Parsley

Downie just said he's in the stadium doing media, all sounds fine.

Could be off altogether. Palace's replacement is going to West Ham.

https://x.com/garyjacob/status/1962537374895784026?t=VFg4i-CV7Of7b_HSsBiwew&s=19

Good: - Signed 3 long-term targets in Elanga, Thiaw and Ramsay. Ramsdale not first choice but a smart piece of business on a loan and, while Trafford's ceiling is probably higher, Ramsdale is currently the better keeper IMO. - It's the first window of note whether I think we've addressed all key gaps in some way (GK, CB, RW, ST). As good a window as it was, a couple of the deals in 23/24 were opportunistic and in positions we didn't really need (ie, Barnes having just signed Gordon). There were 3/4 significant gaps going into this window which have at least been addressed to some degree. - Squad is as stacked as it's been in recent memory. As well as depth, we also now have a good mix of different profiles across positions: Ramsdale's good with his feet, Thiaw gives us pace at the back, Ramsay's technicality and Woltemade's height and link-up play. - Outgoings have been good, particularly if Osula goes. We've cleared a significant amount off the books (Wilson, Longstaff, Kelly, Dubravka) and the Isak sale should give us plenty of runway for the next couple of windows. Bad: - The means rather than the ends. Missed out on numerous high-profile targets and there have been clear signs of desperation towards the end of the window. It's been exhausting for all involved and raises fair questions about the quality operations at the club. DoF and CEO can't come soon enough. - Our scouting seems to be limited to a small pool of players. - The Isak saga. It's eaten badly into our start to the season and could've been dealt with better. In terms of signings, it's an 8; we've responded as well we can to the Isak exit and beyond that, I'd say we're a CM away from it being a perfect window in the circumstances. In terms of how we've managed the window, a 5.

Going to Stuttgart, I think.

It's too good to turn down but 1 striker during AFCON is a concern.

Harvey Elliott to Villa https://x.com/_pauljoyce/status/1962480454965100675?t=n8_-YFLY3H4m8_cTGYBDqw&s=19

Sounds as if Wissa travelled up last night so I suspect we received some encouragement from Brentford that led to us sanctioning the sale. If true, it looks at least a little more calculated than it did last night.

It is an overpayment but I'm coming around to it. He can play wide and compliments Woltemade, as well as giving us an proven option up top to take the pressure. Needs must on the price I guess but it's a good profile to add to the squad.

£55m total package apparently. Not great IMO.

Because Bayern will only sanction a loan. Chelsea want a permanent transfer.

If Brentford are asking £65m for Wissa, then Jackson is a no-brainer at this point. Get it done.

Anyone offering to buy Jackson on a permanent will have preference over Bayern by the sounds.

Why have they recalled Guiu then?

Jackson to Bayern off, Guiu recalled...wonder if we'll go back for Jackson?

Ramsay's touch by the way

https://x.com/JacobsBen/status/1961762377591844939?t=08eEcmc646TnCmGTHzQ4zg&s=19

That's insane. Literally 3 phases of play between the incident and the goal

Or just a PIF delegate who can sign things off on his behalf. It's been mentioned a few times that we're hamstrung by the fact that everything has to be pre-approved by PIF leadership on the other side of the world - no wonder things move quicker when leadership are in town.

João Pedro and Ekitike are a similar profile, I'd argue - like a 9.5/second striker type who drops deep to link play. With 2 wide, fast forwards, it should be a good fit. Isak's a unicorn in the sense that he can drop deep but can play as a 9, and do both well.

Still wouldn't entertain selling Isak until we agree a fee for Wissa.

That's a shocker.

Barnes is brilliant at that cross to the back post.

Club needs to issue a retaliatory statement soon. Fuck him up.

Ramsey's a good player but too similar to Willock to make him a better option than El Khannouss.