Now That's What I Call Transfer Rumours! 7

[cranna]

21 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Pep likes a small squad and likes a couple Swiss Army knife type players. 
 

Bernardo over the years has played RW, AM, CM and even LB. 

 

Kovacic and Phillips sitting on the bench is another level of squad depth. Rumours about Alphonso Davies joining them as well.

Pep is going for the quadruple next season.

 

 

Edited June 1, 2023 by cranna

[Gawalls]

14 hours ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Huge natural oil and gas reserves probably have more to do with it than superb business acumen tbf

 

 

 

So you’re still not gonna get people trying to linch money off you? They’ll still be more than capable of dealing with people like football agents.

[Gawalls]

39 minutes ago, AJ9 said:

What I like about the likes of Gordon, Murphy, Longstaff, Willock is that I don’t think they’ve hit their ceilings yet. There’s quite a bit of improvement they could all make there and if so, with a few additions will make us fucking class next year. 

I reckon longstaff would hit the ceiling if he was aiming for the floor.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I think Murphy is beyond his ceiling if anything, I’d expect a serious decline

[TRon]

2 hours ago, Displayname said:

Been 90% certain he will come ever since he liked that post about us winning against Brighton on instagram.

 

I get the feeling Maddison would probably be Howe's preferred choice, he's a proven high class PL performer. But I think the club might be more tempted to go with Szoboszlai because he's about 4 years younger in age.

 

Maddison will be in his prime at 27 next season, Szoboszlai will be 23. Even if the Hungarian costs more in transfer fees, his value will probably increase if he does well.

 

 

[Solitude20]

47 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

He had a £40m signing sitting on the bench.  
 

He likes Joe wide left. That combination with Willock is effective. 

But as soon as both Almiron and Isak were back, Joelinton didn’t play as a winger anymore. So it is clear that he chose him when his other main options were out for injury. Don’t also forget that ASM has not really fully recovered even at the end of the season.  I wouldn’t see Howe play Joelinton as a left winger and leave out healthy ASM and Isak. 

[Jaqen]

Think the two Joe's is definitely the preferred lineup on the left. I'd imagine first choice next season would be those two, Isak a new RW, Bruno and a new CM. An attacking LB would give that left side a really nice balance too. 

[Kanji]

10 minutes ago, Solitude20 said:

But as soon as both Almiron and Isak were back, Joelinton didn’t play as a winger anymore. So it is clear that he chose him when his other main options were out for injury. Don’t also forget that ASM has not really fully recovered even at the end of the season.  I wouldn’t see Howe play Joelinton as a left winger and leave out healthy ASM and Isak. 

 

No, it coincided with Longstaff getting injured too. I have no doubt that if Longstaff was fit the rest of the season + Willock we'd have seen the Big Joe/Little Joe left side. 

[sushimonster85]

20 minutes ago, TRon said:

 

I get the feeling Maddison would probably be Howe's preferred choice, he's a proven high class PL performer. But I think the club might be more tempted to go with Szoboszlai because he's about 4 years younger in age.

 

Maddison will be in his prime at 27 next season, Szoboszlai will be 23. Even if the Hungarian costs more in transfer fees, his value will probably increase if he does well.

 

 

 

Have to imagine Szoboszlai's wages will be lower as well. Maddison has already been on that PL money, so would likely want to be on the kind of money that would make him one of highest earners. 

[Matt1892]

13 minutes ago, Kanji said:

 

No, it coincided with Longstaff getting injured too. I have no doubt that if Longstaff was fit the rest of the season + Willock we'd have seen the Big Joe/Little Joe left side. 

Yeah, Longstaff went off injured against Everton which was a game which had Joelinton on the left and Isak on the bench as he was being rotated with Wilson.

[The College Dropout]

11 minutes ago, Kanji said:

 

No, it coincided with Longstaff getting injured too. I have no doubt that if Longstaff was fit the rest of the season + Willock we'd have seen the Big Joe/Little Joe left side. 

Aye - no chance Joelinton LW is the last resort. Howe likes it. 

 

He likes it more than Gordon LW.  He might like it more than ASM LW. 

[HaydnNUFC]

Tad bit concerned about Bundesliga tax if we do for Szoboszlai but I have no qualms about Howe implementing players from abroad into our side. Would love Maddison here still mind as the bottom line is he's a quality footballer who guarantees goals and assists in the PL.

 

Probably gone over this a million times before but I'd like to see us get a LB*, younger right footed ball playing CB**, more defensive minded CM*** and a RW who could player across the front 3 in the case of an emergency, eg injuries.****

 

*Kieran Tierney

**Mohammed Kudus maybe but unsure on names and unsure if we've even been linked to any CBs yet outside of Kudus and Kim Min Jae who I imagine would cost a hefty wedge.

***Amadou Haidara, Manuel Kone, Khephren Thuram, Edson Alvarez

****Dominik Szoboszlai, James Maddison, Moussa Diaby, Marcus Thuram, Ferran Torres (unsure if Maddison or Szoboszlai would play here tbh like but y'kna)

 

I had a ticket for the True Faith journalist get together thing on Monday but because I was in Edinburgh for Springsteen I couldn't go, but apparently what was said was Howe is allegedly not keen on Diaby which I was disappointed to hear but one of the names we are looking at is Ferran Torres. Unsure what his wages would be but that's what was said.

[AJ9]

54 minutes ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

I think Murphy is beyond his ceiling if anything, I’d expect a serious decline

Really? I used to think like that but if he continues to do the things he’s been doing this season but maybe improves finishing, decision making and movement in the final third I think he still has space to improve. He has shown he’s bought into the methods and is seriously coachable, whereas I’m unsure if the likes of ASM will ever get it tbh

[Solitude20]

36 minutes ago, Kanji said:

 

No, it coincided with Longstaff getting injured too. I have no doubt that if Longstaff was fit the rest of the season + Willock we'd have seen the Big Joe/Little Joe left side. 

