gallagher might be available on loan.
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Be quite nice to have two nasty bastards who hated losing. sometimes we just seem too nice.
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Marmoush, no thanks
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Be quite nice to have two nasty bastards who hated losing. sometimes we just seem too nice.
A midfield duo of Trump and Netenyahu would certainly raise our profile worldwide.
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Marmoush failed his Villa audition.
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Don't think Forest will be letting MGW go now they're safe TBH.
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Interesting suggestion BV but could could leave us a bit weak on the left wing.
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Don't think Forest will be letting MGW go now they're safe TBH.
They’re not safe after today’s results.
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Be quite nice to have two nasty bastards who hated losing. sometimes we just seem too nice.
A midfield duo of Trump and Netenyahu would certainly raise our profile worldwide.
We'd have all the cards.
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Be quite nice to have two nasty bastards who hated losing. sometimes we just seem too nice.
A midfield duo of Trump and Netenyahu would certainly raise our profile worldwide.
Probably be better to have people in the tent who didn't always lose though.
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Coventry are planning to spend £200m to prepare for life in the Premier League, with Aston Villa and Spain defender Pau Torres, 29, and Tottenham's England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 26, among their targets. (Fichajes - in Spanish)
Hahahaha, and hahahahafuckingha
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Bless ‘em.
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I would take £175m for Torres.
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Emery has performed miracles with the players we have but even he must wonder if he's reached his limits. What Rashford bought to us last season shows the skill lever needed to play at the top consistently, problem is we can't afford them. At one time last season I looked at our bench and thought wow, it was that strong, but now we know that Bailey will come on at some time.
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from BBC Gossip - Cov are going to spend £200mil and want Pau Torres - blah blah blah
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Emery has performed miracles with the players we have but even he must wonder if he's reached his limits. What Rashford bought to us last season shows the skill lever needed to play at the top consistently, problem is we can't afford them. At one time last season I looked at our bench and thought wow, it was that strong, but now we know that Bailey will come on at some time.
It’s pace as well. See Rashford’s goal yesterday as a great example.
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The players we sign this summer need to have bottle. They want to have the guts to dig in at games, get stuck into the opposition and put them on their back foot. How many times have we seen us get into good positions in cup or league and then throw it all away because we are scared of the opposition. They need to roar at their own players if not doing it to their extremes, to need to put 100% into every game.
Like an Anderson
Or, an Alex Scott - he makes Bournemouth tick.
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I have a feeling that was Conor Gallagher for Unai
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I have a feeling that was Conor Gallagher for Unai
Poundland, compared to others.
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Any rumours about Torres to Cov?
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Yep, I think Unai wants to win something and thats foremost on his mind.
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Agent - oh hi Pau, I’ve got a deal sorted. You’re leaving Villa and joining Coventry!
Pau - am I fuck mate. Oh, and by the way - you’re fired.
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Bayern not taking Chelsea up on the 65M option for Nicolas Jackson, so imagine we'll be linked again.
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Agent - oh hi Pau, I’ve got a deal sorted. You’re leaving Villa and joining Coventry!
Pau - am I fuck mate. Oh, and by the way - you’re fired.
Haha! The oddest rumour so far I reckon.
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Bayern not taking Chelsea up on the 65M option for Nicolas Jackson, so imagine we'll be linked again.
That wouldn’t be a bad move.
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Bayern not taking Chelsea up on the 65M option for Nicolas Jackson, so imagine we'll be linked again.
He's managed 10% of Kane's output this season, send him to Coventry.
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Bayern not taking Chelsea up on the 65M option for Nicolas Jackson, so imagine we'll be linked again.
He's managed 10% of Kane's output this season, send him to Coventry.
I wouldn’t have thought he’s played that much. I do think he’s decent, misses quite a few chances but he does plenty of running and is pretty quick. I don’t think he’d be worth £65m, could be a loan option though.
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I doubt we'd move for Jackson now having signed Tammy, but if Ollie left then maybe.
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A straight swap for Guessand would be the only real reason to go for Jackson and even then I haven't seen anything to get excited about. Unai obviously loves him from their time at Villareal but one decent season at Chelsea I can't see what all the fuss is about. Chelsea should be looking to try and get their €32m investment back and get him off their wage bill. Ha! He's contracted until 2033.
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Bayern not taking Chelsea up on the 65M option for Nicolas Jackson, so imagine we'll be linked again.
Certainly not at £65M we won’t.
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And Chelsea aren't going to loan him to us, so we either stump up or do some type of PSR player swap fudge.
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A straight swap for Guessand would be the only real reason to go for Jackson and even then I haven't seen anything to get excited about. Unai obviously loves him from their time at Villareal but one decent season at Chelsea I can't see what all the fuss is about. Chelsea should be looking to try and get their €32m investment back and get him off their wage bill. Ha! He's contracted until 2033.
Unai would know him from Villarreal, as he gave him his debut - but Jackson only really kicked on once Unai had left.
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Yeah, think Emery played him as a winger and only after he left did he become a fairly decent striker
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He's still only 24 as well. Having someone who can play through the middle and out wide wouldn't be a bad thing.
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If people think Watkins is profligate in front of goal then I think they'd have fun with Jackson.
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If people think Watkins is profligate in front of goal then I think they'd have fun with Jackson.
I can only speak for myself, but the frustration with Watkins isn't (entirely) around missed chances, it's that when he's bad he's made entirely of tibia and kiils any and all momentum.
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If people think Watkins is profligate in front of goal then I think they'd have fun with Jackson.
I can only speak for myself, but the frustration with Watkins isn't (entirely) around missed chances, it's that when he's bad he's made entirely of tibia and kiils any and all momentum.
I don't really disagree, he can be a frustrating watch.
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When a player ends up at Chelsea on the money and length of contract they are on it makes it very tough for sides like us, who have loads of money but cannot spend it, to bring those players in. The deal will need to match what they are on, have them agree to significant a pay/total compensation reduction, or have the selling side subsidize the deal which they aren’t likely to do.
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A player I’d like us to go back in for is Nico Williams who seems to be a bit frozen out at Bilbao. We’ve been linked with him in the past, only 23.
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Well amortisation is only across 5 years regardless of the length of contract and Jackson only went for around £32m. They also don't really pay 'crazy' wages so he probably isn't on as much as you think.
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Well amortisation is only across 5 years regardless of the length of contract and he only went for around £32m. They also don't really pay 'crazy' wages so he probably isn't on as much as you think.
£100k a week reportedly, although I have no idea how reliable those reports are.
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When a player ends up at Chelsea on the money and length of contract they are on it makes it very tough for sides like us, who have loads of money but cannot spend it, to bring those players in. The deal will need to match what they are on, have them agree to significant a pay/total compensation reduction, or have the selling side subsidize the deal which they aren’t likely to do.
I’ve never bothered to check, but I thought the new Chelsea model was players on reasonable weekly wages BUT for a very long time. If true Jackson might not be on crazy money.
However I feel Chelsea would be awful to deal with and seek profits on their peripheral players.
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Jackson wouldn't need to be sold for much at all now for them to have a 'profit' on the books (not that we'd get him cheap, but it won't be obscene). I don't particularly want him, but he's one of those where if he's available then we'll always be linked with Emery at the helm. His market value is around £35m, for whatever that is worth.
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I'd rather take a punt in Mudryk when he's drug-free. Chelsea can't expect much for him.
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I've just looked at how long Mudryk is suspended for and it doesn't seem to be finalised yet because he is still appealing the length of the ban. His suspension could last for between another 8 months and two years and 8 months apparently
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I'd rather take a punt in Mudryk when he's drug-free. Chelsea can't expect much for him.
I'm guessing this is a joke? He was fucking terrible before his ban.
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I'd rather take a punt in Mudryk when he's drug-free. Chelsea can't expect much for him.
I'm guessing this is a joke? He was fucking terrible before his ban.
Probably because he was off his tits!
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I'd rather take a punt in Mudryk when he's drug-free. Chelsea can't expect much for him.
I'm guessing this is a joke? He was fucking terrible before his ban.
Probably because he was off his tits!
The enhanced games are coming up, I want to see if he can break the sound barrier.
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Mudryk could clearly play, he made an appalling choice going there.
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Mudryk could clearly play, he made an appalling choice going there.
He hasn't exactly shown what he can do at Chelsea, though, at all. If anything he was being mocked for how shit he had been before his ban.
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Yeah but like I say, terrible choice. There’s quite a lot of younger players who looked like they’re could play before they went there.
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Football insider claims Everton back in for SJM. 🙄
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Yeah but like I say, terrible choice. There’s quite a lot of younger players who looked like they’re could play before they went there.
I don't know, felt like more than just a terrible choice to me.
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Wouldn't be surprised if Trafford and Marmoush were part of a trade for Rogers. Gets round having to give 15% of whatever we sell him for to Middlesbrough.
There is no such thing as a swap deal so no way to avoid sell on fees.
From a financial point of view, that would be treated as 3x transactions, each with a value attributed. Sell on would be calculated on the value attributed to Rogers.
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I'd rather take a punt in Mudryk when he's drug-free. Chelsea can't expect much for him.
I'm guessing this is a joke? He was fucking terrible before his ban.
Probably because he was off his tits!
***applause***
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https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7218667/2026/04/27/newcastle-yoane-wissa-sale/?source=bsky_uk
Newcastle explore Wissa sale, less than 12 months after signing him for £55m.
If we can get him cheap..?
Toon paid well over the odds last summer - they'd cycled through their striker shopping list trying (and failing) to bring in a player, and were desperate for a signing to keep their fans happy when they lost Isaak late on in the window.
Bit of a shit show from their perspective
Not for me.
Turns 30 in September.
Seems injury prone.
Wonder if they need to raise money because of missing out on Champs League/ECL or the Conference?
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They definitely need to sell this summer, Wissa would not be a priority from their squad imo. In fact there’s not many I’d want. We seem to be strong in the same positions and I don’t rate Barnes. The rest don’t justify the likely fee.
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No, age/cost mix just doesn’t work.
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I want Rashford. Incredibly unlikely, but if Barca can't afford him, then I'd like us to take another shot at it. I can't think of a better signing.
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https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7218667/2026/04/27/newcastle-yoane-wissa-sale/?source=bsky_uk
Newcastle explore Wissa sale, less than 12 months after signing him for £55m.
If we can get him cheap..?
Toon paid well over the odds last summer - they'd cycled through their striker shopping list trying (and failing) to bring in a player, and were desperate for a signing to keep their fans happy when they lost Isaak late on in the window.
Bit of a shit show from their perspective
Not for me.
Turns 30 in September.
Seems injury prone.
Wonder if they need to raise money because of missing out on Champs League/ECL or the Conference?
If you look at their transfer business last summer, it gives the impression of a club completely unprepared for Isak leaving. They naturally got hosed on the costs of the replacement players but they were strange signings to start with.
Isak, Kelly, Longstaff, Wilson out
Woltemede, Wissa, Elanga, Ramsey, Thiaw, Ramsdale (not sure if obligation to buy) - in
Very tough summer window ahead with Trippier and Schar leaving on frees, Willock, Murphy, Burn, Pope with only 12 months left on their deals, having to sell a star player (Gordon or Tonali probably) and move on under performers like Wissa at a huge loss.
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I want Rashford. Incredibly unlikely, but if Barca can't afford him, then I'd like us to take another shot at it. I can't think of a better signing.
Not beyond the realms of possibility if we're a Champions League team next season, and Man Utd agree to sell him at a price close to previously agreed. If Barcelona don't want him, I think the biggest risk to us signing him is that he might be happy to 'have another go' at United under a new manager (maybe Carrick), and with the club back in the Champions League. I don't know his history there well enough to know if the bridges have been well and truly burned, or not.
But yes, I'd take him in a heartbeat.
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I want Rashford. Incredibly unlikely, but if Barca can't afford him, then I'd like us to take another shot at it. I can't think of a better signing.
Not beyond the realms of possibility if we're a Champions League team next season, and Man Utd agree to sell him at a price close to previously agreed. If Barcelona don't want him, I think the biggest risk to us signing him is that he might be happy to 'have another go' at United under a new manager (maybe Carrick), and with the club back in the Champions League. I don't know his history there well enough to know if the bridges have been well and truly burned, or not.
But yes, I'd take him in a heartbeat.
The talk was always that Ratcliffe wanted his wages off the books, rather than any big personal issues.
I'd assume that the dynamic is that if a new manager came in and said that they really wanted him and that he was going to be an important player then everyone would be happy to crack on with it.
But if he's not there, I think he's just as likely to be with us as he is to be anywhere else.
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I want Rashford. Incredibly unlikely, but if Barca can't afford him, then I'd like us to take another shot at it. I can't think of a better signing.
Not beyond the realms of possibility if we're a Champions League team next season, and Man Utd agree to sell him at a price close to previously agreed. If Barcelona don't want him, I think the biggest risk to us signing him is that he might be happy to 'have another go' at United under a new manager (maybe Carrick), and with the club back in the Champions League. I don't know his history there well enough to know if the bridges have been well and truly burned, or not.
But yes, I'd take him in a heartbeat.
Think it's clear Rashford is done at Man United no matter who is in charge. Let himself down badly at the end of his time there. Stats suggests he's had a decent season at Barca but probably needed a spectacular one to get a permanent deal. Good chance he comes back with us in the summer, another loan deal.
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Asensio has been on fire this year, only signed a 2 year deal there so is probably looking for an out this summer. 13 goals and 13 assists in 37 apps this year suggests he's not a spent force. 2 or 3 year deal for the CL next season.
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I want Rashford. Incredibly unlikely, but if Barca can't afford him, then I'd like us to take another shot at it. I can't think of a better signing.
Not beyond the realms of possibility if we're a Champions League team next season, and Man Utd agree to sell him at a price close to previously agreed. If Barcelona don't want him, I think the biggest risk to us signing him is that he might be happy to 'have another go' at United under a new manager (maybe Carrick), and with the club back in the Champions League. I don't know his history there well enough to know if the bridges have been well and truly burned, or not.
But yes, I'd take him in a heartbeat.
Think it's clear Rashford is done at Man United no matter who is in charge. Let himself down badly at the end of his time there. Stats suggests he's had a decent season at Barca but probably needed a spectacular one to get a permanent deal. Good chance he comes back with us in the summer, another loan deal.
Be happy with that, quality player!
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I'd love Rashford back, but if it's a loan, you'd assume it would be a deal done at the end of the window as both Man U and he may wait for better offers (plus I think Barca would like another loan). I'm not sure with CL next season we can afford to risk waiting until the death to sign key players.
Ideally, I'd just offer a decent amount of our budget for him (£30-40m) and try to get it done, but move on quickly if it's clearly a non-starter.
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Ideally, I'd just offer a decent amount of our budget for him (£30-40m) and try to get it done, but move on quickly if it's clearly a non-starter.
Barcelona's option to buy is £26m, so I'd imagine if we offered that they'd have no reason not to accept it.
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Ideally, I'd just offer a decent amount of our budget for him (£30-40m) and try to get it done, but move on quickly if it's clearly a non-starter.
Barcelona's option to buy is £26m, so I'd imagine if we offered that they'd have no reason not to accept it.
We might be a be able to afford the transfer fee, but his wages?
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Ideally, I'd just offer a decent amount of our budget for him (£30-40m) and try to get it done, but move on quickly if it's clearly a non-starter.
Barcelona's option to buy is £26m, so I'd imagine if we offered that they'd have no reason not to accept it.
We might be a be able to afford the transfer fee, but his wages?
I think his rumoured £325k a week might be a bit beyond us!
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I have never thought Rashford would be a permanent option for us; too much of the wage bill on one player.
As for Asensio's run of form, how strong is the Turkish League compared to the EPL?
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He's generationally wealthy now. I guess it depends what he wants next in life, but either way he won't be getting £300k + from anyone in his next contract.
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Wasn't it reported by the Athletic that he took a pay cut to play for Barca, putting him closer to 10m a year? Still an extortionate amount of money, but when we paid Disassi 5m, everything starts to look sensible...
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Ideally, I'd just offer a decent amount of our budget for him (£30-40m) and try to get it done, but move on quickly if it's clearly a non-starter.
Barcelona's option to buy is £26m, so I'd imagine if we offered that they'd have no reason not to accept it.
We might be a be able to afford the transfer fee, but his wages?
There must be a way that we thought we could make it work - we had an option to make his transfer permanent last summer (which we all said at the time was obviously predicated on Champions League qualification).
But to even have that option in the deal, we needed Rashford and his people and our money people to all have been happy with the terms for the potential permanent deal when it was all agreed in January.
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Any Rashford deal would be a saga. Not sure it is wise to save all our money, flirting with Rashford, and risk him joining Barca anyway. By which time we'll have missed out on more getable targets.
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In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.
We should be looking at players with a price range of £35-45m if we're really going to build the overall quality of the squad.
With an average of £40m each, that's, £320m
This can be reduced if a couple of kids come through the ranks - unlikely given our recent history, or if we can unearth a couple of Morgan Rogers ( @ £12-15m apiece), and even if we can play the free transfer/loans market, it'll still need a spend of £200m-£250m?
We definitely won't have that amount of money available
So, we'll have to raise something in the transfer market - the question is - who can we ship out for decent fees without weakening the squad ?
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Wasn't it reported by the Athletic that he took a pay cut to play for Barca, putting him closer to 10m a year? Still an extortionate amount of money, but when we paid Disassi 5m, everything starts to look sensible...
Not sure how he took a paycut as his contract with ManU is he gets paid that amount, and between Barca/Manu, he would be paid that unless he altered his contract.
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Wasn't it reported by the Athletic that he took a pay cut to play for Barca, putting him closer to 10m a year? Still an extortionate amount of money, but when we paid Disassi 5m, everything starts to look sensible...
Not sure how he took a paycut as his contract with ManU is he gets paid that amount, and between Barca/Manu, he would be paid that unless he altered his contract.
Apologies, just located the article. States that the wage reduction came about as a result of failing to qualify for UCL with United.
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Wasn't it reported by the Athletic that he took a pay cut to play for Barca, putting him closer to 10m a year? Still an extortionate amount of money, but when we paid Disassi 5m, everything starts to look
Not sure how he took a paycut as his contract with ManU is he gets paid that amount, and between Barca/Manu, he would be paid that unless he altered his contract.
Apologies, just located the article. States that the wage reduction came about as a result of failing to qualify for UCL with United.
Don't imagine he needs to sell his medal collection just yet?
Guessing thst as ManU will be back in the Champs League next season his wages will rebound?
Failing that, and if he's a bit short, then he can pull some dividends from his investment, image rights and property companies.
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I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.
Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.
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I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.
Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.
Would you still have been going for him, had you not seen one really good game that he just so happened to play against us?
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If we sell Rogers we can afford Rashford. Rogers didn’t thrive when Rashford was in the team either, so it makes footballing sense.
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Anyone see much of the young lad Fatawu at Leicester this season? 9 goals 8 assists this season in a poor Leicester side isn't so bad. I seem to remember him being raved over a couple years back. Right winger, I believe.
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I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.
Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.
Would you still have been going for him had you not seen one really game that he just so happened to play against us?
Yes I could see the argument to an extent - although my view was Rashford was noticeably high class and clearly gave us something different. But to then argue for Rowe seems odd.
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Rashford didn't really play out wide in midfield though, he struggled in that position from memory for us against the better teams. Maybe with a full pre season with us that wouldn't be an issue. He did have that raw acceleration up front that caused a lot of problems but not sure he would have worked medium/long term as the 9 either. His back to goal play isn't that strong. Does have a summer transfer saga written all over it.
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I've seen the argument against Rashford coming back pop up a lot recently. Perhaps he wasn't quite as enthralling as some where hoping, but he still had one of the most electric debuts of any signing of the last 10 years and backed that up with a fair amount of excellent performances.
I can't remember a player dragging the eye so often as he did. There was always a sense that he'd so some wizardry and unlock a defense for us. A daft part of me still thinks that we'd have gotten past Palace if he hadn't gotten injured...
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I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.
Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.
Would you still have been going for him, had you not seen one really good game that he just so happened to play against us?
I’d love to see us take a chance on obvious potential
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I’d hope we were a bit more scientific than that given we can’t exactly chuck money about.
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Seems Barca might want him on loan again, but SSN think it unlikely Manure will agree to that.
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I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.
Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.
Would you still have been going for him, had you not seen one really good game that he just so happened to play against us?
I’d love to see us take a chance on obvious potential
Is 2 goals and 1 assist in a worse league 'obvious potential', though? Loads of players are capable of the odd good game. I'm sure Adama Traore has looked thrilling at times.
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Ok. Hopefully we aren’t interested in Rowe.
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I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.
Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.
Rashford as much as any player pushed us almost all the way against PSG. When he and McGinn went off that almost unstoppable drive in the second half faded a bit. He was also really good in most games he played that I remember.
There was a a game or two when him, Asensio and Rogers were playing interchangeable positions and it was hard to fathom how good it was.
Probably all irrelevant as can’t see him wanting to come back after a year at Barcelona
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If we sell Rogers we can afford Rashford. Rogers didn’t thrive when Rashford was in the team either, so it makes footballing sense.
Great post
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I’m not sure about Rashford at all.
I was ok with the last loan, and he was ok, bordering on good for much of his time, but he wasnt scintillating.
Personally I’d go for Johnny Rowe. Still only 22, has shown he has it, and Unai would harness it and improve him.
I’d agree with this. It’s (sadly) still vital that we consider wages and future sale values in most of our purchases.
Rashford, whilst a good player, would exhaust our available wages and provides no future income. A decent option on loan if we have CL money but I think we’d be foolish to commit £200k/week for 3 or 4 years.
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In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.
Trying to think which players could tip over the edge in the next 18-months:
1. Mings
2. Digne
3. Martinez
4. McGinn
5. Barkley
6. Lindleoff
7. Watkins
Given most are reserves I don’t think there’s the urgency you imply because their minutes can naturally be managed.
In fact, it might be logical to ‘sweat the assets’ whilst youth payers are given the chance to develop and young signings adapt to the UK/Villa way etc. Furthermore, a fair few are integral to our current DNA so should not be jettisoned lightly.
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In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.
Trying to think which players could tip over the edge in the next 18-months:
1. Mings
2. Digne
3. Martinez
4. McGinn
5. Barkley
6. Lindleoff
7. Watkins
Given most are reserves I don’t think there’s the urgency you imply because their minutes can naturally be managed.
In fact, it might be logical to ‘sweat the assets’ whilst youth payers are given the chance to develop and young signings adapt to the UK/Villa way etc. Furthermore, a fair few are integral to our current DNA so should not be jettisoned lightly.
4 of them are first-picks ...
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maybe they won't be in the next 18 months
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maybe they won't be in the next 18 months
Well, yes ... you're probably right!
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In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.
Trying to think which players could tip over the edge in the next 18-months:
1. Mings
2. Digne
3. Martinez
4. McGinn
5. Barkley
6. Lindleoff
7. Watkins
Given most are reserves I don’t think there’s the urgency you imply because their minutes can naturally be managed.
In fact, it might be logical to ‘sweat the assets’ whilst youth payers are given the chance to develop and young signings adapt to the UK/Villa way etc. Furthermore, a fair few are integral to our current DNA so should not be jettisoned lightly.
I too think the core that has served us well over the last few years should be largely retained. Use the Malen/Guessand/Barrenechea money to sprinkle some wing/forward magic into the squad and we’re well set IMO.
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In the next 2 summer transfer windiws6 and the January window next year, we're going to have to bring in/replace about 8-9 players.
Trying to think which players could tip over the edge in the next 18-months:
1. Mings
2. Digne
3. Martinez
4. McGinn
5. Barkley
6. Lindleoff
7. Watkins
Given most are reserves I don’t think there’s the urgency you imply because their minutes can naturally be managed.
In fact, it might be logical to ‘sweat the assets’ whilst youth payers are given the chance to develop and young signings adapt to the UK/Villa way etc. Furthermore, a fair few are integral to our current DNA so should not be jettisoned lightly.
4 of them are first-picks ...
Replace “most” with “some” and the point still stands (imo).
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I have never thought Rashford would be a permanent option for us; too much of the wage bill on one player.
As for Asensio's run of form, how strong is the Turkish League compared to the EPL?
Apparently York and Rochdale would only get 60 points in the Türkiye Süper Lig. But they'd play 12 league games less :)
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Asensio might have dipped a bit, but you could tell he was complete class. Not only his actual output, but some of his touches and movement were sublime. We’d have been a stronger squad with him in it.
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Looks like we won't get Rashford now...
Tottenham have shown a "genuine interest" in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international's loan permanent. (Sport - in Spanish)
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Newcastle and Aston Villa are interested in signing Maxi Araujo, 26, from Sporting, with the Uruguay international able to play left-back and on the left wing. (Sport Witness)
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Looks like we won't get Rashford now...
Tottenham have shown a "genuine interest" in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international's loan permanent. (Sport - in Spanish)
They're also looking at Rogers so they'll be strong next season.
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Looks like we won't get Rashford now...
Tottenham have shown a "genuine interest" in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international's loan permanent. (Sport - in Spanish)
They're also looking at Rogers so they'll be strong next season.
They’ll have one of the stronger squads in The Championship for sure.
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Looks like we won't get Rashford now...
Tottenham have shown a "genuine interest" in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international's loan permanent. (Sport - in Spanish)
This would make me puke.
I'm still disguted that Sinesi seems to be keen to join if they stay up.
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Looks like we won't get Rashford now...
Tottenham have shown a "genuine interest" in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 28, if they avoid relegation amid reports Barcelona have doubt about making the England international's loan permanent. (Sport - in Spanish)
This would make me puke.
I'm still disguted that Sinesi seems to be keen to join if they stay up.
well he would be guaranteed to get in that backline
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Asensio might have dipped a bit, but you could tell he was complete class. Not only his actual output, but some of his touches and movement were sublime. We’d have been a stronger squad with him in it.
Moving Rogers to accommodate him though, that would have seen a drop off in Rogers output. Buendia's resurgence has more than made up for Asensio's absence in any case. Very skilful player and to be fair hasn't had a Coutinho like career collapse since.
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Newcastle and Aston Villa are interested in signing Maxi Araujo, 26, from Sporting, with the Uruguay international able to play left-back and on the left wing. (Sport Witness)
I want this to happen, so choose to believe it is true.
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Asensio might have dipped a bit, but you could tell he was complete class. Not only his actual output, but some of his touches and movement were sublime. We’d have been a stronger squad with him in it.
Moving Rogers to accommodate him though, that would have seen a drop off in Rogers output. Buendia's resurgence has more than made up for Asensio's absence in any case. Very skilful player and to be fair hasn't had a Coutinho like career collapse since.
It’s more about options and Emi has done great, but Asensio is a better player and across the season I suspect would have delivered more.
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Araujo looks good but isn't he more of a left back than a winger, feels like a lot of money when we have Maatsen already as the long-term fix and Digne who is still playing well but with limited options in font of them. I guess it depends on whether we see 1 of them starting on the wing regularly as a good idea.
I wouldn't be against it because he's very good but for me that's 3rd or 4th on the priority list for signings this summer (because I'd like to push Rogers left and get new options at 10 and on the right) and then I think I'd prefer to add some depth at RB as well (Mingueza seems perfect for that though and I think him or Wilson are the most likely of all the links we've seen so far). Even then I think I'd also lean towards a more defensive option there as someone who can cover LCB as well as LB because Mings is starting to look like we need to replace him sooner than later, Lindelof stepping over and doing a decent job makes it less urgent though.
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Asensio might have dipped a bit, but you could tell he was complete class. Not only his actual output, but some of his touches and movement were sublime. We’d have been a stronger squad with him in it.
Moving Rogers to accommodate him though, that would have seen a drop off in Rogers output. Buendia's resurgence has more than made up for Asensio's absence in any case. Very skilful player and to be fair hasn't had a Coutinho like career collapse since.
Although there has been no specific player moved to 10 this season and Rogers form has dropped off, so maybe like this year, he is over-played and not rested.
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Asensio might have dipped a bit, but you could tell he was complete class. Not only his actual output, but some of his touches and movement were sublime. We’d have been a stronger squad with him in it.
Moving Rogers to accommodate him though, that would have seen a drop off in Rogers output. Buendia's resurgence has more than made up for Asensio's absence in any case. Very skilful player and to be fair hasn't had a Coutinho like career collapse since.
Although there has been no specific player moved to 10 this season and Rogers form has dropped off, so maybe like this year, he is over-played and not rested.
Don't see it that way, Rogers has played mostly at 10 or off the left. You can debate where his best position is of the two. But he was shifted to the right to accomodate Asensio last season and definitely wasn't happy about it. Buendia is more tactically flexible than Asensio as he covers the same positions as Rogers. I reckon it's worked out well for us. Emery clearly doesn't think Rogers is overplayed, again debatable but he hardly even gets taken off not to mind rested.
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Aston Villa ‘set their sights’ on 23-year-old attacker – 7 goals and 8 assists
Matias Soule has grown into an important player for AS Roma this season and is now attracting attention from Aston Villa.
LaRoma24 report the Giallorossi could have to deal with some major exits by the end of June. This is because of financial regulations, and Roma want to stay within the limits to escape any bans or fines.
Amidst all that, Soule’s situation is gathering attention. Aston Villa have ‘set their sights’ on the 23-year-old, with Bournemouth also in the picture.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-set-their-sights-on-23-year-old-attacker-7-goals-and-8-assists/
He's good, but will he stand up to the physical nature of the league
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At least it looks like we finally have a better class of co-conspirator than Juventus or effing Chelsea.
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I reckon that Soule will be this summer's much linked, seemingly inevitable signing that ends up somewhere else.
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Aston Villa ‘set their sights’ on 23-year-old attacker – 7 goals and 8 assists
Matias Soule has grown into an important player for AS Roma this season and is now attracting attention from Aston Villa.
Looks good, and his terrance chant is already sorted.
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I'm pretty sure we've been linked with Soule before.
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I'm pretty sure we've been linked with Soule before.
He was one of the Juventus offcuts that would have potentially been part of the Douglas Luiz deal.
Then the story was that they wouldn't let him join us, which was contradicted by Juve agreeing a few weeks later to sell him to Leicester, who then lost out when he rejected them to go to Roma.
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I'm pretty sure we've been linked with Soule before.
He was one of the Juventus offcuts that would have potentially been part of the Douglas Luiz deal.
Then the story was that they wouldn't let him join us, which was contradicted by Juve agreeing a few weeks later to sell him to Leicester, who then lost out when he rejected them to go to Roma.
Cheers, I thought we had. Not too sure, but I reckon Leicester could have done with him. Just a hunch.
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If Bournemouth are after him too, he must be decent.
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If Bournemouth are after him too, he must be decent.
Likewise, if Spurs are interested, stay well away.
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Soule played well in the pre-season friendly at Walsall.
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We need to buy Carlos Vinicius. He played for Fulham for a bit but now at Gremio. He would fit right in.
https://xcancel.com/futsheriff/status/2049660843780870385?s=46
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If Bournemouth are after him too, he must be decent.
Likewise, if Spurs are interested, stay well away.
That rules out Rashford then
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Soule played well in the pre-season friendly at Walsall.
Yes, I was just going to say that. He also did very well on loan in the same Frosinone team as Barreachea. (Spelling guess)
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We need to buy Carlos Vinicius. He played for Fulham for a bit but now at Gremio. He would fit right in.
https://xcancel.com/futsheriff/status/2049660843780870385?s=46
Would be nice to sign someone who scores penalties.
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We need to buy Carlos Vinicius. He played for Fulham for a bit but now at Gremio. He would fit right in.
https://xcancel.com/futsheriff/status/2049660843780870385?s=46
Would be nice to sign someone who scores penalties.
Why would we need that?
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We need to buy Carlos Vinicius. He played for Fulham for a bit but now at Gremio. He would fit right in.
https://xcancel.com/futsheriff/status/2049660843780870385?s=46
The post you linked to is a little unfair as all three were tremendous saves from the keeper, even the slip one. (I think the keeper pushed the first one onto the post otherwise no need to penalise the move forward).
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We need to buy Carlos Vinicius. He played for Fulham for a bit but now at Gremio. He would fit right in.
https://xcancel.com/futsheriff/status/2049660843780870385?s=46
Would be nice to sign someone who scores penalties.
We should buy Alajbegovic from RB Salzburg. Bosnian, 18 years old, scored both his penalties v Wales and then Italy in the World Cup play offs recently. Looks a real prospect.
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We should buy Alajbegovic from RB Salzburg. Bosnian, 18 years old, scored both his penalties v Wales and then Italy in the World Cup play offs recently. Looks a real prospect.
Never heard of him until now but Salzburg apparently turned down €25m for him in January. Clubs interested include Roma, Lazio, Befica, Sporting, Bayer Leverkusen and Man U - if Vinícius Júnior refuses to take a massive step down. Bayer Leverkusen sold him for €4m and have a buy-back clause for €8m. Other PL clubs and top Spanish clubs also said to be interested according to his father/agent.
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I've seen reports linking us to that Bosnian kid.
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We should buy Alajbegovic from RB Salzburg. Bosnian, 18 years old, scored both his penalties v Wales and then Italy in the World Cup play offs recently. Looks a real prospect.
Never heard of him until now but Salzburg apparently turned down €25m for him in January. Clubs interested include Roma, Lazio, Befica, Sporting, Bayer Leverkusen and Man U - if Vinícius Júnior refuses to take a massive step down. Bayer Leverkusen sold him for €4m and have a buy-back clause for €8m. Other PL clubs and top Spanish clubs also said to be interested according to his father/agent.
He was the best player on the pitch by miles in the Wales game
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Unai has preformed miracles but I think the time has run out with this squad to be challenging for top 6 & CL next season. Needs a massive overhaul in the summer to make us competitive particularly if we’re in the CL. Rogers sale is a must imo at £100m plus which together with the CL money and selling some squad players could allow us to make some quality additions. The WC won’t help us unfortunately although it could push up Rogers value if he does well
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Unai has preformed miracles but I think the time has run out with this squad to be challenging for top 6 & CL next season
Which six teams would you say are in a better position to finish ahead of us?
I think a solid argument can be made for four, beyond that they mostly have our problems but worse.
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It's quite possible that Rogers has a Stéphane Guivarc'h of a World Cup. If we're banking on selling him it might be better to get it done ASAP.
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I reiterate again, my god we need pace in this side.
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We should buy Alajbegovic from RB Salzburg. Bosnian, 18 years old, scored both his penalties v Wales and then Italy in the World Cup play offs recently. Looks a real prospect.
Never heard of him until now but Salzburg apparently turned down €25m for him in January. Clubs interested include Roma, Lazio, Befica, Sporting, Bayer Leverkusen and Man U - if Vinícius Júnior refuses to take a massive step down. Bayer Leverkusen sold him for €4m and have a buy-back clause for €8m. Other PL clubs and top Spanish clubs also said to be interested according to his father/agent.
He was the best player on the pitch by miles in the Wales game
That sort of player should be the blueprint. Transition from say McGinn to this fella* over the next 2/3 years. Will cost a fraction of the amount and keeps the core of the squad together.
*No idea what position he plays but there’s no rush to jettison our tried and tested squad if we have a plan in place to transition from a to b.
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Unai has preformed miracles but I think the time has run out with this squad to be challenging for top 6 & CL next season. Needs a massive overhaul in the summer to make us competitive particularly if we’re in the CL. Rogers sale is a must imo at £100m plus which together with the CL money and selling some squad players could allow us to make some quality additions. The WC won’t help us unfortunately although it could push up Rogers value if he does well
We need to get rid of the dead wood first.
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It's quite possible that Rogers has a Stéphane Guivarc'h of a World Cup. If we're banking on selling him it might be better to get it done ASAP.
Newcastle still bought him
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Unai has preformed miracles but I think the time has run out with this squad to be challenging for top 6 & CL next season
Which six teams would you say are in a better position to finish ahead of us?
I think a solid argument can be made for four, beyond that they mostly have our problems but worse.
The current top 4 plus Chelsea and Spurs if they stay up. De Zerbi will get them playing given time.
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They'd already bought him.
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They'd already bought him.
Nope, he was signed November 1998 so after the WC
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They'd already bought him.
Nope, he was signed November 1998 so after the WC
Look, you can prove anything with facts. I think my post was closer to the spirit of the thread and, not to be too grandiose, the age.
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Unai has preformed miracles but I think the time has run out with this squad to be challenging for top 6 & CL next season
Which six teams would you say are in a better position to finish ahead of us?
I think a solid argument can be made for four, beyond that they mostly have our problems but worse.
The current top 4 plus Chelsea and Spurs if they stay up. De Zerbi will get them playing given time.
While things can obviously change, but as things stand Chelsea are properly screwed in the summer. They have to have the same net positive transfer balance like we did this season, will have to make some pretty massive sales and probably take some pretty massive losses on players. There's talk that they need to make £60-80m in transfer profit before the end of June or their UEFA punishments get worse than they are already.
Whatever problematic state we might find ourselves in, Chelsea's is far worse.
As for Spurs, maybe. Emery managed to drag Gerrard's players into a far better position than when he found us. But it is still *that* Spurs squad that has finished in the bottom four / five for two seasons in a row. And de Zerbi record is much more one of chucking petrol on massive fires rather than putting them out.
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Their best players will have been out for a long time when they finally return - Kulusevski, Maddison aand Kudus. No guarantee they'll be as good as before.
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Their best players will have been out for a long time when they finally return - Kulusevski, Maddison aand Kudus. No guarantee they'll be as good as before.
Once back, the squad will be pretty bloated too. There will be a few big egos sitting on the bench or in the stands.
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And all of these is with the assumption that Spurs are even staying up.
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And all of these is with the assumption that Spurs are even staying up.
Indeed and we have the opportunity to heavily influence this.
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They'd already bought him.
Nope, he was signed November 1998 so after the WC
Look, you can prove anything with facts. I think my post was closer to the spirit of the thread and, not to be too grandiose, the age.
You great big fibber, Rudy65, they sold him to Rangers in the November. Newcastle signed him before the World Cup.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phane_Guivarc%27h
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Sick of the proliferation of fake news on this site. Back to Twitter I go, have been reading some interesting things about Joe Biden faking the moon landings to cover up a paedophile ring.
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Stach from Leeds? - decent player.
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They'd already bought him.
Nope, he was signed November 1998 so after the WC
Look, you can prove anything with facts. I think my post was closer to the spirit of the thread and, not to be too grandiose, the age.
You great big fibber, Rudy65, they sold him to Rangers in the November. Newcastle signed him before the World Cup.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phane_Guivarc%27h
That just states "Signed in the close season". A lot of transfer sites have it as 1st July but that is just to cover the starting the season date. Most other sources state he was signed after the World Cup though which was 12th July and "4 months later" he was sold on, which also puts it back to July.
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He was signed before the World Cup. Do you know how I know? I remember it.
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I didn't realise we had been visited by the Memory Man (https://xcancel.com/RealBobMortimer/status/330738474791612416).
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Bolton. White Horse Final, innit. We lost to Newcastle the following year.
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Unai has preformed miracles but I think the time has run out with this squad to be challenging for top 6 & CL next season
Which six teams would you say are in a better position to finish ahead of us?
I think a solid argument can be made for four, beyond that they mostly have our problems but worse.
The current top 4 plus Chelsea and Spurs if they stay up. De Zerbi will get them playing given time.
While things can obviously change, but as things stand Chelsea are properly screwed in the summer. They have to have the same net positive transfer balance like we did this season, will have to make some pretty massive sales and probably take some pretty massive losses on players. There's talk that they need to make £60-80m in transfer profit before the end of June or their UEFA punishments get worse than they are already.
Whatever problematic state we might find ourselves in, Chelsea's is far worse.
As for Spurs, maybe. Emery managed to drag Gerrard's players into a far better position than when he found us. But it is still *that* Spurs squad that has finished in the bottom four / five for two seasons in a row. And de Zerbi record is much more one of chucking petrol on massive fires rather than putting them out.
Good opportunity to see if we cab poach any of their players at a good rate. Would t mind chalobah for example
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Any from West Ham?
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Summerville, Bowen, Diouf and Fernandes are the names that people suggest will probably be picked up.
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Summerville, Bowen, Diouf and Fernandes
Yeah yeah yeah yeah.
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They are good players but don't think they play in positions that are a priority for us. Bowen at 29 wouldn't be helping reducing our age profile either.
A lot more PL quality players at a good age in the Spurs squad, granted injury prone and temperamental most of them. All with scope to improve under a top coach like Emery. Van der Ven, Porro, Udogie, Bergvall, Gray, Kulusevski, Kudus, Spence. Would take Kulusevski and Van der Ven for sure.
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Summerville, Bowen, Diouf and Fernandes are the names that people suggest will probably be picked up.
Wan Bissaka too, decent alternative to Cash..... better than he's given credit for.
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Summerville, Bowen, Diouf and Fernandes are the names that people suggest will probably be picked up.
Wan Bissaka too, decent alternative to Cash..... better than he's given credit for.
I concur.
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Bowen hasn’t looked that good this season either. He’s looks a bit slower than he used to.
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After we smash Spurs tomorrow we should offer the £12m for Archie Gray. Get SJM to have a word with him.
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Not sure that would work, he's declared for England.
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I rate Kudas alot but speaking to a spurs season ticket holder last night Madison is fucked ,, so maybe cov wil give him a match to match contract . Bergvail might be a decent signing and please leave Conor Callagher in the championship. SHame west ham fcuked up today as Spurs will have alittle lift but they are still shite.
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Summerville, Bowen, Diouf and Fernandes are the names that people suggest will probably be picked up.
Wan Bissaka too, decent alternative to Cash..... better than he's given credit for.
I concur.
I wouldn't be totally against the idea, but West Ham's good run of form (until today) completely coincides with him being dropped.
Even down to their one defeat (to us) being the one game that he was brought back for.
We definitely need a plausible right-back option adding to the squad (if the two or three previous punts are being sacked off), but surely it should be someone younger than Cash to eventually take over (a la Maatsen), rather someone of the same age who is probably not quite as good as the current version?
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AWB is rubbish, no positional sense (constantly caught on back post) and as average on the ball as Bogarde. Man United spending 50m on him and whatever on Sancho was peak insanity.
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Not sure that would work, he's declared for England.
Exactly. Tell him to sign or he's off to play for Scotland, the big traitor to the Gray clan.
I like him as a player but would have preferred him to have been Scottish. Those bright lights of London, media darlings, I bet he's become a right twat.
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There's a reason the Tottenham badge is a cock.
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AWB is rubbish, no positional sense (constantly caught on back post) and as average on the ball as Bogarde. Man United spending 50m on him and whatever on Sancho was peak insanity.
Strongly agree here.
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AWB is defensively solid, but really poor going forward. That really doesn’t work for our style.
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He wasn’t much good today V Brentford. I sometimes like him and other times think he wont improve us to any great extent. Another one who I think we should swerve is Harry Wilson. Again, sometimes very good, other times you’re not sure if he’s playing, like today for instance.
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Goncalo Ramos, 24, wants to start more matches and could leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the season, with several clubs keen on signing the Portugal striker.
I think we were rumoured for a loan deal in the Summer weren't we?
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Someone with a bit of pace please
Even a 66 year old Linford Christie would speed us up
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Goncalo Ramos, 24, wants to start more matches and could leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the season, with several clubs keen on signing the Portugal striker.
I think we were rumoured for a loan deal in the Summer weren't we?
Think Rudy has been trying to sell him to us for years, dunno if he's moonlighting as a Mendes.
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Goncalo Ramos, 24, wants to start more matches and could leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the season, with several clubs keen on signing the Portugal striker.
I think we were rumoured for a loan deal in the Summer weren't we?
I want to sign him, bit mostly as he looks like McGinn. Can take penalties too.
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He wasn’t much good today V Brentford. I sometimes like him and other times think he wont improve us to any great extent. Another one who I think we should swerve is Harry Wilson. Again, sometimes very good, other times you’re not sure if he’s playing, like today for instance.
I think Wilson could be this years Solanke, a one season wonder.
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He looks as flakey as the rest of our inconsistent wingers.
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Wilson is a lazy signing.
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Wilson is only an option because he is a free agent. If there was any fee to pay he wouldn't even be considered. Obviously he is not going to move us to the next level.
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He'd be better than Bailey.
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A lollypop lady would be better than Bailey
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He'd be better than Bailey.
I don’t know, I’m sure after four or five anonymous appearances he’d be in the same Guessand and Bailey category and everyone will on his back. The position we’re in and the direction we’re going we should be aiming higher. However finances don’t allow it and we end up not improving the situation.
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A lollypop lady would be better than Bailey
That's very unfair. What have lolly pop ladies ever done to offend you?
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Article in the Irish Times on Owen Elding who joined Hibs from Sligo Rovers at the last window. Anyone seen him play?
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AWB is defensively solid, but really poor going forward. That really doesn’t work for our style.
True, we've got enough of those 😂😂
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A lollypop lady would be better than Bailey
very true - a lollypop lady can cross
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Beeb Gossip round up has:
Possible ins - Ibrahim Mbaye, PSG, Bailey Rice, Rangers, Alex Ramero, Real Sociedad and James Trafford.
Possible outs - Tommi O'Reilly
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Goncalo Ramos, 24, wants to start more matches and could leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the season, with several clubs keen on signing the Portugal striker.
I think we were rumoured for a loan deal in the Summer weren't we?
Think Rudy has been trying to sell him to us for years, dunno if he's moonlighting as a Mendes.
Ha! I may have mentioned him once or twice. Reports of Juventus opening talks to take him on a season long loan with an option to buy. Barca also linked as a back up if they fail to get Alvarez. One thing is for certain, PSG will let him go as he wants regular football.
We can but dream.
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Quite a bit of talk of us signing Bailey Rice on a free transfer this summer. Left-footed defensive midfielder, 19, who's known for being composed on the ball and can play as a 6, an 8 or as part of a double pivot. Been linked with him before so seems credible. Hasn't made many first team appearances for Rangers due to injury (sounds about right).
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Goncalo Ramos, 24, wants to start more matches and could leave Paris St-Germain at the end of the season, with several clubs keen on signing the Portugal striker.
I think we were rumoured for a loan deal in the Summer weren't we?
Think Rudy has been trying to sell him to us for years, dunno if he's moonlighting as a Mendes.
Ha! I may have mentioned him once or twice. Reports of Juventus opening talks to take him on a season long loan with an option to buy. Barca also linked as a back up if they fail to get Alvarez. One thing is for certain, PSG will let him go as he wants regular football.
We can but dream.
It’d be ideal if we could do the loan to buy option, especially with some conditional clauses, so we can try before we buy.
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Quite a bit of talk of us signing Bailey Rice on a free transfer this summer. Left-footed defensive midfielder, 19, who's known for being composed on the ball and can play as a 6, an 8 or as part of a double pivot. Been linked with him before so seems credible. Hasn't made many first team appearances for Rangers due to injury (sounds about right).
I hope he’s more Rice than Bailey.
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Sancho, Elliott, Luiz - don't buy
Mings, Digne, Bailey, Buendia - get what you can for them
Bogarde - see if Brighton still want to give us £20m for him
If someone wants to give us £100m for Rogers, I won't protest too much.
Fire sale all of those players we keep sending out on loan and won't ever play for us - Dobbin, Nedeljkovic, Iling-Junior - and Garcia
Watkins and Abraham are not going to be good enough for a CL/PL Top 5 challenge, we need to upgrade at least one of them.
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The squad needs an overhaul that's for sure. I hope Olabe's contacts are better than Monchi's because a lot of our recruitment has been poor.
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Should be looking to move on - Martinez, Mings, Digne, Garcia, Onana, Barkley, Bogarde, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins. None of the loanees will be kept. That's a huge change but contracts winding down for a number of them anyway.
Hope many of those above, if they are to go, will sign off in style in next few games.
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Coventry boss Frank Lampard wants ex-England midfielder Ross Barkley to be his first signing of the summer, with the 32-year-old out of contract at Aston Villa at the end of the season. (Alan Nixon via Give Me Sport)
I think this aged well with Frank looking for his bargepole after tonight. (although IIRC he isn't out of contract Alan as we have an extension option like Luton did).
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He’s got 12 months left on his contract
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He’s got 12 months left on his contract
Isn’t it an option to extend?
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He’s got 12 months left on his contract
Isn’t it an option to extend?
His contract length was never announced that I've seen.
Barkley himself says he's got a year left. So unless there's evidence to the contrary, we can probably assume he knows.
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Massive Summer ahead whatever happens now.
Barkley, Buendia, Mings, Bailey, Elliott, Sancho, Garcia, Guessand are all no brainers to be moved out, maybe Digne too.
Obviously we might also lose Martinez and Rogers if they get their heads turned and the moneys right. Onana and Kamara have too many injuries to get interest so I think they’re safe for now.
That’s between 7-11 out the door. They better know what they’re doing this time.
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A mammoth task, even more so with no champions league money.
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Massive Summer ahead whatever happens now.
Barkley, Buendia, Mings, Bailey, Elliott, Sancho, Garcia, Guessand are all no brainers to be moved out, maybe Digne too.
Obviously we might also lose Martinez and Rogers if they get their heads turned and the moneys right. Onana and Kamara have too many injuries to get interest so I think they’re safe for now.
That’s between 7-11 out the door. They better know what they’re doing this time.
I dont disagree with the long list but we need to avoid too much change in one season. Most of that lot can leave but only three or four coming in, and maybe one of buendia or Barkley being retained for continuity. Bailey, Sancho, Elliot and Guessand becoming two signings.
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Should be looking to move on - Martinez, Mings, Digne, Garcia, Onana, Barkley, Bogarde, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins. None of the loanees will be kept. That's a huge change but contracts winding down for a number of them anyway.
Hope many of those above, if they are to go, will sign off in style in next few games.
The squad really needs a total re-shape over the summer. For me:
GK - although Martinez has been mostly good this season, I think this summer might be the point where both parties agree to move on. So we would need a new number 1 with Bizot and young lads as back-up
RB - Cash has had a decent season, but we really need another proper option there as a succession plan
LB - Digne is starting to creak a bit, so probably need another option to go there with Maatsen, although maybe could try and get one more year out of Digne
RCB - Konsa and Lindelof are fine
LCB - time to move on from Mings unfortunately and find someone who can start a decent number of games as Torres has periods out injured
DCM - simply need to get back-up to Kamara in this position. Bogarde has struggled and doesn't look like he can make the step up
CM - Onana, Tielemans and Barkley should be fine in there for another season. Don't think we need to sign Luiz.
LM - expect Rogers to go, so we will need a starting option there and possibly a back-up as well. Buendia just isn't good enough
RAM - need back-up to McGinn. Got the young lad Alysson, but don't know if he will be ready to feature regularly next season. We need to move on from Bailey and Sancho.
ACM - need a starting player in this position. Have got back-up who can play there, but think this is a key position for us
CF - like Martinez, could be time to move on from Watkins up front. Will need to replace him with a starter as I'm not sure Abraham can fill that role. Along with the no.10 position, another key signing.
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It's going to be even harder now with Spurs shopping in the same market.
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Should be looking to move on - Martinez, Mings, Digne, Garcia, Onana, Barkley, Bogarde, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins. None of the loanees will be kept. That's a huge change but contracts winding down for a number of them anyway.
Hope many of those above, if they are to go, will sign off in style in next few games.
The squad really needs a total re-shape over the summer. For me:
GK - although Martinez has been mostly good, I think this summer might be the point where both parties agree to move on. So we would need a new number 1 with Bizot and young lads as back-up
RB - Cash has had a decent season, but we really need another proper option there as a succession plan
LB - Digne is starting to creak a bit, so probably need another option to go there with Maatsen, although maybe could try and get one more year out of Digne
RCB - Konsa and Lindelof are fine
LCB - time to move on from Mings unfortunately and find someone who can start a decent number of games as Torres has periods out injured
DCM - simply need to get back-up to Kamara in this position. Bogarde has struggled and doesn't look like he can make the step up
CM - Onana, Tielemans and Barkley should be fine in there for another season. Don't think we need to sign Luiz.
LM - expect Rogers to go, so we will need a starting option there and possibly a back-up as well. Buendia just isn't good enough
RAM - need back-up to McGinn. Got the young lad Alysson, but don't know if he will be ready to feature regularly next season. We need to move on from Bailey and Sancho.
ACM - need a starting player in this position. Have got back-up who can play there, but think this is a key position for us
CF - like Martinez, could be time to move on from Watkins up front. Will need to replace him with a starter as I'm not sure Abraham can fill that role. Along with the no.10 position, another key signing.
Pretty much agree with you mate. But I fail to understand any logic to suggest Buendia isn't good enough but Barkley should be fine. I'd be ok with moving Buendia on too, more to do with his age/contract situation, but Barkley has never been good enough. At 32 he isn't going to suddenly realise unfulfilled potential.
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Should be looking to move on - Martinez, Mings, Digne, Garcia, Onana, Barkley, Bogarde, Bailey, Buendia, Watkins. None of the loanees will be kept. That's a huge change but contracts winding down for a number of them anyway.
Hope many of those above, if they are to go, will sign off in style in next few games.
The squad really needs a total re-shape over the summer. For me:
GK - although Martinez has been mostly good, I think this summer might be the point where both parties agree to move on. So we would need a new number 1 with Bizot and young lads as back-up
RB - Cash has had a decent season, but we really need another proper option there as a succession plan
LB - Digne is starting to creak a bit, so probably need another option to go there with Maatsen, although maybe could try and get one more year out of Digne
RCB - Konsa and Lindelof are fine
LCB - time to move on from Mings unfortunately and find someone who can start a decent number of games as Torres has periods out injured
DCM - simply need to get back-up to Kamara in this position. Bogarde has struggled and doesn't look like he can make the step up
CM - Onana, Tielemans and Barkley should be fine in there for another season. Don't think we need to sign Luiz.
LM - expect Rogers to go, so we will need a starting option there and possibly a back-up as well. Buendia just isn't good enough
RAM - need back-up to McGinn. Got the young lad Alysson, but don't know if he will be ready to feature regularly next season. We need to move on from Bailey and Sancho.
ACM - need a starting player in this position. Have got back-up who can play there, but think this is a key position for us
CF - like Martinez, could be time to move on from Watkins up front. Will need to replace him with a starter as I'm not sure Abraham can fill that role. Along with the no.10 position, another key signing.
Pretty much agree with you mate. But I fail to understand any logic to suggest Buendia isn't good enough but Barkley should be fine. I'd be ok with moving Buendia on too, more to do with his age/contract situation, but Barkley has never been good enough. At 32 he isn't going to suddenly realise unfulfilled potential.
Barkley would be a 3rd choice number 8 in the squad above and that's it really. I like Buendia and suppose he could do somewhat of a job as a back-up number 10 in the closing stages, but there is no.way he should be starting games for us next season.
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Barkley's OK when midfield is congested and he hasn't got to do too much running or pressing. He lacks pace and when space opens up is easily outmanouevered.
If the SkyBlues come in with an offer of say £5m+, then we should take it.
And looking at yesterday's 'performances', I'm beginning to doubt if Bogarde has sufficient growth potential to reach the level we're looking for. He seems to have a number of suitors. £15m+ would do it for me.
Fully agree on Mings - he's been a great servant and leader, but time is catching him up. With 12 months left on his contract is time for him to find one last payday elsewhere? OR is there a non-playing role within the club for him?
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We sold two quality players and bought in shit and thats now a big problem.
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Unai has preformed miracles but I think the time has run out with this squad to be challenging for top 6 & CL next season. Needs a massive overhaul in the summer to make us competitive particularly if we’re in the CL. Rogers sale is a must imo at £100m plus which together with the CL money and selling some squad players could allow us to make some quality additions. The WC won’t help us unfortunately although it could push up Rogers value if he does well
Last night definitely back up what I was saying last week!
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Bogarde + Barkley + Barrenchea = Hayden Hackney?
Apparently destined for great things and likely to become unaffordable after a decent season in the PL.
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The summer task of evolving away from an aging squad is enormous, and given the track record, I don't know that I trust Unai Emery to lead it.
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Bogarde + Barkley + Barrenchea = Hayden Hackney?
Apparently destined for great things and likely to become unaffordable after a decent season in the PL.
Can't say I've been impressed whenever I've seen him.
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Scottish midfielder Bailey Rice, 19, is set to leave Rangers this summer and Aston Villa are among the Premier League clubs interested in signing him. (Football Insider)
FI so probably nothing but he has also barely played. Is he considered decent?
In related news, I thought I would check up on some other young decent player we missed out on with Nypan? I noticed he had been on-loan at Middlesboro but not heard any raving and officially hasn't contributed any goal/assists when there and seems to have been sent back in January. One we were lucky to miss out on?
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Bogarde + Barkley + Barrenchea = Hayden Hackney?
Apparently destined for great things and likely to become unaffordable after a decent season in the PL.
Can't say I've been impressed whenever I've seen him.
He's very good with the ball, but I think he lacks a bit of pace, which is something that will get found out at the top level. Not sure we need another midfielder who is tidy in possession, but can't get around the pitch as quickly as others. All of our best ball-playing midfielders are a bit one-dimensional on the pace front (since JJ left, anyway). So it would be nice to mix that up a bit.
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Hackney or Hemmings? £40m or Free.
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It’s crazy to think that there are players out there right now who we could get, who we could afford, and who are going to become world class. Somehow they all end up at Brentford, Brighton or Bournemouth.
And now one of those teams is going to steal our UCL spot too
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I don't know whether Espanyol have any good players, but if they do, now would be the time to approach them with heavily caveated, needlessly complex loan-to-buy deals that leave them worse off than when they started.
(https://i.ibb.co/JWQLHG4V/Screenshot-2026-05-11-14-19-09.png) (https://ibb.co/JWQLHG4V)
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He can have Guessand, the useless twat.
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Monchi was great at selling a player, scouting a talented one and buying them not so much.
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Guessand could be the first player to win 2 European trophies in the same season.
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Guessand could be the first player to win 2 European trophies in the same season.
That's got to add at least a fiver to his saleable value this summer.
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Never seen him play but Restes becomes the best keeper in the world on my save of Football Manager.
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Never seen him play but Restes becomes the best keeper in the world on my save of Football Manager.
Why are we waiting then.
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Never seen him play but Restes becomes the best keeper in the world on my save of Football Manager.
Signed him and the Restes history.
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Never seen him play but Restes becomes the best keeper in the world on my save of Football Manager.
Why are we waiting then.
Exactly, what more do you need?
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Never seen him play but Restes becomes the best keeper in the world on my save of Football Manager.
I heard Changes was just as good.
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I don't know whether Espanyol have any good players, but if they do, now would be the time to approach them with heavily caveated, needlessly complex loan-to-buy deals that leave them worse off than when they started.
(https://i.ibb.co/JWQLHG4V/Screenshot-2026-05-11-14-19-09.png) (https://ibb.co/JWQLHG4V)
Neither do I but we might be able to get them cheaper if they go down, they’re among a number of teams in contention and haven’t won for 18 games I think. I’m aware your comment was not serious!
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Guillaume 'Big Testes' Restes - will out-Mach Martinez.
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The amount that needs to be done this summer is pretty bloody daunting. We’ve done great in Europe, but it has been the definition of clinging on in the league.
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Too right Paul, just totted up, since we lost 1-4 at Arsenal in December, some 18 games ago, we have amassed just 20 points in the league. By some miracle, we have only dropped two places from 3rd to 5th. Thank God for the Europa League. Desperately need some pace and quality. Scored 21 goals in that same period.
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Too right Paul, just totted up, since we lost 1-4 at Arsenal in December, some 18 games ago, we have amassed just 20 points in the league. By some miracle, we have only dropped two places from 3rd to 5th. Thank God for the Europa League. Desperately need some pace and quality. Scored 21 goals in that same period.
Also thank god for an amazing streak of wins we did manage, and also the ineptitude of others. It’s been a really odd season for us we’ve had a period of being sublime and two really poor periods. We have to do a fair bit to address the quality in the squad and by extension Unai’s trust of the squad.
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Never seen him play but Restes becomes the best keeper in the world on my save of Football Manager.
That is more than good enough for me.
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I’m more optimistic. Elliot and Sancho will go. Bailey and Guessand too for buttons.
Those four can be replaced by one decent signing, given how little they’ve contributed, but Ideally two. There should be wages to spare.
After that, one in, one out, subject to what offers we receive.
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In the event of Emi Martinez’s departure, Aston Villa are targeting several goalkeepers including Robin Risser (21) & Guillaume Restes (21).
@Santi_J_FM
Both profiles are appreciated internally & are among the options being considered by Aston Villa for the summer transfer window.
Never seen him play but Restes becomes the best keeper in the world on my save of Football Manager.
That is more than good enough for me.
I'm seething that he's not already on our books. What the eff do our scouts do all day?
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Monchi was great at selling a player, scouting a talented one and buying them not so much.
He got blamed for all the signings that didn't work and no credit for the ones that did. Monchi's biggest failing was letting the wage bill go out of his control under his tenure.
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Sexual, were you ever a Football Manager deviant? I just can't see it.
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It’s crazy to think that there are players out there right now who we could get, who we could afford, and who are going to become world class. Somehow they all end up at Brentford, Brighton or Bournemouth.
And now one of those teams is going to steal our UCL spot too
Like Forest and Burnley would beat us?
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Sexual, were you ever a Football Manager deviant? I just can't see it.
Nah, I can't make a commitment like that. I'm much more peripatetic, a kind of consulting vibe.
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the hype about Archie Gray looks no more than a utility player
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Sexual, were you ever a Football Manager deviant? I just can't see it.
Nah, I can't make a commitment like that. I'm much more peripatetic, a kind of consulting vibe.
Kit man.
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*Ket
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Sancho out, Elliot sent back. Bailey out, Guessand out, think probably its time for Tyrone to move on and I would also chuck Lindelof in their, one or two others, big summer.
We should take a look at Morgan Whittaker, Boro, 14 goals and a number of assists this season and take the opportunity of Looking at Johan Manzambi in the final.
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Lindelof has proved a real astute signing so should be kept in my opinion.
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Yeah, chucking in Lindelof is a bit random.
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Too right Paul, just totted up, since we lost 1-4 at Arsenal in December, some 18 games ago, we have amassed just 20 points in the league. By some miracle, we have only dropped two places from 3rd to 5th. Thank God for the Europa League. Desperately need some pace and quality. Scored 21 goals in that same period.
Also thank god for an amazing streak of wins we did manage, and also the ineptitude of others. It’s been a really odd season for us we’ve had a period of being sublime and two really poor periods. We have to do a fair bit to address the quality in the squad and by extension Unai’s trust of the squad.
I think if we keep:
Martinez
Bizot
Cash
Digne
Maatsen
Pau
Konsa
Lindelof
Onana
McGinn
Tielemans
Kamara
Buendia
Rogers
Watkins
Abraham
Bogarde
And replace:
Sancho
Elliott
Bailey
Guessand
Malen
Barkley
Mings
…with better players who can be relied on to make more of a contribution in those positions, plus a right-back and a centre-half, we’ll be in pretty good shape.
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Against Burnley only Rogers was under twenty eight years old, that's alarming.
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I think if we keep:
Martinez
Bizot ...
... Bogarde
And replace:
Sancho
Elliott
Bailey
Guessand
Malen
Barkley
Mings
…with better players who can be relied on to make more of a contribution in those positions, plus a right-back and a centre-half, we’ll be in pretty good shape.
Garcia is presumably an exit-player, too. And I wonder whether Martinez will stay.
Sounds like potentially 7-8 new players; a tall order with our finances. The key is to find younger, better versions; also, how to blend into matchday squads the products of our Academy, getting gametime under the belts of 4 or 5 of the best.
We need to decide what role Bogarde should play: plugging him in as a 'universal infill' is not helping the team or him.
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Against Burnley only Rogers was under twenty eight years old, that's alarming.
Maatsen?
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I think if we keep:
Martinez
Bizot ...
... Bogarde
And replace:
Sancho
Elliott
Bailey
Guessand
Malen
Barkley
Mings
…with better players who can be relied on to make more of a contribution in those positions, plus a right-back and a centre-half, we’ll be in pretty good shape.
Garcia is presumably an exit-player, too. And I wonder whether Martinez will stay.
Sounds like potentially 7-8 new players; a tall order with our finances. The key is to find younger, better versions; also, how to blend into matchday squads the products of our Academy, getting gametime under the belts of 4 or 5 of the best.
We need to decide what role Bogarde should play: plugging him in as a 'universal infill' is not helping the team or him.
I'd agree with that. I think Barkley will stay so long as he is happy with the role he's got in the squad. He's similar to Lindelof in that he's an experienced option who can step in a play a few games to a decent standard but is never going to be a regular starter.
Bogarde has, in my opinion, been a victim of Garcia struggling to get fit. Without that I think he'd have been fully set as cover at DM but he's had to fill in a right back too often because he's the only option we've had for long periods.
I think Alysson and Tammy are already filling the Sancho and Malen gaps and Bailey/Guessand are 2 players for the same spot 1 replacement for them and 1 for Elliott is all the attacking recruitment I'd expect (unless we add another youngster or 2) then a CB and RB are the other big gaps and suddenly things don't look quite so difficult. Another CM is an outside chance as well but we might keep that gap free for Hemmings who Unai seems to really rate.
I'd hope Broggio and Burrowes get rewarded for how well they've done over the summer to give them a shot at being around the squad next year as well.
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Over the next three years, we will need to replace most of our entire best 11. Bouba, Rogers and Maatsen will all still be in their 20s (Bouba only just). So that means we probably need 7 or 8 first-choice replacements in that time (plus squad players - I'm talking first-choices in our best team here). I think it's unrealistic that we do that in one go, or even two, so we probably need to be looking at 2 or 3 players this summer who are ready to become first choices in our 11. And then we need to do that in each of the next two seasons, too.
It's going to be a difficult transition from the Smith/Gerrard-era players who have served us brilliantly, to a new side moulded entirely by Unai - but this is what the great managers do, time and again. They can build multiple teams, each capable of challenging towards the top.
And it HAS to start this summer.
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... I think Alysson and Tammy are already filling the Sancho and Malen gaps and Bailey/Guessand are 2 players for the same spot 1 replacement for them and 1 for Elliott is all the attacking recruitment I'd expect (unless we add another youngster or 2) then a CB and RB are the other big gaps and suddenly things don't look quite so difficult. Another CM is an outside chance as well but we might keep that gap free for Hemmings who Unai seems to really rate.
I'd hope Broggio and Burrowes get rewarded for how well they've done over the summer to give them a shot at being around the squad next year as well.
And, there's Brian, of course, whom we've committed a fair old transfer fee on. And Tristan Rowe has been getting paludits in the French league ....
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Not sure who would sign Martinez now. Probably only Chelsea really need him in Prem and they're likely to be struggling financially.
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... I think Alysson and Tammy are already filling the Sancho and Malen gaps and Bailey/Guessand are 2 players for the same spot 1 replacement for them and 1 for Elliott is all the attacking recruitment I'd expect (unless we add another youngster or 2) then a CB and RB are the other big gaps and suddenly things don't look quite so difficult. Another CM is an outside chance as well but we might keep that gap free for Hemmings who Unai seems to really rate.
I'd hope Broggio and Burrowes get rewarded for how well they've done over the summer to give them a shot at being around the squad next year as well.
And, there's Brian, of course, whom we've committed a fair old transfer fee on. And Tristan Rowe has been getting paludits in the French league ....
Oh there are loads of them that will be involved over pre-season because the first few friendlies are going to be without a lot of players. Brian will seemingly have to wain until next January but hopefully he's just putting his head down in training and getting to know the club.
I also like the look of Kone in midfield (and of course we've already got Cisse on his way who may be the Mings replacement). Meade will need a look as well after how he's played in the last few months.
And more obviously Young and JJA will be back from their loans (which haven't gone well) and how they react will be telling as well. I personally believe that JJA and Young would've offered more than Elliott and Bailey since January and hopefully they both come back determined to prove that.
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Oh, and Redmond should be fit and hopefully will be wanting to really push on after losing a year to injury so soon after arriving.
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Had forgotten about Redmond.
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Over the next three years, we will need to replace most of our entire best 11. Bouba, Rogers and Maatsen will all still be in their 20s (Bouba only just). So that means we probably need 7 or 8 first-choice replacements in that time (plus squad players - I'm talking first-choices in our best team here). I think it's unrealistic that we do that in one go, or even two, so we probably need to be looking at 2 or 3 players this summer who are ready to become first choices in our 11. And then we need to do that in each of the next two seasons, too.
It's going to be a difficult transition from the Smith/Gerrard-era players who have served us brilliantly, to a new side moulded entirely by Unai - but this is what the great managers do, time and again. They can build multiple teams, each capable of challenging towards the top.
And it HAS to start this summer.
Agreed Smithy
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Against Burnley only Rogers was under twenty eight years old, that's alarming.
Maatsen?
Give you that one but he played like he was so much older.
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What's the latest with Rory Wilson?
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We'll need to evolve, and adding a couple each year is key. Olabe seems to prefer younger players, which helps.
Trafford/Bizot
Cash/Garcia/New Guy Konsa/ Lindelof Torres/Senesi Maatsen/New Guy
Kamara/Bogarde Onana/Tielemans
McGinn/Wilson Rogers/Buendia Alysson/New Guy
Watkins/Abraham
Gone
Martinez
Mings
Digne
Bailey
Sancho
Malen
Luiz
You could see that sort of change this summer.
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We'll need to evolve, and adding a couple each year is key. Olabe seems to prefer younger players, which helps.
Trafford/Bizot
Cash/Garcia/New Guy Konsa/ Lindelof Torres/Senesi Maatsen/New Guy
Kamara/Bogarde Onana/Tielemans
McGinn/Wilson Rogers/Buendia Alysson/New Guy
Watkins/Abraham
Gone
Martinez
Mings
Digne
Bailey
Sancho
Malen
Luiz
You could see that sort of change this summer.
Minguez for the right back.
Talk is that Senesi's going to Spurs provided they stay up.
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I'm not sure there's much in Alysson's history (either in Brazil or with us so far) that suggests he's about to come in and be a regular starter.
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Hasn’t Senesi said he’s going to Spurs if they stay up?
Edit.
Sorry, already mentioned
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From the few times I’ve seen him Femi Azeez of Milwall looks pretty decent, 24, two footed a wide midfielder and I doubt he would cost a lot. I’d prefer him to Wilson.
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I'm not sure there's much in Alysson's history (either in Brazil or with us so far) that suggests he's about to come in and be a regular starter.
He did look tidy enough in his fleeting appearances. Suspect there's more to his unavailability than just a series of little injuries. Pre season is huge for him.
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Preferred the Halloumi chap for Hull. What a goal last night.
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From the few times I’ve seen him Femi Azeez of Milwall looks pretty decent, 24, two footed a wide midfielder and I doubt he would cost a lot. I’d prefer him to Wilson.
£30m according to this - https://www.astonvillanews.co.uk/2026/05/12/aston-villa-should-be-among-30m-bidders-for-femi-azeez-after-millwall-latest-transfer-expert/.
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I'm not sure there's much in Alysson's history (either in Brazil or with us so far) that suggests he's about to come in and be a regular starter.
You may be right, but in the fleeting glimpses we've seen, there is something there that explains why we've taken the punt.
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Lindelof has proved a real astute signing so should be kept in my opinion.
Possibly, in my opinion he getting on, 32 in July, you could see an entirely different player next season, plus Unai considers him as a squad player, 17 games on the bench so far this season.
My main point is we need changes we need to freshen up the squad, this group of players have run their course, i would say the same for Mings, we need new blood and we need to shrink the wages bill to get young players in and be able to afford them, that means we have to move some players on, its natural we look at the older players first, don't get me wrong if he was vital to the first choice team sheet fine, but clearly he isn't. he may have worked out well for us this season, but??? ,
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Against Burnley only Rogers was under twenty eight years old, that's alarming.
As I’ve said before, I’m less worried by this because our transfer strategy isn’t signing old players, we just happen to be getting a bigger return on our old investments. Furthermore, in the olden days, 28-32 was considered the peak years so we arguably have a 3 year transition window before it gets too critical.
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Summerville, Bowen, Diouf and Fernandes are the names that people suggest will probably be picked up.
Liverpool, Newcastle, and Everton are after Bowen, according to the Mail.
West Ham have put a price tag of £84m on Fernandes, according to Football Insider (I know).
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Lindelof has proved a real astute signing so should be kept in my opinion.
Possibly, in my opinion he getting on, 32 in July, you could see an entirely different player next season, plus Unai considers him as a squad player, 17 games on the bench so far this season.
My main point is we need changes we need to freshen up the squad, this group of players have run their course, i would say the same for Mings, we need new blood and we need to shrink the wages bill to get young players in and be able to afford them, that means we have to move some players on, its natural we look at the older players first, don't get me wrong if he was vital to the first choice team sheet fine, but clearly he isn't. he may have worked out well for us this season, but??? ,
So long as he's still capable of doing the same job he's done this season I'd keep him because he's the right profile to have in addition to someone much younger. I don't know what we have Cisse earmarked for but (based on youtube and reputation) I'd be happy with him slowly replacing Lindelof over the next 12 months and being a full part of the squad starting next summer. That's the sort of planning I'd like to see with all the older players, for example Hemming slowly taking over from Barkley. Madjo and/or Meade can hopefully step up in couple of years and do the same.
We probably can't really afford to do that with Mings as he's looking like he's not got it in him for the level we are any more so we will need a new CB anyway but I'd rather not have to go after 2 this summer.
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From the few times I’ve seen him Femi Azeez of Milwall looks pretty decent, 24, two footed a wide midfielder and I doubt he would cost a lot. I’d prefer him to Wilson.
To satisfy my own curiosity I’ve looked at the Championship Teams of the Year to see how the players develop. I’ve concluded we could do worse than just hoovering selected targets each summer.
2020/21 - Olise / Buendia / Toney
2021/22 - Solanke / Antonee Robinson / Spence
2022/23 - Gyokeres / Maatsen / Ndiaye / Alex Scott
2023/24 - Summerville / Wilson / Whitakker
2024/25 - Trafford / Bellingham / Esteve / `Egan Riley
2025/26 - Azeez / Hackney
Give them the right amount of sunlight and water regularly… a solid conveyor belt of future talent.
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My main point is we need changes we need to freshen up the squad, this group of players have run their course.
We’d need to be careful and avoid change for changes sake. Take Liverpool, win the league, cherry pick the best from the rest, and become a worse team. …Or Chelsea generally. Pretty sure I’ve seen data boffins also making the link that too many transfers/big transfer are detrimental (I’ll have a quick google but doubt I’ll find anything).
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My main point is we need changes we need to freshen up the squad, this group of players have run their course.
We’d need to be careful and avoid change for changes sake. Take Liverpool, win the league, cherry pick the best from the rest, and become a worse team. …Or Chelsea generally. Pretty sure I’ve seen data boffins also making the link that too many transfers/big transfer are detrimental (I’ll have a quick google but doubt I’ll find anything).
That's definitely a thing, someone did a youtube video with the stats a while back and they worked out that the optimum number of summer signings is 3-4 (and 1-2 in Jan) from what I remember, it holds up across multiple leagues as well. I know it's been some time though because one of the people they criticised was Bruce who has always had a habit of making too many signings. Stick to that, and bring through a handful of kids and yu should always be able to maintain a squad age of around 26, which is about what most clubs aim for (in England at least).
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Tariq Lamptey has had his contract cancelled by Fiorentina and is a free agent. Doesn’t seem to have recovered fitness after an ACL.
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Tariq Lamptey has had his contract cancelled by Fiorentina and is a free agent. Doesn’t seem to have recovered fitness after an ACL.
That's shocking. He did his cruciate in his first game after signing for them, didn't he? The fact they're cancelling his contract must mean the injury is so bad they don't think they'll get any sort of return from him? Given the advances in modern medicine, I've always assumed that any ACL these days is just a matter "when" they return, rather than "if".
It would be a shame for the lad if that's his career done, but he wouldn't be the first.
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I think we need:
Number 10 and a wide forward with pace who can come into the starting XI.
I'd be wanting two midfielders as well, likely younger but with a profile of sorts that let's us keep the style we have with McGinn and Onana/Kamara out the side. A left side centre half too.
Quite a few I'd trim, but if we could get 5 in: 2 first team, 3 for the squad, I think we'd have another excellent season.
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I'd have Summerville and Wan Bissaka from West Ham if they go.
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NEW: Aston Villa are keeping a very close eye on Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli (24).
@manu_colchon
@deportesDDS
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I'd have Summerville and Wan Bissaka from West Ham if they go.
Not sure on Summerville. Had one purple patch in his career and that ended months ago. I guess players have had big moves for less.
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Would prob opt for him over Harry Wilson.
But would pref an upgrade on both TBH.
Summerville would at least give us the pace we so badly lack in the final third.
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FootyInsider is selling Tielemans for us.
On other clubs, Teamtalk are saying Forest's Pereira might be replaced by Silva from Fulham
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I don't think the summer overhaul needed is quite as major as is being made out. At the end of the day, the squad we have now has qualified for Europe 4 seasons out of 4 under Emery. Champions League at least once, hopefully twice, a Conference League semi-final, and Europa League final (hopefully winners). We're a good side.
Plus, it's perfectly normal for players to be still playing at a top level through to their mid 30s (34-36), so players like Matty Cash or Ezri Konsa - both 28 years old - will have a few more seasons in them before we have to seriously consider replacing them. Most of the players hitting that mid 30s range are squad players, so replacing them with younger models (which I assume is what Olabe has been brought in to do) is the right thing to do as far as I'm concerned. Get in younger players who will be happy as Champions League squad players with the longer term aim of transitioning them in to first team regulars, whilst the current (older) first team players drop to more of a 'squad player' status.
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I don't think the summer overhaul needed is quite as major as is being made out. At the end of the day, the squad we have now has qualified for Europe 4 seasons out of 4 under Emery. Champions League at least once, hopefully twice, a Conference League semi-final, and Europa League final (hopefully winners). We're a good side.
Plus, it's perfectly normal for players to be still playing at a top level through to their mid 30s (34-36), so players like Matty Cash or Ezri Konsa - both 28 years old - will have a few more seasons in them before we have to seriously consider replacing them. Most of the players hitting that mid 30s range are squad players, so replacing them with younger models (which I assume is what Olabe has been brought in to do) is the right thing to do as far as I'm concerned. Get in younger players who will be happy as Champions League squad players with the longer term aim of transitioning them in to first team regulars, whilst the current (older) first team players drop to more of a 'squad player' status.
I mostly agree, we do need to get the average age down a little as we're one of the oldest squads in the league but that's mostly by having more early 20s rotation players than necessarily needing to replace key starters. What I would like us to avoid though is signing anyone else in the 28+ age range, which just adds more numbers to what is a big chunk of the squad who are at risk of dropping from their peak over the next couple of years.
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As I see it, the main downside of our aging squad is we have fewer players that can be sold for a decent profit. Clubs seem happy to pay for potential up to the age of about 25 and values diminish after say 29.
We don't have many assets in that sweet spot that can be sold and therefore we may be forced to sell a good 'un to balance the books.
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I would state that Mings and Salah are perfect examples of a the player drop-off that can happen though when playing at the high-end of the table/Europe. So although players can play into their mid-30s, it doesn't happen as often at the top end unless they can be carried slightly by other members of the team, in a similar way that they carry the teens in some matches.
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I don't think the summer overhaul needed is quite as major as is being made out. At the end of the day, the squad we have now has qualified for Europe 4 seasons out of 4 under Emery. Champions League at least once, hopefully twice, a Conference League semi-final, and Europa League final (hopefully winners). We're a good side.
Plus, it's perfectly normal for players to be still playing at a top level through to their mid 30s (34-36), so players like Matty Cash or Ezri Konsa - both 28 years old - will have a few more seasons in them before we have to seriously consider replacing them. Most of the players hitting that mid 30s range are squad players, so replacing them with younger models (which I assume is what Olabe has been brought in to do) is the right thing to do as far as I'm concerned. Get in younger players who will be happy as Champions League squad players with the longer term aim of transitioning them in to first team regulars, whilst the current (older) first team players drop to more of a 'squad player' status.
I think you're perhaps underestimating the challenge ahead. Our squad is old, because many of those we bought in their early twenties have developed and met the challenges as we've improved as a club. This is a GOOD thing. But it also means we have the core of the team all getting old at the same time.
By this time next season, all of these players will be in their 30s (some WELL into them):
Big Emi
Mings
Digne
Barkley
Lindelof
McGinn
Watkins
Tielemens
Buendia
Pau
Then you'll have Konsa and Cash at 29, and even young Bouba will be 27.
That is a VERY high age profile, and a lot of players to move on in potentially one or two windows. To replace the above players properly, we need to be signing 2 or 3 younger players capable of being first-team ready players in each of the next three close seasons. That way, in three years time, none of those players in the 30s group is unlikely to be close to our first-11.
You are right, however, in that they could ALL potentially play to the same level next season, but then we're just another season closer to the cliff-edge where they could all drop off together and leave us with a massive squad overhaul and potential transitional period where we're not as competitive.
Having them all age out together is a sign we recruited really well in the past, but it's something we absolutely HAVE to start addressing this summer.
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Of that list, I can see 4 going this summer, replaced by younger, hungrier players, and that would help hugely.
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... we need to be signing 2 or 3 younger players capable of being first-team ready players in each of the next three close seasons ...
We certainly need to be adding youngsters to the matchday squad, and giving them gametime, whether they're acquired from elsewhere or promoted from the Academy. A key reason is the age-profile of the current squad but the other benefit is that the team would benefit from have some younger legs on the pitch, reducing the amount of time the team is 'resting' as a whole during the game. We need more energy and intensity on the pitch, and youth brings that.
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I think there absolutely has to be a conscious effort to re-balance the age profile of the squad. It doesn’t mean if there’s a great option who’s 29 and makes sense that we shouldn’t sign him, but age should be a key focus. This squad has done brilliantly in the round across the season, but I think the signs are very apparent that absolutely everything is being extracted out of it. That can’t last and it needs a refresh.
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NEW: Aston Villa are keeping a very close eye on Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli (24).
Just need to update the Tuanzebe song if we sign him.
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NEW: Aston Villa are keeping a very close eye on Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli (24).
@manu_colchon
@deportesDDS
You might like this fella, Paul, he's listed as the fastest player in the top 5 European leagues in 24/25 - 35.5km/hour. No idea what he's like with a ball though.
EDIT: Put it like this, if Watkins (assuming he's still here/we can't get rid/he's still blackmailing Unai/he scores a hattrick next Wednesday night) doesn't score 40 goals next season with this lad in the team he'll want shooting. Left sided attacker and given the price, a possible replacement for Rogers. €60m buy-out clause. A lot of interest as you'd expect.
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NEW: Aston Villa are keeping a very close eye on Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli (24).
@manu_colchon
@deportesDDS
You might like this fella, Paul, he's listed as the fastest player in the top 5 European leagues in 24/25 - 35.5km/hour. No idea what he's like with a ball though.
I wonder how long the ruptured hamstring sustained in the friendly at Walsall will keep him out for. Of course, he'll never be the same player again.
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I don't think the summer overhaul needed is quite as major as is being made out. At the end of the day, the squad we have now has qualified for Europe 4 seasons out of 4 under Emery. Champions League at least once, hopefully twice, a Conference League semi-final, and Europa League final (hopefully winners). We're a good side.
Plus, it's perfectly normal for players to be still playing at a top level through to their mid 30s (34-36), so players like Matty Cash or Ezri Konsa - both 28 years old - will have a few more seasons in them before we have to seriously consider replacing them. Most of the players hitting that mid 30s range are squad players, so replacing them with younger models (which I assume is what Olabe has been brought in to do) is the right thing to do as far as I'm concerned. Get in younger players who will be happy as Champions League squad players with the longer term aim of transitioning them in to first team regulars, whilst the current (older) first team players drop to more of a 'squad player' status.
I think you're perhaps underestimating the challenge ahead. Our squad is old, because many of those we bought in their early twenties have developed and met the challenges as we've improved as a club. This is a GOOD thing. But it also means we have the core of the team all getting old at the same time.
By this time next season, all of these players will be in their 30s (some WELL into them):
Big Emi
Mings
Digne
Barkley
Lindelof
McGinn
Watkins
Tielemens
Buendia
Pau
Then you'll have Konsa and Cash at 29, and even young Bouba will be 27.
That is a VERY high age profile, and a lot of players to move on in potentially one or two windows. To replace the above players properly, we need to be signing 2 or 3 younger players capable of being first-team ready players in each of the next three close seasons. That way, in three years time, none of those players in the 30s group is unlikely to be close to our first-11.
You are right, however, in that they could ALL potentially play to the same level next season, but then we're just another season closer to the cliff-edge where they could all drop off together and leave us with a massive squad overhaul and potential transitional period where we're not as competitive.
Having them all age out together is a sign we recruited really well in the past, but it's something we absolutely HAVE to start addressing this summer.
That list is a little misleading though and really should be split in 3:
Actual first XI players:
Martinez
McGinn
Watkins
Tielemans
Pau
Who, McGinn aside and ignoring GKs, are mostly the younger players you've listed.
