Ndombele, Lo Celso, Winks and Reguilon were the key players that Conte wanted gone this window. It says a lot about how we have changed that we were prepared and able to let them go on loan for next to no money at the moment (we did the same with Aurier and Dele last season). Think that is as relevant as the signings tbh.
Mike McGrath is saying Villa will be interested in Lucas if he’s a late casualty to depart on deadline day should a wide forward (possibly James) arrive. Can’t lie, I’ve been really happy with this window but selling Lucas to bring in Dan James would be an absolute shocker from us and a real black mark on what’s been great work by Paratici.
yeah I agree. Do not understand the interest Dan James, let alone him replacing Lucas. prior to the season starting, I was over the moon with the way we’d handled ourselves in terms of getting in the players we needed early, and trying to shift some out of the door. Some have taken a bit longer than we’d hoped, but all in all it’s been a fantastic effort. However, now the season has begun my score out of 10 has dropped slightly, as I really feel that we’ve got to go all out to find that player in a creative role that gives us chance to change shape. I just feel we’re going to be too obvious as the season progresses. It’s been a good window, yes. But it can be a great window if we find that player. And an outstanding one if we can add another CB, IMO. but I think it’s too late in the day now, tbh.
I’d really like a creative player for sure but one thing that should be said is that we’ve created a good number of chances so far, even if we’ve not been at our best in terms of general possession. If Son had his scoring boots on he’d be on about 2-3 goals so far, Kane could’ve had a further 2 or so too. So I’m wondering if Conte may feel an actual creative mid isn’t such a necessity but more about improving the current system with more experience/ training and someone that fits into it? As for CB, I’m honestly not arsed on that. I like our main three CBs and even those in reserve, if there was a genuinely elite one we could bring in, then yeah no brainer but it doesn’t feel like there’s too many about at the moment so I’m not desperate to just see an extra face for the sake of it there. For what it’s worth I still think we’ll bring in at least one more player, very possibly two. I just hope James/ Adama aren’t one or both of those.
Perhaps it’s not too late actually. One player who I would take right now is tielemens. I don’t know what the latest is with him on any potential transfer to other clubs, but he’s the one bit of business that I think is possible with all things considered. We could do a lot worse than him!
Most reports suggest James has no interest in leaving Leeds. Sensible decision and he has learned his lesson from moving to a big club too soon. He could come to us and maybe play 6 full games all season with a sprinkling of cameos off the bench, or he could stay at leads and quadruple those figures. Makes no sense for him to move.
conte’s clearly got a system he likes to play, so if it’s about improving that system with alternatives in the squad, then so be it. I’m just basing my opinion on similar situations in the past where we got “found out”. Back in the days of poch where we had possession and teams just sat back. I’m concerned we may see the “conte-equivalent” of this in the future as teams begin to study us. based on last years performances by the likes of Dier and Davies, I’m not that bothered either. But that’s based on hoping they’re as good this season!
The main logic behind loaning in Dan James is bringing him and Spence off the bench in the 70th minute to burn tiring opposition defenders with a double whammy of pace down the right flank But as I've said before, surely there's countless other options who offer the same in La Liga, the Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, the Eredivisie or Primeira Liga, which makes it more obvious that James is on the list either for his HG status, or so the fans won't be as aggrieved when Adama Traore shows up
It’s very possible, as I said, like you I’d like a creative mid but I just get the feeling Conte doesn’t see it as a priority because of how he sets up. If we had a RWB version of Perisic, our creativity would likely be excellent, possibly why we’ve looked at Carrasco? Whether we can reignite that one or not though is touch and go, sounds like Atleti won’t let him go for anything less than his release clause. I think they’ve both started the season how they finished last so fingers crossed they remain consistent. I’ve never had an issue with Davies as a defender anyway, he was just limited (to say the least) as an attacking FB or WB. Dier’s form obviously fell off a cliff for a couple seasons but he’s looked back to his old self lately, especially since Conte came in.
yeah you could well be right. And a right sided version of Perisic isn’t to be sniffed at, tbf. Paul O’Keefe seems to think it’s 1 in, as an absolute max. Sarr staying, tanganga staying as things stand (so no CB). So it’s whether we can uncover this other attacking option. hopefully Dan James is a smokescreen.
Personally I find Paul O’Keefe talks a lot of **** but I know a lot of people believe him, I’m not saying he doesn’t have info but I don’t think he gets a huge amount of it, yet seems to talk about stuff as if he’s in regular contact with Paratici. Gards has always been the one guy on Twitter that’s got the occasional inside stuff that’s generally been spot on. I definitely hope James is a smokescreen. It’d be a very uninspiring signing, made worse if we sell a better player in Lucas to accommodate him.
A pacey RW seems to be the priority, but with James and Traore the likely candidates it suddenly feels like we may have given up on Jack Clarke too soon
He is going to the world cup with Wales he must want to be playing because Brennan Johnson is breathing down his neck for a place in the Wales team, so I agree that it makes no sense for him to move in this window. I think that we know that this one won't happen and he is the smokescreen for another wide player.
Adnan Januzaj is available on a free and counts as homegrown. Not the greatest player, by any means, but I'd rather sign him than Dan James.
I don't get the logic in Tanganga staying, for him or for us. He urgently needs game time to get his development back on track and is currently 3rd choice at rcb. I doubt he would've got much of a look in at Milan either, so I'm not too bothered that move fell through. A loan move to a smaller PL club or a solid Championship club is what he needs. Sarr is that little bit younger where if he stays he will at least learn from Conte and superior team mates before going out on loan next season. Japhet is minimally 3 years further down the road but his progress stalled badly due to injuries and a lack of confidence.
