14 Apr 2024 14:50:13
Apparently, along with Bayern, we're having 'concrete' discussions with Frimpong's camp.
Personally, I don't think we should bother wasting our time - he surely won't leave a title-winning club for what is essentially a mid-table club in the midst of wholesale change.
I don't think he'll go to Bayern either though.
Real Madrid are looking at new defenders and I reckon he'll follow Alphonso Davies from Germany to offer a frightening extra dynamic to their game.
I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt we're even an attractive prospect for Matty Cash if not for the, erm, cash.
14 Apr 2024 15:28:41
Good to see some positivity.
14 Apr 2024 15:58:05
Frimpong has had a phenomenal year at Leverkusen absolutely no doubt about it. However, I've often said a big problem with our recruitment is we sign players who are playing well in a totally different tactical set up to what we play.
Frimpong is a talented player without a doubt, but his current form is only possible because he is playing in a system that maximises his strengths and minimises hie weaknesses.
The 343 system suits him perfectly as it gives him the extra player in defence to cover his defensive shortcomings, while the front three means he's able to double up with the wide forward (Wirtz) to find space on either the over or underlap.
Unless we are hiring a manager who will employ a 343 type formation then it seems foolish to sign a player who has only ever thrived in that sort of team set up.
14 Apr 2024 16:11:53
Shappy’s right. We should be looking to sign players who are currently playing for teams with no tactical set up. That way, they can slot right in. Am fed up of this square pegs for round holes approach. We need players who can perform for a tactically naive manager.
14 Apr 2024 18:39:04
That's what we did with mount. Played 10 or a little wide right for Chelsea but eth wants him to play in a position he never played before. I don't think that's smart I'm not saying it can't be a success but it's an odd way to go about it imo.
14 Apr 2024 19:07:39
Rather fed up with this season now; bring on the Summer to ship out unsuitable players and bring in new faces that help us build towards success.
Hopefully - PSR and wheeler-dealing allowing - see some new players coming in.
The peerless Ed002 has already suggested that the following players might be our preferred targets:
Antonio Silva (CB)
João Neves (DM/ CM)
Denzel Dumfries (RB)
Furthermore, the Muppetiers (who some mistrust as click-bait, but generally seem well-informed), have suggested the following preferences also:
Jarrod Branthwaite (CB)
Jean-Clair Todibo (CB)
Andre Onana (DM)
Morten Hjulmand (DM)
Michael Olise (RW)
Benjamin Sesko (S)
Plus a focus on younger talents from South America.
All of these look like they would cost a lot of money, so just hope INEOS can raise lots of funds through plater sales and wages saved.
If cheaper options are needed as a result of limited funds and the sheer number of positions that need addressing, wondering if:
Anyone has heard of cheaper/ lesser known options we might be looking at?
Younger players at United who might be promoted to the first team squad?
14 Apr 2024 21:36:35
At the moment we are a long long way off challenging for a league again. 3 or 4 seasons realistically and that's getting the recruitment right every window. We seem to be getting the correct people in place to make the right signings. Top of the list aswell has to be to stop giving wannabe fashion designer rappers 300k a week . We seem to get it wrong so many times with signings compared to Liverpool and City who very rarely get it wrong.
14 Apr 2024 21:53:27
We're hardly a midtable club are we.
Sometimes reading people's thoughts is both amusing and baffling.
We have had a poor season, yet. we've also been through a protracted buyout of a portion of the club, a buyout that will bring fresh ideas and direction, something that is already starting to play out. We've also had a few injuries to contend with (although I think a squad should be able to work through these when the setup is right, see first point as to why we've struggled here) and lastly, we struggled to get rid of players deemed 'surplus to requirements' last summer, again see point one as to why this occurred.
The new owners are literally going to bring a night and day scenario to next season, in my opinion.
It is for that reason that, if Frimpong is the right person for the role we are scouting (not saying he is or isn't), then I firmly believe Manchester United is very much a big pull.
As an example, let's assume Villa make the top 4, do you think Villa in the CL is a bigger pull than Manchester United after an off season?
15 Apr 2024 00:00:25
U agree with a lot if that jimbo.
I'm not so sure we will see a night and day approach with the financial restrictions.
They will only be able to work within the rules and we have quite a financial impact to work off due to the haphazard rudderless spending.
We can only take so many hits on the books and it often makes more sense financially and to stay within the rules to keep a player rather than sell them at an unsustainable loss age taking into account all the associated costs of a transfer which are substantial.
I'm not well read on the regulations so can't give any informed opinion on what they need to do to navigate them whisky getting as close to night and day as possible.
Here's to hoping.
15 Apr 2024 04:22:58
That's why I think it will be night and day.
Write off the no hopers, even if it restricts us, to the point we are backed into a corner financially, meaning we will both, promote from within, and only sign people who understand the longer term vision.
15 Apr 2024 10:23:33
This is where our new scouting and acquisition team can earn their stripes.
Take the plight of Alex Grimaldo, who was a free transfer to Leverkusen at the start of the season. Now one of the most desirable full-backs in Europe.
The signings are out there, but we rarely find them. I'll stand by Cantona as being our biggest ever bargain. Leeds couldn't get rid of him quickly enough and the rest is history.