January 2023 Transfer Rumours, Discussions and Done Deals Thread

[Drummond]

Yep fuck the Champions League, I want to beat Southampton tomorrow!

[Sexual Ealing]

So long as there is a plan I can see why we are sorting the squad out now. We aren’t going down or qualifying for Europe. So why wait til end of season?

Because:

- We can still qualify for Europe, we're only 5 points off Brighton in 7th, and 6 points off Fulham in 6th, and Fulham have played a game more.
- We need to show players like Martinez that we mean business
- Winning becomes a habit, as Newcastle have demonstrated
- Finishing 6th or finishing 10th is a difference of about £20m in prize money
- If we finish in a disappointing lower table position again we'll struggle to get decent recruits in the summer

And irrespective of the medium and long-term permutations, it's more fun when Villa win football matches rather than lose football matches.

I'm not sure I can agree with this. What would I be annoyed about?

[Ian.]

So long as there is a plan I can see why we are sorting the squad out now. We aren’t going down or qualifying for Europe. So why wait til end of season?

Because:

- We can still qualify for Europe, we're only 5 points off Brighton in 7th, and 6 points off Fulham in 6th, and Fulham have played a game more.
- We need to show players like Martinez that we mean business
- Winning becomes a habit, as Newcastle have demonstrated
- Finishing 6th or finishing 10th is a difference of about £20m in prize money
- If we finish in a disappointing lower table position again we'll struggle to get decent recruits in the summer

And irrespective of the medium and long-term permutations, it's more fun when Villa win football matches rather than lose football matches.

I'm not sure I can agree with this. What would I be annoyed about?

I’m sure our resident Flintstone can advise you.

[SaddVillan]

Juventus docked 15 points for dodgy dealing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64355497

Weston McKennie said he wasn't keen on moving from Juve to Villa/Bournemouth because they weren't involved in European football.

Reckon he might be reconsidering?

[LeonW]

Juventus docked 15 points for dodgy dealing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64355497

Weston McKennie said he wasn't keen on moving from Juve to Villa/Bournemouth because they weren't involved in European football.

Reckon he might be reconsidering?

That’s it? 15 points. Christ almighty. May as well just cheat.

[eamonn]

Well, in some ways better than fining them. This puts them at risk of missing out on Chumps League.

[Steve67]

Well, in some ways better than fining them. This puts them at risk of missing out on Chumps League.

They should dock the points at the end of the season, not in the middle of it so they can make up the shortfall and still have a chance of getting in to the Champs League.  They should be told that they are banned from it for next season and given a proper punishment.  Not as if they have form either!!

[LeonW]

Well, in some ways better than fining them. This puts them at risk of missing out on Chumps League.

I think because the period in question covers more than one season, I personally think a point deduction this season alone is lenient. I agree it’s preferable to a fine, but ultimately, it should probably be both and more, with some of the money going to clubs that have ultimately lost out due to behaviour of Juve, a club that consistently cheats time and time again. Even a fine isn’t necessarily easy to quantify due to advantages gained in making transfers, etc.

They’re only being punished on one season which will probably be reduced on appeal just as it was for some clubs back in 2006. They’ll be quite happy with the current outcome despite the signals of shock they’ll undoubtedly be giving. It should really be a fine, points deduction, transfer ban and removal of any trophies won during the period.

[pauliewalnuts]

Juventus need putting into a cannon and firing into the sea.

Vile club.

[SamTheMouse]

On Guendouzi scouting duty tonight.

Played mainly on the left for some reason. I'm not overly convinced by the formation Marseille use - think it's meant to be 3-4-3.

Anyway, he was fairly anonymous in the first half, but very good in the second and scored the only goal of the game with a nice controlled finish, albeit with what looked like a slight deflection.

He's definitely quality though, clearly one of the leaders on the pitch despite being only 23. Some nice touches, and doesn't get flustered when under pressure. He's certainly got an engine on him too. Late on he sprinted forward to press their right back and was clearly miffed his teammates didn't follow - but they were clearly knackered.

[tomd2103]

Trimming the squad is one thing, having one senior striker is another. Let’s hope we have something sorted quick, because whichever way you look at it if we leave January without another forward in it’s poor decision making. Hopefully that won’t be the case.

It seems to have happened quite a bit in January over the last few years, where we have sold someone and left ourselves a bit short in certain positions.  If it happens again, then I think some questions need to be asked about Lange and reading between the lines, Emery already seems to have his doubts about him.

[Percy McCarthy]

On Guendouzi scouting duty tonight.

Played mainly on the left for some reason. I'm not overly convinced by the formation Marseille use - think it's meant to be 3-4-3.

Anyway, he was fairly anonymous in the first half, but very good in the second and scored the only goal of the game with a nice controlled finish, albeit with what looked like a slight deflection.

He's definitely quality though, clearly one of the leaders on the pitch despite being only 23. Some nice touches, and doesn't get flustered when under pressure. He's certainly got an engine on him too. Late on he sprinted forward to press their right back and was clearly miffed his teammates didn't follow - but they were clearly knackered.

Not desperately trying to impress Villa scouts maybe?

I really want us to get him in. Kamara, Luiz, Tim, JJ and Guendouzi is some midfield squad.

[ROBBO]

 The impression I get from Guendouzi is of a leader who wants to win, He is just the quality of player we need.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Cheers, Sam. Good to know.

[VILLA MOLE]

was he waving a final goodbye to all the marseilles fans at the end ?🤔😃