Winter 2025 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Dante Lavelli]

I don’t think a manager has played Felix in his best position since Benfica.  Emery’s system always has one player in that pocket of space where Felix could thrive, often two. 

It’s a risk but the upside is massive.  Worst case we lose £40m and stand still as I’d speculate that a bad Felix would have comparable output to Buendia.



 

[Dave]

One thing - how sure are we that Joao Felix is the object of Emery's desires?

Monchi seems to have his little projects that he wants to sign wherever he goes (Olsen / Zaniolo), are we completely sure that Felix isn't another of those, and Emery doesn't really care one way or the other?

[OCD]

Weren't we trying to get Felix before Monchi joined us?

[LeeB]

I know I shouldn't want Felix, but the kind of player he is tickles my weakest spot.

I think he's the only player that played elsewhere that I can think of that Emery has specifically referenced in regards to bringing him in.

It makes me think also that he really wanted Coutinho to work but obviously his body wasn't up to it.

[Nii Lamptey]

I don’t think a manager has played Felix in his best position since Benfica.  Emery’s system always has one player in that pocket of space where Felix could thrive, often two. 

It’s a risk but the upside is massive.  Worst case we lose £40m and stand still as I’d speculate that a bad Felix would have comparable output to Buendia.
 

When things aren't working for him, I'd question if he has the bite that Buendia has? At least Buendia isn't afraid of putting a foot in.... Felix doesn't look like he's capable of that - Very much a luxury player.

[Footy-Vill]

Felix if he performs to his ability will be the best ever premier league attacking player Villa have ever had or seen.
That's how good he is under the right circumstances

[Sexual Ealing]

Someone's forgotten Nicklas Helenius.

[Smoke]

Someone's forgotten Nicklas Helenius.

It still gets me Angry that he literally had his shorts pulled down by a spurs defender in the box and didn't get a penalty.

[eamonn]

If Unai thinks he can get a tune out of him, then I'm all for it, simply because we know the talent is there - it's just whether Unai can find a way to unleash it properly.

I'd also throw into the above, that Emery does seem to be a proper forward-whisperer. Not just with Villa - getting Bailey, Watkins, Duran and Rogers to levels that they could only dream of before, but also beforehand.

At Villarreal, the one season he had with Danjuma he became one of the best wingers in Europe. As soon as he has no Emery to help him, he's plodding around Spurs and Everton reserves. He turned (the solid, unspectacular) Gerard Moreno, Kevin Gameiro and Carlos Bacca into 30 goal-a-season strikers, something they'd never done before or since at that level.

He just seems to do something to forwards and if he reckons that he can harness that with Felix, I'm quite interested to see how.

And yes, I accept it would be nice if he did it again to Bailey.

Great post.

[Stinkin_Thinkin]

Felix is undoubtedly talented, and the only reason it hasn't worked out at Chelsea is because Cole Palmer has proven to be SO good.  They play in the same position, and right now, Felix knows he's second choice.

The worst that can happen if Felix signs is Rogers steps up and fights for the 10 shirt. Could possibly become better than Palmer as he has a strong physique and quicker. Bunedia had a good spell around when Couthino joined. Watch Cash improve if he has elite competition for the RB role.

[Drummond]

Felix is undoubtedly talented, and the only reason it hasn't worked out at Chelsea is because Cole Palmer has proven to be SO good.  They play in the same position, and right now, Felix knows he's second choice.

The worst that can happen if Felix signs is Rogers steps up and fights for the 10 shirt. Could possibly become better than Palmer as he has a strong physique and quicker. Bunedia had a good spell around when Couthino joined. Watch Cash improve if he has elite competition for the RB role.

I can see us playing both in this sort of set-up

         Kamara/Bogarde and Onana/Barkley

Malen/Bailey    Felix/Tielemans      Rogers/Ramsey

                         Watkins/Duran

There are a number of interchangeable players in there too. And it's definitely going to be Watkins first choice up front.

[Matt C]

One thing - how sure are we that Joao Felix is the object of Emery's desires?

Monchi seems to have his little projects that he wants to sign wherever he goes (Olsen / Zaniolo), are we completely sure that Felix isn't another of those, and Emery doesn't really care one way or the other?

Some pretty telling quotes in this article Dave (not to say Monchi isn’t an instigator also)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5655107/2024/07/25/aston-villa-joao-felix-transfer/

[cdbearsfan]

Someone's forgotten Nicklas Helenius.

It still gets me Angry that he literally had his shorts pulled down by a spurs defender in the box and didn't get a penalty.

Yeah, contender for worst decision I've ever seen.

[paul_e]

Felix is undoubtedly talented, and the only reason it hasn't worked out at Chelsea is because Cole Palmer has proven to be SO good.  They play in the same position, and right now, Felix knows he's second choice.

The worst that can happen if Felix signs is Rogers steps up and fights for the 10 shirt. Could possibly become better than Palmer as he has a strong physique and quicker. Bunedia had a good spell around when Couthino joined. Watch Cash improve if he has elite competition for the RB role.

I can see us playing both in this sort of set-up

         Kamara/Bogarde and Onana/Barkley

Malen/Bailey    Felix/Tielemans      Rogers/Ramsey

                         Watkins/Duran

There are a number of interchangeable players in there too. And it's definitely going to be Watkins first choice up front.

McGinn?

Also I think having players in only 1 spot isn't how Emery sees things. Of those players I reckon the only 2 he sees as being 'fixed' are Kamara and Watkins as his 6 and 9. Everyone else covers 2-3 positions and will be picked to fit the tactic he wants to use.

Obviosuly if Felix is in it also makes the chances of Duran being there much lower as I don't see is having both.

[Drummond]

McGinn plays anywhere across that three.