Summer Transfer Thread and Gustavo Cisneros Type Rumours.

[LeonW]

Aware this may be controversial but I don't really think much of our transfer window. Most of the players we have bought in are actually effecting the balance of the team almost creating square pegs in round holes.

And yet still the central midfield that is a big problem hasn't been improved.

Completely agree, however looking at this from another angle I doubt very much that the club does not recognise this. However if the right player isn’t available then there’s not a fat lot that can be done about it, frustrating as it is.

I think this is the first time in over decade that we now have serious alternatives to our starting 11 and perhaps we need to recalibrate a little. We don't have to fit all these players in the starting 11 every week and we don't have to play the same way/system every week. I think that was our big problem last season - on both counts.

Central midfield still needs sorting, definitely. Whether it's using what we've got to alter the balance or (preferably) bringing in another option.

[Drummond]

The other thing to consider is that it doesn’t actually have to be all about money spent. To have imbalance in the squad after all of the ins and outs over the past couple of years is mental, and that fucks me off more than the fact that we’ve made a £15m profit or whatever it is this summer.

The squad isn't imbalanced. It may not have the style of player some people want but we're not imbalanced with a ton of right backs..

[PeterWithe]

We’ve been told in the past that there is always an A, B, C choice once we have identified gaps in the squad, JWP was probably A so we’ll see B or C come in

Much as I love DS a and want him to succeed, I would take everything he says on transfers with a pinch of salt. He said Jack had no release clause, etc etc etc. I’d be amazed if we didn’t see another 2 players in

[Rudy Can't Fail]

McKennie and Sarr apparently in talks with Spurs.

FFS, two very good players indeed. I really don't get it, why do 75% of a good window, but not address the serious shortcomings?

Report of €10m fee + €5m in bonuses for Sarr.

[ozzjim]

Utter madness. Can only think he's been holding out for a more glamorous move

[Clark W Griswold]

The other thing to consider is that it doesn’t actually have to be all about money spent. To have imbalance in the squad after all of the ins and outs over the past couple of years is mental, and that fucks me off more than the fact that we’ve made a £15m profit or whatever it is this summer.

The squad isn't imbalanced. It may not have the style of player some people want but we're not imbalanced with a ton of right backs..

It’s imbalanced in regards to having more than enough good defenders and attackers and not enough good midfielders. Would I have traded one of Bailey, Ings and Buendia for a top defensive mid, yes. Would I have also traded one of Young or Tuanzebe for another good mid in addition, possibly. This is the 3rd summer window since we got promoted and we’ve signed 1 defensive mid who was quite obviously not quite up to it early on and still looks like a bit of a weak link 2 years on.
That said, I’d really prefer not to have to trade anyone as the numbers look good and about spot on in defence and attack. Especially as we’ve made a profit so far this summer and all we’ve heard is that the owners ‘won’t rest’ until we’re back where we belong in European competition. If the squad remains as it is we’re not progressing this season IMHO.

[Ian.]

The other thing to consider is that it doesn’t actually have to be all about money spent. To have imbalance in the squad after all of the ins and outs over the past couple of years is mental, and that fucks me off more than the fact that we’ve made a £15m profit or whatever it is this summer.

The squad isn't imbalanced. It may not have the style of player some people want but we're not imbalanced with a ton of right backs..

It’s imbalanced in regards to having more than enough good defenders and attackers and not enough good midfielders. Would I have traded one of Bailey, Ings and Buendia for a top defensive mid, yes. Would I have also traded one of Young or Tuanzebe for another good mid in addition, possibly. This is the 3rd summer window since we got promoted and we’ve signed 1 defensive mid who was quite obviously not quite up to it early on and still looks like a bit of a weak link 2 years on.
That said, I’d really prefer not to have to trade anyone as the numbers look good and about spot on in defence and attack. Especially as we’ve made a profit so far this summer and all we’ve heard is that the owners ‘won’t rest’ until we’re back where we belong in European competition. If the squad remains as it is we’re not progressing this season IMHO.

I’d say replace Conor, as much as I like him, with a very decent defensive minded midfielder and it’s very balanced. Maybe an upgrade on Marv wouldn’t go amis.

Losing Joe was never going to help and always put a very bad tilt on things no matter what we did.

[Clark W Griswold]

Yes, ideally offload Connor who looking back has done us proud over his Villa career after a slow start but couldn’t cut it in the championship for Swansea last season. Get a quality player in to replace him and we’re at least close to where we need to be at that point.

[Ian.]

Yep, I’m still hopeful we’re not quite done. Very hopeful anyway, maybe it’s blind faith. But I agree we really need that someone in there in front of the back line. Luiz could be that someone but he’s full so young and full of promise but like any youngster has loss of form.

[Steve67]

I reckon Harry winks is incoming. Plan b or c.

[ozzjim]

I reckon it will be Winks too. Late loan to buy type deal. He can join the Dean Smith hall of fame for non descript midfield players.

[Ian.]

I didn’t think Smith was in charge of transfers? Or is he only in charge of the stockpiling of non specialty midfielders?

[SoccerHQ]

I reckon Harry winks is incoming. Plan b or c.

Was just going to type that. Seem an ominous August 31st, 11.59pm signing to me now we ain't getting in Ward Prowse.

Just watching Betis play and notice William Carvalho is on the bench. His stock isn't as high as a few years back when likes of West Ham were trying to sign him for 40m but he's an experienced DM for Portugal and Betis and they might move him on for 20m as imagine his contract is running down so for where we are we could do worse....like signing Harry Winks.

[PeterWithe]

Yup, very good player but there would be concern that he's getting on and never played in a league with a higher pace to it.

[SoccerHQ]

Yep, I couldn't give a shit about net spend but I do care that our only genuine defensive midfielder isn't good enough to be a regular starter for a club aiming for the top half of the table.

Well obviously, we care about net spend if the squad looks patchy, which it does.

It's not thin though. We have two players for each position now bar left wing where it's just El Ghazi and then JPB and I doubt either will start tomorrow.

We have four good CBs, cover at both full back and multiple central midfielders and front 3 players now so while I accept it's unbalanced in some areas you give this squad to Guardiola, Tuchel or even Brendan Rodgers and they'd come up with a formation that would get us winning a decent amount of games.

Over to you Dean.