Then you have Digne and Buendia who are rotation players.
Then you have Barkley, Mings Lindelof who are clearly backup options.
They do all need to be replaced still but 5 of them can be replaced with players who might need 12months to settle rather than with people to hit the ground running, which makes a big difference and means we can, potentially, use our youth teams to try to fill those gaps first before we really push into the market for squad filler. This is where signings like Alysson, Madjo, Cisse, etc all become valuable because we've paid much less for them in the hopes that they can develop to replace players currently in the squad.
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NEW: Aston Villa are keeping a very close eye on Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli (24).
@manu_colchon
@deportesDDS
You might like this fella, Paul, he's listed as the fastest player in the top 5 European leagues in 24/25 - 35.5km/hour. No idea what he's like with a ball though.
I wonder how long the ruptured hamstring sustained in the friendly at Walsall will keep him out for. Of course, he'll never be the same player again.
*Chuckle* He'll need a full pre-season afterward. And a year to settle in. And then we might as well sell him as he will only have a year left on his contract.
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
I think we’ve been trying to recruit from a position of strength for a couple of years now but we just simply haven’t been able to because of the rules. Without the rules I’m sure we would have been competing for the title this season
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
I think we’ve been trying to recruit from a position of strength for a couple of years now but we just simply haven’t been able to because of the rules. Without the rules I’m sure we would have been competing for the title this season
I think this is about right. Unai has brought the level up of so many of the players he inherited, that buying GUARANTEED improvements on them requires the sort of money we can't spend- so it's been a case of looking for potential instead, and loans to fill the gaps FFP won't let us fill permanently. Some have worked, some haven't.
But those players he's improved won't be getting any better, and some might even start getting worse as age takes effect.
Last summer was extremely underwhelming on the transfer front. I don't think we can afford to have the same again this summer and still expect another season of competing on most fronts throughout the 26/27 season.
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
I think we’ve been trying to recruit from a position of strength for a couple of years now but we just simply haven’t been able to because of the rules. Without the rules I’m sure we would have been competing for the title this season
I think this is about right. Unai has brought the level up of so many of the players he inherited, that buying GUARANTEED improvements on them requires the sort of money we can't spend- so it's been a case of looking for potential instead, and loans to fill the gaps FFP won't let us fill permanently. Some have worked, some haven't.
But those players he's improved won't be getting any better, and some might even start getting worse as age takes effect.
Last summer was extremely underwhelming on the transfer front. I don't think we can afford to have the same again this summer and still expect another season of competing on most fronts throughout the 26/27 season.
Agreed. Fail to get UCL this season and it will be a whole lot worse than last summer.
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
I think we’ve been trying to recruit from a position of strength for a couple of years now but we just simply haven’t been able to because of the rules. Without the rules I’m sure we would have been competing for the title this season
I think this is about right. Unai has brought the level up of so many of the players he inherited, that buying GUARANTEED improvements on them requires the sort of money we can't spend- so it's been a case of looking for potential instead, and loans to fill the gaps FFP won't let us fill permanently. Some have worked, some haven't.
But those players he's improved won't be getting any better, and some might even start getting worse as age takes effect.
Last summer was extremely underwhelming on the transfer front. I don't think we can afford to have the same again this summer and still expect another season of competing on most fronts throughout the 26/27 season.
Agreed. Fail to get UCL this season and it will be a whole lot worse than last summer.
Possibly but I’m hoping our recruitment is going to be a lot better than it was under Monchi. I mean how do Bournemouth keep unearthing gems like Kroupl, Semenyo etc? Imagine what we could have done if these kind of players were recruited whilst we were on the up
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Bournemouth buy Rayan
We buy Alysson and Madjo for a similar amount.
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
How can a final league position and winning a trophy be papering over cracks?
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Bournemouth buy Rayan
We buy Alysson and Madjo for a similar amount.
In fairness I think it’s premature to write off either, Madjo for instance is 2 years younger I think. Also £24m on one player is quite different to signing two players for £20m odd.
I do take the wider point though, the lack of these young signings translating into first team impact (with the obvious exception of Rogers) is disappointing.
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As I mentioned previously Bournemouth also could promise starts for the season where we couldn't.
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Bournemouth buy Rayan
We buy Alysson and Madjo for a similar amount.
We did ok on Duran and we’re not sure where we’ll be with Madjo. From the brief app of Alysson he looks promising.
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Bournemouth buy Rayan
We buy Alysson and Madjo for a similar amount.
People seem awfully quick to forget we bought a South American teenager for £15m and sold him for £60-odd two years later. I imagine there are PLENTY of clubs who looked at us last year and thought, "Why do we keep buying dross for millions when Villa can find a star in the making in the MLS for relative peanuts".
We need to do more of it, obviously, but I do think we need to temper the way we look enviously at other clubs' success with relatively unknown players. There are plenty of clubs who will go decades without buys as good as Rogers and Duran.
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Good point, well made.
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As I mentioned previously Bournemouth also could promise starts for the season where we couldn't.
Rayan would be starting for us.
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And if we hadn't sold Duran, presumably we'd have had to sell one of Kamara, Rogers or two of Watkins, Tielemans, Cash, Ginny etc.
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
How can a final league position and winning a trophy be papering over cracks?
You don’t win football matches just by scoring more goals than the other team, don’t you know?
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As I mentioned previously Bournemouth also could promise starts for the season where we couldn't.
Rayan would be starting for us.
We have a totally different style of play AND a manager who doesn't just play a player without about 3 weeks of training before hand. You might be right in that he might have started by now but any agent who has been asked by his player to ensure he gets starts over initial fame wouldn't be looking at our track record and Bournemouths and be going Villa is where you will get the most play this season.
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AS Roma have officially activated €25m buy clause for Donyell Malen to join on permanent deal from Aston Villa.
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I may as well unfollow him on Fotmob. Goodnight, sweet prince.
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Bet Roma hate that they've officially qualified for Europe after Lazio lost the Coppa Italia Final.
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Is Guessand (excuse spelling) still at palace, he was not in last nights team.
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Is Guessand (excuse spelling) still at palace, he was not in last nights team.
Yes, but he's been out for a month or so with knee injury, so no idea if he'll play again this season. Fun fact (if not mentioned elsewhere). If we win in Istanbul, and Palace with the Conference final, he'll be the first player to win two different European competitions in the same season.
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He won't get a medal for us, will he? Will Harvey? H&Vers deserve one more than that pair of wasters.
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He won't get a medal for us, will he? Will Harvey? H&Vers deserve one more than that pair of wasters.
Wouldnt say elliot has been a waster , he has turned up at every training session and be a model pro and well liked.
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He won't get a medal for us, will he? Will Harvey? H&Vers deserve one more than that pair of wasters.
Of course they both will, Guessand in particular did ok in Europe with 2 goals in 7 games and generally looked more like the player we hoped for when we signed him in those slightly less intense matches.
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
How can a final league position and winning a trophy be papering over cracks?
Well it’s very fine paper, obviously. Like that stuff Boris and his missus put in the Downing St flat.
My point is, we are simultaneously on the brink of a very fine season and also teetering on the edge of needing a massive rebuild just to stay in the game.
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I don’t think it’s papering over the cracks at all. If we win a trophy and finish top 5 it’s an incredibly successful season - the most successful since winning the European Cup.
However, as I mentioned before, the downturn in league form since the turn of the year is a pretty good indicator the squad is coming to the end of a cycle. We need to do a fair bit in the summer.
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It's a bit like where the end result of a game dictates how people remember / consider it (good, bad, shit, amazing etc).
This season could either be our best in 40 odd years (win Europa, finish top 5), or it could still be one of the most depressing ever - and I know people will point to the relegation years (circling and then being flushed) and say I'm being silly - but if we finish 6th and don't win the Europa, the disappointment will be enormous.
In terms of the squad rebuild, without CL it will be nigh on impossible to replace those leaving with as good as / better options. The next 2 or (hopefully not) 3 games are probably era defining. Better than being 10th with nothing to play for though eh!!!!
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
How can a final league position and winning a trophy be papering over cracks?
Well it’s very fine paper, obviously. Like that stuff Boris and his missus put in the Downing St flat.
My point is, we are simultaneously on the brink of a very fine season and also teetering on the edge of needing a massive rebuild just to stay in the game.
Just try and enjoy it. Our first European Final in over 40 years and you sound absolutley ecstatic.
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However, as I mentioned before, the downturn in league form since the turn of the year is a pretty good indicator the squad is coming to the end of a cycle. We need to do a fair bit in the summer.
I think it is probably somewhere in the middle. We are not as bad as our current form, but equally we are not as good as when we were in touching distance of top, but massively outscoring our XG (apologies haters).
Without doubt we haven't got much/any value out of Sancho, Guessand, Bailey and Elliot. Reallocation of those resources alone should hopefully mean we stay competitive i.e. top 6 and a cup run.
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And right on cue Football Insider comes up with story designed to damage our cause…
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However, as I mentioned before, the downturn in league form since the turn of the year is a pretty good indicator the squad is coming to the end of a cycle. We need to do a fair bit in the summer.
I think it is probably somewhere in the middle. We are not as bad as our current form, but equally we are not as good as when we were in touching distance of top, but massive outscoring our XG (apologies haters).
Without doubt we haven't got much/any value out of Sancho, Guessand, Bailey and Elliot. Reallocation of those resources alone will hopefully mean we stay competitive i.e. top 6 and a cup run.
Sancho, Elliot and Luiz, their wages go back into the pot. But Guessand and Bailey certainly aren't going to be easy to move on. Hopefully Palace go for Guessand but new coach going in there, we will end up paying for a fair chunk of Bailey last year of his contract no matter where he ends up. Mings & Barkley will likely move on too but with a year left on their respective deals aren't in any pressure to.
If you look at the rest of the squad, we are more reliant on McGinn, Cash, Torres, Watkins, Tielemans than ever. That's simply not sustainable. Hope for the current group we can finish on a high as I feel it's the end of an era rather than the start of a new one.
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And right on cue Football Insider comes up with story designed to damage our cause…
How could Football Insider damage our cause, even if it wanted to?
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Says Tielemans will be leaving….just as we go into three of the most important games this season🤷
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I think our cause might be a bit more resilient than you think!
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Aston Villa are understood to have made discreet enquiries to understand Neco Williams’ situation heading into the summer — Forest have opened talks for a new deal.
@SamiMokbel_BBC
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Discrete!
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Discrete!
It won't be if you keep telling everyone!
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It is so hard to tell whether this squad is good enough. The final league position and a trophy is a very good indicator. But I can’t help feeling it might also be papering over some very large cracks.
Also, we don’t want to wait until the squad falls off a cliff before making those changes. We should act from a position of strength. So I’d advocate a major overhaul now, whilst there is still some debate.
How can a final league position and winning a trophy be papering over cracks?
Well it’s very fine paper, obviously. Like that stuff Boris and his missus put in the Downing St flat.
My point is, we are simultaneously on the brink of a very fine season and also teetering on the edge of needing a massive rebuild just to stay in the game.
Just try and enjoy it. Our first European Final in over 40 years and you sound absolutley ecstatic.
To be honest, Clampy, I’m far too nervous to enjoy it.!
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Aston Villa are understood to have made discreet enquiries to understand Neco Williams’ situation heading into the summer — Forest have opened talks for a new deal.
@SamiMokbel_BBC
I'm very keen on him, think he would be ideal for us. Then again I was all for Luiz and Tammy coming back, Elliot too so not exactly on a good run!
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At left back, we have one who is slowing up but is a good defender, who can get forward well but struggles with pace getting back, and another who is ok going forward but can’t defend for shit. Neco Williams solves both of these problems. Big fat yes from me. Perhaps he could bring a Gibbs-White shaped friend with him too.
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Aston Villa are understood to have made discreet enquiries to understand Neco Williams’ situation heading into the summer — Forest have opened talks for a new deal.
@SamiMokbel_BBC
I'm very keen on him, think he would be ideal for us. Then again I was all for Luiz and Tammy coming back, Elliot too so not exactly on a good run!
Can just picture him walking into Bodymoor Heath on his first day, seeing Rogers and then instantly hitting the deck, writhing in agony.
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At left back, we have one who is slowing up but is a good defender, who can get forward well but struggles with pace getting back, and another who is ok going forward but can’t defend for shit. Neco Williams solves both of these problems. Big fat yes from me. Perhaps he could bring a Gibbs-White shaped friend with him too.
Solves one problem but adds a significant wage issue; unless we can shift one or both of our current LBs. Personally I think we are facing enough change so would avoid this.
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Williams covers right back too, not sure if he prefers playing on left Denis Irwin style. If he was coming in then one of Digne or Maatsen would be going. Maybe a good time to move Digne on. He's done very well for us but we do need to reduce the age profile of the squad.
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Not sure who would sign Martinez now. Probably only Chelsea really need him in Prem and they're likely to be struggling financially.
If you read the reports Liverpool want him to replace Alyson
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Discrete!
yes how does that work , wink and a nudge ?
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Not sure who would sign Martinez now. Probably only Chelsea really need him in Prem and they're likely to be struggling financially.
If you read the reports Liverpool want him to replace Alyson
I still reckon he fits Bayern very neatly.
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Lucas Chevalier, PSG's goalkeeper - played for Lille against us last season?
At the time he'd won his first French cap and was apparently under consideration by Villa as a replacement for Martinez.
Anyway, he signed for PSG on a 5 yr deal, understandable I suppose. But this season he's only made 17 appearances and since January he's been benched in favour of Safonov.
Chevalier isn't in the French World Cup squad either - looks like his career might have stalled.
Time for a Bid? He turns 25 in November.
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Williams covers right back too, not sure if he prefers playing on left Denis Irwin style. If he was coming in then one of Digne or Maatsen would be going. Maybe a good time to move Digne on. He's done very well for us but we do need to reduce the age profile of the squad.
Having watched him play for Wales quite a bit, hes a RB who is also comfortable playing at LB. The only issue with him playing at LB is that his left foot isn't that strong, so he has to turn back on that side in attacking positions.
Would be a decent signing though, as we definitely need another option at RB.
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Re: Chevalier. He probably is a decent keeper but has already failed in replacing a 2 time Yashin winner so why would he try again?
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Not sure who would sign Martinez now. Probably only Chelsea really need him in Prem and they're likely to be struggling financially.
If you read the reports Liverpool want him to replace Alyson
I still reckon he fits Bayern very neatly.
I think I read that they were trying to pursued Neuer to stay another year to mentor a younger keeper they have coming through who they really rate.
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Aston Villa want to sign Argentine forward Matias Soule, 23, from Roma after the conditions for 27-year-old Dutch winger Donyell Malen's loan move from the Midlands side to the Italian club to turn into a permanent switch were triggered. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)
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Martinez would be a legend at Atletico.
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Can he not just be a legend at the Villa?
I like the bloke, I don't really want us to sell him.
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Can he not just be a legend at the Villa?
I like the bloke, I don't really want us to sell him.
From some of the comments on here, we have already sold him and will go onto be a legend.
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Can he not just be a legend at the Villa?
I like the bloke, I don't really want us to sell him.
He already is, best keeper for maybe 30 years plus. But after the antics last summer don't think he's going to be here next season. Hopefully finishes on a high, plus I do think he's on the slide somewhat. He's been minding himself a bit all season let's be honest.
Replacing him going to be very difficult, he's strong in nearly every attribute that a modern keeper needs. After Messi he was probably Argentina's key player in their WC win. Same for other stalwarts like McGinn or Watkins. You don't know what you got until it's gone...
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Aston Villa want to sign Argentine forward Matias Soule, 23, from Roma after the conditions for 27-year-old Dutch winger Donyell Malen's loan move from the Midlands side to the Italian club to turn into a permanent switch were triggered. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian)
I could live with that. Nowt wrong with a bit of pace, skill, assists and goals coming in down our right side. Surprised nobody ever thought of it before.
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I have to admit that seeing Diaby tearing Liverpool apart in the 3-3 does show what we have missed since then.
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I have to admit that seeing Diaby tearing Liverpool apart in the 3-3 does show what we have missed since then.
Indeed, pace is very obviously what we really lack.
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I have to admit that seeing Diaby tearing Liverpool apart in the 3-3 does show what we have missed since then.
His lovely goal against Olympiakos was doing the rounds the other week too.
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I have to admit that seeing Diaby tearing Liverpool apart in the 3-3 does show what we have missed since then.
It's a shame his star faded so fast. I really thought we were stuck with him but the sale was a great bit of business.
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Hardly pulled-up any worthwhile trees, since.
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Probably only Chelsea really need him in Prem and they're likely to be struggling financially.
Not seemingly been a problem for Chelsea up to now >:(
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Probably only Chelsea really need him in Prem and they're likely to be struggling financially.
Not seemingly been a problem for Chelsea up to now >:(
But it will be from now on.
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Hardly pulled-up any worthwhile trees, since.
Hard to do in a desert! Duran the same, two very talented players who cashed in their chips way too early in their respective careers.
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Hardly pulled-up any worthwhile trees, since.
There are not many trees in Saudia. He was a fabulous player.
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Hardly pulled-up any worthwhile trees, since.
There are not many trees in Saudia. He was a fabulous player.
On his day and he didn't have many days. We got lucky selling him, if the Saudis hadn't paid through the nose he'd probably still be here or out on loan somewhere.
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Diaby was talented but too lightweight for the Premier League. We did well to get our money back for him.
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Diaby was talented but too lightweight for the Premier League. We did well to get our money back for him.
I reckon 6 goals and 10 assists in 25 starts suggests that is probably pretty assumptive.
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Diaby was rapid, we sorely miss that outlet.
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Diaby was talented but too lightweight for the Premier League. We did well to get our money back for him.
I reckon 6 goals and 10 assists in 25 starts suggests that is probably pretty assumptive.
If Diaby was as good as his stats suggest, he would have started more games, surely. Ultimately, Unai preferred to get his money back.
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I think he decided it wasn’t for him and it made financial sense for us. But those stats in his first season, don’t suggest he couldn’t cut it.
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Would rather Nico than Neco
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Diaby was talented but too lightweight for the Premier League. We did well to get our money back for him.
I reckon 6 goals and 10 assists in 25 starts suggests that is probably pretty assumptive.
If Diaby was as good as his stats suggest, he would have started more games, surely. Ultimately, Unai preferred to get his money back.
To be fair, Diaby's form dropped off but Bailey kicked on superbly that season. Baileys stats were off the charts, either starting or from the bench. Diaby finished strong too. Unfortunately when they played together they tended to occupy the same space. That was an exceptional Villa team attacking wise, peak Watkins, Bailey, Luiz, Tielemans, McGinn. Duran and Diaby coming off bench. Started to leak goals like a sieve, mind.
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Diaby was talented but too lightweight for the Premier League. We did well to get our money back for him.
I reckon 6 goals and 10 assists in 25 starts suggests that is probably pretty assumptive.
If Diaby was as good as his stats suggest, he would have started more games, surely. Ultimately, Unai preferred to get his money back.
To be fair, Diaby's form dropped off but Bailey kicked on superbly that season. Baileys stats were off the charts, either starting or from the bench. Diaby finished strong too. Unfortunately when they played together they tended to occupy the same space. That was an exceptional Villa team attacking wise, peak Watkins, Bailey, Luiz, Tielemans, McGinn. Duran and Diaby coming off bench. Started to leak goals like a sieve, mind.
I know thats what is so frustrating - is what ever we have achieved its with a squad that has got progressively weaker.
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I loved Diaby. He’s the one player I would bring back.
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Finishing the job tonight is probably useful for progressing with transfer plans.
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I don't want Mbappe. He's ruined Real Madrid.
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
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Araujo 🇺🇾
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
I saw a poll of Barca fans and the majority did not want to sign Rashford. I’d consider a loan.
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
I saw a poll of Barca fans and the majority did not want to sign Rashford. I’d consider a loan.
“Barca fans” covers an awful lot of people, many of whom have never been within a thousand miles of the Nou Camp in their lives. I’d not take that as meaning anything.
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If they can't make the room to sign him permanently then it may give us a window of opportunity but I doubt it now, he's just won the league and banged in a beauty to beat Madrid and seal it.
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
I saw a poll of Barca fans and the majority did not want to sign Rashford. I’d consider a loan.
“Barca fans” covers an awful lot of people, many of whom have never been within a thousand miles of the Nou Camp in their lives. I’d not take that as meaning anything.
Thats true, but these were ones being interviewed outside the ground.
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
I saw a poll of Barca fans and the majority did not want to sign Rashford. I’d consider a loan.
“Barca fans” covers an awful lot of people, many of whom have never been within a thousand miles of the Nou Camp in their lives. I’d not take that as meaning anything.
Thats true, but these were ones being interviewed outside the ground.
Was it just after he scored that free kick? Ungrateful sods. I’ll take their cast offs. What did they say about Yamal?
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Aston Villa are sounding out several wingers — on the list are Abde Ezzalzouli, Víctor Muñoz & Jesús Rodríguez.
@MatteMoretto
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I would love us to get Bernardo Silva. Only 31 and one of the smartest players playing today. Not the quick winger we need to get but an intelligent midfielder in the Asensio mould.
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
I saw a poll of Barca fans and the majority did not want to sign Rashford. I’d consider a loan.
“Barca fans” covers an awful lot of people, many of whom have never been within a thousand miles of the Nou Camp in their lives. I’d not take that as meaning anything.
Real and Barcelona are both pathetic cry-baby twats. The former were booing Mbappe the other day and have started an online petition to get rid of him because he only has 41 goals this season.
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I would love us to get Bernardo Silva. Only 31 and one of the smartest players playing today. Not the quick winger we need to get but an intelligent midfielder in the Asensio mould.
It was interesting to hear Micah Richards say* today that he hopes Silva doesn't join another Premier League team. Sounds as if his next club hasn't been decided on yet.
*Not a phrase I use often.
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Aston Villa are sounding out several wingers — on the list are Abde Ezzalzouli, Víctor Muñoz & Jesús Rodríguez.
@MatteMoretto
Don't know or care who any of them are. Just happy we're allegedly on the hunt.
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
I saw a poll of Barca fans and the majority did not want to sign Rashford. I’d consider a loan.
“Barca fans” covers an awful lot of people, many of whom have never been within a thousand miles of the Nou Camp in their lives. I’d not take that as meaning anything.
Real and Barcelona are both pathetic cry-baby twats. The former were booing Mbappe the other day and have started an online petition to get rid of him because he only has 41 goals this season.
Isn't it more about him doing a Darren Bent when out with a minor injury and his team are playing (albeit going out on a yacht and not a Saturday afternoon shopping in the Bullring per Benty)?
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I don't know, you can't expect me to read beyond the first paragraph in an article! They're twats, and I've made up my mind.
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Aston Villa are sounding out several wingers — on the list are Abde Ezzalzouli, Víctor Muñoz & Jesús Rodríguez.
@MatteMoretto
I want all of them, hopefully it will be buy two get one free. But if I had to place them in order, it would be: 1 Víctor Muñoz, 2 AbdeEzzalzouli, 3 Jesús Rodríguez.
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The Munoz fella seems to have shielding, tackling, passing, shooting and running attributes similar to SJM, sign him up.
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The Munoz fella seems to have shielding, tackling, passing, shooting and running attributes similar to SJM, sign him up.
He does have that head down, arms flailing runnings style. :D
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Apparently Munoz is faster than Mbappe. We really need some pace so let’s just buy him.
I’m dead excited about the summer now we have top 5 sorted.
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Now is the time to keep our best and sign 3 £50M plus players in their mid 20's to move on upwards. I am sure there is talent out there and closer to home raid Bournemouth and Brentford.
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Great to be looking forward to the transfer window with CL football in the bag. Polar opposite of last summer.
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Definitely opens up more opportunities now.
Rashford? Asensio?
No and NO.
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Do we have any idea how much money is availeable?
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Now is the time to keep our best and sign 3 £50M plus players in their mid 20's to move on upwards. I am sure there is talent out there and closer to home raid Bournemouth and Brentford.
Is this the sort of transfer window we can realistically expect now we’ve secured top 5?
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Munoz does look like exactly the sort of player we should be going for, just at the sort of age where he's ready to really step up and become a top player and seems to do all the same things that McGinn does well giving us someone able to step in and either do the same role on the left side or as cover on the right. another winger/forward/10 with similar versatility and I reckon our attack is sorted, with Alysson, Broggio, JJA, Young and Burrowes all to mix in as well.
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Now is the time to keep our best and sign 3 £50M plus players in their mid 20's to move on upwards. I am sure there is talent out there and closer to home raid Bournemouth and Brentford.
Is this the sort of transfer window we can realistically expect now we’ve secured top 5?
I would settle for one £50M who goes straight into the first aon the wing and three young projects, the players that Bournemouth and Brighton try and buy. Would also be happy with one old unfashionable project, a la Acensio
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Anyone think we should snatch up Mane from Wolves?
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Do we have any idea how much money is availeable?
UEFA haven't told us yet, but we probably have to sell at least eight players as punishment for finishing above Chelsea.
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Garner is someone I think Emery could turn into a star. Summerville would be another I think could go up a level, Mitoma too but they would want silly money for him.
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Garner is someone I think Emery could turn into a star. Summerville would be another I think could go up a level, Mitoma too but they would want silly money for him.
They’ll be a few after Mitoma if he and Japan have a decent WC
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Garner is someone I think Emery could turn into a star. Summerville would be another I think could go up a level, Mitoma too but they would want silly money for him.
They’ll be a few after Mitoma if he and Japan have a decent WC
I think he's out of the World Cup due to injury
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Garner is someone I think Emery could turn into a star. Summerville would be another I think could go up a level, Mitoma too but they would want silly money for him.
They’ll be a few after Mitoma if he and Japan have a decent WC
I think he's out of the World Cup due to injury
Ah ok, my finger is most definitely not on the pulse
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
I don’t listen to a single thing he says. Did he claim his “sources” told him that.
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Anyone think we should snatch up Mane from Wolves?
Or Ouattara from Brentford our regular supplier
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Anyone think we should snatch up Mane from Wolves?
Wolves apparently have said they won’t sell him this summer. Money talks but he’s the kid they are hoping is a big part of their future.
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Not sell or not sell for less then...
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Anyone think we should snatch up Mane from Wolves?
Wolves apparently have said they won’t sell him this summer. Money talks but he’s the kid they are hoping is a big part of their future.
They realistically think they'll hold onto all their players? Good luck with that ...
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Anyone think we should snatch up Mane from Wolves?
I thought snatching a mane is a red-card offence?
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Anyone think we should snatch up Mane from Wolves?
I thought snatching a mane is a red-card offence?
That joke should be a red card offence 😉
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Says Tielemans will be leaving….just as we go into three of the most important games this season🤷
Youri is easier to replace than kamara though if we had to sell one..even onana would be hard to replace. If onana wasnt always injured he would be irreplaceable
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Says Tielemans will be leaving….just as we go into three of the most important games this season🤷
Youri is easier to replace than kamara though if we had to sell one..even onana would be hard to replace. If onana wasnt always injured he would be irreplaceable
That sort of suggests that we do replace him. Regularly.
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It's going to be an interesting window, that's for sure.
I'd prefer to get business done early but with a quarter of the world at the World Cup anything can happen .
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A second perfectly cushioned assist in successive games from JJ today. We're now in the CL, they're not, bring him home.
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
He was their driving force in that 25 min spell in the first half on Friday that Liverpool dominated.
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We couldn't afford him now.
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Rogers to Chelsea/ManUtd/Arsenal or PSG according to talk sport via BBC gossip.
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How do Chelsea find themselves in that list? Surely they are screwed and if not it’s further proof the football world is rigged.
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How do Chelsea find themselves in that list? Surely they are screwed and if not it’s further proof the football world is rigged.
No CL
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I don’t listen to Talksport but every time a Villa player is linked to Chelsea it’s a Talksport story.
Are they a mouthpiece for Chelsea or something?
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Rogers isn’t going to Chelsea. He’s already got Champions League football at Villa, if he goes anywhere the team he goes to is going to have to be offering that. I maintain, short of an insane offer we’d be nuts to sell.
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Rogers isn’t going to Chelsea. He’s already got Champions League football at Villa, if he goes anywhere the team he goes to is going to have to be offering that. I maintain, short of an insane offer we’d be nuts to sell.
If he emerges as one of the stars of the World Cup then he probably goes to Bayern, PSG or (potentially) a Manchester club for north of £100m.
If that doesn't happen, he'll be with us next season.
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Chelsea are not technically out of CL contention yet...
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Chelsea are not technically out of CL contention yet...
They are out of contention of spending the sort of money that would be needed to buy Rogers though.
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
Any chance Liverpool would let us have him on a loan to buy?
Personally, I think he's a better player than people give him credit for.
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
Any chance Liverpool would let us have him on a loan to buy?
Personally, I think he's a better player than people give him credit for.
Probably not after the Elliot saga!
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
Any chance Liverpool would let us have him on a loan to buy?
Personally, I think he's a better player than people give him credit for.
Yeah I agree, he looks much more suited for us than Elliot ever did.
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I dont think Elliott was mobile enough for our system , but then I look at Bailey !?
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
Any chance Liverpool would let us have him on a loan to buy?
Personally, I think he's a better player than people give him credit for.
I agree - I like Jones
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Barcelona, who are reluctant to pay the 30m euros to turn Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford's loan move into a permanent deal, are aware Aston Villa are keen on the 28-year-old England international. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
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Barcelona, who are reluctant to pay the 30m euros to turn Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford's loan move into a permanent deal, are aware Aston Villa are keen on the 28-year-old England international. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish)
Defo got his mojo back last 18months. Should have left ManU 3 or 4 years ago.
I'd have him back wages dependent. An upgrade on Sancho, Bailey, Guessand
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Chelsea are not technically out of CL contention yet...
They are out of contention of spending the sort of money that would be needed to buy Rogers though.
They won the World Club Cash Grab last year and would, presumably, be able to spread the cost out over five years. £20 million a year wouldn't be beyond their means.
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It might with the reduced income that no Europe presents. I reckon they must have already spent that pot from last year.
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Our Kid reckons they are more fucked if they qualify for Conference League than if they qualify for nothing but I can't remember why.
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I would assume the wages we've paid for Sancho, Bailey and Guessand this season would cover Rashford's. Add a young understudy or two then we are set for the next 2-3 years.
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Our Kid reckons they are more fucked if they qualify for Conference League than if they qualify for nothing but I can't remember why.
More games (pressure on resources) but without the financial benefit or the kudos of being in the ECL, I'm guessing.
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Our Kid reckons they are more fucked if they qualify for Conference League than if they qualify for nothing but I can't remember why.
Probably as UEFA SCR is more restrictive than the Premier League version in terms of percentages allowed. And Chelsea are already on their final warning with UEFA having broken it before.
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Chelsea are not technically out of CL contention yet...
They are out of contention of spending the sort of money that would be needed to buy Rogers though.
They won the World Club Cash Grab last year and would, presumably, be able to spread the cost out over five years. £20 million a year wouldn't be beyond their means.
They're fine for this year, because of that money and this years Champions League run. But just like the summer after we brought in loads of Champions League money and sold players for huge amounts, we still weren't able to go and spend loads of money - because we had to think about the accounts for the year after, when those irregular piles of cash wouldn't be there.
That's Chelsea's immediate future - desperately trying to fill existing holes in their books, which they had completely banked on using Champions League money to do.
Not dropping £100m on Rogers.
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What if they can shift a few of their current players for hefty fees?
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Think they're going to need to do that anyway. Problem is, who are those players who will generate hefty fees? Palmer / Caicedo / Joao Pedro / Fernandez / maybe Cucurella?
Sell three of them and you've probably got £200m back, but does Rogers (or equivalent) now want to join a team that has just sold its most creative assets and isn't playing in Europe?
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I'd imagine still yes. There seem to have been whisperings of this potential move for months now. Realistically, the rules still mean that they are more likely to be long-term challengers than us. We are doing brilliantly to keep doing so well despite the restrictions.
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Players don't really think about the long-term though. If he signs for six years and it takes them three to get back competing, he'll be in his late-20s and will have risked being overtaken by all manner of youngsters in the meantime.
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I'd imagine still yes. There seem to have been whisperings of this potential move for months now. Realistically, the rules still mean that they are more likely to be long-term challengers than us. We are doing brilliantly to keep doing so well despite the restrictions.
"Months" ago when these stories were being "whispered", Chelsea were still seen as likely candidates to qualify for the Champions League, and while they would still have been a complete basket-case, they wouldn't be quite so financially screwed as they are now.
There was talk last Spring that Rashford would join us permanently. Then we had to deal with the £100m hole in our accounts instead.
In fact, part of the Chelsea's problem are the restrictions, which are more punitive than the ones we had to deal with last summer. Good luck to them having a net positive transfer balance this summer once they've given us £100m for Rogers.
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They wouldn't be given £100 million this summer, they'd be giving us £20 million. Then the same for the next few years or until he moves on again and they amortise what's left.
I'd like to believe the rules will hamstring Chelsea, but all the evidence suggests that the rules will just be subverted or ignored if there is any potential for that. The so-called penalty they received last year removed any remaining doubt that the cabal can do whatever the fuck they want.
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They wouldn't be given £100 million this summer, they'd be giving us £20 million. Then the same for the next few years or until he moves on again and they amortise what's left.
I'd like to believe the rules will hamstring Chelsea, but all the evidence suggests that the rules will just be subverted or ignored if there is any potential for that. The so-called penalty they received last year removed any remaining doubt that the cabal can do whatever the fuck they want.
The £20m per year is the amortisation on the books, not an agreement on a fee.
Hope that helps.
I think they are screwed and if Roger’s goes he’ll be going North or to PSG.
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Aren't the wages they pay less than players may get elsewhere, but the length of contract compensates for that? ( I guess this works as a player if you think wages wont continue increasing).
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They wouldn't be given £100 million this summer, they'd be giving us £20 million. Then the same for the next few years or until he moves on again and they amortise what's left.
I'd like to believe the rules will hamstring Chelsea, but all the evidence suggests that the rules will just be subverted or ignored if there is any potential for that. The so-called penalty they received last year removed any remaining doubt that the cabal can do whatever the fuck they want.
The £20m per year is the amortisation on the books, not an agreement on a fee.
Hope that helps.
I think they are screwed and if Roger’s goes he’ll be going North or to PSG.
It's also conflating UEFA and the Premier League. I'm quite happy to believe that the Premier League would likely bend over to help Chelsea out of a financial or sporting pickle.
But the evidence when it comes to UEFA is that they would be quite comfortable standing on Chelsea's neck while they rifle through their pockets.
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About 50% of the money used by Clearlake/Boehly was a loan by a company called Areas (?). What I read is the interest matures in 2032, by which time they’ll owe them about £1bn i.e. what they paid for the whole club originally. The money was intended for a new stadium so god know what will happen.
The sources was v detailed (in the FFP thread) but I’m unsure how credible. For what its worth the same bloke did a review of the AV accounts and was generally complimentary ie pushing the boundaries as far as possible and without burdening ourselves with debt.
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What if they can shift a few of their current players for hefty fees?
They probably still have Loic Remy in a Cobham cupboard that they're looking for £18m for.
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
Any chance Liverpool would let us have him on a loan to buy?
Personally, I think he's a better player than people give him credit for.
I agree - I like Jones
Went out of my way to check who the no. 17 was on Friday night. He ran the show for 25 minutes and was their standout player for me alongside Ngumoha.
Thankfully reverted to type second half!
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He did an amazing job of pointing at Rogers when we scored the first. We've not seen such high class pointing while marking space since the days of Kinsella.
Jones, much like Mac Allister; players you'd struggle to say what they actually do well.
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Our Kid reckons they are more fucked if they qualify for Conference League than if they qualify for nothing but I can't remember why.
Probably as UEFA SCR is more restrictive than the Premier League version in terms of percentages allowed. And Chelsea are already on their final warning with UEFA having broken it before.
Presumably, even if they were not in a Uefa tournament and able to benefit from the less restrictive 85% SCR threshold for a year, they'd still need to hit the Uefa 70% marker once they were back, or at least be heading towards it. Given their sunk costs (squad) and the probable timing (return to Europe in 2027, so immediately after what will be their fallow year), that is a very tight suit to squeeze into.
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He gave it the big I Am to a bloke who worked at Lennon Airport and is a big Liverpool fan, said he's the biggest cvnt he's ever met. For that reason, I'm out.
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He gave it the big I Am to a bloke who worked at Lennon Airport and is a big Liverpool fan, said he's the biggest cvnt he's ever met. For that reason, I'm out.
Without knowing him at all he does give the impression of being a bit of a twat.
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He gave it the big I Am to a bloke who worked at Lennon Airport and is a big Liverpool fan, said he's the biggest cvnt he's ever met. For that reason, I'm out.
Without knowing him at all he does give the impression of being a bit of a twat.
It’s a no from me then
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They wouldn't be given £100 million this summer, they'd be giving us £20 million. Then the same for the next few years or until he moves on again and they amortise what's left.
I'd like to believe the rules will hamstring Chelsea, but all the evidence suggests that the rules will just be subverted or ignored if there is any potential for that. The so-called penalty they received last year removed any remaining doubt that the cabal can do whatever the fuck they want.
Under UEFA SCR transfer fees are spread over three years.
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I'd imagine still yes. There seem to have been whisperings of this potential move for months now. Realistically, the rules still mean that they are more likely to be long-term challengers than us. We are doing brilliantly to keep doing so well despite the restrictions.
More likely short to medium term challengers, possibly, but long-term? I'm not so sure. They were only just over £100m ahead of us in revenue terms in the last set of accounts. Which is significant, but not insurmountable. They themselves are £100m behind Spurs, who are the next lowest in the so-called big six. Then it's another £100m till you reach the top 4 English clubs who are all pretty close around the £800m level.
Of the so-called big six, Chelsea are definitely the ones we are most likely to catch and replace first. I would imagine in the next two years (current form/trajectory holding, obviously). But it could be five or more years before we're in the revenue range between Spurs and the top 4 - which is where we need to be in order to challenge long-term, and not find ourselves financially hamstrung by one bad season.
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He did an amazing job of pointing at Rogers when we scored the first. We've not seen such high class pointing while marking space since the days of Kinsella.
Jones, much like Mac Allister; players you'd struggle to say what they actually do well.
Macallister was excellent last season to be fair and previously at Brighton and Argentina. Can't run though and that's been a big problem for them this season.
I can't really figure Jones out, has an interesting profile in terms of age and his contract situation. An under performing player with high potential or a Tom Cleverley lightweight type carried by better players. I know he was out of position but certainly was in the latter camp against Buendia last week.
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He did an amazing job of pointing at Rogers when we scored the first. We've not seen such high class pointing while marking space since the days of Kinsella.
Jones, much like Mac Allister; players you'd struggle to say what they actually do well.
Macallister was excellent last season to be fair and previously at Brighton and Argentina. Can't run though and that's been a big problem for them this season.
I can't really figure Jones out, has an interesting profile in terms of age and his contract situation. An under performing player with high potential or a Tom Cleverley lightweight type carried by better players. I know he was out of position but certainly was in the latter camp against Buendia last week.
Cleverly is a good comparison, actually, and sums up where my head is re Jones.
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They wouldn't be given £100 million this summer, they'd be giving us £20 million. Then the same for the next few years or until he moves on again and they amortise what's left.
I'd like to believe the rules will hamstring Chelsea, but all the evidence suggests that the rules will just be subverted or ignored if there is any potential for that. The so-called penalty they received last year removed any remaining doubt that the cabal can do whatever the fuck they want.
Under UEFA SCR transfer fees are spread over three years.
Also they are still in the "must have a positive transfer for List A squad members" as they deferred the punishment for one year. Hopefully we did enough not to be in that this year.
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Our Kid reckons they are more fucked if they qualify for Conference League than if they qualify for nothing but I can't remember why.
Heard Simon Jordan (I know..) complaining previously that the ECL was costing Palace money. Chelsea were meant to have earned 85m for that Mickey mouse tournament last summer so might not be in all that much bother financially.
If they need to dump players in a hurry, Delap was excellent at Ipswich and caused us huge problems previously. Might be a good fit.
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He did an amazing job of pointing at Rogers when we scored the first. We've not seen such high class pointing while marking space since the days of Kinsella.
Jones, much like Mac Allister; players you'd struggle to say what they actually do well.
Macallister was excellent last season to be fair and previously at Brighton and Argentina. Can't run though and that's been a big problem for them this season.
I can't really figure Jones out, has an interesting profile in terms of age and his contract situation. An under performing player with high potential or a Tom Cleverley lightweight type carried by better players. I know he was out of position but certainly was in the latter camp against Buendia last week.
Like all of Liverpools midfield (except Endo who just isn't good enough) he's a perfectly good player with the ball but without it he's ill-disciplined and lazy. if you're playing a 433 you can carry 2 of those but you need someone who just does their job and keeps things under control. We have Bouba for it and miss him when he's out. Slot decided to spend the best part of half a billion quid and not bother buying anyone to do that job. I literally called the problem on the first weekend:
They got the result today but that midfield looks far too open for Liverpool, I can see them conceding a lot more than they did last year.
They've also scored a lot less, and all those Salah goals last year did hide the problem a little, but this year teams have worked them out and have had far too easy a time dragging players out of position and then playing through the lines and exposing an aging Van Dijk and whatever shit they've put alongside him.
Back on topic, Curtis Jones is another one who has that same problem, he's not a poor player but he is a bit of a nothing much player, he's neat and tidy, he plays the odd good pass or shot but more often than not he's just there, not really doing much because taking him out of the game is too easy.
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Our Kid reckons they are more fucked if they qualify for Conference League than if they qualify for nothing but I can't remember why.
Heard Simon Jordan (I know..) complaining previously that the ECL was costing Palace money. Chelsea were meant to have earned 85m for that Mickey mouse tournament last summer so might not be in all that much bother financially.
If they need to dump players in a hurry, Delap was excellent at Ipswich and caused us huge problems previously. Might be a good fit.
True but that came on the back of a loss of £265M so even with that £75m and the extra £40-50m by stepping up from the conference league to the champions league they still had a huge shortfall to cover and not many more tricks up their sleeve.
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They wouldn't be given £100 million this summer, they'd be giving us £20 million. Then the same for the next few years or until he moves on again and they amortise what's left.
I'd like to believe the rules will hamstring Chelsea, but all the evidence suggests that the rules will just be subverted or ignored if there is any potential for that. The so-called penalty they received last year removed any remaining doubt that the cabal can do whatever the fuck they want.
Under UEFA SCR transfer fees are spread over three years.
Ta mate, it's impossible to keep up with all of these rules they bring in to fuck Villa over.
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Everton and Aston Villa are interested in Newcastle's 22-year-old Denmark forward William Osula.
We are apparently after the Jackson wannabe. They will be linking us to Jimenez from Bournemouth next.
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Apparently we agreed to sign him for £30m last summer but Newcastle changed their mind when all those strikers kept turning them down.
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Apparently we agreed to sign him for £30m last summer but Newcastle changed their mind when all those strikers kept turning them down.
From what I read, we had to back out of the deal because having sold Ramsey to them in the same summer, according to Uefa it could have been a dodgy deal designed to get round their rules.
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That sounds plausible too.
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Ah yes, I vaguely remember now. Yet another rule that had never been heard of before, but emerged as soon as they found out it could hinder Villa.
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Well, we did it with Kellyman and Maatsen the previous year. And Dobbin and Iroobunnim.
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Did we sell him to Periodic Table FC?
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are very interested in Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré (20).
@berger_pj
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I reckon we will sell Roger’s before the WC starts and then sign both Bowen and Gibbs-White
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Nah, Bowen is too old, lacks the intensity. Two years ago maybe, but not now.
MGW though, definitely.
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I highly doubt we’d be looking at Bowen. High cost, high wage, and no re-sale.
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are very interested in Hoffenheim winger Bazoumana Touré (20).
@berger_pj
I'd like a Toure. A lot of clubs seem to find a good one.
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We already had the best one.
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We already had the best one.
Are you getting mixed up with Traore because this is a Toure? Unless there is some Toure we have had that I have forgotten about.
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I can't be expected to be able to read ALL THE TIME.
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We already had the best one.
Are you getting mixed up with Traore because this is a Toure? Unless there is some Toure we have had that I have forgotten about.
Yeh, had two of those - time to move on.
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I hope we do not look at Rashford. To be able to do this would mean that Barcelona have pulled out and he will be broken hearted. By not playing for them I think he will go into a mood like he finished at Man Utd and only put a little effort into his game, just picking up the money without any effort.
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I’d be looking at the Swiss bloke wearing 44 for Freebird
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That'll do! What a good goal that is too!
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I’d be looking at the Swiss bloke wearing 44 for Freebird
Who was that mate, as I can honestly say non of them really stood out
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I hope we do not look at Rashford. To be able to do this would mean that Barcelona have pulled out and he will be broken hearted. By not playing for them I think he will go into a mood like he finished at Man Utd and only put a little effort into his game, just picking up the money without any effort.
Woah... do you know Rashford to know all about his thought processes? Impressive ITK. I think Emery would have a good idea of his mentality should we attempt to buy him.
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We must be an attractive proposition now when we show an interest in someone.
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While I can see the attraction of Rashford, I’d personally prefer we splashed money on 3 or 4 top young players around Europe, and then have them spend 2 years under Emery being whipped into shape before they replace the older players.
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While I can see the attraction of Rashford, I’d personally prefer we splashed money on 3 or 4 top young players around Europe, and then have them spend 2 years under Emery being whipped into shape before they replace the older players.
Rashford will be expensive wages-wise, but he won't be expensive to purchase, which makes him potentially attractive. To buy a player of similar ability, you'd be looking at spending £70m+ under normal conditions.
I'd love him back, as I think we were a better team with him in it, and he helped us get within a whisker of beating PSG on their way to the Champions League title, but it might be beyond us financially.
Either way, with Unai's reputation never higher, with the club's profile as high as it's been in decades, and with Champions League football next season, I would bet we're a VERY attractive prospect right now for any promising player wanting to prove themselves in the Premier and Champions League.
I'm excited for what the summer has in store for us!
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I’d be looking at the Swiss bloke wearing 44 for Freebird
Who was that mate, as I can honestly say non of them really stood out
I thought he did stand out but it was a low bar
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I'm excited for what the summer has in store for us!
Also you'd think we'd be trying to get as much done as early as we can - assume we're going to want to be ready to go in Salzburg in the middle of August.
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I'm excited for what the summer has in store for us!
Also you'd think we'd be trying to get as much done as early as we can - assume we're going to want to be ready to go in Salzburg in the middle of August.
yeah, it's difficult in a World Cup year, though, as so many top players are either with their International squads from the moment the season ends, or want to wait to finalise transfers until after the tournament, knowing a good one can be life-changing.
I'd love to have reinforcements signed up so I can watch them for their countries during the tournament, but I'm already resigned to a back-loaded transfer window (which I'm fine with, by the way!)
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Unai to go to the US to work as a commentator for Central and come back with 2026's equivalent of John Fashanu...
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Unai to go to the US to work as a commentator for Central and come back with 2026's equivalent of John Fashanu...
Didnt he pick up Lamptey too ?
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Unai to go to the US to work as a commentator for Central and come back with 2026's equivalent of John Fashanu...
Didnt he pick up Lamptey too ?
Yup and Phil King.
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Unai Emery & Nassef Sawiris will now plot a summer overhaul of the squad, with as many as 4 new players targeted & question marks over the futures of some of the club’s Europa League winners.
@JPercyTelegraph
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Emery is determined to further unsettle the established elite & with Villa playing in the Champions League next season the onus is on the club’s hierarchy to help the club progress.
@JPercyTelegraph
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Unai Emery & Nassef Sawiris will now plot a summer overhaul of the squad, with as many as 4 new players targeted & question marks over the futures of some of the club’s Europa League winners.
@JPercyTelegraph
I thought it would be more than that but we will see
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4 would be a really good start, and wouldn't unsettle things too much.
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🚨 Villa have a long list of targets, one of them being Jonathan Rowe — he has been scouted by Villa since his time with Norwich City. Bologna are shrewd traders & will demand about £30/35m, which is the ballpark figure that Villa will be paying for new signings this summer.
Villa also want to sign a right-sided centre-back who can also play right-back, plus midfield cover. Jadon Sancho will not be extending his spell, with Leon Bailey also set to depart. There is no guarantee Emi Martínez will leave.
@JPercyTelegraph
New contracts for existing players will also be on the agenda. Youri Tielemans & Ezri Konsa both have two years left on their present deals & negotiations are expected to advance soon. It seems inconceivable that Villa will not reward Emi Buendia with new terms, too.
Morgan Rogers is the star player most expected to leave, with the price at around £80m. Rogers is in line to start for England at the World Cup & his value could yet increase, but Villa accept they are unlikely to receive the £100m they had envisaged earlier in the season.
@JPercyTelegraph
Aston Villa remain frustrated with the squad cost ratio (SCR) regulations, which limit them to spending only 70% of football revenue on their players. A big sale will be required this summer to stay within the parameters.
@JPercyTelegraph
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Maybe we're hoping Morgan will outshine Bellingham and prompt Perez to spaff out for the new star of the moment. Surely we don't want to sell him to a domestic rival.
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Sounds like they do want to sell Rogers then but realise the market isn't out there for £100mil to be spent on him.
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Maybe we're hoping Morgan will outshine Bellingham and prompt Perez to spaff out for the new star of the moment. Surely we don't want to sell him to a domestic rival.
There's talk that Bayern Munich are interested.
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Hopefully what money we will be able to spend will be spent better than last summer under Monchi.
Unai has done miracles with the squad.
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Unai Emery & Nassef Sawiris will now plot a summer overhaul of the squad, with as many as 4 new players targeted & question marks over the futures of some of the club’s Europa League winners.
@JPercyTelegraph
4 seems light given outgoings, unless he means we’ll have net 4 additional first team quality players.
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Maybe we're hoping Morgan will outshine Bellingham and prompt Perez to spaff out for the new star of the moment. Surely we don't want to sell him to a domestic rival.
There's talk that Bayern Munich are interested.
He'd do well there, and that would be fine.
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There's increasingly talk in various articles of Rogers going. Makes you wonder who is whispering whose ear.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
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There's increasingly talk in various articles of Rogers going. Makes you wonder who is whispering whose ear.
It will be the club’s finance team shouting, not whispering, that we absolutely have to make a big sale, and that he’s the prime/only candidate.
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Unai Emery & Nassef Sawiris will now plot a summer overhaul of the squad, with as many as 4 new players targeted & question marks over the futures of some of the club’s Europa League winners.
@JPercyTelegraph
I thought it would be more than that but we will see
Given the average age of the squad, we probably need to be replacing 3 first teamers a year, for the next three windows. Four this summer would put us ahead of schedule, so I'll be surprised if they're all genuine first-team regulars.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
Yes, it’s doing the rounds that Rogers is very much part of next season plans.
I think the fact that he has just bagged his first medal could play a big part.
It would be interesting to think what Emerys priority will be next season.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
Yes, it’s doing the rounds that Rogers is very much part of next season plans.
I think the fact that he has just bagged his first medal could play a big part.
It would be interesting to think what Emerys priority will be next season.
The story was for last summer that he persuaded that extra season which has just finished. Hopefully Morgz decides he likes it here now we have won something AND we are back in the CL but who knows.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
Yes, it’s doing the rounds that Rogers is very much part of next season plans.
I think the fact that he has just bagged his first medal could play a big part.
It would be interesting to think what Emerys priority will be next season.
The story was for last summer that he persuaded that extra season which has just finished. Hopefully Morgz decides he likes it here now we have won something AND we are back in the CL but who knows.
Nope, this is about next season.
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Rashford (if he takes a pay cut), Wilson, Senesi, replacing Sancho, Bailey and Mings. The perenial search for a deputy RB. Trafford in for Martinez? Or will the flash lad stay for another round of the Big Cup?
Bailey, Mings, Garcia, Ned, Barranecha, Guessand, Barkley, Malen, Dobbin, SIJ, Barry, Munroe, Gauci and many more of that ilk to generate some income. Onana is the big sale for me, he doesn't quite fit the system, being neither an attacking nor defensive midfielder, we look so much better balanced wih Linde in the midfield and hopefully Kamara can stay fit. Lamare Bogarde, but I think Emery appreciates his versatility.
That's a lot of incomings just to tread water.
Hopefully Broggio will be on the fringes next season, is Hemmings good enough?
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Onana is a DM.
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Sounds like they do want to sell Rogers then but realise the market isn't out there for £100mil to be spent on him.
Plus we'd have to give Boro a massive sell-on percentage rumoured to be 20%. We have to keep him and surround him by better players.
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Onana is a DM.
Not in the way kamara and lindelof are, he can’t step into the back line and operate as a centre back, which is what allows cash and digne to get on the front foot.
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I’d be looking at the Swiss bloke wearing 44 for Freebird
Who was that mate, as I can honestly say non of them really stood out
I thought he did stand out but it was a low bar
Thought he was tidy but a bit lightweight, so were able to bully him. He was given the ball at every opportunity, which shows how his team mates rate him. Nice cross from the left at one point, and a decent shot on target - not bad given how we pummelled them.
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Would like Wharton and Gibbs-White given they are not in the England Squad, if we can afford them, hope their price might have dipped a little because of their omission, who knows? Several players likely to leave, bring in some additional class.
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Would like Wharton and Gibbs-White given they are not in the England Squad, if we can afford them, hope their price might have dipped a little because of their omission, who knows? Several players likely to leave, bring in some additional class.
There’s not a chance we’re affording both of them sadly.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
Yes, it’s doing the rounds that Rogers is very much part of next season plans.
I think the fact that he has just bagged his first medal could play a big part.
It would be interesting to think what Emerys priority will be next season.
The story was for last summer that he persuaded that extra season which has just finished. Hopefully Morgz decides he likes it here now we have won something AND we are back in the CL but who knows.
Nope, this is about next season.
Morgan Rogers, considered by those close to Emery as Villa’s best player, received strong interest but knew he was the one player the club were insistent on keeping. Emery spoke with Rogers, asking him to stay another year, with the 23-year-old happily accepting.
My reading is also that it was last year - which chimes with those persistent Chelsea rumours at that time.
I’d be thinking that if he has a good WC, then he’ll be away to the extent that we have an acceptable offer.
But he won’t be going to Chelsea.
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Unless the club's hand is forced, why would a player want to leave right now?
We have finished top 5 and won a major trophy. We managed to win a big European trophy without giving up on the league like certain other clubs. We are going to soon have a 50,000 seater stadium.
You can achieve with this club and we already know we pay big wages - the atrocious financials every year show that!
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Unless the club's hand is forced, why would a player want to leave right now?
We have finished top 5 and won a major trophy. We managed to win a big European trophy without giving up on the league like certain other clubs. We are going to soon have a 50,000 seater stadium.
You can achieve with this club and we already know we pay big wages - the atrocious financials every year show that!
Plus you're playing and improving under the best manager in the business.
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Onana is a DM.
Not in the way kamara and lindelof are, he can’t step into the back line and operate as a centre back, which is what allows cash and digne to get on the front foot.
No, not in the same way, but I'd still say he's a DM.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
Yes, it’s doing the rounds that Rogers is very much part of next season plans.
I think the fact that he has just bagged his first medal could play a big part.
It would be interesting to think what Emerys priority will be next season.
The story was for last summer that he persuaded that extra season which has just finished. Hopefully Morgz decides he likes it here now we have won something AND we are back in the CL but who knows.
Nope, this is about next season.
You sure? This was published at the end of last summer’s transfer window*.
*Which I marked 8.5/10 in the relevant thread, much to the merriment of other posters. Who’s laughing now?
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Well, I mean, it wasn't a great transfer window. Obvious gem in Rogers withstanding.
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Unless the club's hand is forced, why would a player want to leave right now?
We have finished top 5 and won a major trophy. We managed to win a big European trophy without giving up on the league like certain other clubs. We are going to soon have a 50,000 seater stadium.
You can achieve with this club and we already know we pay big wages - the atrocious financials every year show that!
The club's hand is forced.
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I think our spine is pretty good - goalie, central defence, midfield and strikers. Albeit the average age isn't great.
Our flanks need improving. I would listen to offers for Maatsen and get someone in at LB who gives Digne proper competition/replaces him as first choice.
Mingueza from Celta on a Bosman is a no-brainer if we can persuade him to come as there is lots of interest. Proper competition for Cash and can cover RCB and LB.
Then two wingers with genuine pace and not afraid of a 5050. Sancho to go and realistically another loan for Bailey (or a sub £10m sale at best).
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🚨 Villa have a long list of targets, one of them being Jonathan Rowe — he has been scouted by Villa since his time with Norwich City. Bologna are shrewd traders & will demand about £30/35m, which is the ballpark figure that Villa will be paying for new signings this summer.
Villa also want to sign a right-sided centre-back who can also play right-back, plus midfield cover. Jadon Sancho will not be extending his spell, with Leon Bailey also set to depart. There is no guarantee Emi Martínez will leave.
@JPercyTelegraph
New contracts for existing players will also be on the agenda. Youri Tielemans & Ezri Konsa both have two years left on their present deals & negotiations are expected to advance soon. It seems inconceivable that Villa will not reward Emi Buendia with new terms, too.
Morgan Rogers is the star player most expected to leave, with the price at around £80m. Rogers is in line to start for England at the World Cup & his value could yet increase, but Villa accept they are unlikely to receive the £100m they had envisaged earlier in the season.
@JPercyTelegraph
Aston Villa remain frustrated with the squad cost ratio (SCR) regulations, which limit them to spending only 70% of football revenue on their players. A big sale will be required this summer to stay within the parameters.
@JPercyTelegraph
I love these psuedo 'controls' that keep football so fair and interesting.
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Malen, Guessand, Dobbin, Barranechea, Elliot, Sancho, Luiz, Illing-Junior, Barry and Bailey all going will surely raise a few quid and positively effect SCR? Selling Rogers now would be hugely disappointing.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
Yes, it’s doing the rounds that Rogers is very much part of next season plans.
I think the fact that he has just bagged his first medal could play a big part.
It would be interesting to think what Emerys priority will be next season.
The story was for last summer that he persuaded that extra season which has just finished. Hopefully Morgz decides he likes it here now we have won something AND we are back in the CL but who knows.
Nope, this is about next season.
You sure? This was published at the end of last summer’s transfer window*.
*Which I marked 8.5/10 in the relevant thread, much to the merriment of other posters. Who’s laughing now?
I met a bloke in the Hotel bar in Istanbul, it’s good enough for me.
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£20m - Malen, £15m - Guessand, £5m - Dobbin, £15m - Barranechea, Elliot, Sancho, Luiz, £5m - Illing-Junior, £2m - Barry and £3m - Bailey all going will surely raise a few quid and positively effect SCR? Selling Rogers now would be hugely disappointing.
I get about £65m from that lot. Hopefully CL qualification would mean we could fund about about £100m of transfers without selling any ‘crown jewels’. Three solid additions appears very possible.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
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Harry Wilson is a one season trap.
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Well, I mean, it wasn't a great transfer window. Obvious gem in Rogers withstanding.
Rogers was signed 2.5 years ago wasn’t he?
I was on about summer 25. As I said at the time, the success or failure of a transfer window can only be judged on results. So now I think my 8.5 rating was a bit harsh.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
No transfer fee, summer off and he would surely be better than Bailey, Sancho, Guessand
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Would like Wharton and Gibbs-White given they are not in the England Squad, if we can afford them, hope their price might have dipped a little because of their omission, who knows? Several players likely to leave, bring in some additional class.
There’s not a chance we’re affording both of them sadly.
Or even either of them. Seriously they are 70m bracket. Not gonna happen under restrictions we operate.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
No transfer fee, summer off and he would surely be better than Bailey, Sancho, Guessand
I think we need a higher bar than better than Bailey, Sancho and Guessand. Using crisp packets as oven gloves would surely be better than your bear hands.
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Would like Wharton and Gibbs-White given they are not in the England Squad, if we can afford them, hope their price might have dipped a little because of their omission, who knows? Several players likely to leave, bring in some additional class.
There’s not a chance we’re affording both of them sadly.
Or even either of them. Seriously they are 70m bracket. Not gonna happen under restrictions we operate.
I don't think we'll be spending £70m on anyone either, but I don't think anyone really knows what restrictions we'll be operating under this summer do they?
They're certainly not going to be the same as last summer.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
No transfer fee, summer off and he would surely be better than Bailey, Sancho, Guessand
I think we need a higher bar than better than Bailey, Sancho and Guessand. Using crisp packets as oven gloves would surely be better than your bear hands.
Do bear's have hands? Thought they were paws...I'd go for bear hands over crisp packets any day of the week.
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No it’ll be better than last summer. We absolutely need to spend the money we do have a hell of a lot better.
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I think we are operating in the market looking for the next MGW and Wharton , looking at targets that Nournemouth Brighton and Brentford are targeting
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
No transfer fee, summer off and he would surely be better than Bailey, Sancho, Guessand
I think we need a higher bar than better than Bailey, Sancho and Guessand. Using crisp packets as oven gloves would surely be better than your bear hands.
Do bear's have hands? Thought they were paws...I'd go for bear hands over crisp packets any day of the week.
Yeah, I haven't thought that through. I'll take the Bear hands too.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
No transfer fee, summer off and he would surely be better than Bailey, Sancho, Guessand
I think we need a higher bar than better than Bailey, Sancho and Guessand. Using crisp packets as oven gloves would surely be better than your bear hands.
Do bear's have hands? Thought they were paws...I'd go for bear hands over crisp packets any day of the week.
Yeah, I haven't thought that through. I'll take the Bear hands too.
But where do they go to the loo?
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Anywhere they want.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
No transfer fee, summer off and he would surely be better than Bailey, Sancho, Guessand
I think we need a higher bar than better than Bailey, Sancho and Guessand. Using crisp packets as oven gloves would surely be better than your bear hands.
All we need from Wilson is what Lindelof has given us this year, just in the attacking positions. The breaks that will allow our first choice players will sustain us longer and means we harvest more points, the absence of a fee means we can spend in addition.
It's a no brainer for us, in our position.
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£5m+ a year on our wage bill just to give a first team player the odd break is way too much. He's not good enough to get in the first team and we're in the Champions League next season. We need a better scouting system if all it turns up is 30 year old one season wonders.
In my opinion it would be lazy not a no brainer.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
My view too. We need better and younger. Decisions on Rogers and Martinez likely to frame the transfer window unfortunately. Hopefully keep one of them anyway but suspect both are off. I'd move on Onana too as he misses far too much football, big problem with Kamara having the same issue in the same position.
Exciting to see the names being linked with. Williams, MGW and Ampadu are three I think we can get and are very good players. Wonder if we will look to move Tammy on in the summer or work on him in pre season?
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£5m+ a year on our wage bill just to give a first team player the odd break is way too much. He's not good enough to get in the first team and we're in the Champions League next season. We need a better scouting system if all it turns up is 30 year old one season wonders.
In my opinion it would be lazy not a no brainer.
It's a BIT underwhelming, and I doubt he would become a first-team regular, but that's probably what we're paying Lindelof, who many were underwhelmed by last summer (given it seemed like he was coming to be our 4th choice centre-half), and even though his minutes have been limited this season, he's played a MAJOR part in us winning a trophy and securing a top 5 league finish.
I'm one of the biggest advocates for bringing down the average age of the squad, but I'm also pragmatic. We don't have the resources to go and spend big on transfer fees, so if a reasonable free transfer becomes available, who will give us a bit of squad depth while we rebuild over the next two or three years, then I'm all for it.
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I think we need a starting calibre winger, for that role Harry is a bit underwhelming
If Harry is backup to the starting calibre winger then I'm good with it.
We all like the young, up and coming potential players as backup but there are frequent failures guessard etc
Lindelhof shows there is great value in the oldies
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I think we need a starting calibre winger, for that role Harry is a bit underwhelming
If Harry is backup to the starting calibre winger then I'm good with it.
We all like the young, up and coming potential players as backup but there are frequent failures guessard etc
Lindelhof shows there is great value in the oldies
Pretty sure it would be Wilson plus one more. Wilson being an insurance policy for the riskier/younger ‘one more’ and also cover for McGinn.
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I read this morning that our transfer budget is £100m I assume that excludes outgoings.
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I read this morning that our transfer budget is £100m I assume that excludes outgoings.
I assume that Roberto Olabe hasn't been saying anything to The Mirror and they have no idea what our transfer budget is.
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I read this morning that our transfer budget is £100m I assume that excludes outgoings.
My guess is that includes the income from Barranchea etc, but not the sale of a first team squad members.
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£20m - Malen, £15m - Guessand, £5m - Dobbin, £15m - Barranechea, Elliot, Sancho, Luiz, £5m - Illing-Junior, £2m - Barry and £3m - Bailey all going will surely raise a few quid and positively effect SCR? Selling Rogers now would be hugely disappointing.
I get about £65m from that lot. Hopefully CL qualification would mean we could fund about about £100m of transfers without selling any ‘crown jewels’. Three solid additions appears very possible.
I reckon that's a bit low. The ones we know are done:
Barrenechea: £13m
Malen: £25m
Then there's the optional one:
Guessand: £28m
All the talk recently is that Palace do plan to trigger that so there's a pretty good chance we can bank that as well.
That leaves sales for:
Dobbin: ~£5-8m - Coming off a pretty strong season at Preston but is a little older than some similar players we've sold in those circumstances recently (AJ Ramsey, Archer, Philogene). It will depend who is interested
Iling-Junior: ~£4-5m - He hasn't had a great time with his loans but he's young enough to still be worth a gamble for a team in somewhere like Germany, France or the championship and this is about the figure I'd expect for that level
Barry: ~£2-3m - I expect Stockport will want to keep him regardless of whether they get promotion or not and I can't imagine the price being too far from this range in either direction.
Bailey: ~£6-7m - This is probably the toughest sale after the season he's had but I think someone will be willing to take a gamble on him finding his form again.
Even on the low end, or if a few other drop a bit further we're looking at £80m if we can make all of those sales.
Add in the huge savings on wages from the loanees as well and I reckon that gives us a fair bit of overhead to play with before we need to consider any 'real' sales.
Mingueza on a free and 2-3 in the £20-40m range seems realistic to me and that lines up with the rumours of who we're being linked with.
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All of those look about right to me ^
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The trouble is that we're probably paying most of them plenty more than their suitors can/will.
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Probably true of Bailey, don't see it so much with the rest of them.
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Who's buying Dobbin, for example? Whoever it is will be offering significantly less than his current deal.
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Who's buying Dobbin, for example? Whoever it is will be offering significantly less than his current deal.
You reckon? His current deal is supposedly around £20k per week, so less than the Championship average. He's 23 and just popped in ten goals from the wing for a lower mid-table side.
I'd be surprised if he's not getting a wage increase wherever he goes next.
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I’d be disappointed / underwhelmed with Harry Wilson. He’s fine, nothing special, and 29.
No transfer fee, summer off and he would surely be better than Bailey, Sancho, Guessand
I think we need a higher bar than better than Bailey, Sancho and Guessand. Using crisp packets as oven gloves would surely be better than your bear hands.
All we need from Wilson is what Lindelof has given us this year, just in the attacking positions. The breaks that will allow our first choice players will sustain us longer and means we harvest more points, the absence of a fee means we can spend in addition.
It's a no brainer for us, in our position.
Yep, would be a back up to McGinn on the right and can play at number 10 as well. 'Number 10' is the position I'd be looking to invest heavily in the summer if we can afford to (with Rogers going out to his more natural position on the left) and honestly think that Gibbs-White would be the ideal target.
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Who's buying Dobbin, for example? Whoever it is will be offering significantly less than his current deal.
You reckon? His current deal is supposedly around £20k per week, so less than the Championship average. He's 23 and just popped in ten goals from the wing for a lower mid-table side.
I'd be surprised if he's not getting a wage increase wherever he goes next.
The Championship average is more than £20k per week?! Fucking hell. Ignore me then.
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Obviously various caveats on the accuracies but this site shows Dobbin on 17.5k with several pages of 100 players each below him, and around 150 odd players above him.
https://www.capology.com/uk/championship/salaries/
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Who's buying Dobbin, for example? Whoever it is will be offering significantly less than his current deal.
You reckon? His current deal is supposedly around £20k per week, so less than the Championship average. He's 23 and just popped in ten goals from the wing for a lower mid-table side.
I'd be surprised if he's not getting a wage increase wherever he goes next.
The Championship average is more than £20k per week?! Fucking hell. Ignore me then.
Actually, it's not quite that much - more like £15k per week having looked a bit deeper. West Brom's wage bill (so not one with recent history of big wage earners hanging around from former Premier League days, is £20m. Nat Phillips (?) was supposedly given £40k per week when he joined from Liverpool last summer.
So when you consider that average wage is going to be skewed by lots of clubs padding their squads with youth teamers on £2-3k per week, he'd definitely be moving for an amount no worse than he's currently getting.
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With world up and alot of our players going we certainly need more than the rumoured four coming in.
Fatigue amd injuries could be a issue next season so we need to ensure we have the squad big enough to cope. Maybe a playerlike samuel illing jr can come in from the dark like buendia and offer something
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With world up and alot of our players going we certainly need more than the rumoured four coming in.
Anyone we lose from the first team squad needs to be replaced, but in terms of supplementing what we already have and are using - four extra feels about right to me.
An younger right-back to provide better competition for Cash
A younger centre-back to ease Mings out
Two attackers, at least one with pace to "replace" Bailey / Sancho, one to start taking the workload of McGinn for the less important games (presumably this is Wilson).
Obviously if we sell Martinez or Rogers, then they need to be replaced too. But there are four obvious areas of need as things stand.
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Pretty sure it would be Wilson plus one more. Wilson being an insurance policy for the riskier/younger ‘one more’ and also cover for McGinn.
Alysson, Broggio, Young ... we have the younger options here already.
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With world up and alot of our players going we certainly need more than the rumoured four coming in.
Anyone we lose from the first team squad needs to be replaced, but in terms of supplementing what we already have and are using - four extra feels about right to me.
An younger right-back to provide better competition for Cash
A younger centre-back to ease Mings out
Two attackers, at least one with pace to "replace" Bailey / Sancho, one to start taking the workload of McGinn for the less important games (presumably this is Wilson).
Obviously if we sell Martinez or Rogers, then they need to be replaced too. But there are four obvious areas of need as things stand.
Would add a defensive midfielder as back up for Kamara. Not sold on Bogarde being the answer to be honest.
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With world up and alot of our players going we certainly need more than the rumoured four coming in.
Anyone we lose from the first team squad needs to be replaced, but in terms of supplementing what we already have and are using - four extra feels about right to me.
An younger right-back to provide better competition for Cash
A younger centre-back to ease Mings out
Two attackers, at least one with pace to "replace" Bailey / Sancho, one to start taking the workload of McGinn for the less important games (presumably this is Wilson).
Obviously if we sell Martinez or Rogers, then they need to be replaced too. But there are four obvious areas of need as things stand.
Would add a defensive midfielder as back up for Kamara. Not sold on Bogarde being the answer to be honest.
Think the last couple of weeks suggest that Lindelof is now that Kamara back-up. And whether we're sold on Bogarde or not, he's clearly part of the furniture so unless someone wants to buy him then I don't see us pushing him out.
And he gets us up to 22 players rather than 21 in our Champions League squad (not that we haven't been able to use him in Europe up to now or anything, but it's nice to fill the spaces up)
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Some really tough decisions are probably going to be needed this summer due to our ageing squad and due to our financial restrictions. Sentimentality is going to have to take a back seat which is brutal considering how we've finished the season. The Premier League don't allow you to stand still, such is the money being thrown around, every club will continue to bring in more technically gifted players from around the world. I just hope that we can start delivering off the pitch through our recruitment. Reducing the ridiculous fees we've been overpaying to agents would also go a long way in helping stretch whatever budget we have available.
Any potential signing who watched us on Wednesday night and knowing we're in next season's Champions League should be giving us serious consideration. Wages need to be controlled, no more silly money on risky loan deals, even paying Lindelof a reported £120k a week (the same as he was earning at ManU) seems extreme to sit on the bench for most of the season. He was a free agent and hadn't found a new club with less than a week before the transfer window closed. It makes the 70k offer to Jacob Ramsey crazy. Of course he was brilliant these last few weeks but it just seemed a perfect example of how we like to throw money around when we're counting the pennies and driving up the cost of matchday tickets.
Over to you, Roberto Olabe.
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^^I think Lindelof was pretty much in the door at Everton before we moved for him.
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^^I think Lindelof was pretty much in the door at Everton before we moved for him.
Nah, he turned them down though Fiorentina were interested if he'd take a pay cut.
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^^I think Lindelof was pretty much in the door at Everton before we moved for him.
Nah, he turned them down though Fiorentina were interested if he'd take a pay cut.
But that does suggest that he was specifically waiting for an offer that he thought was worth accepting, rather than the contract he accepted from us being the first thing that landed in his lap.
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Not sure we will bring many new players in.
Can see us playing the free transfer market well with Wilson and Mingueza but that would probably take our wage bill to the max without shifting a few players on.
We already signed Tammy as competition for Watkins, and have some young players to give cover. Do not think will sign another unless Watkins goes.
Would not be surprised to see Martinez leave if a decent offer came in, as he is a big earner. However I think it is more likely he stays now.
Could do with moving Bailey, Illing Jr, Dobbin, Mings on or at least loan out to reduce the wage bill.
Absolutely do not want to see massive wages going out to loan players again. We could do a lot worse than try and bring in Grealish and Rashford for low fees, that would be better than taking on the wages on loans.
Emery likes to rehabilitate players, maybe he could get some form out of Calvin Phillips? We need cover at DM and he was excellent at Leeds.
With Villa the best signings are always unexpected ones. Rogers, Yorke types on low fees. McGraph, Lindelof types. Or youth players stepping up.
If we sign a couple of free signings, trade a few players out and bring in a couple more I think we will be fine so long as some of the younger players start to step up.
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maybe he could get some form out of Calvin Phillips? We need cover at DM and he was excellent at Leeds.
Good God man! Have you lost your mind?
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^^Kalvin Phillips? Bloody hell.
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^^I think Lindelof was pretty much in the door at Everton before we moved for him.
Nah, he turned them down though Fiorentina were interested if he'd take a pay cut.
But that does suggest that he was specifically waiting for an offer that he thought was worth accepting, rather than the contract he accepted from us being the first thing that landed in his lap.
He'd set his heart on the move to Florence - who wouldn't? In fact everything was agreed according to reports yesterday from the Fiorentina president but at the last minute a deal they expected to go through failed so they had to drop the Lindelof deal. As he said himself “We embarrassed Lindelof, but it was all tied to the departure of Comuzzo, who chose to say no to Al-Hilal.”
I didn't realise he'd made 27 competitive appearances this season. Maybe it wasn't such a bad deal afterall but to snap him up on the last day of the window and pay such high wages wasn't us looking after the pennies.
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maybe he could get some form out of Calvin Phillips? We need cover at DM and he was excellent at Leeds.
Good God man! Have you lost your mind?
Kalvin-Phillips and Grealish. It isn't 2021.
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maybe he could get some form out of Calvin Phillips? We need cover at DM and he was excellent at Leeds.
Good God man! Have you lost your mind?
Ha! I can't remember the last time I heard Calvin Phillips' name mentioned, if fact I've probably heard David Batty's more recently and he's living on a farm as a recluse somewhere in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales.
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Goalkeepers:
If Martinez leaves, try to get Trafford, or maybe Dean Henderson
Right Back:
Get Mingueza on a Bosman as back-up for Cash. Sell Garcia and Nedeljkovic
Left Back:
Not a priority unless a decent value/high level left back becomes available.
Centre Back:
Keep Konsa, Lindelof and Pau. I think Tyrone's time is done. Senesi would be a great free pick-up, especially as a backup for Pau, but I think he'll want to be first choice somewhere.
We definitely need cover on that left-side though for Pau's usual winter injury.
Midfield:
Keep Kamara, Onana, Tielemans, Barkley. Don't make Dougie permanent. Sell Bogarde if a good offer, but not a necessity. Definitely need another 2 midfielders though, especially as ours are made of biscuits.
Attacking midfielders/wingers:
Release/sell Sancho, Elliott, Bailey. Get Wilson in on a free. We need to also add a player with pace.
If Rogers goes, we need a big-ticket replacement - Gibbs-White would be incredible, but probably out of our price range. Julian Brandt available on a Bosman would be a good value option.
Forwards:
This is going to be tough, because I don't think Ollie/Tammy is a good enough combination for a CL/Premier League campaign. We need another top level striker, or an up and coming one whether or not we keep both of them.
Sell Guessand
Sell/release all those players we keep sending out on loan and won't make it here - Dobbin, Barrenechea, Gauci, Iling-Junior.
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maybe he could get some form out of Calvin Phillips? We need cover at DM and he was excellent at Leeds.
Good God man! Have you lost your mind?
Ha! I can't remember the last time I heard Calvin Phillips' name mentioned, if fact I've probably heard David Batty's more recently and he's living on a farm as a recluse somewhere in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales.
I’m only chucking it out there as a cheap back up option. I got pelters for suggesting Clavert-Lewin last year, but he has proven a decent signing for Leeds. Obviously we also need more exciting signings too.
Thing is even with Champs league things will be tight on wages. We have two excellent DMs in Kanara and Onana but neither seems capable of staying available for more than half a season. We already have top drawer first teamers, Phillips under Emerys tutelage could be good cover.
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Attacking midfielders/wingers:
Release/sell Sancho, Elliott, Bailey. Get Wilson in on a free. We need to also add a player with pace.
Bowen if Spam go down.
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Phillips is a completely busted flush, it is widely known that his attitude stinks, as was demonstrated by his 'spells' at West Ham, Ipswich and Sheffield United. I'd as soon have Danny Drinkwater back.
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Attacking midfielders/wingers:
Release/sell Sancho, Elliott, Bailey. Get Wilson in on a free. We need to also add a player with pace.
Bowen if Spam go down.
he would cost a lot and is at the wrong end of his career
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Attacking midfielders/wingers:
Release/sell Sancho, Elliott, Bailey. Get Wilson in on a free. We need to also add a player with pace.
Bowen if Spam go down.
he would cost a lot and is at the wrong end of his career
He looks like he's eaten three Weston McKennies as well.
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Attacking midfielders/wingers:
Release/sell Sancho, Elliott, Bailey. Get Wilson in on a free. We need to also add a player with pace.
Bowen if Spam go down.
Bowen on a 1 year loan, might suit us, him and West Ham.
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Attacking midfielders/wingers:
Release/sell Sancho, Elliott, Bailey. Get Wilson in on a free. We need to also add a player with pace.
Bowen if Spam go down.
Bowen on a 1 year loan, might suit us, him and West Ham.
Does seem like we're going to have a winger on loan every year. Might as well be him next time.
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Bowen’s too old now for the kind of money we’d need to pay. I think we could realistically somebody younger, as good (maybe better) for less money.
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maybe he could get some form out of Calvin Phillips? We need cover at DM and he was excellent at Leeds.
Good God man! Have you lost your mind?
Ha! I can't remember the last time I heard Calvin Phillips' name mentioned, if fact I've probably heard David Batty's more recently and he's living on a farm as a recluse somewhere in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales.
I’m only chucking it out there as a cheap back up option. I got pelters for suggesting Clavert-Lewin last year, but he has proven a decent signing for Leeds. Obviously we also need more exciting signings too.
Thing is even with Champs league things will be tight on wages. We have two excellent DMs in Kanara and Onana but neither seems capable of staying available for more than half a season. We already have top drawer first teamers, Phillips under Emerys tutelage could be good cover.
And I still wouldn't want Calvert-Lewin.
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Pretty sure it would be Wilson plus one more. Wilson being an insurance policy for the riskier/younger ‘one more’ and also cover for McGinn.
Alysson, Broggio, Young ... we have the younger options here already.
We do but they’ve still got a way to go to prove themselves. I feel any big purchases will be on players younger than say 24.
The average age of the squad isn’t a problem - yet - but it does need to be addressed each window and we also need to have one eye on building sellable assets. That means younger players.
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Got a feeling we will be in for a showpiece attacking midfielder (as we have every year so far but not got one over the line!). Marmoush or Gibbs-White in, Wilson on a free, Mingueza on a free and a couple of clever signings to replace Mings and Kamara (Hackey maybe in midfield) would be a great window for me. Maybe a better winger than Wilson if funds allow.
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maybe he could get some form out of Calvin Phillips? We need cover at DM and he was excellent at Leeds.
Good God man! Have you lost your mind?
Ha! I can't remember the last time I heard Calvin Phillips' name mentioned, if fact I've probably heard David Batty's more recently and he's living on a farm as a recluse somewhere in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales.
I’m only chucking it out there as a cheap back up option. I got pelters for suggesting Clavert-Lewin last year, but he has proven a decent signing for Leeds. Obviously we also need more exciting signings too.
Thing is even with Champs league things will be tight on wages. We have two excellent DMs in Kanara and Onana but neither seems capable of staying available for more than half a season. We already have top drawer first teamers, Phillips under Emerys tutelage could be good cover.
Just yanking your chain, Ashton and he's not the worst suggestion I've read on here though I have been on here far longer than I care to remember. ;)
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Calvert-Lewin isn't a terrible striker but he would have been an awful fit for us.
Philips is a terrible midfielder, he was always overrated, a DM who didn't actually do very much defensively but could play a decent long pass, he wasn't fit enough and couldn't read the game well enough to ever be a regular in a good team. Bielsa briefly made him look good by building an entire team that did his running for him but I've never seen the appeal even when plenty of people were desperate for us to sign him.
Whilst we're on the subject of massively overrated English players I'll add Gordon to the list who would be a pub league player if he didn't have his pace and who has been sussed out completely this season.
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Bowen’s too old now for the kind of money we’d need to pay. I think we could realistically somebody younger, as good (maybe better) for less money.
Summerville or Mateus Fernandez 🤔
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I don't think we'd have to pay much for Bowen.
Bailey out, Bowen in would be a great upgrade. Wouldn't cost much I don't think.
We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
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We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
But which one? There's so many of them about.
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Not sure if this has been mentioned already, but there are suggestions around Jesús Rodríguez at Como - young 'pacy' winger.
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Bowen stinks of a Gregory/MON type signing, five years ago fine but no thanks right now.
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Bowen stinks of a Gregory/MON type signing, five years ago fine but no thanks right now.
Agree
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We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
But which one? There's so many of them about.
If we only sign one of Kane or Haaland I'm going to be pretty unimpressed by the club's so-called "ambition".
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Bowen, C-Phillips ... blimey, no thanks.
Hackney: overpriced by Boro.
Wham's Fernandes - has looked flaky recently.
Marmoush: unproven in the Premier League and probably on big wages.
A couple of freebies and a commitment to 2-3 of our youth players; plus 1 or 2 big signings: that's the summer business unless we lose Rogers or Martinez. If the former,goes, I'd love to see MGW come to Villa. If the latter goes, I think we'll see a foreign purchase (i e. not Trafford or Henderson).
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Marmoush: unproven in the Premier League and probably on big wages.
Just the £275k per week.
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Agree, Bowen is too old (same for Wilson as well).
26/27 is about as old as I'd be happy with this summer and I'd prefer a couple even younger than that because we do need to start thinking about the team after this one.
As I've said I think we need:
RB
CB
2 Wingers/10
Probably a midfielder.
Mingueza would be great and covers the first 2 meaning we can let Cisse have a year to see if he's ready to step up as well ( I like the look of him so I hope we give him a chance).
For the wings I liked the look of Víctor Muñoz who was linked last week, he looks like he could develop into the role McGinn plays really well and I'd love us to go for Osorio at Midtjylland who looks like he'd fit in really well int he premier league. Between them the fees would be about £50m which i think would be in our range this summer.
That leaves whatever we can scrape together to look for another option in midfield who will slowly replace Barkley. There's a few decent options about but it will be tough to get someone ready to step straight in unless we can free up £40-50m.
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Marmoush: unproven in the Premier League and probably on big wages.
Just the £275k per week.
Unbelievable !!!
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Bowen is 29 guys.
Come on.
He is absolutely not too old at all.
West Ham will be financially struggling.
He's not going to break the bank.
It would be an improvement over Bailey, that's all.
As for striker, Igor Thiago at Brentford would be an option. Pannichelli in the French league is 23 and just broke into the Argentina squad, Kaio Jorge in Brazil. Kroupi at Bournemouth. There are certainly options to look at. Don't bother replying with some shit reasoning about how Kroupi has only scored 13 when I said 30 because you're smart enough to understand that in a different team he could possibly score a lot more and he's only 19.
Point being, just because it might be hard to find, doesn't mean there's no point trying.
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I find it amazing you give Ollie pelters but you’re suggesting Thiago who looks an absolute cart horse. Yes, he can score penalties, but in a team who hasn’t had a penalty in over a year, he would be quite useless.
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Bowen stinks of a Gregory/MON type signing, five years ago fine but no thanks right now.
He’s not impressed me this season. Looks a yard off the pace. Whether that’s a dip in form, playing for a poor team or lost some pace, I’m not sure.
