13 Jul 2026 11:15:16
Tielemans 35 mill all agreed. What's everyone thinking of this? G.
13 Jul 2026 11:40:29
Wanted us to sign him when he was available on a free. £35m for a Premier League proven player of his quality is still a great deal, but with him turning thirty at the end of this coming season, I wonder whether we're a little late to the ball.
That said, assuming we go on to sign another central midfielder before the window closes, I think it's a good bit of business.
13 Jul 2026 11:41:05
We needed a good experienced pro in there with the young lads, Mainoo and Santos.
Solid signing. I'm pleased. Hope he can do well. Good option to have imo.
13 Jul 2026 11:49:04
Not good enough for a team that wants to win the league in 2 years time.
13 Jul 2026 11:51:08
I'm underwhelmed. Genuinely, I wasn't concerned we swerved him on a free, and have seen nothing since to concern me that we missed anything.
That said, I note Villa let Douglas Luiz leave and then avoided the option to re-sign him, so maybe I just haven't seen enough of Tielemans since he left Leicester.
At that money, for a 29 year old, it makes sense if he's any good as a squad player, but the bar to replace Casemiro is high.
I expect a top signing as the third midfielder, and if that does happen, perhaps as a remote possibility even bringing in another midfielder, plus Ederson, we would be well served for different players in midfield for decent outlay.
I worry that the truth out of OT regarding delay for Ederson is pure misinformation until we sign who we want, so we aren't being held over a barrel.
So again, finding a player who's Premier League proven for that money is good business, but honestly, it doesn't feel like great business that is building on what we had last season. At best, it feels like standing still, and in truth feels like a step backwards.
I hear great things about Santos from Chelsea fans who appear to be furious we got him, but same with Mount, and that's been a poor piece of business, not the lads fault, but we signed a crock. Old regime sure, but can't shake the feeling we are not doing a great job this summer so far.
As they say, it's how you finish that counts, so I will hold on my final thoughts u til the window closes, but right now, I am pretty concerned we lost a legend and added a leg end.
13 Jul 2026 11:53:38
Sensible signing, as we need someone who can plug and play in place of Casemiro from last season's team.
Experienced in the Premier League and Champions League for a smallish fee, lots to like about the deal, honestly.
Only reservation is how well he will mesh with Bruno and Kobbie in the midfield, but they are all talented players so will work it out, you hope.
13 Jul 2026 11:54:42
Wow. That came out of nowhere. Didn't see a single link to him. I think he's pretty good. Solid midfielder. Not elite level, but can add some energy to the midfield and has an eye for a pass.
Seems fairly cheap in the current market. Did Villa not want him or did they need the money?
13 Jul 2026 11:59:37
I don't understand what I am missing here. Tielemans or Joao Gomes for the same money. How is Tielemans the better option? Anyone got stats or info on character or attitude that makes sense of it?
13 Jul 2026 12:07:49
Tielemans is a quality addition and will add an experienced head to what could be a young crop of midfielders, which makes sense to me.
If we end up getting Kone as well as Santos, then I think we will have a good group offering a variety of combinations.
Also, we would have done this all for similar amount to Elliot Anderson, which hopefully means we will have money left to cover a few more options.
13 Jul 2026 12:13:09
Good player. He makes good forward runs. Good passer, good at free kicks and can tackle. He also has a decent long shot, which is something we have been missing.
13 Jul 2026 12:18:43
Ronnie would be pleased with this! Only been waiting about 10 years for us to sign him.
13 Jul 2026 12:18:45
@CO,
Gomes was relegated, never played CL or European football.
Tielemans has vast experience, played in a team, and was instrumental to their good form and results over the last few seasons.
Good intl experience. Unlike Gomes, he has better passing, assisting, and scouting stats than Gomes over the past 2 seasons.
No doubt who the better option for us is, based on the above.
Gomes looks like a decent player, but has probably not got the profile and experience that we need. Mainoo and Santos are inexperienced at the highest level, but both have more to call on than Gomes. Adding him in the mix with Santos and Mainoo would be a mistake, imo, without having more experience in there.
13 Jul 2026 12:27:30
#Fallguy,
He's in the last year of his contract and 35m clause is active. He didn't want to extend.
13 Jul 2026 13:18:19
Excellent business. Very shrewd signing again. Delighted if this happens.
13 Jul 2026 14:42:29
Capt. O., what makes you think it is either Yuri or Joao? Perhaps both?
13 Jul 2026 15:26:06
Thanks Ken, feel better with that summary, and, yeah, understood. I'm maybe biased because I think Atletico are no fools under Simeone when it comes to solid midfield generals who are industrious and skilled. I don't see them signing any bang average CM or DM ever.
Hope Mbd is wrong also, as I definitely think it had to be one of the two, and I really hope we get a top class addition as well.
I don't know enough about Kone, but I hear the views on here loud and clear re injuries, and the same goes if we are worried about Ederson. I think there's little point putting out my own hopes for who the midfielder is next, as both options have come from left field and neither had any visibility from the press at all. It's a wait and see summer for sure.
13 Jul 2026 15:45:46
CO, Madrid pulled out of Gomes deal, and, as you say, they are not stupid.
13 Jul 2026 15:48:37
They did sign Conor Gallagher, Co.
13 Jul 2026 16:13:00
So did Spurs, Ken, and they obviously realised he ain't good enough either. Think we dodged a bullet with that one.
13 Jul 2026 17:09:01
Absolutely fantastic signing.
Let him and Mainoo rotate as the 'conductor' type.
Let Santos and probably Baleba rotate at the 6.
An infinitely better core of midfielders than we've had for a few years, and fairly 'cheap' with the three (pretty sure it'll be Baleba for £70m ish) obtained for around £153m, which leaves some cash for an elite left-back and a backup striker...
13 Jul 2026 17:10:30
Hahahaha, Supasub. My thoughts exactly.
13 Jul 2026 21:00:41
Don't get how anyone can be negative about this. He's literally one of the top midfielders in the league, steps up in big moments (goals in FA Cup/Europa League final/World Cup knockout round), vastly experienced, great off the ball work, real quality on it, and able to dictate tempo and control games. Arguably the best CM we've signed since Carrick himself.
13 Jul 2026 21:42:59
My only concern is that we are setting ourselves up to struggle with recovery runs when we lose possession.
Out of Mainoo, Santos, and Tielemans, none of them really excel at making those lung-busting 40-50m runs back to cover against a break.
Santos and Tielemans are both better at it than Mainoo, but, from what I've seen this season, not enough for my taste.
Or have I just not watched them enough and they are more mobile than I think?
13 Jul 2026 22:46:37
We badly need the experience so that makes it a good signing.
Still desperately needs an experienced CB with pace and another striker.