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

[ozzjim]

The question about a striker is really difficult because we don't know how he wants to use Zaniolo. If Emery thinks him and Diaby can play together then I think we've probably got enough with Watkins, Duran, Diaby, Zaniolo and Coutinho (and Bert and Bailey at a push) for those 2 spots. If Coutinho does leave then he'll need to be replaced but, as I've said a few times, I think we're holding off on confirming him going until we know it won't leave us short.

I don't think we can rely on Coutinho making any significant contribution this season.  He clearly can't stay fit.  It feels to me we are very short on the left with or without him.  If he needs to be replaced if he goes then in my opinion he needs to be replaced if he stays too.

I agree. I still think we are a forward light because I don't really consider Coutinho as a viable option to rely on. Of our remaining players the most experienced playing down the middle is Traore, but he's also very fragile. I still think Brennan Johnson would really kick on under Emery.

[Gareth]

Saudi window is 7th Sept
Qatar is 18th Sept

Got to be a fair chance the Coutinho situation will not be resolved in next day and a half

[paul_e]

I don't really disagree on Coutinho but with his wages and his apparent place within the squad (i.e. everyone seems to like him) I don't think it would be a good idea to repalce him and then keep him around. I also don't think that part is the problem, finding a suitable replacement who is available, good enough and that we can get over the line is the hard part, regardless of whether Coutinho is here or not.

Someone like Brennan Johnson wouldn't really help because he'd be another player best suited to playing on the right where we have plenty of cover. It's on the left where we look a bit light, that's why Fati would've been a really good option.

[LeeB]

I just wonder with the manager if he wants to bring about a culture at the club where we 'get on with it' and find solutions within rather than trying to fix everything with a chequebook.

I wonder too if he feels his methods might get diluted with a bloated squad.

[Sexual Ealing]

I just wonder with the manager if he wants to bring about a culture at the club where we 'get on with it' and find solutions within rather than trying to fix everything with a chequebook.

I wonder too if he feels his methods might get diluted with a bloated squad.

That sounds plausible to me.

[tomd2103]

We've got Diaby, Zaniolo, McGinn and Ramsey who can all play where Coutinho plays.  There is also Buendia when he comes back.  I like Coutinho, but he hasn't really shown enough during his time here to convince me that he would be worth keeping if an offer came in.  Freeing up his wages would surely give us some more wriggle room to bring players in. 

[coreyfeldman]

I'm not surprised that with his injury record, wages and form over the last 3 seasons it's not easy to move him on.

[LeeB]

I just wonder with the manager if he wants to bring about a culture at the club where we 'get on with it' and find solutions within rather than trying to fix everything with a chequebook.

I wonder too if he feels his methods might get diluted with a bloated squad.

That sounds plausible to me.

I've just laughed at myself for using the term 'chequebook' though, like it's 1987 or something.

[tomd2103]

I just wonder with the manager if he wants to bring about a culture at the club where we 'get on with it' and find solutions within rather than trying to fix everything with a chequebook.

I wonder too if he feels his methods might get diluted with a bloated squad.

Yep and also think that we have to remember that he is less than a year into the job and is remodelling the squad.  That isn't going to happen in one or two transfer windows and I guess would be harder to do with large numbers of players coming in at one time.

[Sexual Ealing]

I just wonder with the manager if he wants to bring about a culture at the club where we 'get on with it' and find solutions within rather than trying to fix everything with a chequebook.

I wonder too if he feels his methods might get diluted with a bloated squad.

That sounds plausible to me.

I've just laughed at myself for using the term 'chequebook' though, like it's 1987 or something.

You've always struck me as a 'thick wads of used twenties' man. I'm very much a 'bus fare in one of those little plastic bags' chap.

[Monty]

I'm a 'bouncing a cheque for a single Remy Martin' type of guy.

[LeeB]

I just wonder with the manager if he wants to bring about a culture at the club where we 'get on with it' and find solutions within rather than trying to fix everything with a chequebook.

I wonder too if he feels his methods might get diluted with a bloated squad.

That sounds plausible to me.

I've just laughed at myself for using the term 'chequebook' though, like it's 1987 or something.

You've always struck me as a 'thick wads of used twenties' man. I'm very much a 'bus fare in one of those little plastic bags' chap.

My wife bought me a personalised money clip, I think for my 30th. Never had enough notes to make it work.

[lovejoy]

Who uses cash these days?

[Monty]

Who uses cash these days?

Germans.

[chrisw1]

I just wonder with the manager if he wants to bring about a culture at the club where we 'get on with it' and find solutions within rather than trying to fix everything with a chequebook.

I wonder too if he feels his methods might get diluted with a bloated squad.

Yes, it's a fine balance that's for sure.

If we go with what we've got we've still got an exciting season ahead, albeit we're a bit exposed in certain positions.