2024 January transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[algy]

It’s mad to think we probably don’t actually ‘need’ anybody in January. Our squad is the definition of settled with Moreno and Ramsey to come back in soon hopefully. Maybe a bit of fine tuning to cope with the business end of Europe and, dare I say it, a champions league tilt.

I disagree with that purely in the RB position. I'm happy with Cash and I don't think we need to replace him now, but we definitely need a solid second option there. If that was the only bit of business we did I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Of course, if the worst happens and we don't have any European football after December, then we'd probably manage with Moreno and Ramsey being back to full fitness. Given how long they've been out they would be, dare I say it, like new signings.

Think I'm with you both there.  I don't think I'd be particularly concerned if we didn't sign a single player in January.  Do think as far as fullbacks are concerned, being able to play either Cash + Digne or Konsa + Moreno gives us a huge amount of flexibility at the back.  If we were going for anything I'd think it'd be a 'Digne' type player on the right ... basically a more defensive option on that side if we need it ... but I'm not sure it's 100% required.

A better keeper than Olsen would be useful, but I see that as more of a long term aim (next 2-3 windows) rather than somewhere we absolutely need to concentrate on straight away.

As for the Champions League tilt ... really?  I wonder if we have an outside shot at the league title.  Putting that in the positivity thread though rather than here 

[pablo_picasso]

Would anyone be hankering after Abraham if he hadn't done well for us in the Championship? Hourihane did well for us in the Championship, as did Kodjia and Snodgrass.

I would.

I like him as a player & think he would give us cover, competition, & a different option from a player who has played in a decent level league & performed pretty well, including European football experience too.

He's quick, he's relatively strong, he would offer some much needed height & can finish with both feet along with his head.

I think at striker position we are a bit short, (Along with the RB position), so a player like Abraham would improve the squad depth & squad quality.

And maybe means that we can send young Duran out on loan to a strong club, so he can get some games to improve on the solid base he already has at the age of 19. I think a six month loan to a club that plays technical football would do him the world of good & help mould him into a more rounded, solid & dependable first team option.

Having Watkins, Abraham & more developed Duran would give us solid striker depth.

[AV84]

Rumours now that Roma will offer him to Chelsea in part exchange for Lukaka. I'd say he's definitely on his way out anyway. Could be his agent trying to engineer something. The last day it was Chelsea, us, and Brentford being alerted to his availability. 

[frank black]

Not sure Tammy would fancy a benchwarmer role. I’d take him as a plan b striker, but I suspect he’d be less keen on that role. It’s going to be tricky getting established names for this job. It’s hard enough keeping Duran happy (apparently). Not so hard if you’re in the champions league

[AV84]

Probably not but if Roma do want to keep Lukaka, then he's probably looking at being one there anyway. I wondered about the 3 clubs apparently being alerted to his availability, but then Chelsea do need someone who can score, and if Toney leaves Brentford, they might be looking (although they're doing not bad without him). We're the only ones that don't make a lot of sense in that respect. Other then the rumours from the summer that he was deal done before the injury, we're not in obvious need.

[Dante Lavelli]

It’s mad to think we probably don’t actually ‘need’ anybody in January. Our squad is the definition of settled with Moreno and Ramsey to come back in soon hopefully. Maybe a bit of fine tuning to cope with the business end of Europe and, dare I say it, a champions league tilt.

I disagree with that purely in the RB position. I'm happy with Cash and I don't think we need to replace him now, but we definitely need a solid second option there. If that was the only bit of business we did I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Of course, if the worst happens and we don't have any European football after December, then we'd probably manage with Moreno and Ramsey being back to full fitness. Given how long they've been out they would be, dare I say it, like new signings.

Agreed RB has to be a priority. We are an injury to Cash away from a disaster in that position. Really could do with Moreno back asap too as I don't want to see Torres or Lenglet at LB either. Would like to see us strengthen cover for McGinn/Ramsey. It's not working with Zaniolo there.

Doesn’t Buendia (eventually) provide the mcginn/Ramsey cover?

[Steve67]

Upgrades for Dendonker, Olson and Chambers.  Better all round squad, players coming in need to be as good as those they replace.

[tomd2103]

It’s mad to think we probably don’t actually ‘need’ anybody in January. Our squad is the definition of settled with Moreno and Ramsey to come back in soon hopefully. Maybe a bit of fine tuning to cope with the business end of Europe and, dare I say it, a champions league tilt.

I disagree with that purely in the RB position. I'm happy with Cash and I don't think we need to replace him now, but we definitely need a solid second option there. If that was the only bit of business we did I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Of course, if the worst happens and we don't have any European football after December, then we'd probably manage with Moreno and Ramsey being back to full fitness. Given how long they've been out they would be, dare I say it, like new signings.

