January 2023 Transfer Rumours, Discussions and Done Deals Thread

[coreyfeldman]

Even if he's a bit part player I can definitely see the benefit in keeping him around though. There'll be a fair few new faces around come the start of next season and it's important to have senior players that are fully involved, and he ticks those boxes for me.

without any signings our options for midfield look pretty decent: dougie, kamara, both ramseys, Tim, mcginn, dendoncker, emi

[brontebilly]

McGinn is going nowhere, he's still captain and he loves being here and can be a decent option for us

Two years left on his deal in summer so just feels like the right time to part ways. We've had excellent value out of him, he hasn't been great last 18 months and I think we have better options in most areas where he plays although he has played well last two so can still do a job when required.

Given two of our most fluid performances v Brentford and Man. United came with him on the bench I don't see why McGinn leaving would be some big issue.

I personally would move on all of Konsa, McGinn and Watkins in the summer. Sometimes you just reach that point with certain personnel but who knows what UE will do given he's still starting them all regularly.

McGinn has played really well last two games in a different role. He did well when he came on v Man United too. I'm struggling to recall the Brighton game but I think Emery has correctly recognised that he was playing in the wrong position. Hamstring injury is unfortunate but if he continues this early form under Emery we should be extending his contract.

I think both our starting centre backs are vulnerable to change. Let's see how Carlos gets on when he gets fully fit to see if he can displace one of them. Watkins is playing well too I think..

[Toronto Villa]

McGinn hasn’t played wel at all. It was clear to see he was struggling, be it with his own form or as part of the limited tactical approach of the previous manager. So the criticism he got he deserved. He was a liability much the same as Olsen has been. That doesn’t mean he didn’t care. The doesn’t mean he cannot still contribute playing for a manager who can get the best out of him and the other players. But he’s still not a top 6 calibre starting every week midfielder. A squad player for sure. But he’ll have to be ok with that at this stage of his career. We need to get players to legitimately challenge to be starting players in every position. Not more squad players.

[brontebilly]

McGinn hasn’t played wel at all. It was clear to see he was struggling, be it with his own form or as part of the limited tactical approach of the previous manager. So the criticism he got he deserved. He was a liability much the same as Olsen has been. That doesn’t mean he didn’t care. The doesn’t mean he cannot still contribute playing for a manager who can get the best out of him and the other players. But he’s still not a top 6 calibre starting every week midfielder. A squad player for sure. But he’ll have to be ok with that at this stage of his career. We need to get players to legitimately challenge to be starting players in every position. Not more squad players.

Comparing McGinn to Olsen is complete nonsense. He needs competition for his place, same as every other player. If you can't see that McGinn has played well since Emery came in then I suggest you change your spectacles

[Toronto Villa]

The point of comparison is to state that both deserved criticism for their poor play. At no point have I said he hasn’t played well under Emery. If you’ve read that somewhere then I might suggest a change in your eyewear.

[Dante Lavelli]

It’s a huge credit to Emery that players are starting to look good (again).  Luiz, Watkins and McGinn have all had spells where they’ve looked comfortably top-half but haven’t managed to maintain it. 

It’s one of the reasons I’m not desperate for signings, just yet, let him improve what we have first so we sign fewer but better players next summer.

[Toronto Villa]

Of course. That’s the mark of a good manager and staff that they can get the best out of what they have while improving the club gradually. It’s why correctly Eddie Howe and his team are being spoken about in glowing terms because they have done just at Newcastle with a core squad not much dissimilar to what Bruce had. He’s gone and added some quality pieces and propelled them to 2nd. That’s what we all hope Emery does with us.

[DrGonzo]

If the McKennie link has any legs there will be some serious competition incoming.  That would give us an outstanding starting midfield.

[Risso]

I think it would be dangerous not to strengthen this January though, in the hope that all the players maintain their form. Gerrard won three out of four when he tookover as well, but then he and the players couldn't maintain it.

[Toronto Villa]

I think we absolutely will. I can see players coming and going and the first team and squad by the end being stronger overall. The WC being when it is coupled with the immediate results has helped all round. He’s got a good look at the squad and will have a better idea of what we need now and later in the summer. The question as always is getting the deals over the line without being ripped off.

[coreyfeldman]

The players couldn't maintain it because they were being coached and managed by a total fraudster though. I'd be willing to bet a whole lot on the same players maintaining better form under this manager than the previous one

[LeeB]

Where have you McGinn fanboys been hiding these last 18 months (wink). I'm sure in majority of match threads he's slagged off from start to finish so need some of those to come back from the pub later and provide some balance.

I'm fairly neutral on him generally but him being made captain and playing every single minute for Gerrard was very annoying.

We'd probably have to give him a new deal if he's to remain a regular part of this club so that's something else to consider.

I've always loved him, others have gone quiet *cups ears at Percy and Risso*

I just don’t think he’s very good. Technically, fitness-wise, anything really. He wasn’t playing well before his big injury in our first season up, but we didn’t have anyone on his level then. Now, Ramsay is miles better. Not bad as a squad player I suppose, but there’s a financial upside to selling and replacing him. Take the profit.

I know mate, I'm only joshing with the pair of ya. For me, a good coach, like the one we now have takes his fairly unusual qualites and amplifies them whilst knocking out the creases. His passing could be a bit erratic but at the same time he's capable of sublime balls like the one we saw against Spurs.

I do think we'll see a lot of changes between in the team from game to game not because of lack of form, but depending on who we're playing and how we're setting up, and Sunday was perfect for McGinn whereas tomorrow night might suit Ramsey more.

[Risso]

When's Ramsey back, haven't even seen him mentioned for a while.

[Clark W Griswold]

Gerard Deulofeu linked. Not seen much of him recently but remember him as the bloke that came on for Watford as a sub in the FA Cup semi against Wolves a few years ago and pretty much single handed turned a 0-2 into a 3-2 AET. Very, very talented player and has been playing regularly in Serie A over the past few years.

De Paul sounds like a good one as well.

[brontebilly]

The point of comparison is to state that both deserved criticism for their poor play. At no point have I said he hasn’t played well under Emery. If you’ve read that somewhere then I might suggest a change in your eyewear.

Re-read the first sentence of your post