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

[eamonn]

Chrissie Samba, get up there and cause mayhem t'fuck.

[Ger Regan]

Yep, seems like he went Striker - Defender (briefly) - Striker.

[rob_bridge]

Scimeca, was a forward in youth football.

It really is rare. Most high-profile recent example must be recovered-fullback Michail Antonio.

Didn't Chris Sutton start in defence at Norwich. Paul Warhurst was another that converted and did well.

Sutton did. Warhurst was emergency as David Hirst injured and then he and Mark Bright clicked. Wasn't lasting mind.

[Clampy]

Alan Evans? He started as a forward I think.

[Gareth]

Dion Dublin?

Didn't he go the other way?  Started as a striker but made a pretty decent stab at being a central defender later in his career.

One of my favourite things was watching Dion get an ovation for a bit of defending which invariably he had made the mistake to cause the other team to get the chance he subsequently blocked.

[paul_e]

Scimeca, was a forward in youth football.

It really is rare. Most high-profile recent example must be recovered-fullback Michail Antonio.

Surely Saka? Left back for 18months before becoming one of the best right wingers in the league. I know it's not exactly the same but if you're counting Antonio...

On topic, I do think some people are being a bit greedy. In our version of a front 2 we have Watkins and 3 players (Duran, Diaby, Zaniolo) who've joined the club in 2023 and yet there's still demands for another striker. I just don't see how we bring another player into that group and don't end up with someone who doesn't play very often. I get that Duran is very raw and that no one really knows if Emery sees Diaby and Zaniolo as a viable pairing but I think we need space for them still. If Coutinho does leave than that presents an opportunity to add another player who can be in the mix there but also for elsewhere in the team and Emery seems to be targeting players who bring that sort of versatility but if that one doesn't happen I think we'll go with what we have in attack and midfield. I wouldn't be shocked if a defender comes in though (maybe on loan).

[Monty]

Saka made the up-the-wing transitions essentially, something we see much more often. Less extravagantly than Saka, maybe, but it does happen. Antonio went from right back to number 9, which is, like, far out, dude.

[jwarry]

Romano

Aston Villa and Barcelona in talks over Clement Lenglet deal, as revealed earlier today — negotiations on. 🟣🔵🔛

[Toronto Villa]

Some bloke (I assume a bloke) with a good number of followers is claiming Lenglet is set to leave for the PL

https://x.com/jijantesfc/status/1696484256493560159?s=46

BE will be happy as we become more and more the French national team. Just a new striker from their ranks and we are set.

[Monty]

Fucking ruthless. Cash has one of his best games for us and we go out and sign (it seems, quite possibly) Clement Lenglet. No ruth whatsoever.

[Toronto Villa]

What I learned from Marty Cash at the weekend is that not only is bloody good. But he’s one of those players who will do whatever is asked of him by the manager. A super player who is enjoying being part of our success. I think they have all bought into the squad element. They will play a part and they appreciate adding really talented players to meet their collective goals.

[paul_e]

Fucking ruthless. Cash has one of his best games for us and we go out and sign (it seems, quite possibly) Clement Lenglet. No ruth whatsoever.

Isn't Langlet a centre back though?

[ozzjim]

It's not greedy to say the squad is quite thin for a 55+ game season, with 2 players out for the season. Lenglet is a decent signing as cover in defence, allowing Konsa to very much be defecto reserve right back. Hopefully a forward of some description can be found in the coming days to round off the squad a bit, especially if Coutinho leaves.

[UK Redsox]

Dion Dublin?

Didn't he go the other way?  Started as a striker but made a pretty decent stab at being a central defender later in his career.

Chris Sutton played centre half as well

[Monty]

Fucking ruthless. Cash has one of his best games for us and we go out and sign (it seems, quite possibly) Clement Lenglet. No ruth whatsoever.

Isn't Langlet a centre back though?

Guess so. Just covers the defence better though dunnit?