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Bowen stinks of a Gregory/MON type signing, five years ago fine but no thanks right now.
He’s not impressed me this season. Looks a yard off the pace. Whether that’s a dip in form, playing for a poor team or lost some pace, I’m not sure.
He was excellent against us earlier in the season but dreadful at Villa Park. He's definitely still a good player and likely will do well elsewhere but we need to lower the age profile of the squad.
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Still hoping Spurs go down, fair few decent players available if they do.
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I think we should channel our inner Emi right now.
They say that we might need to sell Morgan Rogers
GUESS WHAT? THEY WROOONNNNGGG!
They say that Emi Martinez might have to be sold.
GUESS WHAT? THEY WROOONNNNGGG!
They say that Tyrone Mings isn't good enough to play for the Villa.
THEY WROOONNNNGGG! THEY WROOONNNNGGG!
I'm a believer, mate.
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I find it amazing you give Ollie pelters but you’re suggesting Thiago who looks an absolute cart horse. Yes, he can score penalties, but in a team who hasn’t had a penalty in over a year, he would be quite useless.
So does Ollie? The difference is goals.
25 goals in 39 apps is why.
But the point is, striker is what I think we need.
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Bowen is a Gregory/Mon milk bottle signing. Hope we don't touch him with a barge pole.
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Thiago wouldn't be an awful signing as he's only turning 25 soon, but he's not some amazing upgrade on Ollie. Both have 14 league goals from open play.
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Thiago wouldn't be an awful signing as he's only turning 25 soon, but he's not some amazing upgrade on Ollie. Both have 14 league goals from open play.
And the thing is with the age profile of our squad we’re not going to “fix” everything this summer. We need to target the weakest areas first.
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Thiago wouldn't be an awful signing as he's only turning 25 soon, but he's not some amazing upgrade on Ollie. Both have 14 league goals from open play.
And the thing is with the age profile of our squad we’re not going to “fix” everything this summer. We need to target the weakest areas first.
Last two seasons he's got 36 goals combined. In 108 matches.
If you don't think that's a weak spot in our squad then I want some of what you're smoking. It's basically the last step to get us genuinely challenging for the title.
He was signed with the aim of staying in the Premier League. We are well beyond that stage now.
Time to raise the bar and get a top striker.
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We've got a top striker, mate.
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Wow, 2 days. I think you just don’t understand the game that well. Joint top 5 scorer in the Premier League and Europa League. That’s not a big weak spot.
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
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Back up to Cash, better than Bailey/Guessand and Sancho are more important for starters. A striker when we already have Ollie and Tammy isn't a priority.
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The only way Villa improve on Watkins is by being lucky with youth or a punt on a younger player that pays off. No way we can afford proven better scorers. We may well have that player already and will find out in two or three years. Wing, competition for right back and central defence are the priorities unless we sell and need to replace. That and dumping perma loan players for fees.
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Back up to Cash, better than Bailey/Guessand and Sancho are more important for starters. A striker when we already have Ollie and Tammy isn't a priority.
Yup. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love an up and coming star striker. But it’s not a priority versus other areas on the pitch.
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
Oh do get a grip. We're discussing transfer targets and where we think we should improve and it's totally relevant to the discussion.
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
Oh do get a grip. We're discussing transfer targets and where we think we should improve and it's totally relevant to the discussion.
As a general discussion point it might, but it’s your tired agenda people are bored with - especially at this time. Watkins has been outstanding last couple of months and has been essential to us achieving our aims. There are really obvious priorities above striker.
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The only way Villa improve on Watkins is by being lucky with youth or a punt on a younger player that pays off. No way we can afford proven better scorers. We may well have that player already and will find out in two or three years. Wing, competition for right back and central defence are the priorities unless we sell and need to replace. That and dumping perma loan players for fees.
Who are you thinking of there?
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Isn't Brian Madjo in our plans for the near future?
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Isn't Brian Madjo in our plans for the near future?
He’s eligible to play in 2035, I think
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Bowen is 29 guys.
Come on.
He is absolutely not too old at all.
West Ham will be financially struggling.
He's not going to break the bank.
It would be an improvement over Bailey, that's all.
As for striker, Igor Thiago at Brentford would be an option. Pannichelli in the French league is 23 and just broke into the Argentina squad, Kaio Jorge in Brazil. Kroupi at Bournemouth. There are certainly options to look at. Don't bother replying with some shit reasoning about how Kroupi has only scored 13 when I said 30 because you're smart enough to understand that in a different team he could possibly score a lot more and he's only 19.
Point being, just because it might be hard to find, doesn't mean there's no point trying.
He is too old for us when so many of our existing squad are in that same age group.
As for strikers Panichelli would be my choice but you seem to have missed that during that Argentina call up his tore his ACL and will be out until Christmas and is then likely to need a few months to recover. If he refinds his form then he absolutely should be a target for next summer though.
Next summer is also when I'd be seriously looking at that position, we have much bigger priorities this time round.
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
Oh do get a grip. We're discussing transfer targets and where we think we should improve and it's totally relevant to the discussion.
If you take away the penalties Thiago scores a similar amount to Ollie and he misses just as many chances, so I can’t see how he would improve us as he doesn’t offer the movement or pressing. I’ve watched him a lot since January and he hasn’t impressed me at all. I reckon he’d be another Malen or Tammy type signing who sits on the bench as he doesn’t fit in to our team.
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29 isn’t too old, but its too old to be committing most of our finite transfer funds.
I got ridiculed for this previously, but a mutually beneficial loan for Bowen could work. He gets his season in the sun, West Ham shed the wages whilst in the championship, we get his last season before his legs go without paying £40m. Burrowes, Young and Aloba develop in the background.
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Bowen would solve the problem right side position.
To kick on we are going to need to bring in a few ready made players.
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Bowen would solve the problem right side position.
To kick on we are going to need to bring in a few ready made players.
And in eight months time we'll be complaining that we've tied up so much money in another thirty year old with no re-sale value who is getting slower every passing month.
How about we spend the £40m or so he would cost on a ready-made 24 year old instead?
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
Oh do get a grip. We're discussing transfer targets and where we think we should improve and it's totally relevant to the discussion.
As a general discussion point it might, but it’s your tired agenda people are bored with - especially at this time. Watkins has been outstanding last couple of months and has been essential to us achieving our aims. There are really obvious priorities above striker.
So deal with it and take it as a general discussion point. You really need to accept some people have different opinions to you because it is entirely justified to discuss it in this thread when we're talking about transfers and where we could improve. It's not as if I bumped the thread to shit on him completely unprompted.
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Back up to Cash, better than Bailey/Guessand and Sancho ...
Cash => Tristan Rowe and Mingueza on a free.
Ahead of the RB => Victor Munoz and one of Alysson, Burrowes, Broggio and Young.
I agree with others that Watkins, Abraham and Brian (with Alysson also providing CF capability) is fine for our current needs.
Alternative LCB required, unless one of Cisse, Mosquera and Routh are ready to shadow Torres.
Then get an option in the Buendia role (if it's not JJA) and we're done.
If Digne leaves, we'll need another LB.
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
Oh do get a grip. We're discussing transfer targets and where we think we should improve and it's totally relevant to the discussion.
As a general discussion point it might, but it’s your tired agenda people are bored with - especially at this time. Watkins has been outstanding last couple of months and has been essential to us achieving our aims. There are really obvious priorities above striker.
So deal with it and take it as a general discussion point. You really need to accept some people have different opinions to you because it is entirely justified to discuss it in this thread when we're talking about transfers and where we could improve. It's not as if I bumped the thread to shit on him completely unprompted.
But everyone knows that short of a broken leg in the summer, Watkins will start next season as our first-choice striker. I imagine that had his early season form continued, we'd finished seventh and been knocked out by Forest then maybe a new striker would have been bumped up the list of priorities. But it didn't and we weren't.
In the end, he finished (assuming he's not playing tomorrow) on 19 goals, with a trophy and a top five finish. So his body of work for the season means he's still there next time.
So the discussion point is really just you complaining about reality.
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^ regarding your cover for LCB Bournemouth have been linked with Ousmane Diomande, plays in that position for Sporting, as a replacement for Senesi. Only 22 and very highly rated, has previously been linked to bigger clubs than Bournemouth.
He played an exquisite through ball to their left winger to smash it against the bar against Arsenal, so he’s got that in his locker.
Edit. In response to Mister E
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If Thiago has another 4 or 5 excellent Premier league seasons we can start thinking of whether he’s the same calibre as Ollie; the same Ollie who sits just behind Salah and Haaland as the most consistently effective attacking player in the league in recent years.
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^ regarding your cover for LCB Bournemouth have been linked with Ousmane Diomande, plays in that position for Sporting, as a replacement for Senesi. Only 22 and very highly rated, has previously been linked to bigger clubs than Bournemouth.
He played an exquisite through ball to their left winger to smash it against the bar against Arsenal, so he’s got that in his locker.
Edit. In response to Mister E
We should just follow Bournemouth around and buy whoever they want to buy.
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If Thiago has another 4 or 5 excellent Premier league seasons we can start thinking of whether he’s the same calibre as Ollie; the same Ollie who sits just behind Salah and Haaland as the most consistently effective attacking player in the league in recent years.
That’s not how transfers work though. If you think someone’s going to have four or five good seasons you buy them. You don’t sit watching them banging them in for Brentford and then buy a spent force. Unless you’re John Gregory.
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
Oh do get a grip. We're discussing transfer targets and where we think we should improve and it's totally relevant to the discussion.
As a general discussion point it might, but it’s your tired agenda people are bored with - especially at this time. Watkins has been outstanding last couple of months and has been essential to us achieving our aims. There are really obvious priorities above striker.
So deal with it and take it as a general discussion point. You really need to accept some people have different opinions to you because it is entirely justified to discuss it in this thread when we're talking about transfers and where we could improve. It's not as if I bumped the thread to shit on him completely unprompted.
Discussion point is fine, tired old rehash is tedious. Here’s my opinion, if you think replacing Watkins is our most pressing priority given we don’t have unlimited funds then you don’t understand the current limitations of the squad.
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Bowen would solve the problem right side position.
To kick on we are going to need to bring in a few ready made players.
And in eight months time we'll be complaining that we've tied up so much money in another thirty year old with no re-sale value who is getting slower every passing month.
How about we spend the £40m or so he would cost on a ready-made 24 year old instead?
If we can get a 24 year old as good as Bowen for that money, absolutely.
Of course the price for Bowenwould be the determining factor.
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Bowen is exactly the type of player to avoid. He won't be cheap as he's on a long contract, his wages will be high, his value will start to decrease the day he signs as he'd be 30 soon and he'll be starting to decline soon, if he isn't already.
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It would be a very unimaginative and unambitious signing.
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Bowen would solve the problem right side position.
To kick on we are going to need to bring in a few ready made players.
The right side position McGinn plays?
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He's also not that special anyway, meat and two veg.
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I really like Bowen. We shouldn't be signing him. Regretfully! - but it's the wrong move.
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Can I just point out regarding the new striker/ winning the league proposition, that the current champions managed it having spent £60m on a player not fit to lace Ollie's boots.
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Jarrod Bowen is 2-3 years too late for us - I'd rather keep McGinn in the team on the right side of the attacking midfielders.
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Can I just point out regarding the new striker/ winning the league proposition, that the current champions managed it having spent £60m on a player not fit to lace Ollie's boots.
Indeed. I would like to see us focusing on creating more good chances - and if that involves a challenger for Ollie, maybe that would be more of a false 9 sorta option.
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No chance you can win the league when your top scorer only has 14 league goals...
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Some don't seem to realise football has changed from the days of relying on a striker scoting 25 league goals a season.
Arsenal have won the league, could add the Champions league and reached the LC final and FAC QF.
These are numbers of their top scorers in all comps
21 (14 league)
11 (7 league)
11 (1 league)
10 (7 league)
8 (6 league)
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If Thiago has another 4 or 5 excellent Premier league seasons we can start thinking of whether he’s the same calibre as Ollie; the same Ollie who sits just behind Salah and Haaland as the most consistently effective attacking player in the league in recent years.
That’s not how transfers work though. If you think someone’s going to have four or five good seasons you buy them. You don’t sit watching them banging them in for Brentford and then buy a spent force. Unless you’re John Gregory.
True, but as it stands the fellow is way behind Ollie, but granted he has the youth and potential for greater improvement. We’ve missed the boat with him now, guessing Brentford would be wanting £70m or so.
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Weird feeling to be totally relaxed about transfer dealings, both in and out. Feels like we're in a real position of strength, but also probably just the afterglow of wednesday.
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Yeah, I'm taking a few days off from worrying about Villa. Maybe even a few weeks.
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Some don't seem to realise football has changed from the days of relying on a striker scoting 25 league goals a season.
Arsenal have won the league, could add the Champions league and reached the LC final and FAC QF.
These are numbers of their top scorers in all comps
21 (14 league)
11 (7 league)
11 (1 league)
10 (7 league)
8 (6 league)
Yep 4-5 people hitting double figures is just as valuable as 1 getting 30.
We've had the season we have because Ollie, SJM, Rogers and little Emi have all been a goal threat and Malen was previously.
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I don't think the squad needs much work. The priority has to be letting Bailey and Sancho go, and replacing them with one more consistent player.
The two strikers we have are fine and realistically we're not going to find any better with our current budget.
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Yeah, I'm taking a few days off from worrying about Villa. Maybe even a few weeks.
Yes! As much as I've enjoyed us getting top five and Europa League over the line...it's gonna be nice to not give a fuck for a while. Hard work.
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signing Bowen would be the equivalent of Danny Ings IMO
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signing Bowen would be the equivalent of Danny Ings IMO
Our new top goal scorer? Too old, too expensive, high wages and no resale value.
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If we're going to splurge, it should be on MGW. Other than that, hopefully some astute buys to strengthen our RB, RW and DM options. Another Lindelof type deal to give cover at CB wouldn't go amiss either (assuming Ty's on his way).
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Rashford would be a great singing. But I think his heart is at Barca
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I'd be looking at Rowe, Wilson and one of Rashford or Nic Jackson on loan to replace Rogers, Sancho and Elliot
Use the rest of the Rogers money on a CB, RB and GK sub 25 years old.
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If we're going to splurge, it should be on MGW. Other than that, hopefully some astute buys to strengthen our RB, RW and DM options. Another Lindelof type deal to give cover at CB wouldn't go amiss either (assuming Ty's on his way).
MGB would be an incredible addition.
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If we're going to splurge, it should be on MGW. Other than that, hopefully some astute buys to strengthen our RB, RW and DM options. Another Lindelof type deal to give cover at CB wouldn't go amiss either (assuming Ty's on his way).
Agreed if we’re selling Rogers I would definitely be looking at Gibbs-White
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I'd be looking at Rowe, Wilson and one of Rashford or Nic Jackson on loan to replace Rogers, Sancho and Elliot
I think in real terms, the Elliott replacement is Buendia, given he did the job that we'd theoretically signed Elliott to do and Buendia was expected to be out the door.
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signing Bowen would be the equivalent of Danny Ings IMO
Yep, I’d love to see more pace in our team and Bowen has none.
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If we're going to splurge, it should be on MGW. Other than that, hopefully some astute buys to strengthen our RB, RW and DM options. Another Lindelof type deal to give cover at CB wouldn't go amiss either (assuming Ty's on his way).
Agreed if we’re selling Rogers I would definitely be looking at Gibbs-White
Whoah, what's with this selling Rogers chat? I meant splurge using our increased CL budget, if it's sufficiently large.
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Yep, blimey we win a trophy and fans are selling our best players already.
That said, I reckon MGW will push for move now.
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I wouldn't be amazed if he still ends up at Tottenham, if they stay up.
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To be clear I don’t want Rogers to go, but it’s a possibility and in that event I would look at Gibbs-White
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What do folks think of Sarr from Palace as a winger?
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MGW would be a great addition. What we don't know though is what our budget will be so players like MGW could be very gettable or a pipe dream.
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Spurs triggered a clause last summer at £60m. Not sure what happened after that, but suspect MGW got a better deal and Forest increased the value of the clause. Selling Morgan for £80-100m and buying MGW for £60m does feel worth the risk given the balance would go to the accountants.
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MGB would be an incredible addition.
MGBGT would be even better!
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Fucking hell, has he started again less then 48hours after winning our first trophy in 30 years?
I know. I didn’t have much time to come on yesterday and popped into this one and we’re off again. Blimey
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What do folks think of Sarr from Palace as a winger?
I’d only sign him so he’d stop scoring against us. But then again I’m sure someone at Palace will replace his goals in our annual 3-0 defeat. Probably Guessand
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MGB would be an incredible addition.
MGBGT would be even better!
I agree!
Ffs, I’m so useless at typing on my damn phone. I really need to check before pressing post. 🤣
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Looks like Hayden Hackney will be available
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Can I just point out regarding the new striker/ winning the league proposition, that the current champions managed it having spent £60m on a player not fit to lace Ollie's boots.
Mam U spent 300m on 5-6 forward players in the last 2-3 years and none are as effective as Ollie.
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Looks like Hayden Hackney will be available
Unfortunately, Oli McBurnie won't be. We'll have to look elsewhere for our 30 goals a season striker.
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Looks like Hayden Hackney will be available
Unfortunately, Oli McBurnie won't be. We'll have to look elsewhere for our 30 goals a season striker.
😂
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What do folks think of Sarr from Palace as a winger?
No thanks. Plays well against us and not others so often.
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Just had a look and Sarr has got 9 goals this season, which is not too bad.
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He's a good player and he's absolutely rapid, which would be handy.
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What do folks think of Sarr from Palace as a winger?
Yeah, no.
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Rashford would be a great singing. But I think his heart is at Barca
Barca struggle to register players so expect that drama to be played out all summer. We should look elsewhere.
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Just had a look and Sarr has got 9 goals this season, which is not too bad.
20 in all competitions too. Would have been a decent signing when Gerrard decided he didn't want him.
Still think our hot new winger shouldn't be any older than 25 though.
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The Athletic article mentioned that Unai persuading Morgan to give us one more season. So it seems the whisperings have been happening for awhile.
Yes, it’s doing the rounds that Rogers is very much part of next season plans.
I think the fact that he has just bagged his first medal could play a big part.
It would be interesting to think what Emerys priority will be next season.
The story was for last summer that he persuaded that extra season which has just finished. Hopefully Morgz decides he likes it here now we have won something AND we are back in the CL but who knows.
Nope, this is about next season.
You sure? This was published at the end of last summer’s transfer window*.
*Which I marked 8.5/10 in the relevant thread, much to the merriment of other posters. Who’s laughing now?
I met a bloke in the Hotel bar in Istanbul, it’s good enough for me.
ITK? Brilliant if true.
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Nwaneri from Arsenal might be a shout - hardly plays these days, lots of potential there
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Sarr is clearly a good player and has had two very good consecutive seasons.
Getting good younger players is important, but just because he's 28, doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't be considering players like this who are proven at the top level.
I also think Senesi at Bournemouth is also very good, but he's 29, although available on a free transfer.
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I'd be surprised (and extremely disappointed) if we sell Rogers this summer.
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Getting good younger players is important, but just because he's 28, doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't be considering players like this who are proven at the top level.
As a general recruitment principle, I agree.
In our current situation with the oldest squad in the league, our current priority needs to be adding players who turn into our next Martinez / Watkins / McGinn who we get 5-7 years out of, not buying equivalents to those players.
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Sarr is clearly a good player and has had two very good consecutive seasons.
Getting good younger players is important, but just because he's 28, doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't be considering players like this who are proven at the top level.
I also think Senesi at Bournemouth is also very good, but he's 29, although available on a free transfer.
No, but the balance has to skew towards the younger side.
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Getting good younger players is important, but just because he's 28, doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't be considering players like this who are proven at the top level.
As a general recruitment principle, I agree.
In our current situation with the oldest squad in the league, our current priority needs to be adding players who turn into our next Martinez / Watkins / McGinn who we get 5-7 years out of, not buying equivalents to those players.
That’s reminded me of something I heard on a podcast the other day.
In praise of Frieberg and, I suppose, their long-term vision re: squad-building, the bloke on the pod was saying that their team/squad* had a collective length of service of nigh on 90 years. After it had finished I thought that maybe we can’t be far off.
*Can’t mind which, suppose it’s more impressive if he was just on about the first XI.
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Nwaneri from Arsenal might be a shout - hardly plays these days, lots of potential there
I think he was dropped at Marseille once they changed manager. Might be a manager thing rather than nwaneri but not a great endorsement given the quality of the league.
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Looks like Hayden Hackney will be available
Boro’s form since his sending off/injury has been shocking which suggests he has carried the team. Not entirely sure what sort of midfielder he is though.
We probably don’t need him this summer, but I fully expect him to be a top half PL player in a few years.
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What do folks think of Sarr from Palace as a winger?
Anyone that hates gay people can fuck off.
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Whatever we do we need to do it early so Unai downer have to deal with the crap he faced at the beginning of this season. Bit annoying there is a World Cup as that will inevitably delay developments
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Yeah I think it’s going to be the usual World Cup window of things being very slow (for any club shopping in that window) to start with.
Selling clubs with top level players will want to see what kind of World Cup they have so as to maximise the price they fetch, and players themselves probably won’t want the distraction.
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Just seen that Felix won Player of the Season in Saudi…
Another one that’s rejected is in the past is nico Williams. Still at bilbao and not made the predicted move to Barca. His stats not great for recent season though.
What chance we return to these players now our stock is high?
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Think we can chuck Felix in with Connor Gallagher, your loss lads.
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Just seen that Felix won Player of the Season in Saudi…
Another one that’s rejected is in the past is nico Williams. Still at bilbao and not made the predicted move to Barca. His stats not great for recent season though.
What chance we return to these players now our stock is high?
Williams is one year into a ten year, €320,000 per week contract with Bilbao.
We'll be spending more this summer than we did last, but I think those numbers are not what we're going to be talking about.
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Just seen that Felix won Player of the Season in Saudi…
Another one that’s rejected is in the past is nico Williams. Still at bilbao and not made the predicted move to Barca. His stats not great for recent season though.
What chance we return to these players now our stock is high?
Williams is one year into a ten year, €320,000 per week contract with Bilbao.
We'll be spending more this summer than we did last, but I think those numbers are not what we're going to be talking about.
yeah that's a £150mil deal just to get him out of that contract... frightening numbers. Never happening.
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Just seen that Felix won Player of the Season in Saudi…
I think most of us could win that one.
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How the hell do Bilbao afford that? The rest of the squad must be playing for a bag of chips and a pickled egg.
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How the hell do Bilbao afford that? The rest of the squad must be playing for a bag of chips and a pickled egg.
I thought that too
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Big support, one of the best youth developments in the world so they quite often make a profit on players, regular European football including Champions League this season.
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Looking at it, they're clearly well-run. Wages to turnover ratio of about 73%.
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Has anyone mentioned Freiburg number 44, Manzambi?
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We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
But which one? There's so many of them about.
The one Arsenal won the league with, obviously.
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We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
But which one? There's so many of them about.
The one Arsenal won the league with, obviously.
Ha ha in amongst Smirker’s usual agenda I missed him citing the top striker scoring 30 goals in the league. Yeah ok, loads of those readily available to us.
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There's no denying how poorly ollie was playing earlier in the season, but it appears that there were mitigating circumstances for this, including knee trouble. A mythical 30 goal a season striker is all well and good, but watkins' importance to how we play far exceeds goals scored, and there's a very real chance of us being a worse team with a more prolific striker who contributes less in general play.
I've also been really impressed with how his control has improved lately. Some really deft touches, compared to the toblerone feet i had (perhaps unfairly) labelled him.
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It's not unfair, we all know he has a terrible touch sometimes.
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there's a very real chance of us being a worse team with a more prolific striker
Well put.
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there's a very real chance of us being a worse team with a more prolific striker
Well put.
Yeah, it's a really good point. It's almost like football isn't just as simple as being 'black and white'.
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there's a very real chance of us being a worse team with a more prolific striker
Well put.
Yeah, it's a really good point. It's almost like football isn't just as simple as being 'black and white'.
And stats might not tell the whole story.
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
As Carragher says he needs 6 touches to control the ball.
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Bardell wants Curtis Jones, the silly fugger.
As Carragher says he needs 6 touches to control the ball.
He is very good at looking like a professional footballer until it comes to doing anything.
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We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
But which one? There's so many of them about.
The one Arsenal won the league with, obviously.
The one who scored more goals than Ollie? Just because it doesn't always happen doesn't mean it wouldn't be enough to get us over the line.
People actually arguing that more goals would make us a worse team is hilarious.
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We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
But which one? There's so many of them about.
The one Arsenal won the league with, obviously.
Ha ha in amongst Smirker’s usual agenda I missed him citing the top striker scoring 30 goals in the league. Yeah ok, loads of those readily available to us.
1. I didn't say that. Can you read?
2. They might be hard to find, doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
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Both have scored 14 league goals. Liverpool won the league with a CF that played every league game scoring 9.
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Edit: Ollie has more league goals.
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Both have scored 14 league goals. Liverpool won the league with a CF that played every league game scoring 9.
So you don't understand the concept of exceptions to rules then.
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More than you do modern football.
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More than you do modern football.
Yes because a team won the league once with a striker who scored 9 goals that must mean it happens every season and a 30 goal striker doesn't actually help you at all. I am PWS I am smart.
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Edit: 2 more
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Yep, needs replacing.
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He needs to stop scoring. He's making our team worse. More goals = worse team. Simple really.
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He's clearly a stone cold WUM. Just leave him to it.
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What an end to the season for Ollie
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He needs to stop scoring. He's making our team worse. More goals = worse team. Simple really.
If you bothered to read what i actually wrote, you'd know that wasn't the point i was making. It's incredibly tiresome, find something else to get hopelessly fixated about.
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We really are a very good side, three or four additions of quality and we will back up there again.
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Champions League football next season under a world class coach should be a big draw for many players. Going to be an interesting summer.
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Unai and Damian tapping up Silva
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At the risk of stating the obvious we really need to do some smart business this summer. We know UEFA have a real problem with Premier League dominance so we are going to have to be inventive and bullet proof.
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We only need one or two good windows to be title challengers.
There is a weakness to the Sky 6 that if we get it right is eminently exploitable.
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We only need one or two good windows to be title challengers.
There is a weakness to the Sky 6 that if we get it right is eminently exploitable.
If we get 2 or 3 first-team additions (not just squad numbers, but players who can play in the first 11, and do well, regularly), then I think all that's preventing us from challenging at the top this coming season is injuries. They happen, obviously, but if we can avoid anything beyond a week or two for our important players, we're already on the cusp of a title challenge.
Imagine a couple of signings having the same impact Rashford and Asensio had, and maybe one other. We'd be a force, certainly.
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Losing Duran, Rashford, Ramsey, Asensio and Malen in 12 months is too much. They really have performed miracles to overcome that this year.
But yes, we're not far away at all. Get the squad back to the standard it was 12 months ago and we'll be right up there next year.
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We only need one or two good windows to be title challengers.
There is a weakness to the Sky 6 that if we get it right is eminently exploitable.
If we get 2 or 3 first-team additions (not just squad numbers, but players who can play in the first 11, and do well, regularly), then I think all that's preventing us from challenging at the top this coming season is injuries. They happen, obviously, but if we can avoid anything beyond a week or two for our important players, we're already on the cusp of a title challenge.
Imagine a couple of signings having the same impact Rashford and Asensio had, and maybe one other. We'd be a force, certainly.
We started the season with a workable squad of about 24, and it quickly turned out that it was actually a squad of about 19.
If it were actually a squad of 22-24, all contributing then we'd be set.
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With Garcia showing he isn't the answer, anyone think Kayode at Brentford. Seemed to have done decently and brings the long throw option in from more then just Digne.
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Champions League football next season under a world class coach should be a big draw for many players. Going to be an interesting summer.
Not a better club if you’re a genuine world class youngster looking to make the next step. No idea who the payers are, but we should be at the top of their list.
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We simply have to get a top striker. If we get a 30 goals striker we are going to win the league.
But which one? There's so many of them about.
The one Arsenal won the league with, obviously.
Ha ha in amongst Smirker’s usual agenda I missed him citing the top striker scoring 30 goals in the league. Yeah ok, loads of those readily available to us.
1. I didn't say that. Can you read?
2. They might be hard to find, doesn't mean we shouldn't try.
I can’t really see the distinction, but perhaps I’m missing the nuance in your argument…
In any case, the bit you never seem to understand is that the goals are obviously really important but it’s much broader than that. The fact he’s scoring a good number of goals across the season is vital (spoiler he always does), but it’s his all round game that makes the team function.
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Champions League football next season under a world class coach should be a big draw for many players. Going to be an interesting summer.
Not a better club if you’re a genuine world class youngster looking to make the next step. No idea who the payers are, but we should be at the top of their list.
Absolutely this. We need to lower the average age, will offer plenty of matches with European football, can expect a few to leave (even if it’s just the loanees), so we should absolutely be shopping around that. 2-3 genuinely top notch youngsters (£20-30m bracket) and 2 slightly more established pros (£40-£50m bracket) and the squad will be in a very healthy position.
All the obvious candidates out should raise £75m and a free up some wages.
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I'd be surprised (and extremely disappointed) if we sell Rogers this summer.
Me too. Call me naive, but I prefer it when we don’t sell our best players to our direct competitors. And that’s exactly who Rogers would have to go to as nondescript clubs won’t be able to afford him.
Once again, BV and Dave being the voices of reason here.
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I reckon there are probably three of four in that West Ham sqaud that are decent but are being mismanaged / being brought down by the environment at the club.
Not sure which three or four, but wouldn't surprise me if a few ended up towards the upper part of the Premier League next season.
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With Garcia showing he isn't the answer, anyone think Kayode at Brentford. Seemed to have done decently and brings the long throw option in from more then just Digne.
He’s had a good season and appears to be one of the better players in that position. I’d think Brentford would be looking for around £30m for him, if that is the case would we be willing to spend that much? It may take a figure like that to provide genuine competition at right back as we’ve not cracked it yet with the players we’ve tried when taking a punt.
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absolutely pay £30mil for Kayode - without a doubt.... he's likely to want first team football guarantees, which, since Cash has improved in most areas, can we really offer him that?
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I reckon there are probably three of four in that West Ham sqaud that are decent but are being mismanaged / being brought down by the environment at the club.
Not sure which three or four, but wouldn't surprise me if a few ended up towards the upper part of the Premier League next season.
Fernandes and Bowen are the main ones, the Greek centre half has had a good season. Diouf will go as well, he needs some work defensively but is a threat going forward and Castellanos seems to have adapted well, scoring a few goals since coming in January.
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I reckon there are probably three of four in that West Ham sqaud that are decent but are being mismanaged / being brought down by the environment at the club.
Not sure which three or four, but wouldn't surprise me if a few ended up towards the upper part of the Premier League next season.
Bowen.
Wan-Bissaka.
Diouf.
Fernandes.
Summerville.
they're good players - it's too late for Bowen with us, 2 years too late.
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I reckon Bowen probably ends up at Spurs, and it turns out he's not as good when the team isn't built around him.
Scores five goals and finishes next season on the bench.
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in fairness to Garcia I thought everyone was a bit ropey first half ,but he has only played 7 games this season so not sure Unai thinks he is the answer
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I reckon there are probably three of four in that West Ham sqaud that are decent but are being mismanaged / being brought down by the environment at the club.
Not sure which three or four, but wouldn't surprise me if a few ended up towards the upper part of the Premier League next season.
Bowen.
Wan-Bissaka.
Diouf.
Fernandes.
Summerville.
they're good players - it's too late for Bowen with us, 2 years too late.
Yeah, I still think there'll be someone who is thought of as properly shit at the moment, who goes somewhere else and surprises everyone.
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With Garcia showing he isn't the answer, anyone think Kayode at Brentford. Seemed to have done decently and brings the long throw option in from more then just Digne.
Kayode and Diouf would look decent options to at least compete with our current fullbacks and (eventually) replace them.
Brentford tend to get top dollar for their players, mind. So for the fee they'd be looking at we'd be better served looking elsewhere.
Diouf has an impressive assists tally this season in a struggling side. But haven't seen enough of him to know whether he'd be suitable for our slowly slowly bait-and-switch from the back.
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in fairness to Garcia I thought everyone was a bit ropey first half ,but he has only played 7 games this season so not sure Unai thinks he is the answer
he's had a lot of injuries - he's missed 24 match-day squads - that doesn't allow him any momentum with training too - the guy needs to go and play games, which hopefully improves his fitness and output.
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I reckon there are probably three of four in that West Ham sqaud that are decent but are being mismanaged / being brought down by the environment at the club.
Not sure which three or four, but wouldn't surprise me if a few ended up towards the upper part of the Premier League next season.
Bowen.
Wan-Bissaka.
Diouf.
Fernandes.
Summerville.
they're good players - it's too late for Bowen with us, 2 years too late.
Yeah, I still think there'll be someone who is thought of as properly shit at the moment, who goes somewhere else and surprises everyone.
I’d take Mavrapanos off their hands but not sure I’d be interested in anyone else.
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Will the 3 teams that finished above us this season be looking to take any of the dross that got Wham relegated? I suspect not, and neither should we.
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With Garcia showing he isn't the answer, anyone think Kayode at Brentford. Seemed to have done decently and brings the long throw option in from more then just Digne.
Kayode and Diouf would look decent options to at least compete with our current fullbacks and (eventually) replace them.
Brentford tend to get top dollar for their players, mind. So for the fee they'd be looking at we'd be better served looking elsewhere.
Diouf has an impressive assists tally this season in a struggling side. But haven't seen enough of him to know whether he'd be suitable for our slowly slowly bait-and-switch from the back.
Diouf had a ridiculous amount of goal involvements last season in the Czech league as well.
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Morgan Gibbs White, Summerville, and pretty much any Bournemouth player would be a good window.
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Don't see Forest selling their captain.
Unless the player himself agitates for a move.
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Will the 3 teams that finished above us this season be looking to take any of the dross that got Wham relegated? I suspect not, and neither should we.
If they're good enough, they're good enough. Wijnaldum and Robertson to Liverpool spring to mind straight away.
I like Summerville and Flemming. We shouldn't be going anywhere near Bowen for obvious reasons.
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Will the 3 teams that finished above us this season be looking to take any of the dross that got Wham relegated? I suspect not, and neither should we.
If they're good enough, they're good enough. Wijnaldum and Robertson to Liverpool spring to mind straight away.
Youri springs even higher.
Also a good example of how a relegated player can even be coming off a poor season individually as well, and still come good in the right new environment.
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There are of course some exceptions and our hands are somewhat tied more than our direct competitors, but if we want this to be the start of something rather than our peak, we need to be thinking and operating with high ambition.
How do we close the 20 points gap on Arsenal? Not by signing players from relegated clubs, it’s a largely unimaginative and ineffective strategy.
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🚨 NEW: Harvey Barnes is among the players on Aston Villa’s list as they try to add pace to their attack.
@TomCollomosse
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There are of course some exceptions and our hands are somewhat tied more than our direct competitors, but if we want this to be the start of something rather than our peak, we need to be thinking and operating with high ambition.
How do we close the 25 point gap on Arsenal? Not by signing players from relegated clubs, it’s a largely unimaginative and ineffective strategy.
Well, depends. When a club like West Ham contrive to go down it's perfectly reasonable to see if certain good individuals you thought would carry too high an EPL-premium might suddenly be feasible prospects. But yes, just doing because that's what you gotta do would be unimaginative for sure (see Bowen, Jarrod).
🚨 NEW: Harvey Barnes is among the players on Aston Villa’s list as they try to add pace to their attack.
@TomCollomosse
The old Villa tradition of signing players who score against us. Wish we could've done this with Lampard mind.
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Don't see Forest selling their captain.
Unless the player himself agitates for a move.
Just missed out on the world cup squad so likely he will be agitating for a move and every prospective club will be aware of his release clause. Nearly went to Spurs last summer after all.
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🚨 NEW: Harvey Barnes is among the players on Aston Villa’s list as they try to add pace to their attack.
@TomCollomosse
Usually stars against us but I'd prefer to bring Ramsey back if we are doing business with them again. Newcastle are under pressure to sell players this summer and Howe is a bad start away from the sack next season.
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Not for me. Too injury-prone. Also turned Scotland down so fuck him.
Edit: that's for Barnes, though the first part also applies to Ramsey. Wouldn't be signing either.
Rashford and a bunch of cool young dudes from mad countries, please.
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There are of course some exceptions and our hands are somewhat tied more than our direct competitors, but if we want this to be the start of something rather than our peak, we need to be thinking and operating with high ambition.
How do we close the 20 points gap on Arsenal? Not by signing players from relegated clubs, it’s a largely unimaginative and ineffective strategy.
Roy Keane did ok at Man United? Theres lots of exceptions. Saw very little of Wolves or Burnley this season, that Wolves kid Mane gave Konsa lots of problems though and Joao Gomes is a fine midfielder.
Need to replace the loanees + Bailey, Barkley, Garcia with as per daft punk ...harder, better, faster, stronger. Won't be popular but I'd look to move on Mings, Digne, Onana, maybe Tammy sadly from a position of strength. No point trying to sell players when they are completely done.
We don't want to sell Martinez or Rogers but I'd expect Martinez is off with Trafford coming in.
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There are of course some exceptions and our hands are somewhat tied more than our direct competitors, but if we want this to be the start of something rather than our peak, we need to be thinking and operating with high ambition.
How do we close the 20 points gap on Arsenal? Not by signing players from relegated clubs, it’s a largely unimaginative and ineffective strategy.
Roy Keane did ok at Man United? Theres lots of exceptions. Saw very little of Wolves or Burnley this season, that Wolves kid Mane gave Konsa lots of problems though and Joao Gomes is a fine midfielder.
Need to replace the loanees + Bailey, Barkley, Garcia with as per daft punk ...harder, better, faster, stronger. Won't be popular but I'd look to move on Mings, Digne, Onana, maybe Tammy sadly from a position of strength. No point trying to sell players when they are completely done.
We don't want to sell Martinez or Rogers but I'd expect Martinez is off with Trafford coming in.
You can’t get rid of that many players in one go and that many senior players as well. Digne and Onana would really not be a good idea at this stage. Tammy depends, but doesn’t seem the most urgent area to look at.
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I would like players I’ve never heard of please.
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There are of course some exceptions and our hands are somewhat tied more than our direct competitors, but if we want this to be the start of something rather than our peak, we need to be thinking and operating with high ambition.
How do we close the 20 points gap on Arsenal? Not by signing players from relegated clubs, it’s a largely unimaginative and ineffective strategy.
Roy Keane did ok at Man United? Theres lots of exceptions. Saw very little of Wolves or Burnley this season, that Wolves kid Mane gave Konsa lots of problems though and Joao Gomes is a fine midfielder.
Need to replace the loanees + Bailey, Barkley, Garcia with as per daft punk ...harder, better, faster, stronger. Won't be popular but I'd look to move on Mings, Digne, Onana, maybe Tammy sadly from a position of strength. No point trying to sell players when they are completely done.
We don't want to sell Martinez or Rogers but I'd expect Martinez is off with Trafford coming in.
You can’t get rid of that many players in one go and that many senior players as well. Digne and Onana would really not be a good idea at ghost stage. Tammy depends, but doesn’t seem the most urgent area to look at.
Onana misses far too many games, unless that can be addressed then he's a liability. He was a liability on the pitch during our sticky spell too. Digne is 33 this summer, at some point we have to address the age profile of the squad. Finished the season strongly to be fair. Tammy, I was keen to bring him back and Emery was reportedly keen for some time but looks a poor fit. Maybe pre season is key there but Ollie after a WC this summer is surely going to be rotated more next season.
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Despite we've had two young right backs that have failed, with Cash playing as he is, we need to emulate Brighton/Bournemouth/Brentford and find a young rightback and develop them.
If we keep paying top dollar to the Bs, they will replace us in the CL.
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Sarr is clearly a good player and has had two very good consecutive seasons.
Getting good younger players is important, but just because he's 28, doesn't necessarily mean we shouldn't be considering players like this who are proven at the top level.
I also think Senesi at Bournemouth is also very good, but he's 29, although available on a free transfer.
Defenders age like wine, wingers like milk. Sarr and Wilson are 28 and have peaked. We need better and younger.
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Attacking positions. Attacking positions.
2, maybe 3 (if Rogers goes) signings in those attacking midfielder/no. 10 positions. Buendia’s resurgence has helped us out a bit because he’ll definitely get a new contract and will remain a key part next season. But Bailey and Sancho’s spots will both need to be upgraded by high quality incomings - at a minimum.
I think now West Ham have gone down we’d be front of the queue for Bowen. Him, plus a youngster (Mbaye at PSG links won’t go away and he would be next level), would be a good balance of a “win now” player vs a high potential project to bring the age down.
Wilson still might come in too, especially on a free. Having some higher quality rotation options that can help us win PL games between champions league Tuesdays will be helpful.
Then the age-old RB/RCB hybrid we’ve been looking for for years.
Other than that I think that’ll be us… we still don’t have the ability to go to town in the way that some people want to. Feel like if we are sitting here in 12 months time with consecutive years of CL football, that would give us the scope to do the big “regeneration” of the squad.
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Villa looked at signing Kayode a few seasons ago , so should have got it when he was cheap. I remember an italian expert raving about him on an Villa podcast at the time , and I was excited...
oh well...
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Villa looked at signing Kayode a few seasons ago , so should have got it when he was cheap. I remember an italian expert raving about him on an Villa podcast at the time , and I was excited...
oh well...
Yes, I think I remember that too.
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Villa looked at signing Kayode a few seasons ago , so should have got it when he was cheap. I remember an italian expert raving about him on an Villa podcast at the time , and I was excited...
oh well...
He was highly rated, I was surprised at the low fee when he went there.Good player, but we need to be signing these players for buttons from Europe not once they've played over here and doubled in price.
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Bowen and Neto would do it for me.
Also don't think Rogers will go/be allowed to go. He is Emery's golden child and I just cannot see him willing to part with him no matter the cost.
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Bowen and Neto would do it for me.
Also don't think Rogers will go/be allowed to go. He is Emery's golden child and I just cannot see him willing to part with him no matter the cost.
I'd take Neto but wouldn't touch Bowen.
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Bowen is they type to move to somwhere like Palace, do well for a while leading to some insisting we should have signed as he then starts a steady decline becoming a benchwarmer Palace really want to get off the wages.
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No to Bowen add Wilson from me, too. It’s not currently a crisis, but we do need to address the age profile of the squad
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I just think the big “average age rebuild” will come next summer not this one. Got the budget freedom this year to a) keep all our best players bar a silly 100m+ Rogers bid and b) add some immediate quality to go all in for top 4 and deep CL run next year.
Hence why I think it’ll be more like 2-3 players in that 24-28 age range. Emery will want to repeat this season and really cement ourselves.
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I'll take a fast, reliable, winger who contributes regularly, right-back competition for Cash, left-centre back competition for Pau, and possibly another forward if Unai isn't convinced about Tammy.
It would be nice to find a young prospect in the McGinn mould who can develop over the next two years, but who knows where we'll find them...
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🚨 NEW: Harvey Barnes is among the players on Aston Villa’s list as they try to add pace to their attack.
@TomCollomosse
This one seems to have been doing the rounds for years - he's a good player.
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🚨 NEW: Harvey Barnes is among the players on Aston Villa’s list as they try to add pace to their attack.
@TomCollomosse
This one seems to have been doing the rounds for years - he's a good player.
He's also good off the ball. In terms of pressing and putting in the boring work. He's certainly decent, but he'd be expensive. They paid almost £40m, and I don't think he's got any cheaper in the last 3 years.
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I just don't see it with Barnes at all, he's a decent finisher and is pretty quick but his all round game is perfectly suited to what he is, which is a rotation option at a mid-table team. Given he'll be 29 this year I just don't see any appeal at all and I honestly don't think he'd get mentioned on here if he hadn't scored a few against us.
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I just don't see it with Barnes at all, he's a decent finisher and is pretty quick but his all round game is perfectly suited to what he is, which is a rotation option at a mid-table team. Given he'll be 29 this year I just don't see any appeal at all and I honestly don't think he'd get mentioned on here if he hadn't scored a few against us.
I tend to agree - he seems to save his best for us
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Barnes strikes me as the type of player who hits a streak of scoring and you go, “I’d forgotten about him”, but the reason is when he’s not scoring he does barely anything.
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Yeah wouldn't be sold on Barnes at all. The sort of player you remember being good about 3 seasons ago but not much since. Hoping we've other options on the go, but if unai wants someone, I suppose he may have just built up a small bit of credit in the bank
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I read Chelsea need to find £150m before the end of June so a strategic offer for one of their massive squad might be wise; and we are one of few clubs that might tempt the players.
They’ve an abundance of CBs and wingers but identifying which are actually good is not easy.
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The thing we have to also account for over the summer is just because a player doesn’t do it at club x doesn’t mean he cannot do it for us/Emery in our system. What we need this window and January are players who are in the 23-25 range who will ultimately displace our tried and trusted. I don’t mind Barnes, but getting players with a Premier League price premium in our position doesn’t strike me as the best option unless they are coming at a bit of a discount due to the other club needing to sell. We need a mix of that but also adopt the Brighton, Bournemouth model of finding really excellent talent outside of the PL that are magically PL ready.
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I read Chelsea need to find £150m before the end of June so a strategic offer for one of their massive squad might be wise; and we are one of few clubs that might tempt the players.
They’ve an abundance of CBs and wingers but identifying which are actually good is not easy.
Neto please
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If we have to sacrifice some of our established older players on high wages I'd hate to think the money would be spent on players like Barnes. Tough decisions to be made this summer but Barnes is an easy one. No thanks.
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I would like players I’ve never heard of please.
Exactly. This is why we have scouts. Otherwise, Olabe and co' might just as well use this thread to make their shortlist.
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The Bs are prepared to throw players into the teams and allow them to develop/drown. Not sure our fan base is equally accommodating.
The middle ground might be re-thinking how we use of the loan system, think Arsenal with Saliba and possibly Brighton wth Mitoma, where chunky amounts of money are invested but the return is not expected for a season (or two) further down the line.
(Mainly in response to Toronto’s comment above).
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Not for me. Too injury-prone. Also turned Scotland down so fuck him.
Edit: that's for Barnes, though the first part also applies to Ramsey. Wouldn't be signing either.
Rashford and a bunch of cool young dudes wingers from mad countries, please.
FTFY
Also agree with SE that we should prioritise players that I haven’t got a clue who they are, but they turn out to be shit hot.
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I don’t mind a couple of players I’ve heard of, but they need to be a higher level than Barnes. But we need some younger “finds” as well.
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I read Chelsea need to find £150m before the end of June so a strategic offer for one of their massive squad might be wise; and we are one of few clubs that might tempt the players.
They’ve an abundance of CBs and wingers but identifying which are actually good is not easy.
Neto please
Thats the player I immediately thought of too. He ca play both left and right wing and is lightening quick, so ticks lots of boxes.
I read he turned 26 in March so still young enough to have sell-on value. Would be low risk if the money was right - for me that’s about £45m.
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I read Chelsea need to find £150m before the end of June so a strategic offer for one of their massive squad might be wise; and we are one of few clubs that might tempt the players.
They’ve an abundance of CBs and wingers but identifying which are actually good is not easy.
Neto please
Neto is a lazy disruptive ******.
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Scienza at Southampton might be worth a punt after the Spygate fiasco.
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I'd be surprised (and extremely disappointed) if we sell Rogers this summer.
He's won a trophy and we are in the Champions League so not sure why he would want to leave? And will be even more flabbergasted if the Club sold him.
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Think Alysson was supposed to be part of the answer on the wing - but he seems to be injured all the time. Bowen and Barnes are not long-term solutions, just too old and wage demands will be high. It will be very interesting to see what Olabe comes up with, we have to get it right this summer.
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Scores plenty though, 16 goals in 57 games! Didn't see much of Newcastle this season, was he on pens? He caused us problems even back in the championship with West Brom. His issue is Bowen and Wilson will be available too, similar profile and Wilson is free.
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I'm sure I read recently that Barnes had played more minutes than anyone for Newcastle this season, so the bit part player suggested further up doesn't really hold weight.
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It’s a no to pointy face from me.
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Spending £40m+ wages on 28 year old Barnes is poor value, even though he would be a decent player.
You might as well spend £0+ wages on Harry Wilson who is a similar age, and a better player.
If we're signing players in their late 20s, they have to be free/cheap or gamechangers.
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I’d take Bernardo Silva on a free over Barnes.
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I read Chelsea need to find £150m before the end of June so a strategic offer for one of their massive squad might be wise; and we are one of few clubs that might tempt the players.
They’ve an abundance of CBs and wingers but identifying which are actually good is not easy.
Neto please
Neto is a lazy disruptive ******.
I'm really confused at him being labelled as 'lazy'. One of his attributes is being hard working, he always looks like he puts a shift in to me. It's his goals and assists that haven't been high enough.
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Think Alysson was supposed to be part of the answer on the wing - but he seems to be injured all the time. Bowen and Barnes are not long-term solutions, just too old and wage demands will be high. It will be very interesting to see what Olabe comes up with, we have to get it right this summer.
Must be settling issues with Alysson too, a new player shouldn't be injured that often! Had a couple of decent cameos, huge pre season for him. Emery tends to make his mind up quickly on players, even new signings.
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Spending £40m+ wages on 28 year old Barnes is poor value, even though he would be a decent player.
You might as well spend £0+ wages on Harry Wilson who is a similar age, and a better player.
If we're signing players in their late 20s, they have to be free/cheap or gamechangers.
I suspect the Barnes link might be a bit of a red herring, or just a warning to Wilson’s representatives that there are other options and not to take the piss on expected wages if he wants to sign for us as a Champions League team.
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I don’t mind a couple of players I’ve heard of, but they need to be a higher level than Barnes. But we need some younger “finds” as well.
100% agree on raising the level. The Premier League as a whole is raising the level every season, we need to do it just to stand still. Hopefully we won't have to overpay players to join us, being part of this team should be the main reason to join, not wages. If money is your main driver, probably best look elsewhere. Lower the base salary and stack the incentives.
As for 'finds', we can but hope and now Monchi has gone hopefully we won't be overpaying for them or their agents. Even with all our prize money we'll still need to be very careful with our spending and think hard about who we sell. It's going to be a massive summer both for the credibility of our scouts and accountants.
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I read Chelsea need to find £150m before the end of June so a strategic offer for one of their massive squad might be wise; and we are one of few clubs that might tempt the players.
They’ve an abundance of CBs and wingers but identifying which are actually good is not easy.
Neto please
Neto is a lazy disruptive ******.
I'm really confused at him being labelled as 'lazy'. One of his attributes is being hard working, he always looks like he puts a shift in to me. It's his goals and assists that haven't been high enough.
10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions is very good, considering he’s only played 24 full matches. Neto would be perfect, but let’s be realistic — it’s never going to happen because he signed a 7-year contract.
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Emi Buendia will enter the final 12 months of his contract this summer, with discussions yet to take place over a new contract. They are scheduled, however, alongside negotiations to extend other players, such as Ezri Konsa & Youri Tielemans, once June 30, the end of the financial year, has passed.
@J_Tanswell
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Barnes is a very decent player. I’d take him but not for the sort of money they would want.
Also doubt they’d sell him and Anthony Gordon in the same window.
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Bernardo Silva and Oscar Mingueza on Free transfers would be superb bits of business.
I suspect we will play the long game on Rashford too.
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It’s a no to pointy face from me.
Yeah, his nose annoys me in a way it didn't with Albrighton.
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When can we start signing players ? Is it June 1st?
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Neto isn't lazy at all - his end product is hit and miss, then again so are most wide players - I don't want him, he's a bit if a sulker.
Barnes and Bowen would be the type of signings I'd expect us to make if MON was the manager
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I saw the stupidest suggestion on TikTok - Ben White.
As if someone who doesn't like football, and doesn't do his homework is going to be a fit for a Unai Emery team.
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I read Chelsea need to find £150m before the end of June so a strategic offer for one of their massive squad might be wise; and we are one of few clubs that might tempt the players.
They’ve an abundance of CBs and wingers but identifying which are actually good is not easy.
Neto please
Neto is a lazy disruptive ******.
I'm really confused at him being labelled as 'lazy'. One of his attributes is being hard working, he always looks like he puts a shift in to me. It's his goals and assists that haven't been high enough.
10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions is very good, considering he’s only played 24 full matches. Neto would be perfect, but let’s be realistic — it’s never going to happen because he signed a 7-year contract.
That is a bit better than I thought. I like him whenever I have watched him.
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Bernardo Silva and Oscar Mingueza on Free transfers would be superb bits of business.
Silva is most likely heading to Spain to either, Atletico, Barca or Madrid. It will happen before teams head out for the World Cup.
I've just read that Everton are throwing money at Mingueza. He'd be a fool to go there. A rich fool but still a fool.
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Theres been a lot of noise for a fair amount of time about that young Danish forward at Newcastle. Bit of a rough diamond it seems. If we went down that route, it hints at Tammy going maybe.
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Theres been a lot of noise for a fair amount of time about that young Danish forward at Newcastle. Bit of a rough diamond it seems. If we went down that route, it hints at Tammy going maybe.
We would have signed Osula last summer, except the sale of Ramsey to them made it look like a swap deal under UEFA rules.
I think we've probably missed out, as he looks to be ahead of Woltemade and Wissa.
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Love these rules where we can't buy and sell to a rival Premier League club, but Man City and Chelsea can do it with their B teams.
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The annual quest for an understudy to Matty Cash begins soon.
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I'm sure I read recently that Barnes had played more minutes than anyone for Newcastle this season, so the bit part player suggested further up doesn't really hold weight.
Barnes played in the most premier league matches but only started 19 of his 37. Thiaw played slightly over 50% more minutes.
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Despite we've had two young right backs that have failed, with Cash playing as he is, we need to emulate Brighton/Bournemouth/Brentford and find a young rightback and develop them.
If we keep paying top dollar to the Bs, they will replace us in the CL.
Tristan Rowe ....
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When can we start signing players ? Is it June 1st?
You can sign players whenever you want, it’s more about when they can be registered.
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Window opens 15th June, closes 11pm 1st September.
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I'm sure I read recently that Barnes had played more minutes than anyone for Newcastle this season, so the bit part player suggested further up doesn't really hold weight.
Barnes played in the most premier league matches but only started 19 of his 37. Thiaw played slightly over 50% more minutes.
His goal scoring stats for Leicester were good in the Pl and 21 in only 46 starts for Newcastle and 6 CL goals last year.He would be a useful addition but probably we would get a younger talented winger from Spain for a similar fee.
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When can we start signing players ? Is it June 1st?
This is what it feels like isn’t it, supporting a team that actually _does things_. Actually looking forward to a new season.
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Fatawa at Leicester was a well regarded RW. Worth a gamble? Still only 20 I think.
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The new Super John McGinn
Why are there no links to him?
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I thought that Vitor Muñoz looked like a faster version of McGinniesta.
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On what dates are the João Felix links going to appear?
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As I've said a few times I'd like us to be looking at Dario Osorio. He's available for about £15m this summer and will almost certainly end up in the premier league.
Decent with both feet, plenty of pace (especially over the first 10 yards) decent shot, cross and pass and great technical ability. He's one I could see going to somewhere like Everton (as he's been linked to them recently) having a good 18months and then being back on the market for £50m+. For the sort of fee we'd be looking at it's well worth a gamble. His record in Europe is pretty good so his stats aren't just being padded by playing in Denmark.
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Looking at the Villa tradition of buying from relegated teams
West Ham
I know Bowen is the obvious link, should have got him when he moved from Hull but 29 now. Would not mind us going for Wan Bissaka as competitio for Cash, would not be expensive and would suit Emerys system. Fernandes looks decent.
Wolves
Slim pickings. Joao Gomes might be good competition in midfield and only 25.
Burnley
Nothing really.
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Wan Bissaka - good grief no.
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Looking at the Villa tradition of buying from relegated teams
West Ham
I know Bowen is the obvious link, should have got him when he moved from Hull but 29 now. Would not mind us going for Wan Bissaka as competitio for Cash, would not be expensive and would suit Emerys system. Fernandes looks decent.
Wolves
Slim pickings. Joao Gomes might be good competition in midfield and only 25.
Burnley
Nothing really.
Who is that 19 year old at wolves? Looked shit hot during their good spell in Feb/Mar
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Wan-Bissaka is weirdly overrated, every time he has a decent game there's suddenly some weird collective amnesia where the 8-9 really average games get forgotten and he's suddenly being talked about for England again.
The biggest problem being that he can't pass, you'd expect pass completion stats of 80-90% for a full back (slightly lower for more attacking players) but Wan-Bissaka, as one of the most defensive fullbacks in the league, struggles to get 75%. He'd be an absolutely horrific fit for a team that plays the ball around baiting the press as much as we do.
Fernandes is decent but back-to-back relegations for teams who got overrun in midfield isn't a great look, I'd let someone else take that gamble.
Joao Gomes isn't good enough, probably decent as a midtable player but he's not at the level we should be shopping, same with all of the Wolves squad really. Mane is their best player but he probably needs a year or 2 in the championship anyway.
Burnleys best player is probably the Brazilian lad at left back but even he is a bottom-half of the league sort of player at best.
I wouldn't be looking at signing anyone from any of them.
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Who is that 19 year old at wolves? Looked shit hot during their good spell in Feb/Mar
I assume you mean Mane who I mentioned, he's definitely the most interesting option there but he's nowhere near the level of players like Rogers, Buendia and McGinn he'd be coming in to compete with and won't be for a while. I think I'd rather take the gamble on one of our own kids making the jump than give them the sort of fee they'll be after.
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Looking at Transfermarkt’s contract dates, we will need to be busy this summer.
Players entering final 12 months:
Bizot, Lindelof, Mings, Buendia, Bailey, Barkley.
Players entering last 2 years:
Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Watkins, Torres, Konsa, Bogarde.
I know there was some confusion around Barkley, but it currently shows 2027.
So that’s thirteen players potentially needing replacing, moved on, new contracts agreed, etc.
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Wan Bissaka - good grief no.
Ha ha, I agree. Whenever his name is mentioned I do wonder what they are seeing.
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New contracts for Buendia, Torres, Konsa, Tielemans and Watkins are highly likely in the next few months (but nothing will happen before the end of June). I suspect extensions for McGinn and Bogarde as well and probably Bizot. So that's 8 of them likely to be on new deals by Christmas. So 3 players to replace in the next 12 months and 2 more after that. This does highlight though that CB is the big area we need to look at because all of our central defenders are on that list and both Mings and Lindelof are old enough that we might not want to renew them.
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Wan Bissaka - good grief no.
Ha ha, I agree. Whenever his name is mentioned I do wonder what they are seeing.
He’s just very limited. He can tackle well, but we need so much more from our full backs. He’s terrible going forward.
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The new Super John McGinn
Why are there no links to him?
Definitely looks like an Emery prospect. I remember SJM saying that every manager until Emery told him to move the ball quickly. This fella loves to get control and draw players in.
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Wan Bissaka - good grief no.
Ha ha, I agree. Whenever his name is mentioned I do wonder what they are seeing.
Reckon that Wan-Bissaka back to Palace and Munoz going to wherever Glasner ends up has to be the most nailed-on pair of summer transfers you could dream up.
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Where do we think Glasner is ending up? I reckon Chelsea or Leverkusen. Maybe one of the Italian fallen giants like AC.
Edit: And the same question for Irola I suppose. Will he raid Bournemouth dry?
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Where do we think Glasner is ending up? I reckon Chelsea or Leverkusen. Maybe one of the Italian fallen giants like AC.
I reckon Chelsea is pretty unlikely.
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AC Monza too.
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The only West Ham player I like the look of is Mavropanos. Bowen is too old.
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The only West Ham player I like the look of is Mavropanos. Bowen is too old.
I think Mavropanos strikes me as a classic looks great in a team who’s under the pump. That’s not to say he’s not a solid centre-back but not convinced he’d work where we want to be.
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The only West Ham player I like the look of is Mavropanos. Bowen is too old.
I think Mavropanos strikes me as a classic looks great in a team who’s under the pump. That’s not to say he’s not a solid centre-back but not convinced he’d work where we want to be.
West Ham fan at work rates him, but says he already committed to join …?? Another club.
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I'd only be interested in Bowen on loan from West Ham from what I've seen
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Wan Bissaka - good grief no.
Reckon we would be begging for Konsa or even Carlos Cuellar to return to right back if AWB joined. He's absolutely useless and then some. That's on the ball, defensively he has no positional sense. Constantly gets caught on back post.
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Wan Bissaka - good grief no.
Ha ha, I agree. Whenever his name is mentioned I do wonder what they are seeing.
He’s just very limited. He can tackle well, but we need so much more from our full backs. He’s terrible going forward.
Emery tends to have the right back sit back and defend mostly, that's why I think he'd be decent enough cover for Cash.
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Wan Bissaka - good grief no.
Ha ha, I agree. Whenever his name is mentioned I do wonder what they are seeing.
He’s just very limited. He can tackle well, but we need so much more from our full backs. He’s terrible going forward.
Emery tends to have the right back sit back and defend mostly, that's why I think he'd be decent enough cover for Cash.
He’s good one v one but not particularly at any of the other bits of defending. Someone else said earlier, he’s useless on the ball so would be an absolute liability in our bait the press approach.
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Free transfers are another we have played well in recent years.
Wilson has been heavily linked - and would be a useful signing in a position we need.
Konate, Mingueza, Bissouma and Vlahovic would all improve the squad.
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The other clubs we may have leverage with are Chelsea and Newcastle who will be up against it with FFP (I know we are also, but surely we are a bit better off now).
I could see us going for Jackson (worked with Emery and did pretty well first season at Chelsea). Delap could be a decent signing. Kellyman back? At Newcastle I could see us back in for Osula (although I suspect the price has increased), or Barnes. Bid for Guimaraes? Or take Ramsey back?
Spurs wierdly wont be in much trouble with FFP, they make a lot of money so I doubt there will be a fire sale now they have escaped relegation.
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I had a dream, well nightmare, that Jan Bednarek returned.
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One, two, Jan is coming for you…
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I would go all out and try get schade. Young, has Pl experience massive potential and under emery he could be phenomenal
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I would go all out and try get schade. Young, has Pl experience massive potential and under emery he could be phenomenal
Brentford are under no pressure to sell so likely to be a premium attached. A pundit was saying he’s likely to be their next star at the beginning of last season.
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Schade is a no from me, if anything he's gone backwards last season, he's a lot like Harvey Barnes in that he quick and has decent finish but offers very little in games where he doesn't score. To be that sort of player and be deserving of a move to a champions league team you really need to be getting up around 20 goals a season.
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I would go all out and try get schade. Young, has Pl experience massive potential and under emery he could be phenomenal
I'm a bugger for nostalgia but Ashley was pretty average last time he came back. Let him do his shit punditry, time to see if his son makes it as a top-level player.
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I would go all out and try get schade. Young, has Pl experience massive potential and under emery he could be phenomenal
I'm a bugger for nostalgia but Ashley was pretty average last time he came back. Let him do his shit punditry, time to see if his son makes it as a top-level player.
He was good at RB under Emery 2nd half of that season
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Free transfers are another we have played well in recent years.
Wilson has been heavily linked - and would be a useful signing in a position we need.
Konate, Mingueza, Bissouma and Vlahovic would all improve the squad.
Agree with Wilson, think on a free he’d be a decent signing … think he’s a decent player and under Unai could become a more than decent squad option. Not exactly a long term solution, but I don’t think he needs to be.
Currently I think a looks-good-in-a-mid-table-side type player is a good option for that kind of Emi role where they’re not in the first XI but will probably rack up a good number of appearances through squad rotation and replacing tired legs on the 60-70min mark. He’ll sort us out for the next 3 seasons or so, and hopefully by that point we’ll be shopping in Waitrose rather than Tesco for our squad players. (With all due respect to Fulham, who have been instrumental in our recent success and have nothing but good vibes & respect for … I’d hope really for them that players like him would see that it’s better being a star at Fulham than a squad player at a Chumps league club … but that’s not how football works right now, and so given that I want it to be us that benefits!)
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I expect if Wilson comes in (and I think he will), he'll be the attacking version of what Barkley gives us in the middle.
And if he starts some games and brings his mid-season Fulham form with him, then he'll start to become an important part of the first team, just as it should be.
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I expect if Wilson comes in (and I think he will), he'll be the attacking version of what Barkley gives us in the middle.
And if he starts some games and brings his mid-season Fulham form with him, then he'll start to become an important part of the first team, just as it should be.
Yeah that's a really good way of putting it - winger version of the Barkley signing.
Rotational option in the attacking 3, good enough to start in Premier League games against the bottom half of the table (especially useful after the Champions League games where we'll be full strength) - allows us to keep SJM fresh for the big games as he can't do 2 x 90 minutes a week now. Good technically and seems a smart player to implement Unai's system.
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I would go all out and try get schade. Young, has Pl experience massive potential and under emery he could be phenomenal
I'm a bugger for nostalgia but Ashley was pretty average last time he came back. Let him do his shit punditry, time to see if his son makes it as a top-level player.
Oh eamonn you’re a top teaser….😂
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I expect if Wilson comes in (and I think he will), he'll be the attacking version of what Barkley gives us in the middle.
And if he starts some games and brings his mid-season Fulham form with him, then he'll start to become an important part of the first team, just as it should be.
Probably would compete with Barkley for minutes at 10 too. With McGinn at the world cup over the summer, group stages anyway, imperative we get in someone strong to play on the right for 20+ games. Drop off to Guessand and Sancho last season was horrendous when McGinn was out. Not sure Wilson is that player but he's hit the form of his career just as his contract was running down.
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Probably would compete with Barkley for minutes at 10 too. With McGinn at the world cup over the summer, group stages anyway, imperative we get in someone strong to play on the right for 20+ games. Drop off to Guessand and Sancho last season was horrendous when McGinn was out. Not sure Wilson is that player but he's hit the form of his career just as his contract was running down.
Yeah, the possibility that they're doing a Hendrie is always going to be there when they hit form just as they are looking for a contract somewhere.
Hopefully as a player who has spent nearly a decade around lower-table, he's also going to be motivated by one last crack towards the top of the league though.
If we sign him, obvs.
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Is it just me who thinks Wilson is decidedly meh. He's had the season of his life this year but it was really just a very purple patch in the middle of the season. He’s also not quick, which is what we really need.
Did he get dropped at the end of the season as well - my fpl points would suggest he did! 😂.
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I'd be looking to get anyone that's good and free, just about, considering our financial restrictions and squad age. Emery gets the best out of them generally.
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Is it just me who thinks Wilson is decidedly meh. He's had the season of his life this year but it was really just a very purple patch in the middle of the season. He’s also not quick, which is what we really need.
Did he get dropped at the end of the season as well - my fpl points would suggest he did! 😂.
Agree, it is a bad idea to buy on the basis of one outstanding season, see Solanke.
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I think it’s different signing a free transfer to bolster the squad and spending £50m plus to be your main striker. The level of expectation is quite different.
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🚨 NEW: Harvey Barnes would be keen on a move to Aston Villa if a deal could be progressed, though the price tag could prove tricky.
@mjmarr_star
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His goal of the season was delicious, mind you. Was that with his weaker foot too?
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Who does Barnes replace? He’s a left winger isn’t he?
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I would hope we've learned our lesson with Harveys. We're not a Harvey club. Harveys feel like a Blues thing to me.
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I think it’s different signing a free transfer to bolster the squad and spending £50m plus to be your main striker. The level of expectation is quite different.
They are never really free though. I expect Wilson will have 3 or 4 year contracts offered to him this summer. Fair play to him but if we are trying to lower the age profile of the squad it's not really a deal we should be keen on. To be fair I don't think with Wilson he's a one season wonder ala Guessand or even Elanga, Wilson always had the technical ability just seemed lightweight and a bit meh for years.
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I like Barnes. Has some very Jimmy Milner work all day long feel about him.
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Barnes replaces Sancho. Which, honestly, does feel like an upgrade.
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Not as much of an upgrade as Rashford, and with a worse injury record and not offering additional cover up front. Boo I want Rashford.
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Not as much of an upgrade as Rashford, and with a worse injury record and not offering additional cover up front. Boo I want Rashford.
I agree. Rashford and Asensio is a lot sexier than Barnes and Wilson.
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I love Rashford but I don't want a pining-for-Barca Rashford.
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I think it’s different signing a free transfer to bolster the squad and spending £50m plus to be your main striker. The level of expectation is quite different.
They are never really free though. I expect Wilson will have 3 or 4 year contracts offered to him this summer. Fair play to him but if we are trying to lower the age profile of the squad it's not really a deal we should be keen on. To be fair I don't think with Wilson he's a one season wonder ala Guessand or even Elanga, Wilson always had the technical ability just seemed lightweight and a bit meh for years.
No I know they’re not free. My point was more around the “one good season” argument is quite different when you’re talking about a squad player, who might have elevated wages, but you pay no fee for versus someone you’re spending a big fee on (+ wages) with the intention of being your main striker. The risk is far greater on the latter.
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I still maintain that unless it's someone really exciting (i.e Rashford) then our new winger should be 25-26 years old, maximum.
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No to Wilson, no to Barned I want an exciting speedy Spanish wide player
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I still maintain that unless it's someone really exciting (i.e Rashford) then our new winger should be 25-26 years old, maximum.
Agreed.
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No to Wilson, no to Barned I want an exciting speedy Spanish wide player
I think Jota has retired.
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I love Rashford but I don't want a pining-for-Barca Rashford.
Apparently his nose has got bigger out there too.
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A few links today to Gabriel Sarra (ex Norwich playing for Galatasaray) - seem to remember being linked to him last window as well so maybe something in it.
Also links to Rowe from Bologna, again one we have been linked with previously and have scouted (also ex Norwich).
I quite like Barnes, and think he would be an upgrade on Sancho. The £40M that has been suggested feels a tad too much though.
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Didn't Barnes have the chance to join us and opted to go to Newcastle?
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I love Rashford but I don't want a pining-for-Barca Rashford.
Pining-for-Man-U Rashford was pretty good, so hopefully it would be fine.
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I would go all out and try get schade.
I like him - he's a smooth operator.
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NO.
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With Garcia showing he isn't the answer, anyone think Kayode at Brentford. Seemed to have done decently and brings the long throw option in from more then just Digne.
Whenever I hear or see that name I keep thinking of Roadrunner.
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With Garcia showing he isn't the answer, anyone think Kayode at Brentford. Seemed to have done decently and brings the long throw option in from more then just Digne.
Whenever I hear or see that name I keep thinking of Roadrunner.
me me too
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That was actually not bad. But still, NO.
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That was actually not bad. But still, NO.
is there an alternative list I can go on ??
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I would go all out and try get schade.
I like him - he's a smooth operator.
Hope we can sign Freude as well.
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That was actually not bad. But still, NO.
is there an alternative list I can go on ??
You're already on about five.
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https://x.com/i/status/2059289479102267858
Malen to Roma confirmed £21.6m (€25m) fee.
15 goals for them in 20 games in Serie A. Roma probably tjink they've won the lottery at thst price.
Surely we could have expected a higher fee if he was for sale in an 'open market"?
We did ourselves up like kippers with that loan to buy deal.
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I love Rashford but I don't want a pining-for-Barca Rashford.
Pining-for-Man-U Rashford was pretty good, so hopefully it would be fine.
Wasn't it more playing-to-impress-Barca?
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I would go all out and try get schade.
I like him - he's a smooth operator.
In this weather everyone is looking for a bit of schade.
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https://x.com/i/status/2059289479102267858
Malen to Roma confirmed £21.6m (€25m) fee.
15 goals for them in 20 games in Serie A. Roma probably tjink they've won the lottery at thst price.
Surely we could have expected a higher fee if he was for sale in an 'open market"?
We did ourselves up like kippers with that loan to buy deal.
That's the chance you take. If he had gone there and struggled or done his ACL and there was no buy obligation, we would be getting sod all for him on the open market and everyone on here would be moaning about how much FFP/PCR/RSPCA/YMCA money he was using up.
I don't think it was too bad a deal based on what we knew at the time, my only complaint was selling him before the Everton game as we didn't yet have a replacement, but it worked out fine in the end.
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https://x.com/i/status/2059289479102267858
Malen to Roma confirmed £21.6m (€25m) fee.
15 goals for them in 20 games in Serie A. Roma probably tjink they've won the lottery at thst price.
Surely we could have expected a higher fee if he was for sale in an 'open market"?
We did ourselves up like kippers with that loan to buy deal.
And if he had 5 from 20 but they still got into the conditions for purchase? When you do these deals there is no guarantee that the price is too high or too low until the season is finished and he could easily have only got 5 goals as 15, especially as the former figures is normal for him. Only once in his career has he ever had a scoring run like that before at the top level and that was 5 seasons ago in arguably a poorer league.
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Good points, just wondering if we could have been a little more creative/subtle/ greedy in the deal we negotiated. I doubt for one minute anybody thought hpthat Maken would become Roy of the Romas, but perhaps we should have put a couple of extra clauses in to cover that possibility.
Anyway, he's gone. We've got some money in the bank.
Elliott and Sancho can go back to their clubs.
Guesand can join Palacdcand hopefully we can find somebody (anybody) to take Bailey off our hands.
I think that we've seen the last of Dougie too.
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I would hope we've learned our lesson with Harveys. We're not a Harvey club. Harveys feel like a Blues thing to me.
Bristol, surely.
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🚨 NEW: Joe Gomez has emerged as a potential target for Aston Villa.
@MailSport
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🚨 NEW: Joe Gomez is shit
@everyonesane
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🚨 NEW: Joe Gomez is shit
@everyonesane
Hopefully on the list that is in the event of all of our others defenders getting struck by lightening.
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That is a move that makes no sense to him either. He’d be moving to get game time and he’d end up not materially better off there.
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🚨 NEW: Joe Gomez is shit
@everyonesane
Contract expires next season, a cheap right sided CB who can also play RB is what Unai has been after for some time. Under £12 million....??
Can't say I love him but under Emery....who knows.
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He's cheap because he's injury prone and not very good imo. And given our track record of injuries, signing a player like him has disaster written all over it.
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I would go all out and try get schade.
I like him - he's a smooth operator.
Hope we can sign Freude as well.
That would please me.
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Isn’t it mandatory that Joe Gomez is linked with us?
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I’m hoping the links to Barnes and Gomez are largely fairly lazy, because the age profile versus their relative quality just doesn’t make sense.
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Isn’t it mandatory that Joe Gomez is linked with us?
Jo Gomez, Jao Felix, Ferran Torres, every summer, all summer.
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I would hope we've learned our lesson with Harveys. We're not a Harvey club. Harveys feel like a Blues thing to me.
Stick two fingers up at him.
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It seems we are being linked with players that can play right back and centre back. We know Emery has been looking for a player like this for the squad - hence dissasi on loan.
Joe Gomez is not a bad squad player, has regularly played 20 gmes or more a season for a decade at Liverpool, and picked up plenty of silverware doing so. For the right price it fixes a problem.
Also seen us linked with Gertruida again, who has just had a good season on loan at Sunderland - similar profile player.
Neither would be exciting signings, but both would be able to cover Cash better than Bogarde has or Disasi did.
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Isn’t it mandatory that Joe Gomez is linked with us?
Jo Gomez, Jao Felix, Ferran Torres, every summer, all summer.
Where is Felix
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Gomez has been injury prone and dire under 2 Liverpool managers - 1 very good, 1 OK.
I wouldnt touch him unless early summer signing smd Emery agrees early summer
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Isn’t it mandatory that Joe Gomez is linked with us?
Jo Gomez, Jao Felix, Ferran Torres, every summer, all summer.
Where is Felix
Someone popped him out a bit earlier, through the patio door, he hasn’t come home yet yet.
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Just get Óscar Mingueza sorted to put an end to these shite player rumours.
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Just get Óscar Mingueza sorted to put an end to these shite player rumours.
Seconded.
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I still maintain that unless it's someone really exciting (i.e Rashford) then our new winger should be 25-26 years old, maximum.
Agreed.
Double agreed. Barnes is an ordinary player and adds to our ageing team problem.
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Barnes replaces Sancho. Which, honestly, does feel like an upgrade.
Very unfair comparison. The lamp post at the front of my house will do better than Sancho.
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Gomez, Barnes, Wilson, Bowen. It's as though Gregory and MON are still in charge.
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Gomez, Barnes, Wilson, Bowen. It's as though Gregory and MON are still in charge.
Indeed. I can handle Wilson on a free but if those were our signings it’d be very shortsighted. Fortunately I suspect they won’t be.
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Rashford's only 28! I thought he was about 40! He'd be a more inspiring signing than the ones on PWS's list... But probably a little over budget.
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Ibrahim Mbaye for €40M according to rumours. PSG teenager. First goal was from an Asencio assist.
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Bidding war for Rogers imminent according to Talk Sport. Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea. £80m up to £100m.
They’ve won a cup for Villa so they’ll always have a special place in our history, but seeing him playing corner ball or ponce about in a red shirt up north would be pretty sour.
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Unless there is either a really desperate need to sell or there is a release clause I can’t see why we’d consider £80m, given the prices being talked about for the likes of Anderson and Gordon.
I definitely wouldn’t sell, but if we did I would only consider £100m +.
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Ah now this is my kind of transfer nonsense, “According to Spotsboom (who?) Emery is keen to sign Jason Sancho permanently if a deal can be reached…”
That’s got more plot holes than your average Marvel film nonsense!
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Ah now this is my kind of transfer nonsense, “According to Spotsboom (who?) Emery is keen to sign Jason Sancho permanently if a deal can be reached…”
That’s got more plot holes than your average Marvel film nonsense!
We should never have let Kylie Walker go.
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Ah now this is my kind of transfer nonsense, “According to Spotsboom (who?) Emery is keen to sign Jason Sancho permanently if a deal can be reached…”
That’s got more plot holes than your average Marvel film nonsense!
We should never have let Kylie Walker go.
That's a good post, especially for you.
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Ah now this is my kind of transfer nonsense, “According to Spotsboom (who?) Emery is keen to sign Jason Sancho permanently if a deal can be reached…”
That’s got more plot holes than your average Marvel film nonsense!
Is that the is evil Twin who went missing in an Aeroplane crash, but can tackle ?
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I definitely wouldn’t sell, but if we did I would only condo £100m +.
That would make things feel a bit flat.
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I definitely wouldn’t sell, but if we did I would only condo £100m +.
That would make things feel a bit flat.
Yes, I just saw that back. Interesting autocorrect!
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Unless there is either a really desperate need to sell or there is a release clause I can’t see why we’d consider £80m, given the prices being talked about for the likes of Anderson and Gordon.
I definitely wouldn’t sell, but if we did I would only consider £100m +.
I don't want us to sell him either, as much to make a point to the linked clubs and the sycophantic press as anything else. Having said that, if we did take £100m I don't think it would be anywhere near as damaging as when Grealish left. Rogers is terrible as often as he is brilliant, and will be knackered at the start of next season having been a near ever present this year and then a world cup. If we gor someone decent in and added some depth elsewhere it might even improve us overall. Caveat being that we actually spend the money well.
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Unless there is either a really desperate need to sell or there is a release clause I can’t see why we’d consider £80m, given the prices being talked about for the likes of Anderson and Gordon.
I definitely wouldn’t sell, but if we did I would only consider £100m +.
I don't want us to sell him either, as much to make a point to the linked clubs and the sycophantic press as anything else. Having said that, if we did take £100m I don't think it would be anywhere near as damaging as when Grealish left. Rogers is terrible as often as he is brilliant, and will be knackered at the start of next season having been a near ever present this year and then a world cup. If we gor someone decent in and added some depth elsewhere it might even improve us overall. Caveat being that we actually spend the money well.
Yep, it would be a different kettle of fish.
I would like him to stay to a few more seasons and develop that consistency and keep improving. But, if someone came and offered £100m for him, we could do a lot of good with that and strengthen in several areas.
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There is no sense in selling Rogers unless we have to which I don’t think we do.
And we have form in avoiding selling our best players even when we need to balance the books.
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Agreed, unless we have to then we shouldn't be considering selling Rogers this summer - we have a team to build around, not to reconstruct.
Also, why do we always seem to undervalue what our players would fetch? Caicedo went for £115 million last year. Forest want £120 million+ for Anderson - in that world there is no way Rogers should be going for any less than either of those two.
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We may not have to sell him for compliance reasons, but we may have to sell him if we want to invest heavily next season. It will be a balancing act and a tough decision for Emery and his team.
His contract length and not being forced to sell for compliance would put us in a very strong position. A strong position will get you a lot more money from a club that wants him, and that extra money could mean Emery getting other players he wants.
If Emery feels what we can invest already will get him what he needs, I am sure we will resist selling him. But if he feels we need more investment, and he can make it work without Rogers, then I fully expect us to sell for as much as we can get.
The good thing is, it should be a football decision based on what gets us in the best position for next season.
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Christ listening to Talksport (i know ) they are desperate for us to sell him to 1 of the 6
No question of why he would want to stay , arrogant ignorant arseholes
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I know we've joked about Emery never dropping Rogers, but I saw a stat at the weekend which stated that Sunday's game was the first game Morgan has missed since January 2025... and that was only to serve a suspension!
Rogers is key cog in Emery's machine - It's not going to be cheap for ANY club to prise him away from us, especially if he shines at the World Cup (*and the fee will need to take into account Boro's sell on fee).
So we either keep a young, extremely talented footballer, or we pocket a substantial amount of cash.
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It may not be as impactful as Grealish given the relative strength in the squad, but the idea Rogers wouldn’t be a huge loss is crazy. He makes mistakes, but it’s because he is pretty much always trying to create and take the attacking option - which within the structure of our team is essential. He doesn’t hide and he persists, and produces incredible results.
Make no mistake selling him would be a big blow, he would be so hard to replace. My point was more if we choose to sell it has to be massive money. £80m is way undervalue for such a creative player.
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It may not be as impactful as Grealish given the relative strength in the squad, but the idea Rogers wouldn’t be a huge loss is crazy. He makes mistakes, but it’s because he is pretty much always trying to create and take the attacking option - which within the structure of our team is essential. He doesn’t hide and he persists, and produces incredible results.
Make no mistake selling him would be a big blow, he would be so hard to replace. My point was more if we choose to sell it has to be massive money. £80m is way undervalue for such a creative player.
Agreed. For us to even blink, it needs to be a number higher than the Grealish figures.
Me personally, I'd point blank tell everyone to eff off - He's ours.
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We may not have to sell him for compliance reasons, but we may have to sell him if we want to invest heavily next season. It will be a balancing act and a tough decision for Emery and his team.
His contract length and not being forced to sell for compliance would put us in a very strong position. A strong position will get you a lot more money from a club that wants him, and that extra money could mean Emery getting other players he wants.
If Emery feels what we can invest already will get him what he needs, I am sure we will resist selling him. But if he feels we need more investment, and he can make it work without Rogers, then I fully expect us to sell for as much as we can get.
The good thing is, it should be a football decision based on what gets us in the best position for next season.
Yeah, similar to Emi last summer (only to be foiled), Duran in 2025 and Douglas Luiz in 2024 - it could be that we think right now is his peak value and we're confident turning £80m (which is, on the reported numbers, I assume what we would get after Boro had taken their cut) into three more Rogerses.
I don't think he'd be angling to leave, I don't think we'd be angling to sell - but there's definitely a number where it's sensible for everyone.
I still think that he leaves if he has a spectacular World Cup and that means he leaves for well over £100m. If he doesn't, he probably stays with us because the clubs who could afford Rogers money will want to buy whichever other player had the spectacular World Cup.
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The big question will be what does Rogers himself want?
Maybe the Man U and Liverpool players at the World Cup will turn his head with all the medals they've won this season?
Or the Chelsea players will paint a rosy picture of not being bothered by pesky european teams next season? Spurs players could ignite the passion in his soul with tales of derring-do and relegation escapes!
Man City and Arsenal players can talk hard, cold cash and medals of course.
And what young player wouldn't want a choice between playing for a plastic-headed Mysteron or an EFL Championship-winning manager / failed Chelsea boss?
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Given that Emery clearly (by the amount he plays) believes he’s our most important player, along with Bouba, I doubt he’ll have any interest in selling him. ‘If’ we have to sell a key player again, after the periphery goes-Malen, Guessand, Elliot, Sancho, possibly Tammy etc, then big Emi would probably be sold first.
So I think it will be down to the player as much as anything. If him and his advisors agitate for a move, it is what it is. Why we’d consider selling to one of our direct rivals for the league next year in Arsenal and Man Utd, I wouldn’t be able to fathom. Why he’d want to go to Chelsea, equally unfathomable.
If it turns out Rogers does want to go, sell him to someone abroad.
Otherwise keep, he’s integral.
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The big question will be what does Rogers himself want?
Maybe the Man U and Liverpool players at the World Cup will turn his head with all the medals they've won this season?
Or the Chelsea players will paint a rosy picture of not being bothered by pesky european teams next season? Spurs players could ignite the passion in his soul with tales of derring-do and relegation escapes!
