2023 Summer transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[pablo_picasso]

We won't be after JWP.  He's a good player, one of those I think who you would appreciate more if he played for you, but we won't be spending that sort of money on decent English players. 

Plus I tried repeatedly to buy him in FIFA when he was a youngster and the fucker would never join (was the only time I ever played FIFA).  And as for that golf club celebration...

Ward-Prowse is a decidedly average footballer.

Great at set pieces, but as a footballer, he is slow & weak. He can pass the ball well, but we already have Dendoncker who is slow & can pass the ball well, but he is 6'2".

I think we have moved on from paying premium prices for average English footballers.

[Steve67]

I suspected links with US players and Chris Heck may have some sway/imput for taking Tyler Adams if we sign the American International

I'm not sure Chris Heck would be known by Adams - he's a businessman rather than a footballing man.

This has been pointed out to him many time but he still insists on pedalling this bollocks.

People see connections in various ways. I perceive an American link that others don't want to see, which is understandable, but we can all allow ourselves to think of our own thoughts without making such unpleasant comments. Even if their beliefs and opinions differ, everyone ultimately supports the same club. In this scenario, it's simply alternative thought and seemed to be informed it's not welcome.
Personally, I think Heck, in helping out the club, as does Purslow, will have a view. And we can't say Purslow wasn't involved with Gerrard's signing. The theory may not be correct, but I like to look at links.
 

I see American money and the potential for investment, shirt sponsors, ground or stand sponsorship.  Nothing to do with transfers of players.  Any player in the American leagues, I am sure we already have covered with our scouting network.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think we have moved on from paying premium prices for average English footballers.

I hope you’re right however I’d still like us to target the best 16-22 year olds, including from england, and make sure there’s a culture where they reach their potential.  JWP is the wrong age as much as he is over priced.

[edgysatsuma89]

We won't be after JWP.  He's a good player, one of those I think who you would appreciate more if he played for you, but we won't be spending that sort of money on decent English players. 

Plus I tried repeatedly to buy him in FIFA when he was a youngster and the fucker would never join (was the only time I ever played FIFA).  And as for that golf club celebration...

Ward-Prowse is a decidedly average footballer.

Great at set pieces, but as a footballer, he is slow & weak. He can pass the ball well, but we already have Dendoncker who is slow & can pass the ball well, but he is 6'2".

I think we have moved on from paying premium prices for average English footballers.

As has been said, he is regularly in the top distance coverers in the league (if not top). I doubt he's that slow and weak.

[pablo_picasso]

We won't be after JWP.  He's a good player, one of those I think who you would appreciate more if he played for you, but we won't be spending that sort of money on decent English players. 

Plus I tried repeatedly to buy him in FIFA when he was a youngster and the fucker would never join (was the only time I ever played FIFA).  And as for that golf club celebration...

Ward-Prowse is a decidedly average footballer.

Great at set pieces, but as a footballer, he is slow & weak. He can pass the ball well, but we already have Dendoncker who is slow & can pass the ball well, but he is 6'2".

I think we have moved on from paying premium prices for average English footballers.

As has been said, he is regularly in the top distance coverers in the league (if not top). I doubt he's that slow and weak.

Distance covered is about how much he runs around.

His pace & strength have little to do with that.

Although I can see where one could argue that pace would help him get around, but its more about his stamina & his desire to get around the pitch.

And at Southampton, he has had to do that a lot.

He is still weak & slow though.

And average an footballer who would probably cost more than he is worth because he is English.

So it a firm "no thanks" from me.

[edgysatsuma89]

We won't be after JWP.  He's a good player, one of those I think who you would appreciate more if he played for you, but we won't be spending that sort of money on decent English players. 

Plus I tried repeatedly to buy him in FIFA when he was a youngster and the fucker would never join (was the only time I ever played FIFA).  And as for that golf club celebration...

Ward-Prowse is a decidedly average footballer.

Great at set pieces, but as a footballer, he is slow & weak. He can pass the ball well, but we already have Dendoncker who is slow & can pass the ball well, but he is 6'2".

I think we have moved on from paying premium prices for average English footballers.

As has been said, he is regularly in the top distance coverers in the league (if not top). I doubt he's that slow and weak.

Distance covered is about how much he runs around.

His pace & strength have little to do with that.

Although I can see where one could argue that pace would help him get around, but its more about his stamina & his desire to get around the pitch.

And at Southampton, he has had to do that a lot.

He is still weak & slow though.

And average an footballer who would probably cost more than he is worth because he is English.

So it a firm "no thanks" from me.

I don't want him either, particularly at the price but I think he is harshly judged on here. I mean how much Southampton have any of us really watched? I know that would limit discussion but I'm not sure how people can be so definitive. A bit like those spurs tits not having Luiz or Kamara in their mixed 11 because they just don't know how good they really are.

[pablo_picasso]

He's 28, so I have seen enough of him over the years to form my opinion.

