Summer 2022 Transfer Thread

[frank black]

I don't think having to sell before we buy has anything to do with FFP.  We are in danger of having a bloated squad with too many players earning money for doing nowt, for example we have Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Trezeguet, El Ghazi and youngsters effectively looking to fill 2 spots on the team sheet and up to 2 on the bench, I'd happily see AEG, Trez go as they aren't up to the standard we need, then if we can find a home for Traore we can bring in another more talented player, this would allow us to use our youngsters to fill holes in case of injuries.

Agree Gonzo.  If we are going down this Dortmund model of youth football then we need to create some room in the squad for them.

What is Guilbert’s situation now, has his contract expired?  From what I read he had a good season in France, could he cover both full-backs next season?  it’d save us £1Xm and give Chrisene and K-Hasler another season to develop.

Everyone seems to be reporting and commenting on how good his loan spells have been, but our manager/s have continually ignored him. We must be paying him an handsome wage, as no one seems to want to buy  him. Maybe another loan followed by a free transfer?

[Steve67]

Being linked with Otavio? Midfielder

[ASHTONVILLA]

I don't think having to sell before we buy has anything to do with FFP.  We are in danger of having a bloated squad with too many players earning money for doing nowt, for example we have Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Trezeguet, El Ghazi and youngsters effectively looking to fill 2 spots on the team sheet and up to 2 on the bench, I'd happily see AEG, Trez go as they aren't up to the standard we need, then if we can find a home for Traore we can bring in another more talented player, this would allow us to use our youngsters to fill holes in case of injuries.

Agree Gonzo.  If we are going down this Dortmund model of youth football then we need to create some room in the squad for them.

What is Guilbert’s situation now, has his contract expired?  From what I read he had a good season in France, could he cover both full-backs next season?  it’d save us £1Xm and give Chrisene and K-Hasler another season to develop.

Everyone seems to be reporting and commenting on how good his loan spells have been, but our manager/s have continually ignored him. We must be paying him an handsome wage, as no one seems to want to buy  him. Maybe another loan followed by a free transfer?

Both him and Sanson look half decent squad players. I think the problem with the pair of them is that they sulk if not in the team. In Guilberts case I seem to recall he pushed for a loan when Cash came in (similar to Targett), and Sanson seems to have a reputation for being difficult to manage.

[Martin Carruthers]

I don't think having to sell before we buy has anything to do with FFP.  We are in danger of having a bloated squad with too many players earning money for doing nowt, for example we have Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Trezeguet, El Ghazi and youngsters effectively looking to fill 2 spots on the team sheet and up to 2 on the bench, I'd happily see AEG, Trez go as they aren't up to the standard we need, then if we can find a home for Traore we can bring in another more talented player, this would allow us to use our youngsters to fill holes in case of injuries.

Agree Gonzo.  If we are going down this Dortmund model of youth football then we need to create some room in the squad for them.

What is Guilbert’s situation now, has his contract expired?  From what I read he had a good season in France, could he cover both full-backs next season?  it’d save us £1Xm and give Chrisene and K-Hasler another season to develop.

Everyone seems to be reporting and commenting on how good his loan spells have been, but our manager/s have continually ignored him. We must be paying him an handsome wage, as no one seems to want to buy  him. Maybe another loan followed by a free transfer?

Both him and Sanson look half decent squad players. I think the problem with the pair of them is that they sulk if not in the team. In Guilberts case I seem to recall he pushed for a loan when Cash came in (similar to Targett), and Sanson seems to have a reputation for being difficult to manage.

Pleased they're not conforming to lazy national stereotype!

[Clark W Griswold]

I'm fine with Kesler as the backup at right-back. If he looks out of his depth then Chambers and Konsa can both do a job there until January, not ideal but I think it would be a mistake to go big on cover there this window.

At DM Nakamba is ok as cover even if he's a limited player compared to Kamara. That gives us the opportunity to keep Iroegbunam in the squad and get him gametime without having to rely on him as a regualr starter in Kamara is out. Another one I'd review in January rather than now. However we do need another midfielder if, as expected, Sanson and Luiz go out, maybe that can be someone more defensive if Kamara is going to play a few roles but personally I think that would be a mistake, he's far more likely to settle in and become the player we need if he's allowed to just be the DM for now.

LB we need something, Chrisene looks a good player but isn't as far along as Kesler and needs a loan this window and none of the options we have (even if Young stays on) really work for me so I'd be happy to see someone come in.

CF is really difficult because we have 4 strikers that I like but they all have weaknesses, Davis is probably going anyway and Archer is one to see how he goes in pre-season before deciding where he plays next season which leaves Watkins and Ings. As I've said a few posts back I don't think Ings really suits how Gerrard seems to want to play so if we could replace him I'd do it but I wouldn't be against going into the season with Watkins, Ings and Archer.

I think RB wise, i'd give Young another year to cover Cash with view to Kesler having a real chance the year after. Therefore, yes, we need to buy a left back as cover for Digne and i suspect that's what they'll be doing.

DM wise, i'd still like to see us go as i mentioned previously but yes fingers crossed Kamara will be the quality DM. He reminds me a lot of Delph from the clips i've seen, and i recall him growing into the role as he matured and got more experienced but took a little while to do so. If we don't buy another holding player, then i suppose we'll see. Yes, and i suppose it could be reviewed in Jan.

