11 Mar 2026 18:21:08
Number 6
Casemiro is going to be a massive loss.
Ugarte has to go.
Kone is not quite ready.
We need two in here with Kone as understudy, I feel he is the standout from the youth section.
Do we go all out for a prime target and retain Collyer as back up?
So maybe a Baleba, Collyer and Kone setup.
Is Collyer good enough and should we cash in on him and use the funds for a Gomes?
Baleba, Gomes, Kone.
Thoughts?
11 Mar 2026 18:39:42
Baleba and Gomes aren't good enough for where we want to be, Jimbob. They would be great as a second or third signing, but not the star name.
11 Mar 2026 19:05:29
Then who, JR?
11 Mar 2026 20:41:35
Manu Kone, Elliot Anderson, Nmecha, Ederson. Lots of players I'd be very happy with. Gomes is a good shout for squad depth to replace Ugarte, but I agree with John that he's not got enough to be a regular starter for us if we have league title aspirations.
11 Mar 2026 22:20:28
I agree, guys. Gomes is backup to a long-scouted Baleba.
To be clear, we are talking about the holding midfielder here, not the number 8. Some of those names are not a Cas/Ugarte replacement.
11 Mar 2026 23:22:30
Anderson and Nmecha are very much 8's.
Ederson and Manu Kone are definitely options versus Baleba. I suppose it is whether we are going the prem proven route or not....
I'll do #8 last. Anderson and Nmecha are in with a shout for sure.