Why would Everton sell for £15m? If they did its a sign that they have accepted relegation. His contract doesn't expire until September 2025. It would be like a kick in the teeth for the new manager. I don't want him at Newcastle - I think he could be disruptive, particularly after the kicking he gets off the rest of the squad for turning up to his first training session dressed like this: please log in to view this image
I'm not worried about his appearance tbh I just don't see goals.. I think newcastle need to add goals and assists to this side and he doesn't appear to offer that.
Agree, if we are going to release Chris Wood then we need to bring in someone with more of a goal threat - and I know that is saying something, but Wood did at least help to create chances.
It’s been a frustrating January. Reasonable results in the league but teams behind us are making up some ground. Teams also making signings. We appear to be hamstrung with FFP so it’s going to be late loan deals if anything.
Honestly I don't think Wood brought anything. Isak needs a little time, but to be fair has already looked great. Wilson's still capable, a third striker is just plain daft, I can't work out why anyone thinks that's what we need? I've said it before, name me a striker behind Nketiah and Jesus? Or one behind Haaland and Alvarez? Man U are starting Wout Weghorst, ffs. We need someone who can unpick or score from midfield, or who can allow Bruno to move forward, that has to be the priority. Look at the difference between all of our midfielders, who between them have scored and assisted 16 goals from around 80 apps combined, and De Bruyne who's been involved in 14, Martin Odegaard who's been involved in 13, or Maddison who has 11. We also don't threaten enough on the left. Key priority is either a DM to push Bruno forward, or a more creative CM who will take/create more key chances. Then we need to upgrade LW. Tonali (DM), Maddison or Thuram would be truly next level, but I worry we're stuck looking at McTominey and Gordon. I think CDM might be the one, because Bruno can operate as an 8; look at the list of best CDM"s around and they're all at successful clubs. It's also no surprise that Chelsea have struggled with Kante out, and Liverpool's Fabinho has been well off the pace. By contrast, Partey and Rodri continue to help dominate games, Casemiro has been huge for Man U.
I'd go RW and LW then CM, then RCB then LB then RB before striker. Miggy's purple patch was always going to end
Erm I didn't say a striker, I said a goal threat. You've then gone on to mention loads of players who score and create goals, but who are not 'out and out strikers'. So Kind of agreeing, not disagreeing. The point I was making is I just don't think Gordon is that threat.
Ah, 'tis a fair point, and well made! It's simple but all that's missing is a few goals - you take the number contributed by Longstaff (3) and add 8 (Maddison's number), that's literally 8 more victories and we're top of the table! All those 0-0's become 1-0's. This cannot be lost on Eddie and the owners. We have the 3rd highest xG in the league I think, so it's that final pass or shot letting us down. This sounds greedy, given where we came from, but wouldn't you just pay £60m for Maddison and have done with it? It's blatantly obvious he makes the difference. Anything else would be a risk and I don't know any other available players with his numbers.