And lets be honest, pace & strength are things you can spot fairly easily.

But, I can also recognise that he is an energetic hard worker who can pass the ball pretty well.

I just think that he is overrated purely because of his set pieces.

Which are fabulous & probably bettered by nobody.

But that type of player is more suited to the likes of Burnley under Dyche.

Not Villa under Emery.

[SamTheMouse]

O'Neill would have been all over Ward-Prowse, for the equivalent of about 60 million and 200 grand a week in wages.

[danno]

Always thought he’d end up at Tottenham for some reason.

[CT Villan]

O'Neill would have been all over Ward-Prowse, for the equivalent of about 60 million and 200 grand a week in wages.

...and would have played him at right back.

JWP is a big fish in a small pond, Villa are (once again) no longer a small pond and as such we need better quality.

[Monty]

O'Neill would have been all over Ward-Prowse, for the equivalent of about 60 million and 200 grand a week in wages.

...and would have played him at right back.

JWP is a big fish in a small pond, Villa are (once again) no longer a small pond and as such we need better quality.

(I actually reckon he'd make a fine right back!)

[Footy-Vill]

O'Neill would have been all over Ward-Prowse, for the equivalent of about 60 million and 200 grand a week in wages.

...and would have played him at right back.

JWP is a big fish in a small pond, Villa are (once again) no longer a small pond and as such we need better quality.

(I actually reckon he'd make a fine right back!)

Played right back for Southampton against Grealish at Villa and did ok. It was most frustrating!

[Drummond]

He will go to West Ham and do ok.

[Gareth]

We won't be after JWP.  He's a good player, one of those I think who you would appreciate more if he played for you, but we won't be spending that sort of money on decent English players. 

Plus I tried repeatedly to buy him in FIFA when he was a youngster and the fucker would never join (was the only time I ever played FIFA).  And as for that golf club celebration...

Ward-Prowse is a decidedly average footballer.

Great at set pieces, but as a footballer, he is slow & weak. He can pass the ball well, but we already have Dendoncker who is slow & can pass the ball well, but he is 6'2".

I think we have moved on from paying premium prices for average English footballers.

As has been said, he is regularly in the top distance coverers in the league (if not top). I doubt he's that slow and weak.

Distance covered is about how much he runs around.

His pace & strength have little to do with that.

Although I can see where one could argue that pace would help him get around, but its more about his stamina & his desire to get around the pitch.

And at Southampton, he has had to do that a lot.

He is still weak & slow though.

And average an footballer who would probably cost more than he is worth because he is English.

So it a firm "no thanks" from me.

Completed less tackles than McGinn, Ramsey or Luiz so another not upgrade thing….feel grubby even looking up a stat…the moment I look up anything like that xG BS I’ll cut up my season ticket and put boot through tv.

As for captain slow JWP, it was a yes two years ago when ambition was purely to stay in this league…now we are looking at top 6 challenges he is miles off the standard required.

[Londonvilla]

Nico Williams representative makes it impossible with Athletic

https://bilbaohiria.com/deportes/representante-de-nico-williams-lo-pone-imposible-con-el-athletic/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Maria Jose Gonzalez

June 10, 2023 | 2:10 p.m.

According to Jon Uriarte, Athletic has a hole of €30 million
Summer promises to be hot in the world of Basque football. Nico Williams , the emerging jewel of Athletic Club, finds himself in the middle of a tug of war between the rojiblanco club and the siren songs coming from the Premier League. The game is on and the tactical moves are happening at breakneck speed.

The British Bid: Aston Villa Enter the Game
Félix Tainta, representative of Nico Williams, has confirmed the existence of an offer from Aston Villa , a renowned club in the English Premier League. This proposal has fallen like lightning on the Athletic board, forcing it to reconsider the bet they had put on the table to retain their young promise.

The English entity sees in Williams a valuable asset, capable of adding freshness, speed and overflow to its offensive line. Although the Bilbao club knows of the potential of the young winger, the British offer could force an improvement in the conditions for the player in San Mamés.

Unai Emery Enters the Scene: Secret Meeting?
Something that adds more flavor to this broth of intrigues is the supposed meeting that Nico Williams would have had with Unai Emery , the experienced Basque coach who currently leads Villarreal CF. The ramifications of this meeting are still uncertain, but they suggest that other clubs may enter the bid for the talented footballer.

Emery, known for his ability to develop young talent, could see Williams as an interesting project for his tactical scheme. However, for now everything remains conjecture and rumors, thus adding another layer of uncertainty to the player's future.

The Next Step: What Will Happen with Nico Williams?
With an offer from the Premier on the table and the shadow of a meeting with Emery, the future of Nico Williams seems to be full of possibilities. Athletic, aware of the player's potential, is in a delicate position to retain his promise.

If the rojiblanco club wants to keep Williams in their ranks, they will need to play their cards wisely. However, in this football chess game, there is no guarantee of victory for either side.