30 Jul 2025 17:12:12
All of a sudden, it seems that we have become a well run, serious football club.
If you'd have said a front 3 of Cunha-Sesko-Mbuemo before the window, I would've said you're dreaming.
If we can somehow get Sesko over the line and a midfielder to boot (no matter how late in the window) we really to start to look a very different team.
30 Jul 2025 17:38:47
Think if we get a striker a gk has to be next.
We will drop points from either of those 2 we have now regardless of what midfield we have.
30 Jul 2025 17:55:23
Midfield is more pressing and its obvious.
Bruno will play deeper and definitely needs someone more mobile and strong in the tackle alongside him. Is Ugarte that player? he's good at what he does but we need better for the starting 11. Will it be Hjulmand? Ederson? Douglas Luiz?
We can have the exciting front 3 but without a solid midfield to play into them and win back possession we will be dangerously overrun in 75% of our league games.
I can see the need for a keeper as Onana is terrible but i can see a last minute loan for Martinez coming up.
That being said i'd love for us to throw a cheeky bid in for Donnarumma. Looks to be on his way out.
30 Jul 2025 21:46:30
Whiskey, I'm not sure any of those midfielders you've named would be a good partner for Bruno.
Looking at what we have the ideal signing would be Carlos Baleba, but he'd be far too expensive this summer. But he could be possible next summer if we get back into Europe this season.
While I agree that we need another midfielder, I'd be prepared to wait a year to get the perfect (and expensive) option over spending money on a make shift or gamble option this year.
Ultimately it's a full squad rebuild that will take 2-3 years. It'll take longer if we sign the wrong players along the way. I'd rather wait a year and get the right guy, than waste money on the wrong guy just to try and rush it along.
31 Jul 2025 00:20:44
Shappy. Why wait a year to get the perfect partner for Bruno when he will turn 32 next season and likely be on the decline?
We should be planning for the future as much as we are the present.
31 Jul 2025 06:44:43
I, very much against the grain feel like we have the personnel in midfield. I think Ugarte is very underrated on here but appreciate he didn’t do himself justice last season however I can see a good season from him. Mainoo is looking strong and sharp and I think is an excellent player. Casemiro, although I would be sad to see him leave because I think he’s great but also understand why he should and would be the one to get a younger replacement in for is looking fit and strong and I think this is the key point, fitness has been the real issue rather than football ability. A midfield 4 of Fernandes, Ugarte, Mainoo and Casemiro in a season where we will be playing less games is ok for me. I put a GK and striker ahead of a need for a CM.
31 Jul 2025 15:04:36
Agree with everything there, Ports. More than enough in midfield for the number of games we'll be playing.
31 Jul 2025 15:39:53
I’m pretty sure we had an interest in Ederson at Atalanta. Not sure if that has gone anywhere though.