Summer Transfer Thread and Gustavo Cisneros Type Rumours.

[villadelph]

Back to the thread for a second, if Arsenal complete Odegaard and Aouar as they are reputedly close to, then where does that leave ESR?

I have no clue what Arsenal are doing. The fans want Martinelli, ESR, Odegaard, Pepe, Saka, Lacazette and Aubameyang on the pitch at the same time. Then there's the 25million they're about to spend on Ramsdale. It makes absolutely no sense.

[PaulWinch again]

Odegaard is a good value signing.

I do think we really need to make a quality addition in centre-mid. Get it done Villa.

[Duncan Shaw]

Odegaard is a good value signing.

I do think we really need to make a quality addition in centre-mid. Get it done Villa.

I agree, Odegaard is a really good buy for them.

[ozzjim]

Back to the thread for a second, if Arsenal complete Odegaard and Aouar as they are reputedly close to, then where does that leave ESR?

I have no clue what Arsenal are doing. The fans want Martinelli, ESR, Odegaard, Pepe, Saka, Lacazette and Aubameyang on the pitch at the same time. Then there's the 25million they're about to spend on Ramsdale. It makes absolutely no sense.

If Ramsdale is £25m, Emi is £150m now. I've seen a fair few poor keepers, but that bloke is woefully bad.

You can see why ESRs agent was looking to move him out. A lot of players to play one role. One to keep an eye on for Villa.

[Toronto Villa]

I'm convinced we will still eventually sign a Jack "lite" type of player in Cantwell or ESR. Maybe not this window, but by next summer as long as Dean is still manager.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Anything in the Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa rumours. Never heard of him until today but at least he looks the part.

[Toronto Villa]

Anything in the Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa rumours. Never heard of him until today but at least he looks the part.

He didn't play for Fulham the other day so I reckon something is bubbling under the surface. It just might not be to us as to who he joins.

[Drummond]

We all said we needed another striker, it was a must. It was a gamble last year to do what we did. I just don’t think we expected a striker with the proven talent of Ings. There was plenty of times last season even with that traitor playing well, we couldn’t break down sides and called for two up front. Quite often against the more dogged teams, Burnley and West Ham at home who we absolutely battered but couldn’t score.

It’s a tough one, but trying to fit the few players we have purchased into a system is still something I’d rather have than still have to be reliant on Davis, AEG, Bert and Trez (If and when fit).

I’m more than happy with the players we have brought in, all going to be a success I’m convinced and I’m not convinced we haven’t finished yet, there maybe a late surprise still.

Agree.

We're now arguing how we can possibly fit a load of good players in rather than working out how we could fill the void.

It's a good problem to have.

Whilst I agree about an enforcer type, I'm also somewhat reassured by our early form last season. Whilst ratboy was obviously a huge part of that, we now have Bailey, Ings and Buendia to replace Grealish, Barkley and AEG/Trezeguet.

It may appear unbalanced but I think it could work.

If we accept the back 5 are pretty much set in stone, having

McGinn, Luiz and Buendia behind

Bailey, Ings and Watkins

Is not a bad lineup. They can all play football and there's threat all over with that lot and workers throughout. With Sanson, AEG, Ramsay, Chukwuemeka on the bench and as cover I'm not sure we've a problem to be honest.

If we had JWP, then he'd potentially replace one of the three in midfield, if we had Cantwell he'd be a great sub to bring on or as an alternative where I have Watkins.

[Brend'Watkins]

I'm convinced we will still eventually sign a Jack "lite" type of player in Cantwell or ESR. Maybe not this window, but by next summer as long as Dean is still manager.

ESR is Jack lite.  Cantwell is lite, lite.

[Drummond]

Back to the thread for a second, if Arsenal complete Odegaard and Aouar as they are reputedly close to, then where does that leave ESR?

I have no clue what Arsenal are doing. The fans want Martinelli, ESR, Odegaard, Pepe, Saka, Lacazette and Aubameyang on the pitch at the same time. Then there's the 25million they're about to spend on Ramsdale. It makes absolutely no sense.

If Ramsdale is £25m, Emi is £150m now. I've seen a fair few poor keepers, but that bloke is woefully bad.

You can see why ESRs agent was looking to move him out. A lot of players to play one role. One to keep an eye on for Villa.

The Blades fans are happy with the business. They are just desperate for a replacement as the guy who played last night was atrocious.

[Risso]

That’s a fair post Drummond, but the problem for me are the two in front of the defence. It didn’t work very well last year, and I don’t think it will work very well this year. Luiz is a great all round footballer, great on the ball, quick feet but isn’t a DCM. McGinn is excellent joining in with attacks, but isn’t a DCM either. I think either of them playing next to a proper DCM would see their performance levels increased by 20%.

[ChicagoLion]

Something that seems to be lost on people is that you do not win many games without winning the battle in midfield.

[Ian.]

If Luiz can recapture that form just after the Covid break, he really was good in that role at breaking up the opposing play. He didn't quite reach that level last season. Apparently very good in the summer though for Brazil.

[eamonn]

That’s a fair post Drummond, but the problem for me are the two in front of the defence. It didn’t work very well last year, and I don’t think it will work very well this year. Luiz is a great all round footballer, great on the ball, quick feet but isn’t a DCM. McGinn is excellent joining in with attacks, but isn’t a DCM either. I think either of them playing next to a proper DCM would see their performance levels increased by 20%.

Maybe SoccerHQ can comment (or already has done) as I think he has a good idea of Smith's formation/tactical set-up at Brentford but maybe a midfield "enforcer" just isn't what he goes for.

Nakamba aside, perhaps Dean see his CMs as all being generalists rather than specialists. I just don't see why he would have bought Sanson otherwise as Ramsey was breaking through at that time, Hourihane is/was still on our books and Luiz/McGinn/Barkley were all there too.

[Drummond]

Something that seems to be lost on people is that you do not win many games without winning the battle in midfield.

Well you don't win many games with a shit defence or attack either....