More transfer rumours

[toontownman]

Almost don't believe he is a target for us. Just think if we really wanted him and vice versa we would have made it happen already. 

[Zero]

I think we do want him but the priority is lower than Etikite and Botman, who do make sense considering our squad depth

[Ikon]

Just sign him already. The chance of getting a player of his calibre won’t happen too often where we currently stand. Gotta grab the opportunity. You see how Raphinha was out of our reach for example. I’m certain we could get Paqueta, and afford it. Just get it done before it’s too late. 

[WillingtonMag]

26 minutes ago, Ikon said:

Just sign him already. The chance of getting a player of his calibre won’t happen too often where we currently stand. Gotta grab the opportunity. You see how Raphinha was out of our reach for example. I’m certain we could get Paqueta, and afford it. Just get it done before it’s too late. 

Absolutely should go for him it's an odd opportunity due to his relationship with Bruno we should be taking advantage of it. And let's be honest it will probably motivate both of them to perform even better it could be amazing.

[Nine]

 

Looks good in black and white

[bowlingcrofty]

See he ordered a shirt off the club website too

[Gaztoon]

Every one West Ham our close to signing they've so called beat us to his signature. ?

[Nine]

Same as Villa fans, they are feeling insecure about us now so anytime they sign someone we were linked with its 'they choose us/beat you to him' etc. We better get used to it.

[Mazzy]

Paqueta is no doubt a huge talent but we have a problem now that has been created in part by the Joelinton renaissance. The problem being he's taken up that kind of spot Paqueta would've fitted into and therefore other areas of the pitch require immediate reinforcements far more than the midfield, RW and ST being 2 of them.

 

I'd rather spend the £60/70M Paqueta would take on a talented RW as I'd not be particularly keen on Almiron or Fraser starting the season there for us.

[Nine]

9 minutes ago, Mazzy said:

Paqueta is no doubt a huge talent but we have a problem now that has been created in part by the Joelinton renaissance. The problem being he's taken up that kind of spot Paqueta would've fitted into and therefore other areas of the pitch require immediate reinforcements far more than the midfield, RW and ST being 2 of them.

 

I'd rather spend the £60/70M Paqueta would take on a talented RW as I'd not be particularly keen on Almiron or Fraser starting the season there for us.

This is about where I am at to. I'd love to have him here, I think we all would really. 

 

However we have other priority positions that need to be addressed to make the the squad stronger as a whole, it would be easy for me to say 'Hes a talented player, he'd probably come here so fuck it lets just chuck the 50m or whatever they want at it and get it done' but the reality is its alot more complicated than that. 

[Ikon]

42 minutes ago, Mazzy said:

Paqueta is no doubt a huge talent but we have a problem now that has been created in part by the Joelinton renaissance. The problem being he's taken up that kind of spot Paqueta would've fitted into and therefore other areas of the pitch require immediate reinforcements far more than the midfield, RW and ST being 2 of them.

 

I'd rather spend the £60/70M Paqueta would take on a talented RW as I'd not be particularly keen on Almiron or Fraser starting the season there for us.

 

 

Wrong. I see Joelinton as box to box (for us). Paqueta can play box to box but he's more of a AMC/#10. Also a hundred levels above in the last third.

 

 

Edited June 30, 2022 by Ikon

[Flip]

Are you guys saying you'd be happy to go into next season with Joelinton, Shelvey, Longstaff, Bruno and Willock as our central midfielders? I think a DM/CM/CAM depending on how we plan to play Bruno should be our priority along with a RW. 

 

Also, Joelinton hasn't created a problem for us signing Paqueta at all. They don't play the same position at all. Paqueta is much more advanced and far far more talented. 

 

[Emotic]

1 hour ago, Nine said:

Same as Villa fans, they are feeling insecure about us now so anytime they sign someone we were linked with its 'they choose us/beat you to him' etc. We better get used to it.

Not difficult when we've literally been linked to every good player on the planet since January! Even Neymar and Bale ffs

[SUPERTOON]

Danjuma was my number one realistic target, gutted he’s off to West Ham, him and Bowen on the wings is pretty impressive.

[Ben]

 

[Nine]

7 minutes ago, Flip said:

Are you guys saying you'd be happy to go into next season with Joelinton, Shelvey, Longstaff, Bruno and Willock as our central midfielders? I think a DM/CM/CAM depending on how we plan to play Bruno should be our priority along with a RW. 

 

Also, Joelinton hasn't created a problem for us signing Paqueta at all. They don't play the same position at all. Paqueta is much more advanced and far far more talented. 

 

I think the point he was making was that Joe has made the NEED for a CM far less that it was before Clark got sent off vs Norwich, we have other positions of priority now that should be addressed before we splash massive money on a CM.. I agree with do need another DM/CM (depends on where Howe plays Bruno imo) but that player doesnt have to be 50m+ Paqueta. He is obviously better than Joe.

 

 

Edited June 30, 2022 by Nine

[Ikon]

6 minutes ago, Flip said:

Are you guys saying you'd be happy to go into next season with Joelinton, Shelvey, Longstaff, Bruno and Willock as our central midfielders? I think a DM/CM/CAM depending on how we plan to play Bruno should be our priority along with a RW. 

