Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[dave shelley]

Well the release clause was definitely done behind his back...he wasn't at the club in January.

[Toronto Villa]

In the currently being played friendly, we've played a different side each half. This is our side for the current (second) half:

Bunn, Mason, Donacien, Baker, Richardson, Calder, Cole, N'Zogbia, Tonev, Robinson, Kozak.

I know we're not about to start playing that line up in the league, but it gives you an idea of the overall weakness of the squad.

How did Delph play in the first half?

Like a traitor. Came out in a red Braga top having kissed our badge on his way in at HT.

[Quiet Lion]

At the end of last season I was so fed up I wanted to see a completely new team this time around.  So ingrained was the stench of defeat and misery on that group of players, that I desperately wanted 6 or 7 new players.

With Vlaar, Benteke, Andi, Bent, Delph, Given, Lowton and Sylla gone and hopefully more to leave, we might just be able to rid ourselves of the ghosts of the last few seasons.

Admittedly Delph and Benteke were on the keep list, but at least we are being linked with the right sort of players this window.

[LTA]

Well the release clause was definitely done behind his back...he wasn't at the club in January.

I meant what's happened in the last 24 hours.

[dave shelley]

Fair enough.

[N'Zimidy]

Praet, Darder, Destro, Embolo, Ljajic and Amavi

The market which include the above names is where we should be shopping. Not Spurs reserve bin. With £40m let's go on a spree.

[andyh]

Praet, Darder, Destro, Embolo, Ljajic and Amavi

The market which include the above names is where we should be shopping. Not Spurs reserve bin. With £40m let's go on a spree.

Exactly right. Thanks for posting the list, it's been difficult to keep up.

[Dave]

Well the release clause was definitely done behind his back...he wasn't at the club in January.

I meant what's happened in the last 24 hours.

What exactly do you think the club have kept from him and what should they have done differently?

[Malandro]

Well the release clause was definitely done behind his back...he wasn't at the club in January.

Details, details.

[FatSam]

It seems to me that a PL club needs a squad with cover in every position, so 22 players. Outside of this they probably need another team of players who are either injured or out on loan at any one time. I might have got some of this wrong, but categorized as 1st team - reserve - loan/ injured,  I think that early last season we looked roughly like this:

GK: Guzan - Given - Steer
LB: Cissokho - Bennett - Luna - Stevens
RB: Hutton - Bacuna - Lowton
CB: Vlaar - Baker - Donacien
CB: Clark - Senderos - Okore
CM: Westwood - Sanchez - Sylla
CM: Delph - Gardner - Herd
AM: Cleverley - Richardson - Tonev
AM: N'Zogbia - Cole - Helenius
FW: Benteke - Weimann - Kozak
FW: Agbonlahor - Grealish - Bent

This is skewed because we had historical problems with left backs (hence why we had two out on loan), and we had obviously problems with a lack of creativity in the first half of the season. In the January transfer window this was rectified to a certain extent with the introduction of Gil and Sinclair. Senderos was probably only brought in to cover for Okore's injury. Since then the players whose names are struck through above have either left for various reasons, or are thought to be leaving imminently. With the new signings, changes in who is first choice, and assuming some of the U-21s will make the step up, we are currently looking like this:

GK: Guzan - Bunn - Steer
LB: Cissokho - Bennett - ?
RB: Bacuna - Hutton - ?
CB: Richards - Baker - Donacien
CB: Clark - Okore - Senderos
CM: Westwood - Sanchez - Calder
CM: Gueye - Gardner - Kinsella
AM: Gil - N'Zogbia - Richardson
AM: Grealish - Cole - Tonev
FW: Kozak - Green - Hepburn-Murphy
FW: Sinclair - Agbonlahor - Robinson

I think I'm losing my mind!

[aj2k77]

That squad will get relegated hard and fast. 6 quality players needed.

[KevinGage]

Might take pelters for this, but with our gaps in midfield, I wouldn't might seeing us try to bring Barry back.

Everton seem well covered in that position now (unless they sell McCarthy), and with the volume of players we have let go this summer, wages shouldn't be an issue.

He's not one for the future, but if Gueye now provides the legs, Barry can still provide the composure.  Essentially, doing Westwood's job, but better.

He also knows the club and could hit the ground running (or strolling, in his case). Unlike some of the other players we have been linked with, who could take a while to adapt to a new league.

[villa `cross the mersey]

That squad will get relegated hard and fast. 6 quality players needed.

That squad is woeful - still we can`t compete with the likes of Palace, Swansea, Soton.Bournemoth and Watford.

[letsshakehands]

Assuming Benteke also leaves, we'll need someone who can take a penalty...

[aj2k77]

Didn't the Everton fans last year say Barry was finished?