Thor

Does anyone know anywhere else to talk about transfers where people don’t cry so much when we don’t land everyone we are apparently in for? It’s hard to sift through and act like the world is over when we’ve been on a clear upwards trajectory the last 3 years.

You'd think our season is over reading the forum.

Not really... We've spent when we've needed to, and we've learnt a lesson on overspending. Its literally a tale as old as time - fans complain saying "just pay it", and then when a player we paid above for doesn't work out - "they rinsed us and the ownership doesn't know what they're doing" from fans. They've literally gone out and signed a striker. Were talking of spending 80 mil more for another. Maignan is a fine enough keeper, but he has one year left and wants to leave. We aren't desperate. You consistetly show you're willing to go over and bend, and you get rinsed over and over.

I think we get Gittens and Maigan in before cut off.

Hearing that they met at 18 mil to get the deal done. Maybe a slight overpay for a keeper with a year left on contract. But if he’s back to his best with us, we are good for 4 or 5 years at keeper.

A lot of fans have noted how poor Nico has been for Atletico and then only shows up for Spain. Unsure how this plays into how he’d do here but yeah, Gittens seems similar and probably why he was targeted if the team liked the look of Nico.

His profile is almost identical to Nico Williams based on his chart and stats. Hes actually the best progressive dribbler in Europe - and creates more chances per dribble than Nico. Maduake comparison is lazy. His striking is clearly loads better too - seen from a simple highlight video.

I’m super excited for Essugo. I think he will become a staple. And as much as I’m not completely sold on Nick or Gittens - I think both will be a massive upgrade over anything we have had on the left for a while. Still - I think overpaying is what hurts clubs most. Value players like Delap and Palmer are the way when you can get them. And pay the big fees for studs like Caicedo. These guys aren’t surefire studs for me to warrant the big fees. Better to add value buys until the right one comes along imo. I say that but everyone here acts like we’re dogshit and management sucks, but we’re back in the champions league in no time at all with a way better future outlook than almost any point under Roman. So much young talent and ability to offload players easily due to great contract management for the most part - aside from early mistakes. These guys fail like any organisation but they make sure to fail quick and do actually learn.

Brazil is a mess. Everyone looks horrid. Doesn’t tell us much.

I honestly think rushing into a new keeper isn’t the way. Maignan is fine but not far and away better. I actually think Sanchez was quite good to close out the season. Always a bit shonky with the ball at feet but he is great in the air and was great at shot stopping. He has errors in him but he isn’t our biggest limiting factor imo.

Where would Hato play for us and is he a starter or backup level talent?

Given your logic - PSG would have missed out on Vitinha. I won’t bother to name even more examples because there is too many - but that was just the plain obvious one.

Why are we paying 80 mil for a striker that isn’t an out and out star right now? What do they see that we don’t with Etikite?

Gittens does have the highest shot creating average in all leagues from his dribbles though. Not something to sneeze at I guess. Just watching him though doesn’t scream major talent to me.

Gittens doesn’t look great but I’d be even more worried if we got Nico Williams. Looks bang average too. Aside from Rodrygo and if you can’t Rogers, I don’t really like any of the LW options this transfer window. Funny to see Gordon’s name brought up considering people were kicking the toys out of the pram a few seasons ago saying how shite he is for a CL level club.

Cherki to City looks like it will get done. I think he will be very good for them.

I don’t know how much I’d like Jackson at a rival. I think he’s a good player and in the right circumstance can look top class. Even in the Betis game where he screwed the goal up - he created that out of nothing with some superb play. 60-80 mil and I wouldn’t complain I guess. But not for cheap.

Sesko im not a fan of. Hes like Ibra without the touch and finishing around goal. Great athlete though.

There should have been 10 goals from that… he scored 1. I just don’t see the sure fire thing that some here are saying. He had an average scoring record in the Championship. Now he’s hit a stride in an average league - and I’ve heard much more hype for the winger we’ve signed than Gyökeres from people who know the league. I think he’s decent enough but not worth the money and wages over the other targets.

I just think the rest of the buys are a risk at their prices. Delap for 30 mil? No brainer. Also I can’t be the only one that sees him as a bit of a baby Gyokeres? Similar strengths and play styles imo. Gyokeres looks dog shit at headers though. If Delap stinks it up, it’s 30 mil and easy to recoup. Especially on homegrown talent. If Etikite sucks we look like idiots spending 90 odd million. Same with Gyokeres. I remember people on here telling me Morata finally gave us a proper finisher. I remember being one of the people saying Lukaku would be beast this time around. The list goes on for forwards we have taken turns being wrong on. Salah was value for money. Haaland too. Isak. I just don’t see any of these guys as sure fire studs like Haaland so it’s not worth the risk.

Ekitike is not worth more than double compared to Delap. I’d argue Delap is the more effective and impactful player right now anyway. Shitting on a player who banged in 12 goals on a shitty, shitty Ipswich team is bizarre. Ekitike is playing on a well oiled offensive team and has 3 more goals… in a way worse league.

Man United have been notorious for overachieving on their xG last few seasons and it has masked how bad they actually are. Once you start performing in line with actual expectations you see your true level. I’ve never liked xG as a stat for forwards. Most of the best strikers thrive off of chances - and the more you can make or be in position for, the better.

That is fair enough but prior to these two seasons in Portugal he would have been one to stay away from according to this board. So his last two seasons are essentially making him a must buy? I’m not the biggest Osimhen fan either but I think he does better against low blocks and EPL defences based on his aerial threat and back to goal play.

Why are people so sold on Gyokeres? He returned at less than a goal every 2 games in the championship and has only excelled now in the Portuguese league. Add to that he is 27. Yet people don’t want to go with the 21 or 22 year olds who are far ahead of where Gyokeres was at that age. I’m just struggling to see how he is somehow a sure fire lock to bang in goals given his past. Osimhen seems like the safer bet.

Also - finished on 69 points. Niiiiiiiice.