17 Aug 2024 11:42:49
So a couple of weeks left in the window, what are you hoping for and what do you see as priority? For me.
1. CM and it looks like Ugarte is the one they want. Not Berge from my perspective and Collyer needs chances.
2. LB. I wonder if we can get Ben Chilwell at reasonable cost or Season Loan? Being pushed out of Chelsea, Mounts best friend as well.
3. CF. Don't want to block the two youth forwards, but we are light on an experienced CF. It would not be highest priority but perhaps there is an option out there.
17 Aug 2024 13:10:22
I agree Red Man on the CM and LB. Not sure how I feel about a CF, u liked what I saw from Zirkzee last night and Hojlund had some good spells too, perhaps a low cost old pro to help bring them on and act as a plan B. Of course, we seem to quite like the false 9 approach too.
17 Aug 2024 13:24:15
We still need 2 CMs, a GK, a LB, and probably a striker to be competing at the highest level and on all fronts. I wouldn’t say no to another CB either.
I think we’ll definitely sign at least one CM before the window slams shut, with Ugarte looking like the likeliest option, but any other signings will probably depend on outgoings.
Our squad is still pretty bloated, with Maguire, Lindelof, Erikson, McTominay, and Sancho all needing to be moved on. If Middle Eastern clubs really are willing to pay a fee of £20m for Casemiro, he should probably go as well (I know he’s looked pretty decent these past two games, but given his age and wage, we may not get a better opportunity to move him on than this) .
All in all, I think we’ll probably see four of the aforementioned players leaving (One of the two CBs, Erikson, McTominay, and Sancho on loan) with three new players coming in (Ugarte, a cheaper CM, and another CB) .
17 Aug 2024 13:58:34
I'd look at Hermoso for lb. He wouldn't block Amass either and would be a quality addition to the squad.
17 Aug 2024 13:58:50
I was expecting Mazraoui to play LB. Good that he and Dalot can both play either. I wonder if they went the way they did to deal with Traore's pace or whether Mazraoui is simply more effect on the right, not sure. Don't even know what Malacia's injury is, or that he offered much in what I saw of him.
Seems nuts we're still in the market for a 4th player that can play LB (exc Martinez / Amass) . Unless one of them is leaving, surely it only needs to be a loan at this stage. It's a problem position.
17 Aug 2024 14:05:26
Don't get the maguire dislike. granted he is not a silky cb but does so many other things very well as a defender and a cb. Had a great game yesterday imo. Erikson is surplus to requirements and get that. we need to move pellistri and hanibal as they are of very use to the squad given where they play.
Personally no issues with mc staying and if we need the funds i guess he is the one that goes and has market value. Sancho is a strange one and not sure what to believe given all the rumours floating.
17 Aug 2024 14:07:23
Would love ugarte and a first team quality leftback. I think we can go with that and then focus on outgoings.
We then have a lot of fringe players to leave.
Any further signings would be due to players leaving who are playing in our first team. say we get branthwaite fir example - I would expect mcguire and Lindelof to leave. A second CM, i would expect Eriksen, mctominay and possibly cassemiro to leave.
17 Aug 2024 17:40:02
Ahmad, how dare you suggest Maguire is anything other than a donkey, wash your mouth out man. Yes yes, he had a very good game, but you need to get with the programme. He's useless, immobile, 8th choice, a complete donkey blah blah blah.
17 Aug 2024 20:29:21
Mazraoui is a rbrwb who can cover on the left. He played there for Morocco as Hakimi is on the right. I. That respect he is like Dalot in that he is an option when your first team LBs are out.
Whether Ten Hag would out Dalot there first out of the two once everyone is settled in is unknown.
As Mazraoui had maybe a day with firstbteam training wise it. Ages sense that he started where most comfortable for first game.
17 Aug 2024 23:24:55
I am self confessed anti Maguire. Never made any secret of it and never will.
He played really really well. There is absolutely no denying that. Hats off to him for that performance, apart from the dive.
I sincerely hope for the teams sake that he kicks on and does become a solid option where required.
But my anti Maguire spidey senses predict a fall from grace in time honoured fashion.
18 Aug 2024 08:37:44
Whether you like Maguire or not, he is here for this season. His contract ends in June and the club might not take up the year option so he can move on. I hope he has a good season.
18 Aug 2024 17:18:49
It isn't that I don't like him. To not like something would be to hate it, and hate is a strong word.
I just think he is crap.
He didn't have a good game against Fulham, he had a great game, by his standards, no one elses. He was wandering around before he came off and cramping up, on the first game.
He is a liability.
End of story.
{Ed025's Note - you can not like something but not hate it either Jimbo...like me with Everton, but im with you on Harry mate..
18 Aug 2024 20:07:54
Fair point Ed. A long season ahead for you I think, I had you down as in the dog fight to stay up before the weekend.
{Ed025's Note - me too Jimbo mate..
18 Aug 2024 23:17:23
Ugarte. If we got him and no more, I'd say it was a good window considering the restraints the club's operating under.