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

[trinityoap]

That's a dig at them Dante,not you.

[Clark W Griswold]

GK: Martinez, Olsen*, Marschall^
Still concerned about Olsen, would like a good young up and coming keeper who wouldn’t mind being arguably the worlds best GK’s understudy for a couple of years or a mid thirties experienced pro who will be happy with a dozen or so games at a club on the up. Just a safer pair of hands either way.

RB: Cash, Chambers*
I’d still like a specialist right back in, we’re down a player with Mings injury and I’d leave Chambers to be the 4th choice CB

LB: Moreno, Digne
Fine unless Digne goes on which case we need a replacement

CB: Pau, Carlos, Konsa, Mings!
Chambers the 4th CB with Mings out so fine as is. I think Carlos can play left or right?

DM: Kamara, Donk
Fine

CM: Luiz, Tielemans, McGinn
More than fine

AM: Ramsey, Coutinho, Buendia!
If Coutinho goes we need a replacement, it’s sounding likely if you believe the media

W: Bailey, Bertie*
Ideally Bertie could go and a new player to come in. Mainly due to his injury record as he’s ok when fit.

10: Diaby, Zaniolo
Fine

St: Watkins, Duran^
Again I think we need someone, if Watkins gets injured we’re knackered as I see Duran as an impact sub at the moment. Again an experienced pro who can play in Watkins style would be ideal.

Comments added. My thoughts going into the last week of the window. We look to be clearing the decks a bit offloading young players that we don’t think will be up to it, or certainty not yet.

I don't disagree with any of that really, but I'd also be ok if the only signing from now is someone who covers 2-3 positions in the attack. I think that's the only big hole in the squad.

Yeah they’ve interchangeable really, I think if we sold Coutinho we should get a replacement but could then also offload Traore without getting another. As long as it’s a good player that can cover both.
I doubt Digne will go now so that shouldn’t be an issue.
The others concern me though, RB the least.

[curiousorange]

Spuds going after Brennan Johnson. I'd be surprised if we're not linked again.

[Dante Lavelli]

Spuds going after Brennan Johnson. I'd be surprised if we're not linked again.

Good player but the sort you’d hope to sign because they need to sell rather than winning a bidding war with spurs.

I wonder if forest are leaking these stories to flush out bidders.

[Mister E]

Given we are raising money from Ramsey, Bidace, Davis, Archer, around 39mill, I expect us to push the boat out for someone by offering their club a deal they can't refuse, forcing the player out even if he doesn't want to join little old Villa.  I am wondering whether this might be Ferran Torres.  Obviously, we may have more dosh if Coutinho is indeed going and this isn't twitter nonsense.

I think you’re right. Feels like we are gearing up for one final swoop. Ferran Torres does cover all the positions from winger, to 10 to striker. One player filling lots of gaps but I’m unsure whether he is actually any good. Felix is good enough but might not like being mr versatile.
I take either on loan and use the season to convince them that we are worthy,

I wouldn't take either.
Not sure what the alternatives are, mind.
In my view, EU may well stick with what he has for the time being - across the front, he has Watkins, Z, Diaby, Traore, Bailey all of whom have some versatility. With McGinn and Ramsey as wide / attacking midfielders and Kamara, Luiz, Tielemans, Donk and Tim as box-to-box / defensive midfielders, he still has Kellyman, Wilson and O'Reilly as youth wild cards.
So, right FB (and possibly cover for McGinn) would be the obvious place to strengthen.

[Mister E]

I see Henderson is going to CP from RedManc. I always rated him, but he wouldn't come here whilst Emi1 is still around, I suppose.

[eamonn]

One to cross off the list

Romano

Lazio have reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille on €18m package for Mattéo Guendouzi ⚪️🔵🇫🇷

He'll do really well in Italy. To the extent that I might even say this tips Lazio into the title picture.

Percy will be devo'd, he loved the guy. And presumably hates Lazio too. Double devo'd.

[Percy McCarthy]

One to cross off the list

Romano

Lazio have reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille on €18m package for Mattéo Guendouzi ⚪️🔵🇫🇷

He'll do really well in Italy. To the extent that I might even say this tips Lazio into the title picture.

Percy will be devo'd, he loved the guy. And presumably hates Lazio too. Double devo'd.

Not exactly devo’d as SJM has stepped up but he would have been great cover for him and either of the central two, whereas YT is only cover for the centre.

[Dave]

One to cross off the list

Romano

Lazio have reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille on €18m package for Mattéo Guendouzi ⚪️🔵🇫🇷

He'll do really well in Italy. To the extent that I might even say this tips Lazio into the title picture.

Counterpoint- he's no Milinkovic-Savic, and they were a long way from challenging for the title with SMS.

[Monty]

One to cross off the list

Romano

Lazio have reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille on €18m package for Mattéo Guendouzi ⚪️🔵🇫🇷

He'll do really well in Italy. To the extent that I might even say this tips Lazio into the title picture.

Counterpoint- he's no Milinkovic-Savic, and they were a long way from challenging for the title with SMS.

They finished second! But no sure, it was a distant second. Thing is, SMS, never the quickest, was IMO showing signs of slowing last year, and never seemed the most natural fit for Sarri. Guendozi's best might not be SMS's best, but he might well be a better fit, and more consistently what they need.

[tomd2103]

I think that the recent spate of outgoings will see us a few coming in this week.  I think not having the full.compliment of subs today might be a nod to that.

[Villafirst]

Definitely need another striker for cover now Archer has gone. Yes, the bench emphasises that. Hope we sign at least two players by deadline day. A good start could be derailed by more injuries.....

[SoccerHQ]

Despite the injury crisis we still had Bailey as unused sub and Tielemans came on with 5 minutes left.

Chelsea bench the other night was pretty much full of kids and I wouldn't say Calum Wilson and Jota aside the respective Newcastle and Liverpool benches are stacked full of players who'd walk into our team so I'd say our depth in some areas is pretty good and hopefully Ramsey and Moreno will be ready to return in the next 4-6 weeks.

[Drummond]

Today's match day squad was missing 8 players.

Martinez, Mings, Moreno, Dendoncker, Iroegbunam, Buendia, Coutinho and Ramsey.

That's 7 players who would have been in the squad plus a very promising young player.

2 out for the season(Mings, Buendia) 3 due back soon (Martinez, Moreno, Ramsey) , 2 to be sold (Coutinho, Dendoncker) and one young player would who would have been in if fit.

That's quite some strength, though with 4 likely to not be available it shows the need for signings.

[Small Rodent]

I don’t think we’ll sign anyone else to be honest.