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

[Beard82]

GK - Martinez/Olsen/Gauci
LB - Digne/Moreno
LCB - Torres/Mings
RCB - Konsa/Carlos
RB - Cash/Nedeljkovic
CM - Luiz/Tielemans/Kamara/Mcginn
LM - Rogers/Ramsey
RM - Bailey/Mcginn
10 - Diaby/Buendia
CF - Watkins/Duran

I've put in Mcginn twice as he's equally comfortable in either position. This is a hell of a squad on paper although it does assume the players with long term injuries get back to their best. I have a bad feeling Digne will leave which would be disappointing as he has been so good this season. Maybe we will keep it tight this summer and only make one marquee signing (Nico Williams?) plus cover any who leave either permanently or on loan.

I think there will be some wheeling and dealing.  I wouldnt be suprised to see a few move on, like Digne.  I tink they will look for a new CB, new MF, new CF

[paul_e]

GK - Martinez/Olsen/Gauci
LB - Digne/Moreno
LCB - Torres/Mings
RCB - Konsa/Carlos
RB - Cash/Nedeljkovic
CM - Luiz/Tielemans/Kamara/Mcginn
LM - Rogers/Ramsey
RM - Bailey/Mcginn
10 - Diaby/Buendia
CF - Watkins/Duran

I've put in Mcginn twice as he's equally comfortable in either position. This is a hell of a squad on paper although it does assume the players with long term injuries get back to their best. I have a bad feeling Digne will leave which would be disappointing as he has been so good this season. Maybe we will keep it tight this summer and only make one marquee signing (Nico Williams?) plus cover any who leave either permanently or on loan.

Looks about right to me but it does highlight the one problem we have right now. That's 22 names (removing the 2nd SJM) and of those only JJ came through our academy so that is at the limit for the European squad. Thankfully Ned and Duran are still young enough that they can be on the B list so we can add 2 more but any more and we're either selling someone on that list or we're leaving people out of the squad for Europe. This is why it'd be really useful if we can get some invovlement from some of the kids over the summer to bulk out the squad and give us options to meet the 4 club-trained requirement going forward.

I wouldn't be shocked to see the 2 'gaps' filled with a DM and a Striker but in both cases I can imagine us looking for players who can play 2-3 roles and still be involved when Kamara and Watkins are starting. Emery seems to really like having a handful of players who can cover multiple roles in the team for him and I think we'll lean into that even more if we hold on to 4th and are preparing for the champions league.

[Dave]

Looks about right to me but it does highlight the one problem we have right now. That's 22 names (removing the 2nd SJM) and of those only JJ came through our academy so that is at the limit for the European squad.

Because you're the sort of chap who would know, if we brought Grealish back* would he count as homegrown for those purposes? Presumably he would and the fact that there was enormous transfer fees in between would be immaterial?

*not a suggestion, just curious about the mechanics of it.

[SoccerHQ]

Maybe Archer comes back and is actually part of the squad up to January. Would actually work in that scenario presented.

[Risso]

Mings, Konsa and Cash count as "association trained" even if not "club trained" so that does help a bit, I think.

[paul_e]

Looks about right to me but it does highlight the one problem we have right now. That's 22 names (removing the 2nd SJM) and of those only JJ came through our academy so that is at the limit for the European squad.

Because you're the sort of chap who would know, if we brought Grealish back* would he count as homegrown for those purposes? Presumably he would and the fact that there was enormous transfer fees in between would be immaterial?

*not a suggestion, just curious about the mechanics of it.

Yep, it's probably the biggest thing in favour of bringing him back.

[eamonn]

Has anyone been out to Serbia to see how our Ned is doing? Go on, take one for the board.

[algy]

Can't see us adding that many new faces assuming the injured brigade are fit. The 2 loanees will go back, I'd expect Donk, Sanson, Chambers and Olsen will be sold too. Hoping we keep Digne and Carlos. All of the current squad are likeable, what a great time to be a Villa fan!

Yep, this is where I'm at. I think we've got a bloody good squad right now and not expecting big signings - more Duran/Rogers type signings that people will look at in 2-3 seasons time and wonder how we've assembled the best team in the land on a shoestring.

[paul_e]

Mings, Konsa and Cash count as "association trained" even if not "club trained" so that does help a bit, I think.

Watkins, Emi and Rogers as well so we have plenty for the normal homegrown rules.

[Lsvilla]

I can see Mings going to Ipswich if they get promoted.

[paul_e]

Looks about right to me but it does highlight the one problem we have right now. That's 22 names (removing the 2nd SJM) and of those only JJ came through our academy so that is at the limit for the European squad.

Because you're the sort of chap who would know, if we brought Grealish back* would he count as homegrown for those purposes? Presumably he would and the fact that there was enormous transfer fees in between would be immaterial?

*not a suggestion, just curious about the mechanics of it.

Yep, it's probably the biggest thing in favour of bringing him back.

Of course Philogene would have a similar effect, is 8 years younger, cheaper on wages and fee and would be coming off the back of the best season of his life rather than a year of being a bit-part player.

[caster troy]

I think Iroegbunam counts as club trained from July as he will have been with us for three years?

[Somniloquism]

Has anyone been out to Serbia to see how our Ned is doing? Go on, take one for the board.

Isn't he still injured?

[paul_e]

I think Iroegbunam counts as club trained from July as he will have been with us for three years?

Yep, I think so but it depends on if it's 3 years up to their birthday or 3 years up to the end of the season where they turn 21. I tried to look into it but it's not clear from anything I found.

[pablo_picasso]

Has anyone been out to Serbia to see how our Ned is doing? Go on, take one for the board.

Think he got injured not long after signing for us...