That didn't stop us signing Aurier........
Transfer Rumours transfer thread fact and fiction
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That didn't stop us signing Aurier........
Gazzaniga out, Non-HG Player X in can certainly happen this window
The issue is that if we need a quality player, we need to move out somebody who'll command a higher fee, which is why I've been suggesting cash + Sanchez for Skriniar as a deal that could feasibly work out for everyone involved (apart from Dier, as he's more likely to lose his place if Skriniar arrived)
Of course, looking at the potential departures, we also need to consider which leagues they could be seen as useful assets
Gazzaniga: Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A...we're waiting for a call from Poch, aren't we?
Sanchez: La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1...another call from Poch, perchance?
Lamela: Serie A, La Liga
Foyth: La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1
Lucas: Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Super Lig
Aurier: Ligue 1, Super Lig
Gedson: Primeira Liga, MLS, J-League
Gazza is maybe the one who could go this window but I also don’t see us getting a big name like Sabitzer and leaving him out of the European squad, which is why I’d be looking at someone other than Gazza or Gedson leaving. Plus it begs the question as to whether Austin or Whiteman are ready to be 3rd choice (and if it serves their development best), or if we’d look to get another keeper in Gazza’s place.
Sanchez comes up a lot as a name for departures but that relies on someone wanting him at a valuation that we find acceptable, either as a stand-alone or part of an exchange. Given the amount we spent on him and that Levy will want to recoup most if not all of that fee, I just think it’s going to be difficult for us to find a buyer.
Come the summer I think time will definitely be up for Lamela, there seems to be something off about him and Jose’s relationship recently. Gedson obviously will be off as likely will Gazza. I have a feeling we may look for buyers for Lucas as well if the likes of Sabitzer might be bought in.
Not easy deals to do right now though, hopefully come the summer the virus situation will be looking up and clubs will be more certain about fans coming back and revenue picking up. But the market for mid-tier players isn’t good right now because finances are so stretched. Plus we’ve been bad at moving on squad players for a few years now even in the best of times.
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There’s definitely something amiss with Lamela and it appears to be more than just the Christmas party given Regulion is back in the fold and Gio probably would be but for his injury. Ali Gold has been banging this drum for a week or two now and while he’s not infallible I suspect there would be no smoke without fire with him.
Are symptoms of rona saying things you don’t mean? Either that or Jose must have a fever or something...
There's certainly something that doesn't stack up with this party and the fallout from it
- It was at Gio's place, and he's not getting the public cold shoulder
- Reguilon was there, and he hasn't been dropped from the team
Which, of course, leads us to...
Speculation Corner
A place where any theory can be tossed around, and nobody can deny it (or confirm it, but that's not important right now...)
* The most popular one is he has Covid, based on Duncan Castles' (since deleted) tweet, but if he had Covid the club would surely say it...right?
* The other popular theory is there's a buyer lined up and we don't want him getting injured
* Or the other other popular theory, namely he's injured. Again
* My theory is that Lamela invited Lanzini, who in turn invited Fredericks, which is why he's copping the heat for it
Lamela’s done here (hopefully). That rona party was surely the last straw. For a guy to miss so much football and then when available again they go and do something that makes them miss even more, it’s a complete lack of professionalism and respect to the manager and club in general, especially as that could’ve resulted in multiple potentially catching rona from him, Lo Celso and Reguilon. Idiots all three of them.
As for general outs, I think Gazzaniga and Rose are surely dead certs. Gedson’s loan will almost certainly be cut. Then possibly Lamela and maybe Dele, though I think there may be a chance for Dele to stay and compete with Ndombele because with Lo Celso basically being Lamela part two, we’ll be needing someone (unless we sign Sabitzer or similar) to share that attacking CM role with Tanguy.
As for general outs, I think Gazzaniga and Rose are surely dead certs. Gedson’s loan will almost certainly be cut. Then possibly Lamela and maybe Dele, though I think there may be a chance for Dele to stay and compete with Ndombele because with Lo Celso basically being Lamela part two, we’ll be needing someone (unless we sign Sabitzer or similar) to share that attacking CM role with Tanguy.
I think Jose confirmed the club had no negative tests after Marine. Not sure if Lamela was tested as he wasn’t in the squad or travelling party but if he was then that nixes that theory. If he’s available then he’s not injured.
I'd assume that he's right, but I don't really see the point in that one, to be honest.
They've got loads of attacking players and they've been playing 3 at the back a lot.
Good move to him to get some game time. Hopefully Stoke are committed to providing it.
Fabrizio Romano apparently saying that Alli is pushing to leave.
I can't recall seeing Lamela in training photos last week, but that could mean he's injured, has a non-Covid illness, or has even been banished to train with the U18s for all we know
Well the poor guy’s had two **** loans already so I guess we’re going for a hattrick!
Hopefully there’s a good reason for this loan though and that Stoke do see a place for him. I think there’s a real player in there but he needs the game time to start unlocking that potential.
I’m assuming it’s some kind of personal issue. Whether a fallout or something with Lamela himself. If Jose says he’s available for selection then it’s unlikely he has Covid or any other injury/illness.
What PNP just said leaves some concern. If we’re sending him to a club where the game time is limited again it’s a disasterclass from whoever is sanctioning these loans, whether it’s Jose, Hitchen or Levy. I’d much rather send him to League One if it means starting each week to be honest. He’s yet to have a regular start of games in his short career so far and it’s something he desperately needs.
Agreed. I meant more that it’s good for him to move anywhere he’ll get game time. Hopefully this time it works and he doesn’t end up playing as a wing back or some nonsense.
A loan to Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry was suggested last week
Honestly, it has to be said Stoke are the best option of the three:
Wednesday might play the 442 that suits him, but are in a relegation scrap so need players who can perform rather than taking a punt on a youngster
Coventry play 3421, so need wingbacks rather than wingers
Stoke play 3511 so in theory would be looking at wingbacks, but as James McClean in their LWB there is a chance of Clarke playing, and it has to be said they do change their shape when introducing subs
Of course, I'm also getting my snarky comments ready for the Loan Watch thread if he doesn't...
Our loan deals for Sess and Skippy have restored some faith that whoever is making these calls has their mojo back again.
I think the problem with Clarke is that he wasn't even proven/established as a Championship-level player when we suddenly (and totally unnecessarily) upgraded his problem to not being an established/proven PL player as well. That said, it's unlikely any semi-decent side in the second tier would take a risk of playing him regularly as there has been zero evidence he's even good enough for that level. League 1 was the logical option from day 1 yet we naively opted for two solid Championship sides who weren't going to play him short of an injury crisis. Actually, the fact we loaned him back to the team who weren't playing him and were more than happy to get rid of him smacks of delusion, especially when it emerged that Leeds had too many loanees on their books to possibly include all of them in a match-day squad without 2 of them dropping dead.
As for this window, clearing deadwood out while we might still get a fee has to be the priority, for me. It was a huge failing in Poch's last summer and another one last jan/summer that the only significant outgoings we managed were Trippier, Eriksen and Walker-Peters. If we can shift Rose, Gedson, Gazza (although I prefer him to Hart) and Lamela this window, maybe even adding one of Lucas, Sanchez or Dele to that goup, this would be a superb window and would set the stage for a much more efficient summer than the one just past which saw us largely sign squad players to compete with more squad players.