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

[pauliewalnuts]

Pace is a massive problem for us, I agree, that's one area we really need to improve.

Our tendency to be pedestrian and predictable as a result is one of those factors that, addressed, could have made the difference for us.

[PaulWinch again]

Diaby clearly massively helped Bailey, so his loss was a double blow even if he didn’t hit the heights he promised.

[VillaTim]

Diaby was lightning fast, we need another of his type as an outlet  .

[N'ZMAV]

we play too slow in posession, pace needed

[PaulWinch again]

Pace is a massive problem for us, I agree, that's one area we really need to improve.

Our tendency to be pedestrian and predictable as a result is one of those factors that, addressed, could have made the difference for us.

Yep and it’s why - along with his technical ability - Rashford massively changed us. His ability to run at, and beat players, get to the byline opened our game up.

[john e]

we play too slow in posession, pace needed

It’s not always the fault of lack pace in the side
if your defenders are more interested in passing it back, sideways and at a walking pace it’s in the DNA of how we play
I’m afraid to many players are to scared or are not good enough to play forward passes quickly and take the easy option to often
their stats look great but they’ve done very little progressively

[Dave]

Diaby was lightning fast, we need another of his type as an outlet  .

Weird how you weren't saying that when we sold him really.

His stats are pretty mediocre when you factor in the quality of team he was in and how much of the ball he had . Lost count of how many dangerous moves broke down once the ball went to him . Some of his air shots were embarrassing .

[Rigadon]

COOPS there it is. 

[Steve67]

I agree John, easy to get 100% passing rate when it's left, right and backwards.  With a bit of pace, we could go from back to front really quickly, defend deep or press and still have the option of getting in behind them like we had with Rashford.  He was also a bums off seats player.  I reckon Garnacho might be the same.

[Mister E]

got to spend upwards of £100mil these days to stand still

For contrast, Liverpool spent about £30m last summer and those players were sent out on loan or didn’t play.  Their DoF (Edwards?) did an article in the Sundays times are few weeks ago and his research/data has found that most signings fail, concluding that you’re better off doing less rather than more transfers.

Sure, but it depends what squad you're starting with. Liverpool, at the start of last season, had a strong squad and a new manager who was happy with what he's inherited and clearly wished to see how it would work.
Not everyone is starting from the same place.

[Mister E]

we play too slow in posession, pace needed

It’s not always the fault of lack pace in inside
if your defenders are more interested in passing it back, sideways and at a walking pace it’s in the DNA of how we play
I’m afraid to many players are to scared or are not good enough to play forward passes quickly and take the easy option to often
their stats look great but they’ve done very little progressively

Well, it's both, isn't it? Lack of pace ahead may restrict the passing options for those at the back or in midfield. Diaby's presence offered the option of a quicker pass into space behind defenders, for example.

[Beard82]

I think the pace is less of an issue - then are reluctance to move the ball quickly.  Thats what we did birlliant in the first half of 23/24, the slow, slow, quick, quick movement of the ball.

Last season losing the contribution of diaby and bailey really hurt.  Rogers made up for some of it - but the complete loss of form of bailey was a huge factor for us.

[PaulWinch again]

Yep but I think it’s not a coincidence that the appearance and departure of Diaby coincided perfectly with Bailey’s good form. Less pressure possibly, but also pace opening the game up too.

[Beard82]

Ah yeah - bailey benefited massively from having diaby in the squad.  And we have been weaker since we sold Diaby.

[Dante Lavelli]

With regards to Bailey, could the decent version turn up again next season or is there an underlying issue that’ll prevent him getting back to his top level?