08 Apr 2025 08:04:40
Really struggling to understand the Delap links, which seem to be gaining rapid pace.
The last thing we need is another 'potentially good' striker. This side absolutely needs a guaranteed 20 league goals a season striker, and for that, Osimhen or Gyokeres are the only obtainable answers, with Osimhen being the stronger option of the two, in my opinion.
If Delap comes in, then there's still a question mark over who our starting centre forward is, which doesn't happen in any elite side in the world. I genuinely see no difference between him and Hojlund - quick, strong, potential, not quite ready.
The only way I'd buy into it, was if Hojlund and Zirkzee were both sold, with Osimhen and Delap coming in, but that's virtually impossible in one summer.
The other rumour gathering pace of Cunha is one we should be all over. Apart from perhaps Morgan Rogers, Cunha would be the absolute most perfect L10 in Amorim's system.
Garnacho, Rashford and Antony should fetch £120m - enough to buy Osimhen and Cunha.
08 Apr 2025 10:00:24
Delap is a decent young player but I agree at some point we need a couple of more established players among the developmental players, with the younger players around them. Hojlund was intended as the apprentice but through no fault of his own (Kane unobtainable, Martial injured then sold without being replaced) has been thrust into the spotlight and it's obviously too soon.
David (free transfer with 23 goals this season), Boniface, Ekitike are a few other names.
08 Apr 2025 12:57:49
We need someone who can find the back of the net on a regular basis. Delap certainly has potential, but we can't rely on players with potential.
08 Apr 2025 13:05:56
The pool for top quality strikers is abysmal
If you now compared to the amount of quality players in that department
I would still go and get Harry Kane me, will be 32 but would still do a job and score goals for another 3 seasons
Unless your going to pay top money for isak and oshimen is just a mercenary who demanded big money from Chelsea we don’t want those types any more
Anyone other than Kane or isak is a risk.
08 Apr 2025 13:09:03
We need both someone who has an instinct for finding the right spaces and then we need a few players around him who can develop the ability to find him in a timely fashion, and also chip in with a few goals themselves. Amad should be an improvement on the right side. Whether Garnacho can ever develop enough to fill the left spot remains to be seen, but my guess is that he would be a better version of Antony in a different league. I can see him departing if a good offer comes in.
08 Apr 2025 14:03:04
I agree Downsie that we need a striker that will guarantee (as much as possible) to get 20+goals a season. The problem comes when you look at who that would be.
Would love Osihmen and do not think the price with Napoli would be unrealistic (especially with interest in Garnacho) . Its the wages he will be expecting when we are looking to drive out the big earners. What is going to be our top salary, is Fernandes the benchmark for the elite of the elite at the club or is he an outlier that will correct itself when he eventually leaves. If it is £200k tops then we are not getting him.
Gyorkeres would be realistic on the wage scale looking at what he earns now but the competition may drive this up and he may not want us if outside of Eurpe.
So, we are looking at the lesser strikers who are mid 20's who could do well but far from certain, or we look at youth performing in the PL with high upside. Wilcox knows him from time at City and with Ipswich looking certain to go down the price will be as reasonable as it is going to be.
If Delap came in I would be interested in also bringing someone like Jonathan David as an older head, or we let Delap and Hojlund fight it out.
08 Apr 2025 16:27:15
Shaw,
At Garnacho’s age Amad was struggling to make an impact at Rangers, worth considering when thinking about the potential of young players. Not a dig as I know you weren’t suggesting that, just a point on player development that sometimes we forget.
08 Apr 2025 18:19:14
If Gyorekes is unattainable, which I think he is, then front line options of Delap, David, Obi and Hoiljund would not be too bad a position to be in.
Outlay is minimal and it is a great mix.
08 Apr 2025 18:48:36
Can't just be me who isn't sold on delap. Think we need a better calibre of player.
08 Apr 2025 19:25:48
Don’t think many of the players we sign are going to have everyone sold on them to be honest, going to have to be some calculated gambles and at the price I think Delap would be a good one. I doubt any of us have watched loads of Ipswich games this season but he looks good from the bits I have seen, better than what we have got anyway.
08 Apr 2025 20:40:12
I spent 16years in Suffolk growing up, so took an interest in their games.
I've also said Greaves would not be a bad shout from their team.
08 Apr 2025 21:49:02
Delap another young potential striker, but is he really the goal scorer we need? We have seen how Hojland has struggled with the weight of the shirt yet think a 22 year old from Ipswich is the answer. I shake my head on this.
08 Apr 2025 23:51:45
With you on this one redman. We need a proven striker coming in, as I can't see both our current strikers being sold.
09 Apr 2025 07:22:54
Yes, we need a striker, but Delap? Really? Not convinced.