Man City and Arsenal players can talk hard, cold cash and medals of course.
And what young player wouldn't want a choice between playing for a plastic-headed Mysteron or an EFL Championship-winning manager / failed Chelsea boss?
Given Bayern are looking at supposedly spending £80m on Anthony Gordon, I can't see why they're not looking at adding another £20m and testing us for Rogers.
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Sell Rogers? No. Just no.
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I say sell him unless we are willing to pull out all the stops and sign a player called Jolly.
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Could we get Wharton out of Palace as eventual Tielemans replacement and Guessand going other way? Higher club profile likely to get Wharton further up the England reckoning.
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I like Wharton, but they'd want a large fee on top of Guessand.
And it's one of those things where it's worth remembering that other countries produce a lot more good players than the UK on its own, and that, given the premium, it might be worth not trying to beat the Revenue Six at their own game (buying up the best of the league at prices only they can afford) and trying to outwit them with better-value signings from The Abroad, à la Brighton.
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Could we get Wharton out of Palace as eventual Tielemans replacement and Guessand going other way? Higher club profile likely to get Wharton further up the England reckoning.
Don't really see it. If we end up breaking our transfer record this summer (which is what it would take), it'll be for somebody to immediately come in and be a first-choice pick.
And while he's very good, he probably doesn't have a place in our first-choice midfield at the moment.
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In terms of important players.
I'd say our most important are Kamara and Torres (we can't play the same way with either out), followed by McGinn, Martinez and Watkins and Rogers.
The most easy to replace is Martinez (not to the same standard but to a good standard), the most difficult is Watkins (proven strikers with his output are out of our budget). Rogers is a good player, but is dire as often as brilliant. We could replace him.
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Haven't read Balague's book but is there something in it about Unai persuading Rogers to stay another year (last summer)? Since then, he's been booed by Villa fans, had 3 months of world-class form and has changed representation. I assume he wants to leave.
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Not sure if that was in the book, but it was in the Tanswell article the other day.
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Yeah I have def heard it. I am not sure if he wants to leave etc but that it probably has to be the case. He raises 60 - 80m profit - don’t see any of our other assets doing that.
Except maybe konsa and youri - but a smaller market for them
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Yeah I have def heard it. I am not sure if he wants to leave etc but that it probably has to be the case. He raises 60 - 80m profit - don’t see any of our other assets doing that.
Except maybe konsa and youri - but a smaller market for them
I'm not sure the market would be smaller for them - loads of teams would be interested in spending £50m (?) on a really good international centre-back / creative midfielder.
I think the market for a £100m attacking midfielder is no more than three or four sides. And I think those that could spend it would probably be looking at taking advantage of Palmer's situation at Chelsea before they came to us for Rogers.
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Yeah I have def heard it. I am not sure if he wants to leave etc but that it probably has to be the case. He raises 60 - 80m profit - don’t see any of our other assets doing that.
Except maybe konsa and youri - but a smaller market for them
I'm not sure the market would be smaller for them - loads of teams would be interested in spending £50m (?) on a really good international centre-back / creative midfielder.
I think the market for a £100m attacking midfielder is no more than three or four sides. And I think those that could spend it would probably be looking at taking advantage of Palmer's situation at Chelsea before they came to us for Rogers.
Which would no doubt, however ridiculous it seems in footballing terms, just replace the successful suitor in that case with Chelsea themselves.
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This is what puzzles me, Palmer iswill want to play European football and for all the attraction of playing and being coached by Alonso I’m convinced someone could get him out of Chelsea.
On Rogers, I could be convinced that it’s worth selling him if the offer is right but that figure is well north of £100m imv to make it financially stack up for us. I’m not convinced he wants to leave despite the rumblings, he’s already playing for one of the world’s top coaches, we’re in the top 4 already and we’re playing CL football next year. I get that he could get considerably improved wages ie £350k a week if he went to Manchester or London but if he’s patient there’s no reason to think that another year of progress at Villa wouldn’t see us starting to pay those type of wages anyway.
Also will people stop worrying about Villa players being tapped up for England. We’ve got three players there who’ll be tapping up others to come to the mighty Villa.
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What I will say regarding that reported conversation between Emery and Rogers last year is that the outlook has changed significantly since, he's just won a major trophy and will be in the Champions League next season and the genius he plays for and who has effectively strapped a jet pack to his career clearly thinks the world of him.
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The trouble is we would want two or three players to replace Rogers to make it worth taking the money. Transfer fee, that would be fine. But we would be fucked on wages unless we bring in a load of players who are, at best, massive gambles. And if they turn out to be good... they will eventually want massive salaries too so we are fucked either way.
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If we want to expand our global audience then we need to keep players like Morgan Rogers & add a few more like him. Especially after he has a spectacular World Cup.
It would take a stupid amount of money to tempt us to sell, £120m+.
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If we want to expand our global audience then we need to keep players like Morgan Rogers & add a few more like him. Especially after he has a spectacular World Cup.
It would take a stupid amount of money to tempt us to sell, £120m+.
Too right, when you see the fees banded about for plodders like Anderson or Gordon.
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His talent and potential for developing further is one thing when considering his value, but his availability adds just as much.
He's never injured and has the work rate of a plough horse.
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This is what puzzles me, Palmer iswill want to play European football and for all the attraction of playing and being coached by Alonso I’m convinced someone could get him out of Chelsea.
On Rogers, I could be convinced that it’s worth selling him if the offer is right but that figure is well north of £100m imv to make it financially stack up for us. I’m not convinced he wants to leave despite the rumblings, he’s already playing for one of the world’s top coaches, we’re in the top 4 already and we’re playing CL football next year. I get that he could get considerably improved wages ie £350k a week if he went to Manchester or London but if he’s patient there’s no reason to think that another year of progress at Villa wouldn’t see us starting to pay those type of wages anyway.
Also will people stop worrying about Villa players being tapped up for England. We’ve got three players there who’ll be tapping up others to come to the mighty Villa.
Palmer will go to Man U I reckon as replacement for Fernades. Does leave Chelsea with a gap but that's a basket case club. Liverpool would need to shift at least couple to make room for Rogers but think Gakpo and new kid won't be that. Forwards aren't their priority looking at their defence.
Leaves Arsenal again they'd need to be moving Trossard and Oedegard, even Eze on. Could happen.
Other option is European Enormoclub - not sure which one could afford him and have him as priority other than Real Madrid.
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If Rogers we’re to go, I’d love us to be interested in Mitoma.
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If Rogers we’re to go, I’d love us to be interested in Mitoma.
29 and played about 25 games last season.
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If Rogers we’re to go, I’d love us to be interested in Mitoma.
29 and played about 25 games last season.
Yep and he's out injured until maybe October.
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I would shocked if hes still here next season. (obviously I would be over the moon).
My understanding of all the FFP stuff is we need to sell again - and we also need to strengthen the squad in a number of positions - so i think he will go. There has been rumours around him all seasons, combine with the "one more season comment", and the change of representative I think hell go.
I think the big clubs will want him and can offer him silly money. I dont think that any of the them would worry about who they would need to sell until after it has happened.
I dont think he desperate to move on or anything - but it just seems a natural thing to happen.
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If we want to expand our global audience then we need to keep players like Morgan Rogers & add a few more like him. Especially after he has a spectacular World Cup.
It would take a stupid amount of money to tempt us to sell, £120m+.
That's my view as well.
From Morgan's POV, he's only 23, living close to his family, developing under one of the best manages in the world, and has Champions League football and a World Cup to look forward to. I can't see why you'd want to move with most of the other 'top' clubs in a state of flux. It's different to e.g. MGW, who's at Forest and can feel hard done by to miss the World Cup.
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If Rogers we’re to go, I’d love us to be interested in Mitoma.
29 and played about 25 games last season.
Yep and he's out injured until maybe October.
Yes that would make no sense. Mitoma is a good player, but very much on the downward curve.
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If I was Rogers i'd stay at Villa unless someone stupid like Real Madrid make an offer.
He's making WC squads, won a trophy, has CL football and is a 1st team regular. Will he even be a regular if he moves further up the food chain as there's not currently that many clubs above us. I'd stay at least one more season and see just what is capable under Unai.
And that's me trying think as a footballer rather than a Villa fan.
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I think now we're in the CL, the calculation changes with regard to Rogers.
We don't have a necessity to sell at 80m, I imagine it would need an offer of over 100 to seriously get us to consider it, with 5 years left on his contract. If we do look like we can get that money, then fair enough.
I think we're now more likely to see other high-wage players moved on in order to fix any compliance issues - such as Martinez or Digne, along with Bailey etc. Our main issue is SCR and therefore the wage bill & operating costs is the key thing to think about - less so transfer spend.
If we'd not made CL clearly we'd have to have shifted him for whatever we could get as a counterweight to the loss of revenue, but I don't think the pressure is there now. From a risk/reward perspective, I think the club will aim to keep the squad together and go all out for consecutive CL qualification which would really be a game-changer in terms of our ability to spend long-term.
The reward of keeping our best players together for one more year outweighs the risk IMO - Morgan's value will still be high in 12 month's time in the event that we do need to sell him in order to raise the funds.
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I think the big clubs will want him and can offer him silly money. I dont think that any of the them would worry about who they would need to sell until after it has happened.
There are probably five or six clubs in the world that could afford him and he'd plausibly be interested in moving to I reckon - but I'd be a lot more concerned if any of them had a gaping, Rogers-shaped hole in their squad. But I don't think any of them do.
Or at the very least, when they're throwing silly money around in the summer there are far more obvious gaps in their squad to throw it at.
Liverpool spent £300m on their attack last summer and now have massive holes in their central midfield and defence. Man City likewise - they seem pretty happy with Haaland / Doku / Cherki / Foden / Semenyo, but barely have a central midfield anymore. Man Utd could be a problem, but again - full-back and central midfield is the problem. Arsenal - even adding Eze last summer felt a bit like adding someone just because it was nice to have rather than because they needed someone there. He's playing about a third of their games, is adding Rogers to that really sustainable?
Edit - given all the above needs for central midfielders, I think I'd be more worried about a £60m bid coming in for Tielemans from Liverpool / Man City / Man Utd than a £100m bid for Rogers.
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The thing with all these comments is that I don't think anyone is wrong.
It's all going to come down to what Rogers and Emery want, and then potentially how much one of a small number of clubs is prepared to offer.
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Added Eze and Madueke whilst keeping Trossard and Martinelli and can also play Havertz in the SS/10 roles as well. So yes can't see the major need there.
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Maybe the Man U and Liverpool players at the World Cup will turn his head with all the medals they've won this season?
There's only Mainoo from those teams. Maybe this will be the difference. Villa's opportunity to tap up some players.
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I dont think Rogers is going. If he does I'd want MGW as his replacement.
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I’m in the he’s off camp. There’s a reason why he doesn’t get the loudest songs from us supporters, never really warmed to him and I suspect he sees us as part of the journey rather than the destination.
Hope he stays, but I assume if he’s off the fee will need to be substantial, I believe there’s a sell on clause to pay out too?
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Maybe the Man U and Liverpool players at the World Cup will turn his head with all the medals they've won this season?
There's only Mainoo from those teams. Maybe this will be the difference. Villa's opportunity to tap up some players.
*looks*
Oh, dear. :D
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I dont think Rogers is going. If he does I'd want MGW as his replacement.
Wouldn’t get much change out of that transaction. But , yes he’d be a more than adequate replacement
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I’m in the he’s off camp. There’s a reason why he doesn’t get the loudest songs from us supporters, never really warmed to him and I suspect he sees us as part of the journey rather than the destination.
Hope he stays, but I assume if he’s off the fee will need to be substantial, I believe there’s a sell on clause to pay out too?
Really? Wow.
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I don't think there's quite the fan connection with him that is with so many other players. It's more admiration and love for ability rather than him.
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I've thought for ages that he'll be sold this summer and I still think he will. I just hope it's to Bayern or PSG, rather than the usual suspects, and that we get somebody equally as good but for much less money (sounds simple, but obvs is mega hard).
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Well, if Anthony Gordon goes to Barcelona maybe Bayern will look to Rogers, and we can get in Rashford (and someone else).
I'd absolutely hate to lose Rogers, I for one sure as shit warmed to him (!), but we're in this position aren't we? Gotta make the best of it.
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The new Super John McGinn
Why are there no links to him?
Because he's not good enough, yet. The rumour is Brentford with potential for a loan back to Sheffield United.
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Fucking hell. I've gone from feeling on top of the world to worrying about Rogers leaving in the space of 24 hours. Ronan Keating had a point, after all.
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Fucking hell. I've gone from feeling on top of the world to worrying about Rogers leaving in the space of 24 hours. Ronan Keating had a point, after all.
However, there was never any point to Ronan Keating.
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Fucking hell. I've gone from feeling on top of the world to worrying about Rogers leaving in the space of 24 hours. Ronan Keating had a point, after all.
He ain't going and if he does it'll be for a king's ransom. No worries.
If we'd not made CL and we were scraping around for 60m to keep the lights on that'd have been worth worrying about!
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Fucking hell. I've gone from feeling on top of the world to worrying about Rogers leaving in the space of 24 hours. Ronan Keating had a point, after all.
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?
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Some betting representative on Talksport is flogging him off already. Yes, to Manure.
Didn't take them long: the season's not even cold in its grave!
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Some betting representative on Talksport is flogging him off already. Yes, to Manure.
Didn't take them long: the season's not even cold in its grave!
It is just a given we might as well all go home
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Some betting representative on Talksport is flogging him off already. Yes, to Manure.
Didn't take them long: the season's not even cold in its grave!
Did they mention bidding war? Whenever he leaves us we are going to make a tidy profit, doesn't seem long ago that we rarely made a profit on any signing.
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Some betting representative on Talksport is flogging him off already. Yes, to Manure.
Didn't take them long: the season's not even cold in its grave!
Did they mention bidding war? Whenever he leaves us we are going to make a tidy profit, doesn't seem long ago that we rarely made a profit on any signing.
Be lovely to lose those players we want to get rid of though, are Palace taking Guessand?
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If Barcelona sign the gopher from Newcastle, does that mean they're not after Rashford?
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If Barcelona sign the gopher from Newcastle, does that mean they're not after Rashford?
It would definitely suggest so.
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Ta. Fingers-crossed.
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If Barcelona sign the gopher from Newcastle, does that mean they're not after Rashford?
I thought they were short of cash, the only way they could afford him is if they are selling a player or two.
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I’m in the he’s off camp. There’s a reason why he doesn’t get the loudest songs from us supporters, never really warmed to him and I suspect he sees us as part of the journey rather than the destination.
Hope he stays, but I assume if he’s off the fee will need to be substantial, I believe there’s a sell on clause to pay out too?
Really? Wow.
Love him as a player, but kinda the same way as Benteke. I have always felt that he is professional and focused upon his career, rather than the love of AVFC.. which is fine. Zero evidence for this, just an instinct.
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Theres been a lot of noise for a fair amount of time about that young Danish forward at Newcastle. Bit of a rough diamond it seems. If we went down that route, it hints at Tammy going maybe.
I could see Tammy leaving, there's not much point him staying if he's rarely going to play. No doubt there'll be plenty of offers to take him on loan but few hard cash and none above what we paid for him. This is also probably the last real opportunity to cash in on Watkins who'll be 31 at the end of the year. After the way he finished the season they'd be buyers out there who would based on his fitness levels offer him a three even four year contract. Matching his Villa salary may prove to be a problem but you only have to look at his record to know he'd bring you goals.
No idea how much we could get for him, a good World Cup with England and what £35m - £40m? Obviously with every season his price is going to depreciate, something the accountants will be pointing out but I imagine Unai will argue 'look at Danny Wellbeck at Brighton who's 5 years Watkins' senior'. Then there's the old chestnut of 'but who are we going to replace him with?'.
One thing I do believe, we can't expect Watkins to continue with his ridiculous fitness run and to play again 40 - 50 games a season, every season. If he stays then I'd like to see somebody come in who can rotate with him, come off the bench on 60 minutes and fit in seamlessly. It doesn't appear Tammy is that man.
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There's probably going to be some musical chairs with Palmer to Man United and that frees up a spot at Chelsea but playing EL again. Arsenal might move on Odegaard too. Then again we have CL football in the bag and Rogers is already in the England WC squad. We will be selling from a position of strength anyway not like last summer.
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I don't think there's quite the fan connection with him that is with so many other players. It's more admiration and love for ability rather than him.
Seems like a nice guy to me. I thought the ironic cheering of him when he made a pass was piss poor at the time, and it doesn’t look any better now.
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If Barcelona sign the gopher from Newcastle, does that mean they're not after Rashford?
It would definitely suggest so.
Given that this has become so public I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it’s a move to pressure Man United into the Rashford deal.
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I don't think there's quite the fan connection with him that is with so many other players. It's more admiration and love for ability rather than him.
Seems like a nice guy to me. I thought the ironic cheering of him when he made a pass was piss poor at the time, and it doesn’t look any better now.
Agree, I cringed in the ground at the time, against Bologna x1 I think
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Seems a nice guy to me as well, doesn't change you don't hear his song sung like you do other for other players. And I reckon if you asked a number of fans for their fave player, not best or most important, there'd be a fair few above him.
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It was utterly pathetic.
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I think the big clubs will want him and can offer him silly money. I dont think that any of the them would worry about who they would need to sell until after it has happened.
There are probably five or six clubs in the world that could afford him and he'd plausibly be interested in moving to I reckon - but I'd be a lot more concerned if any of them had a gaping, Rogers-shaped hole in their squad. But I don't think any of them do.
Or at the very least, when they're throwing silly money around in the summer there are far more obvious gaps in their squad to throw it at.
Liverpool spent £300m on their attack last summer and now have massive holes in their central midfield and defence. Man City likewise - they seem pretty happy with Haaland / Doku / Cherki / Foden / Semenyo, but barely have a central midfield anymore. Man Utd could be a problem, but again - full-back and central midfield is the problem. Arsenal - even adding Eze last summer felt a bit like adding someone just because it was nice to have rather than because they needed someone there. He's playing about a third of their games, is adding Rogers to that really sustainable?
Edit - given all the above needs for central midfielders, I think I'd be more worried about a £60m bid coming in for Tielemans from Liverpool / Man City / Man Utd than a £100m bid for Rogers.
Good points but I wouldn't have thought Bayern or Barca have Gordon shaped holes in their squads and yet....
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Seems a nice guy to me as well, doesn't change you don't hear his song sung like you do other for other players. And I reckon if you asked a number of fans for their fave player, not best or most important, there'd be a fair few above him.
Oh sure, I don’t doubt it. I suspect they’ll be in for a rude awakening though if he does leave in terms of how much we lose.
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There's probably going to be some musical chairs with Palmer to Man United and that frees up a spot at Chelsea but playing EL again. Arsenal might move on Odegaard too. Then again we have CL football in the bag and Rogers is already in the England WC squad. We will be selling from a position of strength anyway not like last summer.
It did cross my mind that I could see a discarded Odegaard getting the Tielemans treatment off Unai and reaching new heights.
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Not really as I don't think anyone underestimates his importance or ability. Think how most of us adore the teo Emis, Cash, Ollie, SJM, Ty etc, it's beyond just their ability, even though Morgs always comes across very well the impression I get is that's it's not the same level love for him.
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Seems a nice guy to me as well, doesn't change you don't hear his song sung like you do other for other players. And I reckon if you asked a number of fans for their fave player, not best or most important, there'd be a fair few above him.
On songs, Konsa doesn’t really have one either does he? Nor Digne. Long serving players should all have one from Villa fans ubiquitous 80s playlist
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If Rogers has to go, I'd much rather him move to one of the European giants rather than a direct competitor in the PL such as Man Utd.
Villa were being linked with a young Bayern Munich prospect, Noël Aséko Nkili, a short while back. Perhaps that interest could be revived as part of a move which sees Rogers ending up in Germany?
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Edit - given all the above needs for central midfielders, I think I'd be more worried about a £60m bid coming in for Tielemans from Liverpool / Man City / Man Utd than a £100m bid for Rogers.
I imagine Man City were almost as disappointed as I was when Kamara got assaulted and injured until next season. He seemed the ideal replacement to fill in for Rodri. Youri is hopefully happy here and signs his new contract. Rogers is our number one priority and has to stay, talk of £80m is just nonsense.
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I know what you mean, and I think he doesn't get the level of love others do.
I think it's down to a few things, like most of the other players have been with us for years and we've come on a journey. Rogers is the new kid who came in half-way through and having to elbow his way in to our hearts.
I think there is an element of his style. We love a battler and people showing fight, but when Rogers is at his best, it all looks easy. Cash gets more love than Rogers, even though he doesn't reach his heights, he plays like he's battling at his limits, and we like that.
Rogers doesn't really play to the crowd either, maybe that's shyness and again because he was new to the group. But look at Onana, he loves interacting with the crowd and stirring us up, he actively works to build that relationship. Maybe Rogers is a bit more modest and reserved and doesn't seem to build that connection so much.
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Edit - given all the above needs for central midfielders, I think I'd be more worried about a £60m bid coming in for Tielemans from Liverpool / Man City / Man Utd than a £100m bid for Rogers.
I imagine Man City were almost as disappointed as I was when Kamara got assaulted and injured until next season. He seemed the ideal replacement to fill in for Rodri.
Agreed. Kamara and Anderson feels like it would be a pretty perfectly balanced defensive midfield.
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I have just had the Birmingham Mail flash up on my feeds and the Villa headlines are Rogers going to Arsenal Man U Chelsea !
Second story Milan after Unai , fucking hell who needs local papers
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I never, ever read or click on anything from Reach.
It's all absolute rubbish, click-bait, re-heated crap, re-cycled and re-published over and over again with endless bloody adverts, rotated between loads of different sites with different names all taking their turn to milk every last drop of clicks they can.
If, IF, there is any actual news content in there worth knowing, it will be easily available somewhere else.
A handy trick is to not accept cookies from Reach sites, so then you get a handy Reach pop-up appear if you accidentally click on one you didn't realise was them, and you can quickly hit the back button.
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I hope Rogers doesn't read this thread.
Don't worry Morgan, you're my favourite.
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I hope Rogers doesn't read this thread.
Don't worry Morgan, you're my favourite.
He’s excellent.
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He's my second favourite Morgan after Sanson.
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Captain Morgan?
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He's brilliant. As I have said before, lots of Villa fans have a weird attitude towards skilful players and would be much happier with a bunch of meat and potatoes midfield cloggers than those who actually try to make something happen.
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I hope Rogers doesn't read this thread.
Don't worry Morgan, you're my favourite.
Ignore me Morgs, I’m just scared of getting too attached.
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Anthony Hordon to Barca confirmed so for the Rashford fans, maybe we have a chance of getting him now.
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He's brilliant. As I have said before, lots of Villa fans have a weird attitude towards skilfull players and would be much happier with a bunch of meat and potatoes midfield cloggers than those who actually try to make something happen.
Harsh on Onana. If popularity with the home fans counts in the top 5 reasons why a player decides to stay or go Id be surprised. Bit of grief from the stands didn't do likes of McGinn, Cash, Watkins any harm, Petrov back in the day. Character building, Rogers is a resilient sort and the guff didn't day didn't overly bother him afterwards.
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No, your weird attitude to the brilliant Onana has nothing to do with it.
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He's brilliant. As I have said before, lots of Villa fans have a weird attitude towards skilful players and would be much happier with a bunch of meat and potatoes midfield cloggers than those who actually try to make something happen.
This is very true.
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We should give all our players stick on opening day. May make men out of them long term.
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Anthony Gordon has gone from being chased through the streets of Liverpool by his own fans, to signing for Barcelona. And all with terrible hair.
Fair play to the lad.
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Anthony Gordon has gone from being chased through the streets of Liverpool by his own fans, to signing for Barcelona. And all with terrible hair.
Fair play to the lad.
I suspect that’s premature. There’s no agreement reported between the clubs is there?
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Anthony Gordon has gone from being chased through the streets of Liverpool by his own fans, to signing for Barcelona. And all with terrible hair.
Fair play to the lad.
Funny as well given the endless bullshit transfer rumour mill with it's hierarchy of trusted sources that there hasn't been a single mention of this being in the pipeline before now.
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Anthony Gordon has gone from being chased through the streets of Liverpool by his own fans, to signing for Barcelona. And all with terrible hair.
Fair play to the lad.
I suspect that’s premature. There’s no agreement reported between the clubs is there?
Wouldn't be my first time!
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Anthony Gordon has gone from being chased through the streets of Liverpool by his own fans, to signing for Barcelona. And all with terrible hair.
Fair play to the lad.
I suspect that’s premature. There’s no agreement reported between the clubs is there?
It's been Here We Go'd.
If it doesn't happen now, I'll buy a home shirt with Watkins on the back.
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If Barcelona sign the gopher from Newcastle, does that mean they're not after Rashford?
It would definitely suggest so.
Given that this has become so public I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it’s a move to pressure Man United into the Rashford deal.
That feels plausible.
I guess the only issue is that there are probably plenty of other clubs who would be more than happy to give Man Utd £25m for Rashford, so they can just shrug their shoulders and sell him elsewhere.
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Right then in which case bring Rashford home.
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Right then in which case bring Rashford home.
His wages are how much?
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No more than they were last time we signed him, and probably not much more than Sancho's.
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No more than they were last time we signed him, and probably not much more than Sancho's.
And also the reason that we would potentially be signing a £60m player for £25m.
If we were to get him.
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No more than they were last time we signed him, and probably not much more than Sancho's.
And also the reason that we would potentially be signing a £60m player for £25m.
If we were to get him.
Indeed he is absolutely the quality level whereby signing an older player makes sense.
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Crazy money for Sue Barker, I've always thought he's pretty shit.
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If the budget's there for Sancho in a Europa League year, it's there for Rashford in a Champions League year.
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I would not say no to Rashford back. I just hope we can get the best out of both him and Watkins if we did.
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Anthony Gordon has gone from being chased through the streets of Liverpool by his own fans, to signing for Barcelona. And all with terrible hair.
Fair play to the lad.
Funny as well given the endless bullshit transfer rumour mill with it's hierarchy of trusted sources that there hasn't been a single mention of this being in the pipeline before now.
If they prefer Gordon over Rashford for numbers touted they must be on drugs
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No more than they were last time we signed him, and probably not much more than Sancho's.
And also the reason that we would potentially be signing a £60m player for £25m.
If we were to get him.
Barca are trying to get his wages down. His agent proposed a reduction but over a 5 year deal but Barca don't want him until he's 33 so the only way to tie up the deal will be a reduced salary over probably 3 seasons. The exclusive window Barca have to sign him ends on June 30th so you'd expect any deal to happen either side of the World Cup.
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Where/how much is the Gordon deal?
I’m sure I’ve read Rashford has (also) agreed personal terms with Barca.
I doubt Barca have the funds available to register Gordon and are probably just using him as bait somehow.
He comes across as a nasty person so I’m not unhappy about that.
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Rashford's contract at Yanited has gone back up to its ridiculous max now that they've qualified for the CL and he didn't even play a part. What a guy/leech.
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Gordon hasn’t got the complexion for a life in the Barca sun, this is obviously bullshit
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Rashford's contract at Yanited has gone back up to its ridiculous max now that they've qualified for the CL and he didn't even play a part. What a guy/leech.
Barca know this and know Rashford wants to join them. They’re playing with Man U to reduce the fee.
I predict the next phase of negotiations will be Carrick bluffing he wants to keep Rashford.
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Rashford's contract at Yanited has gone back up to its ridiculous max now that they've qualified for the CL and he didn't even play a part. What a guy/leech.
They didn't have to offer him that money did they? It is also a case of ManU more likely to want him off the books now his wages have gone up to those levels. The main decision on whether he is a "leech" will be if he demands similar money wherever he goes or turns down any moves so he can sit for a final year on that income.
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Given Romano is saying it's well underway, I'd be surprised if it didn't happen. The tap-in merchant doesn't usually miss.
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BRING HIM HOME
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What are we missing on Gordon? I don't think he's as shit as some on here say, but I also definitely didn't think he'd be linked with the likes of Bayern and Barca. Guess it proves we know Jack shit, really.
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As with everything there are predictive markets on player transfers.
Rogers is 5/1 on to stay with Villa. Chelsea, real Madrid and Liverpool are the 3/1 to 4/1 to get him, which suggests no one knows where he is going.
Jarrod Bowen - 50% chance he stays at West Ham, but us and Newcastle are 4/1 to 7/1 to get him. I think he's actually a good player, although not sure how he fits.
Jadon Sancho - us and Dortmund are 2/1, suggesting we are just the usual suspects and no one has a clue. Personally I'd rather get Bowen, assuming we can't get Rashford on SCR busting wages.
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Is prefer Rashford on loan personally.
One big plus, if we did sign him, is he covers both striker and LW. So a 241 deal.
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He's brilliant. As I have said before, lots of Villa fans have a weird attitude towards skilful players and would be much happier with a bunch of meat and potatoes midfield cloggers than those who actually try to make something happen.
Stop playing the ball out from the back and just lump it forward!* 😡
*for a high chance of immediately losing possession.
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What are we missing on Gordon? I don't think he's as shit as some on here say, but I also definitely didn't think he'd be linked with the likes of Bayern and Barca. Guess it proves we know Jack shit, really.
I think he's very good but has been totally stymied by Howe's "run around a lot" tactics at Newcastle. He refuses to play with the type of advanced creative midfielders and with sustained possession that would present a player like Gordon with a lot of opportunities for goals and assists. If he played in the position and role Rogers does for us his numbers would be a lot better.
I'd imagine he'd thrive at either Barca or Bayern. I think Bayern might suit him more tbh but Diaz has been unbelievably good for them this year and would be difficult to supplant.
Also saw a good point made about Gordon earlier that that "winger who can also play no. 9" profile is one of the most valuable for top teams right now, given how difficult it is to sign a good 'true back-up' number 9 (Villa have had this issue with Watkins!). If you've got a LW or RW that is happy to play down the middle if required, that's a massive advantage in your squad building (and worth a $$$ premium).
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What are we missing on Gordon? I don't think he's as shit as some on here say, but I also definitely didn't think he'd be linked with the likes of Bayern and Barca. Guess it proves we know Jack shit, really.
I think he's very good but has been totally stymied by Howe's "run around a lot" tactics at Newcastle. He refuses to play with the type of advanced creative midfielders and with sustained possession that would present a player like Gordon with a lot of opportunities for goals and assists. If he played in the position and role Rogers does for us his numbers would be a lot better.
I'd imagine he'd thrive at either Barca or Bayern. I think Bayern might suit him more tbh but Diaz has been unbelievably good for them this year and would be difficult to supplant.
Also saw a good point made about Gordon earlier that that "winger who can also play no. 9" profile is one of the most valuable for top teams right now, given how difficult it is to sign a good 'true back-up' number 9 (Villa have had this issue with Watkins!). If you've got a LW or RW that is happy to play down the middle if required, that's a massive advantage in your squad building.
I agree with this, but doesn't Rashford also offer this? Why go for Gordon who will cost more? Is it just age profile or have they seen something with Rashford they are not happy with? It's all pretty interesting!
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Is prefer Rashford on loan personally.
One big plus, if we did sign him, is he covers both striker and LW. So a 241 deal.
If loan is an option, he goes to Barcelona. The only reason we would be beating them to his signature would be because Man U want a permanent deal, Villa are willing to oblige and Barcelona aren't.
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I can imagine Gordon is on a great deal less wages than Rashford, plus he is young enough to have a decent transfer value in a few seasons time.
All in all, that may make him a better option.
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I can see the wage argument. It's a pretty big fee for Barca in their current position, though.
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I would not say no to Rashford back. I just hope we can get the best out of both him and Watkins if we did.
Unlikely, Ollie's epic meltdown after being dropped for PSG suggests an obvious clash there. Challenge with Rashford is tactical, doesn't fit in our midfield four and his back to goal play is average at 9. Has other attributes, power and pace for starters, but again it's one I think we should swerve.
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I would love us to sign Rashford. Genuinely one of those 'other level' players.
I was concerned last season that he'd bring a media circus, but was wrong. Get him back.
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Garcia off to Valencia.
Deal not yet finalised.
@TribunaVCF
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I would love us to sign Rashford. Genuinely one of those 'other level' players.
I was concerned last season that he'd bring a media circus, but was wrong. Get him back.
Absolutely this.
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I would not say no to Rashford back. I just hope we can get the best out of both him and Watkins if we did.
Unlikely, Ollie's epic meltdown after being dropped for PSG suggests an obvious clash there. Challenge with Rashford is tactical, doesn't fit in our midfield four and his back to goal play is average at 9. Has other attributes, power and pace for starters, but again it's one I think we should swerve.
I always thought Rashford at his best is left forward so he should work with Ollie well. Him, Rogers and Buendia would all be competing for that place or as one of the tens.
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I can imagine Gordon is on a great deal less wages than Rashford, plus he is young enough to have a decent transfer value in a few seasons time.
Rashford was already on a decent wedge, but will get a 25% increase due to Yanited qualifying for the Champions League.
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I would love us to sign Rashford. Genuinely one of those 'other level' players.
I was concerned last season that he'd bring a media circus, but was wrong. Get him back.
Yep as a general rule we should be looking to sign younger players. The exception being if an older player is an exceptional talent. Rashford is the epitome of that.
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I can imagine Gordon is on a great deal less wages than Rashford, plus he is young enough to have a decent transfer value in a few seasons time.
Rashford was already on a decent wedge, but will get a 25% increase due to Yanited qualifying for the Champions League.
But any new club signing him gives him a contract on their terms as much as his terms. He might stay at Manure to keep that money but must expect a drop off for signing elsewhere.
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Fuck me, 69M for Nan's Hair?!?!
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I would love us to sign Rashford. Genuinely one of those 'other level' players.
I was concerned last season that he'd bring a media circus, but was wrong. Get him back.
Absolutely this.
Yes. He's a thoroughbred.
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Anthony Gordon to Barcelona is like me going down Sainsbury's to get some milk in the morning and finding myself stumbling into bed with Margot Robbie
and then pouring the milk all over her and licking every drop up over the next three hours
Insane shouldn't happen stuff.
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Fuck me, 69M for Nan's Hair?!?!
The Office Cleaner carrying a £70m transfer fee is madness!
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Anthony Gordon to Barcelona is like me going down Sainsbury's to get some milk in the morning and finding myself stumbling into bed with Margot Robbie and then pouring the milk all over her and licking every drop up over the next three hours
Insane shouldn't happen stuff.
There has to be something as laymen that we just don't see for him to get such links.
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I think someone mentioned he can play left wing and number 9. I'm so glad they were playing him at 9 against us first match of the season otherwise we would have probably lost.
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I don't think I've ever really been impressed with him at 9.
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Edit: no. Was dangerously close to a pun.
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Good man.
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Good deal for Newcastle and an epic one for Gordon. Didn't see his potential at Everton so fair play to Eddie Howe and Gordon himself.
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Out:
Sancho
Elliott
Guessand
Malen
In:
Wilson
Rashford
Mingueza
Sinesi
UEFA accountants happy, strong title & CL challenge incoming.
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I'd say out:Luiz in: some break it up midfelder who can play instead of or alongside Kamara. Our drop-off without Kamara is our Achilles heel. Based on points per game when he plays, we win the league. When he doesn't, we are mid-table at best.
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He had a six month spell with us where he was excellent. Other than that, he was meh at best. He's not had much of a look-in since coming back, but when he has, he hasn't really made much impression.
Move on, send him back, look for better.
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Yeah, mine wasn’t an exhaustive list. Probably Luiz & Bailey on it as well. Although Bailey showed some good 23/24 signs on Sunday.
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More links with Gabriel Sara, seem to be a lot of reports from Turkey saying we have agreed terms. No idea if he is any good or not.
Brazilian international, but so were Wesley and Luiz I guess. Good form in the champs league and seems to have a good long range pass in his locker looking at highlight reels.
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He had a six month spell with us where he was excellent. Other than that, he was meh at best. He's not had much of a look-in since coming back, but when he has, he hasn't really made much impression.
Move on, send him back, look for better.
Agree, never really saw much in him outside of a half season purple patch. Certainly would not make the move permanent. Also agree we need a like for like (in profile if not talent) Kamara stand in. Would say the same about Torres. When either of those two are injured the whole game plan has tp change.
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He had a six month spell with us where he was excellent. Other than that, he was meh at best. He's not had much of a look-in since coming back, but when he has, he hasn't really made much impression.
Move on, send him back, look for better.
Harsh, IMO. I think he was our best player in the post-Covid break period in his first season and crucial to our survival. He perhaps didn't kick on straight away, but was one of few to generally come out with credit for Gerrard Villa. Under Unai, first spell, he was consistent very good. So probably about three good seasons for us in total and no particularly bad ones.
His form since returning shows a combination of a lack of confidence after the failed Juventus move and the after-effects of a nasty injury and I probably wouldn't choose to sign him now, sadly. Though if Unai fancies giving him another try I wouldn't be devastated.
So yeah, don't really agree with "meh except for six months".
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How come Barca can spend £6 on Gordon but couldn’t afford Rashford? Does it mean they won’t be buying Rashford now?
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How come Barca can spend £6 on Gordon but couldn’t afford Rashford? Does it mean they won’t be buying Rashford now?
To be fair, £6 is a bargain. We shoulda bid a tenner.
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Even at £28m Rashford is expensive because of his age and resale value.
Not to mention his wages.
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But will Gordon have a Rashfordesque transformation and get new hair for his Barca unveiling?
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
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Even at £28m Rashford is expensive because of his age and resale value.
Not to mention his wages.
It does Rashford's move into question. I read that the restrictions on Barca's spending mean they can spend, but only what they generate from sales - and I've no idea if they plan to move on enough players to buy both.
If Rashford becomes available, I'd hope were at the front of the queue.
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even sing that on my own in the car. There's no way my voice could cope with that in any way fit for human ears.
We'd all have to mime.
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Even at £28m Rashford is expensive because of his age and resale value.
Not to mention his wages.
It does Rashford's move into question. I read that the restrictions on Barca's spending mean they can spend, but only what they generate from sales - and I've no idea if they plan to move on enough players to buy both.
If Rashford becomes available, I'd hope were at the front of the queue.
I'd have Rashford back in a heartbeat.
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even sing that on my own in the car.
Have a little respect.
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Even at £28m Rashford is expensive because of his age and resale value.
Not to mention his wages.
£28 million is not remotely expensive for Rashford irrespective of his resale value. It’s peanuts in relative terms.
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I mean I know Gordon has really, really shit hair, in a way that he wouldn't look out of place in a late 1970s Panini Album, but he's some player. Pace, power, good finisher, good shot from distance. Hes got it all.
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I mean I know Gordon has really, really shit hair, in a way that he wouldn't look out of place in a late 1970s Panini Album, but he's some player. Pace, power, good finisher, good shot from distance. Hes got it all.
Yeah, but he's on of those players you love to hate.
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Even at £28m Rashford is expensive because of his age and resale value.
Not to mention his wages.
£28 million is not remotely expensive for Rashford irrespective of his resale value. It’s peanuts in relative terms.
It's paying a 33-year old 300K/week that's the issue IMO.
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even sing that on my own in the car.
Have a little respect.
I do... sometimes.
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I mean I know Gordon has really, really shit hair, in a way that he wouldn't look out of place in a late 1970s Panini Album, but he's some player. Pace, power, good finisher, good shot from distance. Hes got it all.
I get what you mean but I also think that, at 25, it's not unreasonable to expect a lot more from him if he's going to turn that potential into regular match-winning performances. All of this noise around him is based entirely on him having a good year in the champions league this season but even then a lot of it is that he was a bit of a flat-track bully against a handful of very weak sides.
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Even at £28m Rashford is expensive because of his age and resale value.
Not to mention his wages.
£28 million is not remotely expensive for Rashford irrespective of his resale value. It’s peanuts in relative terms.
It's paying a 33-year old 300K/week that's the issue IMO.
I don’t think the age versus the wage is particularly relevant. That obviously assumes he signs a 5 year deal, but if he were still one of our top performing players at that point and was paid as such I don’t see the issue.
I don’t think there’s a scenario where we’d be paying that much anyway, but the issue is more where you’re paying over the odds for players not contributing to a level commensurate with their pay.
Rashford is a player that elevates our level.
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I mean I know Gordon has really, really shit hair, in a way that he wouldn't look out of place in a late 1970s Panini Album, but he's some player. Pace, power, good finisher, good shot from distance. Hes got it all.
I get what you mean but I also think that, at 25, it's not unreasonable to expect a lot more from him if he's going to turn that potential into regular match-winning performances. All of this noise around him is based entirely on him having a good year in the champions league this season but even then a lot of it is that he was a bit of a flat-track bully against a handful of very weak sides.
I think he's very good, but I don't think he's a "Barcelona" type signing, which is why it's a surprising move. He has the ability to succeed there, but it does feel like the fans appreciate their 'entertainers' there, which isn't really Gordon's game.
Newcastle will be worse without him, which I suppose is good news, depending on how they spend the proceeds.
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Didn't Barcelona take Adama Traore on loan at one point?
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Even at £28m Rashford is expensive because of his age and resale value.
Not to mention his wages.
£28 million is not remotely expensive for Rashford irrespective of his resale value. It’s peanuts in relative terms.
Based on his age it’s probably £14million a year as I don’t see him playing top level past 30, he is not without injury issues. Headbandino is the equivalent of about the same per year with a lot higher resale potential.
And lower wages.
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Didn't Barcelona take Adama Traore on loan at one point?
If memory serves, he came through their youth system before joining us.
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He had a six month spell with us where he was excellent. Other than that, he was meh at best. He's not had much of a look-in since coming back, but when he has, he hasn't really made much impression.
Move on, send him back, look for better.
Harsh, IMO. I think he was our best player in the post-Covid break period in his first season and crucial to our survival. He perhaps didn't kick on straight away, but was one of few to generally come out with credit for Gerrard Villa. Under Unai, first spell, he was consistent very good. So probably about three good seasons for us in total and no particularly bad ones.
His form since returning shows a combination of a lack of confidence after the failed Juventus move and the after-effects of a nasty injury and I probably wouldn't choose to sign him now, sadly. Though if Unai fancies giving him another try I wouldn't be devastated.
So yeah, don't really agree with "meh except for six months".
Completely agree with all of this.
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With regard to selling Rogers, we have to give Middlesborough 20% of anything we receive as part of the deal when we signed him. To me that means the fee must start at 100m or it isn't worth us selling him.
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even sing that on my own in the car.
Have a little respect.
I do... sometimes.
We are edging toward Circus territory here.
punalight - someone let CD know
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even sing that on my own in the car.
Have a little respect.
I do... sometimes.
We are edging toward Circus territory here.
punalight - someone let CD know
He needs to put a Stop to this.
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Didn't Barcelona take Adama Traore on loan at one point?
If memory serves, he came through their youth system before joining us.
He did, also had a loan spell back there from Wolves a few years back.
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even sing that on my own in the car.
Have a little respect.
I do... sometimes.
We are edging toward Circus territory here.
punalight - someone let CD know
He needs to put a Stop to this.
Always.
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How come Barca can spend £6 on Gordon but couldn’t afford Rashford? Does it mean they won’t be buying Rashford now?
To be fair, £6 is a bargain. We shoulda bid a tenner.
There goes a tenner, hey look there's a fiver.
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Just so you know, I have been reading through some recent posts and I do not approve.
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Just so you know, I have been reading through some recent posts and I do not approve.
It does us all good to re-read our post history now and then, but don't beat yourself up about it! ;D
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Why, I oughta...
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Seems to be quite a bit of chatter about Sara, Soule and Mbaye.
Need to sign Soule as an excuse to sing Erasure.
Or
Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, da-da (hey, hey, hey)
Gitchie, gitchie, ya-ya, here (and there)
With Morgan Rogers on the wing (oh yeah)
Matías Soulie-é
Soulé, Soulé, Soulé avec Morgz, ce soir?
Soulé, Soulé, Soulé avec Morgz?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
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Ekrem KONUR@Ekremkonur
SEVILLA & MONACO BATTLE FOR ANSU FATI!
Monaco wants to lower the €11M buy option, while Sevilla is ready to step in if Fati decides to stay in Spain!
Barça wants to sell. Fati's contract 2028, Sevilla is alert!
Thinking outside the box, and he is cheap
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An absolute bargain? Barcelona target Jan Virgili’s release clause drops after Mallorca’s relegation
The winger is now available at a very attractive price.
Jan Virigili has been linked with a return to Barcelona throughout this season as the Catalans search for a new left winger for next season.
The former Barcelona player made 31 appearances for Mallorca this season in La Liga, scoring twice and grabbing four assists.
However, his future in once again in the spotlight after Mallorca’s relegation. According to Diario Sport, the team’s drop down the divisions means his release clause has reduced from €30m to just €12 million.
If you add in the fact that Barcelona also have 40% of a future sale and the right of first refusal, it means that Virgili could potentially be snapped up for just €7m.
Let's have a whip round and buy him
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Ekrem KONUR@Ekremkonur
SEVILLA & MONACO BATTLE FOR ANSU FATI!
He's just a fancy sounding Weston McKennie.
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Ekrem KONUR@Ekremkonur
SEVILLA & MONACO BATTLE FOR ANSU FATI
He's anagrammatically challenged.
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Ekrem KONUR@Ekremkonur
SEVILLA & MONACO BATTLE FOR ANSU FATI!
He's just a fancy sounding Weston McKennie.
What's fancier than Ranch?
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Ansu Fati didn't look like he could cope with the Premier League at Brighton (maybe he's improved in the last 2 years) and I have no idea why Rashford's top level career will end at 30.
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To bring back a name that I've brought up for the last couple of windows:
Misfit in need of some Emery loving. Current club would happily take a massive haircut on him and cut their losses. Still young. All the pace in the world. Can play up front or on the wing. Wages wouldn't be silly. Even recent history of a great game against us.
Lois Openda.
Terrible time at Juventus, but I reckon if you hooked him up with his Belgian buddies, he'd be an excellent option in the squad.
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To bring back a name that I've brought up for the last couple of windows:
Misfit in need of some Emery loving. Current club would happily take a massive haircut on him and cut their losses. Still young. All the pace in the world. Can play up front or on the wing. Wages wouldn't be silly. Even recent history of a great game against us.
Lois Openda.
Terrible time at Juventus, but I reckon if you hooked him up with his Belgian buddies, he'd be an excellent option in the squad.
Looks a bit Malen, in that we wouldn't have a clear role for him however good he is.
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To bring back a name that I've brought up for the last couple of windows:
Lois Openda.
Terrible time at Juventus, but I reckon if you hooked him up with his Belgian buddies, he'd be an excellent option in the squad.
He's the arsehole who was trying to get our defenders sent off in a pre-season friendly with Leipzig. No thanks.
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Some Italian newspaper reporting that Roma are going to sign mason greenwood and we’re buying Matías Soulé from them.
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Ekrem KONUR@Ekremkonur
SEVILLA & MONACO BATTLE FOR ANSU FATI
He's anagrammatically challenged.
Let's hope we don't enter a Faustian pact to sign him.
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I’m tracking 27 players and these three are the first wave. Eintracht Frankfurt had a very poor season, so Uzun might fancy some more Champions League action hopefully with us. He has scored some absolute beauties. If we're still shopping in the yellow sticker aisle this summer, Spertsyan would be my pick. Moleiro possesses that Messi-esque, insane, low-center-of-gravity skill.
Eduard Spertsyan (30 apps - 11 goals - 16 assists - AM/LW/RW - Age 25 almost 26 - FC Krasnodar - Fee: Around £18m)
Can Uzun (26 apps - 10 goals - 4 assists - AM/CF - Age 20 - Eintracht Frankfurt - Fee: Around £38m)
Alberto Moleiro (37 apps - 10 goals - 5 assists - LW - Age 22 - Villarreal CF - Fee: Around: £35m)
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Some Italian newspaper reporting that Roma are going to sign mason greenwood and we’re buying Matías Soulé from them.
And there I was thinking I've always liked Roma.
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I’m tracking 27 players and these three are the first wave. Eintracht Frankfurt had a very poor season, so Uzun might fancy some more Champions League action hopefully with us. He has scored some absolute beauties. If we're still shopping in the yellow sticker aisle this summer, Spertsyan would be my pick. Moleiro possesses that Messi-esque, insane, low-center-of-gravity skill.
Eduard Spertsyan (30 apps - 11 goals - 16 assists - AM/LW/RW - Age 25 almost 26 - FC Krasnodar - Fee: Around £18m)
Can Uzun (26 apps - 10 goals - 4 assists - AM/CF - Age 20 - Eintracht Frankfurt - Fee: Around £38m)
Alberto Moleiro (37 apps - 10 goals - 5 assists - LW - Age 22 - Villarreal CF - Fee: Around: £35m)
Good work, this is the kind of shit I'm here for that I'm too lazy to do for myself.
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Let's hope we don't enter a Faustian pact to sign him.
Nicely done sir.
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Let's hope we don't enter a Faustian pact to sign him.
Nicely done sir.
Yes, that deserves a ripple of applause.
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To bring back a name that I've brought up for the last couple of windows:
Lois Openda.
Terrible time at Juventus, but I reckon if you hooked him up with his Belgian buddies, he'd be an excellent option in the squad.
He's the arsehole who was trying to get our defenders sent off in a pre-season friendly with Leipzig. No thanks.
He'd be our twat and we wouldn't care.
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Aston Villa to utilise Everton connection to seal £60m deal for Iliman Ndiaye
https://www.astonvillanews.co.uk/2026/05/28/aston-villa-to-utilise-everton-connection-to-seal-60m-deal-for-iliman-ndiaye/
Poor link, but great player
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I feel like I haven't heard his name for a couple of months. He must have dropped off in form.
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If we have £60m, I’d be knocking on Forest’s door and asking about MGW first.
At Everton, a Bid for Dibbling? I think I’m his only fan but he looked like an Emery player, starting from the right and drifting in field, whilst at Southampton. Admittedly he’s done nothing at Everton (or Chelsea), so the emphasis on a Bid.
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Homesick at Chelsea and went back home, has done nothing at Everton. Not sure he can settle anywhere other than Southampton and for the sort of fee it would take, I'd rather someone else took the risk.
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I’d be cautious as to why he’s completely disappeared at Everton.
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I've got issues with his name before we get to anything else
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I really hope we're not spending most of whatever we've got on players already on fat Premier League contracts.
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If we have £60m, I’d be knocking on Forest’s door and asking about MGW first.
At Everton, a Bid for Dibbling? I think I’m his only fan but he looked like an Emery player, starting from the right and drifting in field, whilst at Southampton. Admittedly he’s done nothing at Everton (or Chelsea), so the emphasis on a Bid.
I’m also a fan of Dibbling but he’s not shining any lights at the moment
Like you say I wouldn’t be against Emery trying to unlock the talent
But we may be in a cast of two on here
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Senesi off to Spurs. That’s a shame
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They said they'd agreed it verbally. One of the biggest reasons we could have done with the bastards going down is because they can still attract players in the same pool even whilst being shit.
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Senesi off to Spurs. That’s a shame
See, if only we'd relegated the fuckers!
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we may never have been after him
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I’d be cautious as to why he’s completely disappeared at Everton.
Mitigating circumstances: Ndaye and Grealish playing in his positions. Basically they’re easing him in whilst Grealish takes the glory (justifies his £200k week wages).
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Aston Villa to utilise Everton connection to seal £60m deal for Iliman Ndiaye
I like him, but not for £60m.
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we may never have been after him
We probably weren't, but it just shows the pull they have even outside of Champions League football. He wouldn't have guaranteed play time here with Pau in his position.
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Aston Villa to utilise Everton connection to seal £60m deal for Iliman Ndiaye
I like him, but not for £60m.
Probably the going rate, that’s why we shouldn’t be flogging Morgan Rogers for less than £100mil . If we let Rogers go and we signed Ndiaye and MGW , I’d be on board with that. But we’d be adding significant wages, so likely it won’t happen.
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I’d be cautious as to why he’s completely disappeared at Everton.
Mitigating circumstances: Ndaye and Grealish playing in his positions. Basically they’re easing him in whilst Grealish takes the glory (justifies his £200k week wages).
Although Grealish has been injured for half a season and Dibling just sat on the bench including in matches which were already well won and subs were being made run down the clock.
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Not overly fussed about missing out on a 29 year old that's spent 4 years in the PL and has only been mentioned on here the last 6 months or so.
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Everton fan online was asking whether N'Diaye was tired towards the end of the Season, or just couldn't be bothered.
I have always liked him, definitely one of their best players.
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He’s ace, but like so many skillful players their form can suddenly drop off a cliff. Didn’t he play well and a lot in the African Cup of Nations? Might account for his tail off at the end.
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Benni McCarthy……
Wants to go “home” to Blackburn as manager
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Maybe he could start again in Darwen. We need them back in the Prem.
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If we have £60m, I’d be knocking on Forest’s door and asking about MGW first.
At Everton, a Bid for Dibbling? I think I’m his only fan but he looked like an Emery player, starting from the right and drifting in field, whilst at Southampton. Admittedly he’s done nothing at Everton (or Chelsea), so the emphasis on a Bid.
I’m also a fan of Dibbling but he’s not shining any lights at the moment
Like you say I wouldn’t be against Emery trying to unlock the talent
But we may be in a cast of two on here
I think the fact that he isn't pulling up trees is one of the things we probably need to see in a player right now. If we're going to afford them. Everton paid £35-40m for him, so there is no 'bargain' to be had, but they might take getting their money back with a small premium.
The question is whether Unai sees something in a player like that, or not. He saw it in Morgan Rogers, and Dibbling is no doubt a talented ball player and ball carrier - but whether he has all the attributes Unai is looking for, or not, I don't know.
But if we have limited funds, I'm not sure we can spend £40m+ on "potential". That's the sort of player we want to buying for Rogers/Duran money. The £20m players. If we're going to spend £40m+, they have to be ready to play in our first team. Unfortunately.
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He’s ace, but like so many skillful players their form can suddenly drop off a cliff. Didn’t he play well and a lot in the African Cup of Nations? Might account for his tail off at the end.
Grealish being out injured/drunk meant teams could focus just on Ndiaye too. Difficult being an attacking player in a Moyes team.
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If we have £60m, I’d be knocking on Forest’s door and asking about MGW first.
I think he should be our number one target this summer and without wishing to sound biased, I think it would be the perfect move for him as well. If Rogers stays, then we ate probably not looking at bringing in any other real 'starters' and it woukd just be a case of upgrading the squad options in some areas.
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Konate confirmed to leave Liverpool on a free after not agreeing contract terms. Wonder if they'll come in and test us with a bid for Konsa now.
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Konate confirmed to leave Liverpool on a free after not agreeing contract terms. Wonder if they'll come in and test us with a bid for Konsa now.
They can fuck off.
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Konate confirmed to leave Liverpool on a free after not agreeing contract terms. Wonder if they'll come in and test us with a bid for Konsa now.
Not for sale at any cost. Ezri and Pau form a brilliant central partnership
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He’s ace, but like so many skillful players their form can suddenly drop off a cliff. Didn’t he play well and a lot in the African Cup of Nations? Might account for his tail off at the end.
Grealish being out injured/drunk meant teams could focus just on Ndiaye too. Difficult being an attacking player in a Moyes team.
That’s a very good point. Not just the Moyes bit, but we noticed it with Rogers, if you lose anyone with any creativity, it piles enormous pressure on them and teams double up. Even worse at Everton when they aren’t so fluid.
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All three players in the ingerlund squad will be subject to speculation all summer. I'd have thought Watkins will stay as his value is probably greater to us that what we'd get for him now, and I'm quite happy with that after the last few months prove his legs haven't gone (I was convinced he was done and he proved me utterly wrong). I really like Konsa but he's probably the easiset to replace of the 3. Rogers will go for loadsamoney.
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If we have £60m, I’d be knocking on Forest’s door and asking about MGW first.
At Everton, a Bid for Dibbling? I think I’m his only fan but he looked like an Emery player, starting from the right and drifting in field, whilst at Southampton. Admittedly he’s done nothing at Everton (or Chelsea), so the emphasis on a Bid.
I’m also a fan of Dibbling but he’s not shining any lights at the moment
Like you say I wouldn’t be against Emery trying to unlock the talent
But we may be in a cast of two on here
I think the fact that he isn't pulling up trees is one of the things we probably need to see in a player right now. If we're going to afford them. Everton paid £35-40m for him, so there is no 'bargain' to be had, but they might take getting their money back with a small premium.
The question is whether Unai sees something in a player like that, or not. He saw it in Morgan Rogers, and Dibbling is no doubt a talented ball player and ball carrier - but whether he has all the attributes Unai is looking for, or not, I don't know.
But if we have limited funds, I'm not sure we can spend £40m+ on "potential". That's the sort of player we want to buying for Rogers/Duran money. The £20m players. If we're going to spend £40m+, they have to be ready to play in our first team. Unfortunately.
I don’t see how Everton can justify recouping their money and it only makes sense for us around the £20-25m mark. Based on his Southampton form
He’d be an ideal successor to McGinn.
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Dibbling a similar profile to Elliot, tad one paced and lightweight? Not sure how Moyes hardly have him a kick even after Grealish got injured.
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All three players in the ingerlund squad will be subject to speculation all summer. I'd have thought Watkins will stay as his value is probably greater to us that what we'd get for him now, and I'm quite happy with that after the last few months prove his legs haven't gone (I was convinced he was done and he proved me utterly wrong). I really like Konsa but he's probably the easiset to replace of the 3. Rogers will go for loadsamoney.
Konsa is not at all easy to replace and actually of the three he's pushing Watkins as the most reliable for the team.
Having said that, they are all reliable and okay a lot of games at a consistent level. They're all competitive and perform at a high standard so I'd rather keep all three please.
In fact, I want to keep the vast majority of the squad.
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All three players in the ingerlund squad will be subject to speculation all summer. I'd have thought Watkins will stay as his value is probably greater to us that what we'd get for him now, and I'm quite happy with that after the last few months prove his legs haven't gone (I was convinced he was done and he proved me utterly wrong). I really like Konsa but he's probably the easiset to replace of the 3. Rogers will go for loadsamoney.
Konsa is not at all easy to replace and actually of the three he's pushing Watkins as the most reliable for the team.
Having said that, they are all reliable and okay a lot of games at a consistent level. They're all competitive and perform at a high standard so I'd rather keep all three please.
In fact, I want to keep the vast majority of the squad.
Same here. Add genuine quality in particular areas and we could win the really big stuff.
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Blimey, finish 4th, CL footy, a major Eurpean trophy in the bag and we are discussing who could leave of our best players.
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Blimey, finish 4th, CL footy, a major Eurpean trophy in the bag and we are discussing who could leave of our best players.
I know it is good to be alive isn't it ? !
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Barça News
Barcelona winger asks agent to look for new destination after difficult debut season
According to a report from SPORT, it has come to light that Barcelona forward Roony Bardghji is ready to leave the club this summer in search of regular first-team football.
The Swedish talent only arrived at Barcelona last year, fully aware that breaking into the team would be a difficult task given the presence of Lamine Yamal and the competition in the attacking department.
https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-winger-asks-agent-to-look-for-new-destination-after-difficult-debut-season/
It's a Yes from me
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^^ Me too.
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Would prefer Mbaye from PSG
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Barça News
Barcelona winger asks agent to look for new destination after difficult debut season
According to a report from SPORT, it has come to light that Barcelona forward Roony Bardghji is ready to leave the club this summer in search of regular first-team football.
The Swedish talent only arrived at Barcelona last year, fully aware that breaking into the team would be a difficult task given the presence of Lamine Yamal and the competition in the attacking department.
https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-winger-asks-agent-to-look-for-new-destination-after-difficult-debut-season/
It's a Yes from me
With little EMI could be a winning combination
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Had him on the wing for Villa on FM. He was class, which means nailed on success. Had Juan Pablo Angel up front for Villa before he signed on an old version of CM. Chuffed when I first saw that one on teletext.
Arkadisuz Bak was another, but he a mare and signed for Blues. Was shit.
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Bhadghi Looks like he knows his onions.
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lots of layers to his game
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lots of layers to his game
Don't take the Mickey.
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Guys, stop it, I'm crying here.
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Yeah, that’s ya lot… :-X
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Yeah, that’s ya lot… :-X
Don’t you mean ‘that’s shallot’ 😉
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0e2jn3lne5o
Right, now bring Rashford home.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0e2jn3lne5o
Right, now bring Rashford home.
Indeed - we value you Rashy.
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Yeah, that’s ya lot… :-X
Don’t you mean ‘that’s shallot’ 😉
Hopefully the story about him signing for us leeks soon
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I guess its possible that Potter doesn't know what he's doing, but Bardghji hasn't made the Swedish World Cup squad, and they aren't the strongest of teams at the moment.
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Barça News
Barcelona winger asks agent to look for new destination after difficult debut season
According to a report from SPORT, it has come to light that Barcelona forward Roony Bardghji is ready to leave the club this summer in search of regular first-team football.
The Swedish talent only arrived at Barcelona last year, fully aware that breaking into the team would be a difficult task given the presence of Lamine Yamal and the competition in the attacking department.
https://barcauniversal.com/barcelona-winger-asks-agent-to-look-for-new-destination-after-difficult-debut-season/
It's a Yes from me
...he'll do for starters, tikka chance on him..?
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I guess its possible that Potter doesn't know what he's doing, but Bardghji hasn't made the Swedish World Cup squad, and they aren't the strongest of teams at the moment.
I bet he’s not started more than 5 games this season though, that’s got to be the biggest factor.
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Yeah, that’s ya lot… :-X
Don’t you mean ‘that’s shallot’ 😉
Hopefully the story about him signing for us leeks soon
Doubt it, he’s meant to be signing for Stuttgarter.
(One for the vegetable gardeners there)
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Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona. Anthony...Gordon has signed for...Barcelona.
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Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona. Anthony...Gordon has signed for...Barcelona.
Rather baffling for me but they must see something we don't. I good player on his day - oft v us, occasional worldie but #70m.
Fair play he learned Spanish mind in advance. Those who learn pesky foreign languages tend to do better at big club abroad - Keegan, Brady, Platt
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He's a brilliant presser and 10 goals in 12 CL games not to be sniffed at.
I think he will end up through the middle to replace Lewandowski as their central presser. Look at Raphina compared to 3 years ago.
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He's a brilliant presser and 10 goals in 12 CL games not to be sniffed at.
I think he will end up through the middle to replace Lewandowski as their central presser. Look at Raphina compared to 3 years ago.
However 4 against Qarabag and 2 against Union SG does add a fair bit of perspective to those numbers, he was pretty anonymous in the games against teams from the top leagues.
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Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona. Anthony...Gordon has signed for...Barcelona.
Rather baffling for me but they must see something we don't. I good player on his day - oft v us, occasional worldie but #70m.
Fair play he learned Spanish mind in advance. Those who learn pesky foreign languages tend to do better at big club abroad - Keegan, Brady, Platt
Ian Rush at Juve, ;D
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He's a brilliant presser and 10 goals in 12 CL games not to be sniffed at.
I think he will end up through the middle to replace Lewandowski as their central presser. Look at Raphina compared to 3 years ago.
However 4 against Qarabag and 2 against Union SG does add a fair bit of perspective to those numbers, he was pretty anonymous in the games against teams from the top leagues.
A fair few penalties too.
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He's a brilliant presser and 10 goals in 12 CL games not to be sniffed at.
I think he will end up through the middle to replace Lewandowski as their central presser. Look at Raphina compared to 3 years ago.
I was listening to a Spanish journo and your first 4 words were the main reason why Hansi Flick likes him. He said he needs players who have the work rate to maintain the high press so the high defence line works better, and he thinks Gordon is perfect for it.
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https://www.lavozdealmeria.com/ud-almeria/559291/aston-villa-tira-talonario-lopy.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1780144620
24 yr old 6'0" Senegalese defensive midfielder.
62 games for Reims - Ligue 1
32 games for Almeria in La Liga.
2 seasons, 58 games in Segunda for Almeria
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His name is Dion, I'm sold.
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Sounds exciting.
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His name is Dion, I'm sold.
Me too, but if we don’t sign him, my heart will go on.
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His name is Dion, I'm sold.
Me too, but if we don’t sign him, my heart will go on.
Unai has already flown over for informal talks with him. Lopy's response was, "ne partez pas sans moi".
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From a quick google he'd need to work on his discipline, 4 reds and 46 yellows in 166 games.
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No way is that a pen.
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No way is that a pen.
His discipline really is bad if he’s giving away pens before he’s even signed!
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We only had one red in the league this season. Those are rookie numbers.
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No way is that a pen.
His discipline really is bad if he’s giving away pens before he’s even signed!
true but it shows his commitment to the cause
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No way is that a pen.
His discipline really is bad if he’s giving away pens before he’s even signed!
true but it shows his commitment to the cause
Bugger.
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Just looking at other bits and pieces of transfer news. Gabriel Sara incoming, Tyrone Mings off to Turkey. Not sure about the quality of the links to be fair.
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Team Talk claim Borussia Monchengladbach stopper Moritz Nicolas is their top target to replace Maartinez. They say that Villa have “opened talks” with the Bundesliga club over a potential move, and that he could be available for just £13m due to a release clause in his contract.
more clickbait
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How likely do people think it is we want to spend a chunk of our limited cash on a keeper?
It looks like Martinez is staying next season, and Bizot has shown himself to be a dependable and likeable backup. Unless there’s an opportunity to sign a young up and coming keeper we think will be Martinez’s long-term replacement…
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I reckon goalkeeper is very low priority. We’ve got a great first choice and a very strong back-up. Age is the issue but I don’t think it’s an immediate problem next year.
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Gauci doesn't look up to it, would be nice to have a promising goalie in his 20s.
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Gauci doesn't look up to it, would be nice to have a promising goalie in his 20s.
We were linked to Moroccan world cup u20 winner,Benchaouch,who will be out of contract at Monaco.
Like the look of Dion Loupy,seasoned professional at 24 who looks ideal for the Prem. A physically imposing DM with a good skill set.
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With Mustapha Hadji still to come good, as I know he will, it'd be a good idea to get another Moroccan in. They're excellent people, and they all know someone who sells weed, in my experience.
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Gauci doesn't look up to it, would be nice to have a promising goalie in his 20s.
What happened to Sam Proctor?
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Went to Gloucester
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How likely do people think it is we want to spend a chunk of our limited cash on a keeper?
It looks like Martinez is staying next season, and Bizot has shown himself to be a dependable and likeable backup. Unless there’s an opportunity to sign a young up and coming keeper we think will be Martinez’s long-term replacement…
Agree. In a years time, Chevalier, Garcia or Mamardashvili will be bored of sitting on the bench and need first team football. Trafford too but I suspect he’ll move this summer.
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We will only sign a keeper if Martinez leaves.
Our first priority should be a right sided attacker and then Right a Back.
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That Marmadashvili was dreadful with the ball at his feet. Like Bosnich levels of bad.
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We need to replace Bailey, Sancho, and Guessand (need 2). Pace please.
Cover at Defensive Midfield. (Though Lindelof has looked great)
A left Sided Centre Back.
A Right sided defender that could play centre or right back.
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We need to replace Bailey, Sancho, and Guessand (need 2). Pace please.
Cover at Defensive Midfield. (Though Lindelof has looked great)
A left Sided Centre Back.
A Right sided defender that could play centre or right back.
That’s a sensible list and only the attackers need to be first team ready. The others can be prospects that are phased in.
That said, if Lindeloff is also the DCM and Mings looks to have tipped over the edge, we might be wise to commit a big sum on one centre back. They won’t come cheap as Yoro (£52m) and Jacquete (£60m) will be the benchmarks.
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Given money is tight, all we need to do to significantly improve our prospects is replace the three forwards who have contributed next to nothing this season - Guessand, Bailey and Elliott - with one forward with some pace. That Jonathan Rowe looked the part we lack.
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Went to Gloucester
Shit weather down there
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How likely do people think it is we want to spend a chunk of our limited cash on a keeper?
It looks like Martinez is staying next season, and Bizot has shown himself to be a dependable and likeable backup. Unless there’s an opportunity to sign a young up and coming keeper we think will be Martinez’s long-term replacement…
Agree. In a years time, Chevalier, Garcia or Mamardashvili will be bored of sitting on the bench and need first team football. Trafford too but I suspect he’ll move this summer.
Got chatting to a PSG mate of mine last night, who gave me a different reading of the Chevalier situation.
In this interpretation, Chevalier is not the victim of poor form or stage fright - that's just how it's been framed.
In his reading, it is more of a social issue, as apparently, Chevalier has a bit of previous on the socials of extreme right wingery. Him being benched actually reflects the squad's refusal to accept him.
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Given money is tight, all we need to do to significantly improve our prospects is replace the three forwards who have contributed next to nothing this season - Guessand, Bailey and Elliott - with one forward with some pace. That Jonathan Rowe looked the part we lack.
We might differ on fine details, but I agree that major surgery is not required.
One of those fine details is competition/cover for Cash, another is probably back up for SJM, so he can continue with giving his all for at least an hour a game.
Mingueza and Wilson for me.
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How likely do people think it is we want to spend a chunk of our limited cash on a keeper?
It looks like Martinez is staying next season, and Bizot has shown himself to be a dependable and likeable backup. Unless there’s an opportunity to sign a young up and coming keeper we think will be Martinez’s long-term replacement…
Agree. In a years time, Chevalier, Garcia or Mamardashvili will be bored of sitting on the bench and need first team football. Trafford too but I suspect he’ll move this summer.
Got chatting to a PSG mate of mine last night, who gave me a different reading of the Chevalier situation.
In this interpretation, Chevalier is not the victim of poor form or stage fright - that's just how it's been framed.
In his reading, it is more of a social issue, as apparently, Chevalier has a bit of previous on the socials of extreme right wingery. Him being benched actually reflects the squad's refusal to accept him.
(Jed) Steer clear if that’s the case.
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How likely do people think it is we want to spend a chunk of our limited cash on a keeper?
It looks like Martinez is staying next season, and Bizot has shown himself to be a dependable and likeable backup. Unless there’s an opportunity to sign a young up and coming keeper we think will be Martinez’s long-term replacement…
Agree. In a years time, Chevalier, Garcia or Mamardashvili will be bored of sitting on the bench and need first team football. Trafford too but I suspect he’ll move this summer.
Got chatting to a PSG mate of mine last night, who gave me a different reading of the Chevalier situation.
In this interpretation, Chevalier is not the victim of poor form or stage fright - that's just how it's been framed.
In his reading, it is more of a social issue, as apparently, Chevalier has a bit of previous on the socials of extreme right wingery. Him being benched actually reflects the squad's refusal to accept him.
Interesting. There was also talk of tension, for obvious reasons, between the Russian keeper and Zabarnyi, the Ukrainian centre half from Bournemouth who moved for big money but hasn’t played much.
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We need to replace Bailey, Sancho, and Guessand (need 2). Pace please.
Cover at Defensive Midfield. (Though Lindelof has looked great)
A left Sided Centre Back.
A Right sided defender that could play centre or right back.
Lindelhof is a very smart player who really did a job for us in there for the final games of the season. But given his relatively limited mobility and endurance, it would be a mistake in my view to pencil him in for anything more than the back up for the back up to that role.
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Given money is tight, all we need to do to significantly improve our prospects is replace the three forwards who have contributed next to nothing this season - Guessand, Bailey and Elliott - with one forward with some pace. That Jonathan Rowe looked the part we lack.
We might differ on fine details, but I agree that major surgery is not required.
One of those fine details is competition/cover for Cash, another is probably back up for SJM, so he can continue with giving his all for at least an hour a game.
Mingueza and Wilson for me.
Seems very sensible.
I'd add more broadly, a couple of younger but high potential players for the spine, to initiate a downward trend in the squad age.
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I think a lot depends on if we can keep hold of Rogers (i.e. the amount of sales we have to make up this season etc).
A few of the free transfers seem to make sense for added depth - and to be honest we have tended to do better at those kind of signing over the last couple years
I dont think we have the head room for major surgery and as mentioned above a few younger players that can improve on the output of Sancho, Guessard and Bailey - could have a massive impact.
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https://sportwitness.co.uk/player-responds-positively-to-aston-villa-interest-emerys-side-to-negotiate-with-club/
Gabriel Sara - Brazilian midfielder
97 games for Sao Paulo, 86 for Norwich (20 goals 18 assists) 58 for Galatasaray.
6 goals 5 assists last season
Turns 27 next month. 5'10"
In recent Brazilian squads, 1 cap
Earns c. £45-60k pw, depending on which source you believe
A bid of c. €35m (£30.4m) might be enough
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How likely do people think it is we want to spend a chunk of our limited cash on a keeper?
It looks like Martinez is staying next season, and Bizot has shown himself to be a dependable and likeable backup. Unless there’s an opportunity to sign a young up and coming keeper we think will be Martinez’s long-term replacement…
Agree. In a years time, Chevalier, Garcia or Mamardashvili will be bored of sitting on the bench and need first team football. Trafford too but I suspect he’ll move this summer.
Got chatting to a PSG mate of mine last night, who gave me a different reading of the Chevalier situation.
In this interpretation, Chevalier is not the victim of poor form or stage fright - that's just how it's been framed.
In his reading, it is more of a social issue, as apparently, Chevalier has a bit of previous on the socials of extreme right wingery. Him being benched actually reflects the squad's refusal to accept him.
Fantastic so can play in goal and on the right wing - that’s the kind of flexibility we need
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I think a lot of the Summer will be shaped by the frees, loans and players out.
If we manage to get Wilson and Mingueza that’s probably about £40m saved. If we can get Rashford or Jackson on loan that’s another significant saving on transfer fee.
Similarly, if Palace sign Guessand and we can shift Bailey there is another £200k of the wage bill and maybe £30m in.
Say the above scenario happened (idealistic ofc) the urgency and need to sell Rogers will reduce.
If Mingueza and Wilson go elsewhere and Palace don’t want Guessand then I’m sure we will have to sell Rogers
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I like the look of Femi Azeez of Millwall.. would be worth a punt i.e Rogers and much younger and cheaper than Wilson.
Lesley Ugochukwu could be a back up for Kamara and Onana when they are on the medical bench too, Id swap him for Bogarde all day long.
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I think a lot depends on if we can keep hold of Rogers (i.e. the amount of sales we have to make up this season etc).
A few of the free transfers seem to make sense for added depth - and to be honest we have tended to do better at those kind of signing over the last couple years
I dont think we have the head room for major surgery and as mentioned above a few younger players that can improve on the output of Sancho, Guessard and Bailey - could have a massive impact.
Yeah, agree here. Get a decent player to replace Guessand/Bailey and I think we’ll see a huge improvement.
I’d be ok with keeping Sancho if it’s on a free and his wages were sensible. Not worth pushing the boat out to get him, but I think he’s a decent squad option.
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I really hope we dump Sancho, he serves virtually no purpose other than give the ball away if anyone shows even the slightest amount of aggression.
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I like the look of Femi Azeez of Millwall.. would be worth a punt i.e Rogers and much younger and cheaper than Wilson.
Lesley Ugochukwu could be a back up for Kamara and Onana when they are on the medical bench too, Id swap him for Bogarde all day long.
He wouldn’t net out as cheaper than Wilson I imagine.
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I like the look of Femi Azeez of Millwall.. would be worth a punt i.e Rogers and much younger and cheaper than Wilson.
Lesley Ugochukwu could be a back up for Kamara and Onana when they are on the medical bench too, Id swap him for Bogarde all day long.
Didn’t Azeez sign for Palace and then was loaned back?
Edit. Not according to Wiki. Must have just been a rumour.
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I like the look of Femi Azeez of Millwall.. would be worth a punt i.e Rogers and much younger and cheaper than Wilson.
Lesley Ugochukwu could be a back up for Kamara and Onana when they are on the medical bench too, Id swap him for Bogarde all day long.
Didn’t Azeez sign for Palace and then was loaned back?
Edit. Not according to Wiki. Must have just been a rumour.
Maybe you're thinking of Romaine Esse - went from Milwall to Palace last summer then was loaned to Coventry in January.
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I like the look of Femi Azeez of Millwall.. would be worth a punt i.e Rogers and much younger and cheaper than Wilson.
Lesley Ugochukwu could be a back up for Kamara and Onana when they are on the medical bench too, Id swap him for Bogarde all day long.
Didn’t Azeez sign for Palace and then was loaned back?
Edit. Not according to Wiki. Must have just been a rumour.
Maybe you're thinking of Romaine Esse - went from Milwall to Palace last summer then was loaned to Coventry in January.
Ah yes, cheers Dave. I remember he had a similar sounding name to Eze.
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You have to be careful with Championship stats.Philogene outscores Azeez,Sorba Thomas provides more assists than Azeez.AI comes up with Peter Whittingham and Uncle Albert as the best historically for wide assists in the Championship.
Would we welcome modern day Adomah and Whittingham or a Philogene equivalent to cement or improve on a top 4 position ?
It's vital to see these players and their qualities ,as Emery's astute choice of Rogers proved.
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With regard to the goalkeepers, Martinez is one of the leading wage earners at the club. To move him on for a good amount and have a younger keeper to play for more years on much lesser wages would probably swing it.
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It is finding one that wouldn’t cause us to drop a lot more points and is still available at a price we can pay.
It’s a risk, and I am not sure it’s one we need to take yet if Martinez is happy to stay.
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Is Ibrahima Konate any good? Leaving Liverpool on a free.
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He was, he was terrible last year but suspect indicative of the wider malaise. He’ll end up on a lot of money at somewhere like Real Madrid.
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Is Ibrahima Konate any good? Leaving Liverpool on a free.
Not £300k a week good.
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Virgil always looks pissed off with him.
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Virgil always looks pissed off.
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Virgil.
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Had a quick look and a couple sources said he was on about 70k pw?
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Konate looks dreadful with the ball at his feet. Wouldn’t fit into an Emery team.
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Given money is tight, all we need to do to significantly improve our prospects is replace the three forwards who have contributed next to nothing this season - Guessand, Bailey and Elliott - with one forward with some pace. That Jonathan Rowe looked the part we lack.
Rowe looked good in first leg when Cash was not making a tackle to avoid yellow card ban…thought he looked v average 2nd leg when Cash joined in…think there would be better vfm knocking about.
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Had a quick look and a couple sources said he was on about 70k pw?
It's reported he wanted £250k-£300k a week to resign with Liverpool.
Even if we could bargain him down to £200k, he wouldn't be worth it for us. He's not incredible.
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He's crap. Nein danke.
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I get him mixed up with Upamecano, and in my memory Watkins has bulllied both of them.
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I've never been particularly impressed by Konate. He always looks a bit clumsy.
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I like the look of Femi Azeez of Millwall.. would be worth a punt i.e Rogers and much younger and cheaper than Wilson.
Lesley Ugochukwu could be a back up for Kamara and Onana when they are on the medical bench too, Id swap him for Bogarde all day long.
He wouldn’t net out as cheaper than Wilson I imagine.
well yes he would cost but wages wil be alot cheaper and If emery works his magic , could be big sell on fee like Rogers and 5 years younger than Wilson . I just prefer these punts than a 29 years old one good season Wilson ..
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I like the look of Femi Azeez of Millwall.. would be worth a punt i.e Rogers and much younger and cheaper than Wilson.
Lesley Ugochukwu could be a back up for Kamara and Onana when they are on the medical bench too, Id swap him for Bogarde all day long.
Didn’t Azeez sign for Palace and then was loaned back?
Edit. Not according to Wiki. Must have just been a rumour.
no this guy played for Reading and I loved Michael Olise at Reading.
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I've never been particularly impressed by Konate. He always looks a bit clumsy.
Clumsy is exactly how I would describe him, with poor positioning for someone of that level.
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I've never been particularly impressed by Konate. He always looks a bit clumsy.
Clumsy is exactly how I would describe him, with poor positioning for someone of that level.
He looks like Bambi on ice when a football comes anywhere near him.
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Konate is absolutely fucking useless. Avoid like the plague.
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He’s not he’s just been playing poorly in the last season. Not a chance we’re signing him in any case, so doesn’t really matter.
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nor Joe bloody gomez
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If we were forced to sell Morgan I’d love to get Eze who barely gets game time at Arsenal. He was superb in that attacking midfield role for Palace. Mind you, he should never take pens. Not just yesterday but his collection is awful.
https://xcancel.com/TrollFootball2/status/2061135176487575631/video/1?s=46
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Where's Kourtney Hause these days? Miss his heading prowess. Leaves Pow, Mings and Konz for dust with it.
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Where's Kourtney Hause these days? Miss his heading prowess. Leaves Pow, Mings and Konz for dust with it.
The less said about his driving the better though.
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Hause is still without a club. He hasn’t played since he was 26 years old and is 30 now.
If I remember right, he had an issue with both knees, and was at loggerheads over its treatment.
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I thought he’d decided to progress the DJing?
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Seems so, yup.
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I thought he’d decided to progress the DJing?
I wonder what kind of music he plays?
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I thought he’d decided to progress the DJing?
I wonder what kind of music he plays?
I hear he likes The Animals first thing in the morning.
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I thought he’d decided to progress the DJing?
I wonder what kind of music he plays?
Mostly Kourtney Heart, Courtney Love, Courtney Pine, Courtney Barnett, Spiritbox...
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Bologna listening to offers for Jonathan Rowe, Aston Villa and Chelsea interested
Serie A side Bologna have failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in three years. This can lead to movement in the transfer window and Jonathan Rowe can depart the club in just a single season.
Get Italian Football News have looked at how the winger was attracting English interest last month.
Il Resto Del Carlino report that due to the lack of European football, Bologna can now genuine consider Rowe’s departure in the summer.
https://www.getfootballnewsitaly.com/2026/bologna-listening-to-offers-for-jonathan-rowe-aston-villa-and-chelsea-interested/
&t=96s
They paid £15m for him, so £25m is the maximum I would pay, as he counts as homegrown.
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Bologna listening to offers for Jonathan Rowe, Aston Villa and Chelsea interested
Serie A side Bologna have failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in three years. This can lead to movement in the transfer window and Jonathan Rowe can depart the club in just a single season.
Get Italian Football News have looked at how the winger was attracting English interest last month.
Il Resto Del Carlino report that due to the lack of European football, Bologna can now genuine consider Rowe’s departure in the summer.
https://www.getfootballnewsitaly.com/2026/bologna-listening-to-offers-for-jonathan-rowe-aston-villa-and-chelsea-interested/
&t=96s
They paid £15m for him, so £25m is the maximum I would pay, as he counts as homegrown.
I nearly asked about him the other day. Everyone was really high on him back when we played Bologna earlier in the year, and I hadn't heard anything about him since.
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They paid £15m for him, so £25m is the maximum I would pay, as he counts as homegrown.
Does that matter all that much?
We only need four, and there's currently Martinez / Cash / Konsa / Maatsen / Watkins / Rogers / Barkley / Abraham / Mings, so while it would be a surprise if all nine of those are in our European squad next year, it's probably not a particularly high priority in a new signing.
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I'm concerned he just had one great game against us. I'm not completely convinced, but obviously if Unai is, then great.
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Aston Villa target Roma’s Matias Soule doable for £35m. The Argentine who could unlock Watkins’ next level
Aston Villa keep targeting Roma’s Matias Soule for £35m as Emery prepares his squad for the UEFA Super Cup and Champions League.
The 23-year-old created 1.9 chances per 90 in Serie A placing him in the top 20% of European attackers
Roma need to raise funds to address financial issues creating a genuine transfer opportunity
https://readastonvilla.com/2026/06/01/aston-villa-matias-soule-roma-transfer-watkins-2026/
&t=112s
Bailey replacement? Yes, please, if the deal can be done for under £30m
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I nearly asked about him the other day. Everyone was really high on him back when we played Bologna earlier in the year, and I hadn't heard anything about him since.
The clamor died down after the home leg, when he was anonymous.
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Rowe and Soule on each wing would transform us
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I don't get the clamour for Rowe.
Are people just falling into the trap of "he played well against us"?
His overall stats in a poor Serie A are very mediocre.
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Update on Crystal Palace signing £28m Premier League star doesn’t sound promising
Crystal Palace’s hope of securing a permanent deal for loan star Evann Guessand has been cast into serious doubt. While many of the club’s fanbase are eager to see the forward extend his stay in south-east London permanently, the situation has grown complicated.
The crucial option-to-buy clause officially expired yesterday. That means if Palace want to sign the player, they will have to make an offer.
Because Palace didn’t take up the clause in time, they have lost their exclusive window. While the Eagles do remain genuinely interested in the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, they no longer hold the cards.
Instead, they are now expected to face fierce competition from a host of rival clubs across both England and Europe who are looking to hijack the signature. He had been in demand before heading to Villa from OGC Nice in last summer’s transfer window.
https://readcrystalpalace.com/2026/06/01/update-on-crystal-palace-signing-28m-premier-league-star-doesnt-sound-promising-transfer-news/
The financial year for the majority of English football clubs runs from 1 July to 30 June, so they could be waiting until then?
