I’d probably prioritise RB over CB seeing as we’ll still have Jan and Dave but CM is definitely the biggest concern. Whatever our budget is, I’d want a large chunk of it on either an elite CM or two very good ones. CM, RB, CB, CAM, RWF, LB are the areas I’d like strengthened, in that order too. CAM only if Eriksen goes (which is likely tbh).
Is it worth making a bid for Mouse Kean if we promise that, if rival fans racially abuse him, he won't have his coach and teammates say he was asking for it?
My signings: Andersen (supposedly done ) N'Dombele Sessegnon Zaha ( and if we have money left over Ward-Prowse)
Must be a ****ing slow news day. All the rags have gone with the 'Poch to AC Milan' story. So, he turns down Madrid and United,to go to AC Milan, who are in a weaker position than us domestically and in Europe? That's a really, really slow news day.
Whilst we have Winks, I don't see Poch going for Ward-Prose. Too similar I reckon. I do like the fact that, in comparison, Ward knows how to score and take set pieces though. I believe the circumstance to be similar with Zaha. Us geting Moura probably ended the Zaha pursuit in my humble opinion. Sessegnon Wan Bissaka (If either or both Aurier / Trippier go) Jack Grealish These three seem realistic prioities considering our need for more homegrown players, and Levy's nose for possible deals. Joachim Andersen (I sure do hope it's done!) Tanguy Ndombele (The closest Dembele replacement I've seen. Big statement of intent for the season and future.) David Neres (If Lamela goes.) Youri Teilmans (If Sissoko goes. Plus, I don't see why we shouldn't if Leicester could.) Isco (Only if Eriksen goes to Real Madrid.) I think Luke Amos is the player we'd have seen step into Wanyama's understudy position, if he wasn't injured. Big shame. I think we'd have seen more of him in the first team than Skipp. If Wanyamna goes I can see Pochettino stepping him up before spending big money on a repalacement.
Vulture Watch Today we head over to the Bundesliga... Hannover Kevin Wimmer (26yo, Austria, centre back, loan until end of the season from Stoke) Pros: Knows the club well, having been on the books for a couple of seasons; Good mates with Sonny; He's left-footed, and given Poch was previously adamant left-footed centre backs play on the left he would fit the bill; While he has a clause in his loan saying he can move permanently for €12m after playing 24 games, it appears that Hannover have dropped him to avoid triggering the clause as they're eleven points from safety with eight games left; Stoke are midtable in the Championship so would likely be looking to move him on this summer; If we signed him for the fee Stoke are offering Hannover that would mean that, even though we signed him twice, we would still have made a profit of £3.4m which would take us into a new, uncharted world of Levying Cons: While he gave a good account of himself covering for an injured Verts in his first season, in the three subsequent seasons for us, Stoke and Hannover he hasn't come close to showing that form; In his first stint with us he was the first centre back option on the bench, albeit he rarely played outside of cup games, but if he returns he'd be competing with Foyth for minutes and that's before considering the suggestions that we've all but got a deal for Joachim Andersen worked out; Something tells me Stoke might not be willing to be victims of this new, terrifying breed of Levying...
Lower League Rando Watch Guess what? We're being linked with a young left winger who plies their trade in the Championship. This week's contestant, as reported by WalesOnline, is Swansea winger Daniel James whose having a pretty impressive debut season so far with three goals and six assists as well as breaking into the Welsh national team, scoring on his first full debut - and, like all other Championship wingers we're linked to, he's pacy and can dribble, although he's also got an eye for a pass Also, according to the Mirror, we're looking at some bloke named Jack Grealish. Don't suppose anyone can fill us in on some details, as I've never heard of him? Ajax Raid Watch According to the Grauniad we're considering a summer move for Hakim Ziyech - although this is all dependent on what Christian Eriksen does
Dybala is class but I've never admired his work-rate. Doesn't strike me as a Poch type player especially when you consider how hard the current incumbents graft most games.
