So SFC are possibly contemplating a clearout this summer. Along with Arsenal, Manchester United, no doubt West Ham, maybe Newcastle depending on their manager and probably Fulham. That's a lot of players on very high wages so it is going to be difficult finding new homes for unwanted players who would prefer to stay at their present clubs for whatever reasons that are relevant to them {children settled in their present school, a wife/partner who is happy with the current situation} It will be fun watching.
GK: McCarthy(2022), Forster(2022), Gunn(2023), Lewis(2020), Rose(2020) RB: Cedric(2020), Valery(2023), Ramsay(2021), Flannigan(2019) CB: Stephens(2022), Vestegaard(2022), Hoedt(2022), Yoshida(2020), Bednarek(2022), Jones(2021) LB: Bertrand(2021), Targett(2022), McQueen(2021) CM: Romeu(2021), JWP(2022), Hojberg(2021), Armstrong(2022), Lemina(2022), Reed(2021), Clasie(2020), Slattery(2020) AM: Redmond(2021), Sims(2021), Elyounssi(2023), Boufal(2021), Hesketh(2021) ST: Austin(2020), Ings(?), Long(2020), Gallagher(2021), Obafemi(2022), Carillio(2021), Barnes(2020) Just to expand a little on SF4Ls initial 38 man list with contract end dates. Flannigan is the only one, whose contract is running out at the end of the season. The guys in blue are not sarcastically part of the squad, but will be still classed as u21 next season. Which leaves 33 players trying to get into a 25 man squad. I didn't know the length of Ings new contract, so have left him as ? Think we're going to see a couple of "surprise" departures - His stock might have faded too much, but one might be Bertrand
I am concerned we may face the same problems offloading players on high wages as we did in January. No doubt a few will be sold but i feel those predicting a sale of 10+ players will be disappointed when we see a fair few of them out on loan again.
McCarthy is injured at the moment, hence the sudden spotting of Forster in the wild. Think people saying McCarthy to leave are probably thinking it's a choice between McCarthy & Forster, as there's no way we'll keep tall 3 of our seniors for another year (+ Lewis) and he's the more likely to shift due to wages etc.
One boost from the change in management is a lack of culpability for previous recruitments. Far easier for the new regime to accept below market values to sell players without the associated negative repercussions. Doesn’t make it much easier, but will make us a little more flexible and realistic in the market
I can't help wondering what Carrillo would be like under the guidance of Ralph. We have only really seen him under Pellegrino . Take Long for example before Ralph came if the ball was on the goal line Long would've put it over. Under Koeman Long scored something like 14-15 goals in Koemans second season and under Ralph he has 4 in 5 games with both managers choosing to play good attacking football whilst the previous 3 before RH liked to play dull slow football so perhaps there is something in that. Maybe Just maybe we have a hidden gem but i am probably talking out of my backside.
Fair points, well made. I'm not entirely sure I was arging for a contract extension. I simply wouldn't be looking to off-load him at the moment. If he were to fancy going to Rangers, for example, to join his old mate Davis I'd wish him well. All I'm saying is that if he wants to keep playing for Saints I'm happy to see him on the team sheet. I find the "get rid" argument illogical. The guy is just coming back to form and anyone who can hit a post with such unerring accuracy deserves his place!
We agree! He’ll still be useful next season if he wanted to see out his contract. If he did that, it may benefit him when looking to sign summer 2020 on a free for someone. He could take Reading up that season.
I’d say goodbye to these 12 Forster, Rose Cedric, Stephens, Hoedt, McQueen Clasie, Hesketh Gallagher, Austin, Barnes, Carillo And try and bring in Maehle & Adams who we were strongly linked with in January. We should be able to at least break even financially on that, even if some of those 12 out the door have to be loaned again. imo that’s a sensible starting point, with two spare squad slots to play with
Does make me wonder if he'll give a chance to some of those more on the fringes. Forster, Gallagher, Elyounoussi for example, would all fit into that.
Need to get the big earners that have no future here out of the door first... Probably: Forster Cedric Hoedt Clasie Mo El Carrillo Austin Then: Stephens Gallagher McQueen Can't say about other Academy players yet as they haven't played enough. I'll just add that if a good offer came in for Vestergaard I would take it as I don't feel he is the dominant mobile leader that we need at CB permanently moving forward.
I agree....Lemina is a good player who has been out injured. He may yet flourish under RH. Stephens looked good when paired with Maya after VVD was injured so we know he can play....suspect Ralph will think he can be improved and get some game time. Not easy to second guess Ralph though.
Who says Maya should be let go? I think he’s one of our consistent defenders! I think we’re going to have big issues getting rid of some of these players, especially if the other teams are also offloading players. Depends how ambitious some of these are and if they’re willing to take a pay cut to get definite game time. I suspect some will be happy to sit on the bench and bank the money!