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Rowe and Soule on each wing would transform us
This man knows his football
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Rowe and Soule on each wing would transform us
This man knows his football
Rowe’s output in Ligue 1 and Serie A doesn’t suggest that. Now he might be decent, but other than a good game against Villa, not sure there’s anything to suggest he’d transform us.
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Update on Crystal Palace signing £28m Premier League star doesn’t sound promising
Crystal Palace’s hope of securing a permanent deal for loan star Evann Guessand has been cast into serious doubt. While many of the club’s fanbase are eager to see the forward extend his stay in south-east London permanently, the situation has grown complicated.
The crucial option-to-buy clause officially expired yesterday. That means if Palace want to sign the player, they will have to make an offer.
Because Palace didn’t take up the clause in time, they have lost their exclusive window. While the Eagles do remain genuinely interested in the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international, they no longer hold the cards.
Instead, they are now expected to face fierce competition from a host of rival clubs across both England and Europe who are looking to hijack the signature. He had been in demand before heading to Villa from OGC Nice in last summer’s transfer window.
https://readcrystalpalace.com/2026/06/01/update-on-crystal-palace-signing-28m-premier-league-star-doesnt-sound-promising-transfer-news/
The financial year for the majority of English football clubs runs from 1 July to 30 June, so they could be waiting until then?
Fantastic, a bidding war!!
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That sounds like wishful thinking (for us). I expect we'll have to take a haircut on Guessand, he's very limited.
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Bailey replacement? Yes, please, if the deal can be done for under £30m
Agreed. There appears to be a Premier League/Villa tax of €10m on every player we've been linked with.
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Soule, yes please.
Rowe, not convinced.
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I don't know if Rowe is any good, although he did have one good game against us, but he is the current flavour of the month for our fans.
You'd think he was Messi the way he's constantly brought up.
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Good grief Smirker and I have found common ground!
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I knew you'd get there in the end, Paul.
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Yep. I've never understood it, either. 5 goal involvements in 28 in Serie A. 6 goal involvements in 28 in Ligue 1. You never know, I guess. Maybe his all round game is decent 🤷♂️.
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I think Rowe has the talent, I’m more concerned by his attitude.
Got kicked out of Marseille for being more bonkers than Rabiot. He raised his game to an exceptional level in his audition for a payday back in the PL (v us), but seems to struggle from week-to-week according to Seria A fans on here.
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Off topic but transfer related; Eliot has been linked with a £25m move to Leeds. Nice to see Liverpool’s stubbornness has cost them £10m.
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He had a good run just around the time we played them with 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 games. His record other than that little patch has been poor for 2 years. Aside from that he's just got nothing special about him whenever i've seen him. He's got a turn of pace that caught Cash out a bit and, like most top flight players, he's capable of scoring from the edge of the box if you give him enough chances but when you have a plan to handle him (like we did in the 2nd leg) he's invisible.
Soule is a significantly better player in pretty much every way I can think of who, weirdly, seemed to lose his form as soon as Malen got there, I guess because they both like to move into that inside right channel and Soule ended up having to play wider/deeper once Malen was in the team.
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Off topic but transfer related; Eliot has been linked with a £25m move to Leeds. Nice to see Liverpool’s stubbornness has cost them £10m.
How so?
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He had a good run just around the time we played them with 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 games. His record other than that little patch has been poor for 2 years. Aside from that he's just got nothing special about him whenever i've seen him. He's got a turn of pace that caught Cash out a bit and, like most top flight players, he's capable of scoring from the edge of the box if you give him enough chances but when you have a plan to handle him (like we did in the 2nd leg) he's invisible.
Soule is a significantly better player in pretty much every way I can think of who, weirdly, seemed to lose his form as soon as Malen got there, I guess because they both like to move into that inside right channel and Soule ended up having to play wider/deeper once Malen was in the team.
Maybe there's a deal to be done re the 25m they now owe us for Malen.
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Off topic but transfer related; Eliot has been linked with a £25m move to Leeds. Nice to see Liverpool’s stubbornness has cost them £10m.
How so?
Didn’t we have a £35m deal agreed once the conditions were met?
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Off topic but transfer related; Eliot has been linked with a £25m move to Leeds. Nice to see Liverpool’s stubbornness has cost them £10m.
How so?
Didn’t we have a £35m deal agreed once the conditions were met?
£30m according to people on our side, but we only decided not to meet the conditions because we didn't want to spent that money on him.
So they still don't end up with the money.
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I think Rowe has the talent, I’m more concerned by his attitude.
Got kicked out of Marseille for being more bonkers than Rabiot. He raised his game to an exceptional level in his audition for a payday back in the PL (v us), but seems to struggle from week-to-week according to Seria A fans on here.
Being more bonkers than Rabiot, didn’t they have a fight and they were both moved on?
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We did, and if they'd been willing to remove the clause to let him play more it might have seen them get more this window (or less if we'd done it and then he didn't play anyway or has been shit) but "cost them £10m" is stretching it.
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I think Rowe has the talent, I’m more concerned by his attitude.
Got kicked out of Marseille for being more bonkers than Rabiot. He raised his game to an exceptional level in his audition for a payday back in the PL (v us), but seems to struggle from week-to-week according to Seria A fans on here.
Being more bonkers than Rabiot, didn’t they have a fight and they were both moved on?
Yep, but there were mitigating circumstances. Specifically, Rabiot is a massive twat.
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We did, and if they'd been willing to remove the clause to let him play more it might have seen them get more this window (or less if we'd done it and then he didn't play anyway or has been shit) but "cost them £10m" is stretching it.
Indeed, which is every bit as likely.
Maybe if Liverpool give in and say that he can play as much as we want him to, his potential suitors notice that he's still just the guy that is third choice behind an at-best-mediocre Bailey and Sancho and think they might as well look to spend their £25m elsewhere.
Nothing in his Villa career suggests that if we could have played him more, then we would have.
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Fair enough I remembered wrong at £35m. My understanding was they refused to negotiate the games condition meaning we wouldn’t/couldn’t play him and hence his value dropped. As proven, my memory may not be reliable.
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Off topic but transfer related; Eliot has been linked with a £25m move to Leeds. Nice to see Liverpool’s stubbornness has cost them £10m.
Do they want Tammy as well? I'm trying to raise funds to bring in Gonçalo Ramos from PSG, prices mentioned anything between €30m and €50m, wages are fine, less than Watkins. For me he's just a younger, technically more gifted Ollie Watkins, he'd fit our style of play to perfection. I'd keep Watkins for another season, loads of games, let them share the load. Watkins is getting no younger and he's also very feast or famine, never had an injury (touch wood) and his value after this window will mean it's best to keep him than sell for peanuts. Ramos hasn't had regular minutes at PSG so may take some time or need a breather in his first season. He also may have an extended time at the World Cup where he'll hopefully be ahead of Ronaldo when that idiot Martinez picks the team.
The old chestnut of 'oh but who do you replace Ollie with' and 'oh it would cost £70-£80m to replace him', well we have a chance to get in a bargain, there's obviously interest from other clubs, Milan and Juventus in Italy but they want him dirt cheap as they don't have the money; Chelsea (to replace Delap), Newcastle (already wasted their Isak cash) and cheeky fuckers Man U (on loan).
Come on, Villa! It would be rude not to.
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I'm happy to trust RCF's judgement on this.
BTW, do you rate Jaden Umeh as a prospect?
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Although counter point being RCF did say Amorim was good…only teasing.
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Although counter point being RCF did say Amorim was good…only teasing.
I'm looking forward to the Ramos - Kılıçsoy dream team once we save the latter from Cagliari's reserves.
(also only teasing)
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Although counter point being RCF did say Amorim was good…only teasing.
I'm looking forward to the Ramos - Kılıçsoy dream team once we save the latter from Cagliari's reserves.
(also only teasing)
Bitchfest! ;)
It's all about the fit which is why the way we're currently "structured" Ramos would be hand in glove.
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I'm happy to trust RCF's judgement on this.
BTW, do you rate Jaden Umeh as a prospect?
Good man.
Jaden Umeh, the Irish Rafael Leão? Let's just say it's stressful enough following the Villa with an eye on Sporting to see what's going on at those gloryhunters down the road. He's yet to break into the Benfica B side but I will now be keeping an eye out for him.
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I'd take Ramos to compete with Watkins for a year, everytime I've seen him he looks decent and his penalty on Saturday was superb.
It's players like him that made me unsure when the links to Tammy started. I like Tammy and he was great for us, but I just don't think he has the all round game to be the single striker for a top half premier league club. Emery obviously disagrees and saw something he thought he could work with so I'm happy to let it play out but if we could get our money back on him and use it to go towards someone younger and more suited to playing on their own I'd go for it, it's the same reason I was ok with Malen going (who I also think is a great player, ironically I think Tammy and Malen would make a superb partnership).
I'd have preferred Panichelli (who I think will be a top striker in a couple of years) but him being out until Christmas means he's going nowhere this summer, if we decide to stick with the strikers for a year he'd be the one to look at next summer for me.
On thge topic of Strasbourg players, if we don't go for Mingueza as the competition for Cash I'd like us to be looking and Guela Doue instead because he's another I suspect will turn out to be pretty special (and maybe he can convince his brother to join us later).
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I think Rowe has the talent, I’m more concerned by his attitude.
Got kicked out of Marseille for being more bonkers than Rabiot. He raised his game to an exceptional level in his audition for a payday back in the PL (v us), but seems to struggle from week-to-week according to Seria A fans on here.
Being more bonkers than Rabiot, didn’t they have a fight and they were both moved on?
Word on the street is that the fight was blown up out of all proportion to justify the sale of one of the OM stars (Rabiot) in the eyes of the fans. Rowe was collateral damage.
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My outside bet is that Tammy won't be with us by the end of the window.
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Unai said he was introducing him over a period of time i thought
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My outside bet is that Tammy won't be with us by the end of the window.
There’s a chance of that I reckon, which if it is the case is not great use of resources again.
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What happened to the kid we paid £20m from some club in Luxembourg I think???
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It depends, really. He was obviously bought as backup and cover for Watkins.
If we hadn’t got Abraham, and Watkins got injured or never recovered his form, we’d all have been moaning we didn’t get another striker.
It’s like buying insurance - it’s always a waste of money till your house burns down.
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It depends, really. He was obviously bought as backup and cover for Watkins.
If we hadn’t got Abraham, and Watkins got injured or never recovered his form, we’d all have been moaning we didn’t get another striker.
It’s like buying insurance - it’s always a waste of money till your house burns down.
I think the concept of a back-up striker is fine, but I think Tammy just doesn’t have the game to be back-up to Ollie.
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I’m not sure who we were going to get who does, though.
I guess Emery felt Abraham had enough he could work with if needed, he was available, and the price was doable on our budget.
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What happened to the kid we paid £20m from some club in Luxembourg I think???
France.
We can't register him because our recruitment guys forgot to read the rules properly.
We can register him in January when he turns 18.
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Soule is like he was made in a lab to be the right side midfielder in Emery’s system. Bring.
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What’s the word on pronunciation, though?
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What happened to the kid we paid £20m from some club in Luxembourg I think???
France.
We can't register him because our recruitment guys forgot to read the rules properly.
We can register him in January when he turns 18.
I wonder if they knew exactly what the rules were, they just wanted to beat any other suitors.
It has given the young chap plenty of time to settle in
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Perhaps. There's quite a few "maybe they did know and it just looks on the surface like they were incompetent?" examples though.
The "only adding three players to the post-January UEFA squad" last year, rumours of not understanding how Elliott's transfer fee would be seen by UEFA until after the deal had been done, and Madjo.
That's quite a few things where it looks like they didn't know what they were doing.
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Off topic but transfer related; Eliot has been linked with a £25m move to Leeds. Nice to see Liverpool’s stubbornness has cost them £10m.
That would be a good move for both parties.
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Perhaps. There's quite a few "maybe they did know and it just looks on the surface like they were incompetent?" examples though.
The club probably should have checked more thoroughly but the judgement re Brian is somewhat subjective ("The disagreement stemmed from FIFA characterising the transfer as an international transfer, due to Madjo's appearances for the Luxembourg national team, whereas Aston Villa considered him English due to being born in London. An international transfer cannot take place until a player is 18 years old, which would mean Madjo would not be able to be registered until January 2027" - from Wikipedia), and the kid had also played 9 times for the England U17 after having represented Luxembourg.
If I were a conspiracist, I'd be asking whether this was simply someone at FIFA with an axe to grind re Premier League clubs with loadsa money ...
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I don't think the "playing for England or Luxembourg" thing really comes into it, it's just the fact that he's moving from a club in France to a club in England before turning 18.
https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/fifa-article-19---feb-2024.ashx
"International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18". There are five exceptions:
Parents moving to that country for non-footballing reasons
Moving to another EEA country
Moving to another club in a different country within 50km of your current home
Moving as a former / current refugee
Moving temporarily for study / educational exchange reasons
We might think it's silly, but there's not much of a grey area that makes it unclear. It's a Brexit problem more than it's a UEFA problem.
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Information from Jacob Tanswell at the Athletic on our plans:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7254854/2026/06/02/aston-villa-emery-rowe-mbaye-transfer-dealsheet/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7254854/2026/06/02/aston-villa-emery-rowe-mbaye-transfer-dealsheet/)
Pacey wingers, right-back, only a keeper if we get a good offer for Martinez.
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Anyone got a free version?
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I’ve just read it free on X.
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Anyone got a free version?
https://archive.ph/PK3gH
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This article makes sense. Our baseline best XI is:
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
McGinn Onana Kamara Rogers
Tielemans
Watkins
On the basis that the holy trinity of Onana Kamara and Tielemans are rarely fit at the same time, and Rogers is better in the '10' role I'd say a decent left sided midfielder is the priority to improve the starting XI, preferably someone quick.
Secondly, as Unai likes a turbo charged McGinn for 70 mins, a pacy right midfielder would be my second priority.
Thirdly someone who can cover Cash and Konsa would be ideal, Lindelof can then cover Torres/Kamara.
After that depending on outgoings I'd be looking to reduce the age profile of the squad and start succession planning for key positions.
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I do wonder if Stones could be the back up? He’s only played 180 games for man city in 10year though…
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Text from The Athletic article
Aston Villa’s season ended in glorious fashion, qualifying for the Champions League after a fourth-place finish and winning the Europa League in Istanbul.
Yet, despite the ostensible success, there is a growing case for Villa to use the upcoming transfer window to rejuvenate. Invariably, it will be busy and perhaps unpredictable — the manager-led power structure around Unai Emery gears it this way — while the club battle with financial restrictions once more.
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The information found within this article has been gathered according to The Athletic’s sourcing guidelines. Sources with knowledge of transfer dealings, who asked to be kept anonymous to protect relationships, have been spoken to before offering the clubs involved the opportunity to comment.
We break down what to expect from Villa this summer.
Who will make key decisions?
The simple answer is Emery. He is the kingmaker, with total authority. As was the case under previous sporting director Monchi, he has the power to authorise or veto any deal or suggestion brought to him.
Director of football operations Damian Vidagany and sporting director Roberto Olabe, Emery’s friend, will be tasked with facilitating his wishes.
Especially in Olabe’s case, he will bring suggestions to Emery — offered and researched by Villa’s recruitment department led by its head Bryn Davies — as well as their scouting and data departments. But the manager has the final say on all senior arrivals.
Damian Vidagany sitting next to Unai Emery at a press conference
Damian Vidagany works closely with Unai EmeryNick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images
What positions will they be looking at in the summer window?
Much will depend on sales, which are more likely after the World Cup. A priority area is to recruit at least one winger, preferably two. Emery has asked for a fast right winger who makes frequent runs beyond opposition defences.
Villa were keen on signing a wide player in January and were interested in Brazilian winger Rayan, who joined Bournemouth that month. Villa made calls with his representatives to discuss the potential figures involved in a deal. They also made background checks on his personality traits. Sources close to Rayan said he was already convinced of Bournemouth’s project under sporting director Tiago Pinto.
Villa are also yet to replace attacking midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who left for Newcastle United last summer. His supposed replacement was Harvey Elliott, who has now returned to Liverpool. This will become more pressing depending on outgoings.
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Finding an alternative to Matty Cash at right-back is, once more, a priority. The club have regularly discussed the role over the last three years, but budget constraints meant other areas were deemed more important. Villa are now targeting a versatile right-back who can take the load off Cash.
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What happens elsewhere is dependent on who leaves. Should a suitable offer come in for Emiliano Martinez, Villa will sign a goalkeeper. Central midfield has been discussed and Villa have a list of targets, but it is not considered the most crucial position to address. Villa intend to renew Youri Tielemans’ contract, which expires in 2028, while Boubacar Kamara aims to return to fitness this summer.
Interestingly, according to sources familiar with the situation, left-back is repeatedly a position being discussed. But any move would be dependent on either Lucas Digne or Ian Maatsen leaving.
Youri Tielemans crunches home Aston Villa's opening goal in the Europa League final
Aston Villa will look to extend Youri Tielemans’ contractStu Forster/Getty Images
Are there any specific players they are targeting?
In recent months, Villa have been checking in with representatives of players of interest, asking about the conditions of a potential deal. The main challenges are some of the fees required for prospective targets.
They remain long-standing admirers of Paris Saint-Germain winger Ibrahim Mbaye. The Athletic revealed that Villa were interested in the 18-year-old over the winter, but could not afford PSG’s asking price.
Realistically, any possible fee would be stretching the top end of what Villa can afford this summer, with sources close to the player indicating it would likely be around £40-50million ($54-67m). Other teams have now enquired.
Villa have held discussions with a view to signing Bologna winger Jonathan Rowe, as recently as last month. Villa asked what the parameters of an agreement would look like. The Athletic can reveal other wide options that Villa have explored are West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville, who is likely to be more expensive than Rowe, and Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund.
Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes has long been admired internally. Should the opportunity arise, Barnes is willing to explore a possible move to the Midlands, but any fee would again be at the top end of what Villa would be able to afford. Regardless, it is unlikely Newcastle would entertain another winger leaving following Anthony Gordon’s sale to Barcelona.
Bologna's Jonathan Rowe
Bologna’s Jonathan Rowe is an Aston Villa targetAlessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
A possible move for Harry Wilson, who will be out of contract at Fulham from July 1, has been the subject of ongoing speculation. While he remains on Villa’s potential recruitment list, with club figures having been offered the chance to pursue his signing several times, senior sources have dismissed his arrival either as imminent or a formality.
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Villa and Emery had not yet decided whether to proceed and complete the final stages of an agreement, considering the 29-year-old would not fill the profile of a fast wide player. Instead, if he is to join, he will be regarded as a No 10.
The goalkeeper situation is similar to last summer, when Villa identified several replacements for Martinez. That list includes Manchester City’s James Trafford. The question is whether Martinez leaves and, if he does, whether it is early enough in the summer to pursue Trafford, who is not short of interest.
Villa have routinely monitored Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza. The versatile player fulfils the remit Villa are wanting and is a free agent this summer. The 27-year-old would provide depth in both full-back positions as well as centre-back. Club Brugge forward Nicolo Tresoldi is also a player Villa admire.
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Who will they be looking to sell?
There is an expectation from multiple sources spoken to by The Athletic that Morgan Rogers will leave Villa this summer.
Ideally, Villa would love to keep Rogers for another season. Senior club sources state they are intent on retaining the 23-year-old and, with five years left on his contract, are in a strong position to do so. Still, they are expected to field significant interest.
There is an acceptance that to comply with restrictions, Villa will have to look to player sales to help their squad building. This has been discussed with Emery. Representatives of other Villa players believe the club will look towards the £100m sale of Jack Grealish to Manchester City in 2021 as a starting figure for Rogers before negotiations with any suitor.
This is relevant considering Rogers’ former club, Middlesbrough, retain a 20 per cent sell-on clause.
Morgan Rogers celebrates his goal in the Europa League final
Aston Villa want to retain Morgan RogersDan Mullan/Getty Images
Elsewhere, Martinez’s future will continue to be a source of speculation. Last summer’s stumbling block was a lack of interest. Emery still believes Martinez is the best goalkeeper in the world and wants the 33-year-old to stay. Yet if there are suitors — Martinez was adamant he would not go to Saudi Arabia last summer — Villa will have to consider sensible offers.
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Villa wish to move on several players. Most sales are expected to happen after the World Cup given Emery will have a notably reduced squad for pre-season due to players’ commitments with their countries. But likely exits include both deputy right-backs, Andres Garcia and Kosta Nedeljkovic, as well as winger Leon Bailey. Villa wanted to sell the latter last year, but had to settle for a loan to Roma.
Villa have discussed renewing Lamare Bogarde’s contract, but the midfielder has received interest from multiple Premier League clubs this year. Like Martinez, his future will depend on whether any offers arrive and if the sale of a ‘homegrown’ talent would free up space in midfield to recruit.
Douglas Luiz and Jadon Sancho will not stay beyond the conclusion of their loans, while some players who had been on temporary moves may be sold. They include Sil Swinkels and Tommi O’Reilly, while Villa will sit down with Samuel Iling-Junior’s representatives to discuss whether the next step is another loan or a permanent move.
Crystal Palace had a £28m option to sign Evann Guessand which expired on May 31. Discussions over a permanent move are set to take place in the coming weeks, though sources close to the player say they will wait to learn the identity of the new Palace manager before making a decision.
Evann Guessand lifts the UEFA Conference League trophy
Evann Guessand won the Conference League at Palace and qualifies for a Europa League medal with VillaAlex Grimm/Getty Images
There is an increasing sense that Villa are not planning to keep both left-backs this summer. Villa had previously tried to move Digne on, but he has since impressed Emery and signed a new contract on reduced terms last year. Maatsen has struggled for regular starts since joining in 2024. Any replacement is likely to be of a bigger, more physical profile.
Will anyone be earmarked for a loan away?
Colombia youth international Yeimar Mosquera has been the subject of enquiries from two Scottish clubs.
Ben Broggio will return to Villa for pre-season following an excellent loan spell at Falkirk. He has impressed Emery’s coaching staff, though another year of regular senior football would be preferable for the development of the winger, who has Championship admirers. Defender Triston Rowe and midfielder Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba are in similar predicaments.
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Midfielder George Hemmings has received Championship interest and striker Rory Wilson is earmarked for another loan.
As part of the V Sports umbrella — Villa’s ownership group — Real Union, the club in which Emery has a majority stake, are returning to the third tier in Spain following promotion. They are keen to continue the partnership which sees Villa send youngsters to Real Union, but their elevation means they may need more established academy graduates who have already been on their first loans.
Another V Sports club, FC Annecy, will receive Villa young players. Central midfielder Mohamed Kone has been discussed as a possibility.
What sort of budget do they have and what is their SCR position?
Last September, The Athletic projected that Aston Villa would breach UEFA rules once again.
Forecasts indicated the club’s squad cost ratio (SCR) — the percentage of overall turnover spent on football-related salaries — was notably lower than the 80 per cent mark it exceeded in 2024, yet it was crucially still above the 70 per cent limit set by European football’s governing body.
Agents have spoken of a challenging situation with PSR and did not expect Villa to have much room for manoeuvre without player sales. Villa are on a finance plan this summer, meaning they have to adhere to various financial restrictions. In light of the changes they wish to make in several positions, it is unlikely they will be able to surpass the current £50m fee for club record signing, Amadou Onana. Instead, they must shop in a lower price bracket.
Last summer, Villa entered into a settlement agreement with UEFA which meant they were limited to a €5m football-earnings loss during the 2025-26 season — a target that on its own looks difficult to achieve. The agreement did allow that limit to be lifted to a maximum of €60m (£52m) if Villa’s owners provide equity funding, as they regularly do. Regardless, that higher threshold might prove restrictive.
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Villa's Football Earnings loss in 2024-25 was c.£46m - but that was with £70m UCL prize money. 2025-26 Europa League win generated around half that.
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That article is pretty depressing.
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So Tanswell reckons the UEFA settlement is still in play.
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The big issue that we have in competing with the protected 6 is that percentage of revenue coming from broadcasting. That's the issue, because a poor year will slash that and we don't have the buffer from other areas to cope.
So it's now 63%, but that's down from 85% in the last 5 years.
It's a slow process, but we are creeping up, bit by bit. It was always going to take a long time to break through the financial shackles designed to stop us doing exactly what we are doing.
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...SNIP...
I agree with you that the priorities are 2 wide midfielders/wingers and a right sided defender.
Mingueza seems like a good option for the defender, even if he's a little older than I'd like to go for. As I said yesterday I'd also like to see us look at Guela Doue there who I think would be the perfect fit for us as he'd offer cover for RB, CB and in midfield.
For wingers we've seen a lot of links which suggests that there's going to be a big focus on this from the club. Soule and Munoz both look like great options for the right side and fit exactly the profile we should be targeting.
Left side winger feels a lot harder mostly because we haven't really seen any links there. Obviously the simple choice would be Rashford if he is now available at a decent price.
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The big issue that we have in competing with the protected 6 is that percentage of revenue coming from broadcasting. That's the issue, because a poor year will slash that and we don't have the buffer from other areas to cope.
So it's now 63%, but that's down from 85% in the last 5 years.
It's a slow process, but we are creeping up, bit by bit. It was always going to take a long time to break through the financial shackles designed to stop us doing exactly what we are doing.
We need to be CL every other season at least. It is hard as that needs 2 of the Big Six and Newcastle to not have good seasons and that is without considering upstarts or moonshot seasons but at least our 2023-24 doesn't look like that.
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Yes, absolutely. And the more often we are, and the more successful we are, the better commercial deals we get which help us get by when we are not.
Newcastle are in the same boat as us, though helped a little from their dodgy commercial deals inflating their commercial income.
The spotlight hasn't been on them so much as us, because they have either qualified for Champions League or no europe at all. That's meant that they have had two seasons in the last 4 without having to worry about the harder UEFA limits.
It looks like it is now starting to catch up with them, though.
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Anyone got a free version?
https://archive.ph/PK3gH
Thank you.
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Normally look at these transfer window threads with a bit of excitement but not so much this year. Emotionally, I'm not ready for the band to be broken up, yet. They won our first trophy in thirty years and the thought of them leaving makes me sad.
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Yes, absolutely. And the more often we are, and the more successful we are, the better commercial deals we get which help us get by when we are not.
Newcastle are in the same boat as us, though helped a little from their dodgy commercial deals inflating their commercial income.
The spotlight hasn't been on them so much as us, because they have either qualified for Champions League or no europe at all. That's meant that they have had two seasons in the last 4 without having to worry about the harder UEFA limits.
It looks like it is now starting to catch up with them, though.
Newcastle were also starting from a position of not being able to raise revenues via transfers in the same way we were - they went from summer 2019 through to summer 2024 and the only transfer out for more than a million pounds or so across those five years was Chris Wood to Forest (£15m).
Between 2021 - 2024 they spent £400m and only brought in that Chris Wood money.
We'd have been properly screwed had we not been able to raise over £250m to help cover our spending over that same time period.
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We need to be CL every other season at least. It is hard as that needs 2 of the Big Six and Newcastle to not have good seasons and that is without considering upstarts or moonshot seasons but at least our 2023-24 doesn't look like that.
We just need to win the Europa League every other season.
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Normally look at these transfer window threads with a bit of excitement but not so much this year. Emotionally, I'm not ready for the band to be broken up, yet. They won our first trophy in thirty years and the thought of them leaving makes me sad.
Well if it warms your cockles any, we can't really afford to break them up anyway.
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Thank god we have a miracle worker as our manager.
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Yes, absolutely. And the more often we are, and the more successful we are, the better commercial deals we get which help us get by when we are not.
Newcastle are in the same boat as us, though helped a little from their dodgy commercial deals inflating their commercial income.
The spotlight hasn't been on them so much as us, because they have either qualified for Champions League or no europe at all. That's meant that they have had two seasons in the last 4 without having to worry about the harder UEFA limits.
It looks like it is now starting to catch up with them, though.
Newcastle were also starting from a position of not being able to raise revenues via transfers in the same way we were - they went from summer 2019 through to summer 2024 and the only transfer out for more than a million pounds or so across those five years was Chris Wood to Forest (£15m).
Between 2021 - 2024 they spent £400m and only brought in that Chris Wood money.
We'd have been properly screwed had we not been able to raise over £250m to help cover our spending over that same time period.
Newcastle had a year's headstart on us in their "revolution", and we've more or less alternated with them as the Big 6 parvenu over the past four years.
We have quite significantly outperformed them though on that one-year staggered basis, partly for the reasons set out above (which suggests our player trading performance hasn't been as shabby as we sometimes think), and partly because we have a superior coaching operation.
As things stand, it even looks like we may have bridged the one year gap as we go into our "weak" year and their "strong" season looking like more of a force to be reckoned with.
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Anyone got a free version?
I use downloadable paywall removal tools. Sometimes a bit messy, and don't always work, but worth a try.
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Anyone got a free version?
I use downloadable paywall removal tools. Sometimes a bit messy, and don't always work, but worth a try.
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Don’t they result in everything getting duplicated though ?
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Anyone got a free version?
https://archive.ph/PK3gH
Thanks for sharing. It pretty much covers all the bases; it's a bit of a blanket article, not saying anything new.
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Left side winger feels a lot harder mostly because we haven't really seen any links there. Obviously the simple choice would be Rashford if he is now available at a decent price.
Rowe is the option being mooted.
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Which I hope we move on from because I don't think he's good enough.
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I've had a nose around at who has been linked over thge last month or 2 and the one that stands out for me, as a LW, is Mika Godts at Ajax. I reckon he'd be perfect to fill the gap we have and it sounds like we have at least been watching him. Supposedly available for £30m-ish so within the sort of price range I expect we'd be looking at. He's just had a great season and I suspect will be worth double that this time next year. Fits nicely with our collection of Belgians in midfield as well.
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There seem to be hundreds of quality left wingers about but no right wingers for some strange reason.
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Anyone got a free version?
I use downloadable paywall removal tools. Sometimes a bit messy, and don't always work, but worth a try.
The link I saw says it’s free to read, which it was.
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I’m not getting the ‘depressing’ vibe from Tanswell’s article, or the transfer window in general.
We’re intent on keeping Rogers and we’re in a strong position to do so. McGinn, Buendia & Watkins have all looked better than ever as the season ended. The first XI is fantastic. The wage bill has dropped massively with little effect on overall contribution. Income is about to rise massively thanks to CL qualification. Lindelof (in two positions) & Bizot have proven themselves more than adequate deputies. It’s all rainbows and lollipops for me.
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I don't think the "playing for England or Luxembourg" thing really comes into it, it's just the fact that he's moving from a club in France to a club in England before turning 18.
https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/fifa-article-19---feb-2024.ashx
"International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of 18". There are five exceptions:
Parents moving to that country for non-footballing reasons
Moving to another EEA country
Moving to another club in a different country within 50km of your current home
Moving as a former / current refugee
Moving temporarily for study / educational exchange reasons
We might think it's silly, but there's not much of a grey area that makes it unclear. It's a Brexit problem more than it's a UEFA problem.
Obviously with Damian and Olabe mostly doing European transfers, you do wonder if that was why we were burnt with them forgetting the EEA rules now do not apply. However as CD did mention, Madjo had some weirdness in his background life of being born and lived in the UK and representing England u17 the same year we bought him. I'm surprised we didn't leave him playing for Metz though rather then 12 months of not playing competively.
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I've had a nose around at who has been linked over thge last month or 2 and the one that stands out for me, as a LW, is Mika Godts at Ajax. I reckon he'd be perfect to fill the gap we have and it sounds like we have at least been watching him. Supposedly available for £30m-ish so within the sort of price range I expect we'd be looking at. He's just had a great season and I suspect will be worth double that this time next year. Fits nicely with our collection of Belgians in midfield as well.
Proper winger and only 20 years old. Great call. Hope you're right on the price.
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I can only see one Emery-doesn't-play-proper-wingers-shaped hole in this plan.
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Who are Brighton Bournemouth and Brentford are after , lets nick them
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Which I hope we move on from because I don't think he's good enough.
Yep I don’t know if he isn’t, but beyond one good game against Villa there’s not a lot to suggest he is.
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Who are Brighton Bournemouth and Brentford are after , lets nick them
Said El Mala from Köln supposedly. Who apparently is going to be massive in a couple of years.
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Who are Brighton Bournemouth and Brentford are after , lets nick them
Said El Mala from Köln supposedly. Who apparently is going to be massive in a couple of years.
They said that about Gary Coleman.
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Who are Brighton Bournemouth and Brentford are after , lets nick them
Said El Mala from Köln supposedly. Who apparently is going to be massive in a couple of years.
They said that about Gary Coleman.
WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT LEE B ???
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There seem to be hundreds of quality left wingers about but no right wingers for some strange reason.
I’d say it’s the opposite in the UK…
Oops wrong thread….thought we were talking politics
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I’m not getting the ‘depressing’ vibe from Tanswell’s article, or the transfer window in general.
We’re intent on keeping Rogers and we’re in a strong position to do so. McGinn, Buendia & Watkins have all looked better than ever as the season ended. The first XI is fantastic. The wage bill has dropped massively with little effect on overall contribution. Income is about to rise massively thanks to CL qualification. Lindelof (in two positions) & Bizot have proven themselves more than adequate deputies. It’s all rainbows and lollipops for me.
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I’m not getting the ‘depressing’ vibe from Tanswell’s article, or the transfer window in general.
We’re intent on keeping Rogers and we’re in a strong position to do so. McGinn, Buendia & Watkins have all looked better than ever as the season ended. The first XI is fantastic. The wage bill has dropped massively with little effect on overall contribution. Income is about to rise massively thanks to CL qualification. Lindelof (in two positions) & Bizot have proven themselves more than adequate deputies. It’s all rainbows and lollipops for me.
I'm the same. Yes, we can spend with impunity (but who can, really?). Even the idea of losing our best player for £100m feels VERY different to the last time it happened. I absolutely don't want it to happen, and hope it doesn't, but if it does, we're in a much better position to use that money than we were when Jack was here. We're in the Champions League, we have an elite manager, a European trophy, and a team that is capable of beating absolutely anyone on its day. If he goes, we won't be replacing him with whoever is today's equivalent of Danny Ings.
I hope we can add two or three quality players, that also bring the average age down a bit, but there is no doom and gloom from this side of the keyboard.
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Ultimately, it seems any player that leaves this year will be leaving on our terms. That alone is a huge positive compared to previous years.
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I can only see one Emery-doesn't-play-proper-wingers-shaped hole in this plan.
Somebody has to keep pointing that out! Emery keeps trying though.
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He did pay more for Diaby than he has played for any other player (at Villa, at least).
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
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Athletic journalists must be bonused by the word.
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
Maybe that West Ham dude, Diouf. Has a nice cross on him
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
Neco Williams would be a brilliant signing IMO.
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
Araujo!
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Bless you.
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
Maybe that West Ham dude, Diouf. Has a nice cross on him
Lots of left-backs available
Alejandro Balde
Miguel Gutiérrez
Álvaro Fernández Carreras
Jorrel Hato
Yaimar Medina
Matteo Ruggeri
Tom Rothe
Archie Brown ( From Birmingham)
And right back, only one name
Lutsharel Geertruida
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^^ Get the Brummie in. How much?
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Cheap left back from Nantes (relegation)
Left-footed centre back and left back
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
Neco Williams would be a brilliant signing IMO.
Great shout, covers both full back positions like Lahm or Irwin (perhaps not to their respective levels!). MGW, Williams, Ampadu still my top 3. No idea re mini McGinn, Gallagher I guess was meant to help there in January so looking forward to a plan b.
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The thing with Neco Williams and MGW is they will cost too much with PL player tax.
Forrest will want pretty much all our Rogers money (if sold) for MGW
They'll probably ask £40m for Neco Williams.
I just don't think we're allowed to shop in that market by PSR.
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I think Unai would improve both MGW and Williams. I realise that’s a bit parochial signing an Englishman and a Welshman from the Premier League but….shrugs shoulders. The only issue would be the price and domestic PL players uplift.
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I think Unai would improve both MGW and Williams. I realise that’s a bit parochial signing an Englishman and a Welshman from the Premier League but….shrugs shoulders. The only issue would be the price and domestic PL players uplift.
Yeah, I'm fully on team "sign cheaper from abroad rather than Martin O'Neilling it", but I can't think of anyone in the world more suited to just dropping straight into how we play and being great than Gibbs-White would.
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Think Forest are really going to struggle to hold onto their best players this summer. Will be sickening if Spurs or whoever get players like that in this summer.
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I'd be moving Maatsen on if we could land Williams. Maybe a swap deal of sorts could work? Keep Digne as back up.
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I'd be moving Maatsen on if we could land Williams. Maybe a swap deal of sorts could work? Keep Digne as back up.
We tried that this year but Digne won out over Maatsen.🤷🏼♂️
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I'd be moving Maatsen on if we could land Williams. Maybe a swap deal of sorts could work? Keep Digne as back up.
We tried that this year but Digne won out over Maatsen.🤷🏼♂️
Precisely why I'd move Maatsen on first! He's not terrible, but he isn't the long term solution for us unless I'm missing something.
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I think Unai would improve both MGW and Williams. I realise that’s a bit parochial signing an Englishman and a Welshman from the Premier League but….shrugs shoulders. The only issue would be the price and domestic PL players uplift.
Yeah, I'm fully on team "sign cheaper from abroad rather than Martin O'Neilling it", but I can't think of anyone in the world more suited to just dropping straight into how we play and being great than Gibbs-White would.
I'm always a little surprised how few players we have bought, or tried to buy, that have played under UE before. Maybe he improves them so much they become out of our price range? Alex Baena I thought would be a very good option for one of our winger slots but, from his stats, he seems to be playing regularly, even after Lookman arrived in Madrid.
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
Neco Williams would be a brilliant signing IMO.
Great shout, covers both full back positions like Lahm or Irwin (perhaps not to their respective levels!). MGW, Williams, Ampadu still my top 3. No idea re mini McGinn, Gallagher I guess was meant to help there in January so looking forward to a plan b.
You have a thing for Ampadu. He’s a decentish player in a really really average team.
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Yeah I dont see him as being any better than Bogarde.
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I watch more Leeds games than any other team except Villa.
Ampadu is an excellent player. He’d be a great addition
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I thought we'd decided that Araujo was coming to Villa and that Muñoz chap too?
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I watch more Leeds games than any other team except Villa.
Ampadu is an excellent player. He’d be a great addition
I’m in agreement, he’s much superior to Bogarde’s current level, although he’s somewhat off Bouby levels he’d be a very good addition to our midfield.
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Apropos of very little I googled who the top 10 assist providers were in Spain last season, only 3 non Barca/Real player on there, more of a surprise that Nicholas Pepe was one of them. Other were Luis Milla of Getafe in runners up place and Ezzalzouli who I think has been mentioned here.
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I think Unai would improve both MGW and Williams. I realise that’s a bit parochial signing an Englishman and a Welshman from the Premier League but….shrugs shoulders. The only issue would be the price and domestic PL players uplift.
Yeah, I'm fully on team "sign cheaper from abroad rather than Martin O'Neilling it", but I can't think of anyone in the world more suited to just dropping straight into how we play and being great than Gibbs-White would.
I'm always a little surprised how few players we have bought, or tried to buy, that have played under UE before. Maybe he improves them so much they become out of our price range?
Or maybe he knows they all get analysis meeting PTSD after a while!
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If we are trying to ditch Maatsen for someone more physical but still with pace, who should we be looking at?
Neco Williams would be a brilliant signing IMO.
Great shout, covers both full back positions like Lahm or Irwin (perhaps not to their respective levels!). MGW, Williams, Ampadu still my top 3. No idea re mini McGinn, Gallagher I guess was meant to help there in January so looking forward to a plan b.
You have a thing for Ampadu. He’s a decentish player in a really really average team.
Think he looked very good this season. I predicted he would in 2020/1 for Blades. A few years out
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This article makes sense. Our baseline best XI is:
Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
McGinn Onana Kamara Rogers
Tielemans
Watkins
On the basis that the holy trinity of Onana Kamara and Tielemans are rarely fit at the same time, and Rogers is better in the '10' role I'd say a decent left sided midfielder is the priority to improve the starting XI, preferably someone quick.
Secondly, as Unai likes a turbo charged McGinn for 70 mins, a pacy right midfielder would be my second priority.
Thirdly someone who can cover Cash and Konsa would be ideal, Lindelof can then cover Torres/Kamara.
After that depending on outgoings I'd be looking to reduce the age profile of the squad and start succession planning for key positions.
I agree with much of that. I agree our ideal team right now is probably:
Martinez
Cash - Konza - Torres - Digne
Kamara
McGinn - Onana - Rogers
Tielmans
Watkins
Which leaves a second team of:
Bizot
(Garcia) - Lindelof - (Mings) - Maatson
(Luiz)
(Bailey) - Barkley - (Sancho)
Buendia
Abraham
With the guys in (parens) being guys where if you plug them into the first team, you get a noticeable drop in quality. I'd argue that Lindelof could almost play that Kamara role, so maybe Central Defense is where we really need some more cover. Mings, sadly, I don't think can cut it anymore at the level we're aiming for.
I'd agree with needing wingers though, as Rodgers would probably be best in the 10 role and Tielemans could move to more of a CM role. That would give us a lot of flexibility. Then we don't have anyone else on the wing behind McGinn and whoever draws the short straw between the attacking midfielders.
Then I'd look for an upgrade over Abraham. Cover for RB is needed too, as that's been the case since I started rooting for this team in 2006.
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Wide players, a proper striker who Emery trusts, a right back and probably a replacement GK
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Yeah I dont see him as being any better than Bogarde.
Cmon mate 😃
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I know Tielemans missed a lot of football last season but it's rare enough he plays at 10 to start with, and then plays well in that position. He starts next to Kamara in our best X1. Buendia on left, Rogers had some good games there (Man United, West Ham?) but a lot of stinkers hence why Buendia got a chance and made the position his.
With the loanees gone we are down to Bizot, Garcia, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen, Onana, Barkley, Bailey, Tammy, Bogarde, Alysson (basically that team v Newcastle). I'd be open to changing all out bar Bizot and Lindelof to be honest.
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He's fine, nothing wrong with him but cant say I saw anything that would convince me to buy him and stick him in a latter CL game, unless we had to. Like Bogarde.
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He's fine, nothing wrong with him but cant say I saw anything that would convince me to buy him and stick him in a latter CL game, unless we had to. Like Bogarde.
Yup. Solid mid-table midfielder that would be a sensible buy had Leeds gone down and we'd finished tenth so needed to sell our better midfielders, thus opening a spot for him.
But there's no point for him moving from being Leeds captain and second-best midfielder to being Villa's fifth-best midfielder and barely playing.
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I watch more Leeds games than any other team except Villa.
Ampadu is an excellent player. He’d be a great addition
I’m in agreement, he’s much superior to Bogarde’s current level, although he’s somewhat off Bouby levels he’d be a very good addition to our midfield.
Similar skill set to Kamara for me, can play CB and CM. Strong tackle and shot on him, covers the ground well and critically can play on the half turn in midfield. Onana, if he ever stayed fit, just simply can't do that.
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I see that Gnoto lad is still at Leeds, he was touted as the next big thing but I cant say I've heard a lot about him for the last few years. Injured or loss of form? I thought he'd moved on.
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I know Tielemans missed a lot of football last season but it's rare enough he plays at 10 to start with, and then plays well in that position. He starts next to Kamara in our best X1. Buendia on left, Rogers had some good games there (Man United, West Ham?) but a lot of stinkers hence why Buendia got a chance and made the position his.
With the loanees gone we are down to Bizot, Garcia, Lindelof, Mings, Maatsen, Onana, Barkley, Bailey, Tammy, Bogarde, Alysson (basically that team v Newcastle). I'd be open to changing all out bar Bizot and Lindelof to be honest.
As much as you’ve made it clear all season you don’t rate him, Onana is going nowhere and he’s a far superior player to Ampadu
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I see that Gnoto lad is still at Leeds, he was touted as the next big thing but I cant say I've heard a lot about him for the last few years. Injured or loss of form? I thought he'd moved on.
He's rubbish; doesn't make the first XI for Dirty Leeds.
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Onana's better than Ampadu, this is just silly now. Don't be a pub bore, man - you're not arguing and presenting evidence or whatever, you're just asserting your pet thoughts over and over again and taking no efforts to actually prove them.
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Onana's better than Ampadu, this is just silly now. Don't be a pub bore, man - you're not arguing and presenting evidence or whatever, you're just asserting your pet thoughts over and over again and taking no efforts to actually prove them.
Last orders soon?
I've already outlined my main issues with Onana - availability, technical, leadership - top 3. Challenge them if you wish.
Others here may have seen Ampadu play a lot more often than I have. From my admittedly limited viewings for Leeds and Wales I've been very impressed, think he could be the ideal Kamara medium/long term replacement.
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I saw Ampadu come off the bench for Venezia and not stand out even slightly. Of course he's got better since then.
On Onana, once again, those are assertions, not proof. It's a pretty key difference. For instance, were I to say 'your posts on Onana are repetitive and boring' that would be an assertion; to prove it, I would have to adduce something, such as all of your posts about Onana.
Oh, you don't rate him? You think he's bad? Tell us again as if for the first time for the hundredth time.
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa have met with the representatives of Bayer Leverkusen winger Kerim Alajbegović (18).
@MailSport
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Onana's better than Ampadu, this is just silly now. Don't be a pub bore, man - you're not arguing and presenting evidence or whatever, you're just asserting your pet thoughts over and over again and taking no efforts to actually prove them.
Different type of players. I've seen Ampadu play a lot for Wales and have always been a fan. He's had a bit of a stop start club career, but looks a bit more settled at Leeds and is doing well there. He is very much in the mould of Kamara as a player (not as good - though I personally think that Kamara is arguably one of the best defensive midfielders around) and would be a decent back-up option to him. I think we missed Kamara after his injury and our central midfield didn't look balanced until Lindelof did so well there in the last few games. Think it's imperative we add another player of that type to the squad over the summer.
Onana is the type of player who is at his best playing alongside that type of player. A lot of his best petformances (the home games over the last two seasons against Manchester City stand out) have come when he's played alongside Kamara.
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If we have limited funds which we apparently have, I’m not sure central midfield is the priority. Wingers, probably a back up to Pau if Mings goes, a back up to Cash, possibly a new Keeper if Emi goes (hope he doesn’t), s back up to Digne if Maatsen isn’t rated.
But if we are looking at central midfield, surely we need to be aiming higher than someone who has been a decent hard working upper championship/lower level premiership player all of his career to date.
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Grealish back at Man City, there is going to be a lot of unwanted loanees returning to their home club this season.
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I think it says a lot about where Villa and Grealish are now, that there doesn't seem to be any noise about him coming back.
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Grealish back at Man City, there is going to be a lot of unwanted loanees returning to their home club this season.
Be suprised if he doesnt sign permanently for Everton. Did well there
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Grealish hasn't exactly done a great job of promoting himself to prospective clubs during his injury. Bit like Yorke they pretty much stopped up as top level footballers after winning CLs, known more as party boys than footballers. Reunion with Deano at Charlotte might be on the cards with Citeh trying to give him away.
Likely to be a lot of change in that Citeh squad over the summer. Stones and Silva gone, Rodri stalling on a new deal, some of their newish signings like Marmoush haven't worked either. Grealish and Phillips free to a good home.
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I like the look Nwaweri. He looks a player with huge potential i really do think he is the type of profile player we should be looking at
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Grealish back at Man City, there is going to be a lot of unwanted loanees returning to their home club this season.
Be suprised if he doesnt sign permanently for Everton. Did well there
Aren't the wages pretty off putting.
He is 30 and strikes me as the party years will take their toll sooner rather than later.
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It's no coincidence that professional non-drinker James Milner played in the Premier League at 40 years old.
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Onana's better than Ampadu, this is just silly now. Don't be a pub bore, man - you're not arguing and presenting evidence or whatever, you're just asserting your pet thoughts over and over again and taking no efforts to actually prove them.
Last orders soon?
I've already outlined my main issues with Onana - availability, technical, leadership - top 3. Challenge them if you wish.
Others here may have seen Ampadu play a lot more often than I have. From my admittedly limited viewings for Leeds and Wales I've been very impressed, think he could be the ideal Kamara medium/long term replacement.
I'll give it a go and I'll start with a win for you because I don't think anyone will argue that he hasn't had too many injuries so yes, tick for availability. I hope you aren't just adding it for him though and ignoring the other players who've had fitness problems.
Leadership though puts us straight into a problem area because it isn't a one-size fits all definitive term where you can say a player is a food leader and everyone knows that will mean he does x, y and z during the game. Therefore you need to give some examples of things you think he should be doing and isn't and show where that is having an impact.
And then technical. I know why you're saying this, it's so you can repeat your 2can't play on the half turn" line that you think is some sort of magic bullet but by expanding it up to such a broad category you've made this rebuttal particularly easy because I can counter it by just saying his tackling technique is the best at the club by miles, so 1 example each, remove it from the list.
Feel free to rethink your post, cite specifics and evidence them with where they have actually occurred and we can go for round 2 if you like.
For my part Onana is a destructive ball-winning midfielder who is great at regaining possession and scores highly on all the core defensive turnover stats, is a massive asset in both boxes and who is an excellent option in transition (both ways) due to his pace and power. He is good at retaining possession, rarely misplacing passes, having a poor touch or having the ball taken off him and has a great rapport with the fans, playing a big part in why our squad is so likeable. He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
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More rumblings that we are trying to lure Mingueaza on a free;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-move-decisively-for-free-transfer-villans-competition-tough-match-to-win/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-move-decisively-for-free-transfer-villans-competition-tough-match-to-win/)
Apparently, Juventus didn't want to pay 2m EUR for him in January, and now we are favourites.
It does make sense - we like a free, he can play CB and RB, and it appeals to Emery's famous sense of whimsy to play a centre-back pairing of Mings & Mingueza.
Rumours of a deal with front of shirt sponsor M&Ms are just speculation.
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It's no coincidence that professional non-drinker James Milner played in the Premier League at 40 years old.
It's also no coincidence that strict teetotaler Stanley Matthews retired from professional football at the age of 50.
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More rumblings that we are trying to lure Mingueaza on a free;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-move-decisively-for-free-transfer-villans-competition-tough-match-to-win/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-move-decisively-for-free-transfer-villans-competition-tough-match-to-win/)
Apparently, Juventus didn't want to pay 2m EUR for him in January, and now we are favourites.
It does make sense - we like a free, he can play CB and RB, and it appeals to Emery's famous sense of whimsy to play a centre-back pairing of Mings & Mingueza.
Rumours of a deal with front of shirt sponsor M&Ms are just speculation.
Yeah it feels like logically everything lines up here for it to happen, given its someone we've had longstanding interest in. And would fill exactly the spot that we're trying to cover.
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He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Considering how good we are at set-pieces, how massive he is and how it took about 180 seconds of his Villa career to score from a corner, it seems ludicrous that he's not getting ten goals a season for us from that route.
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Apart from me is there any other Villa supporter still out there that saw the great Stanley Mathews play? I don't look in mirrors these days.
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Apart from me is there any other Villa supporter still out there that saw the great Stanley Mathews play? I don't look in mirrors these days.
I did. One match was his birthday (maybe 40) and Walter Hazeldine, our youngest player presented him with a briefcase if my memeory serves me well.
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The conversation about Onana, Ampadu and Kamara is academic: I don't think we'll be in the market for the Leeds player; and, he'd cost more than we'd want to pay for a back-up to Kamara.
I like Ampadu: he's decent on the ball and can play the CMF and CB role pretty well; but not for us.
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Aye. Any PL based player we buy will either be in the 'young/unheralded enough to not demand a mental fee' category.
Or will slot straight into the first team to justify the PL tax.
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Rashford news. (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/03/marcus-rashford-heads-to-world-cup-in-limbo-despite-proving-his-value-to-barcelona)
We even get a mention.
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Grealish back at Man City, there is going to be a lot of unwanted loanees returning to their home club this season.
Be suprised if he doesnt sign permanently for Everton. Did well there
Aren't the wages pretty off putting.
He is 30 and strikes me as the party years will take their toll sooner rather than later.
Yeah i think he is on massive wages so cant see anyone buying him tbh he wpuld have to take a pay cut if he wants a permanent move or it will be another loan. I would consider a 12 month loan for him but thats all
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Grealish did well under Deano, as he was just asked to go out and play. I don't think he would like Unai's structure
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He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Considering how good we are at set-pieces, how massive he is and how it took about 180 seconds of his Villa career to score from a corner, it seems ludicrous that he's not getting ten goals a season for us from that route.
Yep, that one and then the 'fox in the box' goal against Leicester a couple of games later had me convinced he could become a big goalscorer for us. I really hope we can find a way to unlock that in him because it's all there.
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It's no coincidence that professional non-drinker James Milner played in the Premier League at 40 years old.
Doesn't drink and has a droney voice. What does he bring?
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Grealish did well under Deano, as he was just asked to go out and play. I don't think he would like Unai's structure
At the risk of opening this particular can of worms, he seemed to like Peps structure well enough. There are untold reasons why we shouldn't and wont go for him, but with him wide left and an attacking quick left back, that's still pretty potent.
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Rashford news. (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/03/marcus-rashford-heads-to-world-cup-in-limbo-despite-proving-his-value-to-barcelona)
We even get a mention.
wouldn't be against us going for him. A no brainer at the quoted price. I can't see anyone matching his Utd salary though, including us. I'd have thought £200K a week is where he is at now? With Dougie/Sancho/Elliot/ gone, and Guessand /Bailey likely off, possibly others, would we have the finances to get him in?
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Grealish was nothing like the player he was for us. The whole point of a player like Grealish is encouraging their maverick ability, it's what makes them worth 100m. Grealish did ok there and won lots of trinkets but with us he was the talk of the football world, at ManC he was just another another player that was interchangeable with all their other expensive robots.
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Rashford news. (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/03/marcus-rashford-heads-to-world-cup-in-limbo-despite-proving-his-value-to-barcelona)
We even get a mention.
wouldn't be against us going for him. A no brainer at the quoted price. I can't see anyone matching his Utd salary though, including us. I'd have thought £200K a week is where he is at now? With Dougie/Sancho/Elliot/ gone, and Guessand /Bailey likely off, possibly others, would we have the finances to get him in?
The article mentions £17.5m pa, so that would put his weekly salary at upwards of £335k.
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We wouldn't match that and nor should we.
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And nor will anyone else.
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Whatever happened to the geezer Unai always was linked with CDM in France Gwendoozi or something like that - had stupid hair
Where is he at now?
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Onana's better than Ampadu, this is just silly now. Don't be a pub bore, man - you're not arguing and presenting evidence or whatever, you're just asserting your pet thoughts over and over again and taking no efforts to actually prove them.
Last orders soon?
I've already outlined my main issues with Onana - availability, technical, leadership - top 3. Challenge them if you wish.
Others here may have seen Ampadu play a lot more often than I have. From my admittedly limited viewings for Leeds and Wales I've been very impressed, think he could be the ideal Kamara medium/long term replacement.
I'll give it a go and I'll start with a win for you because I don't think anyone will argue that he hasn't had too many injuries so yes, tick for availability. I hope you aren't just adding it for him though and ignoring the other players who've had fitness problems.
Leadership though puts us straight into a problem area because it isn't a one-size fits all definitive term where you can say a player is a food leader and everyone knows that will mean he does x, y and z during the game. Therefore you need to give some examples of things you think he should be doing and isn't and show where that is having an impact.
And then technical. I know why you're saying this, it's so you can repeat your 2can't play on the half turn" line that you think is some sort of magic bullet but by expanding it up to such a broad category you've made this rebuttal particularly easy because I can counter it by just saying his tackling technique is the best at the club by miles, so 1 example each, remove it from the list.
Feel free to rethink your post, cite specifics and evidence them with where they have actually occurred and we can go for round 2 if you like.
For my part Onana is a destructive ball-winning midfielder who is great at regaining possession and scores highly on all the core defensive turnover stats, is a massive asset in both boxes and who is an excellent option in transition (both ways) due to his pace and power. He is good at retaining possession, rarely misplacing passes, having a poor touch or having the ball taken off him and has a great rapport with the fans, playing a big part in why our squad is so likeable. He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Leadership - he crumbled during our poor spell when we needed him to step up. That was the time for a 50m signing to shine. Often outshone by a half fit Luiz. Ampadu ran rings around them at Villa Park as just one example. Sitting in midfield with Kamara v Man City is a different type of test. It's a specific destructive role but for one we don't have many of those games and two it's increasingly rare both of them are fit. Johnny Giles often referred to moral courage in terms of midfield play. In summary, most see courage as steaming into tackles (not that Giles was shy at it!) or playing to the gallery, arm waving or even fist pumping...but for Giles moral courage for a midfielder was taking the ball off the back under pressure and getting turned on it. When the game was live too, not just at 0-2 down or 2-0 up. Onana fails this test for me, he simply hides far too often. Go Ahead Eagles comes to mind. Easy street for every player early on but they got stuck into us and he simply disappeared.
He can't pass wind so you are just plain wrong there. Unless passing back to the centre back when getting pressed is being counted. He definitely is strong in both boxes, important with the lack of height in our team and how game was refereed last season, but it's the area in between both boxes that midfielders should be judged. Agreed on his ability to regain possession too, turning over Bowen from memory led to the break for a goal. Useful attribute for sure but not exactly critical to how we play.
Rapport with fans is neither here nor there. Can't simply gloss over his availability issues, especially when tallied with Kamara's in the same position. Some of his better performances (Forest and Arsenal away come to mind) he limped off early and then he is ages getting back to that level. If transfermarkt is to believed he has missed 22 x PL games for us with injury over the past two seasons (not in the squad). Kamara has missed 30 x PL games in the same time. That's a major issue in the squad and should be rectified this summer.
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Whatever happened to the geezer Unai always was linked with CDM in France Gwendoozi or something like that - had stupid hair
Where is he at now?
Fenerbahce.
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Onana's better than Ampadu, this is just silly now. Don't be a pub bore, man - you're not arguing and presenting evidence or whatever, you're just asserting your pet thoughts over and over again and taking no efforts to actually prove them.
Last orders soon?
I've already outlined my main issues with Onana - availability, technical, leadership - top 3. Challenge them if you wish.
Others here may have seen Ampadu play a lot more often than I have. From my admittedly limited viewings for Leeds and Wales I've been very impressed, think he could be the ideal Kamara medium/long term replacement.
I'll give it a go and I'll start with a win for you because I don't think anyone will argue that he hasn't had too many injuries so yes, tick for availability. I hope you aren't just adding it for him though and ignoring the other players who've had fitness problems.
Leadership though puts us straight into a problem area because it isn't a one-size fits all definitive term where you can say a player is a food leader and everyone knows that will mean he does x, y and z during the game. Therefore you need to give some examples of things you think he should be doing and isn't and show where that is having an impact.
And then technical. I know why you're saying this, it's so you can repeat your 2can't play on the half turn" line that you think is some sort of magic bullet but by expanding it up to such a broad category you've made this rebuttal particularly easy because I can counter it by just saying his tackling technique is the best at the club by miles, so 1 example each, remove it from the list.
Feel free to rethink your post, cite specifics and evidence them with where they have actually occurred and we can go for round 2 if you like.
For my part Onana is a destructive ball-winning midfielder who is great at regaining possession and scores highly on all the core defensive turnover stats, is a massive asset in both boxes and who is an excellent option in transition (both ways) due to his pace and power. He is good at retaining possession, rarely misplacing passes, having a poor touch or having the ball taken off him and has a great rapport with the fans, playing a big part in why our squad is so likeable. He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Leadership - he crumbled during our poor spell when we needed him to step up. That was the time for a 50m signing to shine. Often outshone by a half fit Luiz. Ampadu ran rings around them at Villa Park as just one example. Sitting in midfield with Kamara v Man City is a different type of test. It's a specific destructive role but for one we don't have many of those games and two it's increasingly rare both of them are fit. Johnny Giles often referred to moral courage in terms of midfield play. In summary, most see courage as steaming into tackles (not that Giles was shy at it!) or playing to the gallery, arm waving or even fist pumping...but for Giles moral courage for a midfielder was taking the ball off the back under pressure and getting turned on it. When the game was live too, not just at 0-2 down or 2-0 up. Onana fails this test for me, he simply hides far too often. Go Ahead Eagles comes to mind. Easy street for every player early on but they got stuck into us and he simply disappeared.
He can't pass wind so you are just plain wrong there. Unless passing back to the centre back when getting pressed is being counted. He definitely is strong in both boxes, important with the lack of height in our team and how game was refereed last season, but it's the area in between both boxes that midfielders should be judged. Agreed on his ability to regain possession too, turning over Bowen from memory led to the break for a goal. Useful attribute for sure but not exactly critical to how we play.
Rapport with fans is neither here nor there. Can't simply gloss over his availability issues, especially when tallied with Kamara's in the same position. Some of his better performances (Forest and Arsenal away come to mind) he limped off early and then he is ages getting back to that level. If transfermarkt is to believed he has missed 22 x PL games for us with injury over the past two seasons (not in the squad). Kamara has missed 30 x PL games in the same time. That's a major issue in the squad and should be rectified this summer.
It's honestly a bizarre take, especially given your cheerleading of dross like Neco Williams or Ampadu.
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Onana is a different player to Ampadu, but he’s also better and offers our team more. Neco Williams isn’t good enough either.
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Onana's better than Ampadu, this is just silly now. Don't be a pub bore, man - you're not arguing and presenting evidence or whatever, you're just asserting your pet thoughts over and over again and taking no efforts to actually prove them.
Last orders soon?
I've already outlined my main issues with Onana - availability, technical, leadership - top 3. Challenge them if you wish.
Others here may have seen Ampadu play a lot more often than I have. From my admittedly limited viewings for Leeds and Wales I've been very impressed, think he could be the ideal Kamara medium/long term replacement.
I'll give it a go and I'll start with a win for you because I don't think anyone will argue that he hasn't had too many injuries so yes, tick for availability. I hope you aren't just adding it for him though and ignoring the other players who've had fitness problems.
Leadership though puts us straight into a problem area because it isn't a one-size fits all definitive term where you can say a player is a food leader and everyone knows that will mean he does x, y and z during the game. Therefore you need to give some examples of things you think he should be doing and isn't and show where that is having an impact.
And then technical. I know why you're saying this, it's so you can repeat your 2can't play on the half turn" line that you think is some sort of magic bullet but by expanding it up to such a broad category you've made this rebuttal particularly easy because I can counter it by just saying his tackling technique is the best at the club by miles, so 1 example each, remove it from the list.
Feel free to rethink your post, cite specifics and evidence them with where they have actually occurred and we can go for round 2 if you like.
For my part Onana is a destructive ball-winning midfielder who is great at regaining possession and scores highly on all the core defensive turnover stats, is a massive asset in both boxes and who is an excellent option in transition (both ways) due to his pace and power. He is good at retaining possession, rarely misplacing passes, having a poor touch or having the ball taken off him and has a great rapport with the fans, playing a big part in why our squad is so likeable. He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Leadership - he crumbled during our poor spell when we needed him to step up. That was the time for a 50m signing to shine. Often outshone by a half fit Luiz. Ampadu ran rings around them at Villa Park as just one example. Sitting in midfield with Kamara v Man City is a different type of test. It's a specific destructive role but for one we don't have many of those games and two it's increasingly rare both of them are fit. Johnny Giles often referred to moral courage in terms of midfield play. In summary, most see courage as steaming into tackles (not that Giles was shy at it!) or playing to the gallery, arm waving or even fist pumping...but for Giles moral courage for a midfielder was taking the ball off the back under pressure and getting turned on it. When the game was live too, not just at 0-2 down or 2-0 up. Onana fails this test for me, he simply hides far too often. Go Ahead Eagles comes to mind. Easy street for every player early on but they got stuck into us and he simply disappeared.
He can't pass wind so you are just plain wrong there. Unless passing back to the centre back when getting pressed is being counted. He definitely is strong in both boxes, important with the lack of height in our team and how game was refereed last season, but it's the area in between both boxes that midfielders should be judged. Agreed on his ability to regain possession too, turning over Bowen from memory led to the break for a goal. Useful attribute for sure but not exactly critical to how we play.
Rapport with fans is neither here nor there. Can't simply gloss over his availability issues, especially when tallied with Kamara's in the same position. Some of his better performances (Forest and Arsenal away come to mind) he limped off early and then he is ages getting back to that level. If transfermarkt is to believed he has missed 22 x PL games for us with injury over the past two seasons (not in the squad). Kamara has missed 30 x PL games in the same time. That's a major issue in the squad and should be rectified this summer.
It's honestly a bizarre take, especially given your cheerleading of dross like Neco Williams or Ampadu.
Whataboutery, if you don't rate those two fair enough. But if you don't agree with those criticisms of Onana then challenge them, or the combined issue of Onana/Kamara being unavailable so often - fire away.
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Grealish played for the most part on the left for City. Always seems to play within himself , keeping the ball not really going at player's so on face of it that looks like direction from Pep. However Doku plays that position now and is always running at player's so its a little confusing really.
At Everton he was much more like the version we had.IIRC he was top of assists in the early month's of the season so much so an England recall look a possibility.
I'm sure Everton will take him if they can make sums work , but I wouldn't be against him. In hindsight taking him on loan would have given us more than Elliot , Guessand and Sancho combined.
I'd add that whilst Emery builds structure he give's Roger's free reign to do what he want's alot of the time.
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I don’t think we should set the bar as being can players offer more than Elliott, Sancho, and Guessand though. Grealish strikes me as a really useful option for a midtable team, and that’s what he was for Everton. But we need to be thinking bigger than that.
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To be honest, I'd rather have Rashford back than Grealish.
His salary is going to be a massive sticking point, but I suspect clubs will be using it as a bargaining chip with Man U to get the fee down.
If Rashford is willing to come down a little, and have a non-Champions League reduction clause, and Man U will come down on the price... I think it could be tempting.
If Man U want to save his £17m a year AND get £25m in the bank to boot, I'm not sure who is going to bite.
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Are we really in the market for a player like Rashford, more his wages really?
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Are we really in the market for a player like Rashford, more his wages really?
Had we qualified for the Champions League, we were a year ago. So now that we have qualified for the Champions League, why wouldn't we be now?
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He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Considering how good we are at set-pieces, how massive he is and how it took about 180 seconds of his Villa career to score from a corner, it seems ludicrous that he's not getting ten goals a season for us from that route.
Yep, that one and then the 'fox in the box' goal against Leicester a couple of games later had me convinced he could become a big goalscorer for us. I really hope we can find a way to unlock that in him because it's all there.
Onana is arguably a decent decoy for most moves. Defenses doubling up on him so space is created elsewhere.
IMO The objective of our set piece moves isn't gaining an advantage in 50/50 duels inside the six yard box (a la Arsenal) its finding space and time for shots from the edge of the area (scrabbling the xG calculator in the process).
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He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Considering how good we are at set-pieces, how massive he is and how it took about 180 seconds of his Villa career to score from a corner, it seems ludicrous that he's not getting ten goals a season for us from that route.
Yep, that one and then the 'fox in the box' goal against Leicester a couple of games later had me convinced he could become a big goalscorer for us. I really hope we can find a way to unlock that in him because it's all there.
Onana is arguably a decent decoy for most moves. Defenses doubling up on him so space is created elsewhere.
IMO The objective of our set piece moves isn't gaining an advantage in 50/50 duels inside the six yard box (a la Arsenal) its finding space and time for shots from the edge of the area (scrabbling the xG calculator in the process).
A very fair point.
Although I'd counter that by the fact that we have scored several over the last couple of seasons by launching it into the six yard box (a couple for Barkley, a couple for Watkins, one for Tammy, Onana got one against Brighton), so it's not as if we're not doing it at all.
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Rashford news. (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/03/marcus-rashford-heads-to-world-cup-in-limbo-despite-proving-his-value-to-barcelona)
We even get a mention.
wouldn't be against us going for him. A no brainer at the quoted price. I can't see anyone matching his Utd salary though, including us. I'd have thought £200K a week is where he is at now? With Dougie/Sancho/Elliot/ gone, and Guessand /Bailey likely off, possibly others, would we have the finances to get him in?
The article mentions £17.5m pa, so that would put his weekly salary at upwards of £335k.
And he has 2 years left on his contract, so to move this summer and take £200k a week anywhere, he would be "giving up" about £15m in wages. Which is the only reason he's not moved. If he was on £150-200k a week, he would have moved by now, but Man Utd decided to make him their highest earner on a long contract, and I don't blame him for wanting to make sure he gets it.
But given Man Utd's purse-tightening, there is no way they're paying him £10m+ to piss off, so my guess is it'll be another loan next season, with a negotiation over how much of his wages are paid by Man Utd.
I'd take him at the 150-200k level, but I don't see any way in which a deal like that is made, unless Man Utd agree to pay him off.
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Grealish did well under Deano, as he was just asked to go out and play. I don't think he would like Unai's structure
At the risk of opening this particular can of worms, he seemed to like Peps structure well enough. There are untold reasons why we shouldn't and wont go for him, but with him wide left and an attacking quick left back, that's still pretty potent.
He didn't have that attacking left back at Everton, and won't under Moyes, but still did well when he was fit but it's a slog there. Think he should be looking for a move into the 10 position at this stage of his career though but in saying that his shooting has gone to pot in recent seasons. Not sure what's happened there. If it was going to happen it would have 12 months ago, that ship has sailed now.
Another option covering the left and 10 position is required.
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It's no coincidence that professional non-drinker James Milner played in the Premier League at 40 years old.
Why are you ignoring the shocking accusations, muted by a court order taken out by James, when papers almost revealed that he had severe dependancy issues and had moved on from Tetley bags to much stronger Yorkshire weed?
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He needs to add a few more goals to his game (because he has the capability to be hitting double figures every season) and needs to get through the injury problems.
Considering how good we are at set-pieces, how massive he is and how it took about 180 seconds of his Villa career to score from a corner, it seems ludicrous that he's not getting ten goals a season for us from that route.
Yep, that one and then the 'fox in the box' goal against Leicester a couple of games later had me convinced he could become a big goalscorer for us. I really hope we can find a way to unlock that in him because it's all there.
Onana is arguably a decent decoy for most moves. Defenses doubling up on him so space is created elsewhere.
IMO The objective of our set piece moves isn't gaining an advantage in 50/50 duels inside the six yard box (a la Arsenal) its finding space and time for shots from the edge of the area (scrabbling the xG calculator in the process).
A very fair point.
Although I'd counter that by the fact that we have scored several over the last couple of seasons by launching it into the six yard box (a couple for Barkley, a couple for Watkins, one for Tammy, Onana got one against Brighton), so it's not as if we're not doing it at all.
Also for the "create gaps around the box" plan to work there needs to be a threat that we can score the meat and potatoes corners. Which means they still have to be a big chunk of what we do and we might as well try to score from those as well.
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It's no coincidence that professional non-drinker James Milner played in the Premier League at 40 years old.
Why are you ignoring the shocking accusations, muted by a court order taken out by James, when papers almost revealed that he had severe dependancy issues and had moved on from Tetley bags to much stronger Yorkshire weed?
Cos he can afford better solicitors than me! :-X
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Are we really in the market for a player like Rashford, more his wages really?
Had we qualified for the Champions League, we were a year ago. So now that we have qualified for the Champions League, why wouldn't we be now?
I strongly suspect there are two stumbling blocks:
- Whether Rashford thinks he has a more attractive option, Barcelona being the obvious one
- Whether Man Utd now want to sell to a rival
I suspect the first one is the main challenge and we need to see what plays out, but I’ve no doubt if he wants to join then it is definitely something we would want to make happen.
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I'd love us to sign Rashford, but only if Unai thinks it can work with him principally playing on the left and occasional cover for Watkins. On that basis, if we can cover the wages he feels like an almost perfect signing to me.
But he obviously wants to stay at Barcelona so it feels like the type of deal that could only be done right at the death. I'd prefer us to have a more organised window this time, not be scratching around on the final day.
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More rumblings that we are trying to lure Mingueaza on a free;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-move-decisively-for-free-transfer-villans-competition-tough-match-to-win/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-move-decisively-for-free-transfer-villans-competition-tough-match-to-win/)
Apparently, Juventus didn't want to pay 2m EUR for him in January, and now we are favourites.
It does make sense - we like a free, he can play CB and RB, and it appeals to Emery's famous sense of whimsy to play a centre-back pairing of Mings & Mingueza.
Rumours of a deal with front of shirt sponsor M&Ms are just speculation.
And also can play LB..
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Whatever happened to the geezer Unai always was linked with CDM in France Gwendoozi or something like that - had stupid hair
Where is he at now?
plays at Fenerbache
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I'd love us to sign Rashford, but only if Unai thinks it can work with him principally playing on the left and occasional cover for Watkins. On that basis, if we can cover the wages he feels like an almost perfect signing to me.
But he obviously wants to stay at Barcelona so it feels like the type of deal that could only be done right at the death. I'd prefer us to have a more organised window this time, not be scratching around on the final day.
I think if Rogers goes, we could well sign Rashford to go off the left; a younger, dynamic RW (e.g. Soule, Mbaye or Adeyemi) and then have our no. 10 options as McGinn/Tielemans/Buendia. Maybe throw in a Wilson as a rotational option too.
Doesn't seem too bad to me. That would also allow us to spend some decent cash on the defence, even if we do bring in Mingueza on the free.
That's the sort of scenario where you could see the overall squad in a stronger place post-Rogers departure.
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I'd love us to sign Rashford, but only if Unai thinks it can work with him principally playing on the left and occasional cover for Watkins. On that basis, if we can cover the wages he feels like an almost perfect signing to me.
But he obviously wants to stay at Barcelona so it feels like the type of deal that could only be done right at the death. I'd prefer us to have a more organised window this time, not be scratching around on the final day.
I think if Rogers goes, we could well sign Rashford to go off the left; a younger, dynamic RW (e.g. Soule, Mbaye or Adeyemi) and then have our no. 10 options as McGinn/Tielemans/Buendia. Maybe throw in a Wilson as a rotational option too.
Doesn't seem too bad to me. That would also allow us to spend some decent cash on the defence.
Only way we ever sign Rashford is if we can convince him to take a 120k a week paycut.
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He didn't have that attacking left back at Everton, and won't under Moyes, but still did well when he was fit but it's a slog there. Think he should be looking for a move into the 10 position at this stage of his career though but in saying that his shooting has gone to pot in recent seasons. Not sure what's happened there. If it was going to happen it would have 12 months ago, that ship has sailed now.
Another option covering the left and 10 position is required.
All perfectly reasonable, my point was really to argue with those who say he wouldn't fit into our team, he would, just in a very different way to when he was here before. He would in effect be a very expensive water carrier for Maatsen. Or suchlike.
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It's about time we had an Oscar in the team.
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It's about time we had an Oscar in the team.
Oscar, my Arce
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It's about time we had an Oscar in the team.
Oscar, my Arce
Worryingly I suspect that only about 25% of readers would now understand your clever witticism- Oscar signed over 55 years ago?
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Rashford news. (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/03/marcus-rashford-heads-to-world-cup-in-limbo-despite-proving-his-value-to-barcelona)
We even get a mention.
wouldn't be against us going for him. A no brainer at the quoted price. I can't see anyone matching his Utd salary though, including us. I'd have thought £200K a week is where he is at now? With Dougie/Sancho/Elliot/ gone, and Guessand /Bailey likely off, possibly others, would we have the finances to get him in?
The article mentions £17.5m pa, so that would put his weekly salary at upwards of £335k.
And he has 2 years left on his contract, so to move this summer and take £200k a week anywhere, he would be "giving up" about £15m in wages. Which is the only reason he's not moved. If he was on £150-200k a week, he would have moved by now, but Man Utd decided to make him their highest earner on a long contract, and I don't blame him for wanting to make sure he gets it.
But given Man Utd's purse-tightening, there is no way they're paying him £10m+ to piss off, so my guess is it'll be another loan next season, with a negotiation over how much of his wages are paid by Man Utd.
I'd take him at the 150-200k level, but I don't see any way in which a deal like that is made, unless Man Utd agree to pay him off.
But the ridiculous wages are why they're willing to sell a £50-70m player for £25m - because the difference between what they're willing to accept in a transfer fee and what his normal value might be, is to help his new club pay him the money that they (Man Utd) are trying to avoid having to pay him.
My best guess is that he ends up at one of us, Bayern, or Barcelona after the World Cup (the better his World Cup goes, the more likely it's one of the latter two), for a transfer fee of around £20m, a "normal" £150,000 per week contract for the next four years and his new club pays £30m or so to Rashford to cover the loss of earnings from the last two years of his silly Man Utd contract.
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Is that done/allowed in football bar signing-on fees when players are out of contract and demand a premium (along with their agent)?
And wouldn't it take a chunk out of the SCR allowables? Might be better off with Harry Wilson for a fraction of the cost and 70% of Rashford's output.
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I like the idea of Unai and team unearthing the next Morgan Rogers from a smaller club/nation/league and coaching him to be class
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I like the idea of Unai and team unearthing the next Morgan Rogers from a smaller club/nation/league and coaching him to be class
His names Alysson (hopefully)
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On thge topic of Strasbourg players, if we don't go for Mingueza as the competition for Cash I'd like us to be looking and Guela Doue instead because he's another I suspect will turn out to be pretty special (and maybe he can convince his brother to join us later).
Would Chelsea let him come to us? He sounds very highly rated and Strasbourg are going to let him go this summer.
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On thge topic of Strasbourg players, if we don't go for Mingueza as the competition for Cash I'd like us to be looking and Guela Doue instead because he's another I suspect will turn out to be pretty special (and maybe he can convince his brother to join us later).
Would Chelsea let him come to us? He sounds very highly rated and Strasbourg are going to let him go this summer.
No idea, but if we don't ask...
For me he'd be the perfect signing for us in this window, primarily a right back but could play CB, LB, DM and probably do a decent job as one of our wide players in a pinch.
He'd basically do a similar squad role to Bogarde but instead of being a decent cover option who can step in here and there to cover injuries, suspensions, etc he'd be someone you'd be happy to see starting most games but in any of a few positions depending on who else we're picking.
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Sounds like the modern day Bacuna.
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Sounds like the modern day Bacuna.
Nah, doesn't smile enough.
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Rashford came to us because it served his purpose, have a feeling he would think he's too good for us.
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Rashford came to us because it served his purpose, have a feeling he would think he's too good for us.
Yep, we don't serve a purpose for any of the others. They'd play for nothing. And we only pay them because we're nice, nothing to do with them serving a purpose.
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why wouldn't it serve his purpose now to come to us? Not like he's be joining non European football Chelsea or Spurs. We're a CL club that will give him loads of playing time. If he winds up at Arsenal he might end up a bit part player like Eze.
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No chance clubs like Villa, Bournemouth or Burnley can get a player like Rashford to join us.
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No chance clubs like Villa, Bournemouth or Burnley can get a player like Rashford to join us.
Even Spurs would struggle.
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No chance clubs like Villa, Bournemouth or Burnley can get a player like Rashford to join us.
Even Spurs would struggle.
I'm more worried they'll sign Rogers after the WC.
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Rashford is exactly the kind of player we need to take us to the next level, or even just help us get top 4/5 again so we can continue buying players of his quality and really challenge for the big prizes.
I doubt we’ll pay £350k a week though, but nobody is likely to, as Barca have shown. But could we offer £200k a week with a bunch of bonuses each season built in…..£1m if you get 30 g/a, £1m if we qualify for CL(and he plays 50%+), £1m if you get nominated for PFA POTY, up to £1m depending on how how we go in CL etc
If he achieves those the prize money it earns us more than covers the cost and well glad play it, but there’s also the selling point to him that taking massive pay cut in his basic wage does his public image the world of good, us fans will immediately love him for it, there’s less disparity between him and his team mates.
If he doesn’t have the faith or the work ethic to achieve those things (he is more than capable) and/or he just doesn’t fancy the villa then we don’t want him anyway.
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Yep Rashford is absolutely the next level of player we should be going for. Emery has squeezed every drop out of players he inherited, most of who have far exceeded the expectations most would have of them. We now need genuinely proven quality to keep us progressing and competing.
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I love how fans of other clubs know that we absolutely have to sell Rogers to avoid a breach, when Villa fans who obsess about the club and journalists paid to cover them don't know that.
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I wonder whether Asencio will be on our shopping list. He loved his time at Villa and was hanging on last season hoping for a move to us.
He would add to quality of the squad.
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I wonder whether Asencio will be on our shopping list. He loved his time at Villa and was hanging on last season hoping for a move to us.
He would add to quality of the squad.
Although he did tail off after a great start. I was starting to get Coutinho flashbacks
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I wonder whether Asencio will be on our shopping list. He loved his time at Villa and was hanging on last season hoping for a move to us.
He would add to quality of the squad.
Although he did tail off after a great start. I was starting to get Coutinho flashbacks
He did tail off a bit, but certainly not a coutinho, probably adjusting to Emery’s plans.
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Although at least once a game he'd do something to make you go "oooo".
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We're interested in Serhou Guirassy, according to Bild. Seems unlikely given he's 30 and has just scored buckets for Dortmund.
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Ooh, Guinea. New country, get him in.
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It was more just that his start was so good that no one could have stayed at that level.
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I wouldn't take Asensio on a permanent.
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I have this nagging feeling that Rashford still sees Villa as some sort of step down from where he thinks he should be. I saw Spurs being linked with him and for some reason they are still seen as a big draw even being out of the CL and nowhere near the last few seasons. Through the latter Doug years and latter Lerner years there was some serious reputational damage done to Villa in terms of both their ambition and status in the league. We are starting to get that back finally.
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We're interested in Serhou Guirassy, according to Bild. Seems unlikely given he's 30 and has just scored buckets for Dortmund.
Serhou Guirassy looks like a Countdown during the break conundrum.
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Rashford had a very good relationship with Unai, and Villa are in the Champions League. If he has a choice between us and Tottenham, and he chooses them then he's going for the London draw and more money, same as Gallagher. We don't want players like that.
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There have been several reports saying that Rashford would prefer not to go to a London club.
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I'm sure I read in some piece he doesn't want to move to London.
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I'm not convinced that up to now, Spurs do pay more money than us.
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I'm not sure if they do, as it's always been a bone of contention they won't spend on wages.
These chaps are certainly unhappy about it all;
https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/breaking-tottenham-wage-bill-comparison-spurs-fall-behind-aston-villa-in-premier-league-table/ (https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/breaking-tottenham-wage-bill-comparison-spurs-fall-behind-aston-villa-in-premier-league-table/)
"Overall, the Lilywhites’ current wage bill is the seventh highest in the Premier League, behind the other five members of the ‘big six’ as well as Aston Villa (£268m), while Newcastle United are not too far behind the Lilywhites in eighth place (£243m)."
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I have this nagging feeling that Rashford still sees Villa as some sort of step down from where he thinks he should be.
I'm not so sure. He's not daft: he knows he'll be 29 in autumn and he seemed to thrive at Villa. I think his wages would be the only problem. Fair enough: a BIG problem!
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I'm not sure if they do, as it's always been a bone of contention they won't spend on wages.
These chaps are certainly unhappy about it all;
https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/breaking-tottenham-wage-bill-comparison-spurs-fall-behind-aston-villa-in-premier-league-table/ (https://www.spurs-web.com/spurs-news/breaking-tottenham-wage-bill-comparison-spurs-fall-behind-aston-villa-in-premier-league-table/)
"Overall, the Lilywhites’ current wage bill is the seventh highest in the Premier League, behind the other five members of the ‘big six’ as well as Aston Villa (£268m), while Newcastle United are not too far behind the Lilywhites in eighth place (£243m)."
VillaDawg would have loved this.
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There have been several reports saying that Rashford would prefer not to go to a London club.
Makes a change, was regularly at nightclubs in London when he was at Man United. Spurs are going to be decent next season I fear, get rid of likes of Romero and they have a core of decent young players there.
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We're interested in Serhou Guirassy, according to Bild. Seems unlikely given he's 30 and has just scored buckets for Dortmund.
Serhou Guirassy looks like a Countdown during the break conundrum.
Great player. Should have signed him when he left Stuttgart to join Dortmund 3 seasons ago.
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Not sure he was ever in the running, but I think we can rule out Ampadu now he is about to sign a new contract:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7332443/2026/06/04/leeds-ethan-ampadu-contract-daniel-farke/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7332443/2026/06/04/leeds-ethan-ampadu-contract-daniel-farke/)
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Didn't their SD make a point after the Gallagher signing that they where going to break their wage structure?
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We were linked to him last year. I wonder if we will look at him again
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He looked a brilliant prospect when I saw him against Scotland, if he's the one I'm thinking of. Yes, I know, even so.
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Although at least once a game he'd do something to make you go "oooo".
Asensio? All it took was for him to turn his head. He's a very sexy man.
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John Townley (from the Mail) pick on who he would want for our right side/winger position if it were up to him.
Looks like a good player
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I have this nagging feeling that Rashford still sees Villa as some sort of step down from where he thinks he should be. I saw Spurs being linked with him and for some reason they are still seen as a big draw even being out of the CL and nowhere near the last few seasons. Through the latter Doug years and latter Lerner years there was some serious reputational damage done to Villa in terms of both their ambition and status in the league. We are starting to get that back finally.
