There’ll be serious interest for his name alone. He’s done okay but there’s some big improvements needed from him. Loads of time mind
We already know who’s out of contract though. Unless we’ve unexpectedly given new deals to anyone. The U21 and below retained list is more interesting, a few where it’s borderline whether they are offered extensions.
Basham is 36 by start of season and played 8 times this season. We need a bit of experience but I don’t think he’s the answer. Norwood played regularly and is “ only” 33 so might be a consideration for CDM.
He made 10 appearances in the Championship this season totalling 190 minutes, hasn't started a game since August 2023. Zero goals. That said he has years left on his contract so I bet they're overvaluing him by about £4m. I'd go in low, like very low and see what they say.
I'd be interested if we end up playing a new way/new formation. Obviously new manager will sort that. Lads who could be interesting though, Cresswell and Drameh.
I think Ballard, O’Nien, Seelt, Triantis and Hjielde should be enough but obviously Seelt is out for a while. At CB I’d be inclined to look at a loan unless one of the above is away.
I’d be dissapointed to see O’Nien as a starter again. Great squad player, just feel we need better in that position to partner Ballard. If everyone was fit currently I’d go: Cirkin - Alese - Ballard - Hume
If Simms went for 3.5 plus add ons Geldhart wouldn’t be much more than 1.5 at most imho. As one of three options he’d be okay and is certainly a decent footballer.
Hjelde - don’t rate him at all currently. Maybe worth a loan as he’s still only 20? Just feel he should be nowhere near a match day squad when we’ve got most fit.
More of a CB than a LB imo. In an ideal world we’d have Cirkin fit and starting at full back week in, week out. Alese a good reserve.
Think they all need a fresh start in the summer the January signings came into abit of a circus really so no wonder they struggled
Wishful thinking that mate. That's what we paid for Hjelde from them, they will want a fair bit more for Gelhardt who was very highly rated until we took him on loan and he looked average. I agree that is about his value, but getting him for that is a different story.