I wonder if Rupp will be in the way out, I can’t see him being ahead of any of our current midfielders and and if we are bringing in another 2 he would most likely be behind them too.
The only advantage with Rupp is that he seems pretty content in a utility/backup role. And he does seem pretty versatile without being stellar. If we’re to expect injuries, he might be the player to provide cover without much disruption?
I actually think that DF likes Rupp for his consistency and thorough understanding of Farkeball tactics. He's not spectacular, but he fits in as part of the whole wherever he plays. He's unselfish and supports others, putting the team first. He's also a steady, unflappable player who, like Cantwell, looked more comfortable in the PL. I'm not sure that we will be bringing in two more midfielders. A DM is needed, but we now have 5 midfielders for two positions if we are to have a two man midfield and a new DM would make 6.
Every squad needs squad players, Rupp seems to fit that role. Plus his form the first half of the 20/21 season seems to have been forgotten, he deserved that spot and without injury could have kept McLean out of the side for longer. New rumours: Apparently bid for Josh Sargent, also at Werder Bremen, but was knocked back. https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-ncfc-josh-sargent-bid-rejected-8154556 USA national team striker, 21 years old, apparently available for €10m but may stay at Bremen. I've read a comment from a Bremen fan saying his playing style matches Pukki nicely. Apparently we've had scouts checking out Elijah Adebayo (23 year old Luton striker) in pre-season. Farke said to be a fan. He only joined Luton in February from Walsall, so that would be a rapid rise from League 2 to the Prem in less than 12 months. 5 goals, 2 assists in 18 appearances for Luton. Ryan Bertrand signing for Leicester means Luke Thomas (LB) may go out on loan, Norwich are interested.
People underestimate Rupp because he's not flashy but he was calmly efficient in the PL last time. He's a facilitator rather than a finisher and reads the game and distributes the ball well and also has strong defensive skills. His ability to play in various positions leads to the underestimation of his abilities. He's also a good player to bring on to see a game out. Don't know Sargent, but Adebayo is a big unit at 6'4" and those are good stats after moving up to the Championship mid-season. Thomas looks good as well.
Why would we take Thomas on loan to be understudy to Giannoulis. We are only allowed two loans from Premier, that would be a waste of our second.
I wasn’t suggesting that Rupp should leave, just trying to work out his place in the squad if he is behind McLean, Gilmour, PLM, Sorensen, potentially Billing and a proper DM, that makes him 6th choice. I know we need squad players but that to me would look like 1 player too many maybe.
Inexpensive cover/competiton I guess. We were similarly linked with Brandon Williams on loan from United, although that may have been more as a replacement for Aarons. Southampton were interested in Williams, but couldn't agree with the wages United wanted, so I suspect that's a non-starter for us. The Athletic have an article out today saying that we've basically exhausted our list of CB targets, which is a concern. 6 weeks left in the window and we've still got potentially 6 players to sign...
Looking at the present squad (in bold) and that of our 2019-20 PL season the level of improvement is considerable considering we could have another CB, LB, DM and striker to come. Buendia is the major loss, but it depends on whether Rashica and Lees-Melou can make up for his loss. GK: Krul, Gunn, McGovern GK: Krul Fahrmann McGovern CB: Hanley Zimmerman Gibson Omobamidele Sørensen CB: Hanley Zimmerman Godfrey Klose RB/WB: Aarons Byram Mumba RB/WB: Aarons Byram LB/WB: Giannoulis Byram Mumba LB/WB: Lewis, Byram DM: Sørensen [Skipp? or other] Sitti DM: Tettey Amadou CM: Gilmour Lees-Melou McLean Rupp. CM: McLean Rupp Vrančić Leitner Trybull WR:Rashica (Dowell) Rupp WR:Buendia Drmic Rupp WL:Cantwell Hernandez Placheta WL:Cantwell Hernandez Roberts AM: Rashica Dowell Cantwell Rupp. AM: Stiepermann Vrančić Cantwell Rupp S: Pukki Hugill Idah S: Pukki Drmic Idah By my count, we have now filled 22 of our 25 PL senior player limit slots, which means only 3 more coming in, but there could be more U21s as well.
GK: Krul, Gunn, McGovern CB: Hanley Zimmerman Gibson Omobamidele RB: Aarons Byram Mumba LB: Giannoulis DM: Sørensen CM: Gilmour Lees-Melou McLean Rupp AM: Rashica Dowell Cantwell Hernandez Placheta S: Pukki Hugill Idah 24 players, I don't believe Sitti and Sinani will be in the squad, neither will Klose, Thompson, Trybull. Omobamidele, Mumba, Gilmour, Idah are all under 21. So we're down to 20/25 spots used
Sitti is also U21 and I didn't count Sinani, but I may have counted another player twice. Even on your list I count 21 senior players in the squad now. Klose, Thompson and Trybull are on my 2019/20 list, but not the present one. For some reason my list and initial comment disappeared from my post, so here it is again: Looking at the present squad (in bold) and that of our 2019-20 PL season the level of improvement is considerable considering we could have another CB, LB, DM and striker to come. Buendia is the major loss, but it depends on whether Rashica and Lees-Melou can make up for his loss. GK: Krul, Gunn, McGovern GK: Krul Fahrmann McGovern CB: Hanley Zimmerman Gibson Omobamidele Sørensen CB: Hanley Zimmerman Godfrey Klose RB/WB: Aarons Byram Mumba RB/WB: Aarons Byram LB/WB: Giannoulis Byram Mumba LB/WB: Lewis, Byram DM: Sørensen[Skipp? or other]Sitti DM: Tettey Amadou CM: Gilmour Lees-Melou McLean Rupp. CM: McLean Rupp Vrančić Leitner Trybull WR:Rashica (Dowell) Rupp WR:Buendia Drmic Rupp WL:Cantwell Hernandez Placheta WL:Cantwell Hernandez AM: Rashica Dowell Cantwell Rupp AM: Stiepermann Vrančić Cantwell Rupp S: Pukki Hugill Idah S: Pukki Drmic Idah
Not quite a waste but it would rule out getting Skipp back. I also don't see how we could give him enough playing time.