Well we are a step down from Barcelona and Im sure he would like to keep playing and living there. Only the delusional would think we are currently a step down from Spurs.
I’d love to see him back, he’s top drawer, the only noise about seems to be on here though.
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John Townley (from the Mail) pick on who he would want for our right side/winger position if it were up to him.
Looks like a good player
Did he mention the €80m buy out clause?
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We were linked to him last year. I wonder if we will look at him again
Konstantinos Karetsas sounds like a Catholic charity. He did look good against Scotland though.
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I have this nagging feeling that Rashford still sees Villa as some sort of step down from where he thinks he should be. I saw Spurs being linked with him and for some reason they are still seen as a big draw even being out of the CL and nowhere near the last few seasons. Through the latter Doug years and latter Lerner years there was some serious reputational damage done to Villa in terms of both their ambition and status in the league. We are starting to get that back finally.
Well we are a step down from Barcelona and Im sure he would like to keep playing and living there. Only the delusional would think we are currently a step down from Spurs.
I’d love to see him back, he’s top drawer, the only noise about seems to be on here though.
The Graun yesterday had Villa down as a possible destination.
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On the latest episode of the Boardroom podcast, Purslow makes an interesting case for why he still thinks Rashford will end up at Barca, after the World Cup.
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Marcus is happy at Barca, the manager is happy with him. All the rest is just arguing about money, it will happen.
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We were linked to him last year. I wonder if we will look at him again
Konstantinos Karetsas sounds like a Catholic charity. He did look good against Scotland though.
go in the Villa store and ask for that on the back of your shirt..
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With all due respect, the last thing it sounds like is a catholic charity...
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Dusan Vlahovic is out of contract at Juve. Worth a punt? Monty, would he offer more than Tammy?
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Dusan Vlahovic is out of contract at Juve. Worth a punt? Monty, would he offer more than Tammy?
Isn't he on something stupid like 400k a week?
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Oh...really? Hopefully it's in old lire.
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Dusan Vlahovic is out of contract at Juve. Worth a punt? Monty, would he offer more than Tammy?
Isn’t he the chap with rather questionable political views?
No thanks.
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I don’t get the clamour for us to buy Rashford - he was excellent against PSG at Villa Park, but apart from that was he that good?
Also if we sign him then Watkins would be pissed off as he took Ollie’s place in the team on quite a few occasions
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Dusan Vlahovic is out of contract at Juve. Worth a punt? Monty, would he offer more than Tammy?
Isn’t he the chap with rather questionable political views?
No thanks.
Agreed, no thanks.
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I think Vlahovic is kind of a flat-track bully, to be honest. Plus he's, uh, got a few spicy Balkan takes which I'd rather keep out of the club.
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I don’t get the clamour for us to buy Rashford - he was excellent against PSG at Villa Park, but apart from that was he that good?
Also if we sign him then Watkins would be pissed off as he took Ollie’s place in the team on quite a few occasions
Agree with you sid1964.
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I think Vlahovic is kind of a flat-track bully, to be honest. Plus he's, uh, got a few spicy Balkan takes which I'd rather keep out of the club.
Under no circumstances should it be Vlahovic, but we could do with a flat-track bully to see off the dross at the bottom we always drop points against.
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With Rashford its just the stars aligning for the very, very rare opportunity to get a genuinely world class player. He was seemingly happy here and the circumstances and finances worked. I'd agree he wasn't great in every game but he was in enough of them to see what could be once he was fully up to speed.
Still reckon its nailed on for Barca mind.
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With Rashford you could see the step up in ability and technique he has, the same to an extent when we signed Coutinho.
We should be aiming for those levels of players again.
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I don’t get the clamour for us to buy Rashford - he was excellent against PSG at Villa Park, but apart from that was he that good?
Also if we sign him then Watkins would be pissed off as he took Ollie’s place in the team on quite a few occasions
Ollie was interviewed recently and spoke very highly of Marcus. How he was incredible in training and how in that particular game against PSG that he didn't deserve to come on and take his place in the second half.
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I don’t get the clamour for us to buy Rashford - he was excellent against PSG at Villa Park, but apart from that was he that good?
Also if we sign him then Watkins would be pissed off as he took Ollie’s place in the team on quite a few occasions
Ollie was interviewed recently and spoke very highly of Marcus. How he was incredible in training and how in that particular game against PSG that he didn't deserve to come on and take his place in the second half.
Also, as good as Ollie was towards the end of the season (and he was very good indeed after that last International break), imagine if we had someone like Rashford to play when Ollie was struggling earlier in the season?
I also don't get the "he wasn't that good" comments from people. He played 14 games before he got injured, and scored, I think, four goals and had, I think, three assists? That would equate to 25-ish goal involvements over the season. Not spectacular by any means, but we looked a much better team with him in it, I thought.
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I definitely felt we lost a lot of our threat against PSG when he went off.
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Yeah, unless he was physically fcuked, it seemed a strange one. He had PSG wobbling. Unai's biggest in-game mistake?
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Yeah, unless he was physically fcuked, it seemed a strange one. He had PSG wobbling. Unai's biggest in-game mistake?
Don’t he feel his hamstring a bit and was bought off as a precaution? Seem to recall the injury then worsened and he missed the last 6 or so games of the season?
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Rogers scored once while Rashford was on the pitch, which is moderately QI.
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I don’t get the clamour for us to buy Rashford - he was excellent against PSG at Villa Park, but apart from that was he that good?
Also if we sign him then Watkins would be pissed off as he took Ollie’s place in the team on quite a few occasions
Ollie was interviewed recently and spoke very highly of Marcus. How he was incredible in training and how in that particular game against PSG that he didn't deserve to come on and take his place in the second half.
Also, as good as Ollie was towards the end of the season (and he was very good indeed after that last International break), imagine if we had someone like Rashford to play when Ollie was struggling earlier in the season?
I also don't get the "he wasn't that good" comments from people. He played 14 games before he got injured, and scored, I think, four goals and had, I think, three assists? That would equate to 25-ish goal involvements over the season. Not spectacular by any means, but we looked a much better team with him in it, I thought.
Agreed.
And I say that as someone who was quite open about not wanting him on loan when the oppprtunity first presented itself.
If a deal can be done (factoring in the constraints only we seem to operate under) we’d be fools not to look at it.
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Yeah, unless he was physically fcuked, it seemed a strange one. He had PSG wobbling. Unai's biggest in-game mistake?
Taking off McGinn was worse, both changes in the same game simply mind boggling.
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Rogers scored once while Rashford was on the pitch, which is moderately QI.
Smirker was right about him!
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Rashford is a class player. The stats are pretty good, but you can just tell by watching him. I think it’s highly likely he’ll end up at Barca, but if there was anyway he ends up here it would be a huge boost for us.
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Yeah, unless he was physically fcuked, it seemed a strange one. He had PSG wobbling. Unai's biggest in-game mistake?
Taking off McGinn was worse, both changes in the same game simply mind boggling.
Bringing Disasi on to play at right back in the first leg, was pretty bad too.
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Kinda made sense at the time, as Cash struggled first half and was on a yellow, if I recall. Maybe he should have put Disasi in the middle and shifted Konsa out wide, though. Ditto the City game around that same time.
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Garcia rumoured to Lyon, Valence or Alavés (https://www.footmercato.net/a1652348361076364872-lol-vise-un-joueur-daston-villa#google_vignette).
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Yeah, unless he was physically fcuked, it seemed a strange one. He had PSG wobbling. Unai's biggest in-game mistake?
Taking off McGinn was worse, both changes in the same game simply mind boggling.
Not sure of the point in critiquing any of the decisions made during that game to be honest. They’ve just won the champions league twice in a row, hardly any team has ever done that, they are a generational talent with a hugely talented manager. That second half for most of it we took them to the brink in a knockout game, i would argue like no one else has in the last two years. Donnarumma makes world class saves from Rashford, Tielemans and Asensio, and there is a last minute goal line clearance from Maatsen, whilst we restricted them to nothing in the second half. To be even in that position was incredible from the manager and players. Think he knows a thing or two more than you.
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If I recall correctly, it wasn't the subs that killed our impetus, it was the referee allowing PSG to kill the game by blatant time wasting.
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Yeah, unless he was physically fcuked, it seemed a strange one. He had PSG wobbling. Unai's biggest in-game mistake?
Taking off McGinn was worse, both changes in the same game simply mind boggling.
Not sure of the point in critiquing any of the decisions made during that game to be honest. They’ve just won the champions league twice in a row, hardly any team has ever done that, they are a generational talent with a hugely talented manager. That second half for most of it we took them to the brink in a knockout game, i would argue like no one else has in the last two years. Donnarumma makes world class saves from Rashford, Tielemans and Asensio, and there is a last minute goal line clearance from Maatsen, whilst we restricted them to nothing in the second half. To be even in that position was incredible from the manager and players. Think he knows a thing or two more than you.
He knows more than every poster on here. He dropped an unmerciful clanger with those subs. Both of these things can be true.
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He knows more than every poster on here.
There is no way you think this.
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He dropped an unmerciful clanger with those subs. Both of these things can be true.
Honestly he did not. After making that world class run to set up Konsa for his goal Rashford ambled around the pitch like a peacock on heat, look at me everyone mode, doing no work on of off ball. McGinn was always wasted after an hour last season.
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From his trips to Dublin getting pissed, the fat little fcuker.
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From his trips to Dublin getting pissed, the fat little fcuker.
Saw him on clip at the WC training camp on the BBC this morning, looked as fit as a butchers dog!
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are among Morgan Gibbs-White’s admirers but already have players in his favoured position. More could develop as the window progresses, particularly if Arsenal & Chelsea activate interest in Morgan Rogers.
@MailSport
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Aren’t Chelsea properly in the shit with SCR?
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I thought miserably finding fault in a game we won 7-2 was weird enough.
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Yeah, unless he was physically fcuked, it seemed a strange one. He had PSG wobbling. Unai's biggest in-game mistake?
Taking off McGinn was worse, both changes in the same game simply mind boggling.
Not sure of the point in critiquing any of the decisions made during that game to be honest. They’ve just won the champions league twice in a row, hardly any team has ever done that, they are a generational talent with a hugely talented manager. That second half for most of it we took them to the brink in a knockout game, i would argue like no one else has in the last two years. Donnarumma makes world class saves from Rashford, Tielemans and Asensio, and there is a last minute goal line clearance from Maatsen, whilst we restricted them to nothing in the second half. To be even in that position was incredible from the manager and players. Think he knows a thing or two more than you.
He knows more than every poster on here. He dropped an unmerciful clanger with those subs. Both of these things can be true.
Naw, we beat the best team in Europe after being 2-0 on the night, there were no clangers dropped in that match
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are among Morgan Gibbs-White’s admirers but already have players in his favoured position. More could develop as the window progresses, particularly if Arsenal & Chelsea activate interest in Morgan Rogers.
@MailSport
If there was any way we could keep Morgan & still buy Morgan I’d love it.
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He knows more than every poster on here.
There is no way you think this.
Borderline with paulie obv
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are among Morgan Gibbs-White’s admirers but already have players in his favoured position. More could develop as the window progresses, particularly if Arsenal & Chelsea activate interest in Morgan Rogers.
@MailSport
If there was any way we could keep Morgan & still buy Morgan I’d love it.
would be amazing to have two Morgans especially when its been ages since the last Sammy Morgan.
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He knows more than every poster on here.
There is no way you think this.
Borderline with paulie obv
Paulie knows, and Unai doesn't know, that he (Unai) is going to be replaced by AI in the next two years ago, just like he was going to be in the last two years.
(Just jeshing, Paulie!)
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are among Morgan Gibbs-White’s admirers but already have players in his favoured position. More could develop as the window progresses, particularly if Arsenal & Chelsea activate interest in Morgan Rogers.
@MailSport
If there was any way we could keep Morgan & still buy Morgan I’d love it.
would be amazing to have two Morgans especially when its been ages since the last Sammy Morgan.
Morgan Sanson says 'bonjour'.
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are among Morgan Gibbs-White’s admirers but already have players in his favoured position. More could develop as the window progresses, particularly if Arsenal & Chelsea activate interest in Morgan Rogers.
@MailSport
If there was any way we could keep Morgan & still buy Morgan I’d love it.
Kind of depth we need to kick on.
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Add MGW or Bruno Guimarães and we’d have the best midfield in the world, if we don’t lose Rogers.
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Signing Guimarães - which we won't, because he'll have better options - would also be very funny re the horse-punchers.
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are among Morgan Gibbs-White’s admirers but already have players in his favoured position. More could develop as the window progresses, particularly if Arsenal & Chelsea activate interest in Morgan Rogers.
@MailSport
If there was any way we could keep Morgan & still buy Morgan I’d love it.
would be amazing to have two Morgans especially when its been ages since the last Sammy Morgan.
Morgan Sanson says 'bonjour'.
forgot about the sanson, must have left a massive impression on me.
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https://www.fussballdaten.de/news/veraenderungen-tor-psg-keeper-radar-premier-league-klubs/
The PSG goalie mentioned again and
Aston Villa are accelerating their summer transfer business with a double raid on Paris Saint-Germain, as they close in on a move for teenage prodigy Ibrahim Mbaye while also showing interest in goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
Talks to bring Mbaye to Villa Park are progressing quickly, and there is growing confidence on the English side that a deal can be finalised.
on another site..
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Sanson was skilful and handsome. I missed him for many months but then it faded and I mourned JJ. Getting over that still.
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https://www.fussballdaten.de/news/veraenderungen-tor-psg-keeper-radar-premier-league-klubs/
The PSG goalie mentioned again and
Aston Villa are accelerating their summer transfer business with a double raid on Paris Saint-Germain, as they close in on a move for teenage prodigy Ibrahim Mbaye while also showing interest in goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
Talks to bring Mbaye to Villa Park are progressing quickly, and there is growing confidence on the English side that a deal can be finalised.
on another site..
Mbaye is exactly the kind of player we should be looking at. Hope it’s true!
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Can I ask a stupid question please? If we are still struggling with PSR or SCR, wouldn’t we have to sell Morgan Rogers but June 30th? Which seems unlikely if he’s at the WC? Unless the Malen and Barrenechea money is tiding us over? Obviously be grand NOT to sell Morgan, of course.
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Uefa SCR is calculated over the calendar year and not the fiscal year, which would imply that were we needing to generate SCR headroom, our deadline would be the last player trading day of the calendar year, i.e., last day of the summer window.
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Mbaye would be a really exciting signing. He isnt coming to be loaned out so surely he will be implemented straight into the team
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Jack Grealish's dream summer transfer as he makes Aston Villa return and keeps promise
Jack Grealish remains a Manchester City player after an injury-riddled loan spell at Everton but could make a dreamy transfer this summer
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/jack-grealish-city-aston-villa-37241539
Would have him back on a free or for a low fee (£5-7 Million). Bring everyone back
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No.
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For a low fee I would have Jack back in a heartbeat.
I don't want us to sell Rogers, but if we did get £100m and got Jack, Gibbs White and a winger (Soule or Mbeye) would on balance be an improvement. Especially as with losing Sancho it would likely be wage neutral.
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Too old for his position and way past his best
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa are among Morgan Gibbs-White’s admirers but already have players in his favoured position. More could develop as the window progresses, particularly if Arsenal & Chelsea activate interest in Morgan Rogers.
@MailSport
If there was any way we could keep Morgan & still buy Morgan I’d love it.
would be amazing to have two Morgans especially when its been ages since the last Sammy Morgan.
I like it when we corner the market on player names, like when we bought all the players called Jordan. All of them.
Might not work out perfectly every time, but I think maybe this time is our real opportunity to just stockpile Morgans.
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Grealish would be the wrong move - we've really kicked on since he left (obviously not because he left) - I just feel that these things when players go back never work too well.
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Grealish would be the wrong move - we've really kicked on since he left (obviously not because he left) - I just feel that these things when players go back never work too well.
[/quote
Except for Sid Cowans and Steve Staunton
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One thing that did strike me as a bit sad was when Dougie and Ty came on against Freiburg, it was like we’d had every player on the pitch who’d made a significant impact in getting us there, even Tammy on the bench. Except for Jack (and Deano).
I’m a sentimental fool, I know that, but it would’ve been nice if Jack was there too. I’d have him back. One season, on loan, let’s get you a medal that actually means something whilst you’re still good enough to justify being in the team.
I don’t buy the stuff about him not being able to sit through Emery’s seminars. I reckon he’s a great player who needs a manager who’ll make him the best version of Jack Grealish he can be. Suspect he’d thrive in that kind of environment.
Anyway, that’s what I say. I’ll never understand why he left, as someone else wrote he swapped being a legend for cash & trinkets. But whatever his faults, he’s a nice lad and he belongs here.
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He's scored 6 goals in 3 years. He's finished.
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One thing that did strike me as a bit sad was when Dougie and Ty came on against Freiburg, it was like we’d had every player on the pitch who’d made a significant impact in getting us there, even Tammy on the bench. Except for Jack (and Deano).
I’m a sentimental fool, I know that, but it would’ve been nice if Jack was there too. I’d have him back. One season, on loan, let’s get you a medal that actually means something whilst you’re still good enough to justify being in the team.
I don’t buy the stuff about him not being able to sit through Emery’s seminars. I reckon he’s a great player who needs a manager who’ll make him the best version of Jack Grealish he can be. Suspect he’d thrive in that kind of environment.
Anyway, that’s what I say. I’ll never understand why he left, as someone else wrote he swapped being a legend for cash & trinkets. But whatever his faults, he’s a nice lad and he belongs here.
This man knows his football and watches football with his heart
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Grealish would be the wrong move - we've really kicked on since he left (obviously not because he left) - I just feel that these things when players go back never work too well.
[/quote
Except for Sid Cowans and Steve Staunton
But you would have Rashford in a heartbeat
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He's scored 6 goals in 3 years. He's finished.
Last three seasons, Jack Grealish has scored 8 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions
Are you sure he is finished
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He's scored 6 goals in 3 years. He's finished.
Last three seasons, Jack Grealish has scored 8 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions
Are you sure he is finished
I'd take hom back in a heart beat.
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Replacement for Barkley? I reckon Grealish would be up for it and would enjoy being back at the club. However, not at the expense of someone up and coming, perhaps brought in from somewhere else.
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One thing that did strike me as a bit sad was when Dougie and Ty came on against Freiburg, it was like we’d had every player on the pitch who’d made a significant impact in getting us there, even Tammy on the bench. Except for Jack (and Deano).
I’m a sentimental fool, I know that, but it would’ve been nice if Jack was there too. I’d have him back. One season, on loan, let’s get you a medal that actually means something whilst you’re still good enough to justify being in the team.
I don’t buy the stuff about him not being able to sit through Emery’s seminars. I reckon he’s a great player who needs a manager who’ll make him the best version of Jack Grealish he can be. Suspect he’d thrive in that kind of environment.
Anyway, that’s what I say. I’ll never understand why he left, as someone else wrote he swapped being a legend for cash & trinkets. But whatever his faults, he’s a nice lad and he belongs here.
Why does he belong here? Just because he's a fan? Does that apply to anyone who once played here as a fan?
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Why does he belong here? Just because he's a fan? Does that apply to anyone who once played here as a fan?
Lee Hendrie to play behind Ollie against PSG.
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One thing that did strike me as a bit sad was when Dougie and Ty came on against Freiburg, it was like we’d had every player on the pitch who’d made a significant impact in getting us there, even Tammy on the bench. Except for Jack (and Deano).
I’m a sentimental fool, I know that, but it would’ve been nice if Jack was there too. I’d have him back. One season, on loan, let’s get you a medal that actually means something whilst you’re still good enough to justify being in the team.
I don’t buy the stuff about him not being able to sit through Emery’s seminars. I reckon he’s a great player who needs a manager who’ll make him the best version of Jack Grealish he can be. Suspect he’d thrive in that kind of environment.
Anyway, that’s what I say. I’ll never understand why he left, as someone else wrote he swapped being a legend for cash & trinkets. But whatever his faults, he’s a nice lad and he belongs here.
Why does he belong here? Just because he's a fan? Does that apply to anyone who once played here as a fan?
Im the most sentimental person I know - but Grealish made his choice. At the time we said (at length) about what that choice meant and its worked out exactly as we all thought it would.
Deano got to watch it with his son and enjoy it knowing he played a part in getting where it was. If Grealish didnt feel the same then thats on him.
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He's scored 6 goals in 3 years. He's finished.
Last three seasons, Jack Grealish has scored 8 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions
Are you sure he is finished
Yes.
Plus he's always injured and is an alcoholic.
And will want stupid money.
And is a knob.
It's a no from me.
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For me it’s not really about his previous choices, it’s purely about whether he’s useful to us now and offers value. I genuinely don’t know the answer to that, but that’s the only real question.
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If he hadn't played well for us 5 years ago no one would be talking about wanting him here. He's not the player that left, he hasn't played more than 20 league games in a season for 4 seasons. He's at an age where even if was highly professional decline would be starting, and he isn't highly professional.
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If we had to re-sign a former player I would prefer it to be Jacob Ramsey.
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If we had to re-sign a former player I would prefer it to be Jacob Ramsey.
This with bells on. Ramsey > Grealish
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Well yeah but that’s not really a valid comparison here though.
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Must we wade in our own sloppy seconds?
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Must we wade in our own sloppy seconds?
Wasn’t quite the analogy I was hoping for. Bleeuurgghh.
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For me it’s not really about his previous choices, it’s purely about whether he’s useful to us now and offers value. I genuinely don’t know the answer to that, but that’s the only real question.
Just to be clear my comments about his previous choices isnt to do with signing him - it was to do with the fact he wasnt on the pitch at the end of the final.
I wouldn't want to resign him because we have a limited wage budget and I dont think its a risk worth taking.
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He's scored 6 goals in 3 years. He's finished.
Last three seasons, Jack Grealish has scored 8 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions
Are you sure he is finished
That reads pretty damn average. Ndiaye and Stately-Home are Everton's most dangerous players, not Grealish. He flatters to deceive and even with more carte-blanche to shoot now that Spit the Dog isn't his manager, he's utter shite at it. He has one big career contract left in him, please let it not be with us.
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He's scored 6 goals in 3 years. He's finished.
Last three seasons, Jack Grealish has scored 8 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions
Are you sure he is finished
Buendia just had 11 goals and 9 assists in one season.
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He didn’t score many goals when he was with us but city still payed 100million for him because he was brilliant
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He scored more goals in 19/20 than he's scored in the last 3 years. People are pining for that Grealish, not the one we'd have in 26/27.
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If he hadn't played well for us 5 years ago no one would be talking about wanting him here.
I know this is the "no" line, but it doesn't really stand up in my opinion.
If someone at a random club with nothing to do with us, had been brilliant somewhere else, and had been so good that they'd moved for £100m five years ago, was now 30 years old and was probably available for a contribution to his wages...
...then the club that thought that a loan for Jadon Sancho last summer would be worth a punt in the absence of better options in that position, probably wouldn't rule that other guy out.
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There's a big difference between trying 25 year old Sancho and 30 year old Grealish.
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That's a good point in regards to the club getting him in, but I'm not sure that alters people actually 'wanting' him in. I doubt all that many people wanted Sancho.
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Surely we can look past grealish as the answer to something - even if we’re in for an aging option. If he’s super cheap then maybe worth an option but he’s not - Barclay upgrade true
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There's a big difference between trying 25 year old Sancho and 30 year old Grealish.
Not in the context of "we can't go out and buy a couple of £80m wingers to fill obvious gaps in our squad, so we need someone who hits a nice middle ground between ability and cost while the bean-counters rustle up a bit more revenue so we might be able to buy one £80m winger next season" there isn’t.
He'd literally be a body that might be a bit better than one of the misfiring bodies from this season.
Nobody's doing a Real Madrid-style presidential campaign on bringing back the conquering hero, but in the Harry Wilson Stakes of who can be a cheapish option to be better than Evan Guessand in twenty-odd games next season, he's a perfectly coherent name to be in the running.
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There is because if 25 year old Sancho had a blinder we could have a valuable asset heading into prime years on a free. 30 year Grealish even with a blinding year is a depreciating asset. Neither will be having a blinder with Villa next season though.
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He's got big shoes to fill trying to replace Guessand, that's true.
Construction boots with 50p-shaped toe caps, if his performances with us were anything to go by.
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He'd be out with his loading injury for at least half the season. Everton's the best place for him.
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True, he can't load for shit. Jack will probably start 20-25 games a season max for the rest of his life.
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If priced accordingly - and the salary is bumped up with appearance fees and bonuses etc - I wouldn't be dead set against it.
The homegrown rule still needs to form part of our thinking.
But like SE, think he'll be allowed to more leeway at Everton. Prob a better fit for him at this stage of his career.
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If he hadn't played well for us 5 years ago no one would be talking about wanting him here. He's not the player that left, he hasn't played more than 20 league games in a season for 4 seasons. He's at an age where even if was highly professional decline would be starting, and he isn't highly professional.
Not sure i agree. People were perfectly happy to have Barkley back who had achieved even less in the preceding few years.
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Probably because he'd just had 2 good seasons and was on 60k a week. If he wasn't having good seasons, was often injured and was on 300k a week there'd have been a lot less happiness.
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Barkley had looked really good in a poor Luton side. I still think he's been a decent signing for the price.
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Yep, he's been solid. Still has the technique. If we can keep him fit, he'll continue to contribute. Having sat out the European games, hopefully he'll get some gametime in the CL next season.
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Massive no to Grealish, the inevitable big money it would cost can be better spent elsewhere and with greater potential value.
That ship sailed a long time ago.
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Probably because he'd just had 2 good seasons and was on 60k a week. If he wasn't having good seasons, was often injured and was on 300k a week there'd have been a lot less happiness.
Yep.
If we're pinning the slightest hope of Grealish suddenly rediscovering his form of five years ago, to the point that he'd justify his ridiculous wage, then we might as well give up now.
Objectively, nothing he has done since he left would warrant us signing him.
He betrayed us once. Five years later, he's just not good enough.
Let him go.
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And his calves are still shit.
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And his calves are still shit.
Oh no, his calves are still gorge.
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I have met a lot of blokes who have been dumped by their girlfriend or wife but have never got over it.
But she went off with your best mate, you know she banged the local rugby club, she continually emptied your bank account and spent it on Pinot Grigio , shoes and scratch cards etc etc.
But they would still have her back. Sad really.
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We had people arguing to bring back Benteke after he had, by any measure, proven to be a flash in the pan. Grealish may have been neutered by Guardiola but after he left us he was a near-ever present in a team that won the treble.
Plus look, he's obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed, but for all his off-field antics he's quite clearly a lovely fella. The vitriol is misplaced.
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There's a big difference between trying 25 year old Sancho and 30 year old Grealish.
Grealish is still a footballer, not sure what Sancho is. Last summer when we were desperate we should have brought him back instead of Sancho and Elliot. But we aren't desperate this summer, he's had a serious injury since and is still getting pissed out of his mind.
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Why do we need an ageing declining former player?
I would much rather us develop one of our own ( if we believe they have the potential) or take a calculated risk on a young player.
My understanding was that loan cost Everton north of £12m - no thanks.
Ps I didn’t want Sancho either!
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The grealish question is a really simple one for me. If he was available for free (or close to it) and was looking for a wage that reflects him being a squad player (a la Barkley) then I'd absolutely take him, he fills a free spot in the UEFA squad, he knows the club and a fair few of the squad and he has the technical ability to have an impact. If they want a big fee then it's not worth it and if he's holding out for a higher wage then, for me, that will show that he's not got the attitude we need from him.
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The grealish question is a really simple one for me. If he was available for free (or close to it) and was looking for a wage that reflects him being a squad player (a la Barkley) then I'd absolutely take him, he fills a free spot in the UEFA squad, he knows the club and a fair few of the squad and he has the technical ability to have an impact. If they want a big fee then it's not worth it and if he's holding out for a higher wage then, for me, that will show that he's not got the attitude we need from him.
The other thing I'd add to that is thst he would be suited to a particular role in the way we set up (the role on the left). He misses big chunks of most seasons through injury though and is on massive wages though.
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The grealish question is a really simple one for me. If he was available for free (or close to it) and was looking for a wage that reflects him being a squad player (a la Barkley) then I'd absolutely take him, he fills a free spot in the UEFA squad, he knows the club and a fair few of the squad and he has the technical ability to have an impact. If they want a big fee then it's not worth it and if he's holding out for a higher wage then, for me, that will show that he's not got the attitude we need from him.
Yup.
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The grealish question is a really simple one for me. If he was available for free (or close to it) and was looking for a wage that reflects him being a squad player (a la Barkley) then I'd absolutely take him, he fills a free spot in the UEFA squad, he knows the club and a fair few of the squad and he has the technical ability to have an impact. If they want a big fee then it's not worth it and if he's holding out for a higher wage then, for me, that will show that he's not got the attitude we need from him.
Yup.
That's where I am. Like most transfers this year: It'll be on our terms or it will not happen.
A few points in his favour and contrary to what a few people have said here. Grealish is apparently a geek of football, endlessly watching videos, so I don't think the long Emery presentations would bother him. Equally, he's demonstrated that he'll sacrifice his game to suit a manager's tactics. Arguably Emery's demands are closer to his natural game.
Whether his body could maintain the demand is another matter, which brings us back to paul e point, any deal would need to be cheap and worst case, performance based.
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The sooner Jack retires the better. If nothing else, it will end the endless debate about a possible return.
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The sooner Jack retires the better. If nothing else, it will end the endless debate about a possible return.
Amen.
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I loved Jack and never really hated him for leaving. He's one of the best players I've ever seen in a Villa shirt, and I think some people underestimate/downplay just what he achieved for us.
But nah, I wouldn't have him back and I doubt Emery is even considering it.
The romantic in me would love to see him tearing it up for Villa again, but it doesn't feel like he's looked after himself I just can't really see him getting on the pitch much or playing far into his 30's. I think he's more likely to become a financial burden than an asset to the squad.
But of course if Emery thinks differently and the medical team are happy, I'd have no problem with him coming back.
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We had people arguing to bring back Benteke after he had, by any measure, proven to be a flash in the pan.
A three season, 101 appearance, 49 goal "flash in the pan" - wouldn't mind a couple more like that tbh
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We had people arguing to bring back Benteke after he had, by any measure, proven to be a flash in the pan.
A three season, 101 appearance, 49 goal "flash in the pan" - wouldn't mind a couple more like that tbh
Same, but it was never repeated elsewhere, and we had a few even* who wanted him back after he'd semi-retired in the States.
*OK one, we had one guy.
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According to Tanswell that Mbaye is close story is 'inaccurate'.
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According to Tanswell that Mbaye is close story is 'inaccurate'.
Booo
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According to Tanswell that Mbaye is close story is 'inaccurate'.
Booo
Doesnt mean it wont though
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We had people arguing to bring back Benteke after he had, by any measure, proven to be a flash in the pan. Grealish may have been neutered by Guardiola but after he left us he was a near-ever present in a team that won the treble.
Plus look, he's obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed, but for all his off-field antics he's quite clearly a lovely fella. The vitriol is misplaced.
While I think there is vitriol from some people, as there always is on anything in football, we can't assume anyone who doesn't want him back is down to hating him.
I don't hate the guy, and I'm pretty sure if I knew him I'd think he was a lovable rascal. But I really wouldn't have him back.
As I said at the time, I can understand the dilemma he had, and he was the only one who could make the decision. He made it knowing the consequences.
He has his medals and his money, and we are what he gave up to get them.
We still want success and we still want medals, and we need people who want to be at the club and put the very hard work in to get those things. He isn't that person.
So the only way he should ever come back is if it suited the club and he was the best option. But that isn't true, and it suits him a hell of a lot more than it does us.
So wish him all the best elsewhere and move on.
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We had people arguing to bring back Benteke after he had, by any measure, proven to be a flash in the pan. Grealish may have been neutered by Guardiola but after he left us he was a near-ever present in a team that won the treble.
Plus look, he's obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed, but for all his off-field antics he's quite clearly a lovely fella. The vitriol is misplaced.
While I think there is vitriol from some people, as there always is on anything in football, we can't assume anyone who doesn't want him back is down to hating him.
Sure, they are seperate things, and you're very welcome to your view of him as a potential transfer. I think it's clearly the case that there are many who do not separate these things as, um, cleanly.
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He was great for us, he's great with fans especially with kids, i've never hated him, i've defended him on his thread, and now he's not good enough for us so I don't want to sign him.
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If Unai could get a tune out of ‘washed up’ Rashford and effectively rejuvenate him to the point where he got back in the England squad and subsequently earned a move to Barcelona, couldn’t he rejuvenate Grealish too ?
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Story about us having a bid rejected for Martin Baturina;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-make-e50-55m-offer-rejected-and-told-they-need-e80m/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-make-e50-55m-offer-rejected-and-told-they-need-e80m/)
Even if true, the story isn't hopeful of our chances!
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Rashford wasn't washed up though, he was thrown under the bus by a complete fraud of a manager in Amorim.
Fun fact. Rashford has scored more goals in the last 4 seasons than Grealish had league starts in his ManC career.
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Yep, I don't think you can compare the two.
Plus again, who benefits most from his being saved from himself?
We went for Rashford and Ascensio because Emery knew they were good players who for whatever reason weren't in their club's plans. He knew they could do a good job for us and he could get them up to speed in his team quickly.
There's a big difference to that and someone who needs a lot of time and attention to have a chance of being good enough, and might not be even then.
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Thing is, other than it just being a bit unfair to call an obviously perfectly nice person 'orrible names, I don't especially care about or blame the Haters. I'm not a fan so I can debate how the data analysts might recommend a player's heatmaps or recovery runs. That's the club's job and obviously I hope they do it well.
But I'm sentimental, saft, irrationally over-invested, daydreamy. I would love the homecoming story in our title-winning year. Others are still angry with their ex (to use CL's, um, pungent analogy) to the extent they can't be normal if they even hear their name, and I respect that within the world of football fandom. I am them, just on the other side. I love redemption, forgiveness, and prodigal sons. I just do.
In a footballing sense he's one player among however many hundreds of options, and if Unai for whatever reason thinks it's a good idea then great. As a fan, though, just allow me my rosy thoughts and my daft smiles without pinning them to a spreadsheet, please.
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I’m with you Monty.
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Thing is, other than it just being a bit unfair to call an obviously perfectly nice person 'orrible names, I don't especially care about or blame the Haters. I'm not a fan so I can debate how the data analysts might recommend a player's heatmaps or recovery runs. That's the club's job and obviously I hope they do it well.
But I'm sentimental, saft, irrationally over-invested, daydreamy. I would love the homecoming story in our title-winning year. Others are still angry with their ex (to use CL's, um, pungent analogy) to the extent they can't be normal if they even hear their name, and I respect that within the world of football fandom. I am them, just on the other side. I love redemption, forgiveness, and prodigal sons. I just do.
In a footballing sense he's one player among however many hundreds of options, and if Unai for whatever reason thinks it's a good idea then great. As a fan, though, just allow me my rosy thoughts and my daft smiles without pinning them to a spreadsheet, please.
Yeah, it's what makes football fun. And comparing a footballer playing for another club to somebody's wife betraying them is plain weird.
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What a great day it is that we have reached the Grealish is no longer good enough for us stage.
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I think the love analogy is quite apt, to be honest. We did love him, he was special and he was ours. I've never felt as proud about a player as I did when he first stepped onto the pitch in an England shirt, and I probably never will again.
And all that just makes it harder.
As Carly Simon once said to Jack - you gave away the things you loved, and one of them was Aston Villa Football Club and all it's numerous, stunningly-attractive fans.
And we can't go back. :(
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I'm the same as Monty. I'm just a daydreamer with romantic notions, I'm afraid. I'll let Unai work out what players we sign and if we can make things work. But I'd be really, really happy if Jack came back and won the league with us. It'd be a nice "thank you", in the same way that I'm chuffed Tyrone Mings, Dougie, and Tammy all picked up a winners' medal this time round.
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If he was good enough for us i'd happily have him back. But like Doug he isn't good enough for 2026/27 Aston Villa. We should be enjoying how much we've moved on and are now one of the top teams in Europe rather than lamenting over players from years ago. I doubt any PL side with serious aspirations to finish at least top 4 or 5 will be signing either of them this summer.
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I agree with you.
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I wouldn't have a problem in principle with Grealish returning. I understood why he left when he did from a professional perspective, and regardless of whether we allowed him to leave willingly, we were well compensated.
I do though think that he lost the right to be considered 'one of our own'. There was lots of talk at the time about the fact that this was his job, and he had the opportunity to be paid more and win more at another club. I think that leaving for those reasons does mean that you are treating it as a job rather than anything more.
That said, he'll be 31 in September, and hasn't played consistently over the past few seasons. Whereas we are trying to reduce the age of our squad, and bring players in who can contribute reliably.
I'd be very surprised if he were to return.
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Though clearly not exactly the same, I think the cheating wife analogy is far from weird. Grealish leaving to play in cheat mode did feel a bit like betrayal when it happened. Anyway, I have no idea whether he's fit enough these days, but he remains a lovely footballer. I find myself being in the 'not arsed either way' camp. That shows how far we've come as a club in a nice way.
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If Unai wants him crack on !
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If he was good enough for us i'd happily have him back. But like Doug he isn't good enough for 2026/27 Aston Villa. We should be enjoying how much we've moved on and are now one of the top teams in Europe rather than lamenting over players from years ago. I doubt any PL side with serious aspirations to finish at least top 4 or 5 will be signing either of them this summer.
This. The teams that win stuff relentlessly have no room for sentimentality. We may not like that, but unfortunately there's no getting away from it.
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The sooner Jack retires the better. If nothing else, it will end the endless debate about a possible return.
Amen.
Yes, and let's hope he doesn't take up coaching and managerial route as that will leave the embers burning.
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If Unai wants him crack on !
That's it for me. I'm underwhelmed at the prospect of Jack returning, but if Unai thinks he can make the team better by having him in our squad, then so be it.
But honestly, he'll be 31 when the season is a couple of weeks old, and he certainly isn't a James Milner type who has treated his body like a temple and who will be playing at the top level until his late 30s - so I'm not sure what use he will be to us, beyond another squad body for the next couple of seasons.
If he moves this summer, I suspect it will be to a club in mid-table, where he'll go and be the main man, from a manager who wants "a piece of magic" every now and again, and is happy with that. He'll probably have a decent highlight reel for the season, but will have been anonymous in as many games as he plays well. Or he'll go abroad for a couple of years.
What we need, is to find the next Grealish. The one Spurs tried to buy from the Championship. The Eze that Palace bought from the Champ, the Olise that Palace bought from the Champ. The Semenyo that Bournemouth bought from the Champ. These players are out there - young, hungry, and affordable.
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He needs to go somewhere closer to his current level, not player he was mostly between 2019-23.
Everton or Leeds would be decent shouts as don't think the new mid/upper table disruptors would want him.
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He needs to go somewhere closer to his current level, not player he was mostly between 2019-23.
Everton or Leeds would be decent shouts as don't think the new mid/upper table disruptors would want him.
My mind keeps going back to when we had Merson. Undeniably talented, past his best, but able to do a job for a team trying to progress on a budget.
Everton and the like would be a good place for him.
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He needs to go somewhere closer to his current level, not player he was mostly between 2019-23.
Everton or Leeds would be decent shouts as don't think the new mid/upper table disruptors would want him.
My mind keeps going back to when we had Merson. Undeniably talented, past his best, but able to do a job for a team trying to progress on a budget.
Everton and the like would be a good place for him.
Merson joined us almost 30 years ago (yikes), but the game today has moved on a lot since those days. I don't think a 30 year old Merson would have the impact today that he had for us back then, unfortunately. The game is full of athletes now, and I think a mercurial player who might not be totally 'at it' physically would really struggle in the premier league.
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If Spurs try the £12m + whoever this year's Josh Onoma is they might have more luck this time, although he may not want to drop too far down the league.
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I feel I have to defend myself. I was not advocating we bring back Merson! ;D
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Maybe a reason we won smeg all while spending a fortune is because we were bringing in players like Merson.
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Yep. Something we would be repeating with Grealish.
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Signing Merson was the least of our problems back then
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Bosko Balaban?
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In terms of what Monty says, completely get it. I was embarrassed for myself with how much the will he won’t he, shit he has gone, affected me at the time, as a then 47 year old.
I loved watching him play, the old brummie pissed up womanising scamp. He was such a throwback, such a maverick, the comeback and goal against Derby, scoring the winner against blues after being punched, having a massive role in keeping us up.
The reality is, if he came back, most of the hate would be forgotten and he’d be welcomed back like a returning hero. I just don’t think he’s done anything really over the last couple of years, tp suggest why we would go in that direction. Then again we’re looking at Harry Wilson apparently, so.
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He needs to go somewhere closer to his current level, not player he was mostly between 2019-23.
Everton or Leeds would be decent shouts as don't think the new mid/upper table disruptors would want him.
West Ham.
Or maybe Coventry.
It Emery wants him I'd be worried. The only way I see it making close to any sense is a loan with us paying a fraction of wages.
My gut feeling is that he'd chat to his mate Super John McGinn who'd set him straight on expectations and that would be that. An expensive and pointless exercise.
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Rashford wasn't washed up though, he was thrown under the bus by a complete fraud of a manager in Amorim.
Amorim was a fraud for sure but not in his treatment of Rashford who let down several Man United managers. There was a particular effort away at Newcastle, might have been under EtH, that was reminiscent of Gabby away at Spurs that time. Grealish admitted he sulked for a while when the Spurs move didn't happen but he never downed tools completely like Rashford did for his home club.
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Juventus want Dibu Martínez as priority target for GK position after Alisson deal off.
Talks have started to ask about price and contract details, high salary but Juve keen to explore move.
Another option remains Spurs GK Vicario.
[@FabrizioRomano]
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Juventus want Dibu Martínez as priority target for GK position after Alisson deal off.
Talks have started to ask about price and contract details, high salary but Juve keen to explore move.
Another option remains Spurs GK Vicario.
[@FabrizioRomano]
Bit of a step down for him these days.
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Rashford wasn't washed up though, he was thrown under the bus by a complete fraud of a manager in Amorim.
Amorim was a fraud for sure but not in his treatment of Rashford who let down several Man United managers. There was a particular effort away at Newcastle, might have been under EtH, that was reminiscent of Gabby away at Spurs that time. Grealish admitted he sulked for a while when the Spurs move didn't happen but he never downed tools completely like Rashford did for his home club.
I’m sure there’s culpability on the other side - nothing else Rashford has done has suggested he’s the down tools type.
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Rashford wasn't washed up though, he was thrown under the bus by a complete fraud of a manager in Amorim.
Amorim was a fraud for sure but not in his treatment of Rashford who let down several Man United managers. There was a particular effort away at Newcastle, might have been under EtH, that was reminiscent of Gabby away at Spurs that time. Grealish admitted he sulked for a while when the Spurs move didn't happen but he never downed tools completely like Rashford did for his home club.
I’m sure there’s culpability on the other side - nothing else Rashford has done has suggested he’s the down tools type.
And regardless, if we're discussing both parties in terms of what they'd offer us going forward there's a gulf between the capabilities of the two, and Jack is on the wrong side of it.
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It wouldn't surprise me if he left this summer if we get the offer we wanted purely because of his wages*. Whether it would be the "right" decision is a different matter. I guess at his age his value will keep dropping quite quickly.
*Like Tanswell said, not looking to sell but could go at the right price.
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The issue with Martinez is his value is probably quite low now. Replacing him will just take up transfer capital that we don't really have and I doubt any replacement's wages will be particularly cheap.
To me, it would make more sense to kick it down the road to next summer, when hopefully we'll have qualified for CL again and have more headroom to play with.
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The issue with Martinez is his value is probably quite low now. Replacing him will just take up transfer capital that we don't really have and I doubt any replacement's wages will be particularly cheap.
To me, it would make more sense to kick it down the road to next summer, when hopefully we'll have qualified for CL again and have more headroom to play with.
Unless he's agitating, I agree (although we could get someone decent from That Abroad for half the wages).
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He is a world class experienced goalkeeper and we are in champions league next year. The club know what they are doing….
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The issue with Martinez is his value is probably quite low now. Replacing him will just take up transfer capital that we don't really have and I doubt any replacement's wages will be particularly cheap.
To me, it would make more sense to kick it down the road to next summer, when hopefully we'll have qualified for CL again and have more headroom to play with.
Martinez, McGinn and Watkins are all worth much more to us than the transfer fees they would command. Given their ages we'd get £50m tops for the three combined, yet they are all vital, irreplaceable players for us unless we had three times as much money to spend on their replacements.
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Juventus want Dibu Martínez as priority target for GK position after Alisson deal off.
Talks have started to ask about price and contract details, high salary but Juve keen to explore move.
Another option remains Spurs GK Vicario.
[@FabrizioRomano]
"Another option remains Spurs GK VIcario"
That's a bit like "tonight, I'll be spending the night engaged in sexual congress with Margot Robbie. Or maybe Sonia from Eastenders".
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Juventus want Dibu Martínez as priority target for GK position after Alisson deal off.
Talks have started to ask about price and contract details, high salary but Juve keen to explore move.
Another option remains Spurs GK Vicario.
[@FabrizioRomano]
"Another option remains Spurs GK VIcario"
That's a bit like "tonight, I'll be spending the night engaged in sexual congress with Margot Robbie. Or maybe Sonia from Eastenders".
The older I get, the more that looks like win-win.
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Hahaha
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It was good when Sonia was on SoccerAM
(https://thegradian.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/rocket-soccer-am.jpg)
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It will be a sad day when Martinez leaves the club, the same with Watkins, McGinn, Mings and Digne. To me it feels like the value we would get for them is less then they are worth to us next season at least.
With Martinez and Bizot it feels like were well covered - feels like a risk tbh.
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It will be a sad day when Martinez leaves the club, the same with Watkins, McGinn, Mings and Digne. To me it feels like the value we would get for them is less then they are worth to us next season at least.
With Martinez and Bizot it feels like were well covered - feels like a risk tbh.
Agree.
But the transition needs to happen at some point. Regrettably I’d condone losing Mings this summer. Otherwise any offers need to reflect their value to us ie more than anyone will offer.
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The issue with Martinez is his value is probably quite low now. Replacing him will just take up transfer capital that we don't really have and I doubt any replacement's wages will be particularly cheap.
To me, it would make more sense to kick it down the road to next summer, when hopefully we'll have qualified for CL again and have more headroom to play with.
Yes.
Particularly when you see replacements of the calibre of James Trafford being touted.
Think back just over the last two seasons when Emi has made match altering (and often world class) saves in most games.
Don't think Trafford gets to half of those.
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Rashford wasn't washed up though, he was thrown under the bus by a complete fraud of a manager in Amorim.
Amorim was a fraud for sure but not in his treatment of Rashford who let down several Man United managers. There was a particular effort away at Newcastle, might have been under EtH, that was reminiscent of Gabby away at Spurs that time. Grealish admitted he sulked for a while when the Spurs move didn't happen but he never downed tools completely like Rashford did for his home club.
I’m sure there’s culpability on the other side - nothing else Rashford has done has suggested he’s the down tools type.
And regardless, if we're discussing both parties in terms of what they'd offer us going forward there's a gulf between the capabilities of the two, and Jack is on the wrong side of it.
That's fair enough, Rashford is two years younger for starters and is coming off winning a league title making a solid contribution in the process. Jack was decent at a mid table PL team for half a season or so, picked up yet another serious injury and last seen pissed as a fart yet again in a pub. Both of them spent far too much time pissing around in nightclubs and casinos to realise their potential. See them both finishing up in their early 30s.
Likely lads from England's Euros squad 20/21- Grealish, Rashford, Mount, Sancho, Phillips, Sterling - Rashford had stopped the rot but rest of them are in free fall career wise. Before then Alli, Barkley could be thrown into the mix too.
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If we need to raise significant cash then I’d rather sell Morgan than have to flog several of our lower value players. We can replace a single hole in the team, we’d struggle to fill three or four.
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Age means the squad will most likely be changing quite a bit over the next few windows.
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That depends on who you are placing in the lower value bracket.
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Rashford wasn't washed up though, he was thrown under the bus by a complete fraud of a manager in Amorim.
Amorim was a fraud for sure but not in his treatment of Rashford who let down several Man United managers. There was a particular effort away at Newcastle, might have been under EtH, that was reminiscent of Gabby away at Spurs that time. Grealish admitted he sulked for a while when the Spurs move didn't happen but he never downed tools completely like Rashford did for his home club.
I’m sure there’s culpability on the other side - nothing else Rashford has done has suggested he’s the down tools type.
It's also worth noting that pretty much all the stories of him having a bad attitude started right around the time Ratcliffe arrived, almost as if getting some of their highest earners out of the squad was a priority and anything that could help that happen was on the table.
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Juventus originally wanted Alisson on a free as he only has 12 months on his contract and has higher wages than Juventus want to pay. They were told to do one and apparently came back with a £13m offer. Alisson is the same age as Emi but Emi has a much longer contract until 2029. Even for £20m we'd still have to spend to bring in a top replacement, Brighton's Dutch international Verbruggen is reported to be top of our list but he won't be cheap. There's certainly money to be saved on his wages which are said to currently be about £35k a week.
McGinn isn't for sale plus nobody can afford him.
Watkins is still only 30 and fitness wise there's nothing to say he can't continue at PL level for another 4 or 5 years. A good World Cup and he's got to be worth £30m - £35m even with his high wages. I'm all for sticking if we can get Abraham replaced but we'd probably only see £20m - £25m max for him. Maybe a loanee on a good fee with an option to buy for a very promising young striker is the only option. Selling Watkins and Abraham even for a combined fee of £50m - £60m is still risky business even with a loanee brought in to the squad. The problem is Watkins price will dramatically drop next summer even if he has a good season, age isn't on his side..and then there's his wages.
More than anything we really need to have a brilliant transfer window this summer. We can't afford to be throwing around our limited cash on moneyball players when everything needs to be invested on strengthening the team not the squad.
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If we need to raise significant cash then I’d rather sell Morgan than have to flog several of our lower value players. We can replace a single hole in the team, we’d struggle to fill three or four.
It depends on wages impact. I also think we shouldn’t underestimate how bloody difficult it would be to replace Rogers. He does so much of the creative work for the team, and is the main ball carrier.
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Juventus originally wanted Alisson on a free as he only has 12 months on his contract and has higher wages than Juventus want to pay. They were told to do one and apparently came back with a £13m offer. Alisson is the same age as Emi but Emi has a much longer contract until 2029. Even for £20m we'd still have to spend to bring in a top replacement, Brighton's Dutch international Verbruggen is reported to be top of our list but he won't be cheap. There's certainly money to be saved on his wages which are said to currently be about £35k a week.
McGinn isn't for sale plus nobody can afford him.
Watkins is still only 30 and fitness wise there's nothing to say he can't continue at PL level for another 4 or 5 years. A good World Cup and he's got to be worth £30m - £35m even with his high wages. I'm all for sticking if we can get Abraham replaced but we'd probably only see £20m - £25m max for him. Maybe a loanee on a good fee with an option to buy for a very promising young striker is the only option. Selling Watkins and Abraham even for a combined fee of £50m - £60m is still risky business even with a loanee brought in to the squad. The problem is Watkins price will dramatically drop next summer even if he has a good season, age isn't on his side..and then there's his wages.
More than anything we really need to have a brilliant transfer window this summer. We can't afford to be throwing around our limited cash on moneyball players when everything needs to be invested on strengthening the team not the squad.
I'm not sure i agree on the last bit. Our best XI is well balanced, experienced playing together and has a record of good results. Our problems come when 1-2 of them are out of form or unavailable and the backups are largely not good enough to start a run of games. Right now we have, in my opinion, 15 players I'd trust to start a significant number of games next season:
Martinez, Bizot, Digne, Maatsen, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Lindelof, Kamara, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins.
After that, Mings, Barkley, Tammy and maybe Alysson have enough about them to be worth keeping around (although I'd be happy for Mings to go if he wants more games as I think his level has started to drop now). That's 18/19 players and ideally we want 3-4 more than that. I'd keep Bogarde in the hope that he can step up another level and because he's a 'free hit' for the UEFA squad.
For me that means we only need a handful of signings and we can afford for them to be younger, take a few moths to find their feet and learn the 'Emery way'. If we make the UCL again next season then next summer is where we'll need to look at replacing a handful more of them to try and really kick on. Get the balance right this summer and through the season and we'll naturally be bringing the age of the squad down as we phase away from Mings, Lindelof, Barkley and Bizot, who are likely all going to be leaving next summer.
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https://www.kltown.co.uk/news/2026/06/08/new-signing-ronnie-hollingshead
Outgoing
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They are balanced, Paul, at least at the end of the season but you can't expect those players to be putting in 55 appearances next season. Most will be coming off a World Cup tournament and had little time to rest. Ideally we can as you said bring in 3 or 4 quality players who can automatically drop in without a fall in quality.
I'm expecting Oscar Mingueza to be first in through the door who covers for Cash and Konsa.
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Yep, so making more of the squad be on the level where they can play for an extended run of games butthe problems if we don't do that will come in the 2nd half of the season, which is why i think we can give signings this summer a little bit of time that won't be true next summer.
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I think this is the summer where we actually could do with a mix of 2-3 first team ready players at younger (24-25) ages and 2-3 moneyball style younger players (18-22) that can integrate and potentially make us a very decent profit going forward. Realistically Emi, Torres, Konsa, Youri, Watkins, McGinn, Cash and Digne all need to be replaced in the next 2-3 seasons. That's not counting Mings, Barkley, Buendia, Bailey, Lindelof who are all of an age that sits in that bracket too. This summer 3-4 players need to come in sub 25 that start that road to replace some of the above. With our budget some will have to be calculated risks
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Is it too much to ask to find someone at Gainsborough Trinity with the talent of Jhon Duran and the temperament of James Milner?
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That point about whether we can expect 50+ games again next season from some of these players is a key one. Plus last season lots of those EL teams were very poor. Cruising through mid week games isn't an option in the CL.
The transfer window is going to be very difficult with the World Cup anyway. Are financial restrictions that tight that realistically we would need to sell Rogers before considering buying quality like MGW?
I'd be concerned (thanks Smirker) that we may have seen an Indian summer from Ollie over the past couple of months. If I recall correctly it took him ages to get going after the last Euros. Tammy sadly seemed miles off it but maybe a hard pre season can get him going. Not going to go on about Kamara/Onana again. Cash and McGinn with no competition on the right side many have touched on. There's glaring holes in our squad that need addressing and we should be looking to move a number on, Mings included, for me
Try to enjoy the world cup knockouts first I guess!
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Is it too much to ask to find someone at Gainsborough Trinity with the talent of Jhon Duran and the temperament of James Milner?
A few years ago they were managed by Brian Little, so he may know.
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I'm the same as Monty. I'm just a daydreamer with romantic notions, I'm afraid. I'll let Unai work out what players we sign and if we can make things work. But I'd be really, really happy if Jack came back and won the league with us. It'd be a nice "thank you", in the same way that I'm chuffed Tyrone Mings, Dougie, and Tammy all picked up a winners' medal this time round.
He doesn't deserve that.
He's not just another player, he was supposed to be a Villa fan.
I don't give a shit about the logical 'we'd all have done the same thing if we were him' bollocks. We're not in it for logic. If we were, we'd all conclude that supporting a football club is nonsensical, bail and the club would fold.
I don't hate him, but he made his bed, and he can lie in it.
I also don't give a shit about romanticism. He could've thought about what might be romantic instead of trying to leave every summer, and eventually achieving it.
If he were still any good, maybe. But he's not. Fuck him and any notion of a 'dream homecoming'. He thought he was better than us, and now we're better than him.
He can fuck off.
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How long has he been out for? injured at Villa too for quite a while if I remember right. Last thing we need is an ageing player who's recovering from a long term injury. Don't think Unai will be interested.
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He thought he was better than us, and now we're better than him.
Exactly, nothing else needs to be said.
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He's not just another player, he was supposed to be a Villa fan.
I don't give a shit about the logical 'we'd all have done the same thing if we were him' bollocks. We're not in it for logic. If we were, we'd all conclude that supporting a football club is nonsensical, bail and the club would fold.
I don't hate him, but he made his bed, and he can lie in it.
I also don't give a shit about romanticism.
My chap, my G, bruv, these are contradictory statements.
Anyway, we're agreeing. You're not treating Jack like just any other player - you have a specific antipathy, and this in its own way is I think also correct.
I agree also so much with your point that 'we're in it for logic'. All this (apologies Sam!) stuff about there being 'no room for sentimentality' - brother, I know the club need to think like this because it's quite literally their job to do so, but I'm not the club, I am a dim and dewy-eyed loser with a wholly irrational attachment to a bunch of men in specific shirts making standing around on grass more complicated than it has any right to be. If there were 'no room for sentiment', as Rory says, the club would fold - actually, there'd be no football at all.
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... I'm all for sticking if we can get Abraham replaced but we'd probably only see £20m - £25m max for him. Maybe a loanee on a good fee with an option to buy for a very promising young striker is the only option ...
I suspect Brian may be the young promising striker that you refer to.
... More than anything we really need to have a brilliant transfer window this summer. We can't afford to be throwing around our limited cash on moneyball players when everything needs to be invested on strengthening the team not the squad.
I suspect, as ever, that it will be a combination: a couple of first-teamers (Mingueza and Souri, for example) and a couple more like Alysson. These latter may even come from within (Hemmings, Rowe, for example) which would give us a little more flex to bring in established players.
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Try to enjoy the world cup knockouts first I guess!
That's no longer possible since Tuchel opened his big gob and said he has no problems with players being transferred during the World Cup providing it's not on the day of a game or the day before.
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Yeah, the snivelling player-licker!
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A few links to a young centre back called John Martin who, despite the name, is a Spaniard at Real Sociadad.
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The next 3-4 windows are going to be very important, I think. We have an ageing squad and around 13 players in the last year or two of their contracts.
We need to begin refreshing that squad without disrupting it or breaking the bank. It's a huge balancing act and very difficult to get right. Particularly as a drop-off will hit us financially and massively impact what we are trying to do.
By the end of the season, Emery will have been here for four and a half years - the longest he's ever been at a football club. We know he can build good sides from whatever he has to hand, but this may be the first time he's had to dismantle his team and re-build it again.
It's one of the most difficult things in football, and few managers get the chance to do it as few get that long at a club. Fergie was the master at it. And if Emery is going to stay here for a long time, it's something he's going to have to show he can do well.
So yeah, a hugely important couple of seasons for us coming up, and for Emery. If he shows he can do this well, he'll be the complete manager in my book and an even bigger legend.
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To a certain extent I think the rebuild process has already started. The young striker we can's register was not cheap, he is clearly seen as someone that can develop alongside Watkins ala Duran. Meanwhile we have Tammy for competition.
Allyson is another player who looks to be in contention for game time if he can actually stay fit.
We have a bunch of good young players like Hemmings coming through, you would hope one or two make it.
I think this is the year we see Martinez be replaced by a younger keeper on lower wages. I think this is the year we see Mings be replaced by a younger player that can compete with Torres. Kamara and Onana are still young as is Rogers if we can keep hold of him.
I don't think Emery will rip things apart, he will patiently bring players through as he moulds them into being able to play in his system.
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A few links to a young centre back called John Martin who, despite the name, is a Spaniard at Real Sociadad.
we can call him Juan Martinez
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To a certain extent I think the rebuild process has already started. The young striker we can's register was not cheap, he is clearly seen as someone that can develop alongside Watkins ala Duran. Meanwhile we have Tammy for competition.
Allyson is another player who looks to be in contention for game time if he can actually stay fit.
We have a bunch of good young players like Hemmings coming through, you would hope one or two make it.
I think this is the year we see Martinez be replaced by a younger keeper on lower wages. I think this is the year we see Mings be replaced by a younger player that can compete with Torres. Kamara and Onana are still young as is Rogers if we can keep hold of him.
I don't think Emery will rip things apart, he will patiently bring players through as he moulds them into being able to play in his system.
We may well have already signed the Mings replacement as well, with Cisse arriving soon, he's another who is young, very highly rated and has been playing first team football for 18months.
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The next 3-4 windows are going to be very important, I think. We have an ageing squad and around 13 players in the last year or two of their contracts.
<snip>
Not going to quote everything but I think we've started to over state the aging aspects a little too much recently. As things stand 32-33 is about the age where the top teams start to move players on, Silva and Stones for example, and if players stay later than that you risk a big drop off in quality (VVD, Salah). On that basis I thihk it's reasonable for us to assume that we should be looking at having players phased out by the summer after they turn 32 (and I'd say more like 36 for keepers).
On that basis the urgent replacements in the next year are: Bizot, Mings, Barkley, Digne, McGinn and Lindelof
To replace in 2years: Watkins
3years: Buendia, Torres, Tielemans, Martinez.
Anyone else should be good until the next world cup and that starts to get too far ahead to be worth worrying about.
All of those are rough estimates as well as some of them may see a drop off sooner or later than normal but effectively we need 11 players to come in at a similar level to our existing squad over 6 windows. With Madjo, Cisse and Alysson all signed early to fill some of those spots and some U18s we have high hopes for meaning it might be even less. On that basis I don't see any need for panic, 2-3 signings in the summer, 1-2 in the winter (with a few youngsters on top) and rely on slow transition rather than any big churn that risks upsetting the balance of the squad.
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I suspect Brian may be the young promising striker that you refer to.
Yeah. Obviously you can't put all your eggs in a 17 year old basket, but it does feel more like a Duran "into the first team squad" punt rather than a Louie Barry, just because of the bigger numbers involved.
In the Watkins discussion it's been covered a number of times that there aren't many top level centre forwards around anymore to just go out and buy, and kids are all being developed into attacking midfielders instead.
So it looks like we've just decided there's no point trying to comepte with Barcelona and Man Utd to spend £70m on the best 23 year old version, so let's spent £15m on the 17 year old version that we might be able to mould into the £100m 23 year old version.
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I know McGinn is getting older but he is showing no signs of slowing down - I could see him as a James Milner or Gareth Barry type player who keeps going albeit in a slightly different role. He has so many attributes to his game.
Mings and Digne I would agree we need to be mindful of losing a yard and stamina could be a killer for them
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I know McGinn is getting older but he is showing no signs of slowing down - I could see him as a James Milner or Gareth Barry type player who keeps going albeit in a slightly different role. He has so many attributes to his game.
Mings and Digne I would agree we need to be mindful of losing a yard and stamina could be a killer for them
Plus, arses generally grow with age, so he could get even better!
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I know McGinn is getting older but he is showing no signs of slowing down - I could see him as a James Milner or Gareth Barry type player who keeps going albeit in a slightly different role. He has so many attributes to his game.
Mings and Digne I would agree we need to be mindful of losing a yard and stamina could be a killer for them
Plus, arses generally grow with age, so he could get even better!
That's not always true. Trump has a massive arse and he's still a massive arse.
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I know McGinn is getting older but he is showing no signs of slowing down - I could see him as a James Milner or Gareth Barry type player who keeps going albeit in a slightly different role. He has so many attributes to his game.
Agreed - but one thing that we definitely need to move away from is being so reliant on his presence dragging us through.
I'd be delighted to see a 35 year old McGinn coming on after 70 minutes of matches to help see games out, but the planning that should be happpening right we now isn't "how do we replace McGinn?", but how do we transition into an era where he is playing fewer and fewer minutes without us falling to pieces.
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This part of the window is so frustrating. All these random links to exciting players and you just know we won’t do any business until after the WC.
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This part of the window is so frustrating. All these random links to exciting players and you just know we won’t do any business until after the WC.
This brought out the child in me. ;D
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This part of the window is so frustrating. All these random links to exciting players and you just know we won’t do any business until after the WC.
This brought out the child in me. ;D
I am simply bursting
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I know McGinn is getting older but he is showing no signs of slowing down - I could see him as a James Milner or Gareth Barry type player who keeps going albeit in a slightly different role. He has so many attributes to his game.
Mings and Digne I would agree we need to be mindful of losing a yard and stamina could be a killer for them
Mings definitely isn't the athlete he was. To be expected after injuries and irregular game time. I'm glad for him the Man City game went well but he was struggling badly towards the end of the season. We need another player comfortable on the ball like Torres. I thought Digne struggled for a lot of the season but to be fair he finished strong. 33 this summer and after a World Cup, think the time is right to consider a decent offer there too.
With McGinn, I know we had other injuries but our midfield collapsed when he was out. Can't afford to take that risk again.
I see this transfer window as the one we should have had 12 months ago only for the OT debacle to get in the way.
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I know McGinn is getting older but he is showing no signs of slowing down - I could see him as a James Milner or Gareth Barry type player who keeps going albeit in a slightly different role. He has so many attributes to his game.
Mings and Digne I would agree we need to be mindful of losing a yard and stamina could be a killer for them
Mings definitely isn't the athlete he was. To be expected after injuries and irregular game time. I'm glad for him the Man City game went well but he was struggling badly towards the end of the season. We need another player comfortable on the ball like Torres. I thought Digne struggled for a lot of the season but to be fair he finished strong. 33 this summer and after a World Cup, think the time is right to consider a decent offer there too.
With McGinn, I know we had other injuries but our midfield collapsed when he was out. Can't afford to take that risk again.
I see this transfer window as the one we should have had 12 months ago only for the OT debacle to get in the way.
Really need to get my glasses sorted, read the first three sentences as 'McGinn' and was almost apoplectic at the end, when in fact I'm agreed on all counts.
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This part of the window is so frustrating. All these random links to exciting players and you just know we won’t do any business until after the WC.
This brought out the child in me. ;D
Nii '94
Fash the Bash
USA
Too many Ronald MacDonald's for Ron Atkinson
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Big Ron got chatting to Fashanu at the World Cup wasn't it? Nearly every player and coach back then had nixers on the side. Venables had a travel show? Jack Charlton had every possible side gig going, shredded wheat was one.
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We may well have already signed the Mings replacement as well, with Cisse arriving soon, he's another who is young, very highly rated and has been playing first team football for 18months
Have i missed this - who?
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We may well have already signed the Mings replacement as well, with Cisse arriving soon, he's another who is young, very highly rated and has been playing first team football for 18months
Have i missed this - who?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modou_K%C3%A9ba_Ciss%C3%A9
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We may well have already signed the Mings replacement as well, with Cisse arriving soon, he's another who is young, very highly rated and has been playing first team football for 18months
Have i missed this - who?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modou_K%C3%A9ba_Ciss%C3%A9
Bought him last summer for £4m, 20 years old. Played forty or so games for LASK, who won the Austrian Bundlesliga.
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Yep, young Senegalese CB who signed last year but with the move completing at the end of this month.
From the highlights of him he's got everything to be the perfect modern central defender and seems like a bit of a coup on our part.
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We may well have already signed the Mings replacement as well, with Cisse arriving soon, he's another who is young, very highly rated and has been playing first team football for 18months
Have i missed this - who?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modou_K%C3%A9ba_Ciss%C3%A9
Bought him last summer for £4m, 20 years old. Played forty or so games for LASK, who won the Austrian Bundlesliga.
total forgot him , big lad too
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What about that other centre back we got, Yeimar Mosquera?
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What about that other centre back we got, Yeimar Mosquera?
Didnt we buy him then immediately sell ?
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We sent him to the Emery's at Real Union for half a season, but he came back to our academy in January having made 7 appearances.
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What about that other centre back we got, Yeimar Mosquera?
Didnt we buy him then immediately sell ?
Wasn’t that the Turkish lad who went the other way in the Tammy deal
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What about that other centre back we got, Yeimar Mosquera?
Didnt we buy him then immediately sell ?
Wasn’t that the Turkish lad who went the other way in the Tammy deal
ahh yes I am obviously confused
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What about that other centre back we got, Yeimar Mosquera?
Didnt we buy him then immediately sell ?
Wasn’t that the Turkish lad who went the other way in the Tammy deal
Yasin Özcan?
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What about that other centre back we got, Yeimar Mosquera?
Aston Villa youngster Yeimar Mosquera has started to appear in transfer discussions ahead of the summer window.
Reports from Argentina suggested one of the country’s biggest clubs have received positive feedback on the defender.
Argentine newspaper Olé reports Independiente are searching for defensive reinforcements after manager Gustavo Quinteros requested at least one new centre-back. Several names are being assessed, including Mosquera, whose rights belong to Aston Villa.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-youngster-offered-to-argentine-giants-club-receive-positive-reports/
Looks like we may be flipping him
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While I think of it where is Redmond these days ?
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Mosquera is still around playing with the U21s and has trained with the senior team a fair bit. He was included in the group photo that got shared on here just before the final so I think he's pretty highly thought of.
Ozcan was at Anderlecht and then got recalled and went to Benfica as part of the Tammy deal, I think as a loan with an option though.
I've been told that thge main reason we let him go straight out is because the coaches think Routh from the U18s has progressed a lot quicker than expected.
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Ozcan was at Anderlecht and then got recalled and went to Benfica as part of the Tammy deal, I think as a loan with an option though
When your phone auto-corrects football clubs.
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I wonder what will happen with Josh Feeney, who was also highly regarded and one for the future.
He now has plenty of games under his belt (83), so I wonder if he will get a Championship loan next season, a sale, or whether or not they think he could be useful in the squad.
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Ozcan was at Anderlecht and then got recalled and went to Benfica as part of the Tammy deal, I think as a loan with an option though
When your phone auto-corrects football clubs.
Ah bollocks, to be fair we did at least have someone on loan there. Can't blame my phone though, that was entirely my own brain fog.
I wonder what will happen with Josh Feeney, who was also highly regarded and one for the future.
He now has plenty of games under his belt (83), so I wonder if he will get a Championship loan next season, a sale, or whether or not they think he could be useful in the squad.
I'd love it if he can make it but I think he's not physical enough for the premier league from what I've seen, he'd suffer with all the same learning curve Pau has but would find it a lot harder to 'make do'.
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Paul, you have one of the brightest brains on here. A bit of fog just gives the rest of us a chance to catch up ;)
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Is big Emi off then?
https://x.com/i/status/2064469930993426729
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If Juve think they can get him for Peanuts and pay him less per year, when they are not in the champions league. Then I’ve got to question what the hell is going on? Are we that desperate to reduce the wage bill and the quality of our team?
Surely this can’t be true
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Is big Emi off then?
https://x.com/i/status/2064469930993426729
They want him for free? Hahaha.
Panic over (for now).
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Feels like the window to sell Emi was last summer. I don’t see how the fee he’d command (albeit surely more than the zero Juventus want to pay) would be more than the value he is to us, now even given he’s a high earner.
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He’s got all summer to find a new club, is Juventus such a draw that he’ll take the first offer and jump at being paid less?
Not sure what the tax situation is in Italy and whether that makes anything up.
But he’s not going unless we get the fee we want.
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If Juve think they can get him for Peanuts and pay him less per year, when they are not in the champions league. Then I’ve got to question what the hell is going on? Are we that desperate to reduce the wage bill and the quality of our team?
Surely this can’t be true
Of course it isn’t. There might be a scenario where he would like to move there, but I can’t see any scenario where we let him go without it making financial sense to us.
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Wasn’t his brother talking to Juve officials some time ago? Speculated on social media back in January if I recall correctly.
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I'm in two minds about Emi leaving. On one hand it's an "easy win" to reduce the wage bill, however he's evidently still a decent keeper. He'll be 34 at the beginning of the season with a £200k week (?) contract expiring in 2029. We will need to sell/release him at some point before then, and the opportunities to do so will reduce as he gets older.
Ultimately, I think I'd reluctantly sell if Juve were offering a fee of £15m-ish.
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Wasn’t sure where to put this but have we changed some of the medical team with Arse picking up our former doc ?
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If it's going to happen then best it happens early in transfer window. We have been linked with James Trafford for so long it seems somewhat inevitable he is the likely replacement.
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Be a shame for him to leave before our league winning season starts.
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I'm in two minds about Emi leaving. On one hand it's an "easy win" to reduce the wages, however he's evidently still a decent keeper.
He'll be 34 at the beginning of the season with a £200k week (?) contract that expires in 2029. We will need to sell/release him at some point before then, and the opportunities to do so will reduce as he gets older.
Sounds like he is on £116k per week, but that will definitely be amongst our top earners. I'd say anyone likely to be good enough to fill his boots over the next few years is going to want a fair chunk of money anyway.
He obviously wants to go, but he's being a bit more conservative about it this time round having learned his lesson last year. He's done his stint and that's fair enough. He might have kept his mouth shut on the bus, though!
I can't see 5m EUR being the fee, I reckon we would want 20m EUR settling for 12m - 15m.
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If that wage is correct then I'd keep him, as "Trafford" would want similar, so what's the point. Not sure where I got £200k from!
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Are we still worrying about clickbait Twitter accounts?
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I think a WC summer might have played into a more conservative approach this time around. He clearly loves and respects the club - hopefully it’s all amicable when it inevitably comes to an end, after we win the league.
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I don't mind him moving on if he really wants to, he's done a huge amount for us. But any decent replacement will cost £25-30m you would think and this summer is going to be tough enough without having to find that. Hopefully he'll decide another stab at the CL with us isn't so bad.
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If that wage is correct then, then I'd keep as "Trafford" would want similar, so what's the point. Not sure where I got £200k from!
I'd be more curious as to where the £116k figure is from, as it feels far too low. Our most recent annual wage bill from the club accounts is £273,000,000.
Obviously that isn't just a first-team squad, but club staff as well. Most of the thousand or so people who aren't players or senior first-team staff will be getting less annually than a first-team players earns in a year. Even so, let's say for the sake of argument that the first team squad accounts for £200,000,000 of that (happy to be yelled at if this feels too high or too low, but it would give an average for 900 employees of £80,000 per annum, which for me still feels like I'm being generous as there will obviously be lots of people on much less than that).
£200,000,000 divided by thirty players = £6.5m annually per player. Obviously we have many, many players in our top thirty earners who aren't earning £125,000 per week. So logically there needs to be some players earning significantly more than that, as that £273m is definitely going somewhere. And it's probably not bonuses for till staff in the club shop.
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I am in two minds over Martinez leaving.
I was really annoyed with him at the start of the season, both for his performance against Manchester United and for his agitating for a move there. I suspect the mood in the squad was affected by it, and that may have had something to do with our bad start to the season.
However he played well this season, better than last, and has clearly made amends now.
There is no doubt he is a good player, and will be good for a couple more seasons yet. However he is reportedly on £7m a year (about 130k a week) and we are right at the top of the allowed wage spend. This I think is the reason we are prepared to shift him on. Ditto Digne who we also tried to shift last summer. Indeed we may even have told Martinez to find a move last season, which may explain his antics.
The problem is that although letting him go will help with the wage bill, we still need to replace him, which will add to the wage bill and involve a substantial transfer fee. We might well be able to get a good (but not as good) younger keeper in on a lower wage, but it might blow half of any meagre transfer budget.
On balance I'd rather keep him unless he brings in a reasonable transfer fee (£15-20M) and we get a decent player in. We were linked with Lammens last year, and he has done well at Man Utd. We were also linked with Chevallier and I have seen us linked again recently.
Whatever happens I hope it is settled soon, the uncertainty wont help the team.
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Too many ifs there. Keep Martinez at all costs, get rid of other players, Guessand for instance. If we want to improve and achieve more than last season we’re not doing that by getting rid of our best players.
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Our best player was Andy Gray, we didn’t do too bad after he left.
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Our best player was Andy Gray, we didn’t do too bad after he left.
True, but we received a British record transfer fee for him, which significantly helped towards replacing him (with Peter Withe). We were also very fortunate at the same time to have a top young talent in Gary Shaw coming through.
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I just can't see how we could find a replacement anywhere near as good as Dibu. Throw in that you'd likely have to pay a transfer fee for his replacement and therefore the saving in wages wouldn't be worthwhile.
Think he's only 33 as well, so fairly young for a GK.
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He obviously wants to go
THEY WROOOOONNNG!
Suspect it's more a case that he was unsettled last summer (by us, because we were in dire straits financially). Hopefully the Champs League money, money from winning the Europa League, and money for finishing 4th will keep the wolves at bay for a bit longer.
I'd really rather keep the best goalkeeper we've ever had, thanks.
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Wasn’t sure where to put this but have we changed some of the medical team with Arse picking up our former doc ?
Think 2 or 3 of our medical team including physio, have gone to Arsenal.
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I just can't see how we could find a replacement anywhere near as good as Dibu. Throw in that you'd likely have to pay a transfer fee for his replacement and therefore the saving in wages wouldn't be worthwhile.
Think he's only 33 as well, so fairly young for a GK.
Yep, agree with all of this.
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Reports of Martinez agreeing a 3 year deal in principle with Juventus;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-player-agrees-deal-for-transfer-emerys-side-arent-putting-up-wall-for-his-exit/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-player-agrees-deal-for-transfer-emerys-side-arent-putting-up-wall-for-his-exit/)
Report says we are asking for 10-15m EUR, but Juventus would like him for free. ;D
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I suspect the 'agreed personal terms' is massively overegging what has happened.
Juve get in touch with his agent (whose sole job is to look after his client financially) and say "if he came to Juve, what would he want". He says "£x and a 3 year contract". Juve say "that's doable (or not)".
Now his agent could say "he'd rather **** in his hands and clap than join your team", but if it's a team he would content to move to (if, say, Villa want rid) it makes no sense for him to do that.
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Our best player was Andy Gray, we didn’t do too bad after he left.
True, but we received a British record transfer fee for him, which significantly helped towards replacing him (with Peter Withe). We were also very fortunate at the same time to have a top young talent in Gary Shaw coming through.
Gary Shaw? Gary Shaw. Gary, Gary Shaw. when he gets the ball.....
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Ultimately Juventus can’t afford him.
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I wasn't aware of this lad.
Modu Keba Cisse
6'3" defender from Senegal
Turns 21 in August.
Just won the Austrian league with LASK.
30 games last season - 42 overall.
Last July Villa announced that they had come to an agreement for the signing of Cissé in the summer of 2026, with Cissé remaining at the Austrian club until then. It was reported that the transfer fee was around £4 million.
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I dont see how we can end up better off finanically from selling Emi and buying someone new - unless we have bargain thats CL ready.
And if letting him go and replacing will stop us investing where we really need then it would be crazy.
I am sure that the club wouldnt do anything that stupid - however the last couple of summer windows dont fill me with confidence
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Bissouma leaves Spurs on a free.
Remarkable how far he has fallen. I thought he was an outstanding player at Brighton and I'm not sure why it didn't work at Spurs.
I'm not suggesting we sign him, but any club that can get him back to his best would have a decent player.
I think he was cleared of the assault charges, but it still leaves a bit of a cloud over him for me.
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Reports of Martinez agreeing a 3 year deal in principle with Juventus;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-player-agrees-deal-for-transfer-emerys-side-arent-putting-up-wall-for-his-exit/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-player-agrees-deal-for-transfer-emerys-side-arent-putting-up-wall-for-his-exit/)
Report says we are asking for 10-15m EUR, but Juventus would like him for free. ;D
Nooooooooooo!
I thought we were meant to be flogging Morgan Rogers to a Scum 6 club as this summer's sacrificial lamb!
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I dont see how we can end up better off finanically from selling Emi and buying someone new - unless we have bargain thats CL ready.
And if letting him go and replacing will stop us investing where we really need then it would be crazy.
I am sure that the club wouldnt do anything that stupid - however the last couple of summer windows dont fill me with confidence
It all depends on how they structure the deal. Martinez originally signed on a four year contract, so that was up in 2024, meaning he has zero value on the books. Any fee we get for him will be pure profit.
If we sign a replacement, the cost will be spread over the five year contract. So if we sold him for £10m and signed a replacement for £30m, we'd end up with a profit of £4m this year and a cost of £6m for the next four years.
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I dont see how we can end up better off finanically from selling Emi and buying someone new - unless we have bargain thats CL ready.
And if letting him go and replacing will stop us investing where we really need then it would be crazy.
I am sure that the club wouldnt do anything that stupid - however the last couple of summer windows dont fill me with confidence
The problem is that we have about five crucial players who would cost too much money to replace with better (for age reasons we'd probably end up spending much more on an inferior replacement than we'd get for the current version), but we still need to work out how we transition from them to the next version of them over the next 3 years or so.
Him, McGinn, Ollie, Cash, Pau, maybe Youri - none of them should be starting for us in the 2029-2030 season. So when do you replace them and how?
With Emi, we can realistically:
(a) stick as we are, he sees out his contrat and hope that a youth keeper comes through. That would mean probably a decent loan next season and the kid replacing Bizot the following season and playing plenty of matches. High risk though that the kid (I assume Proctor over Zych or Wright?) keeps developing and is okay to be thrown in as first-choice at 22-23 years old. Our record in this area (Oakes / Enckleman / Guzan etc. Bosnich as the positive outlier) isn't great though.
(b) get rid of Emi, and just buy the above - Verbruggen, Trafford, Atubolu, Risser, Chevalier. Fine, if we accept the immediate downgrade. As this thread shows the consensus appears to be "Trafford is rubbish compared to Emi, so just stick with Emi". But there will come a summer when we have to accept the thing that isn't as good as Emi and maybe it's just best to get on with it, accept the short-term drop in quality and hope it works better if the right player is available now.
(c) get rid of Emi and buy a cheaper stop-gap while waiting for (a) to happen. Fine, if we accept the immediate downgrade as per (b). A bit like Forest picked Sels out even though he'd failed at Newcastle. Or if you could get a slightly younger Bizot. Or just Bizot.
We're not going to go out and buy a better goalkeeper than we currently have - the question is how much of a downgrade we accept and when we do so.
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Ultimately Juventus can’t afford him.
Are they skint? I'm aware they've not secured CL football.
Is a sneaky Yildiz bid viable? I keep reading he is the next big thing but curious why, given Juve's poor form.
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There don't seem to be many good goalkeepers around. Martinez is contracted until 2029. I would be in no rush whatsoever to get rid.
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Juventus are such a positive force for good in football that I'd like to help them out, if at all possible.
But in this situation they can do one.
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Juventus are such a positive force for good in football that I'd like us to help them out, if at all possible.
Not sure if serious...
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Robin Roefs at Sunderland has done well this season.
23 yrs old. Signed by Sunderland for £9.5m plus add-ons last summer.
£30k a week wages
6'4"
In the Dutch Workd Cup Squad.
Not sure what he'd cost, or if he fits the bill as a replacement.
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Robin Roefs at Sunderland has done well this season.
23 yrs old. Signed by Sunderland for £9.5m plus add-ons last summer.
£30k a week wages
6'4"
In the Dutch Workd Cup Squad.
Not sure what he'd cost, or if he fits the bill as a replacement.
We do have previous when it comes to signing Sunderland keepers. And this chap used to play for NEC, so he should know where Birmingham is!
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(Snipped)
(b) get rid of Emi, and just buy the above - Verbruggen, Trafford, Atubolu, Risser, Chevalier. Fine, if we accept the immediate downgrade. As this thread shows the consensus appears to be "Trafford is rubbish compared to Emi, so just stick with Emi". But there will come a summer when we have to accept the thing that isn't as good as Emi and maybe it's just best to get on with it, accept the short-term drop in quality and hope it works better if the right player is available now.
(Snipped)
We're not going to go out and buy a better goalkeeper than we currently have - the question is how much of a downgrade we accept and when we do so.
This is where I’m at, and it’s helped me come around to the idea of selling him if the right offer comes in. We’ve got another couple of years of him at his peak, which is perfect for the push to the next level which we are well placed for. However, we will have to replace him or at least start succession planning at some point soon.
Given we hold the power and don’t need to sell him, I trust we will only do so because it’s a combination of the right offer coming in and the right replacement lined up.
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If we are to sell him then lets hope they have a great world cup (Argentina) as that will bump up the fee.
If he goes then he goes for a fee we agree - not the purchasers as GK is not the priority for me this season
If he is to go then anyone outside of the prem will be ok (although i have always thought he would be ideal for Chelsea)
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Robin Roefs at Sunderland has done well this season.
23 yrs old. Signed by Sunderland for £9.5m plus add-ons last summer.
£30k a week wages
6'4"
In the Dutch Workd Cup Squad.
Not sure what he'd cost, or if he fits the bill as a replacement.
Bought for £10m, contracted to Sunderland until 2030, they appear highly rate him, broken into Dutch team…would cost a shitload of money.
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Yep, if we're going to replace Emi (and I hope we don't have to), and avoid having the drop in quality be noticeable, we either have to be lucky in the risk we take, or spend £30m+. And I'm not sure I see us doing the latter given our financial situation.
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He's on 150k a week. Unless he's very much wanting to leave it makes no sense to move him on when we'd spend more on a replacement in fee and wages and have other squad places that absolutely need strengthening.
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If he does go, I'd be all in for Dean Henderson, 29 years old and in his prime years.
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Swap with Guessand and a few quid.
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Players being released. Shame Cole Ramsey never made it with us.