Agreed RB has to be a priority. We are an injury to Cash away from a disaster in that position. Really could do with Moreno back asap too as I don't want to see Torres or Lenglet at LB either. Would like to see us strengthen cover for McGinn/Ramsey. It's not working with Zaniolo there.

Doesn’t Buendia (eventually) provide the mcginn/Ramsey cover?

Not for me DL.  He played there a few times last season and in pre season and it didn't suit him. 

[Percy McCarthy]

It’s mad to think we probably don’t actually ‘need’ anybody in January. Our squad is the definition of settled with Moreno and Ramsey to come back in soon hopefully. Maybe a bit of fine tuning to cope with the business end of Europe and, dare I say it, a champions league tilt.

I disagree with that purely in the RB position. I'm happy with Cash and I don't think we need to replace him now, but we definitely need a solid second option there. If that was the only bit of business we did I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Of course, if the worst happens and we don't have any European football after December, then we'd probably manage with Moreno and Ramsey being back to full fitness. Given how long they've been out they would be, dare I say it, like new signings.

Agreed RB has to be a priority. We are an injury to Cash away from a disaster in that position. Really could do with Moreno back asap too as I don't want to see Torres or Lenglet at LB either. Would like to see us strengthen cover for McGinn/Ramsey. It's not working with Zaniolo there.

Doesn’t Buendia (eventually) provide the mcginn/Ramsey cover?

Not for me DL.  He played there a few times last season and in pre season and it didn't suit him.

Fantastic against Jaudi Arabia last season, very impactful sub.

[SoccerHQ]

We do need another CF in Jan.

Duran in and out of the squad currently so speculation will continue on that and Traore might be moved on for a small fee with six months left on his deal.

Just gives us a different option in games we're not winning after an hour.

CF and RB and that should be enough with hopefully Moreno and Ramsey fully fit by January.

[eamonn]

Upgrades for Dendonker, Olson and Chambers.  Better all round squad, players coming in need to be as good as those they replace.

Easier said than done though. All the above are part of the squad and know their role. If we get improvements on them, do we aim for them to be better than whon they replace or better than the current first team players?
As they are hard to find, expensive and will be less ok with being substitutes.

[AV84]

Has Chambers played since the Legia Warsaw game? I think we could let him go and not miss him, it's a question of whether we could get any money for him.

[tomd2103]

It’s mad to think we probably don’t actually ‘need’ anybody in January. Our squad is the definition of settled with Moreno and Ramsey to come back in soon hopefully. Maybe a bit of fine tuning to cope with the business end of Europe and, dare I say it, a champions league tilt.

I disagree with that purely in the RB position. I'm happy with Cash and I don't think we need to replace him now, but we definitely need a solid second option there. If that was the only bit of business we did I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Of course, if the worst happens and we don't have any European football after December, then we'd probably manage with Moreno and Ramsey being back to full fitness. Given how long they've been out they would be, dare I say it, like new signings.

Agreed RB has to be a priority. We are an injury to Cash away from a disaster in that position. Really could do with Moreno back asap too as I don't want to see Torres or Lenglet at LB either. Would like to see us strengthen cover for McGinn/Ramsey. It's not working with Zaniolo there.

Doesn’t Buendia (eventually) provide the mcginn/Ramsey cover?

Not for me DL.  He played there a few times last season and in pre season and it didn't suit him.

Fantastic against Jaudi Arabia last season, very impactful sub.

Yep, but not in that position though. I like Emi, but we've bought Diaby in the position he plays, who already looks like a significant upgrade.

I agree that he could be a useful impact sub though.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think Buendia is better suited to the 10 role that McGinn and Zaniolo (Ramsey) are playing rather than Diaby’s second striker position.

[simboy]

It’s mad to think we probably don’t actually ‘need’ anybody in January. Our squad is the definition of settled with Moreno and Ramsey to come back in soon hopefully. Maybe a bit of fine tuning to cope with the business end of Europe and, dare I say it, a champions league tilt.

I disagree with that purely in the RB position. I'm happy with Cash and I don't think we need to replace him now, but we definitely need a solid second option there. If that was the only bit of business we did I wouldn't be overly concerned.

Of course, if the worst happens and we don't have any European football after December, then we'd probably manage with Moreno and Ramsey being back to full fitness. Given how long they've been out they would be, dare I say it, like new signings.

Agree with the need to get a RB. We also need a backup keeper. An injury to Cash the team can cover; an injury to Martinez would be a disaster to any European ambitions we may have.