27 Aug 2024 12:35:17
Assuming McT and Sancho deals are completed, that would be 10 sales, 6 contracts expired and 2 loans, with just 5 sr players coming in, all of whom addressed a specific need. It makes a big change from signing Fellaini on the last day of the window for more than we could have got him in the first. No one acquired over 26. (What no Ronaldo return to OT? ) Plus a few young players promoted and a few high potential youngsters to replace those not considered to be likely to be good enough. There's sell on clauses and buy back arrangements in there too.
We can't say exactly what all these transactions will do to our expenses. We've removed some big salary obligations, particularly if a deal for Sancho can be done, but we have brought in 5 new players for £180m and amortization alone will add £36m a year. I suspect, overall, there will be a decline in expenses, putting the club back on the road to profitability. I expect us to be profitable in 2024/ 5.
The new management team has hit the ground running. It's now up to Ten Hag to prove his worth. By Xmas there will have to be clear signs of overall improvement or I suspect the ruthless streak already exhibited by this highly professional team will be exhibited again. This season the least he will be expected to ensure is European football, more points than last year, and another trophy. No excuses.
27 Aug 2024 13:00:50
Do you think we need a striker to come in or are Hojlund and Zirkzee enough to carry us through the season? Are we missing a chance not going for someone like Toney?
27 Aug 2024 13:38:32
He doesn't even pick 1 from the 2 we have do you want a3rd for the bench too.
27 Aug 2024 14:43:13
The longer Toney sat in limbo as we approach friday the more I thought a loan for the season might transpire.
But he's not the right player, I doubt he's even the player Chlesea want but the Osimhen numbers are fantasy in a changed football landscape.
Neither do I think Hojlund or Zirkzee are the answer, promising and raw yes, but we need a authoritive clinical more experienced player in there that makes a difference IMO.
27 Aug 2024 15:08:11
Yes spenno but the manager is not setting his team up that way.
27 Aug 2024 15:17:22
God I hope not. Not sure why anybody would want Tony to come to us unless they sort Liverpool or City.
27 Aug 2024 15:58:20
We certainly need some players who know how to a) stay onside, b) dribble past a defender every now and again, and c) convert a greater % of the chances we create. Shaw's fitness is critical. I still regard him as the best LB to play with Rashford. He overlaps well, and has a decent final ball. If Shaw was fit and Rashford found some form I think we could do just fine with Hojlund and Zirkzee as alternative strikers. If we can't complete a final ball we won't succeed even if we have 10 top class strikers on our books. We have had some good ones, the problem for at least 10 years has been that they have been underserved.
27 Aug 2024 17:20:29
Spenno we already have an experienced, clinical striker on the bench. Get RVN back on the pitch scoring goals.