— I-Lani Edwards
— Ronnie Hollingshead
— Thierry Katsukunya
— Max Lott
— Calum Moreland
— Charlie Pavey
— Ewan Simpson
— Kerr Smith
— Elijah Briscoe
— Jacob Green
— Cole Ramsey
— Junior Wilson
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Sky saying Barca are not looking at signing Rashford, are United looking for around £26m?
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Cole Ramsey hasn’t lived up to expectations then.
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Sky saying Barca are not looking at signing Rashford, are United looking for around £26m?
Can't see anyone buying him outright due to wages. Reckon he'll end up on loan (probably to Barca), with Manure paying a % of his wages.
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Players being released. Shame Cole Ramsey never made it with us.
Shame, wasn't there chat at one stage that he was the best of the three? Also disappointing that Kerr Smith never kicked on, although the serious injury he suffered at St' Johnstone likely didn't help.
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Sky saying Barca are not looking at signing Rashford, are United looking for around £26m?
Transfer fee isn't the issue - paying him 6-7m a year more for 5 years is the risk. He has had 2.5 good seasons out of the last 6.
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Sky saying Barca are not looking at signing Rashford, are United looking for around £26m?
Can't see anyone buying him outright due to wages. Reckon he'll end up on loan (probably to Barca), with Manure paying a % of his wages.
We were prepared to previously weren’t we? Had we qualified for the Champions League last year.
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Players being released. Shame Cole Ramsey never made it with us.
Shame, wasn't there chat at one stage that he was the best of the three? Also disappointing that Kerr Smith never kicked on, although the serious injury he suffered at St' Johnstone likely didn't help.
From all the Ramsey's to none. It's a shame.
It made me smile when I looked on the Bodymoor Heath reviews on Google Maps a while ago and saw this;
(https://i.ibb.co/qLv67s3Q/image.png)
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Sky saying Barca are not looking at signing Rashford, are United looking for around £26m?
Can't see anyone buying him outright due to wages. Reckon he'll end up on loan (probably to Barca), with Manure paying a % of his wages.
We were prepared to previously weren’t we? Had we qualified for the Champions League last year.
There was a fee agreed as part of the deal.
But it was never binding, IIRC.
The feeling always was that if Barca were truly interested he'd go there. Even if we made CL again in 2025.
Understandable, really.
But with the way the loan went with us - and how positively he still speaks about Emery and co - we might be next cab off the rank if they piss about too much this summer.
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Robin Roefs at Sunderland has done well this season.
23 yrs old. Signed by Sunderland for £9.5m plus add-ons last summer.
£30k a week wages
6'4"
In the Dutch Workd Cup Squad.
Not sure what he'd cost, or if he fits the bill as a replacement.
Bought for £10m, contracted to Sunderland until 2030, they appear highly rate him, broken into Dutch team…would cost a shitload of money.
Sunderland supporting mate loves him. Would take big £ to get him
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It would hardly be a long term option either, but De Gea at Fiorentina is closer to the calibre of replacement I'd be looking at. If Emi does decide to downgrade, for whatever reason.
Or Kepa, if he was realistic about the £.
Both infinitely better than Trafford.
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There was a fee agreed as part of the deal.
But it was never binding, IIRC.
But if there was no scenario where we thought we could make his wages work on a permanent basis (or there was no chance he'd consider signing permanently), we wouldn't have wasted our time negotiating those agreements last January?
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It was always an option, rather than an obligation.
And the understanding from very early on in that deal - even when he'd actually played a game or two for us - was that Barca was still his first choice.
But yes, from our end, we must have felt confident that with CL (and with poss moving a player or two on) we could make the numbers work.
Think it's fair to say Emery wanted him.
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I don't think the finances will be the issue with Rashford at all. If he wants to come and Emery still wants him, I can see it happening.
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I don't think the finances will be the issue with Rashford at all. If he wants to come and Emery still wants him, I can see it happening.
Agreed, but I think if it happens it'll be much later in the window if / when it it turns out that no massive super-club is planning to go for him.
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Players being released. Shame Cole Ramsey never made it with us.
Shame, wasn't there chat at one stage that he was the best of the three? Also disappointing that Kerr Smith never kicked on, although the serious injury he suffered at St' Johnstone likely didn't help.
From all the Ramsey's to none. It's a shame.
It made me smile when I looked on the Bodymoor Heath reviews on Google Maps a while ago and saw this;
(https://i.ibb.co/qLv67s3Q/image.png)
Ah, that is sweet. And Mark was a boxer, see - tough men can still show their emotions... but this is sad news. And shows how cutthroat football is. No wonder JJ took the wonga at Newcastle. He can help out his little bro a bit.
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I suspect it will depend on a couple of things. Is the £26mil price tag a special for Barca or will Manure honour it (or close to it) for anyone else? If he takes a pay-cut for us, will other clubs then jump ahead of us offering the same money?
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I suspect it will depend on a couple of things. Is the £26mil price tag a special for Barca or will Manure honour it (or close to it) for anyone else? If he takes a pay-cut for us, will other clubs then jump ahead of us offering the same money?
I imagine they will happily sell him at that price to any club that means they don't have to pay him the GDP of a small city anymore.
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Rashford gave us great impetus (along with Asensio) just when we needed it but we were as good for him, on his road back, as he was for us. His efforts for us not only got him his Barca move but also back into the England fold - i am sure he will always have a soft spot for us and SUE
He was very good, but not worthy for that sort of outlay on fees or wages - i bet his agent has made a fortune out of clubs like us and Barca in recent years.
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Do players agents get much for loans? I mean there is a loan fee paid between clubs but his wages is the same no matter the loan, either all paid by the new club or split between them.
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No idea but the fact we spent £30m on agent fees last year is something I hope the club are addressing.
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Do players agents get much for loans? I mean there is a loan fee paid between clubs but his wages is the same no matter the loan, either all paid by the new club or split between them.
I’m sure they get their hefty % on the salary negotiated. They’re not renowned for philanthropy.
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No idea but the fact we spent £30m on agent fees last year is something I hope the club are addressing.
If we're reliant on Bosmans like Hazza Wilson and Oscar Mings, can't see it coming down much.
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Feb 25-Feb 26 only Chelsea spent more on agent fees
Aston Villa were second on the list, paying £38.4m, which was an increase of £13.4m - the highest rise of any club.
This is despite the Villans spending a relatively modest £69m on incoming transfers. Unai Emery's side had a high number of costs associated with renegotiating player contracts and new professional registrations.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clyxnpvl7wdo
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Is the £38.4m for agents acting on behalf of the club ?
With regard to the agents acting on behalf of players, wouldn't those costs be borne by their client (ie player)
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Is the £38.4m for agents acting on behalf of the club ?
With regard to the agents acting on behalf of players, wouldn't those costs be borne by their client (ie player)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/k_fnMOiaJnY
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no wonder everyone jumps on the bandwagon
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Robin Roefs at Sunderland has done well this season.
23 yrs old. Signed by Sunderland for £9.5m plus add-ons last summer.
£30k a week wages
6'4"
In the Dutch Workd Cup Squad.
Not sure what he'd cost, or if he fits the bill as a replacement.
Bought for £10m, contracted to Sunderland until 2030, they appear highly rate him, broken into Dutch team…would cost a shitload of money.
His value will certainly have increased. Agree that he may be outside what we can afford/are preoared to pay.
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I don't think the finances will be the issue with Rashford at all. If he wants to come and Emery still wants him, I can see it happening.
Agreed, but I think if it happens it'll be much later in the window if / when it it turns out that no massive super-club is planning to go for him.
Agree with all this. Would also keep Emi, if at all possible.
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🚨🟣🔵 Excl: Zion Suzuki among 3 GKs in list at Aston Villa for summer window if Emiliano Martínez ends up leaving.
Aston Villa aware of Juve being in talks with the Argentine GK but nothing agreed club to club yet.
Suzuki been scouted for months at Parma.
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🚨🟣🔵 Excl: Zion Suzuki among 3 GKs in list at Aston Villa for summer window if Emiliano Martínez ends up leaving.
Aston Villa aware of Juve being in talks with the Argentine GK but nothing agreed club to club yet.
Suzuki been scouted for months at Parma.
On your bike Emi!
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Which keeper is as good with the ball at his feet, distribution wise, timing wise, and can pull off the saves he does?
Granted the odd mistake is always there but it’s
An integral part of how emery plays. So who is there?
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Zion, is a lion, in Aston.
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I'd like us to sign a Japanese player but not in these circumstances. Would have to put up with people being incredibly dull every time he gets mentioned.
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Zion, is a lion, in Aston.
Get him in!
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We'll be motoring across Europe.
NO!
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Wait! I don't remember typing that! 😡
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Which keeper is as good with the ball at his feet, distribution wise, timing wise, and can pull off the saves he does?
Granted the odd mistake is always there but it’s
An integral part of how emery plays. So who is there?
My thoughts too, and I can't think of anyone who could do it. I'm sure there are some out there, but he's pretty special.
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Wait! I don't remember typing that! 😡
Must have been a Swift edit.
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Which keeper is as good with the ball at his feet, distribution wise, timing wise, and can pull off the saves he does?
Granted the odd mistake is always there but it’s
An integral part of how emery plays. So who is there?
My thoughts too, and I can't think of anyone who could do it. I'm sure there are some out there, but he's pretty special.
based on a poster here, I understand Trafford is strong in that department, which makes sense given his Pep schooling.
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David Ornstein has posted that man city have offered Forest £106m + add ons bringing the total to £120m for Elliot Anderson.
So yeah we should be asking £100m for Rogers.
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Which keeper is as good with the ball at his feet, distribution wise, timing wise, and can pull off the saves he does?
Granted the odd mistake is always there but it’s
An integral part of how emery plays. So who is there?
My thoughts too, and I can't think of anyone who could do it. I'm sure there are some out there, but he's pretty special.
based on a poster here, I understand Trafford is strong in that department, which makes sense given his Pep schooling.
Yep, this is, I suspect, the main reason it's a recurring link because on paper he's a very similar player, not quite as good a shot stopper yet but he'll get there I think. I'd be happy with Trafford but I'd really prefer him to have a year as understudy/competing with Emi rather than having to go full sink or swim. I doubt Trafford particularly wants that year though given he seems keen to be number 1 somewhere.
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It would hardly be a long term option either, but De Gea at Fiorentina is closer to the calibre of replacement I'd be looking at. If Emi does decide to downgrade, for whatever reason.
Or Kepa, if he was realistic about the £.
Both infinitely better than Trafford.
De Gea’s main weakness is with his feet so can’t see that working.
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Spurs supposedly sniffing around Trafford.
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Which keeper is as good with the ball at his feet, distribution wise, timing wise, and can pull off the saves he does?
Granted the odd mistake is always there but it’s
An integral part of how emery plays. So who is there?
My thoughts too, and I can't think of anyone who could do it. I'm sure there are some out there, but he's pretty special.
based on a poster here, I understand Trafford is strong in that department, which makes sense given his Pep schooling.
Yep, this is, I suspect, the main reason it's a recurring link because on paper he's a very similar player, not quite as good a shot stopper yet but he'll get there I think. I'd be happy with Trafford but I'd really prefer him to have a year as understudy/competing with Emi rather than having to go full sink or swim. I doubt Trafford particularly wants that year though given he seems keen to be number 1 somewhere.
He's not going to swap getting splinters at City for getting splinters for us.
Honestly, I think it's the right time for Emi to move on. He leaves on the high of winning silverware and us qualifying for CL. He's 34 in September. I don't think he's as focussed when it's not a World Cup year. He makes some great saves but also pushes the ball back into the 6 yard box too often. He pulls out of too many games in the warm-ups. I'd like us now to find someone who can be our no.1 for the next 10 years.
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David Ornstein has posted that man city have offered Forest £106m + add ons bringing the total to £120m for Elliot Anderson.
So yeah we should be asking £100m for Rogers.
There’s no doubt I’d value Morgan higher than Anderson. I guess there are a few things at play:
- Is there a release clause
- is there a market demand that would push the value up
- does Morgan want to push to leave
- do Villa think this is the time to sell
I wouldn’t want to sell, and certainly not for less than Anderson, but it’s probably quite complicated.
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This is where PSR is shite. Newcastle didn't want to sell Anderson, a player they'd had since he was 8. They had little choice though and here were are 2 years later with him worth a fortune.
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Did they retain a sell-on?
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We should be going into this transfer window with so much more optimism than last. Especially heading into a WC thinking who might we be after from some of the most talented players on display. Yet every time any player of any repute gets mentioned it’s linked with a move to the obvious bunch of teams. I know we have the best manager out there but it would be nice to give him the type of ammunition to really go for title and CL next year.
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I’m pretty optimistic this window. I think we will strengthen, one way or another. It’s all just lost in chaos at the moment.
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Kepa has a £5m release clause - apparently - so that’s a budget option if we must sell and have no cash.
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If Emi goes now he goes, he’s been incredible for us. But even at 34 he will be a massive loss, he’s been at times our one truly world class player over recent years.
Also whilst its maybe sensible to move older players on, we do need to be careful losing too many leaders in one go.
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I think we'll keep our powder dry for a while before unleashing the war chest on the world.
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I'd hope we're at least preparing a swoop. I know some clubs are braced for one.
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We will still be at the stage of 'readying'.
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It would hardly be a long term option either, but De Gea at Fiorentina is closer to the calibre of replacement I'd be looking at. If Emi does decide to downgrade, for whatever reason.
Or Kepa, if he was realistic about the £.
Both infinitely better than Trafford.
De Gea’s main weakness is with his feet so can’t see that working.
Indeed, Kepa isn't the best with his feet either.
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De Gea is 36 later this year and while we know keepers last longer I don't see the point signing one at that age as your number one.
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We are not pursuing James Trafford. Was looked at, but has been dismissed.
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Yep, this is, I suspect, the main reason it's a recurring link because on paper he's a very similar player, not quite as good a shot stopper yet but he'll get there I think. I'd be happy with Trafford but I'd really prefer him to have a year as understudy/competing with Emi rather than having to go full sink or swim. I doubt Trafford particularly wants that year though given he seems keen to be number 1 somewhere.
He's not going to swap getting splinters at City for getting splinters for us.
Honestly, I think it's the right time for Emi to move on. He leaves on the high of winning silverware and us qualifying for CL. He's 34 in September. I don't think he's as focussed when it's not a World Cup year. He makes some great saves but also pushes the ball back into the 6 yard box too often. He pulls out of too many games in the warm-ups. I'd like us now to find someone who can be our no.1 for the next 10 years.
Well yes, that's what I said.
I disagree on it being the right time to move Emi on though, yes he's nearly 34 but all that really means is that there's very little chance we'd get a fee that covers a replacement worth having. The only real argument is one around wages but for me the possible £2-3m a year we might save (and would get absorbed by a new contract within 18months for any keeper who comes close to the level of Emi) just isn't worth it given how important it is to get the right player for how we play.
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We are not pursuing James Trafford. Was looked at, but has been dismissed.
Are you the new Vinnie Chase?
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Wait! I don't remember typing that! 😡
Must have been a Swift edit.
By Jimny I think you're right.
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Martinez's father has been talking about where his son will finish his career;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/do-it-right-aston-villa-players-father-quizzed-about-transfer-as-negotiation-heats-up-over-summer-exit/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/do-it-right-aston-villa-players-father-quizzed-about-transfer-as-negotiation-heats-up-over-summer-exit/)
Reiterates what we already know - Juventus are trying to get him for peanuts and Villa will only let him go if we get a good offer.
There are far more reports of that being the case than the odd ones claiming he's going for 5m EUR or FOC.
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This is where PSR is shite. Newcastle didn't want to sell Anderson, a player they'd had since he was 8. They had little choice though and here were are 2 years later with him worth a fortune.
Agreed, while the intention might be to put the brakes on petrostate sportswashing, the unintended consequence has been incentivising of academy player sales. It's horrendous really, the regulations should be incentivising Newcastle retaining Anderson and moving on Tonali for example. Same for us with Ramsey.
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Absolutely, setting things up where selling academy players is seen as a positive is about as dumb a decision as has ever been made in the sport. To make it worse instead of immediately reversing that and making it so keeping academy players was incentivised their response was to start applying arbitrary values to players to make it less profitable (particularly in swap deals).
A much more sensible policy would be to do something like allowing club-trained players (as defined by UEFA) to be paid outside the normal PSR calcs until they're 23/24 thereby encouraging teams to keep those players around as 'free' squad options. I'm sure there would be unintended consequences to that but it's literally an idea I thought of in 30seconds that would 'fix' the problem and see a big rise in the amount of players coming through from premier league academies.
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A much more sensible policy would be to do something like allowing club-trained players (as defined by UEFA) to be paid outside the normal PSR calcs until they're 23/24 thereby encouraging teams to keep those players around as 'free' squad options. I'm sure there would be unintended consequences to that but it's literally an idea I thought of in 30seconds that would 'fix' the problem and see a big rise in the amount of players coming through from premier league academies.
This is far too sensible for the footballing authorities. It will never catch on.
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Apparently we've been scouting Zion Suzuki at Parma as a potential replacement for Emi. Will have to keep my eye on him during the WC.
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Apparently we've been scouting Zion Suzuki at Parma as a potential replacement for Emi. Will have to keep my eye on him during the WC.
Right, this is the single most Championship Manager regen name I've ever seen, and I doubt I'm alone.
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Apparently we've been scouting Zion Suzuki at Parma as a potential replacement for Emi. Will have to keep my eye on him during the WC.
On yer bike.
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If we signed him it would be a triumph.
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We'll need to be swift if we're to get him though.
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Yep, a sign we are going full throttle this window.
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I wheelie want it to happen.
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I’m not sure we’d want to be saddled with a keeper inexperienced in the PL.
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can we scoot around this one please
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Martinez's father has been talking about where his son will finish his career;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/do-it-right-aston-villa-players-father-quizzed-about-transfer-as-negotiation-heats-up-over-summer-exit/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/do-it-right-aston-villa-players-father-quizzed-about-transfer-as-negotiation-heats-up-over-summer-exit/)
Reiterates what we already know - Juventus are trying to get him for peanuts and Villa will only let him go if we get a good offer.
There are far more reports of that being the case than the odd ones claiming he's going for 5m EUR or FOC.
You can count the number of world class footballers we’ve had at VP on one hand and Emi is one of them.
I honestly don’t see any sense in him moving on now, for either party. I’d be telling Juve to do one.
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I honestly don’t see any sense in him moving on now, for either party
If there is a particular player that we've identified as his long-term replacement and who is obtainable this summer, and the squad cannot support all of Emi / Bizot / the new guy.
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Absolutely, setting things up where selling academy players is seen as a positive is about as dumb a decision as has ever been made in the sport. To make it worse instead of immediately reversing that and making it so keeping academy players was incentivised their response was to start applying arbitrary values to players to make it less profitable (particularly in swap deals).
Yeah, absolutely. It seems oxymoronic that in order to make a club financially sustainable, it should sell off players it's developed themselves for free (bar the training) and instead spend large amounts of money on transfer fees, agents fees, etc.
Not that I have a solution to it, but you'd think logically that sustainability guidelines would encourage clubs to strengthen their youth team, bring more players in through that system, and spend less money on transfer fees. The whole spending (wages and transfer fees) to revenue relationship makes sense, but the rest of it makes no sense to me (in terms of motivation rather than how it mechanically works)
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I honestly don’t see any sense in him moving on now, for either party
If there is a particular player that we've identified as his long-term replacement and who is obtainable this summer, and the squad cannot support all of Emi / Bizot / the new guy.
Sure, if it is done quickly and we get suitable recompense for Martinez. No pissing about at the end of August missing games when all the viable targets have signed for someone else again, please.
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Club debt on any measure should be part of sustainability, but of course that would not work for Manure in particular, so lets just ignore that then!
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Club debt on any measure should be part of sustainability, but of course that would not work for Manure in particular, so lets just ignore that then!
And spurs and their £1bn stadium. What's the situation at the other clubs like Madrid, Barca, Munich, PSG?
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Club debt on any measure should be part of sustainability, but of course that would not work for Manure in particular, so lets just ignore that then!
And spurs and their £1bn stadium. What's the situation at the other clubs like Madrid, Barca, Munich, PSG?
Barca have just been able to spend £70 million on Anthony Gordon, whilst simultaneously running out of money to complete their rebuild of the Nou Camp.
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Newcastle have bod for that Munoz lad we were linked with.
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Newcastle have bod for that Munoz lad we were linked with.
I doubt they'll accept him in exchange.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnEaqfgCey0wraR2BnRZGW21wRQwLSpKvHWA&s)
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Is that Jonjo Shelvey?
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Is that Jonjo Shelvey?
;D
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Newcastle have bod for that Munoz lad we were linked with.
I doubt they'll accept him in exchange.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnEaqfgCey0wraR2BnRZGW21wRQwLSpKvHWA&s)
He’s a bit old now, but perhaps they’ll go for
Tor Andre (aunt) Flo instead.
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I’d keep Emi. There are certain positions we need to actually fix. Both full backs and a right winger, for instance. A replacement for Rogers if he goes too. Moving on players in other positions when we don’t have to is a breach of Falklands Law.
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I made a terrible mistake and googled "Bod theme tune". I think it's in my head forever.
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Aston Villa’s €40m offer rejected – Sporting now ready to sell player for less
Aston Villa’s long-standing interest in Pedro Gonçalves has gained relevance after reports from Portugal claimed Sporting and the player have both decided the time has come for a summer exit.
More interestingly, the newspaper claims Sporting’s internal thinking is now centred around the €30m (£25.4m) mark. Nevertheless, market conditions could even force the final fee lower.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villas-e40m-offer-rejected-sporting-now-ready-to-sell-player-for-less/
The price may be right but has his time passed?
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I see RedManc have managed to get £43m out of Napoli for Hojlund; good money if you can get it!
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Fuck, really? While we got half for Malen. Well done lads.
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Fuck, really? While we got half for Malen. Well done lads.
The whole Malen fiasco really is one to forget. Terrible business
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Fuck, really? While we got half for Malen. Well done lads.
The whole Malen fiasco really is one to forget. Terrible business
Only in hindsight though, he could have gone there and been crap and we’d have been laughing. A bit like Luiz.
As it was, he wanted to go, we got our money back, and Emery got more funds to help try and undo some of the damage of the summer.
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Yep.
In any case, you can't win every deal. We got sixty million pounds for Jhon Durán. Last spotted trying to hitch a lift to sign for Pyongyang Rovers. Probably.
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Shame if Newcastle get that Munoz. Looked ideal for Unai and a good age.
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Newcastle spending while they're not in Europe, because they will be fucked over next year if they qualify again?
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Must be. The unfairness of the rules still amazes me.
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Must be. The unfairness of the rules still amazes me.
It’s symptomatic of an industry that was neither prepared for the explosion of wealth nor had those in power willing to make decisions for the good of the game but were either purely self interested or just willing to buckle to the whims of the powerful.
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Must be. The unfairness of the rules still amazes me.
It’s symptomatic of an industry that was neither prepared for the explosion of wealth nor had those in power willing to make decisions for the good of the game but were either purely self interested or just willing to buckle to the whims of the powerful.
preach
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The rules are bizarre on one hand and almost understandable in another.
Soend spend soend to get it o Europe and then when you are in you hit further restrictions because theoretically you have more money from being in Europe. So it’s trying to level the playing field a little but takes away some of the incentive of getting into Europe and leaves those with a head start the head start.
In other words villa are shafted. And it stinks. Particularly when city, Chelsea and others live off the rules prior to change. It’s absolute……bollocks.
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Christ for a minute I almost convinced myself the rules had good intentions. Must the the excitement of three reds in the first game of the World Cup.
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Newcastle spending while they're not in Europe, because they will be fucked over next year if they qualify again?
Isn’t it more likely that they’ve got scope to spend given they’ve just sold Gordon for £70m odd?
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In other words villa are shafted.
Shouldn’t somebody tell the owners before they waste another few hundred million pounds trying to compete?
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Mentioned in articles about Mbaye again, apparently our "interest is real";
https://sportwitness.co.uk/interest-is-real-aston-villa-keen-on-signing-but-no-agreement-yet-players-decision-pending/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/interest-is-real-aston-villa-keen-on-signing-but-no-agreement-yet-players-decision-pending/)
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Think we want to do a Juve. We'd like to sign Mbaye, but don't want to pay for him.
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Just watched a few clips of this kid, get him the fuck in.
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Mentioned in articles about Mbaye again, apparently our "interest is real";
https://sportwitness.co.uk/interest-is-real-aston-villa-keen-on-signing-but-no-agreement-yet-players-decision-pending/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/interest-is-real-aston-villa-keen-on-signing-but-no-agreement-yet-players-decision-pending/)
Our interest is Villa but our aim is true.
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Mentioned in articles about Mbaye again, apparently our "interest is real";
https://sportwitness.co.uk/interest-is-real-aston-villa-keen-on-signing-but-no-agreement-yet-players-decision-pending/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/interest-is-real-aston-villa-keen-on-signing-but-no-agreement-yet-players-decision-pending/)
Our interest is Villa but our aim is true.
Unlike your quoting ...
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Teehee. :D
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Oh Unai pleeeeeeeeease....
https://sportwitness.co.uk/players-wants-transfer-to-aston-villa-agent-visits-training-ground-for-talks/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/players-wants-transfer-to-aston-villa-agent-visits-training-ground-for-talks/)
Got to give a little respect to the guy for wanting to come to the Villa. 8)
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Just watched a few clips of this kid, get him the fuck in.
Listening to a few podcasts, £40m would be perceived as a very good fee for PSG, so a bit higher than we'd want it.
They wouldn't be broken hearted to see him go. The locals seem to feel that his game is not "cerebral" enough for PSG (think Kvara...) but that his explosiveness could be an asset in the PL.
There is recognised and persistent (over a period of 18 months) interest from Villa.
Apparently, PSG haven't officially denied the story - instead they used a local version of the tap-in merchant, Fabrice Hawkins, to dampen things down a bit in the hope of triggering the much-fabled bidding war and extracting maximum value.
Mbaye's in the Senegal squad at the WC, so that could be a factor too.
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Oh Unai pleeeeeeeeease....
https://sportwitness.co.uk/players-wants-transfer-to-aston-villa-agent-visits-training-ground-for-talks/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/players-wants-transfer-to-aston-villa-agent-visits-training-ground-for-talks/)
Got to give a little respect to the guy for wanting to come to the Villa. 8)
'Due to FFP reasons, they have to execute sales by the end of June'
That's us out then.
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I'd be taking any article that talks about "FFP reasons" with a massive pinch of salt, given FFP hasn't been a thing since 2022.
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I suppose it's used as a more generic, all encompassing term for financial woes these days, but yeah, they're not punters sat down swilling Madri fingering the pickled egg jar.
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Don't call her that.
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I suppose it's used as a more generic, all encompassing term for financial woes these days, but yeah, they're not punters sat down swilling Madri fingering the pickled egg jar.
Indeed. Us common punters = call it what you want to call it, everyone knows what you mean. Supposed sports journalist who wants people to believe that he knows what he's talking about = probably try and get the basics right.
Like if the Home Secretary started talking about Britain's relationship to Czechoslovakia, I'd probably wonder whether they were completely on top of their brief, regardless of whether we knew what they meant
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Another thing I really hate about the modern transfer window is all the bloody pictures of players in other club's shirts. It really is low.
It's like seeing someone's profile on Tindr and then photoshopping them into your Facebook holiday pics before you've even sent them an unsolicited nude.
It's just not done. >:(
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Aston Villa’s €40m offer rejected – Sporting now ready to sell player for less
Aston Villa’s long-standing interest in Pedro Gonçalves has gained relevance after reports from Portugal claimed Sporting and the player have both decided the time has come for a summer exit.
More interestingly, the newspaper claims Sporting’s internal thinking is now centred around the €30m (£25.4m) mark. Nevertheless, market conditions could even force the final fee lower.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villas-e40m-offer-rejected-sporting-now-ready-to-sell-player-for-less/
The price may be right but has his time passed?
They have rejected our bid and want less money? That shouldn’t be insurmountable then should it.
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Aston Villa’s €40m offer rejected – Sporting now ready to sell player for less
Aston Villa’s long-standing interest in Pedro Gonçalves has gained relevance after reports from Portugal claimed Sporting and the player have both decided the time has come for a summer exit.
More interestingly, the newspaper claims Sporting’s internal thinking is now centred around the €30m (£25.4m) mark. Nevertheless, market conditions could even force the final fee lower.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villas-e40m-offer-rejected-sporting-now-ready-to-sell-player-for-less/
The price may be right but has his time passed?
They have rejected our bid and want less money? That shouldn’t be insurmountable then should it.
They rejected a bid a few windows back, not recently. The real story is whether we'd still be interested now they're open to offers we'd consider. He's 28 now (well 2 weeks away) so we wouldn't be getting much back on him anymore so maybe it's no longer a good fit.
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Manchester United have taken out a further $125million in long-term debt following a refinancing of borrowings related to the Glazer family’s 2005 takeover.
The refinanced debt now amounts to $550m, at a higher interest rate of 5.36 per cent. The previous rate, secured in 2015, was 3.79 per cent.
At that higher rate, United’s annual interest payments will rise by approximately £10m at the current exchange rate. During the 2024-25 season, United paid out £37m in interest costs.
Following the refinancing, the club’s total financial debt stands at £727m. United’s outstanding transfer debt is currently £360m, of which £209m is due within the next year.
And we're having to nickel and dime to raise funds for player purchases.
The game's rigged.
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Pedro Gonçalves wants a big pay day after being so loyal to Sporting. There's a reason he only has 4 caps and will be watching the World Cup like most of us, at home.
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Aston Villa’s €40m offer rejected – Sporting now ready to sell player for less
Aston Villa’s long-standing interest in Pedro Gonçalves has gained relevance after reports from Portugal claimed Sporting and the player have both decided the time has come for a summer exit.
More interestingly, the newspaper claims Sporting’s internal thinking is now centred around the €30m (£25.4m) mark. Nevertheless, market conditions could even force the final fee lower.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villas-e40m-offer-rejected-sporting-now-ready-to-sell-player-for-less/
The price may be right but has his time passed?
They have rejected our bid and want less money? That shouldn’t be insurmountable then should it.
The problem is we are trying to get them to throw in the gourd.
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa remain interested in Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro (31) — Unai Emery likes his profile.
@diarioas
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa remain interested in Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro (31) — Unai Emery likes his profile.
@diarioas
... but thinks he looks a bit odd front-on.
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🚨 NEW: Aston Villa remain interested in Real Sociedad goalkeeper Álex Remiro (31) — Unai Emery likes his profile.
@diarioas
Not so fussed with him 'face on' though.
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Beat you to it by 3 seconds... 'ave it!.
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FFS!
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Newcastle sniffing Trafford like he's in heat, apparently;
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7354310/2026/06/12/newcastle-james-trafford-transfer-city-interest/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7354310/2026/06/12/newcastle-james-trafford-transfer-city-interest/)
"The end of Aaron Ramsdale"
"I tried"
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Aston Villa’s €40m offer rejected – Sporting now ready to sell player for less
Aston Villa’s long-standing interest in Pedro Gonçalves has gained relevance after reports from Portugal claimed Sporting and the player have both decided the time has come for a summer exit.
More interestingly, the newspaper claims Sporting’s internal thinking is now centred around the €30m (£25.4m) mark. Nevertheless, market conditions could even force the final fee lower.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villas-e40m-offer-rejected-sporting-now-ready-to-sell-player-for-less/
The price may be right but has his time passed?
They have rejected our bid and want less money? That shouldn’t be insurmountable then should it.
The video is arse about face.
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Newcastle sniffing Trafford like he's in heat, apparently;
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7354310/2026/06/12/newcastle-james-trafford-transfer-city-interest/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7354310/2026/06/12/newcastle-james-trafford-transfer-city-interest/)
"The end of Aaron Ramsdale"
"I tried"
Why break a habit of the past 3 years. He's their Félix.
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I saw another lazy link today, but I really think we could do with a player like Soulé. He's got that glide by you factor, similar to Jack but I don't think he's got the pace to play on the right like Unai wants. If Morgan leaves, I think he could be useful here.
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His figures in Serie A aren't any better than Bailey's in the Bundesliga. Not sure I get the fuss.
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His figures are just 'alright'. Basically a 1-in-3 goal involvement rate but maybe his all round game is decent? I think I read he was playing well this last season up until an injury.
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His figures are just 'alright'. Basically a 1-in-3 goal involvement rate but maybe his all round game is decent? I think I read he was playing well this last season up until an injury.
He'll fit in nicely! 🙂
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Another thing I really hate about the modern transfer window is all the bloody pictures of players in other club's shirts. It really is low.
It's like seeing someone's profile on Tindr and then photoshopping them into your Facebook holiday pics before you've even sent them an unsolicited nude.
It's just not done. >:(
Agreed, absolutely insidious shite. Why live in the real world when online has made us invent new realities?
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Rogers ‘not pushing to leave’ according to Matt Maher (Express & Star).
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Good, needs to keep his push notifications switched off.
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Rogers ‘not pushing to leave’ according to Matt Maher (Express & Star).
Good lad, nice to know he's a Remainer.
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Rogers ‘not pushing to leave’ according to Matt Maher (Express & Star).
Good lad, nice to know he's a Remainer.
You’d have thought he’d have wanted to save us £350m a week.
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Rogers ‘not pushing to leave’ according to Matt Maher (Express & Star).
Good lad, nice to know he's a Remainer.
You’d have thought he’d have wanted to save us £350m a week.
Yes, he could give up playing football altogether, and save the petrol money.
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After watching the Brazil - Morocco game last night how about a £5m bid for Bruno Guimarães?
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After watching the Brazil - Morocco game last night how about a £5m bid for Bruno Guimarães?
Maybe because Morocco have better players to scout?
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If we could somehow keep Rogers and sign Summerville and Mbaye I'd be over the moon. Probably a pipe dream.
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What is the role of the coach in England? Are you just a coach there or can you be considered a manager?
We all want the same thing at Aston Villa, but we need specialists. My speciality is not signing players.
What I've always wanted is to focus on the pitch, on the grass, on preparing everything from the offices to the training field. Since I started working with Roberto 20 years ago at Almería, I have enormous professional and personal esteem for him. I need people who contribute in all the necessary areas so we can keep growing. I am the ultimate responsible person, but we share the responsibility. That said, my thing has always been the pitch. Outside of that, whatever Roberto says, I follow him with my eyes closed.
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Er... what?
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He’s saying he’s got a close, long standing relationship with Roberto Olabe and trusts him implicitly in his specific role to build the best squad so he can focus on coaching them.
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If Rogers goes, I hope it’s to a French team, as I think they will pronounce his name beautifully, and surely that is the most you can hope for in a transfer.
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Interesting from Unai. It changes the view most of us had that there was a degree of sign off from him on Monchi signings, beyond the formalities anyway.
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Interesting from Unai. It changes the view most of us had that there was a degree of sign off from him on Monchi signings, beyond the formalities anyway.
I would imagine there is some discussion regarding the needs of the squad and merits of potential players.
My thoughts are that he believed his and Monchis ideas were aligned and then it became apparent they weren’t.
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Also, fundamentally, I don't quite believe him!
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Also, fundamentally, I don't quite believe him!
Indeed.
Also, if we're to take him at his word - well done to Monchi then for scouting and signing Rogers which Emery had nothing to do with.
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What he's saying clearly isn't 100% of the situation but I do think everything about him as a manager supports the idea of there being a meeting and him saying I think I have these gaps and largely leaving it to the back office team to find players. It'll then be something like "we can get this guy for £Xm which will fill that gap" and Emery simply taking a quick look (so 5-6 hours of highlights for him) and giving a thumbs up.
He likes control but I get the impression that it's as much by getting people to take responsibility for things he's trusted to them so that, as a collective, everything is in control. Look at the set pieces for example, he goes and sits down so McPhee can be the guy in the technical area, that's not a control freak who wants to own everything but rather someone who likes to have clear boundaries between responsibilities and will do everything he can to give people as much autonomy as they need.
So yes, if he knows a player he specifically wants to work with (Pau, Rogers) then he'll step in and ask for the team to chase them, otherwise I think he's pretty open to suggestions and willing to try working with players who might be 6-12 months away from ready to play for him. I think this is also a guideline for which players become indispensable. Buy into the plan completely like Watkins, Rogers and McGinn and he'll back you, even if the form isn't quite there.
For transfers specifically that creates a bit of a problem where some players have the right technical and physical attributes but they just don't fit attitude wise. That's difficult because it must be really hard to assess before they're in the camp and working with us.
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Did anyone really think Unai had much of a hand in the Elliot and Sancho deals? They make no sense at all. Align that with Monchi getting his cards and it doesn't take Scooby Doo to work out what happened.
Monchi failed and got moved on.
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I’d love to know how the Elliott situation got to that absolute mess.
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I’d love to know more about the Malen transfer. Who initiated it? Was anyone opposed to it? Did we drive a hard enough bargain or was it us just being nice to a player who was worried about not playing enough and how that would affect his chances of getting into the World Cup squad.
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Did anyone really think Unai had much of a hand in the Elliot and Sancho deals? They make no sense at all. Align that with Monchi getting his cards and it doesn't take Scooby Doo to work out what happened.
Monchi failed and got moved on.
I think we can see some evidence in Elliot and Sancho.
Emery kept playing Sancho and he wouldn't have done that if he didn't feel he could deliver what he wanted. So I am guessing Emery approved of it.
Elliot was quickly removed and replaced by Buendia. Emery could have played him more without triggering the clause, but he didn't. So either he came and was completely different to what Emery expected he would be, or it wasn't a move Emery was fully behind and Buendia's renaissance gave him the out he needed.
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I’d love to know how the Elliott situation got to that absolute mess.
Wasn't there something about a misunderstanding of how FIFA dated the transaction for SCR purposes? Villa thought it would be dated at the end of the season, but it would have been either on the date the money became due or backdated to the start of the loan if we had triggered the clause?
I imagine that would have been firmly in Monchi's court as I am not sure Emery is going to be interested enough in the small print to do his football-level due diligence.
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I’d love to know how the Elliott situation got to that absolute mess.
Wasn't there something about a misunderstanding of how FIFA dated the transaction for SCR purposes? Villa thought it would be dated at the end of the season, but it would have been either on the date the money became due or backdated to the start of the loan if we had triggered the clause?
I imagine that would have been firmly in Monchi's court as I am not sure Emery is going to be interested enough in the small print to do his football-level due diligence.
I imagine it's exactly that kind of stuff he's referring to when trusting others to sort so he can focus wholly on the football and where Monchi bollocksed up. The way he singled Elliot out for criticism at Sunderland was a rare, rare thing for Emery and probably revealed how pissed off he was the whole thing given it looked like our season was falling apart.
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I’d love to know how the Elliott situation got to that absolute mess.
Wasn't there something about a misunderstanding of how FIFA dated the transaction for SCR purposes? Villa thought it would be dated at the end of the season, but it would have been either on the date the money became due or backdated to the start of the loan if we had triggered the clause?
I imagine that would have been firmly in Monchi's court as I am not sure Emery is going to be interested enough in the small print to do his football-level due diligence.
I imagine it's exactly that kind of stuff he's referring to when trusting others to sort so he can focus wholly on the football and where Monchi bollocksed up. The way he singled Elliot out for criticism at Sunderland was a rare, rare thing for Emery and probably revealed how pissed off he was the whole thing given it looked like our season was falling apart.
Sorry remind me what he said about Elliott
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“Some players need adaptation. For example, Harvey Elliott, a little bit he was getting the ball and so quick doing passes behind the defence without options.
He needs to understand, ‘Okay, Harvey, you have skills to play more passes, more passes, more passes, and then to do the pass behind, outside or inside,’ in better positions to get something more. And then, as well, we were lazy, sometimes defensively lazy. For example, the way we conceded we were lazy.”
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Thanks , he dose not do that a lot does he ?
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Thanks , he dose not do that a lot does he ?
I can't think of another time he's done it. He went a bit ballistic at Tielemans as he was subbed that once but that's a different thing.
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Yeah, the Elliot speech made me think that he can't be listening to him and did Emery give up trying to get him to adapt.
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An Interesting plot twist. We sell very well, but there’s room for improvement when signing new players. Get that right and it could bridge the financial gap and keep us in the top 5 for the foreeesable.
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I’d love to know how the Tammy deal came about. Profile, identification etc all seem odd to me.
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Yeah, it looked like a daft signing from the get-go.
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I’d love to know how the Tammy deal came about. Profile, identification etc all seem odd to me.
We were linked to him before he did his ACL weren't we? So got to have been some idea there.
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I'm pretty sure I read at the time of signing Tammy that Unai had been chasing him for a good few years. Or did I just imagine that?
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Yeah, it looked like a daft signing from the get-go.
Malen wanted to leave, we didn't have a back up striker and where severely limited in the market. He seemed a good fit at the time, not least because Emery clearly wanted him also.
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I do think the plan was for him to start more games as an alternative to Watkins, but when Watkins went into beast-mode, he didn't get the time on the pitch to get up to his best. Then he got the injury which has obviously been impacting him.
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There's definitely a few people that are over egging their criticism of him. Considering how few minutes he played, his return was decent and he arguably scored the most important goal of the year for us against Sunderland.
I full pre season under his belt (recovery permitting), he'll look more the part.
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Yep, considering how wet a lot of people got for him every window we were linked to him since 2019.
Malen didn't really do it as a starter, not like he did as a sub, and he didn't want to be the sub, unfortunately. But as far as strikers go who can be the main main when needed and were available and in our price range, Abraham was a good choice.
Just need to sort his shoulder out, get him a pre-season, and get him more minutes on the pitch. Then we will see if it was a mistake or not.
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My point was more that if the stuff Unai said is to be believed, him being the driver for signing Tammy doesn’t add up.
On the broader point - and I do hope he comes good - but he doesn’t really do what Unai seems to want his centre forward to do.
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I'm sure I've also read articles where Emery often prefers players he is aware of and will sometimes push those over ones brought to him he doesn't know. Wasn't that said about Rogers?
So maybe he is talking about the theoretical split, but the reality is that Emery is the boss.
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Yeah perhaps I guess the only thing that really matters is all those involved are very clear on lines of responsibility.
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Didn't the Tanswell article covering the signing specifically state that Olabe and Vidagany where over there at Unais behest?
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Newcastle have bod for that Munoz lad we were linked with.
Pa pa papa pompompom pom pom pom pommmmm
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He likes control but I get the impression that it's as much by getting people to take responsibility for things he's trusted to them so that, as a collective, everything is in control. Look at the set pieces for example, he goes and sits down so McPhee can be the guy in the technical area, that's not a control freak who wants to own everything but rather someone who likes to have clear boundaries between responsibilities and will do everything he can to give people as much autonomy as they need.
Far be it from me to criticise the Messiah, but it is always notable when Emery discusses set plays how reluctant he is to give McPhee full credit. He always inserts himself in the process, along the lines of "McPhee executes the set piece plan that we have decided together".
I mention it as it always strikes me as being somewhat out of character for someone who is generally very studiously humble.
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He likes control but I get the impression that it's as much by getting people to take responsibility for things he's trusted to them so that, as a collective, everything is in control. Look at the set pieces for example, he goes and sits down so McPhee can be the guy in the technical area, that's not a control freak who wants to own everything but rather someone who likes to have clear boundaries between responsibilities and will do everything he can to give people as much autonomy as they need.
Far be it from me to criticise the Messiah, but it is always notable when Emery discusses set plays how reluctant he is to give McPhee full credit. He always inserts himself in the process, along the lines of "McPhee executes the set piece plan that we have decided together".
I mention it as it always strikes me as being somewhat out of character for someone who is generally very studiously humble.
Head Coach.
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Yes, on reflection, it's not a lack of humility but more the slightly nerdy need to explain the process.
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First time I’ve watched Marmoush and can see why we’ve been linked. Identical style to watkins and also the Egyptian connection. Shame about his wages, as otherwise he could slot in nicely.
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First time I’ve watched Marmoush and can see why we’ve been linked. Identical style to watkins and also the Egyptian connection. Shame about his wages, as otherwise he could slot in nicely.
When he was in Germany he was described by a podcast contributor as having the same attributes as Ollie. If he wants to play regularly he might have to consider a reduction in wages.
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Impressed by a couple of the Australian kids, vast improvement. Brilliant first goal.
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According to The Athletic today, talking about Rashford's future:
"There is a £40m clause available to all admirers... But if Rashford goes back to Old Trafford, it is believed his preference would be to honour the remaining 24 months on his deal there rather than join an English team."
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According to The Athletic today, talking about Rashford's future:
"There is a £40m clause available to all admirers... But if Rashford goes back to Old Trafford, it is believed his preference would be to honour the remaining 24 months on his deal there rather than join an English team."
Presumably an attempt to pressure Yernited into proposing more attractive terms.
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Carrick has suggested similar so they're either trying to mend bridges or refusing to blink first.
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When he was in Germany he was described by a podcast contributor as having the same attributes as Ollie. If he wants to play regularly he might have to consider a reduction in wages.
Would he not be a replacement for Ollie if they are similar? And i cannot see Ollie giving up the top spot just yet
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Rashford has deadline day loan move written all over it. Probably end up here after we fail on our other targets. (Not that that’s a bad thing)
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Yep, he'll end up somewhere.
Carrick can say what he wants, it's his twat overlord who doesn't wanna pay their contractual obligations who will have the final say. And money talks.
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Reckon getting Mbaye might be tricky.
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If we are looking at the Mbaye kid from PSG then his price would of just gone up
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If we are looking at the Mbaye kid from PSG then his price would of just gone up
this is another downside of football in the closed season being accountants time. Give the big access early access to the sales, so the rest of us can just buy the strange sizes left over
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https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2026/aston-villa-join-race-to-sign-lilles-matias-fernandez-pardo/
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I nervous of the french league - I dont think anyone we sign from there seems to work out. Is that true? Or is that my misconception?
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Kamara's rather good.....
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Bizot's done fine.
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Do remember how shit we've been since mostly forever, so most signings we ever made can't be said to have 'worked out' really.
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It was an simpler time when all of our signings came from the Premier League or Celtic and you didn't need to worry about any of this new-fangled scouting nonsense.
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Yeah, if only we'd looked abroad when buying Cascarino. We'd all be insufferable glory-hunters now facing 37 counts of financial doping. Would have been worth it though.
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Ah yeah... so as per most of my views this one is at best completely outdated, at worst completely baseless
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If we all gave up our firm beliefs just because they were baseless and outdated, where would the world be then!
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Yeah, if only we'd looked abroad when buying Cascarino. We'd all be insufferable glory-hunters now facing 37 counts of financial doping. Would have been worth it though.
We didn't need to look abroad, just look at the other forward position instead.
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It was an simpler time when all of our signings came from the Premier League or Celtic and you didn't need to worry about any of this new-fangled scouting nonsense.
Or the Steve Bruce approach, buy the latest flavour of the week from teams near us. Hogan, Lansbury, Hourihane. Worry about fitting them into the team afterwards.
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It was an simpler time when all of our signings came from the Premier League or Celtic and you didn't need to worry about any of this new-fangled scouting nonsense.
Or the Steve Bruce approach, buy the latest flavour of the week from teams near us. Hogan, Lansbury, Hourihane. Worry about fitting them into the team afterwards.
Shush. We were stabilised.
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Hourihane and McGinn were pretty good, Lansbury seemed a perfectly reasonable cheap option at the time, and he did stabilise us. Unless you think we were better off before he turned up, which would obviously make you insane.
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Hourihane and McGinn were pretty good, Lansbury seemed a perfectly reasonable cheap option at the time, and he did stabilise us. Unless you think we were better off before he turned up, which would obviously make you insane.
The UK was better off when Sunak took over from Truss, but I'm not grateful to anyone for it, and it was still way worse than we should've expected.
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I do shudder at the memory of Brentford away, when he had just bought Hourihane, Lansbury, and Bjarnason and then chucked them straight in.
It was a week night and we raced down there straight from work, dumped the car at some church, and ran to the ground, arriving just in time to see their first goal go in.
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Hourihane and McGinn were pretty good, Lansbury seemed a perfectly reasonable cheap option at the time, and he did stabilise us. Unless you think we were better off before he turned up, which would obviously make you insane.
The UK was better off when Sunak took over from Truss, but I'm not grateful to anyone for it, and it was still way worse than we should've expected.
Nobody is asking you to be. But, nevertheless, continually saying that "Bruce stabilised us" in a mocking manner as if the statement is worthy of ridicule when it is clearly factually correct is just silly.
We were more stable under Bruce than Di Matteo. Therefore he stabilised us.
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We were more stable under Bruce than Di Matteo. Therefore he stabilised us.
I hope one day Steve Clarke writes a book and spills the beans on his time at Villa Park with Di Matteo. Clarke was highly experienced, Di Matteo still green yet the Italian seemed to go out of his way to ignore Clarke during games.
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Hourihane and McGinn were pretty good, Lansbury seemed a perfectly reasonable cheap option at the time, and he did stabilise us. Unless you think we were better off before he turned up, which would obviously make you insane.
The UK was better off when Sunak took over from Truss, but I'm not grateful to anyone for it, and it was still way worse than we should've expected.
Nobody is asking you to be. But, nevertheless, continually saying that "Bruce stabilised us" in a mocking manner as if the statement is worthy of ridicule when it is clearly factually correct is just silly.
We were more stable under Bruce than Di Matteo. Therefore he stabilised us.
If you jumped off the top of the Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street Queensway would stabilise you.
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We were more stable under Bruce than Di Matteo. Therefore he stabilised us.
I hope one day Steve Clarke writes a book and spills the beans on his time at Villa Park with Di Matteo. Clarke was highly experienced, Di Matteo still green yet the Italian seemed to go out of his way to ignore Clarke during games.
No wonder people thought he looked like an alien!
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We were more stable under Bruce than Di Matteo. Therefore he stabilised us.
I hope one day Steve Clarke writes a book and spills the beans on his time at Villa Park with Di Matteo. Clarke was highly experienced, Di Matteo still green yet the Italian seemed to go out of his way to ignore Clarke during games.
Steve Clarke was the brains behind the Tshibola signing, though.
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We were more stable under Bruce than Di Matteo. Therefore he stabilised us.
I hope one day Steve Clarke writes a book and spills the beans on his time at Villa Park with Di Matteo. Clarke was highly experienced, Di Matteo still green yet the Italian seemed to go out of his way to ignore Clarke during games.
Steve Clarke was the brains behind the Tshibola signing, though.
Hopefully he's not in the DR Congo team this afternoon. #shudder
EDIT: He's on the bench.
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Small Heath would be retiring his shirt by now.
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Maybe Clarke had his Scotland head on, because he seemed to do alright up there.
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I remember Clarke having a go at the fans whilst going down the tunnel on a particularly shit night in Barnsley
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As if anyone has ever had a good night in Barnsley.
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As if anyone has ever had a good night in Barnsley.
When i went to Barnsley away, we stopped in Sheffield....
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Nice to think that appointing Bruce ended up stabilising Villa while also beginning Scotland's journey to global glory.
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Three players Atletico Madrid should sell this summer
Cashing in on Almada would generate funds to purchase a player more directly suited to Simeone’s system, perhaps one with greater work-rate or tactical discipline, while also resolving a squad bottleneck where promising players stagnate on the fringes.
Moreover, moving Almada on could be mutually beneficial amid his links with Aston Villa. He needs regular minutes to progress and reach the ceiling scouts once forecast for him. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, gain transfer flexibility. In the modern market, timing is crucial: selling before a player’s stock peaks but while there remains clear interest is sensible business.
https://thehardtackle.com/opinion/three-players-atletico-madrid-should-sell-this-summer/#google_vignette
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As if anyone has ever had a good night in Barnsley.
We had a great day when we won 3 0 there in 2017. My wife and I got there early on the train. There was nothing to do except look round the town hall which had a gallery of old mayors and also housed the register office. After admiring the portraits we witnessed a bride dressed in white storm out pursued by her bridesmaids. Like an episode of Corrie she had been stood up by the groom. We followed out to see them entering the pub opposite to be greeted by a chorus of "Here Comes the Bride" from the Barnsley fans who had started their pre match drinking early.
The game was good as well. Keinan scored what I think was his first goal for Villa. I love their old stand as well.
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I also once had a good night in Barnsley. And a pizza. And a good morning, too.
Nothing to do with the Villa, though. ;)
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Three players Atletico Madrid should sell this summer
Cashing in on Almada would generate funds to purchase a player more directly suited to Simeone’s system, perhaps one with greater work-rate or tactical discipline, while also resolving a squad bottleneck where promising players stagnate on the fringes.
Moreover, moving Almada on could be mutually beneficial amid his links with Aston Villa. He needs regular minutes to progress and reach the ceiling scouts once forecast for him. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, gain transfer flexibility. In the modern market, timing is crucial: selling before a player’s stock peaks but while there remains clear interest is sensible business.
https://thehardtackle.com/opinion/three-players-atletico-madrid-should-sell-this-summer/#google_vignette
We were linked with him when he was playing in America IIRC.
Cost would be prohibitive now, I'd imagine.
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I went to Barnsley away, New Year 1988 in Div 2. We won 3 1. It was very cold and windy on their open away end. We were also chased down the road on the way back to the car. Good game and day out I recall.
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Three players Atletico Madrid should sell this summer
Cashing in on Almada would generate funds to purchase a player more directly suited to Simeone’s system, perhaps one with greater work-rate or tactical discipline, while also resolving a squad bottleneck where promising players stagnate on the fringes.
Moreover, moving Almada on could be mutually beneficial amid his links with Aston Villa. He needs regular minutes to progress and reach the ceiling scouts once forecast for him. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, gain transfer flexibility. In the modern market, timing is crucial: selling before a player’s stock peaks but while there remains clear interest is sensible business.
https://thehardtackle.com/opinion/three-players-atletico-madrid-should-sell-this-summer/#google_vignette
We were linked with him when he was playing in America IIRC.
Cost would be prohibitive now, I'd imagine.
21 million euros, they want him gone as he does not fit with their style of play
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Three players Atletico Madrid should sell this summer
Cashing in on Almada would generate funds to purchase a player more directly suited to Simeone’s system, perhaps one with greater work-rate or tactical discipline, while also resolving a squad bottleneck where promising players stagnate on the fringes.
Moreover, moving Almada on could be mutually beneficial amid his links with Aston Villa. He needs regular minutes to progress and reach the ceiling scouts once forecast for him. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, gain transfer flexibility. In the modern market, timing is crucial: selling before a player’s stock peaks but while there remains clear interest is sensible business.
https://thehardtackle.com/opinion/three-players-atletico-madrid-should-sell-this-summer/#google_vignette
I believe hard tackle as much as I believe hand of arsenal :P
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Imagine the Hand of Arsenal getting to grips with Hard Tackle though.
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Hourihane and McGinn were pretty good, Lansbury seemed a perfectly reasonable cheap option at the time, and he did stabilise us. Unless you think we were better off before he turned up, which would obviously make you insane.
Lansbury was absolutely useless and didn't stabilise anything. He had talent but no application. He had played well against us a few weeks before signing us. Id give Bruce more credit than plenty on here but some of his signings were just silly. Claimed he had been scouting Hogan since his Rochdale days but was obvious within weeks of signing that he wasn't a good. Hourihane was on a hot streak too but he did well for us.
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Lansbury does now promote his own brand of organic grass fertiliser, though, which is more than you can say for Hourihane or even dare I say it McGinn.
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Lansbury does now promote his own brand of organic grass fertiliser, though, which is more than you can say for Hourihane or even dare I say it McGinn.
I guess you have to be full of it. ;D
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They need fertiliser for old-fashioned English grass now?
(https://i.ibb.co/nMgvGJqj/download.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nMgvGJqj)
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Lansbury does now promote his own brand of organic grass fertiliser, though, which is more than you can say for Hourihane or even dare I say it McGinn.
Did he get the inspiration that his namesake has been fertilising since 2022?
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Hourihane and McGinn were pretty good, Lansbury seemed a perfectly reasonable cheap option at the time, and he did stabilise us. Unless you think we were better off before he turned up, which would obviously make you insane.
Lansbury was absolutely useless and didn't stabilise anything. He had talent but no application. He had played well against us a few weeks before signing us. Id give Bruce more credit than plenty on here but some of his signings were just silly. Claimed he had been scouting Hogan since his Rochdale days but was obvious within weeks of signing that he wasn't a good. Hourihane was on a hot streak too but he did well for us.
I meant Bruce stabilised us, not Lansbury.
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Maybe Bruce and Lansbury can team up and sell soil stabiliser?
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As long as they get their worms on.
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Lansbury does now promote his own brand of organic grass fertiliser, though, which is more than you can say for Hourihane or even dare I say it McGinn.
Ok so he stabilises lawns now, good for him.
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Is this what you are referring to? I did not know this.
"After his retirement, Lansbury committed full-time to his organic fertilizer business Grass Gains. He credits his interest in lawns to a COVID lockdown period when he had to mow the lawn himself after a gardener did a disappointing job. The Grass Gains products are being used at various football pitches across Europe, including Genk, AS Monaco and Fulham."
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Ah yes, I should try reading all the posts before replying.
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I saw his picture in The Range promoting it the other week and did a double take. It was like a Viz spoof.
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Well, good for him, anyway. I was just thinking I wonder what he does now and imagined he would probably be working in a backpackers' hostel in Vietnam. I was incorrect.
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Is this what you are referring to? I did not know this.
"After his retirement, Lansbury committed full-time to his organic fertilizer business Grass Gains. He credits his interest in lawns to a COVID lockdown period when he had to mow the lawn himself after a gardener did a disappointing job. The Grass Gains products are being used at various football pitches across Europe, including Genk, AS Monaco and Fulham."
Grass? I thought they just painted the concrete green.
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Is this what you are referring to? I did not know this.
"After his retirement, Lansbury committed full-time to his organic fertilizer business Grass Gains. He credits his interest in lawns to a COVID lockdown period when he had to mow the lawn himself after a gardener did a disappointing job. The Grass Gains products are being used at various football pitches across Europe, including Genk, AS Monaco and Fulham."
They say footballers live gilded lives but really, they're people, and when life comes at you sometimes you're as weak as a baby starling in a hurricane. Pain is pain, wherever it's felt.
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Well, good for him, anyway. I was just thinking I wonder what he does now and imagined he would probably be working in a backpackers' hostel in Vietnam. I was incorrect.
A hairdresser would have been my bet. Sancho, once he's lost all his money will no doubt be the 'Hairdresser to the Stars'.
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Is this what you are referring to? I did not know this.
"After his retirement, Lansbury committed full-time to his organic fertilizer business Grass Gains. He credits his interest in lawns to a COVID lockdown period when he had to mow the lawn himself after a gardener did a disappointing job. The Grass Gains products are being used at various football pitches across Europe, including Genk, AS Monaco and Fulham."
They say footballers live gilded lives but really, they're people, and when life comes at you sometimes you're as weak as a baby starling in a hurricane. Pain is pain, wherever it's felt.
Imagine the business he would have started if he had to work on a radiator.
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Well he did his best to bleed us dry.
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Is this what you are referring to? I did not know this.
"After his retirement, Lansbury committed full-time to his organic fertilizer business Grass Gains. He credits his interest in lawns to a COVID lockdown period when he had to mow the lawn himself after a gardener did a disappointing job. The Grass Gains products are being used at various football pitches across Europe, including Genk, AS Monaco and Fulham."
They say footballers live gilded lives but really, they're people, and when life comes at you sometimes you're as weak as a baby starling in a hurricane. Pain is pain, wherever it's felt.
Absolutely spot on Paddy
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Thank you, Paul, Sometimes you've just got to stand with the people taking a stand against disappointment.
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Muñoz off to Liverpool, €40m release clause. Shame, thought he liked absolutely ideal.
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Muñoz off to Liverpool, €40m release clause. Shame, thought he liked absolutely ideal.
Are they buying him because they want / need him - or because Newcastle do ?
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Muñoz off to Liverpool, €40m release clause. Shame, thought he liked absolutely ideal.
Are they buying him because they want / need him - or because Newcastle do ?
Because they spent that on Frimpong and it turns out he's shite.
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Winking now at Matias Fernandez-Pardo for 30m EUR as Mbaye liable to be subject to a lovefest this summer.
https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-add-world-cup-star-to-summer-shortlist-8747002 (https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-add-world-cup-star-to-summer-shortlist-8747002)
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Did any of our other players around that era take up a career in horticulture? There was Jota as well, but is there maybe an Alan Hutton Weedkiller or a Scott Hogan watering can?
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Did any of our other players around that era take up a career in horticulture? There was Jota as well, but is there maybe an Alan Hutton Weedkiller or a Scott Hogan watering can?
Steve Bruce and his cabbages.
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Did any of our other players around that era take up a career in horticulture? There was Jota as well, but is there maybe an Alan Hutton Weedkiller or a Scott Hogan watering can?
Steve Bruce and his cabbages.
Tim Sherwood produced huge quantities of manure every time he spoke. Great for the roses.
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More links to Remiro;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-to-make-move-for-olabe-target-villans-determined-to-beat-newcastle-and-crystal-palace/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-to-make-move-for-olabe-target-villans-determined-to-beat-newcastle-and-crystal-palace/)
Apparently, we 'insist' on signing him.
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More links to Remiro;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-to-make-move-for-olabe-target-villans-determined-to-beat-newcastle-and-crystal-palace/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-to-make-move-for-olabe-target-villans-determined-to-beat-newcastle-and-crystal-palace/)
Apparently, we 'insist' on signing him.
31 years' old?
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More talk of us and Baturina;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-manchester-united-in-mix-for-croatia-star-leeds-united-have-also-tried/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-manchester-united-in-mix-for-croatia-star-leeds-united-have-also-tried/)
Mentions again them apparently turning down a 50m EUR offer for him already from a Premier League side, and that they suspect it is Villa.
It also mentions that he exploded this year, so I really hope we do our homework on the medical if we are in for him.
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His dad is his mate.
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More talk of us and Baturina;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-manchester-united-in-mix-for-croatia-star-leeds-united-have-also-tried/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-manchester-united-in-mix-for-croatia-star-leeds-united-have-also-tried/)
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Baturina
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa fina
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Baturina
Hey Baturina, ay....
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More talk of us and Baturina;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-manchester-united-in-mix-for-croatia-star-leeds-united-have-also-tried/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-manchester-united-in-mix-for-croatia-star-leeds-united-have-also-tried/)
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Baturina
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegría y cosa fina
Dale a tu cuerpo alegría, Baturina
Hey Baturina, ay....
We could get SVC to change his middle name to Vitorino, to seal the deal.
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Soule's agent is so desperate for a move they've apparently been speaking to WHAM!
https://sportwitness.co.uk/argentines-entourage-has-spoken-to-aston-villa-and-west-ham-discussions-set-to-continue/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/argentines-entourage-has-spoken-to-aston-villa-and-west-ham-discussions-set-to-continue/)
Poor bastard. Surely that's breach of contract? ;D
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Steve Parish has posted a picture of Guessand on his insta. Fingers crossed eh?
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Steve Parish has posted a picture of Guessand on his insta. Fingers crossed eh?
That would be good news.
If we get the money back and wages off the books it makes it less likely we have to sell good players.
Dobbin might fetch back what we paid for him after a good loan at PNE. Both Garcia and Nedjelkovic going would help. Gauci doesn't look like he will ever make it. Illing Junior seems nowhere near being in the team. Cumulatively they cost quite a lot and are all on the wage bill eating in to any headroom we have for new signings.
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Steve Parish has posted a picture of Guessand on his insta. Fingers crossed eh?
That would be good news.
If we get the money back and wages off the books it makes it less likely we have to sell good players.
Dobbin might fetch back what we paid for him after a good loan at PNE. Both Garcia and Nedjelkovic going would help. Gauci doesn't look like he will ever make it. Illing Junior seems nowhere near being in the team. Cumulatively they cost quite a lot and are all on the wage bill eating in to any headroom we have for new signings.
Agree with that list. Sancho, Elliot and Luiz's wages are also off the books. Risky strategy but I think three players could replace all that lot (complimented by some promotions from the youth ranks).
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Steve Parish has posted a picture of Guessand on his insta. Fingers crossed eh?
That would be good news.
If we get the money back and wages off the books it makes it less likely we have to sell good players.
Dobbin might fetch back what we paid for him after a good loan at PNE. Both Garcia and Nedjelkovic going would help. Gauci doesn't look like he will ever make it. Illing Junior seems nowhere near being in the team. Cumulatively they cost quite a lot and are all on the wage bill eating in to any headroom we have for new signings.
Agree with that list. Sancho, Elliot and Luiz's wages are also off the books. Risky strategy but I think three players could replace all that lot (complimented by some promotions from the youth ranks).
Agreed. Malen, Barrenechea already gone too, and have brought in some money.
Incoming, we have the kid (Cisse?) who stayed at his club on loan, and the lad from our partner club in Africa when he turns 18, who I’d forgotten about until I saw something on twitter the other day. As you can see, I’m still not remembering much about him.
Edit: Ibrahim Dosso.
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Madjo? Looking forward to him going crazy on the wing.
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Madjo? Looking forward to him going crazy on the wing.
Edited above. It’s one we knew couldn’t come until he was 18, unlike Madjo.
Re: Madjo, Tanswell thinks we might come to an agreement about him being able to play sooner. And I think he’s a centre-forward isn’t he?
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He is. I also heard Tanswell say we're 'hopeful' something can be done.
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Pffft, sounds like I know about as much about him as Monchi did! 8)
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Pffft, sounds like I know about as much about him as Monchi did! 8)
That's probably true, we signed him 3 months after Monchi left.
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Fuck.
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Simon Stone believes the £26mil was only for Barca, they want £40mil from anyone else and definitely won't be loaning him to Barca again. He is also back up to £325k a week again.
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They ain’t getting £40m for him and it’ll cost them £30m+ if they don’t sell.
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They ain’t getting £40m for him and it’ll cost them £30m+ if they don’t sell.
It’s a conundrum
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Rashford a complete none starter / he wants £250k plus another £60k a week in bonuses
As quality as he is, his age and profile is not something we should be slapping £40m fee and a 4 year contract down on
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Good to see you back on the message board Vinnie
Any rumours for us?
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Rashford a complete none starter / he wants £250k plus another £60k a week in bonuses
As quality as he is, his age and profile is not something we should be slapping £40m fee and a 4 year contract down on
is that your opinion or what you’ve heard?
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It’s not the market we will be shopping in, we’re looking for numbers and upgrades. Rashford is an expensive toy that would look great but not fill the needs of the club. Realistically we need at least 5 signings more than outgoings (including malen, guessand and the departed loans). Any links to £50m + players are BS of the highest order.
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Rashford a complete none starter / he wants £250k plus another £60k a week in bonuses
As quality as he is, his age and profile is not something we should be slapping £40m fee and a 4 year contract down on
is that your opinion or what you’ve heard?
Heard.
Unless it somehow became an insane market opportunity for us in structure then it’s not viable
Also, not sure how much Rashford would even be keen (my own opinion) think he’s eyeing something “different”
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Good to see you back on the message board Vinnie
Any rumours for us?
Not a lot I’m afraid. Don’t think we will see stuff start to move until early July
Know a lot of things have been “sounded out” without it going as far as an official bid etc
Outgoings of surplus etc still needs sorting too
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They ain’t getting £40m for him and it’ll cost them £30m+ if they don’t sell.
It’s a conundrum
It's a dilemma.
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They ain’t getting £40m for him and it’ll cost them £30m+ if they don’t sell.
It’s a conundrum
It's a dilemma.
It's got me scratching my head.
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Rashford a complete none starter / he wants £250k plus another £60k a week in bonuses
As quality as he is, his age and profile is not something we should be slapping £40m fee and a 4 year contract down on
is that your opinion or what you’ve heard?
Heard.
Unless it somehow became an insane market opportunity for us in structure then it’s not viable
Also, not sure how much Rashford would even be keen (my own opinion) think he’s eyeing something “different”
This doesn't surprise me, but I will be amazed if anyone pays 40m for him and he gets that wage. It's basically going to be a big game of chicken both with him and Yanited.
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They ain’t getting £40m for him and it’ll cost them £30m+ if they don’t sell.
It’s a conundrum
It's a dilemma.
“It is nearly an insoluble pancake, a conundrum of inscrutable potentialities, a snorter.”
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Did any of our other players around that era take up a career in horticulture? There was Jota as well, but is there maybe an Alan Hutton Weedkiller or a Scott Hogan watering can?
. Now available at the Chimneydome club shop.. The Karen Brady Hoe
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It’s not the market we will be shopping in, we’re looking for numbers and upgrades. Rashford is an expensive toy that would look great but not fill the needs of the club. Realistically we need at least 5 signings more than outgoings (including malen, guessand and the departed loans)
That sounds a lot. 5 more than let’s say 4 (Malen, Guessand, Elliott, Sancho - assuming you’re not counting Barrenechea)? So 9 new players?
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It’s not the market we will be shopping in, we’re looking for numbers and upgrades. Rashford is an expensive toy that would look great but not fill the needs of the club. Realistically we need at least 5 signings more than outgoings (including malen, guessand and the departed loans)
That sounds a lot. 5 more than let’s say 4 (Malen, Guessand, Elliott, Sancho - assuming you’re not counting Barrenechea)? So 9 new players?
Yeah, the actual size of the squad is alright. It just needs the positions from last season who weren't really contributing what they should have (Garcia, Bailey / Guessand, Sancho) to be replaced by players that will. And probably another central midfielder.
Beyond that, it's a case of thinking about succession planning (Mings / Watkins / Digne / McGinn / the two Emis) - bringing in and bringing through their eventual replacements, something which had hopefully already started with the likes of Cissé and Madjo.
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That's far too many. We've already replaced Malen, Guessand and Elliott (Tammy and Bailey have already taken the spots of the first 2 and Alysson is already here to take the 3rd).
Don't forget that for UEFA competitions we're effectively only able to select a 22 man squad (on the basis that Bogarde is the only club-trained player we can include for those 4 slots).
As things stand our actual fist team squad right now is 30 players (I think I've counted right) so the first job is to make decisions on a bunch of fringe players:
Gauci - £1m
Zych
Garcia - £4-5m
Nedeljkovic - £4-5m
Ozcan - £4-5m
Guessand - £25m
Bailey - £5-10m
Iling-Junior - £5m
Dobbin - £5-10m
If they all leave then to get to 2 players in every position we'd need to add a Right Back, a Winger and a 10 but we'd have 'Spares' in centre mid and centre back. However I'd keep Zych as 3rd keeper given, like Bogarde, he fills a squad place that goes empty otherwise. So 8 out, 3 in and then replace anyone else who leaves. The pay for that we will hopefully have £40m from Malen and Barrenechea and around £55-60m from that lot, which should be plenty. If we do go for Mingueza for the RB slot then the link to Mbaye makes sense as that's about the market we can be looking at.
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Rashford a complete none starter / he wants £250k plus another £60k a week in bonuses
As quality as he is, his age and profile is not something we should be slapping £40m fee and a 4 year contract down on
I think he could very well end up at Bayern Munich
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Bergvall is one to keep an eye on
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Bergvall is one to keep an eye on
Is he the lad who runs around alot at Spurrzzz
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Bergvall is one to keep an eye on
Is he the lad who runs around alot at Spurrzzz
Yep runs around a lot for no real benefit. He’s shite.
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The appeal over Madjo's registration is scheduled for next month;
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7373311/2026/06/19/brian-madjo-aston-villa-cas-appeal/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7373311/2026/06/19/brian-madjo-aston-villa-cas-appeal/)
"In the second half of last season, Madjo was allowed to train with the first team and impressed, with Emery keen to have him involved in a matchday, but he remained ineligible."
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Bergvall is one to keep an eye on
Is he the lad who runs around alot at Spurrzzz
Yep runs around a lot for no real benefit. He’s shite.
Haven't all the Spurs players ran around for no real benefit lately?
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Bergvall is one to keep an eye on
Is he the lad who runs around alot at Spurrzzz
Yep runs around a lot for no real benefit. He’s shite.
Haven't all the Spurs players ran around for no real benefit lately?
Well quite but even when Spurs play well in the first 2/3 months of the season he’s always struck me as shite then.
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If we win, can we sue FIFA for the wages we spent while not being able to register him earlier due to their ridiculous, petty and spiteful interpretation of their rules?
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If we win, can we sue FIFA for the wages we spent while not being able to register him earlier due to their ridiculous, petty and spiteful interpretation of their rules?
I'm not sure how likely it is, because the article mentions another player where we had to wait until he was 18;
"A similar situation occurred in 2024, when Villa purchased academy Ethan Amundsen-Day from Copenhagen. The Premier League outfit had to wait until the Norway youth defender turned 18 to play him, even though he was born in Leeds."
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I'm not sure where that quote comes from, but we signed him when he was nineteen.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/june/18/amundsen-day-joins-villa-academy/
We signed him in June and he was playing for our under-21s in August so no delay there.
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It came from the same article! ;D
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Ah, fair enough. I couldn't be arsed to un-paywall it 🙂
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Bergvall is one to keep an eye on
Is he the lad who runs around alot at Spurrzzz
Yep runs around a lot for no real benefit. He’s shite.
I’d have him looks a decent player from what I’ve seen
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Just prior to the end of the season, there was speculation that we were looking to sign Harry Wilson on a free.
Anything happened regarding this?
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Last I saw it has been discussed, but as yet nothing has moved forward with it.
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Talented, tall and blonde - Bergvall has much of merit.
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Are we waiting on June 30th for the loanees to officially leave the wage bill before we can confirm any new signing?
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Talented, tall and blonde - Bergvall has much of merit.
The Charlize Theron of football.
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I can see why people think Bergvall is decent, he does a good show of being a decent footballer, but right now there's no intelligence to his play, he just runs around kicking people and looking busy when he'd be much better off calming the fuck down and doing his job. Spurs were in a relegation battle (and just out6side it last year) largely because their central defence and midfield are tactically inept, dragging the midfield around to create gaps is ridiculously easy and he's probably the worst for it.
I'd want to be very certain that he's capable of learning to do his job properly before even taking him on loan let alone throwing any real money at them.
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Speaking of youngsters, Modou Kéba 'Papa' Cissé should finally be joining us after winning both the league and cup with LASK in Austria. I would have thought he'd be used for cover for Matty Cash and even Konsa, maybe Unai wants to have a good look at him pre-season before deciding on whether or not to spend further money on right back cover.
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Harry Wilson decision on Leeds United v Aston Villa transfer as betting suspended
Bet365 PR man Steve Freeth wrote on social media: "MARKET SUSPENDED. Harry Wilson to Leeds United. 11/10 into 1/3 over the last hour or so and seen enough to take down."
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/harry-wilson-decision-leeds-united-34152834
Cross him off the list. Not upset about it as we need younger, faster, stronger.
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Leeds is his level. Never in a million years is he a top four player. I doubt we were ever in for him.
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ha ha didnt like him anyway
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Might have been one we lined up if we'd missed out on top 4/5.
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I was bang up for it in December. Less so now.
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If he is going to Leeds I suspect we were never in for him.
It’s taken him to the age of 29 to have a flash in the pan season. My abiding memory of him is being shit in the playoff final and his face like a slapped arse when the final whistle went.
Leeds is his level.
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I’m not sure I’d be trading Fulham for Leeds.
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Yeah, he's shit.
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I never understood why we would be in for him except maybe a squad filler.
Sure he could do a job but I think wears past that now.
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Wilson would have been useful as a squad player. Ten times the player Bailey now is, more use than Guessand, Sancho and always had decent numbers, decent pace and works hard. We could spend ,£40m and get a lot less output. We need 2 good wise options, he'd have done well.
Bergvall would be a good buy. Emery can coach him into using his attributes and can play holding mid.
Watching the USA you can see why Emery likes Mckennie
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The only thing I’ve ever seen him be good in was when he was next to Tom Hanks.
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Brandt linked to Leeds too, decent player there on a free
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I was bang up for it in December. Less so now.
How fickle we are with those we fancy.
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Bergvall v Wilson. Hints that reducing the average age is a priority.
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We can and hopefully will do a lot better than Wilson. Too slow and too old.
Bergvall seems to only get my attention as he runs around kicking lumps out of everybody. Proper team of cloggers Spurs, hence 17th twice I suppose.
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I'm not sure where that quote comes from, but we signed him when he was nineteen.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/june/18/amundsen-day-joins-villa-academy/
We signed him in June and he was playing for our under-21s in August so no delay there.
No 3 in white in this video. Doesn’t look up to much but I guess he’s only 19 https://youtu.be/vKyORadpRDA?is=txGYDZCX1lCkYFjb
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Brandt linked to Leeds too, decent player there on a free
Apart from coming from Dortmund rather than Fulham, I don't really see what he would do for us that Wilson wouldn't. Older then Wilson, with a similar record, but in a league that seems very good at making attacking midfielders appear better than they actually are.
Or as another comparison, Sancho was miles better than him when they were in the same team, is five years younger, and also available on a free transfer. And we don't appear to want Sancho...
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Wilson might have been on our list as a "if we don't get Champions League" signing. I would have been happy adding him to the squad for free, given we've not had huge luck with right-sided wingers/forwards in recent years - so he was a low-risk signing for a couple of seasons.
I am hoping, however, that his move to Leeds has come about as much because of us deciding to look higher up the food chain, than anything else.
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Wilson might have been on our list as a "if we don't get Champions League" signing. I would have been happy adding him to the squad for free, given we've not had huge luck with right-sided wingers/forwards in recent years - so he was a low-risk signing for a couple of seasons.
I am hoping, however, that his move to Leeds has come about as much because of us deciding to look higher up the food chain, than anything else.
Agreed. But I'm not sure I'd take Bet365 not taking bets on it as cast-iron evidence that he'd definitely moving to Leeds.
We've had "betting suspeded" on various players joining us who then didn't. As paulie frequently reminds us, these markets are so small that pretty much anybody betting it is going to move the odds.
Hopefully he's odd to Leeds and we're about to bring in someone better and younger. But I'd still be very unsurprised to see him with us in August.
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A good sign that were not in for lazy signings on huge wages like Wilson.
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Links to Trossard, click bait ones I suspect. Good player but puts the average age range up. Berg all has a bit of growth and would do well under Unai.
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Rogers leaving for some shite part-ex involving their cast-offs like Martinelli and Trossard with us paying much of the cash element to Middlesbrough would be the pits.
Plus Trossard's goggly-eyed binocular goal celebration is so sub-SJM.
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A good sign that were not in for lazy signings on huge wages like Wilson.
Why would Wilson be on huge wages?
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A good sign that were not in for lazy signings on huge wages like Wilson.
Why would Wilson be on huge wages?
Because he’s out of contract so would expect the usual transfer fee to be bolstered into his wages.
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Brahim Diaz having a decent WC with a couple of assists and he always seems involved in the limited time he gets to play at Real Madrid. A bit too young to really establish himself at Man City but technically very good maybe just a question mark over his suitability to the physical side of this league, although that’s probably overplayed a touch now.
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A good sign that were not in for lazy signings on huge wages like Wilson.
Why would Wilson be on huge wages?
Because he’s out of contract so would expect the usual transfer fee to be bolstered into his wages.
That doesn't mean his wages would be huge by our standards. Those (reliability uncertain) sites put him at about £55k per week, which wouldn't put him in our top twenty earners.
So he will undoubtedly be expecting a big jump on that, but "huge wages" relative to what he's currently being paid puts him at the sort of level we pay our squad players.
You would also think that if we were interested, our more attractive footballing offer might mean that we'd probably get away with paying him less than Leeds or Fulham might.
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Would be odd for Wilson to leave Fulham for Leeds. Think he will be aiming a bit higher up the division. Bergvall is an interesting one, like a lot of players at Spurs he has lost his way but clearly a good athlete with technical ability. Ideal profile for De Zerbi so
strange one if they moved him on.
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Whoever he signs for he wont be on £55k a week. More like double.
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He’ll be in the strongest possible negotiating position because he comes with no fee.
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Would be odd for Wilson to leave Fulham for Leeds. Think he will be aiming a bit higher up the division. Bergvall is an interesting one, like a lot of players at Spurs he has lost his way but clearly a good athlete with technical ability. Ideal profile for De Zerbi so
strange one if they moved him on.
Maybe they need to create some headroom for Tonali. Absolutely bonkers if he goes there.
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Would be odd for Wilson to leave Fulham for Leeds. Think he will be aiming a bit higher up the division. Bergvall is an interesting one, like a lot of players at Spurs he has lost his way but clearly a good athlete with technical ability. Ideal profile for De Zerbi so
strange one if they moved him on.
Maybe they need to create some headroom for Tonali. Absolutely bonkers if he goes there.
And Wharton. Gallagher joined six months ago.
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Somerville is tricky - Brobbey could be a Watkins - hopefully we can dine at better table than malen and revisits
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Woltemade!? WTFemade more like.
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Woltemade!? WTFemade more like.
He's got something. I'd take him.
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Woltemade!? WTFemade more like.
He's got something. I'd take him.
What you do in your own time is your own business, but I thought his Harvey Elliot-esque hair might put you off.
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Woltemade!? WTFemade more like.
He's got something. I'd take him.
What you do in your own time is your own business, but I thought his Harvey Elliot-esque hair might put you off.
I take a mantelpiece/fire* approach to strikers. You have to look at midfielders.
*I know he hasn't lit many fires yet!
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Rogers leaving for some shite part-ex involving their cast-offs like Martinelli and Trossard with us paying much of the cash element to Middlesbrough would be the pits.
Plus Trossard's goggly-eyed binocular goal celebration is so sub-SJM.
And also, Trossard looks like Robbie Williams's ghost.
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That referee that looks exactly like Trossard, is at this World Cup.
Hope he gets a Belgium game.
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The mail running a story that Rice and Saka are essentially tapping up Rogers to get the price down to £85M. All that is wrong with modern football in one article.
If he goes, £125M on current prices is the minimum starting point surely.
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West Ham and Palace want £80m for Wharton and Fernandez, neither made their World Cup squads. The price has to be right for him to leave.
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The mail running a story that Rice and Saka are essentially tapping up Rogers to get the price down to £85M. All that is wrong with modern football in one article.
If he goes, £125M on current prices is the minimum starting point surely.
How does that work?
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If we sell him, and Arsenal are the club who buy him then chats with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka at England camp will have precisely nothing to do with the price.
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If we sell him, and Arsenal are the club who buy him then chats with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka at England camp will have precisely nothing to do with the price.
Age old tactic….get at him so he asks to leave….not many teams want to keep an unhappy player….ai his value drops
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No. He’s under contract. I’ve no doubt he wants to go, but it has no impact on his price.
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No. He’s under contract. I’ve no doubt he wants to go, but it has no impact on his price.
You've no doubt he wants to go ... how come?
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Because that’s the noise, and it’s always what they want, to go bigger. We are not Arsenal or PSG or Real Madrid, and that’s where they want to be.
Edit: and yes, we’re also in the Champions League, but the fact that we keep having to remind people of that is an indication that we’re not in that universe. Celtic and Anderlecht (probably) are in the CL, but we’re not worried about them.
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The mail running a story that Rice and Saka are essentially tapping up Rogers to get the price down to £85M. All that is wrong with modern football in one article.
Good news for us, I trust they're telling him what a tit Arteta is.
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Arsenal aren't PSG or Real Madrid either. Personally would wait another of my 5 years at a club that plays football and see if any of the very big boys are keen on me.
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If we sell him, and Arsenal are the club who buy him then chats with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka at England camp will have precisely nothing to do with the price.
Age old tactic….get at him so he asks to leave….not many teams want to keep an unhappy player….ai his value drops
Because footballers, famously, only ever talk to each other at internationals.
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Rogers only needs to look at how Grealish’s career went after his big move. Yes, I know he can point to his medals but they are not down to him are they?
In any case, if he goes he goes, I won’t be losing any sleep over the decision that we make.
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Rogers only needs to look at how Grealish’s career went after his big move. Yes, I know he can point to his medals but they are not down to him are they?
Wasn't he Man Of The Match in a Champions League semi-final?
I imagine Rogers would look at Grealish's big move and think "that looks alright".
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Only Villa fans think Grealish’s career went downhill after leaving us. They’re wrong about that.
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Only Villa fans think Grealish’s career went downhill after leaving us. They’re wrong about that.
Do you reckon? I saw him listed in one of those click bait articles about the worst signings recently?
Financially and trinkets won, he’s definitely succeeded but on the less tangible metrics (less important stuff?) I feel he’s gone backwards. for example, right now, McGinn feels like a much bigger name in the public’s consciousness.
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Players leave because they want to win things. He won things, many more things than McGinn.
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I also don't think players worry at all about how it went for another player in a similar situation. Their self belief is such that they think they'll be a success.
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I'd hate to see Rogers go because I think he has alot more to give, but I'd be far more worried about losing Youri Tielemans 'cos he really does make us tick (obv alongside SJM and Kamara).
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Premier league players generally have big egos - they want personal accolades and validation as well as team trophies. What Grealish gained in medals by moving to City he lost in reputation, and not just amongst Villa’s fanbase.
