I think he played a cup game in 2022/3 because I remember thinking he looked good but as Organic said, he got a long term injury and has bounced around on loan since.
Out of the 3 I said all along I feel most confident vvd will stay. Position where she is least impacted, is the captain, don’t have anyone coming through to replace him, is fellow countryman of Slot.
I've wondered for a while whether the club would like to do the negotiations on the quiet with the aim of announcing all three renewals at the same time. Would make for a massive press conference, be like revealing new signings prior to the internet
For rb? There's two young boys. Josh davidson who is 18 Dj esdaille is 16 Mabaya is back fit But is he a winger or rb who knows. He was out so long. Beck is on loan to Blackburn and had done ok so far Chambers is starring at Wigan.
I think they'll have to just confirm cos the place will be rife and it will be distracting stubs weekend. They actually have to sign though.
Again, that wouldn't effect the players or staff. So I can only assume you mean pundits, general public, fans, etc. Irrelevant imo
Tricky one coming up in January. It’s easy to say we should strengthen and really build up the squad while we’re doing well (assuming still in same place in 1 months time) but also need to weigh up the fact you don’t want to ruin team morale and bring in someone that might disrupt the current set up. I think we all think a LB is probably on the radar, one that can do both sides would be brilliant. But I think it’s maybe too early to get one in as can’t see Robbo or Tsimikas moving in January and 3 left backs seems overkill. A 6 seems like it’s needed. Grav has been a sensation but needs rotating but again, where do you go. Buy a back up? Buy a first teamer who rotates? Move grav or go double pivot even more? Feel like endo and Morton are going to be available. Otherwise, we look pretty solid. The front line has been brilliant with everyone playing their part - even Nunez’s erratic performances have had an impact - was crucial for 2nd goal today and that 2 minutes where slid in to win tackle in our box then 30 seconds later is chasing down their CB to force game to slow down summer him up
We do have a back-up 6 to play in the rest of the CL league games and domestic cups - his name is Endo. But you're right - we could do with an extra midfielder and a LB because injuries usually seem to pile up on us in January, and the last thing we want is getting to Feb and getting more injuries when it's too late to do anything about it. I say this because, apart from a bit of loose change spent on Chiesa, we did nothing in the summer, so even FSG can't whine about flashing a few mil in January, especially as we're now 90% certain to be top four and qualifying for next season's CL. Even FSG must be happy with that.
I don’t think Slot rates Endo. Not good enough on the ball to be the 6 that slot wants. It’s telling that Endo has been brought on for a forward in last few games to go alongside the midfield rather than replace the CM.
I don't know if people saw this quote going around earlier this week may explain why the contract situations are taking a while.The quote is from Hertinga agent. "He’s new to the club. And one thing Richard Hughes doesn't have is empathy. