29 Jul 2021 14:12:31
I would imagine that the focus will now shift to outgoing players in order to make space and generate cash for a potential 3rd or 4th signing
Pereira Jones lingard dalot Williams tuenzebe and dare I say pogba have all got to be considering their future. Possibly telles and matic but they look likely to stay.
Interesting few weeks ahead if we can't or don't shift some of those at least on loan i'm pretty sure nobody else will be joining.
29 Jul 2021 14:21:59
Periera (Class goal last nite) would think abroad
lingard - making it hard to get rid with his effort, attitude and performances, a few clubs must be looking
dalot- read ac milan interested
tuanzebe - villa/ newcastle loan?
think williams will start the first games with shaw and telles injured then sold late in window and jones - bbc in the Holby City show.
Hope not but pogba to run his contract out.
Just my thoughts ken along with martial, james who are not imo assured to be here.
Still think we'll sign 2 more.
29 Jul 2021 15:42:03
So the usual suspects from the past few windows I would imagine still have question marks over their futures. The likes of Jones, Dalot and Andreas Pereira all have a for sale sign over their heads.
Lingard is another who is probably available, but I wouldn't bet against him staying and signing a new deal either. He's a tricky one as he should be a good squad player, but unfortunately he struggles to maintain his form unless he is playing regularly.
You then have the usual suspects who will probably head out on loan, Mengi, Williams, Laird, Garner, Levitt and Pellistri will all certainly head out on loan. Tuanzebe, Amad, Elanga and maybe even Dan James might head out on loan also depending on other arrivals/ departures.
I don't think any of these possible departures either permanently or on loan will have any sort of impact on our season, most if they stayed would struggle to get 10 appearances with exception of Dan James and maybe Lingard. I would expect at least one of them two to leave with the other staying most likely.
There are potentially two other departures that could have a big impact on our season. The first being Pogba, this is the third summer of will he won't he. The club should just cut their losses at this point and send him off to Paris to play in a highlights reel league which would probably suit Pogba down to the ground.
the other is will one of DDG or Henderson leave? Personally I think one of them has to, another season of dithering over who is the number 1 will only further damage BOTH of their careers. This is probably the biggest decision the club will have to make this summer. You have three choices and at least two of them will likely be the wrong decision. Keeping them both is a wrong decision, getting rid of the wrong one will be a bad decision. To be honest that could go either way.
We could get rid of Henderson and then see him flourish elsewhere while DDG continues to decline. Maybe he really struggles with his wife and new born daughter spending most of their time in a different country to him. Alternatively Henderson could flop when he leaves and DDG rediscovers some form.
The other option of selling DDG and keeping Henderson offers the same issues, maybe Henderson flops and DDG finds renewed form with a new challenge. Or Maybe Henderson proves himself a top keeper and DDG continues to struggle at a different club.
There is so much scope for the club to get it wrong on this one, and I feel the keeper call might be one of the most telling and impactful of the season ahead for us.
That's a total of 15 players who may leave permanently or on loan.
While we might only sign one maybe two more players at most. The biggest issues the club face now is selling players and getting the right balance in the squad.
29 Jul 2021 17:27:56
You’re a headline act Shappy, literally. 🤣.
29 Jul 2021 17:28:13
Not sure why they wouldn't keep both this year. Seems a no brainer to me. If DDG is agitating to go back to Spain then that would make sense, but if not I see another year of them duking it out. Could be hood for hendo in the long run.
Not sure Pogba goes this year I think he stays and goes for free to highest bidder next year. He has all the power now and he will take best option for him (of course)
29 Jul 2021 14:52:17
Funky we can only sign if we make space.
Talk of Jones getting a free
Dalot should not be played pre season nor should tuanzebe every time they play their value diminishes as they look worse with every game they play.
Lingard I hope gets a nice move.
I'd keep James ahead of martial but I doubt there will be much interest in martial on his massive wages his awful injury record on top of the fact he is a miserable looking human.
Andreas might get an offer.
Williams may be needed as you say early doors.
Trippier coming in would negate the need for Williams to stay.
Neves I see rumours about i'd be happy if he signed as he is a better player than Fred, mctom and matic.
Pogba I couldn't care less what he does to be honest but I think he will be sold. Or at least I hope he is. His only interest is in himself and i'd love him to sign for PSG a club he formally despised. Nobody else appears to want him.
A midfield of neves vdb and Bruno would do for me. Mctom mata and matic to support them and fred if all the kids in the academy are injured.
29 Jul 2021 23:14:28
Dodgy, I think it was quite clear that the uncertainty over who was No.1 last season negatively impacted the form of BOTH Henderson and DDG.
Another season of uncertainty potentially impacting their form isn't good for us.
It just means we have two under performing players who are diminishing their value while potentially costing us points.
Personally I think Henderson as No.1 makes more sense. He has the potential to improve and in the player in the ascendency. His skill set also better suits us if we intend to player a higher line now we have signed Varane. Being quicker and more comfortable coming off his line to act as a sweeper keeper. His distribution is better as is his communication. Also with Varane in the team I would expect the keepers to face fewer shots, which shot stopping being the only thing DDG does better than Henderson.
That said can Ole or anyone for that matter say to the highest paid player in the league, and a club legend of ten years service as No.1 that he is now going to spend a season sitting on the bench?
He deserves better than that and should be allowed to leave to go somewhere he will play every week.