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I wouldn’t, Youri in fantastic and I wouldn’t want to lose him, but Rogers with his carrying of the ball and creativity is going to be so hard to replace in our attack. There’s a reason Unai plays him all the time.
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Players leave because they want to win things. He won things, many more things than McGinn.
They also leave for long contracts at 350k a week
We are not in that payday league
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The mail running a story that Rice and Saka are essentially tapping up Rogers to get the price down to £85M. All that is wrong with modern football in one article.
At the same time Bellingham is tapping Rice and Kane is have a word with Saka. Just normal stuff.
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Players leave because they want to win things. He won things, many more things than McGinn.
They also leave for long contracts at 350k a week
We are not in that payday league
Yes, that too.
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Lucas Bergvall informs Tottenham Hotspur of preference to seek new challenge elsewhere. 20yo midfielder targeted by clubs in PL + Europe & #THFC aware of wish to leave this summer for fresh start. #Sweden int’l contracted until 2031
@TheAthleticFC
Villa not mentioned but we have been linked for a while.
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Great age, loads of potential. Scandi too. Never goes badly.
Depends if Tottenham want Levy money for him.
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I think he’s got loads of potential, but I suspect high cost.
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Players leave because they want to win things. He won things, many more things than McGinn.
They also leave for long contracts at 350k a week
We are not in that payday league
That’s the more likely scenario. If Man City offered the same wage as us would JG have left? I doubt it very much. Did Harry Kane go to Bayern to win the Bundesliga and the German cup? Maybe he did but the wages he negotiated would have been the deciding factor. Whatever Kane and McGinn have won they keep, it’s not certain that JG will keep any of his and should these charges against Man City prove to be correct and with the appropriate punishment then he’s won nothing. Even if there is no punishment there’s a great big question mark against these honours.
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I'm sure that keeps him awake most nights.
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He's absolutely not gonna care about that and shouldn't.
His standing in the game has dropped though. At Villa basically the whole of England were up in arms he wasn't starting. Pundits on both BBC and ITV were having kittens. These days he can get left out of the squad and no one would care. He's 30. I'm not worried either way, but his stock is way down.
As for Rogers, if he goes, it'll be for 125m+. I guarantee it. Why people bother reading and reciting that shit I don't know. Does he want to go? Probably. An ambitious young man. Is he tied down until 2031 at a Champions League club with half of Europe watching him? Definitely. Wallets out, dickheads.
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Lucas Bergvall informs Tottenham Hotspur of preference to seek new challenge elsewhere. 20yo midfielder targeted by clubs in PL + Europe & #THFC aware of wish to leave this summer for fresh start. #Sweden int’l contracted until 2031
@TheAthleticFC
Villa not mentioned but we have been linked for a while.
If he were to join, which player would he replace/be phased in for?
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My best guess is you'd be trying to turn him into the eventual McGinn replacement.
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Lucas Bergvall informs Tottenham Hotspur of preference to seek new challenge elsewhere. 20yo midfielder targeted by clubs in PL + Europe & #THFC aware of wish to leave this summer for fresh start. #Sweden int’l contracted until 2031
@TheAthleticFC
Villa not mentioned but we have been linked for a while.
If he were to join, which player would he replace/be phased in for?
No one because he’s shite and we hopefully won’t be signing him.
I am going to die on this hill.
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He’ll cost £50-60 mil (guess). Not sure if that rules us out
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I think that anyone who is 19 / 20 and playing regularly in the Premier League and for a decent(ish) international side, you're probably buying them for what they might be rather than what they are.
If he were 28 and playing at his current level, I'd probably agree. But given he's only a few months older than (for example) Zépiqueno Redmond or Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, whatever he's doing now should really be seen as ahead of where he should be.
And given what we need now are 20 year olds to turn into McGinn / Watkins / Tielemans / Pau in three years, he feels like the sort of 20 year old who you could turn into something.
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The worry for me is he cant get in a shit Spurzzz team , but we then have Unai he knows . I miss him and it is only June !!
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Bergvall is quality - he will go a long way on his ability to fight, amazed he wasn’t in their team more last season.
I can see him being in any combination in the centre mid where we are massively injury prone, or on the right for McGinn. He might not be first choice, but he has the potential to be and our options are not 1. young or 2. not unknown to be out injured for weeks on end.
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I think that anyone who is 19 / 20 and playing regularly in the Premier League and for a decent(ish) international side, you're probably buying them for what they might be rather than what they are.
If he were 28 and playing at his current level, I'd probably agree. But given he's only a few months older than (for example) Zépiqueno Redmond or Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, whatever he's doing now should really be seen as ahead of where he should be.
And given what we need now are 20 year olds to turn into McGinn / Watkins / Tielemans / Pau in three years, he feels like the sort of 20 year old who you could turn into something.
Well argued.
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If we want him I could see a swap with Onana being key to it.
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If we want him I could see a swap with Onana being key to it.
I can’t, and I also wouldn’t.
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Lucas Bergvall informs Tottenham Hotspur of preference to seek new challenge elsewhere. 20yo midfielder targeted by clubs in PL + Europe & #THFC aware of wish to leave this summer for fresh start. #Sweden int’l contracted until 2031
@TheAthleticFC
Villa not mentioned but we have been linked for a while.
If he were to join, which player would he replace/be phased in for?
Luiz initially and then challenge Tielemans.
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If we want him I could see a swap with Onana being key to it.
I can’t, and I also wouldn’t.
me neither. Onana out weighs Swedish Holman by 10 to 1.
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If we want him I could see a swap with Onana being key to it.
I can’t, and I also wouldn’t.
me neither. Onana out weighs Swedish Holman by 10 to 1.
Ha. From now on I won't be able to think of anything else when I see him.
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Rogers wouldn’t get half as many minutes at Arsenal
as he would Villa. If he really believes in himself, he’ll stay for one more year and be the main man ripping it up for Villa before getting a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.. If he thinks this is as good as it is going to get, then we don’t need to worry about losing him.
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Surely if he really believed in himself, he'd think that he'd play every minute for Arsenal and be their most important player?
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Indeed.
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Aston Villa admire Lucas Bergvall but are not actively looking for a midfielder without making a sale.
@J_Tanswell
Nottingham Forest have identified Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall as a potential replacement for Elliot Anderson.
Bergvall’s preference is to move on from Tottenham and seek a new challenge this summer — and his situation has alerted suitors in England and beyond.
Forest are interested in a deal as they consider a future without Anderson, who has been the subject of bids from Manchester City and interest from their rivals Manchester United.
More from
@J_Tanswell
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Just read Bergvall completed a clean sweep of spurs’ POTY, YPOTY, PPOTY in 2025.
He can’t be that bad.
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Just read Bergvall completed a clean sweep of spurs’ POTY, YPOTY, PPOTY in 2025.
He can’t be that bad.
It is Spurs….
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According to Indykalia there's bombshell news being broken at 10am.
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They’ve been clickbaiting since the creation of Google.
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Is it that Declan Rice has been seen whispering sweet nothings in Morgan Rogers ear about how great their pre-match anthem is at the 'gooners'?
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"We can exclusively reveal that IF Arsenal are prepared to meet Villa's valuation, Morgan Rogers WOULD be interested in a move to Mikel Arteta's men..."
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Just read Bergvall completed a clean sweep of spurs’ POTY, YPOTY, PPOTY in 2025.
He can’t be that bad.
Given Spurs performances over the last couple of seasons isn't it a bit tallest dwarf territory?
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According to Indykalia there's bombshell news being broken at 10am.
Starmer announcing he is joining the back-room team?
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Just read Bergvall completed a clean sweep of spurs’ POTY, YPOTY, PPOTY in 2025.
He can’t be that bad.
Given Spurs performances over the last couple of seasons isn't it a bit tallest dwarf territory?
didnt Nigel Callaghan one year ?
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According to Indykalia there's bombshell news being broken at 10am.
Apparently, we are ‘in talks’ with Curtis Jones.
Fucking hell, I thought it might be interesting news.
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According to Indykalia there's bombshell news being broken at 10am.
Apparently, we are ‘in talks’ with Curtis Jones.
Fucking hell, I thought it might be interesting news.
Be still my beating heart
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According to Indykalia there's bombshell news being broken at 10am.
Apparently, we are ‘in talks’ with Curtis Jones.
Fucking hell, I thought it might be interesting news.
Be still my beating heart
obviously had a chat with Harvey Elliott
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To be honest I couldnt tell you anything about him - other than he is english and plays for liverpool. Looking at his goals and assists Im guessing he is not the Bailey / Sancho / Guessand upgrade I am hoping for
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I've liked what I've seen if him, he can play, but they've just turned down 25m euros for him from Inter as they want £35m, it's too much and he's only got a year left on his deal.
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My biggest problem with Jones is that he's got the same problem as Kalvin Phillips of being a better offensive player when he plays at 6 but offering very little defensive cover there. I just don't see how he fits because we often let Tielemans play that way but he's earned the right by being fucking brilliant.
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Ah so if he is a 6 / 8 I think were well covered there. Or at least not a priority
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Yes priority has to be wingers and right backs please
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Slightly playing devil's defence here, but it's a position we're so well covered in that one injury threatened to burn our season to the ground? I don't know if Jones is the answer, but especially with Doug on the way back to Turin we're not fully covered in there. And the way we play under Unai, with so much concentrated through the middle, it's always going to be the position in which our matches are likely to be decided.
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Lucas Bergvall informs Tottenham Hotspur of preference to seek new challenge elsewhere. 20yo midfielder targeted by clubs in PL + Europe & #THFC aware of wish to leave this summer for fresh start. #Sweden int’l contracted until 2031
@TheAthleticFC
Villa not mentioned but we have been linked for a while.
If he were to join, which player would he replace/be phased in for?
Luiz initially and then challenge Tielemans.
I think he wants to leave due to lack of gametime. I don't think he'll want to swap Spurs bench for our bench.
I do think he has great potential though.
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Slightly playing devil's defence here, but it's a position we're so well covered in that one injury threatened to burn our season to the ground? I don't know if Jones is the answer, but especially with Doug on the way back to Turin we're not fully covered in there. And the way we play under Unai, with so much concentrated through the middle, it's always going to be the position in which our matches are likely to be decided.
It wasn't 1 injury though, it was Kamara, Tielemans and McGinn all out for 6weeks+. Added to that you had Onana out with a couple of niggles, Barkley struggling for fitness and Bogarde struggling for form. It was just terrible bad luck as much as anything.
Also Arsenal and Man City have suffered similar slumps when Rice and Rodri are out so we're not alone in fiding things more difficult when a key midfielder is missing.
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Kamara is our most important player still, if you look at the points-gained stats. I accept that that's true about Rodri and Rice as well, but I also cannot blame Unai for trying to amend that given Kamara's history of, well, having no knees.
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Kamara is our most important player still, if you look at the points-gained stats. I accept that that's true about Rodri and Rice as well, but I also cannot blame Unai for trying to amend that given Kamara's history of, well, having no knees.
Absolutely agree, but Jones isn't that player. In our system he's, at best, competition with Barkley to be cover for Tielemans. I'm not completely against a player like that coming in, but not for the sort of fee they want when he's so far behind the player he'd be cover for.
The sofascore comparisons do a good job of explaining what I mean, Jones in green in both:
(https://i.ibb.co/3mPfd38z/Screenshot-2026-06-22-115831.png) (https://ibb.co/3mPfd38z)
(https://i.ibb.co/zW7Gy2tV/Screenshot-2026-06-22-115851.png) (https://ibb.co/zW7Gy2tV)
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Yeah I'm a bit sceptical of Jones himself. I was just responding to the idea that we Don't Need More Midfielders. But Jones himself? Hmm.
Nevertheless I'm hoping this isn't an Elliot 2.0 situation, for the simple reason that it's Olabe there not Monchi. Judgement reserved and all that.
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Yeah I'm a bit sceptical of Jones himself. I was just responding to the idea that we Don't Need More Midfielders. But Jones himself? Hmm.
Nevertheless I'm hoping this isn't an Elliot 2.0 situation, for the simple reason that it's Olabe there not Monchi. Judgement reserved and all that.
Maybe it was Jones that Emery wanted last summer, Monchi couldn't pull it off and thought Elliot would do instead, and was wrong.
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Jones has played right back for Liverpool so can cover that position too.
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Jones has played right back for Liverpool so can cover that position too.
They were missing both Frimpong and Bradley for that period and often preferred szobazlai in that position anyway, so I wouldn’t be that keen to focus on that part of his CV
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When I looked it was being shouted by Caught Offside... until I see someone more trustworthy suggest it, I'm going to take it as clickbait.
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Out of interest, how many times do we reckon you can 'step up' your pursuit of a player while not actually doing anything?
It just seems every few days we get Arsenhole bloggers wanking off in a frenzy about how they are 'getting serious' in their pursuit, yet nothing seems to be happening according to any 'respectable' journalists.
Whether he stays or goes, I've no idea, but is there anything more boring than Arsenal twats running out of their mom's handcream over it?
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Don't sign Jones, he's an arrogant fucker. Would rather keep Harvey Ballbanger.
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Yeah I'm a bit sceptical of Jones himself. I was just responding to the idea that we Don't Need More Midfielders. But Jones himself? Hmm.
Nevertheless I'm hoping this isn't an Elliot 2.0 situation, for the simple reason that it's Olabe there not Monchi. Judgement reserved and all that.
Maybe it was Jones that Emery wanted last summer, Monchi couldn't pull it off and thought Elliot would do instead, and was wrong.
Strong SGT asking for Sheringham and Doug emerging triumphantly with Cascarino vibes.
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To be honest I couldnt tell you anything about him - other than he is english and plays for liverpool. Looking at his goals and assists Im guessing he is not the Bailey / Sancho / Guessand upgrade I am hoping for
A very ordinary player, he looks like everything a modern footballer should look like except the playing football but.
Too much arrogance for one so ordinary.
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Jacob Tanswell on the 1874 pod last night saying right wing is our priority, with a couple players in mind that will excite the fans. Obviously couldn't say who at this point.
He also said he thinks there will be a shake up at left back and he thinks for sure there will be bids coming in for Konsa.
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Jacob Tanswell on the 1874 pod last night saying right wing is our priority, with a couple players in mind that will excite the fans. Obviously couldn't say who at this point.
He also said he thinks there will be a shake up at left back and he thinks for sure there will be bids coming in for Konsa.
Shake up at left back sounds like Mastsen going I would of thought rather Digne. Hopefully bids for Konsa can be given short shrift
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I did speculate with my mate a few months back that it could be Konsa we cash in on this summer.
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It's not ideal but I could live with it.
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Out of interest, how many times do we reckon you can 'step up' your pursuit of a player while not actually doing anything?
It just seems every few days we get Arsenhole bloggers wanking off in a frenzy about how they are 'getting serious' in their pursuit, yet nothing seems to be happening according to any 'respectable' journalists.
Whether he stays or goes, I've no idea, but is there anything more boring than Arsenal twats running out of their mom's handcream over it?
I think the stages are:
On the radar
Keeping Tabs
Manager is a Keen Admirer
Interested
Stepping up interest
Have made enquires
In talks
Preparing a Bid
Talks are progressing
Player only wants X club
Here we go
Player writes a farewell tweet
Shirt stretched
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I did speculate with my mate a few months back that it could be Konsa we cash in on this summer.
My punt was that we would end up cashing in on whichever of our big, sellable assets at the World Cup (Rogers / Konsa / Tielemans / Onana) performed the best.
Right now, it feels like Konsa is the most likely of that four.
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It's not ideal but I could live with it.
Likewise, but only if it meant keeping Rogers.
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Konsa to Liverpool wouldn'r shock me as a partner to VVD and long term replacement. It unfortunately won't stop the Rogers to x club rumours
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I did speculate with my mate a few months back that it could be Konsa we cash in on this summer.
I think it was mentioned sometime ago that Liverpool are long time admirers of him.
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Konsa to Liverpool wouldn'r shock me as a partner to VVD and long term replacement. It unfortunately won't stop the Rogers to x club rumours
I hope Konsa has enough sense to keep well clear of teams with VD.
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I think Konsa moving on would potentially be on both our interests. He's been brilliant but form was patchy second half of the season and he's too slow on the ball for us to truly play how Emery sets us up, especially without Torres.
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I know the lad got sent off yesterday, but I quite like the look of Nathan Ngoy of Belgium. Very comfortable on the ball and like Torres, he can spray a pass around very well. Very harsh for the red card I thought.
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I think Konsa moving on would potentially be on both our interests. He's been brilliant but form was patchy second half of the season and he's too slow on the ball for us to truly play how Emery sets us up, especially without Torres.
I think he's one of the best defenders in the world on the ball personally
I think moving him on is only in our interests if it means we keep someone less replaceable (Rogers) and gives us room to sign others.
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Konsa to Liverpool wouldn'r shock me as a partner to VVD and long term replacement. It unfortunately won't stop the Rogers to x club rumours
Maybe, but I don't use social media and couldn't give a toss about the bullshit rumours.
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I know the lad got sent off yesterday, but I quite like the look of Nathan Ngoy of Belgium. Very comfortable on the ball and like Torres, he can spray a pass around very well. Very harsh for the red card I thought.
We would probably have run the rule over him, when we played Lille. Can’t say I noticed him.
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selling one of our first team players will leave us weaker in the short-term as its unlikely we'll be able to find an instant replacement that can hit the ground running.
Rogers and Konsa would both be very difficult to replace - so either would have to be for very big money for us to have half a chance.
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I think Konsa moving on would potentially be on both our interests. He's been brilliant but form was patchy second half of the season and he's too slow on the ball for us to truly play how Emery sets us up, especially without Torres.
I think he's one of the best defenders in the world on the ball personally
I think moving him on is only in our interests if it means we keep someone less replaceable (Rogers) and gives us room to sign others.
In fairness from memory Ozzjim said Rogers was anomaly who’s much better statistically than he actually is, so fair to say he has a pretty high bar!
I’d say losing either Konsa or Rogers would leave two very big, and difficult, gaps to fill.
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He got sent off and possibly cost his side a chance to progress precisely due to his lack of comfort on the ball under pressure.
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Konsa to Liverpool wouldn'r shock me as a partner to VVD and long term replacement. It unfortunately won't stop the Rogers to x club rumours
Maybe, but I don't use social media and couldn't give a toss about the bullshit rumours.
what pisses me off no end is we will continue to have our best players linked to others at the top end of the game and we will rarely ever be in the market for the best players on the planet as long as the financial rules restrict us.
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Konsa to Liverpool wouldn'r shock me as a partner to VVD and long term replacement. It unfortunately won't stop the Rogers to x club rumours
Maybe, but I don't use social media and couldn't give a toss about the bullshit rumours.
what pisses me off no end is we will continue to have our best players linked to others at the top end of the game and we will rarely ever be in the market for the best players on the planet as long as the financial rules restrict us.
Just ignore it, it's irrelevant. Things will change if we keep winning.
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I won't link because of the source, but this is always good to read.
Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Sawiris is determined to ignore all interest in Rogers unless he receives offers well above £100million. He looks at the fee of about £120m Manchester City might pay for Elliot Anderson, and the £100m-plus price tag for Liverpool target Yan Diomande, and sees no reason why he should offer a discount on Rogers.
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I won't link because of the source, but this is always good to read.
Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Sawiris is determined to ignore all interest in Rogers unless he receives offers well above £100million. He looks at the fee of about £120m Manchester City might pay for Elliot Anderson, and the £100m-plus price tag for Liverpool target Yan Diomande, and sees no reason why he should offer a discount on Rogers.
Hopefully it's right, as it's the sensible approach
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How long left on Konsa’s contract? Two years? Ideally he signs a new one this summer or there’s a risk the club will look to cash in whilst his stock is high.
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I won't link because of the source, but this is always good to read.
Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Sawiris is determined to ignore all interest in Rogers unless he receives offers well above £100million. He looks at the fee of about £120m Manchester City might pay for Elliot Anderson, and the £100m-plus price tag for Liverpool target Yan Diomande, and sees no reason why he should offer a discount on Rogers.
Look at what Liverpool paid for Writz too
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Unless we’re going to break some rule or other by not selling (and breaking that rule woild have a big enough impact ) then I’m sure that’s the approach we will take. If Anderson is 100m, and grealish and rice - it seem totally reasonable to have him in the same bracket
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I won't link because of the source, but this is always good to read.
Daily Mail Sport can reveal that Sawiris is determined to ignore all interest in Rogers unless he receives offers well above £100million. He looks at the fee of about £120m Manchester City might pay for Elliot Anderson, and the £100m-plus price tag for Liverpool target Yan Diomande, and sees no reason why he should offer a discount on Rogers.
Is entirely the right answer.
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I bloody love our Mr Sawiris.
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Yeah I'm a bit sceptical of Jones himself. I was just responding to the idea that we Don't Need More Midfielders. But Jones himself? Hmm.
Nevertheless I'm hoping this isn't an Elliot 2.0 situation, for the simple reason that it's Olabe there not Monchi. Judgement reserved and all that.
Maybe it was Jones that Emery wanted last summer, Monchi couldn't pull it off and thought Elliot would do instead, and was wrong.
Strong SGT asking for Sheringham and Doug emerging triumphantly with Cascarino vibes.
Jones is no Sheringham except in the shagger stakes.
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No to Jones for several reasons but his hair is a monstrosity is the main one ;)
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120 Million is the minimum for Rogers. Arsenal can put up or shut up. If he does leave I hope it's to one of the European giants. I also hope we have another Rogers waiting to join us for £10 Million. He has such a different sort of player profile, it's difficult to compare him with many players in world football.
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Could we try and entice Leo Messi? Get Dibu to have a word. Would make up for missing out on David Villa all those years ago.
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Could we try and entice Leo Messi? Get Dibu to have a word. Would make up for missing out on David Villa all those years ago.
Nah, would cause too many ructions in the squad. Can’t have some unproven chap coming in and trying to nick little Emi’s squad number, just because he’s kicked some balls around abroad.
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We're trying to lower the age of the squad! Messi will be 39 on Wednesday.
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We're trying to lower the age of the squad! Messi will be 39 on Wednesday.
I'd still take him.
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We're trying to lower the age of the squad! Messi will be 39 on Wednesday.
I still think I could live with it though
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Does he even speak Spanish?
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We're trying to lower the age of the squad! Messi will be 39 on Wednesday.
C'mon Mark, please make am exception.
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Does he even speak Spanish?
He's Argentinian, so it's debatable.
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We're trying to lower the age of the squad! Messi will be 39 on Wednesday.
I'd still take him.
Fair enough, I guess.
But should Villa buy him?
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Does he even speak Spanish?
He's Argentinian, so it's debatable.
He doesn't sound like an Iberian transistor radio on full volume so he'll do for me.
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We're trying to lower the age of the squad! Messi will be 39 on Wednesday.
I still think I could live with it though
What, bringing in the greatest player of his generation and beyond even though he's 39 and playing with the energy of a 19 year old?
Ah, go on then just no Shay Given length contract mind. 3 years max. Only downside I can think of is nobody wanting the new shit Villa shirt even with his name on the back.
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Does he even speak Spanish?
He's Argentinian, so it's debatable.
He doesn't sound like an Iberian transistor radio on full volume so he'll do for me.
Whatever they speak down there, it's not Spanish.
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Speaking of world class players, Big Emi can't leave for less than £30m, where the hell would we find a proper replacement for that money. Somebody needs to tell Juventus to shit or get off the pot. tell them to come back in two or three years time, afterall they love a 'mature keeper'.
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What happened to those MLS to PL loans during the MLS close season? Resurrect that, and watch the shirt sales boom for the foreseeable future. Easy.
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I don't want Konsa to leave. He has been excellent for us...BUT we probably do need to make money on some of the 28 club, which means being proactive and not letting them all age and lose value together.
With that in mind we should probably sell at least one if them this year. SCR is so shit.
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/arsenal-make-morgan-rogers-top-target-in-transfer-window (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/arsenal-make-morgan-rogers-top-target-in-transfer-window)
A full article on nothing, just a clear briefing from Arsenal faithfully reproduced as some sort of scoop, and again setting a price cap that really doesn't match figures banded about for inferior players.
But thanks Arsenal for letting us know he's your no.1 target, that's leverage for us to use against you.
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No to selling Konsa. Unless someone is paying really silly money. Same with Rogers.
I see Rashford is prepared to take a pay cut to go to Spurs....
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[I see Rashford is prepared to take a pay cut to go to Spurs..]
Then he shall remain dead to us
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Nose still too big?
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No to selling Konsa. Unless someone is paying really silly money. Same with Rogers.
I see Rashford is prepared to take a pay cut to go to Spurs....
I mean yeah, who wouldn't? They could finish top half next season, wouldn't want to miss that.
Though it's some about turn given it was reported he specifically didn't want to move to London.
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No to selling Konsa. Unless someone is paying really silly money. Same with Rogers.
I see Rashford is prepared to take a pay cut to go to Spurs....
I mean yeah, who wouldn't? They could finish top half next season, wouldn't want to miss that.
Though it's some about turn given it was reported he specifically didn't want to move to London.
And that Champions League football was a big factor for him.
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Rogers at Arsenal would be enormously irritating. Nothing good ever comes from our players playing for fucking England. Same shit, different year.
We’re a couple of players away from challenging them and they know it.
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And I struggle with giving shit whether it’£100m or £120m.
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And I struggle with giving shit whether it’£100m or £120m.
Down some fibre and push for the £120m.
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We’d be mad to sell Konsa. We’d be mad to sell any of our really good players. We need to shift the ones that are no good and no use.
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Yes, replace the weakest links, ie, Bailey and Guessand, and the loan players. No major surgery required.
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I did like the headline that Arsenal would like to sign Rogers, if the price is reasonable.
That's good of them.
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With Unai and Nas we’re not often bullied on or off the pitch.
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With Unai and Nas we’re not often bullied on or off the pitch.
I also think the players are sensible enough to realise that they’re on a good thing, so shouldnt agitate for a move.
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Tanswell suggesting we have a strong interest in Bowen.
Good player, but 29. A pretty uninspiring (and expensive) signing i'd have thought.
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We could have him on loan for a season, whilst they battle for promotion. No way we are paying £50 mil for him
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I'd be (more) concerned about the age profile, but if he's the only genuine quality right side we can get then I think you just have to do it.
Agree that a loan would be brilliant. They do need to cut way back. Might suit them too.
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It'd be like signing Ginola.
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Bowen would be such a Martin O'Neill signing, no thanks.
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I think a lot depends on who else we sign - one jmmediate impact player is fine but could do with a mix of future and now
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How much extra would we have to pay to get Bully?
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We should have signed when we first saw him, our first game in the Championship, given how we were throwing money around with abandon.
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We should have signed when we first saw him, our first game in the Championship, given how we were throwing money around with abandon.
He'd have just ended up getting trapped in his kitchen garden by a particularly tricky gooseberry bush if we'd spent money on him.
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Update from The Athletic;
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382724/2026/06/23/aston-villa-transfer-market-summer-2026-restrictions/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382724/2026/06/23/aston-villa-transfer-market-summer-2026-restrictions/)
"Club sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity... insist that while they have to sell to balance the squad, they are not beholden to the June 30 deadline."
"Martinez... Villa want to keep him and Emery believes he remains the world’s best goalkeeper, yet an offer upwards of £15m would be considered."
"Rogers... Villa are adamant they will not sell the 23-year-old but accept that every player has a price. They are determined not to be lowballed but in the eyes of rivals, Villa’s tussle with UEFA makes them vulnerable."
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World's best goalkeeper. Worth 15 million.
Only one of those propositions can be true.
And it isn't the second.
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That’s just really clumsy wording isn’t it. We can’t be simultaneously adamant we won’t sell and also acknowledge every player has a price.
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"...in the eyes of rivals..."
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Yes, I think the stance is we are adamant we don't want to sell and if you want us to, you have to really make it worth our while.
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Aston Villa have expressed a strong interest in West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen. No club-to-club discussions have taken place and Villa view an agreement as currently difficult to do because they need to make player sales. Unai Emery is a huge admirer of the forward, but the 29-year-old, who has four years left on his contract, has not decided whether he wishes to leave. Industry sources say they would expect talks for the player to start at £50m, but sources at West Ham, who were relegated to the Championship last season, have indicated they are not looking to sell.
Jacob Tanswell and Roshane Thomas
Aston Villa trio Mohamed Kone, Kadan Young and Zepiqueno Redmond are expected to join Ligue 2 side FC Annecy on loan. Annecy, who are incorporated in Villa’s multi-club network, will sign highly-rated midfielder Kone, 18, winger Young, 20, and forward Redmond, 20, who joined from Feyenoord last summer for the duration of the 2026-27 season.
Jacob Tanswell
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Bowen would be £25m max for me, seems to be on a downward curve, would command really high wages and is at the wrong age profile. I'm probably on the verge of declaring it a lazy signing with better value out there. Good that we don't seem to be taking the lazy bait of Harry Wilson.
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I just hope this does not end up being another Grealish saga. Dragging on all summer with us not having time to find decent replacements (I don't count Ings as one). I know we don't normally comment on such things but something like 'Villa have confirmed Rogers will not be sold this summer' might help. I mean we do hold all the cards after all.
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Also I did see a quote from Emery saying he needs to continue his development with us and it is natural that Arsenal would be interested. I don't know if a) it is a true statement and b) if it is how old it is.
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I know we don't normally comment on such things but something like 'Villa have confirmed Rogers will not be sold this summer' might help. I mean we do hold all the cards after all.
Wouldn't we look a bit daft if we did then sell him?
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This is a really tricky window for us, but with massive potential. We overperformed last season, I don't think that's too controversial an opinion. For a lot of it, we weren't very good, and I think it's probably the poorest squad Unai has had to work with since he joined us. Add in the start we had, the fact that Watkins was not scoring for most the season, Rogers often failing to pass to our players for entire games, the injuries we had all at once etc, and I think what we managed to achieve last season was unbelievable.
It leaves us with a bit of a dilemma this year. Even if you ignore the financial rules (which feels a bit like a holiday), there is the fact that at the moment, most of our players will be worth more than they probably ever will in their entire careers. I would argue that only Rogers has a chance of increasing his value from here, due to his age and his unique profile. But even that is going to be tricky. How many players in the world are worth more than him at the moment?
I don't want to sell any of our first team this summer - I really like all of our players. (It's amazing what a trophy will do, though, as I'm pretty sure that a few months ago I'd have sold any of them. It's easy to forget quite how bad they all were given how it all turned out.) But, we're going to need some financial wiggle room at some point, and the best way to do that is sell one player for a load of money. Until the Leon Bailey bidding war commences, that's likely to be one of our first team. (There is a fair amount of conjecture there - I don't think we will make enough selling our fringe players to make any discernible difference to what we can spend, but I don't know for sure. I don't know how you're supposed to work that out).
There is also the fact that not many of our signings have worked out under Emery. There is a very simple explanation for why - we're only good because of Emery's system/tactics, which take a long time for players to learn. Any new player coming in is highly unlikely to hit the ground running, because it takes months/years to fully understand - to a point where it all comes as second nature. Which is what we need.
So if we sell a first team player, their replacement is unlikely to be anywhere near as effective in the short term. Especially when you consider the disruption to pre-season that the World Cup will cause.
The three players that we might consider selling from the first team are Martinez, Rogers and Konsa. Martinez will need to be replaced at some point, but his value is so low due to his age that the fee will have very little impact on any financial rules. But with amortisation (zzzz), even £15 million might make the transition easier. Plus, £15 million towards his replacement is better than £0, which we will be looking at in a year or two.
Rogers is fascinating. I don't know how you even start to work out his value. There isn't another player like him in the world. He single-handedly won us so many games last season, especially in that period before Christmas when we were one of the best teams in the world. He's strong, powerful, skilful, clever, can shoot, dribble and pass. And he's still very young. However, every one of us has seen him at his worst, and those poor games aren't just one every three or four games. Sometimes, they last for months. A quick look at his thread on here will show you that. I don't think anyone will be able to say with any real certainty whether he'll become one of the best players in the world, or whether this will be his ceiling. I'd like to be the team to find out, but can we really afford to pass up £125 million on a player that goes missing so often?
Then there's Konsa - probably one of the most consistent defenders in the league. Very seldom beaten by his man, and quick enough to recover if he is. However, very safety-first on the ball (90% of his passes must go to Cash, Martinez or Pau), and always seems more keen to win a free-kick than a header. He's been a staple of our back line under Emery, but his value is at its peak. Would a more dominant CB be a better fit to partner Pau? Could we find one for less money than we might get for Ezri?
Frustratingly, the answers to all these questions all depend on exactly what financial restrictions we find ourselves under, and what plans we have for improving the squad. Emery is about as far from a chequebook manager as you'll find, but he can't be expected to keep performing miracles with the same set of (ageing) players. He wants to win more trophies, and for that, we'll need some better players. I don't envy Roberto Olabe at all, because none of the routes to success are clear. There is logic behind so many different options, but it also feels like everything is so delicately balanced that one wrong move and it could come crashing down. But at the same time, if you look at what this squad achieved last season, without any additional quality last summer - what could a few really good players do for us?
(Apologies for the long post!)
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Bowen would fit brilliantly in our team.
We can argue over price and resale value, but Emery is a 'here and now' manager and for the next 2 seasons Bowen would be pretty perfect for us.
I think West Ham will ask for too much money and probably Bowen for too high wages. But in the short term it's a great fit.
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I am severely lacking in whelm at the thought of it.
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I wouldn't entertain offers for any of the main core, (unless someone wants to blow us out the water). When you've got a group of players who've played about 300 games together that’s special, I wouldn't break that up for cheap.
Regarding Bowen I think he would be perfect for Villa, real pace and workrate down the channels. I don't have a problem signing older players if we can have pop at the title I'd like to do it right away not have to wait 5 years for some 21 year old to learn when to release the ball. Of course West Ham are in dream world if they think Villa can pay 50m
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I am severely lacking in whelm at the thought of it.
It's not surprising; he's not a flashy player. But he's extremely effective even in a very poor team, gives us cover for Watkins in addition to providing the pacey winger to get behind that Emery wants. And his goals and assists stats are fantastic.
Season-by-Season Breakdown (All Competitions)
2025–26: 14 goals, 13 assists (38 appearances)
2024–25: 14 goals, 11 assists (40 appearances)
2023–24: 20 goals, 11 assists (44 appearances)
2022–23: 22 goals, 10 assists (57 appearances)
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Bowen would fit brilliantly in our team.
We can argue over price and resale value, but Emery is a 'here and now' manager and for the next 2 seasons Bowen would be pretty perfect for us.
I think West Ham will ask for too much money and probably Bowen for too high wages. But in the short term it's a great fit.
Yeah but the whole thing we need to be really careful with is we don’t hit a cliff edge. We can’t be too short-term.
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I am severely lacking in whelm at the thought of it.
I don’t mind giving you some of my whelm if it helps
I like him think he’d be a good fit
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I agree Paul. It's very short-term and £50m would be a huge fee. But Emery will be thinking mainly about the next two seasons and of course if a player like Bowen helps us qualify for the CL in those two seasons, then it will go a long way in helping us bridge the financial gap.
I can see the logic, but yes the ageing squad is a concern.
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Surely if we are going to be throwing that sort of money for a ready made player, Rashford would be the one?
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Given we've decided that there is no way our finances could possibly stretch to signing 28 year old Rashford (£40m transfer fee, £12m annual salary), why do we think that our finances can stretch to signing 29 year old Bowen (£50m transfer fee, £8m annual salay)?
What difference am I missing?
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Given we've decided that there is no way our finances could possibly stretch to signing 28 year old Rashford (£40m transfer fee, £12m annual salary), why do we think that our finances can stretch to signing 29 year old Bowen (£50m transfer fee, £8m annual salay)?
What difference am I missing?
Precisely.
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Surely if we are going to be throwing that sort of money for a ready made player, Rashford would be the one?
I don't think we will pay Rashford sort of money, but there would be a big difference between Rashford and Bowen's wage demands.
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Surely if we are going to be throwing that sort of money for a ready made player, Rashford would be the one?
I don't think we will pay Rashford sort of money, but there would be a big difference between Rashford and Bowen's wage demands.
There's also a big difference in their abilities.
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I think in the current circumstances we can do very little other than be short term. The next couple of seasons are critical for us.
We have to maintain our current position as consistency at the top will drive our commercial revenue. That's what we need for long term success.
When we have limited funds, spending them on a young player with potential is a risk. You are gambling our limited resources on someone who might help us achieve, but may very well not.
Buying a player who is ready to contribute now is a much lesser risk. Someone like Bowen, who is proven to be able to do it in the Premier League and has a multi-season history of performing, is far more likely to help next season than a kid who hasn't yet shown he can do it at all or that he can do so consistently.
These signings may not be sexy, they may be done after 1-2 years, and we may not get anything back for them. But if they can keep us where we are for the next two seasons they will have done their job.
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Surely if we are going to be throwing that sort of money for a ready made player, Rashford would be the one?
I don't think we will pay Rashford sort of money, but there would be a big difference between Rashford and Bowen's wage demands.
There's also a big difference in their abilities.
I'd love Rashford, but I think you are massively underestimating Bowen.
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Surely if we are going to be throwing that sort of money for a ready made player, Rashford would be the one?
I don't think we will pay Rashford sort of money, but there would be a big difference between Rashford and Bowen's wage demands.
There's also a big difference in their abilities.
I'd love Rashford, but I think you are massively underestimating Bowen.
He scored 9 goals in 38 last season and his team went down. He's a decent player that sticks out in a shite team, and would have been a good signing for us for pretty much all of my Villa supoorting life, but we can do better.
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I'm similiar to boozey on the previous page, although I'm not sure Rogers goes missing 'for months'.
Keep Martinez.
Keep Ezri.
Morgan can go if an offer of a +£120m or so.
Bowen is an inteesting one, a loan would be perfect but probably not an option. I think £40-50m is too much though.
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For what it's worth, the KUMB forum seems to think he'll either go to us, Liverpool or stay put.
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I'm similiar to boozey on the previous page, although I'm not sure Rogers goes missing 'for months'.
Keep Martinez.
Keep Ezri.
Morgan can go if an offer of a +£120m or so.
Bowen is an inteesting one, a loan would be perfect but probably not an option. I think £40-50m is too much though.
I agree about Bowen - it would be pretty unimaginative, and slightly uninspiring, but he has been exactly what we've been missing for a few years - a goalscoring threat from one of the wings. The problem is the fee and his wage. Plus, I barely noticed him at all last season against us (the only times I found myself watching West Ham) - is he still as good as he was? It would only make sense if, as Dogtanian suggests, getting in the Champions League again next season would make a really significant difference to our financial position - you could justify focusing on the short term if it opened up much bigger opportunities. But we do need to start building for the future at some point.
Having said that, I would take Rashford if we had the chance, who is only a year younger.
On Rogers going missing, I just had a quick look. After his week of brilliance (against West Ham and Man U), just before Christmas, in the league he got more bookings (4) than goal contributions (3, 2 assists and 1 goal), between then and our game against Sunderland in April. 15 games, over 4 months.
I love him, and I think he could get even better. When he's good, he's irreplaceable, and you'd hope he'd get more consistent with age. He's not the finished player though, and far from indispensable.
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For what it's worth, the KUMB forum seems to think he'll either go to us, Liverpool or stay put.
I did laugh at a comment on there, something like:
He's 29, big transfer fee, high wages, no sell on fee - West Ham are reported to be interested.
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Bowen on a season-long loan would make sense if West Ham wanted to park him for a year and take him back if they came straight back up. Would probably suit our 10 role.
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Bowen on a season-long loan would make sense if West Ham wanted to park him for a year and take him back if they came straight back up. Would probably suit our 10 role.
Can you imagine how miserable he'd be knowing he had to go back to that shithole? Especially after a year with us.
Cruel, cruel man!
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Bowen on a season-long loan would make sense if West Ham wanted to park him for a year and take him back if they came straight back up. Would probably suit our 10 role.
Can you imagine how miserable he'd be knowing he had to go back to that shithole? Especially after a year with us.
Cruel, cruel man!
We're talking about someone who has Danny Dyer as a father-in-law so he must be quite a sadist.
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Bowen on a season-long loan would make sense if West Ham wanted to park him for a year and take him back if they came straight back up. Would probably suit our 10 role.
Can you imagine how miserable he'd be knowing he had to go back to that shithole? Especially after a year with us.
Cruel, cruel man!
We're talking about someone who has Danny Dyer as a father-in-law so he must be quite a sadist.
Yep, imagine inflicting Danny Dyer on someone!
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Bowen on a season-long loan would make sense if West Ham wanted to park him for a year and take him back if they came straight back up. Would probably suit our 10 role.
Can you imagine how miserable he'd be knowing he had to go back to that shithole? Especially after a year with us.
Cruel, cruel man!
We're talking about someone who has Danny Dyer as a father-in-law so he must be quite a sadist.
Yep, imagine inflicting Danny Dyer on someone!
A much maligned actor. Absolutely stupendous at playing the role of, er, Danny Dyer.
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West Ham are in deep financial shit, they will be selling any player where they can make a profit.
Bowen is one of them.
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I think in the current circumstances we can do very little other than be short term. The next couple of seasons are critical for us.
I'm of the opposite persuasion. We have a strong team so keep that together for a couple more years. Buy succession players that will be ready for year three. The only 'now' player we need is a winger, unless players leave.
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World's best goalkeeper. Worth 15 million.
Only one of those propositions can be true.
And it isn't the second.
Exactly and given the number of positions we need to recruit this summer, selling Martinez for £15m would probably trigger the need to sell Rogers to make up the shortfall in available cash for a proper replacement of Emi. He has to stay.
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I would rather have Somerville because he makes me feel mighty reel
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You're right, we do have a strong team. But it does need reinforcing and minor refreshing. If we could do that AND buy players for the future, I think we would.
But we only have enough for one or the other.
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You're right, we do have a strong team. But it does need reinforcing and minor refreshing. If we could do that AND buy players for the future, I think we would.
But we only have enough for one or the other.
But it doesn't need to be one or the other - if Bowen would cost £50m and £8m a season in wages, use that same money on a 24 year old version.
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I think in the current circumstances we can do very little other than be short term. The next couple of seasons are critical for us.
I'm of the opposite persuasion. We have a strong team so keep that together for a couple more years. Buy succession players that will be ready for year three. The only 'now' player we need is a winger, unless players leave.
I think this is the case: We can continue to do well with the current core, whilst bringing in players who can be 'tuned in' to Emery's methods and blended into the team. Brian is an obvious example and hopefully Cisse and Hemmings too.
We need a right-sided player who really can do what Sancho, Elliott and Bailey could not; and we need cover in the middle to replace Luiz.
- if Bowen would cost £50m and £8m a season in wages, use that same money on a 24 year old version.
Agreed, Dave - use some of that money on a 24 year-old version makes perfect sense.
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If we're browsing the salad-dodger menu I think I'd rather have Bella Emburg, Pavarotti or Weston McKennie.
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I would rather have Somerville because he makes me feel mighty reel
Tough to get himn out of West Ham, he never can say goodbye.
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Bowen wouldn't be an exciting signing, but he's a very solid PL performer and would be miles better than Bailey, Gessand or Sancho. All depends on the money with that one. Anything north of £30m and you'd have to be really sure he was as good as we were getting this summer. Like somebody joked, he's actually the kind signing a club like West Ham would make (can't remember the free kick bloke from Southampton they signed with the 'golf swing celebration' whose hardly played since moving there being very similar in profile).
I have to say, if he were to be our big shiny signing this summer, I'd be underwhelmed.
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If Rogers wants to trade playing football with Emery for rugby with Arteta then he must have a screw loose (or be offered an enormous pile of money).
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If Rogers wants to trade playing football with Emery for rugby with Arteta then he must have a screw loose (or be offered an enormous pile of money).
Arteta might have offered to reveal his hair-care secrets.
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You're right, we do have a strong team. But it does need reinforcing and minor refreshing. If we could do that AND buy players for the future, I think we would.
But we only have enough for one or the other.
But it doesn't need to be one or the other - if Bowen would cost £50m and £8m a season in wages, use that same money on a 24 year old version.
How many affordable 24 y/o would be pretty much bankers to hit the ground running and chuck in 15-20 goals/assists per season? That's what Bowen offers and why the club will be looking closely at him.
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Bowens stats have dropped over the past couple of years. I don't think he's worth more than £25m and he'll go for more than that.
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You're right, we do have a strong team. But it does need reinforcing and minor refreshing. If we could do that AND buy players for the future, I think we would.
But we only have enough for one or the other.
But it doesn't need to be one or the other - if Bowen would cost £50m and £8m a season in wages, use that same money on a 24 year old version.
How many affordable 24 y/o would be pretty much bankers to hit the ground running and chuck in 15-20 goals/assists per season? That's what Bowen offers and why the club will be looking closely at him.
And if that's the route they take, fine. Feels very Merson if we do. Sure we'd get a couple of solid seasons and good memories out him, but fun though Merson was at the time we'd still have been better putting that £7m we spent into I dunno, Ljungberg* and Solano in their early 20s instead.
I'd just prefer to sign the guy who might get 7-10 goals next season and is getting 25 goals two seasons after that. Rather than be moaning about the big contract that we gave to the slowing-down 32 year old.
(*I know, we tried)
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I know we don't normally comment on such things but something like 'Villa have confirmed Rogers will not be sold this summer' might help. I mean we do hold all the cards after all.
Wouldn't we look a bit daft if we did then sell him?
No because such a statement would not be issued if we were in fact open to selling him.
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How many affordable 24 y/o would be pretty much bankers to hit the ground running and chuck in 15-20 goals/assists per season? That's what Bowen offers and why the club will be looking closely at him.
Fees and Goal involvements for players in 2025/26 who transferred :
Semenyo 21 (fee: ~£62.5 million) (9 at City after moving)
João Pedro 20 (~£55M)
Cherki 16 (~£34M - Lyon were in financial trouble)
Gyökeres 15 (~£66M)
Ekitike 15 (~£80M)
Mbuemo 14 (~£70M )
Kroupi 13 (~£12M)
Players who didn't make this list: Isak, Woltemade, Eze, Cunha, Kudus
Both Watkins (19) and Rogers (16) in the top 10 of the overall list puts our season in context. (Bowen was 5th)
The Kroupi fee stands out as a smart bit of business.
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Yes, we aren't the Stoke City of the Tony Pulis era.
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I know we don't normally comment on such things but something like 'Villa have confirmed Rogers will not be sold this summer' might help. I mean we do hold all the cards after all.
Wouldn't we look a bit daft if we did then sell him?
No because such a statement would not be issued if we were in fact open to selling him.
But we very clearly are open to selling him. As long we receive an enormous amount of money.
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I know we don't normally comment on such things but something like 'Villa have confirmed Rogers will not be sold this summer' might help. I mean we do hold all the cards after all.
Wouldn't we look a bit daft if we did then sell him?
No because such a statement would not be issued if we were in fact open to selling him.
But we very clearly are open to selling him. As long we receive an enormous amount of money.
And we could spend some of that on Emerson Royal.
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Yes every player has a value that we would accept.
Where this may not apply is an offer that is too close to the end of the window.
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If Rogers wants to trade playing football with Emery for rugby with Arteta then he must have a screw loose (or be offered an enormous pile of money).
Most players heads would be turned with PL
winners trying to sign them. Arsenal only signed Eze last summer and struggled to fit him in so would be a bit surprised if they went all in on Rogers. Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard, Jesus on way out perhaps, last three on final years of their respective deals, so that may open up budget and/or playing time.
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Gyökeres 15 (~£66M)
€63.5m (£54,730,000) as reported by Sporting to the Portuguese Stock Exchange.
As you were..
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ESPN Brazil are apparently reporting we have submitted a bid for Emerson Royal;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-make-move-for-former-tottenham-flop-e9m-offer-submitted/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-make-move-for-former-tottenham-flop-e9m-offer-submitted/)
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Bowens stats have dropped over the past couple of years. I don't think he's worth more than £25m and he'll go for more than that.
I like him but age isn't on his side, we'd get a season or two out of him and then struggle to get £15m back on a resale.
Bargain of the summer is Gonçalo Ramos from PSG who is available for €40m (£34,490,000) and much more likely to not only deliver but bring in a future profit further down the road. If he does manage to replace Ronaldo at the World Cup, his price may dramatically increase should he demonstrate what he's good at.
I'd still shift Tammy if money is tight, he'd be a massive upgrade for what, an extra £10m. More importantly and something the player should take extremely seriously, he'd fit in perfectly at Villa Park. The accountants may wish to capitalise on shifting Watkins this summer especially if he has a decent World Cup but I think Unai will close that door.
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This is a tough call because the 24yo who is worth a gamble this time last year was Guessand.
However I don't think we should just give up on signing younger players and go silly either.
Bowen is a good player and would be a good fit for us, but if the £50m fee is accurate we'd be throwing most of that away because in 2-3 years time we'd be looking at him being a £10m player even if he does well. I don't think our finances are in a place where we can justify that.
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SSN: Aston Villa have said, with interest from several clubs, that they have no intention of selling Morgan Rogers.
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Bowen is fit as a butcher's dog. He'll be good enough for the PL at 39. Let's get him in and part-ex with Guessand.
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Is that a spoof?!
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Hopefully not.
Flamengo has received a €9 million offer (almost R$53 million at the current exchange rate) from Aston Villa , England, for Emerson Royal , according to ESPN .
The right-back is highly regarded by the coaching staff and the football department, and therefore the club has not yet made a concrete decision about the player's future.
What is also being discussed at the moment is the financial side of Flamengo, which is working on one or two more sales to balance its finances - it has already pocketed 10 million euros ( R$ 58.7 million ) with the departure of young striker Ryan Roberto to Shakhtar Donetsk , in Ukraine.
With 21 games played this season, Royal was bought by Flamengo in 2025 from Milan , Italy, coincidentally for the same amount now offered by the English club: 9 million euros.
At 27 years old, Emerson Royal has already played 40 matches, scored one goal and provided five assists wearing the Flamengo jersey. He has a contract valid until December 2028.
@espnbrasil
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Good grief no.
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I have thought for a long time (ever since he was at Hull and his old man was a big Villa fan) we should of bought him then. With his association with Dyer and his wife i never thought he would leave but with his relegation i would love him here .
He is a very fit young, not yet 30 year old, had a season which meant he missed out on England - Emery loves this kind of player to fix back up.
I think he would give us a huge edge on that right wing with assists and goals.
You pays the money but you know what you are getting
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I'm a bit shocked by the Emerson Royal links tbh.
Did anybody see anything in him during his time at Spurs that I'm missing? My recollection was that he was absolutely shite, but I don't want to be too hasty.
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I keep thinking of chicken Royale
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You knew what you were getting at a Berni Inn. That’s where the problems began.
I have never been to a Berni Inn.
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SSN: Aston Villa have said, with interest from several clubs, that they have no intention of selling Morgan Rogers.
This needs to seen by a wider audience and noted.
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SSN: Aston Villa have said, with interest from several clubs, that they have no intention of selling Morgan Rogers.
This needs to seen by a wider audience and noted.
Pretty sure we'll sell him and we're just going through the motions. It all feels very much like Jack Grealish denial to me.
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It’s all down to who stumps up the cash and whether the pile is eye watering enough.
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I'm a bit shocked by the Emerson Royal links tbh.
Did anybody see anything in him during his time at Spurs that I'm missing? My recollection was that he was absolutely shite, but I don't want to be too hasty.
He was absolutely shite. Stinks of a Monchi signing...if it happens.
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Reported by The Athletic and Romano now on Royale.
One of his better games in Italy.
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Looking at wiki - he has played across the defence - and clearly he is just for backup.
I have never seen him play - or if I have I cant remember it.
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SSN: Aston Villa have said, with interest from several clubs, that they have no intention of selling Morgan Rogers.
This needs to seen by a wider audience and noted.
Pretty sure we'll sell him and we're just going through the motions. It all feels very much like Jack Grealish denial to me.
Yes probably. But the modern day villa is different to the one that sold Joe. To what extent that changes things is soon to be revealed. I suspect the margin isn’t as wide as we’d all like.
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He’s garbage. I know we’ve tried a couple of times with youngsters that haven’t worked but we were also pretty heavily linked to Hickey and Kayode (& probably others) who have gone on to do pretty well so maybe we’ve just missed the mark slightly. If Emerson royale is the answer though, god knows what the question is, even if it’s just as a cheap ish back up
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My Flamengo supporting friend also thinks he's utter shit and is extremely happy someone is willing to buy him
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SSN: Aston Villa have said, with interest from several clubs, that they have no intention of selling Morgan Rogers.
This needs to seen by a wider audience and noted.
Pretty sure we'll sell him and we're just going through the motions. It all feels very much like Jack Grealish denial to me.
I do tend to agree.
It has a feeling of inevitability about it, although I think it will be on our terms and we will get maximum value out of a deal.
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SSN: Aston Villa have said, with interest from several clubs, that they have no intention of selling Morgan Rogers.
This needs to seen by a wider audience and noted.
Pretty sure we'll sell him and we're just going through the motions. It all feels very much like Jack Grealish denial to me.
I do tend to agree.
It has a feeling of inevitability about it, although I think it will be on our terms and we will get maximum value out of a deal.
I have for month - would love to be wrong - but think this is all about making it clear that we wont be selling him cheap
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So far, all we have to go on is about Rogers is 'Sky Sports Understands'. Its hardly concrete evidence is it?
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Age, an indifferent season & relegation means nobody is paying anything like £50m for Bowen.
Unai loves players who've been there & done it. A reasonable price of around £30m & it could happen.
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I have no feelings about this Royal character, with or without cheese.
If he’s cheap, has Premier League experience, and is a backup option for Cash, then okay. There has to be a reason they think he can do the job.
Stick him in a Villa shirt and I’ll back him till he gives me reason not to.
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I'm a bit shocked by the Emerson Royal links tbh.
Did anybody see anything in him during his time at Spurs that I'm missing? My recollection was that he was absolutely shite, but I don't want to be too hasty.
Matt Doherty regularly played ahead of him, think that says it all. Absolutely awful and then some.
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I have no feelings about this Royal character, with or without cheese.
If he’s cheap, has Premier League experience, and is a backup option for Cash, then okay. There has to be a reason they think he can do the job.
Stick him in a Villa shirt and I’ll back him till he gives me reason not to.
Exactly. It's not too long ago that the consensus on here was that signing Rashford was confirmation that doom was imminent.
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I'm a bit shocked by the Emerson Royal links tbh.
Did anybody see anything in him during his time at Spurs that I'm missing? My recollection was that he was absolutely shite, but I don't want to be too hasty.
Matt Doherty regularly played ahead of him, think that says it all. Absolutely awful and then some.
I'll raise you a Victor Lindelof.
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I remember when the general consensus was that Lindelof and Buendia were shit.
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On Bowen also, he seems a remarkably similar profile of player to Malen, only not as good, older, and more expensive.
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I'm a bit shocked by the Emerson Royal links tbh.
Did anybody see anything in him during his time at Spurs that I'm missing? My recollection was that he was absolutely shite, but I don't want to be too hasty.
Matt Doherty regularly played ahead of him, think that says it all. Absolutely awful and then some.
I'll raise you a Victor Lindelof.
And a Marcus Rashford.
Do we have to do this every time?
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So what we are saying is , we do not know anything 😀
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Who was it that never seemed to stop telling everybody what a terrible signing Barkely was?
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So what we are saying is , we do not know anything 😀
Yes. There's more than an inability to get up and down a pitch that separates us from Emery.
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Who was it that never seemed to stop telling everybody what a terrible signing Barkely was?
Greg Nash
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I remember when the general consensus was that Lindelof and Buendia were shit.
Indeed
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Also, how could anyone possibly have any kind of strong feeling about the abilities of a former Spurs and Milan squad player?!
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If he's back playing in the Brazilian league at 28 years of age he's prob not on killer wages, which is also a factor for us.
As a back up to Cash (in place of Bogarde) and as someone who can play across a back four I wouldn't be dead set against it.
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I remember when the general consensus was that Lindelof and Buendia were shit.
I’m not sure it’s really the same, unless it’s a very general point that players are misjudged at times. I don’t think Emerson Royal has done anything, but flatter to deceive in his career - granted I haven’t watched him loads, so maybe I’m wrong. I’d say it’s less Lindelof and Buendia and more Djemba Djemba.
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But obviously if he joins I hope I’m entirely wrong.
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I'm a bit shocked by the Emerson Royal links tbh.
Did anybody see anything in him during his time at Spurs that I'm missing? My recollection was that he was absolutely shite, but I don't want to be too hasty.
Matt Doherty regularly played ahead of him, think that says it all. Absolutely awful and then some.
I'll raise you a Victor Lindelof.
Fair, Jadon Sancho?
I'm trying to think of the very unpopular ones. Lindelof certainly bucked the trend, Barkley I guess to an extent coming back after an 11m flop loan spell. Drinky and Jota maybe under Deano. The Donk had his sceptics.
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On Bowen also, he seems a remarkably similar profile of player to Malen, only not as good, older, and more expensive.
How does Bowen fit in our midfield 4 if McGinn was out for an extended period? I like Bowen, he's a very good player but isn't the right one for us this summer.
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My broadly negative view on Sancho as a Villa player isn't pathological. Yes, when you're shopping for loans/bargains you'll come home with a couple of stinkers. It's the relentless certainty about what are wildly variable possibilities that's a bit much.
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My broadly negative view on Sancho as a Villa player isn't pathological. Yes, when you're shopping for loans/bargains you'll come home with a couple of stinkers. It's the relentless certainty about what are wildly variable possibilities that's a bit much.
I agree, virtually everyone is shit until some of them are invariably not shit.
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My broadly negative view on Sancho as a Villa player isn't pathological. Yes, when you're shopping for loans/bargains you'll come home with a couple of stinkers. It's the relentless certainty about what are wildly variable possibilities that's a bit much.
Kind of the point of transfer threads on football forums though innit.
Even PL football clubs have all the stats etc, still get it wrong. In our case, recruitment has been very patchy for a while.
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My broadly negative view on Sancho as a Villa player isn't pathological. Yes, when you're shopping for loans/bargains you'll come home with a couple of stinkers. It's the relentless certainty about what are wildly variable possibilities that's a bit much.
Kind of the point of transfer threads on football forums though innit.
Even PL football clubs have all the stats etc, still get it wrong. In our case, recruitment has been very patchy for a while.
The only teams that are really lauded as always getting it right/Brighton & Brentford, always finish below us.
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The only trams that are really lauded as always getting it right/Brighton & Brentford, always finish below us.
I like that train of thought.
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I've lost track of the whole discussion.
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Who was it that never seemed to stop telling everybody what a terrible signing Barkely was?
Could have been me
In fairness though I had the same arguments when we signed are Dendonker and Bedernock or whatever his name was
No fucker ever brings them up though do they
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I always thought Bowen looked a top prospect at Hull and hoped we'd buy him before he went to West Ham. He's a very good player, available, and in a position we need to upgrade in quality from Guessand/Bailey. Bowen would massively improve our right side. He's creative and proven he can score goals in the Premier League. Our attacking threat would be significantly potent if we had this guy.
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I've lost track of the whole discussion.
There were many points.
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I understand the disappointment at the possibility of Bowen (and I think I agree, although I change my mind all the time on it) but I reckon most outsiders will be thinking it's a great signing.
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Swinkels going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
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Good luck to the young man, and the Owls.
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Swindles going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
We've been robbed.
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Swindles going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
We've been robbed.
Apparently we have put a buy back clause as part of the deal.
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Swindles going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
We've been robbed.
Ha bloody predictive text
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My vague memory of Royal was decent attacking and dreadful defensively.
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My vague memory of Royal was decent attacking and dreadful defensively.
Don’t think he’s much cop going forward either though
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Who was it that never seemed to stop telling everybody what a terrible signing Barkely was?
Could have been me
In fairness though I had the same arguments when we signed are Dendonker and Bedernock or whatever his name was
No fucker ever brings them up though do they
I was totally against Barkley returning...and Lindelof. Thought Elliot would go well 😀
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Who was it that never seemed to stop telling everybody what a terrible signing Barkely was?
Could have been me
In fairness though I had the same arguments when we signed are Dendonker and Bedernock or whatever his name was
No fucker ever brings them up though do they
I was totally against Barkley returning...and Lindelof. Thought Elliot would go well 😀
I think most on here have become used to that, Bronte.
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Swinkels going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
A real.shame. Best Villa surname since Ormondroyd?
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On Bowen also, he seems a remarkably similar profile of player to Malen, only not as good, older, and more expensive.
How does Bowen fit in our midfield 4 if McGinn was out for an extended period? I like Bowen, he's a very good player but isn't the right one for us this summer.
He would fit well into our system either playing on the right where McGinn plays or he can also play as a 'number 10'. Despute his age, I think he'd be a decent signing for us at the right price.
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With Bowen, his resale value would be effectively £0 after a couple of seasons, but you could re-frame the reasoning as:
Is £50M worth spending if it substantially increases the likelihood of finishing top 5 again for the next 2 years? And if yes, would we earn more than £50m from 2 seasons of CL football?
Thinking this way I can see the reasoning for a 'win now' player, as the gamble is that future earning would more than cover the cost.
If (IF!) we were to achieve 4 years in 5 of Champions League (+ a Europa League win in the intervening) then it'd go a long way to
a) increasing/reinforcing the perception of the club as 'elite' (future sponsorship deals!),
b) attracting/retaining player contracts, and
c) grow underlying fan-base and revenue streams.
Essentially, we want to bridge the gap to the financial elite whilst Emery is still with us.
Obviously opinion will vary on whether Bowen is the player to enable this.
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My issue with Bowen is that I think he's in decline, so while his output has been exceptional at West Ham in their side, banking on him doing that for 4 more years to justify the outlay, I just can't see it. If he did hit those numbers and was that effective, then resale value goes out the window as he'll have paid the fee back with league positions etc.
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My issue with Bowen is that I think he's in decline, so while his output has been exceptional at West Ham in their side, banking on him doing that for 4 more years to justify the outlay, I just can't see it. If he did hit those numbers and was that effective, then resale value goes out the window as he'll have paid the fee back with league positions etc.
Right. Do we get 50M worth of 'value' from him in 2 seasons, to justify the outlay & wages over the length of his contract.
Or more accurately, do we get MORE value than another player we could purchase with that money.
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Bowen wages will be another £150k a week - I thought we had to reduce our wage bill?
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Want a really pacy winger.
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I really rate Bowen's tenacity and play-maker skills. If he moved, for what would surely be his last chance at European glory, he might be amenable to a slight reduction. It depends how much he wants to actually play, or if he'd go to one of the richer teams to spend more time on the bench.
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Someone of that talent playing his career at Hull and West Ham. Then managing to negotiate one last pay day at a big Champions League team. Seems backwards to me.
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Are we not contracted with Uefa to break even on transfers this summer ie £50m out £50m in ?
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No from me
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Not if we were compliant with last year’s conditions I don’t think.
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Someone of that talent playing his career at Hull and West Ham. Then managing to negotiate one last pay day at a big Champions League team. Seems backwards to me.
That's what I mean. It would depend if he saw it as "one last pay day", or if he thought he still had something to prove. It's odd that he stayed at West Ham so long.
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Someone of that talent playing his career at Hull and West Ham. Then managing to negotiate one last pay day at a big Champions League team. Seems backwards to me.
That's what I mean. It would depend if he saw it as "one last pay day", or if he thought he still had something to prove. It's odd that he stayed at West Ham so long.
Bowen and his family are all Villa mad, don't think for one minute that he would see it as a last pay day if he came here.
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Someone of that talent playing his career at Hull and West Ham. Then managing to negotiate one last pay day at a big Champions League team. Seems backwards to me.
That's what I mean. It would depend if he saw it as "one last pay day", or if he thought he still had something to prove. It's odd that he stayed at West Ham so long.
Bowen and his family are all Villa mad, don't think for one minute that he would see it as a last pay day if he came here.
He's not a Villa fan.
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I think that might have been a whooosh moment Lee.
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Swinkels going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
Looks like we have at least a matching rights clause in there. Would suspect there is a sell on percentage, too. The Owls won't be able to spend much so I'm guessing that would be one of our conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/)
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Swinkels going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
Looks like we have at least a matching rights clause in there. Would suspect there is a sell on percentage, too. The Owls won't be able to spend much so I'm guessing that would be one of our conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/)
I wonder if this opens the door for Josh Feeney to have his chance?
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I wouldn’t have thought so to be honest.
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Someone of that talent playing his career at Hull and West Ham. Then managing to negotiate one last pay day at a big Champions League team. Seems backwards to me.
That's what I mean. It would depend if he saw it as "one last pay day", or if he thought he still had something to prove. It's odd that he stayed at West Ham so long.
Bowen and his family are all Villa mad, don't think for one minute that he would see it as a last pay day if he came here.
Very funny! I just thought we might offer him more chances to play, if that interested him.
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Swinkels going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
Looks like we have at least a matching rights clause in there. Would suspect there is a sell on percentage, too. The Owls won't be able to spend much so I'm guessing that would be one of our conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/)
I wonder if this opens the door for Josh Feeney to have his chance?
I suspect he will be another one to go this summer. He's a lovely lad by all accounts, but not sure he is at the level we need at the moment. He's had two good seasons in League One, but you'd have thought he'd have stepped up to Championshop last season if he was anywhere near where we wanted.
-
Swinkels going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
Looks like we have at least a matching rights clause in there. Would suspect there is a sell on percentage, too. The Owls won't be able to spend much so I'm guessing that would be one of our conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/)
I wonder if this opens the door for Josh Feeney to have his chance?
I suspect he will be another one to go this summer. He's a lovely lad by all accounts, but not sure he is at the level we need at the moment. He's had two good seasons in League One, but you'd have thought he'd have stepped up to Championshop last season if he was anywhere near where we wanted.
The reality is that we now need players who, even if they're just making up numbers in the squad, need to be the sort that'd be getting in the first team of a mid table Premier League side. There's the odd exception, but I'd think at 21/22 the bare minimum is going to be looking decent at a Championship-level club. It's harsh, but as you go up the table that pool of players becomes very small indeed.
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It would be great to unearth another Jack. Or even a Gabby. It’s been a long time since we developed a big player.
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Leeds have signed Harry Wilson. Building the Wales squad there...they'll get relegated.
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Guglielmo Vicario, set to leave Tottenham with Italian clubs keen on the goalkeeper.
Juventus are informed in case Aston Villa price for Dibu Martínez doesn’t drop. ⚪️⚫️
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Leeds have signed Harry Wilson. Building the Wales squad there...they'll get relegated.
David Ornstein has a puece in The Athletic confirming this move.
"Leeds United have reached an agreement to sign Harry Wilson as a free agent.
The 29-year-old is set sign a long-term contract with the club and receive a pay rise, with his medical to be completed in due course."
Not bothered in the least, although I exoect there will be comments that we've been outbid by Dirty Leeds and our transfer policy is woeful.
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Wilson to Leeds, thank fuck for that.
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He looks like a Leeds player, to be fair.
Look at the hair, the hair proves it!
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He looks like a Leeds player, to be fair.
Look at the hair, the hair proves it!
I had forgotten about the shit haired player quota Leeds have.
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That’s a bit of a strange move for him.
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That’s a bit of a strange move for him.
Might of been the best offer of few that he received. Plus all his mates are there.
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Swinkels going permanently to Sheff Wed - excellent for him, no doubt a low fee and clauses
Looks like we have at least a matching rights clause in there. Would suspect there is a sell on percentage, too. The Owls won't be able to spend much so I'm guessing that would be one of our conditions.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/ (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7387348/2026/06/23/sil-swinkels-aston-villa-sheffield-wednesday-transfer/)
I wonder if this opens the door for Josh Feeney to have his chance?
I suspect he will be another one to go this summer. He's a lovely lad by all accounts, but not sure he is at the level we need at the moment. He's had two good seasons in League One, but you'd have thought he'd have stepped up to Championshop last season if he was anywhere near where we wanted.
The reality is that we now need players who, even if they're just making up numbers in the squad, need to be the sort that'd be getting in the first team of a mid table Premier League side. There's the odd exception, but I'd think at 21/22 the bare minimum is going to be looking decent at a Championship-level club. It's harsh, but as you go up the table that pool of players becomes very small indeed.
Both very fair points.
Perhaps a loan to one of the relegated teams, or similar, as I think all 3 will be pushing top 6 in championship.
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It would be great to unearth another Jack. Or even a Gabby. It’s been a long time since we developed a big player.
JJ?
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Early days as yet, and a lot of players are away at the World Cup, but I just hope we don't have the massive disappointments we have had the last few transfer windows. It seems to be never ending, with everyone looking to improve while we worry about can we hold on to what we've already got.
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Early days as yet, and a lot of players are away at the World Cup, but I just hope we don't have the massive disappointments we have had the last few transfer windows. It seems to be never ending, with everyone looking to improve while we worry about can we hold on to what we've already got.
and yet we improve and they go backwards. I do understand that we need to improve the squad but for some people that need seems to have superseded the need to win things on the pitch in terms of how much they worry about it.
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It would be great to unearth another Jack. Or even a Gabby. It’s been a long time since we developed a big player.
JJ?
JJ was good but he’s not remotely what Gabby and Jack were for us. Gabby for all his faults at his best was excellent. And Jack is well documented. It would be great to have another really talent come through and take over a position.
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It would be great to unearth another Jack. Or even a Gabby. It’s been a long time since we developed a big player.
JJ?
JJ was good but he’s not remotely what Gabby and Jack were for us. Gabby for all his faults at his best was excellent. And Jack is well documented. It would be great to have another really talent come through and take over a position.
I think that's very harsh on JJ. He was an excellent (and important) member of our first-team squad, at a time when our first team was at a MUCH higher standard than when Gabby or Jack came through.
If he has a season free from injury, it wouldn't surprise me to see him back in the England conversation next season.
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Negotiations between Aston Villa, Flamengo & Emerson Royal’s agent are advancing.
@venecasagrande
Yikes!
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Welcome Emerson - 4 year contract @ £100k + a week - I bet he can’t wait to join us
How much did Spurs sell him for?
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I would measure a player based on how he plays for us under Emery rather than what he’s done at Spurs.
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I would measure a player based on how he plays for us under Emery rather than what he’s done at Spurs.
Of course, but it’s not just Spurs.
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£8 MILLION apparently
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Cheap. Cash back up I suppose. A bit unsure but if Unai can work his magic so be it.
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And saves money for use elsewhere.
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Could be that he frees up Bogarde for a sale we were reluctant to do before.
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If reports are true Flamengo have turned down our bid.
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I guess it is a good sign that we have 9MM spare to spend on a back up right back. Maybe we are not as constrained on transfers as last year
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Welcome Emerson - 4 year contract @ £100k + a week - I bet he can’t wait to join us
Where’s this from?
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I guess it is a good sign that we have 9MM spare to spend on a back up right back. Maybe we are not as constrained on transfers as last year
Guess it also means that Mingueza can hang out with Harry Wilson on the "never wanted him anyway" pile.
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I suspect he's seen as a short term stop gap whilst Rowe gets some more experience. Emery clearly doesn't trust Garcia or Ned so we do need someone there.
From what I recall he did ok for Spurs for about 18months before dropping off right around the time they started falling apart but I might be misremembering.
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I think I have seen that both Garcia and Ned are expected to go this summer.
Certainly Garcia has some clubs interested in him.
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Welcome Emerson - 4 year contract @ £100k + a week - I bet he can’t wait to join us
Where’s this from?
I feel some flippancy on this one
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It would be great to unearth another Jack. Or even a Gabby. It’s been a long time since we developed a big player.
JJ?
I’d forgotten JJ, to be fair. Another like him would be great.
-
I guess it is a good sign that we have 9MM spare to spend on a back up right back. Maybe we are not as constrained on transfers as last year
Guess it also means that Mingueza can hang out with Harry Wilson on the "never wanted him anyway" pile.
Didn't Mingueza want guaranteed playing time? A bit tricky with Cash and Konsa? Shame.
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I guess it is a good sign that we have 9MM spare to spend on a back up right back. Maybe we are not as constrained on transfers as last year
Guess it also means that Mingueza can hang out with Harry Wilson on the "never wanted him anyway" pile.
Didn't Mingueza want guaranteed playing time? A bit tricky with Cash and Konsa? Shame.
Is guaranteed playing time an actual thing? What if we’d said yes (because we didn’t have Cash) and then he’d been shit. It can’t be contractual, surely. Sounds made up.
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I guess it is a good sign that we have 9MM spare to spend on a back up right back. Maybe we are not as constrained on transfers as last year
Guess it also means that Mingueza can hang out with Harry Wilson on the "never wanted him anyway" pile.
Didn't Mingueza want guaranteed playing time? A bit tricky with Cash and Konsa? Shame.
Is guaranteed playing time an actual thing? What if we’d said yes (because we didn’t have Cash) and then he’d been shit. It can’t be contractual, surely. Sounds made up.
It’s almost never contractual, however a player may want verbal reassurances or will make up his own mind as to whether he is likely to be first choice.
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Maybe our scouts use Sofascore, because Cash and Royal have almost identical profiles.
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Welcome Emerson - 4 year contract @ £100k + a week - I bet he can’t wait to join us
Where’s this from?
From Sid's sunny disposition on anything Villa.
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I guess it is a good sign that we have 9MM spare to spend on a back up right back. Maybe we are not as constrained on transfers as last year
Guess it also means that Mingueza can hang out with Harry Wilson on the "never wanted him anyway" pile.
Didn't Mingueza want guaranteed playing time? A bit tricky with Cash and Konsa? Shame.
Is guaranteed playing time an actual thing? What if we’d said yes (because we didn’t have Cash) and then he’d been shit. It can’t be contractual, surely. Sounds made up.
It’s almost never contractual, however a player may want verbal reassurances or will make up his own mind as to whether he is likely to be first choice.
It also wouldn't be beyond some of the more unscrupulous agents to try and put something in a contract that says "If I don't play in X% of the games for which I am fit and available, I can leave next summer for £Xm".
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Would that be a particularly unscrupulous thing to do?
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Welcome Emerson - 4 year contract @ £100k + a week - I bet he can’t wait to join us
Where’s this from?
From Sid's sunny disposition on anything Villa.
A stark contrast with his wonder at Wulvz selling some season tickets.
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Emerson Royal situation 'finely balanced' claims someone;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-growing-confident-over-emerson-royal-surprise-move-gathers-pace-in-brazil/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-growing-confident-over-emerson-royal-surprise-move-gathers-pace-in-brazil/)
"Flamengo are seriously considering the proposal and the transfer could be completed 'at any moment'."
Exciting stuff!
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Why are we even looking at Royale when we have Cissé joining us in a couple of weeks time. I can only think we have a scout down in Brazil who's looking at early retirement and the only Villa he cares about is the one he's having built with the sea view.
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Seems pretty clear we’re shopping in Aldi middle aisle for the waifs, strays and the slightly maimed.
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Why are we even looking at Royale when we have Cissé joining us in a couple of weeks time
Because Cissé doesn't play right-back?
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Why are we even looking at Royale when we have Cissé joining us in a couple of weeks time
Because Cissé doesn't play right-back?
Erm..perhaps he does at least every time I've seen him. He can also cover right centre half.
Here you go, Dave..
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Seems pretty clear we’re shopping in Aldi middle aisle for the waifs, strays and the slightly maimed.
If Emery needs a strimmer, a socket set, and a miniature bouncy castle, he's going to be pleased.
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If you would have said Emerson Royal was a cigarette brand I’d have probably said, oh yes I remember, but a footballer, I have no idea who he is.
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I'm sure I have at the back of the cupboard a small tin of Emerson Royal baking powder.
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Hazza Wizza off to Leeds.
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It’s what they call a Quarter Pounder in France.
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It’s what they call a Quarter Pounder in France.
**applause**
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It’s what they call a Quarter Pounder in France.
Exactly what i think of every time I hear his name
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Nathan Saliba anytime? Canadian player who is at Anderlecht ...
... looks decent.
-
Almost worth it for the Arsenal fans' meltdown when they don't look further than the headline 'Villa Sign Saliba'
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Almost worth it for the Arsenal fans' meltdown when they don't look further than the headline 'Villa Sign Saliba'
;D ;D ;D
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Why are we even looking at Royale when we have Cissé joining us in a couple of weeks time
Because Cissé doesn't play right-back?
Erm..perhaps he does at least every time I've seen him. He can also cover right centre half.
Here you go, Dave..
I mean...that's a video of clips of a man playing at centre-back?
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Yeah, he's down as a CB or CDM on transfermarkt and wiki.
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Why are we even looking at Royale when we have Cissé joining us in a couple of weeks time
Because Cissé doesn't play right-back?
Erm..perhaps he does at least every time I've seen him. He can also cover right centre half.
Here you go, Dave..
I mean...that's a video of clips of a man playing at centre-back?
or how Micah Richards positioned himself at right back
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To be fair I think they generally played him on the right of a 3 so he's sort of halfway between you both.
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Yeah, just looked at a few of their line-ups and it is often a 3 at the back.
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Given that we’ve been heavily linked with Paqueta before, I’m speculating that we’ve been tracking him at Flanengo, and Emerson Royal has stood out.
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Given that we’ve been heavily linked with Paqueta before,
I thought he was pretty rubbish tonight.
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Given that we’ve been heavily linked with Paqueta before,
I thought he was pretty rubbish tonight.
As I said after the first Brazil game, a cheeky 8m bid for Bruno Guimarães. Paqueta should be half that.
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There’s space in the squad for a ‘he’s better than Garcia’ role. It’s a pretty low bar.
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I wouldn't mind the Ghana right back that has Gordon in his pocket the other night.
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I wouldn't mind the Ghana right back that has Gordon in his pocket the other night.
Both Ghanaian fullbacks were pretty handy, actually.
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The Ghanaian work rate and discipline was phenomenal. Just the sort we need.
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Ghana seemed to bully England physically which doesn't happen too often.
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I mean...that's a video of clips of a man playing at centre-back?
I've booked you in today, 2pm at Specsavers, 18 Westgate St, Bath. Don't be late.
You can thank me later.
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I mean...that's a video of clips of a man playing at centre-back?
I've booked you in today, 2pm at Specsavers, 18 Westgate St, Bath. Don't be late.
You can thank me later.
You need to book yourself in mate.
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I mean...that's a video of clips of a man playing at centre-back?
I've booked you in today, 2pm at Specsavers, 18 Westgate St, Bath. Don't be late.
You can thank me later.
You need to book yourself in mate.
Oh do shut up or I'll book you a fitting at Burtons. Oh hang on.. ;)
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Middlesbrough FC 'aiming' to prise Sheffield United-linked winger Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa
Boro have been named as admirers of Dobbin, who would arguably be a shrewd addition for any Championship club with their sights set on promotion.
He is under contract at Villa Park until 2028 and Middlesbrough will therefore have to pay a decent fee for his signature.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc-lewis-dobbin-sheffield-united-aston-villa-8761972
Well we paid £10m I would take £15 with add- on
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Don't sell him until Boro are flush with the Hayden Hackney cash.
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I would be using him to try and sign Hayden Hackney.
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Middlesbrough FC 'aiming' to prise Sheffield United-linked winger Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa
Boro have been named as admirers of Dobbin, who would arguably be a shrewd addition for any Championship club with their sights set on promotion.
He is under contract at Villa Park until 2028 and Middlesbrough will therefore have to pay a decent fee for his signature.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc-lewis-dobbin-sheffield-united-aston-villa-8761972
Well we paid £10m I would take £15 with add- on
There’s a fair bit of money in outgoings if all goes to plan:
Barrenechea
Dobbin
Guessand
Malen
Bogarde
Garcia
Ned
Bailey
Hundred million there maybe?
Big wages gone as well with Sancho, Elliott, Malen already off the payroll.
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Middlesbrough FC 'aiming' to prise Sheffield United-linked winger Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa
Boro have been named as admirers of Dobbin, who would arguably be a shrewd addition for any Championship club with their sights set on promotion.
He is under contract at Villa Park until 2028 and Middlesbrough will therefore have to pay a decent fee for his signature.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc-lewis-dobbin-sheffield-united-aston-villa-8761972
Well we paid £10m I would take £15 with add- on
£8m and give up the sell on clause on Rogers.
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Something tells me they won't be up for that deal.
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Middlesbrough FC 'aiming' to prise Sheffield United-linked winger Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa
Boro have been named as admirers of Dobbin, who would arguably be a shrewd addition for any Championship club with their sights set on promotion.
He is under contract at Villa Park until 2028 and Middlesbrough will therefore have to pay a decent fee for his signature.
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc-lewis-dobbin-sheffield-united-aston-villa-8761972
Well we paid £10m I would take £15 with add- on
£8m and give up the sell on clause on Rogers.
But don’t tell anybody!
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We let them have Azaz for feck all, don't do it again.
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The market is going to be super inflated this year. Good on one hand but means we might struggle to sign the ones we want.
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The market is going to be super inflated this year. Good on one hand but means we might struggle to sign the ones we want.
Why do you think that?
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The market is going to be super inflated this year. Good on one hand but means we might struggle to sign the ones we want.
Not sure it is. There is a case that it might be the opposite.
Even the likes of Man City and Man Utd will have constraints in how much they can spend. Man City have just committed to >£100m on Anderson, they won't be able to buy several players at that price. Every time a player goes for big money the chances of more transfers of that ilk go down, not up.That leaves maybe 3 clubs in British and European football than can spend that much on a single player. Everyone else is tight for FFP and will be trying to keep spending and wages down.
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We need to sell the likes of Dobbin - he and a fair few others will never play a premier league game for us - sell get a fee
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Reports that the Emerson Royal deal is getting close;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-now-close-to-completing-signing-second-offer-made/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-now-close-to-completing-signing-second-offer-made/)
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Albert Gudmundsson anyone? Reports from overseas that we have made tentative inquiries;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-bournemouth-make-enquiries-to-sign-iceland-international/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-and-bournemouth-make-enquiries-to-sign-iceland-international/)
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Seem to be a few rumours around that we're looking at Sofyan Amrabat as well.
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There definitely seems to be an age and price theme emerging around our transfer links.
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Unai loves experienced players who can play in the hear and now. However the only way we can quickly build revenue outside of the usual commercial streams is using the model of Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford. It seems both models can work alongside each other. At the moment apart from Rogers we haven't done nearly enough to show that our recruitment can successfully identify rising stars with huge potential sell ones. With the crooked PSR rules clever player trading is our only hope in keeping up with the established top 4.
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Unai loves experienced players who can play in the hear and now. However the only way we can quickly build revenue outside of the usual commercial streams is using the model of Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford. It seems both models can work alongside each other. At the moment apart from Rogers we haven't done nearly enough to show that our recruitment can successfully identify rising stars with huge potential sell ones. With the crooked PSR rules clever player trading is our only hope in keeping up with the established top 4.
I don't think it necessarily is, I think qualifying for the Champions League again next season is the key for us.
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As if to spite my earlier post, we are now being linked with Kerim Alajbegovic, the young Bosnian winger at the World Cup;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/)
Must be the day for Villa rumours.
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As if to spite my earlier post, we are now being linked with Kerim Alajbegovic, the young Bosnian winger at the World Cup;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/)
Must be the day for Villa rumours.
I would like us to sign this chap.
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Yeah like him. A couple of young, pacey, tricky wingers that want to attack in place of Bailey and Sancho, with minimal departures, I genuinely think we are good to go if Kamara is fit.
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Seem to be a few rumours around that we're looking at Sofyan Amrabat as well.
Didn't he have an unremarkable spell at Man U?
If he is cover for Kamara and Onana, then I can see the point, we are badly lacking without that structure. Would have to be very cheap.
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As if to spite my earlier post, we are now being linked with Kerim Alajbegovic, the young Bosnian winger at the World Cup;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/)
Must be the day for Villa rumours.
No idea if this is true or what effect it has on it, but Wikipedia reckons he’s already signed for Bayer Leverkusen and will join them after the WC
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As if to spite my earlier post, we are now being linked with Kerim Alajbegovic, the young Bosnian winger at the World Cup;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/)
Must be the day for Villa rumours.
No idea if this is true or what effect it has on it, but Wikipedia reckons he’s already signed for Bayer Leverkusen and will join them after the WC
They've exercised their buy back on him I think, so could still be open to selling him at a profit
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As if to spite my earlier post, we are now being linked with Kerim Alajbegovic, the young Bosnian winger at the World Cup;
https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/ (https://sportwitness.co.uk/aston-villa-keen-on-signing-bosnia-player-has-shone-at-world-cup/)
Must be the day for Villa rumours.
No idea if this is true or what effect it has on it, but Wikipedia reckons he’s already signed for Bayer Leverkusen and will join them after the WC
Yeah, it mentioned in the article -
"Bayer Leverkusen have a real talent on their hands. They have re-signed him from Salzburg but he is very unlikely to stay beyond this season."
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Where the fuck is Mingueza?
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Alajbegovic would be fantastic, exactly the market I'd like to see us working in this summer.
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Where the fuck is Mingueza?
Packing his bags for his flight to either Turin or Heathrow (Arsenal). Do Newcastle have an airport?
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Jimmy Nail International