Great news about CCV, had a great spell at Ipswich, with Toby likely off I imagine he could be in line for a breakthrough season next year.
So who is Brians' "special one" ?? Is it a CM maestro, AM beauty ?? If Toby goes, will it have to be a CB ??
One thing worth noting about Pulisic is that, while he mainly plays on the right, at times Dortmund have deployed him on the left, through the middle or even up front - sort of like how we've deployed Son ever since we signed him. It's worth wondering if we're planning on going back to how we were set up in Poch's first season, where the attacking band of Eriksen, Lamela and Chadli would often switch positions during games, although since a rough patch that season our attacking band tend to stick to their positions.
Not Shawcross or Evans for me. Wimmer has had his opportunity and blew it for reasons we don’t know. Chadli I liked but he may not have the energy required by Poch. Same for Shaqiri. Would Rondon and Butland be prepared to be back-up players. Mawson is the only one I would like to get
I've said this, also said it for times during this season when Dembele's been ****/ injured. Alli started off for us playing CM and done really well, I'm pretty sure he played a couple games there this season, Liverpool at Wembley (?) being one of them where he also scored. I know he probably prefers the more attacking midfield roles but he's got all the ingredients to make a top CM. If we do end up missing out on the likes of Seri, Milinkovic-Savic etc then I hope we don't sign a BTEC alternative that may or may not be at the level we need to take over from Dembele. Alli is far better suited there than many other potential options and it'll also open up room to allow the signing of someone like Pulisic for the AM roles. Can't say I know too much about him other than he's extremely highly rated, not forgetting the fact that being America's golden boy, he'll end up being like how Son is for us with the Asian market so it'd be a win-win for Levy in that remark. Personally I'd still rather we pushed the boat out for Seri or Milinkovic-Savic but failing that, Alli at CM is the next best solution.
I wouldn't have Shawcross either but was just highlighting that they'd be good signings for Prem sides and that some would be decent squad options here. I'd have one of Mawson or Evans, especially as Evans will cost £3m now due to the relegation clause. He'd be a solid backup to Jan and Dave. I'd also have Wimmer back but that's highly doubtful. I was a big fan of Chadli but we're too stacked for him now, he left because of a lack of chances and there was less competiton back then than there is now. I think Rondon would jump at the chance of joining us. For sure he coud stay at WBA or go to a bottom half Prem side and play regularly but I think a better wage and the chance to feature in Europe, plus hopefully challenging for top four/ domestic trophies will be something that interests him after a few seasons of mediocrity and now relegation. Butland wouldn't join us but would be a great signing for many sides, including the likes of Pool and Arsenal. Similar with Shaqiri, he could probably join a top ten side in the Prem.
I'm not wedded to Pulisic but we need drive in the middle and pace up top. We need to keep our best players, get maximum out of them and improve our options. I agree that we don't need any trainees or fixer-uppers. If we can't afford the best in a certain position, then let's improve elsewhere and improvise. The Bale deal and Everton's recent travails show quality over quantity, I would have thought? We moved Dier in 2015/16 back to where he played previously to great effect. We can do it again but no more Sissoko/Wanyama/Dier central midfields, please?
Not a centre back. We have Jan/Davinson and any Toby replacement is likely to be third choice of those three, no matter what we spend. If we can swap De Ligt for Toby in terms of income/spend and still 'go big;' elsewhere, then fine. If not, I'd prefer someone like Jonny Evans. Defending is not our major problem when most of our best defenders are fit.
please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image I give it two weeks before I officially break the forum...
Good for Winks, personally not sure he's earned this deal based on poor performances and injuries but nonetheless fair play to him, obviously wants to be here and challenge for places.
I'm pleased that Winksy's signed. Firstly, I think he'll make it. Secondly, one of my daughters has a 'thing' for him, despite being much taller than him. Welcome to the family 'son'.
It took HITC almost three hours to turn CCV's contract extension into "Should Newcastle consider loan move for Tottenham centre back?" They're slipping... Also, considering the suggestions that Poch wants our transfer business sorted before the World Cup, I can't help but notice a pattern with a lot of the players we're linked with... Matthijs de Ligt won't feature, as Holland didn't qualify Christian Pulisic won't feature, as USA of America didn't qualify Jean-Michael Seri won't feature, as Cote d'Ivoire didn't qualify Suddenly that makes the Bryan Cristante rumours make a lot more sense, as he won't feature due to Italy failing to qualify (although that still doesn't get around Atalanta having an option to make his loan permanent...) - but it also means the Turkish press have yet more reason to link us to every halfway decent player under the age of 25 in their league, as evidenced by our being linked to Trabzonspor winger Abdulkadir Omur...
So I see we announced two contract extensions today to make up for there not being one yesterday. Who will be tomorrow’s? I’m gonna say Toby.....
I'm going for Sonny. One because he's my mate and sent me a video wishing me happy birthday two years ago. Two because in Libby's WC Sweepstake on the Prem Board I've been given South Korea. Three because he bloody deserves one.
Lucas should get one next imo, purely for the fact that somehow he remained so happy and professional when he should have been on the pitch playing!!