So Eddie would leave out healthy Isak or ASM and play Joelinton as a left winger?

[TRon]

4 minutes ago, Solitude20 said:

So Eddie would leave out healthy Isak or ASM and play Joelinton as a left winger?

 

I think when you put Big Joe and Little Joe together, they work well together because they both can interchange to middle or wide depending on the play. Both can press like monsters as well, but I would imagine it would be Willock with his extra pace who would end up wide more often.

 

The downside would be the goals, but they can both score, and they must be a nightmare to play against.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

30 minutes ago, HaydnNUFC said:

Tad bit concerned about Bundesliga tax if we do for Szoboszlai but I have no qualms about Howe implementing players from abroad into our side. Would love Maddison here still mind as the bottom line is he's a quality footballer who guarantees goals and assists in the PL.

 

Probably gone over this a million times before but I'd like to see us get a LB*, younger right footed ball playing CB**, more defensive minded CM*** and a RW who could player across the front 3 in the case of an emergency, eg injuries.****

 

*Kieran Tierney

**Mohammed Kudus maybe but unsure on names and unsure if we've even been linked to any CBs yet outside of Kudus and Kim Min Jae who I imagine would cost a hefty wedge.

***Amadou Haidara, Manuel Kone, Khephren Thuram, Edson Alvarez

****Dominik Szoboszlai, James Maddison, Moussa Diaby, Marcus Thuram, Ferran Torres (unsure if Maddison or Szoboszlai would play here tbh like but y'kna)

 

I had a ticket for the True Faith journalist get together thing on Monday but because I was in Edinburgh for Springsteen I couldn't go, but apparently what was said was Howe is allegedly not keen on Diaby which I was disappointed to hear but one of the names we are looking at is Ferran Torres. Unsure what his wages would be but that's what was said.

 

Kudus is a midfielder IIRC. 

[TRC]

1 minute ago, AyeDubbleYoo said:

 

Kudus is a midfielder IIRC. 

He can play 8/10 

[HaydnNUFC]

So he is. Turns out I haven't got a clue as usual. As you were.

[Menace]

Kudus was very impressive in the world cup I thought. Would be very happy to see him.

[timeEd32]

I think one of the things likely setting some people up for disappointment or confusion in this window is the general perception of Gordon vs. how Ashworth / Howe view him.

 

We know Howe eases players in and we heard from the player himself that his fitness was not up to the standard. Assuming he fixes that I think it's a mistake to assume our first XI doesn't include him or that he's at least not a big part of our plans. I think comments like "Howe clearly likes Joelinton more at LW" or "why did we pay £45M for a squad player?" are making potentially faulty assumptions.

 

It's not clear to me if we like him for his versatility and may use him in a number of positions moving forward or if we used him in a few places out of need. But if we don't bring in an obvious RW or we sell Maxi and don't replace him or if we don't bring in competition for Longstaff then I think it's possible the answer to any of those is Gordon.

[The Prophet]

I think our list will look something like:

 

LB - It seems that we'll be looking at a similar sort of profile to Dan Burn, but with more recovery pace and ability in forward areas. I wouldn't be at all shocked if were looking at someone like Lloyd Kelly. If I'm not mistaken Howe brought him to Bournemouth so he will have a good idea of how good he is and if he'd be a good fit. 

 

RCB - We don't immediately need a RCB but we do need a rotation option for Schar. Ideally a younger player who has the potential to make the step up and eventually replace him. 

 

CM#1 - You'd imagine we'll be looking at a good all rounder for a main midfield target. Thuram and Kone have been mentioned and seem pretty ideal, but Liverpool amongst others are sniffing around both. Whoever we go for will be athletic, good on the ball and probably accustomed to playing high-pressing football.  

 

CM#2 - I think we'll also look at a young prodigy in this area. Guler, Scott and that chap from Celtic have all been linked in recent weeks. 

 

RW - If links are to be believed we want an inverted forward to play on the right, someone in the Maddison or Szoboszlai mould. This makes a lot of sense if we're going to rely on Trippier and his predecessor to provide width down the right. A player who will tuck in and has a creative spark on the ball makes perfect sense. 

 

[The Prophet]

Potentially significant, potentially not. Leipzig are signing Christoph Baumgartner from Hoffenheim for a decent chuck of change. He's played a fair bit as a false nine this season, but he's primarily an attacking midfielder that tends to drift out to the right. He could well be Szoboszlai's replacement. 

[SUPERTOON]

7 minutes ago, The Prophet said:

Potentially significant, potentially not. Leipzig are signing Christoph Baumgartner from Hoffenheim for a decent chuck of change. He's played a fair bit as a false nine this season, but he's primarily an attacking midfielder that tends to drift out to the right. He could well be Szoboszlai's replacement. 

Don’t think there is much doubt about Szoboszlai leaving tbh, if that’s to come here or not is another question.

[khay]

I’m all in thinking we are going for szoboszlai. I’m going to just enjoy the link though and be think “aye. Sounds good” for most transfer and think we have a chance for anyone now. 
 

going to be a relaxing summer if we get one big move in early doors. 

[PauloGeordio]

6 minutes ago, khay said:

I’m all in thinking we are going for szoboszlai. I’m going to just enjoy the link though and be think “aye. Sounds good” for most transfer and think we have a chance for anyone now. 
 

going to be a relaxing summer if we get one big move in early doors. 

Will be great, relaxing I doubt!