Don't think that really plays into it. Wanting to "look over the kids" is a euphemism for "the board hasn't bought anyone yet to fill the evident gaps"...part of the downside of selling early and buying late.
So, is Sims or McQueen in your plans next season? Could well be another curious case of Harrison Reed coming up.
We had at least 2 decent players in every position (for a 4 2 3 1) at the start of the season. Least number of gaps we've had in some time. Just had europa league and a tonne of injuries. Puel's style change hadn't helped either. But as far as I'm concerned it's bringing on the youth that will keep helping our squad value rise relative to other clubs our size. Biggest blow our club took this season was relegation from the top tier of the u23's imo.
I'm beginning to really want Claude to stay. Primarily so I can laugh at the people who will meltdown. I know this makes me a bad person, but hey, that's where I'm at
Funny how you come across as an urbane, thoughtful modern man when in fact you're a small spiteful child. Now, put your alter-ego away, get back into bed and get out the right side. Before you make me laugh and all my stern parenting gets lost. I do want Claude to stay, unless he wants to go for personal reasons. I would also enjoy the discomfort, but most of all it would stop - albeit temporarily - this incessant name guessing which is all probably way off the mark anyway. I am now going to stop posting and await news from the club. There are bigger fish to fry.
Apparently Dortmund want Lucien Favre from Nice, which could leave a route back to Nice for Claude (worse places to live tbh). Which could also be part of the delay. Who knows.
I'm a lot more relaxed about VVD going than I was in January, having seen that there is life without him. Of course he is a great player but we managed without him for half a season. Want him to stay but expect him to go very soon.
He was a huge miss for us though. With a fit VvD we might now be celebrating winning silverware, and finishing...well, 8th, but with a flourish.
Not sure about "but with a flourish" as he proved numerous times (especially in the EL) he couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo in front of goal
Zenit St Petersburg appoint Roberto Mancini as new head coach on three year deal. (Sky) Don't know if he was anywhere near the list but he's not now.
I just remember his equaliser against Sunderland, when he got further and further up the pitch til he was playing CF. Same vs Inter iirc. I'd probably have him on penalty duty tbh.
Brazilian journalist who claims to be good friends with Tuchels agent has said he is meeting with Southampton
