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

[Dave]

But why are we assuming he's going to be playing left-back for us?

[ozzjim]

I'm not, i said unless he's being seen as a backup to Maatsen at left back to allow Digne to move on. If you widen out the games played he's played 35 times at left back on Transfermarkt so clearly has some flexibility.

[Dave]

I'm not, i said unless he's being seen as a backup to Maatsen at left back to allow Digne to move on.

Ah, gotcha. Your typo of "Uncle Ozcan" made me think that you'd given him a fun new nickname and you were saying he was going to be playing at left-back.

[ozzjim]

I'm not, i said unless he's being seen as a backup to Maatsen at left back to allow Digne to move on.

Ah, gotcha. Your typo of "Uncle Ozcan" made me think that you'd given him a fun new nickname and you were saying he was going to be playing at left-back.

Fucking phones. Sorry Dave.

[N'ZMAV]

is that the idea of this thread?

"If you don't like discussing hypothetical transfers, <INSERT POSTER NAME>, why don't you just avoid this thread?"

I love this thread, it is better than the <INSERT THREAD NAME> thread

[N'ZMAV]

But why are we assuming he's going to be playing left-back for us?

Gareth Barry will play left back, once Shorey is hooked and the re-shuffle is re-introduced.

[Dante Lavelli]

Playing Left or Right back is often used to integrate young Centre backs, especially when a new league. 

I'm hoping that we have the financial means to accommodated two players for each position but adaptable players like Konsa/McGinn/Bogarde and Malen might mean we can cut some corners.

[The Edge]

It's nailed on that Bailey and Barkley will be out add to that Coutinho finally coming off the books and it gives us a fair bit of wriggle room.

Why is it nailed on that Barkley will be going? He's one of our lower earners and we still need a squad to deal with four competitions.

Ok maybe not nailed on but my gut instinct is he will go and possibly make an extra squad place available for one of the young lions to get a squad number. I could be wrong of course. I often am.

[OCD]

I'd say he's nailed on to be staying. Emery really likes him and I've seen comments from Emery about him expecting him to push on now he's had a year and hopefully gets a pre-season.

[N'ZMAV]

I've got a feeling Emery rates Barkley too - I think he'll be a Europa League player.

[brontebilly]

But why are we assuming he's going to be playing left-back for us?

Gareth Barry will play left back, once Shorey is hooked and the re-shuffle is re-introduced.

That was gold, and by gold I mean utterly sh*t. Players that time still passed the ball back to GB to be our playmaker while at LB. Milner and NRC got shifted RB on occasion too. A bit mad really

[LeeB]

But why are we assuming he's going to be playing left-back for us?

Gareth Barry will play left back, once Shorey is hooked and the re-shuffle is re-introduced.

That was gold, and by gold I mean utterly sh*t. Players that time still passed the ball back to GB to be our playmaker while at LB. Milner and NRC got shifted RB on occasion too. A bit mad really

I was reading a piece in The Athletic about how there may be a bit of resurgence in going longer, quicker next season, and stats for long passes have been in decline in the post '92 era since their peak in 2006-2007. Made me chuckle as that was year O'Neill turned up.

[Dante Lavelli]

I've got a feeling Emery rates Barkley too - I think he'll be a Europa League player.

He could easily be the alternative to Tielemans, as he plays on the half turn better than most and links play brilliantly (once he has his boots on the right feet). 

My main reservation is that we have a lot of bodies in that position and we might be better using the europa opportunity to blood Barranchea or even Bogarde, especially if we can sell him for a book profit and shift some wages.

[Drummond]

But why are we assuming he's going to be playing left-back for us?

Gareth Barry will play left back, once Shorey is hooked and the re-shuffle is re-introduced.

That was gold, and by gold I mean utterly sh*t. Players that time still passed the ball back to GB to be our playmaker while at LB. Milner and NRC got shifted RB on occasion too. A bit mad really

I was reading a piece in The Athletic about how there may be a bit of resurgence in going longer, quicker next season, and stats for long passes have been in decline in the post '92 era since their peak in 2006-2007. Made me chuckle as that was year O'Neill turned up.

Yep x and Torres could prove it be highly effective. We just need pace up top for him to pass to.

[ozzjim]

But why are we assuming he's going to be playing left-back for us?

Gareth Barry will play left back, once Shorey is hooked and the re-shuffle is re-introduced.

That was gold, and by gold I mean utterly sh*t. Players that time still passed the ball back to GB to be our playmaker while at LB. Milner and NRC got shifted RB on occasion too. A bit mad really

I was reading a piece in The Athletic about how there may be a bit of resurgence in going longer, quicker next season, and stats for long passes have been in decline in the post '92 era since their peak in 2006-2007. Made me chuckle as that was year O'Neill turned up.

Yep x and Torres could prove it be highly effective. We just need pace up top for him to pass to.

Rashford was genuinely quick when he played which gave us a different edge. Watkins is not fast at all.