January Transfer Thread: Speculation, Lies, Absolute Cr*p and Bosman Rumours

[Michel Sibble]

VT have an ITK claiming a deal with Dale Stephens (Charlton) is done, with formalities to be tied up.

Don't know the player myself, but does come with a heavy midfield presence.

[eastie]

VT have an ITK claiming a deal with Dale Stephens (Charlton) is done, with formalities to be tied up.

Don't know the player myself, but does come with a heavy midfield presence.

Any fee being bandied about?

[Michel Sibble]

None mentioned, eastie, however Stephens may be available for the League Cup tie against Bradford.

[eastie]

None mentioned, eastie, however Stephens may be available for the League Cup tie against Bradford.

May be useful now Westwood is injured, didn't realise he wasn't cup tied which would be a bonus , the lack of experience at top level is a worry but he seems a solid enough signing from what I've heard of him.

“Dale Stephens? Never heard of him! What’s Lambert playing at!” – This was a typical tweet from an Aston Villa fan when their club was chasing Charlton’s unheralded no.8 at the end of the last transfer window.  Many Charlton fans were just as bemused when the club stubbornly refused to let Stephens leave, with some reports suggesting that even a bid as high as £2.5m (I know, I know – but for a club just out of three seasons in League 1 that’s a lot of cash!) was turned down.

Yet where some Charlton fans were bemused, they should have been relieved. For years the club has given in far too easily to the demands of bigger clubs for their best assets. Lee Bowyer, Scott Parker, Jonjo Shelvey and Carl Jenkinson were all sold far below their value. As Villa knocked on the door I hope that for once we would show some ambition and hold onto our best assets. For once we did.

Am I placing Stephens in the same bracket as the players mentioned above? Not quite – but he’s not far off. I have no doubts that Stephens is a Premier League level midfielder. Stephens is the best passer of the ball that the Addicks’ midfield has seen since the days of Danny Murphy. His assist for Ricardo Fuller against Watford on Tuesday night was a thing of beauty, slicing through three players into the path of Fuller. Even Pirlo would have been proud.

If Stephens’ workload can be slightly reduced, then Charlton will boast one of the Championship’s best, if not the best, deep-lying playmaker in their side
Stephens almost never fails to find his man with a pass, he is the key to Charlton’s ticking over of possession. He picks it up from defence and moves it on. If Stephens is on form then Charlton will enjoy their fair share of opposition, no matter the opposition. Stephens, who is best operating from deep in the quarter-back role, is the first instigator of nearly all of Charlton’s meaningful attacks.

It is for this reason that Chris Powell should be building his team around Stephens. Powell and his backroom should be tucked away in some dark corner of the Valley devising a plan that brings the best out of Dale. On Saturday we play Blackpool, one of the best sides in the Championship at keeping the ball. If we are to match them at all we need to get Dale on form. For this to happen a switch to 4-5-1, or even 4-3-3 is essential.

The 4-4-2 most commonly employed by Chris Powell this season does not do enough to maximize Stephens’ ability. In a midfield two alongside Danny Hollands Stephens’ range of passing and vision is put on the backburner as he must cover the whole pitch, close down and break up play. He is not helped by the fact that too often Hollands has failed to live up to his imperious League One performances since making the step up to the Championship.

If Powell can bring in Razak and, in this writer’s opinion, Pritchard alongside Stephens in a midfield three, Charlton can truly begin to assert themselves on Championship midfields
If Stephens’ workload can be slightly reduced, then Charlton will boast one of the Championship’s best, if not the best, deep-lying playmaker in their side. (Brighton’s Liam Bridcutt being the other outstanding candidate.) Luckily for Powell, Charlton have a host of midfielders ready to slot in to a central midfield three. There is the aforementioned Hollands, a player who looked far more at home in a five-man midfield against Blackburn, Bradley Pritchard whose energy and hustling could reduce Stephen’s defensive responsibilities and Johnnie Jackson, the versatile club captain who can do a job almost anywhere on the field.

[Gareth]

I think that Bannan playing further forward would actually suit him better because of his penchant for high-risk passes, because that's the part of the pitch you want high-risk in.

Although I agree in part, I'm not sure he possesses enough of a goal threat to really thrive playing in behind Benteke and/or Weimann.

I think Bannan would benefit from not being on set pieces, his delivery is always floated and to the layman that seems the easiest to defend against....if we had someone who could deliver a corner / free kick with some pace then we a) might score from the odd set piece and b) might be able to appreciate Bannan for his passing rather than effing and jeffing every time we get a corner / free kick

[pauliewalnuts]

VT have an ITK claiming a deal with Dale Stephens (Charlton) is done, with formalities to be tied up.

Don't know the player myself, but does come with a heavy midfield presence.

VT have a bloke who is acting like an ITK claiming the deal is done. Meaningless guff.

[tomd2103]

Chelsea have triggered the demba  ba release clause and he has gone to the bridge for talks today, wonder if Newcastle will be interested in bent ?

Odemwingie may be available at about £3m according to press reports - bit of a hit and miss player but decent on his day.

I have always thought he is a very similar player to Gabby.

[VinnieChase84]

Read on VT that Westwood has tweated to say injury not as bad as first thought and just badly bruised

[SashasGrandad]

Chelsea have triggered the demba  ba release clause and he has gone to the bridge for talks today, wonder if Newcastle will be interested in bent ?

Odemwingie may be available at about £3m according to press reports - bit of a hit and miss player but decent on his day.

I have always thought he is a very similar player to Gabby.

But not as good!

[eastie]

Read on VT that Westwood has tweated to say injury not as bad as first thought and just badly bruised

@ARWesty04: @Dazbedford1971 it's fine mate cheers pal a lot better than I first thought

Yes , good news !

[Karl Bridges]

Really happy to hear it's not a break.

[IFWaters]

Olaf Mellberg looked alright in the Euro's
Now he has prem experience leadership and a villa legend to boot

Is he still playing ?

In our situation I would sign him on an 18 month deal. He is a leader and he loves the club. I think he would be gettable for not silly money.
At Villareal in the Spanish second division.

[olaftab]

Overheard two chaps at Tesco talking that Lescott and Keane are done deals and on their way. They looked genuine to me!

[olaftab]

Olaf Mellberg looked alright in the Euro's
Now he has prem experience leadership and a villa legend to boot

Is he still playing ?

In our situation I would sign him on an 18 month deal. He is a leader and he loves the club. I think he would be gettable for not silly money.
At Villareal in the Spanish second division.

Can he afford the shirts again?

[Matt Collins]

What about the hitz on a short term deal? Linked to west ham by collymore. Though I'd have thought Everton would want to keep him