Summer 26 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Ger Regan]

This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

He may do a serviceable job lower half but just don't see him anywhere champions league level.

[paul_e]

Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.

Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.

Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.

[brontebilly]

This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.

Not sure PL football would suit him. Not the strongest or quickest. Leading the line for a Moyes or Nuno would be a disaster. Fantastic touch, movement and electric in the box. AC Milan, Dortmund or somewhere instead.

Azaz form for Ireland has been mixed but he's top half PL quality. He's going up regardless of how Soton finish the season.

[Mister E]

Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.

Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.

Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.

I take your point, Paul, but my comment merely reflects where the club seems to be at, and it also mirrors my cynicism that we'll not give any of them a chance to make the role theirs.

[Smithy]

Yesterday was my first proper look at Sunderland, and it looks like they've bought pretty well since promotion, and a bit like we did in our first year back up, with a few players in the 15-20-25m range, who've all taken to premier league football pretty well. 

I liked the look of Enzo Le Fée yesterday.  Technically he seemed very assured. He was also the one pressing Cash and Sancho high up the pitch to allow Hume in for their second goal, and he was the one who robbed Sancho in the midfield and played a great through ball for their third.  Pretty good shot on him, too.

Decent age at 26, and if we're looking for players who can play in a notional 'front 3' while also being able to tuck in and play through the middle, he fits the profile.  Joint highest assists this season for Sunderland, and he doesn't mind getting stuck in (demonstrably so yesterday).

One performance means little, obviously, but worth keeping an eye on him, I think.

[Percy McCarthy]

This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.

Not sure PL football would suit him. Not the strongest or quickest. Leading the line for a Moyes or Nuno would be a disaster. Fantastic touch, movement and electric in the box. AC Milan, Dortmund or somewhere instead.

Azaz form for Ireland has been mixed but he's top half PL quality. He's going up regardless of how Soton finish the season.

Surprised he didn’t make the Championship team of the season.

[Dante Lavelli]

Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.

Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.

Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.

Agree, however i think there another option: Selling with favorable buy-back clauses.  Our resources are finite and reducing the total number of players may increase the time and quality of the coaching for the remaining players.  Plus there's the cash in the bank that can be reinvested.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.

Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.

I'd keep Barkley, but there's no way we should be spending £20m on Luiz to be our 5th/6th choice midfielder.  He doesn't operate at the required level anymore.

Kamara, Tielemans, Onana, McGinn, Barkley and Bogarde is a very good CL/PL midfield selection.  If we're adding to that, I'd be looking for someone who doesn't get a lot of injuries and can take a penalty.

[johnc]

This might be a bit parochial on my part, but I wouldn't be against the idea of giving Troy Parrott a chance.

I think the physicality would go against him. And I love him as a player

[paul_e]

Gibbs-White or Bruno Guimares are players with that engine and desire.

Neither of whom are likely to join us.
I suspect we will stick with Barkley and Luiz for CMF cover next season and look to Alysson and one of our youngsters to cover the right side of MF / attack - Burrowes, Broggio, Rowe and KY are all in the play-or-sell part of their career with us now.
The players we really need top-class medium-term replacements for are McGinn and Kamara, and they will probably need to be purchased.

Sorry but I completely disagree with the bold bit, and reinforcing this sort of thinking is probably the worst thing Purslow ever did. They are 18, 19, 19 and 20 respectively. Play-or-sell is really what you should be considering when they're hitting 22-23. In the meantime it's about giving them opportunities to grow, either by training with the seniors under Emery, getting a loan or being allowed to grow by taking on leadership roles in the U21s (as Burrowes has). We don't need to be in such a rush with these players so long as they're happy with how things are going.

Agree, however i think there another option: Selling with favorable buy-back clauses.  Our resources are finite and reducing the total number of players may increase the time and quality of the coaching for the remaining players.  Plus there's the cash in the bank that can be reinvested.

Yeah, I think Young might be getting to the point where that's an option, not the others though, unless we're offered ridiculous money.

[kippaxvilla2]

I’m a bit concerned that Chelsea appear to be ready to offload Garnacho already.

[Dave]

I’m a bit concerned that Chelsea appear to be ready to offload Garnacho already.

I expect Chelsea will have to offload quite a lot of players this summer.

[eamonn]

Nacho is another flakey winger. Where are all the good, committed and emotionally available ones ?

[Somniloquism]

I’m a bit concerned that Chelsea appear to be ready to offload Garnacho already.

I expect Chelsea will have to offload quite a lot of players this summer.

Obviously it will be hard to tell if it is deliberate as Rosenior is doing such a good job anyway, but it wouldn't surprise me if Chelsea suddenly miss out on Europe totally, especially if we either pull well ahead of 5th or lose the semi-final. They come under the extended rules they paid millions to delay next year and Europa/Conference won't help their cause in making the money to help. I'm not sure what happens with the UEFA judgement when the team isn't in Europe, is it delayed until they come back in or does the 3 years continue?