We looked soft through the middle with 1 sitter and and 2 centre halves and it only came together with 3 centre halves and 2 sitters. If we want to attack we need to shift the balance and will need more complete midfield players to do that.
Yes and I don’t think a back 5 with two holding midfielders is Shota’s preferred way to play, but we also currently don’t have the quality of players to play another way without being exposed. I’d expect we’d revert to a 4-3-3 if we have a decent transfer window over the summer. A holding midfielder who is more technically-gifted than Smallwood in the team could make a huge difference.
Wouldn't be surprised to see him go there, they want him, he wants the move. But West Ham aren't prepared to pay what we want ATM... All may change if West Ham lose a couple
The figure I'm hearing isn't from either side so not sure how accurate it is so not going to stick it out there, but I'd say it's a figure ( if true ) that shows we don't want to sell him
Nice to see us moving with the times and playing hardball with our prized assets to force either silly money or him not leaving at all. He’s not the type to down tools either.
Hopefully it's a true figure, but I've a feeling if we sell it will drop a little and or less upfront with more add ons etc. I also think it will depend on what we do incoming wise. I think we could replace KLP ( not that I think we should ) we cheaper and better from abroad, but that will always being risk. If it was me running the club, I'd be giving him a new deal with larger wages but an agreed release fee to come into force next summer and beyond. I still think a move for him this summer is a summer to soon.
You said he wants the move, which I understand as who wouldn’t want to play in the Premier League on Premier League wages. I would love us to keep him but no player is bigger than the club and I’m just concerned if his eye is already cast elsewhere.
It’s hardly surprising pre January given we were only going one way before the takeover. Agree on basis of him needing at least another 6 months, think if business is done early and he’s turning upto training with players of Fernando calibre could keep him round for a season to see how it plays out.
Probably covered but anyone concerned/confused not a single player has signed a contract extension and they're all just the club options?
No, their contracts are about to run out, so we trigger the extensions as it's far easier to talks terms with your own player than a free agent. We triggered Alfie Jones' extra year on exactly the same date last year, then announced his new long term deal on June 9th.
