Pizy

For me this would be a squad that should, if it stays fit, be able to solidify us in the top 4. But I can’t see it worrying City or Liverpool over a 38 game season. Not enough goal scoring and not enough individual magic that can see us to 3 points if games aren’t going our way. We still don’t have that one go-to, super dependable attacker like all our rivals other than Arse do.

Ronaldo would’ve been interesting but also a risk that was probably not worth taking. If he wasn’t such an egomaniac and was fine being rotated regularly I’d have taken a punt. But he basically forces the manager to start him for every game.

Looks like we will get our defense sorted which is nice. But forward options of the quality required are rapidly diminishing.

Raphinha is just a more exotic name and as a skillful Brazilian will always get more attention. If Bowen was at a small club like Burnley or Bournemouth I’m sure we’d try for him. But WH are a side that has the ambition to be a top club so will be impossible to deal with.

Yep. Obviously, a loan would be ideal for us. But from Colwill’s POV he needs to see a direct pathway into our first team in order to feel like he’s got a future here. And with KK in a 4 year deal, Aké and Kimpembe potentially signed who are only in their mid twenties, and Chalobah who’s also a kid he probably sees no path. Best case scenario for the clubs interests is to loan him to a PL side where he’ll play every week. If he crushes it then we make room for him when Silva goes or we cash in for huge money.

He’s not a wide player or forward. Think he’s more of a central playmaker. Unless Kai takes a huge leap and Mason takes yet another step forward I just don’t think we’d have nearly enough consistent goal scoring with that attack. We need someone else who can score 15 goals or more. City, Liverpool, and even Spuds all have 3 players who can realistically score 15 PL goals each. That’s what we need.

Is Kicker reliable in Germany? Apparently they’re saying Gnabry is closing in on an extension at Bayern. Wonder what we do if true? Dembele, Raphinha, and Gnabry all off the table. Leão surely way out of the price range we’d pay. Who’s left for that right wing position? I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head that would really excite me.

In terms of his tall, super athletic physique, his running style, his dribbling style, and his ability to burst past players with ease, Rafa Leão reminds me almost exactly of Wilf Zaha. He’s like a mirror imagine but Leão appears to be more decisive in the final third. I’m not sure he’s worth the £100m that Milan would ask for after just one breakout season. If he repeats it next season or even improves then yes. But I suppose the risk in waiting to find out is that Real Madrid, PSG, and City will be sniffing around next summer. I’d rather be safer and go for Gnabry for a fraction of the cost.

Just a few days ago we were all saying “sign some fucking defenders!” Now the club is trying to sign ALL of the defenders they can get. 🤣 Really hope we aren’t done with attacking players and have enough money to go big on another winger/forward after a mammoth outlay on CB’s.

Yes, he’s got that same hyper aggressive sort of playing style that is very Rüdiger-esque. But that’s also been part of what makes him questionable. He is so aggressive that he can become a liability.

Some sort of clause must be put into Colwill’s sale and we better be getting a great fee if he goes. Doubt any PL club would agree to a straight up buy back clause these days but there should certainly be a first refusal clause like we ironically had with Aké and decided not to exercise.

Colwill being sold would set such a terrible precedent. Have we learned nothing from Tomori or Guehi?

We should go hard at Koundé again. Back 3 consisting of Thiago Silva in the middle, KK left, and Koundé right would be insane. Colwill and Trev to rotate as needed. Forget Aké.

Don’t care what anyone says, this new home shirt is beautiful. And as predicted looks way better on Sterling there than it does on a hanger.

Aké, Kimpembe, and KK all play primarily on the left side. Even signing 2 of those 3 makes little sense, never mind all of them.

For the exact reason I said. So they don’t have other clubs in their ear behind the scenes offering them 300k a week or something. True, they may have multiple years left in their current deals but they’re on baby money compared to most of their teammates. You ideally want to lock them down long before they enter the final year and their agents get to work on fielding offers from elsewhere.

The Reece James and Mason Mount contract situation is sounding very Rüdiger like. Like Toni, they’ve both now that they’ve heard nothing from the club yet but want to stay. Feels like both should’ve long since been handed new contracts. Hopefully this new ownership doesn’t make any silly mistakes and gets both done during THIS season and doesn’t wait until next summer after they’ve each had brilliant seasons. Then the likes of Real Madrid and City will be in their ears tapping them up with mega salary offers.

He’s no Rüdiger in terms of pace but who is? He’s very athletic and can get about just fine. He’s not going to get twisted in knots like Harry Maguire or anything.

If we can get 1 more attacker who provides goals in addition to KK, Sterling, and I guess Aké, I see no reason why we shouldn’t enter the season thinking title push. A depth signing at fullback would be the cherry in top. We definitely won’t be favorites but if we can keep our key players fit (namely the fullbacks) we have a first XI as good as anyone in Europe and a very deep squad.

Yep. All sources in the Italian front seem to be saying done deal. Now let us hope this is a nice, simple transition for him in the PL. Has every single quality you’d want in a CB.

Or PSG who have been linked with him before. They could get him instead of Skriniar.

Again, I just hope we get KK over the line quickly before someone ratfucks us at the last moment. Our priority #1 entering the summer window was to get a dominant, top class CB and he’s probably the only one left that’s realistic.

It appears Barca is trying to do a Raphinha here again by telling K2 to wait until they magically find more money like they keep doing. Don’t think this one is in danger though because they need to save money for Lewa.

I don’t even rate Kimpembe but would still prefer him than spending £45-50m on Aké.

I think 3 new, expensive CB’s is overkill. Unless Colwill is going out on loan again. Use the money on a wingback!