Theregulars

With the caveat that I think £40m is uncomfortable (not steep), if he sorts you out in goal for a decade…

So that’s what Parish was holding out for all along

Never for £60m.

I think it is a quandary working out who to sign at what price, but I don't think it is on those binary terms. I think the point is that, for where we immediately want and need to get to, at some point we are going to have to pay asking prices and those prices are likely to be high because the players we want and need are good. Any other team thinks that we have loads of money and knows that we have an urgent need to retool ahead of the coming season. I am sure there will be circumstances to exploit (e.g. other teams in PSR bother) or players that are, by some metric, undervalued. I am also sure that we are going to need to handover significant coin if we want to make significant improvements to the squad. I don't think that is the same as saying just spend whatever, now; but I do think it means that to do this season proper justice we should have some serious squad improvements in by pre-season or during its infancy (such that another summer long squabble about prices, like Guehi last year, does not hamper things). I am incredibly keen that we hit the ground running and prepared next season. With timely improvements we can give a good account of ourselves on all fronts. Heavy spending in the next 2 months is required to make that realistic in my opinion, so at some point we're going to have to do some of it.

Not sure being a Chelsea fan can be squared with the no dickheads policy

Trafford would be a very encouraging start to the window IMO. Capable of changing how we play and means that GK in theory sorted for a while.

It’s difficult to say what motivates all individual players but you’re not wrong that money is a big one, always. I think where I’m a bit unclear is what is “affordable”. My understanding is that we are able to afford some expensive players now. I’d certainly hope so after such a long period of inactivity and as the quid-pro-quo of having to put up with such morally grotesque owners. I am happy and excited to be proven wrong, but what I see again is another early summer with little back room certainty. Id hope we could at least afford 1 or 2 ready to go players (ie not purchased for potential). As to your other parameters that’s fair enough, but surely we’ve been planning for this situation for a long time… Before a chorus of “bedwetting” remarks, to be clear I don’t think there’s much cause to worry right now, but I’d have a bit of a funny feeling if nobody is in by start of July. To my mind it’s important to get them in early pre-season.

I think that’s a bit of an over-simplification, and I don’t remember complaining about inflated prices. The prices are inflated because of who we are, where we finished and where we want to go. At some point, yes, I think we have to bite the bullet.

I sort of agree. Clearly we are hobbled when it comes to offering mega wages (which I prefer, as it helps to avoid mercenaries). But the types of players we need and in my view should want are going to be expensive. Fair enough if we are trying to maximise budgets but at some stage they’re just going to need to pay asking prices. If you want good players normally clubs aren’t openly willing to sell them at a price convenient for the buyer. I am biased AF but to me any footballer worth their salt would look at our club and project and go “I fancy a bit of that”. You’ve a manager who will get you to the top of your game and you’ve a great chance of silverware and winning lots of matches, as well as being adored by the most loving fanbase there is. I don’t agree that there aren’t many options. To me it’s inconceivable that there aren’t players available for purchase who make us better.

I don't like the noises about prices being too high. The reality is that the prices are going to be high, and we need to have a squad in place for pre-season to give ourselves a fighting chance across 4 very difficult fronts. At some point they're going to have to bite at the asking price. Slightly concerned about the sense of drift in ownership - where is the new CEO? Who is actually running things at the moment?

Think Silva would have only gone to Spurs, not sure there’s a better gig available which offers him what he has at fulham. Fulham supporting colleague at work (they exist!) says the Saudi rumours are bollocks

Aye, he’ll know

Losing him and Mbeumo in the same month will be a big test of how well-run Brentford are. Can see them flushing but also unearthing some 36 year old Belgian metrosexual who takes them to Europe

As a business, not a sporting institution. He either picks the wrong manager or then doesn’t back the right one. To be where they are now after what they had under Pochettino is not well-run.

Think that plus fact he’s not played in 5 years were fuel for the ironic comment

There’s a name from the annals of Ashley’s more insidious chest of lies

He knows ball. To be fair to him I think he does actually know the game pretty well, always an informative and thoughtful read.

Completely agree with you. Very logical signing all things considered. Brighton know how to make a profit though, he’ll take up 1/4-1/3 of the budget I think.

Yeh think as @ponsaeliusalso said they’re probably at least well aware of the possibility Isak goes, so useful to then have the replacement in situ. To me it just makes sense as a signing for where we are, what we need, what we can pay and what is realistic within our budget and current position on trajectory.

I don’t watch Brighton in any detail other than highlights really, but their deployment of him doesn’t mean ours will be the same. If we are spending £50m+ it won’t be for a rotation option, so we’ll either change formation or he’ll change position.

Won’t be here as a back-up to Isak. That is an option he offers (which we badly need) but also can play as a wide forward and behind a centre forward. Gives us flexibility tactically and depth in personnel. Has demonstrated consistently he can score and create in the premier league. To my mind it’s a pretty safe buy.

They finished 17th. It’s not debatable IMO.

Would love him, cracking young player. Howe will turn him into a great player.

So he wasn’t saying he’s been eating a few burgers?

Would have him quickly, good player. Clearly an eye for goal. Could do with diving less.