Longari says we've been negotiating for Kulusevski since December, and that certainly tracks as he's been strongly linked since then ...and before anyone asks what took so long, remember that in late December/early January the talk was a potential double deal for Kulusevski and Weston McKennie, whereas now Bentancur seems to be the second player And this is where things get interesting: McKennie is a midfield pitbull who'll chase down and hassle all game long while Bentancur is more of a controlling midfielder who'll nick the ball and then get us going higher up the pitch, or to put it another way McKennie is from the Gattuso school of DMing while Bentancur is more like the Kante-type midfielder we've needed for, ooh, about four seasons now - or (and this is where I get to the point) McKennie is the CM we needed under the ubermensch, while Bentancur is a midfielder that not only fits Conte's system but also is the sort of midfielder that Poch would've used
As I said back in the summer, the obvious potential drawback of this approach is we run the risk of pissing off several clubs in one window, for example we already led Bologna up the garden path for Tomiyasu last summer (although Tanganga's performance against The Sheikh Mansour Team is likely what scuppered that move) while we seem to have done likewise with Fiorentina over Amrabat given the claims that move was ready to do since early last week and we just needed to sign on the dotted line
Dias to LIverpool confirmed £37m + a maximum of £12m in bonuses. He has a match to play for Colombia v Argentina, maybe Lo Celso could do something useful and kick him a few times. In other news Dan Burn to Newcastle for £13m does that open the door for Rodon to Brighton?
Is anybody on here keeping track of squad places that we have available? I imagine anymore players coming in might depend on more players going out.
IIRC we have two Non HG places available, so Kulusevski and Bentancur fill those up Bryan going out on loan does beg a question or two, though...
Is that accounting for N'dombele and Lo Celso who haven't gone yet, or would them going free up two more spaces?
Bentancur and Kulusevski are decent signings. Both young, played a lot of games at a top club and have potential to improve. Are you guys happy with that?
I said to KH yesterday I'm thinking 3 in, 5 out, so we should be sweet IF I'm correct. I think we had initial space anyway to make additions. Without jinxing it, if we assume Kulusevski and Bentancur are already in. Then one more to join them and I think that'll be us done for the ins, even if I think we need about two more at least. Gil looks like he's gone on loan, then if we assume Dumb and Dumber **** off somewhere, likewise Dele and possibly Rodon and Doherty too.
I'm a bit worried about Bentancur as he lost his spot in the side and has been off form for a while. Although Juve have been stockpiling CMs for 3 years so is is tricky to hold down a place in the side (and they have our current DOF to thank for that). Kulusevski I know less about but iirc he was brought in as a 19 year old prospect and was developing nicely but then a year later they loaned in Chiesa who plays in the same position and is a ridiculously good player. So Dejan's development was disrupted and his progress has stalled.
They'd free up another two, and another might free up if the talk of sending Gollini back early has anything to it It certainly asks the question about whether we have an extra player or two up our sleeves for tomorrow, or if Paratici is clearing the decks early for a summer blitz
Happy with them as signings but not content with regards to the fact we need more done. Neither are the creative mid many of us feel we need, we still only have one striker in Kane and if Doherty leaves we need another RWB - we need a RWB regardless if he leaves or not as Emerson has been hot and cold, solid defensively and a very good athlete but can't cross for **** at the moment, which in a system that requires good crossing WBs, hasn't been ideal.
It's a weird one as we went into the window clearly needing three players: Backup ST, backup LCB and a new RWB. Plus a creative CM if possible but that's more of a specialist position and almost impossible to pull off in Jan. These two are none of the above which means while they do strengthen the squad they don't address those issues. Also if another window passes and the Three Stooges are still at the club, it will be hard to regard it as a good window.
Plane Guy, you're up Di Marzio claiming the deets are as follows * 18 month loan * €10m loan fee * Obligation to pay €25m if we qualify for the CL in those eighteen months * €5m bonus if he plays in 50% of matches
Worth noting that Kulu plays in a 2 up top for Sweden, one of his strengths is his versatility so he can play there. More physical option than Bergwijn which is good, considering 1st choice for us would obviously be Kane and Son, in which case Kulu would play as a creative midfielder.
Can't say I've ever seen him for Sweden but with one goal in twenty games, maybe up front ain't his best position
