Douglas Luiz - coming back?

[paul_e]

I think Luiz is an exceptional layer and will be vrey hard to replace but I also think one of our biggest weaknesses for a couple of years has been a lack of presence in the centre of midfield. Kamara addresses that a little if he plays but without him we get exposed a little too easily.

McKennie wouldn't be my choice to address that because I don't think he's good enough at the basics of rotating possession and keepnig things moving. I'm not completely convinced by Barkley either but I'll trust Emery on it.

Iling-Junior is a good addition though and means we will have quality starters and cover across all 3 of the wide midfield/wing/10 roles, to the point that it's getting tough to pick a starting 11.

With all 3 in and Zaniolo and Luiz out I think the midfield does look stronger as a unit but I will miss Doug.

[Ian.]

That’s my take on this Paul.

I love Dougie, he’s been one of my favourite players ever since we signed him. I’ll miss him, he’s a brilliant talent and it was so good seeing him hit those amazing levels last year. His form dipped which I don’t think it was anything other than playing slightly out of position to accommodate Kamara being missing. For the best part of 2023 that role certainly suits him and he’s been a joy to watch.

[Clampy]

It's a shame to see him go, especially now we're in the Champions League but if we definatley had to let a big name  go, I think this is the one departure I can live with. Who know's, he may come back in a few years. He's only 26.

[Dante Lavelli]

The team is weaker, the squad is better.

Fewer injuries and there a (small) risk players will get restless however we were basically on the floor for the last ten games so we needed to add some depth.

[Flamingo Lane]

I guess it was inevitable, but still unfortunate, that one of our best players who we'd end up selling would be one who has been free of any injury for pretty much the whole time he's been here.

[ChicagoLion]

He is the sort of player that you would expect to excel in the Champions League.
It feels like we are replacing quality with quantity.
His form through 2023 was exceptional and we will find it difficult to replace the class that Doug has.

[chrisw1]

I think people are falling into the trap of recency bias and him performing a different role in the second half of the season. We don’t have that run in the first half of the season without him, he was exceptional. I hope we have some real quality coming in, because McKennie is massively unconvincing.

McKennie isn't the replacement for Luiz though, more likely Dendoncker. Barkley is coming in.

Plus perhaps Gallagher.

So we're paying the equivalent of £25m+ for a Dendonker replacement?  I don't think so.  He's also quoted as saying he hates playing No 6 and wants to be box to box.

I don't think Gallagher will come.  If he does it will be with all the enthusiasm of Stephen Ireland.  He's a London boy and captain of his hometown club.  He'll see us as a step down Champions League or not.

[Ian.]

I think people are falling into the trap of recency bias and him performing a different role in the second half of the season. We don’t have that run in the first half of the season without him, he was exceptional. I hope we have some real quality coming in, because McKennie is massively unconvincing.

McKennie isn't the replacement for Luiz though, more likely Dendoncker. Barkley is coming in.

Plus perhaps Gallagher.

So we're paying the equivalent of £25m+ for a Dendonker replacement?  I don't think so.  He's also quoted as saying he hates playing No 6 and wants to be box to box.

I don't think Gallagher will come.  If he does it will be with all the enthusiasm of Stephen Ireland.  He's a London boy and captain of his hometown club.  He'll see us as a step down Champions League or not.

I don’t get that perception of Gallagher, I reckon he’s not that sort of character. I’m sure if he signed for us he’d be very good. I’d rather have Dougie though, but now it looks like he’s off, I’d certainly take him.

[Legion]

Has this actually confirmed officially anywhere yet or is it the usual speculative bollocks at this time of year?

[chrisw1]

Has this actually confirmed officially anywhere yet or is it the usual speculative bollocks at this time of year?

When there's this much noise it virtually always happens.

[PaulWinch again]

Has this actually confirmed officially anywhere yet or is it the usual speculative bollocks at this time of year?

It’s not “confirmed” but plenty of pretty reliable sources.

[VillaTim]

It's in The Sun so it's happening.

[Clark W Griswold]

Fuck me. It's like swapping the Cote d'azur for Weston Super Mare.

[Brazilian Villain]

Fuck me. It's like swapping Praia Copacabana for Weston Super Mare.

FTFY.

[frank black]

Has this actually confirmed officially anywhere yet or is it the usual speculative bollocks at this time of year?

Not yet, but most reliable sources are saying it’ll happen. The only issue might be personal terms for the 3 players.