There's not a lot wrong on the face of it with a trio of Watkins, Ings and Archer but i just think to progress for European football qualification it needs someone more prolific and able to hold the ball up.

As for others comments about a bloated squad, that's what you get when you're trying to improve your squad year on year. El Ghazi, Trez etc were all ok for that first year back but we've outgrown them. The players that we signed last summer and since would have been very unlikely to join us in summer 2019. So what are you supposed to do? Move on those types of player and buy better ones, it's all you can do unless those players improve dramatically but it's not often the case.

[Toronto Villa]

We have no cover in the full back positions. Sort it out. Cash and Digne aren't exactly flawless.

Sort it out. You know it’s still June right? And we have cover those positions. At RB we gave Guilbert and KH, and at left back we have Young and Chrisine. RB we are fine. LB we need better cover.

[Risso]

I don't think having to sell before we buy has anything to do with FFP.  We are in danger of having a bloated squad with too many players earning money for doing nowt, for example we have Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Trezeguet, El Ghazi and youngsters effectively looking to fill 2 spots on the team sheet and up to 2 on the bench, I'd happily see AEG, Trez go as they aren't up to the standard we need, then if we can find a home for Traore we can bring in another more talented player, this would allow us to use our youngsters to fill holes in case of injuries.

Agree Gonzo.  If we are going down this Dortmund model of youth football then we need to create some room in the squad for them.

What is Guilbert’s situation now, has his contract expired?  From what I read he had a good season in France, could he cover both full-backs next season?  it’d save us £1Xm and give Chrisene and K-Hasler another season to develop.

Guilbert has another year on his contract to go.

[Hookeysmith]

Guilbert has another year on his contract to go.

Then unless directly expressed by Fred himself that he does not want to return then SG needs him in for pre season and see what he is made of - he could be an ideal understudy and with a couple of compatriots around him might just save us some money to spend elsewhere

[Clark W Griswold]

I don't think he's a viable option really, he's been out in the cold for 2 years and unlike when Hutton came back into it when we were on the slide, we're very much hoping to go the other way at the moment. I think he's be ok as back up but i don't think he'd be happy with that.

[Brazilian Villain]

Guilbert has another year on his contract to go.

Then unless directly expressed by Fred himself that he does not want to return then SG needs him in for pre season and see what he is made of - he could be an ideal understudy and with a couple of compatriots around him might just save us some money to spend elsewhere

That would be my preferred option too.

[Toronto Villa]

Freddie Guilbert was never given a fair chance under Dean Smith. And when he played I never remember him having a nightmare that meant he simply wasn’t good enough at PL level. He’s certainly more than good enough to be a first choice back up to Marty Cash.

[ChicagoLion]

Freddie Guilbert was never given a fair chance under Dean Smith. And when he played I never remember him having a nightmare that meant he simply wasn’t good enough at PL level. He’s certainly more than good enough to be a first choice back up to Marty Cash.

His performance at Southampton was one of the worst I have seen by a Villa player and I don’t think he played much after that game.

[Toronto Villa]

Freddie Guilbert was never given a fair chance under Dean Smith. And when he played I never remember him having a nightmare that meant he simply wasn’t good enough at PL level. He’s certainly more than good enough to be a first choice back up to Marty Cash.

His performance at Southampton was one of the worst I have seen by a Villa player and I don’t think he played much after that game.

If we eliminate Villa players based on one bad display then we wouldn’t have a club to support.

[ChicagoLion]

Freddie Guilbert was never given a fair chance under Dean Smith. And when he played I never remember him having a nightmare that meant he simply wasn’t good enough at PL level. He’s certainly more than good enough to be a first choice back up to Marty Cash.

His performance at Southampton was one of the worst I have seen by a Villa player and I don’t think he played much after that game.

If we eliminate Villa players based on one bad display then we wouldn’t have a club to support.

I was just commenting as you said you did not remember him having a nightmare. I was trying to research if it was his last game.
He was not the only one that day but probably the pick of the bunch.

[chrisw1]

I don't think having to sell before we buy has anything to do with FFP.  We are in danger of having a bloated squad with too many players earning money for doing nowt, for example we have Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Trezeguet, El Ghazi and youngsters effectively looking to fill 2 spots on the team sheet and up to 2 on the bench, I'd happily see AEG, Trez go as they aren't up to the standard we need, then if we can find a home for Traore we can bring in another more talented player, this would allow us to use our youngsters to fill holes in case of injuries.

Agree Gonzo.  If we are going down this Dortmund model of youth football then we need to create some room in the squad for them.

What is Guilbert’s situation now, has his contract expired?  From what I read he had a good season in France, could he cover both full-backs next season?  it’d save us £1Xm and give Chrisene and K-Hasler another season to develop.

Guilbert has another year on his contract to go.

I'd be amazed if Guilbert is in the squad next season.  I think we'll rely on a combination of Chambers / Konsa / Young and recall KKH if we have a big injury.  I don't think we should be looking for a right back at all and am looking forward to seeing what KKH can do when he gets his chance.