 

Also, Joelinton hasn't created a problem for us signing Paqueta at all. They don't play the same position at all. Paqueta is much more advanced and far far more talented. 

 

 

 

This! Find it ridiculous how many people seem to be reasonably content with our central midfield. Foolish and naive. I know we need a RW and a Forward/striker of some kind, 

but Cm is an extremely important area of the pitch. Just see how much of a difference Bruno has made, and we still have weaknesses in there. This was with Wood playing too.

If we dont sign at least one CM of some sort then it's not looking very good at all imo. People overrate our midfielders because of a run that isn't sustainable for the level of

players we have there when Bruno was on the bench. 

 

 

Edited June 30, 2022 by Ikon

[Flip]

Just now, Nine said:

I think the point he was making was that Joe has made the NEED for a CM far less that it was before Clark got send off vs Norwich, we have other positions of priority now that should be addressed before we splash massive money on a CM. Paqueta is obviously the better player. 

 

I got his point. I just don't agree with it at all. I might be in a minority, but our last half of the season isn't sustainable with this squad at all and especially in midfield. An injury to Bruno and we're back to a relegation battling midfield. Howe seems to be a good manager, but he's not a miracle man. Signing someone like Paqueta or any other CM that improves us is very important. 

[Nine]

Just now, Flip said:

 

I got his point. I just don't agree with it at all. I might be in a minority, but our last half of the season isn't sustainable with this squad at all and especially in midfield. An injury to Bruno and we're back to a relegation battling midfield. Howe seems to be a good manager, but he's not a miracle man. Signing someone like Paqueta or any other CM that improves us is very important. 

I agree with everything you just said, my only point is the CM we sign doesnt necessarily have to be Paqueta especially if we plan to spend big on a RW and/or a ST.

[Flip]

4 minutes ago, Ikon said:

 

 

This! Find it ridiculous how many people seem to be reasonably content with our central midfield. Foolish and naive. I know we need a RW and a Forward/striker of some kind. 

Extremely important area of the pitch. Just see how much of a difference Bruno has made, and we still have weaknesses in there. This was with Wood playing too.

If we dont sign at least one CM of some sort then it's not looking very good at all imo. People overrate our midfielders because of a run that isn't sustainable for the level of

players we have there when Bruno was on the bench. 

 

Couldn't agree more.  

[Flip]

Just now, Nine said:

I agree with everything you just said, my only point is the CM we sign doesnt necessarily have to be Paqueta especially if we plan to spend big on a RW and/or a ST.

 

Fair enough.  I agree it doesn't have to be Paqueta (no guarantees that he'll be a success either), it all depends on how Howe sees Bruno playing. Bruno seemed to play a few positions in midfield and did well in all of them. If we want to play progressive football I see him as a deep lying playmaker, but given where we are, him as the most offensive midfielder isn't bad either. 

[Flip]

8 minutes ago, Ben said:

 

 

Love how he's talking about doing the hard work and that Neymar wouldn't have to worry about the defensive part. His mindset has already switched from being a striker to a hard working central midfielder. Really hope he can sustain his form. Had such a tough start to his career here and has kept working hard. 

[STM]

2 minutes ago, Ikon said:

 

 

This! Find it ridiculous how many people seem to be reasonably content with our central midfield. Foolish and naive. I know we need a RW and a Forward/striker of some kind. 

Extremely important area of the pitch. Just see how much of a difference Bruno has made, and we still have weaknesses in there. This was with Wood playing too.

If we dont sign at least one CM of some sort then it's not looking very good at all imo. People overrate our midfielders because of a run that isn't sustainable for the level of

players we have there when Bruno was on the bench. 

 

I AM reasonably content with our centre midfield, baring in mind the same midfield contributed to 6 months of top 4 form. 6 months IS sustained form, it's not a purple patch, it's their genuine capabilities.

 

Saying we have weakness in centre midfield is fine but we have weaknesses in every position on the pitch if you want to go through it with a fine tooth comb and considering CM a priority over RW or ST is madness IMO.

 

FWIW, I do think we will get another CM in during this window but I imagine it will be a younger player who will come into the squad to grow. Don't expect a big star signing unless we get Eriksen.

 

Before you get all defensive, nobody is saying our CM is perfect or couldn't be improved but isn't this thing about growth and window by window getting better and better in each area of the pitch?

 

Let's get those two attacking players in and see how things play out until January. If by then it's clear that Bruno needs company in terms of proper top quality, we can start looking at Paqueta or someone else. 

 

The point is, we can't do it all in one go.

 

 

 

[r0cafella]

Ideally, I don’t want to see Shelvey starting matches next season. 

[Keegans Export]

I don't think being "content" with our CM is an outrageous position in fairness.

 

We've got our best player (Bruno) and our POTS (Joelinton) in there. I'd be happier with those two plus Shelvey/Willock/Longstaff than I would see us playing Fraser/Almiron on one wing and Wood as the only backup to Wilson.

 

If we get good players at RW and striker that's a solid window and I'd back us to achieve the lower-end of our expectations (8th/9th). More quality at CM would obviously improve us (add Eriksen to RW & striker and I reckon we could really push 6th/7th) but I can see why that's third on the list after the other two positions.