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

[rob_bridge]

Konsa relies heavily on Mings when it comes to passing out from the back so I can see Emery seeking a player that’s more comfortable on the ball.

Konsa is not a first choice Top6 CB. Squad player yes. Neither is Cash a Top6 first choice as RB or Bailey or Bert as RF/RW. We have no fit for purpose back up keeper either.

If we want to make the step up these need addressing/upgrades.

If Carlos is a busted flush then CB defo an area to strengthen

[paul_e]

I think it's not unreasonable to consider Carlos as a risk right now so he'd be the 4th choice which means we're looking for a replacement for Chambers as the 3rd genuine starter option. If Carlos gets fully fit and back to the level he was then great we've got 4 starting standard centre backs and we might need to review that next summer.

Torres being a leftie doesn't worry me but it does seem to be something that a lot of fans get overly concerned about. If we had 2 right-footed centre backs no one would care but people automatically assume 2 left-footers will have problems, it's nonsense, good coaching and players learning how to play together will work that out.

Longer term I wouldn't be surprised if, when one of the 4 leaves, we don't replace them directly and instead we leave space for Feeney and have Kamara/Dendoncker/New DM as the cover if we need an experienced option at centre half for a run of games.

[FatSam]

I really hope we can have some decent runs in the domestic cups and Europe, as well as being competitive in the league. The fact that we only played games 41 games across all competitions last season, whilst there are teams who will have played almost 20 more is pretty stark. The way I see it, the more games you play, the more presence you have, and the more relevant you become. This will clearly need more squad depth and quality.

[Drummond]

I really hope we can have some decent runs in the domestic cups and Europe, as well as being competitive in the league. The fact that we only played games 41 games across all competitions last season, whilst there are teams who will have played almost 20 more is pretty stark. The way I see it, the more games you play, the more presence you have, and the more relevant you become. This will clearly need more squad depth and quality.

Yep, potentially 65 games if we go the distance in all competitions. With that many games you need depth. We have to aim for it.

[PeterWithe]

Diego had a run-about at Wolves briefly but didn't feature again and wasn't even on the bench the last game or two.

Missing a year of football at his age is really tough, so I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst.

If the medical staff are still concerned I hope none of them saw him carrying Duggie around the pitch on his shoulders after the Brighton game.

[ChicagoLion]

Diego had a run-about at Wolves briefly but didn't feature again and wasn't even on the bench the last game or two.

Missing a year of football at his age is really tough, so I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst.

If the medical staff are still concerned I hope none of them saw him carrying Duggie around the pitch on his shoulders after the Brighton game.

After a vigorous pre match warm up.

[pablo_picasso]

How do other top clubs manage it?

By going deep into the Champions League and cups for a start. 

And outside of Man City & Chelsea, how many other clubs do actually manage it?

So how are we meant to go deep in cups & qualify for Champs League without quality depth?

Maybe we act like a big club & give games to the backup CB's when others are injured, suspended, low on form, in the cups, in the Conference League?

Nobody is saying we need 4 CBs like Baresi, Beckenbaur, McGrath & Costacurta on the books all at once.

But I think we are at the stage in our development where players like Konsa & Mings have to take a step back to stay at the club.

Maybe not both, but one of them does.

Especially if we are going to be playing out from the back as while they have done a sterling job, it is not their natural game & there are far better CBs out there who do it more naturally.

Fixed.

Jebus H. Christ, how could I forget McGrath?!?

Cheers for the correction... 👍

I thought Cannavaro was a bit better than Costacurta as well but i'm probably just being picky.

Great player, but the height differences give Costacurta the edge for me.

They were not the greatest at it initially which is to be expected as it's a new concept to their game.  Both have massively improved at it over time with coaching. Another CB would be good (Not Maguire though) as I think Carlos has an air of Ivo Stas about him.

Oh, I agree they have improved.

And a lot.

I have made the correction to my own concerns made known on this very site.

But there are players out there who do it better than they do.

Konsa especially.

[OCD]

Longer term I wouldn't be surprised if, when one of the 4 leaves, we don't replace them directly and instead we leave space for Feeney and have Kamara/Dendoncker/New DM as the cover if we need an experienced option at centre half for a run of games.

