Summer 2024 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Villatillidie25]

I think Onana is more dynamic than that and potentially become a box to box type midfielder.

The way I see it too. Don't see him playing Kamara's role anyway. He has lots of talent and can get around the pitch. Dycheball etc but Gueye and James Garner aren't exactly dogs of war type midfielders like Fellaini and Gravesen were in the past. Surely with his physical attributes alone he should have been first choice ahead of them either way? Dobbin and Barkley are two very odd signings for different reasons too.

Dobbin is the weirdest one - I just don’t see him getting near the squad, let alone the team. Barkley makes a lot of sense given his performances last year for Luton, our need for extra bodies, his price + the English factor.

[Brazilian Villain]

Dobbin is the weirdest one - I just don’t see him getting near the squad, let alone the team.

If we see Charlotte Dujardin rocking up at BMH, we'll know things aren't going well.

[brontebilly]

Anyway, good luck to him but all of Onana, Barkley and Tielemans will equally struggle without Kamara in there next to them I think. I think Emery might well be thinking of a move away from that double pivot at the base of the midfield as a result. Nigh on impossible to pick what our X1 will be for West Ham at this point. So many more options which obviously brings its own challenges. Guess we are still expecting likes of Carlos, Duran, Donk, Archer to move on too.

Onana is surely coming in to provide the defensive ability we're missing with Kamara out, and Barkley was basically doing that role most of the time for Luton as well.

Onana had Gueye ahead of him in that role at Everton, doesn't say much for his application and tactical discipline off the ball. Barkley might have improved both last season, from a non existent base mind, but would see both as trying to replace Luiz playmaking abilities not Kamara.

No, I don't see that, Bronte. I take your point about Gueye acting as a bit of a foil in the Everton side, but that was under Dyche. Look at Onana's stats for interceptions, ground and aerial duels-won: he has a good record as a DMF. Also, it's not like McGinn, Tielemans and others are total powder-puffs.

Tielemans in a midfield two is the definition of powder puff. He won't be playing there much anyway, more effective higher up. McGinn likely to move back to his best spot higher up on the right. With club and country, McGinn has played some amount of games in last 12 months so no harm to have stronger options for sure. Sure he can fill in as part of a midfield two but it's not his position. Looks like the three new guys are front runners for two starting spots at West Ham, if we hold a similar shape to last season.

Then, Ramsey, McGinn, Buendia, Bailey, Tielemans, Rogers!, Philogene? or maybe 2-3 spots near Watkins.

[john e]

Dobbin is the weirdest one - I just don’t see him getting near the squad, let alone the team.

If we see Charlotte Dujardin rocking up at BMH, we'll know things aren't going well.

That made me laugh

[ozzjim]

Tielemans was our best player in a deeper role following the Kamara injury playing alongside Dougie. Away at Arsenal he was exceptional in the double pivot type position spreading the ball, I think early season his confidence was rock bottom, but the player he was from Jan onwards walks into our best 11. No one gets close to Kamara in that holding midfield role though, the difference with him is thst he can be trusted to play it alone, allowing Doug and McGinn last season to just go forward. Replacing that would be very difficult for any side, to the point where I expect huge money bids will come for Kamara next summer.

[jwarry]

Tielemans was our best player in a deeper role following the Kamara injury playing alongside Dougie. Away at Arsenal he was exceptional in the double pivot type position spreading the ball, I think early season his confidence was rock bottom, but the player he was from Jan onwards walks into our best 11. No one gets close to Kamara in that holding midfield role though, the difference with him is thst he can be trusted to play it alone, allowing Doug and McGinn last season to just go forward. Replacing that would be very difficult for any side, to the point where I expect huge money bids will come for Kamara next summer.

Er Onana?

[ozzjim]

He's not a stopper holding mid like Kamara is.

[Ads]

Floyd Barracuda is a stopper.

[Dante Lavelli]

I wonder if we'll look at Chalobah now that Chelsea have frozen him out?

I prefer Konsa at CB, but if Unai want's to persist with him at right back then we definitely need more cover at CB I think and with his versatility Chalobah would seem a decent fit?

With that said, if we're looking to play a mainly defensive RB. Wan Bisaka also seems decent value to me.

I think Konsa will definitely start most games at RB, especially in CL and against the top English sides. Quite apart from how good he is there as a 1-1 defender, him and Pau are not that solid as a pair.

Chalobah is decent competition/understudy to Konsa.  can cover both positions.  Personally I wouldn’t bother unless we can buy him for less than we could sell Carlos.

[Dave]

Could Onana and Kamara play together or is it one or the other? Could either play alongside Barrenechea?

They could probably play together, but you would have to assume that's only going to happen if Unai is being ultra-conservative, or parking the bus.  Playing two defensive midfielders is the sort of thing you see with Gareth Southgate.

This will probably become one of those things that people get bored of me saying so often, but anywhere Emery has had long enough to build a side, he's normally ended up playing a minimum of two and often three defensive midfielders, and they've tended to be big guys who are mainly there to destroy and pass to the attackers and full backs.

[Dante Lavelli]

I think Onana is more dynamic than that and potentially become a box to box type midfielder.

My hunch and hope is that his ability to play as an 8 has more to do with Dyche not knowing how to use and him just freestyling. 
Not saying he cannot do it, but you can see how Luiz is criticised for not being able to play both as a DCM and deep lying playmaker, so I’d prefer he specialised in his best position first.

[ozzjim]

Our midfield and front line have now got 30 plus goal involvement to plug from Diaby and Doug. Interesting times ahead.

[Londonvilla]

I know we spent more money than any other club in Europe; however, I want four more signings before the window closes. They are:

Buy
Matías Soulé around £27m
Dean Huijsen around £17m
Maximilian Beier £25m
Michael Kayode around £17m

Total cost £86M

Sell
Lucas Digne for £12m
Diego Carlos for £17m
Leander Dendoncker £5m
Moussa Diaby £50m ish
Jhon Durán £35m

Total sales £119

Now, what do I do with my remaining two wishes?

[cdbearsfan]

Soule to Roma seems pretty much a done deal.

[Londonvilla]

Aston Villa have completed the sale of Moussa Diaby to Saudi side Al Ittihad for a reported £50m. #AVFC #BBCFootball

I'm unsure whether I can say that his time in the villa was successful. He started like a house on fire, and then the league caught up with him. However, he played a big part in the squad, getting Champions League football.

At least he's going abroad; I would have hated to see him at Man (115) City