That must be at least a couple of years away. He's got to go out on loan next season for his first loan, probably at a league 1 or 2 side. Then, assuming that goes well, a season in the Championship. I would have thought going straight to a Championship side would be a bit much.

Sounds like Bogarde's done well at Bristol Rovers so it will be interesting to see whether he can get a loan move to a championship side.

[Vegas]

I can’t remember exactly, but were the Gerrard signings Coutinho, Carlos and Digne? If so - Jesus. Aside from his ego, lack of man management and lack of tactics, he’s left us with 3 expensive, relatively old, not fit for purpose players.

[Chris Smith]

I can’t remember exactly, but were the Gerrard signings Coutinho, Carlos and Digne? If so - Jesus. Aside from his ego, lack of man management and lack of tactics, he’s left us with 3 expensive, relatively old, not fit for purpose players.

He also signed Kamara who is clearly a talent.

[Vegas]

I can’t remember exactly, but were the Gerrard signings Coutinho, Carlos and Digne? If so - Jesus. Aside from his ego, lack of man management and lack of tactics, he’s left us with 3 expensive, relatively old, not fit for purpose players.

He also signed Kamara who is clearly a talent.

Yep - fair enough, great signing

[pablo_picasso]

Longer term I wouldn't be surprised if, when one of the 4 leaves, we don't replace them directly and instead we leave space for Feeney and have Kamara/Dendoncker/New DM as the cover if we need an experienced option at centre half for a run of games.

That must be at least a couple of years away. He's got to go out on loan next season for his first loan, probably at a league 1 or 2 side. Then, assuming that goes well, a season in the Championship. I would have thought going straight to a Championship side would be a bit much.

Sounds like Bogarde's done well at Bristol Rovers so it will be interesting to see whether he can get a loan move to a championship side.

There is Kerr Smith to consider for the CB slot long term too. Him & Feeney both need Championship loans.

Bogarde did well at Bristol Rovers, but mostly at CDM. By all accounts, it sounds like he has performed like Iroegbunam. Lots of pace, breaking up play, driving forward with the ball, simple passing, etc.

He is versatile player so could be useful for the squad in the longer term, depending on where we are competing at that time.

[eamonn]

I can’t remember exactly, but were the Gerrard signings Coutinho, Carlos and Digne? If so - Jesus. Aside from his ego, lack of man management and lack of tactics, he’s left us with 3 expensive, relatively old, not fit for purpose players.

Harsh, he can't have foreseen Carlos' injury and if it wasn't for Gerrard, I'm not sure we would have got Kamara (though he may have been seduced by Emery in the same circumstances).
Loading the highest wages at the club onto Coutinho and Digne was dumb-dumb but I blame Purslow for that who would have been seen as wanting to back "his" man.

[brontebilly]

I can’t remember exactly, but were the Gerrard signings Coutinho, Carlos and Digne? If so - Jesus. Aside from his ego, lack of man management and lack of tactics, he’s left us with 3 expensive, relatively old, not fit for purpose players.

Don't think Gerrard can be blamed for Carlos injury in his second game. Other two should have been avoided, we were just mugged off by Barca really with Coutinho. At the risk of sounding like a broken record....James Rodriguezzzz 😂

[ASHTONVILLA]

I can’t remember exactly, but were the Gerrard signings Coutinho, Carlos and Digne? If so - Jesus. Aside from his ego, lack of man management and lack of tactics, he’s left us with 3 expensive, relatively old, not fit for purpose players.

Don't think Gerrard can be blamed for Carlos injury in his second game. Other two should have been avoided, we were just mugged off by Barca really with Coutinho. At the risk of sounding like a broken record....James Rodriguezzzz 😂

Bit harsh on Coutinho, who was an exciting signing and did well when he first came in on loan. I think if he stays we will see better performances from in in the European games where his lack of pace will be less of an issue. He clearly still has a lot of skill.

Having said that, I would not be at all surprised to see him head to the Saudi league this summer where his wages and age will not be a problem.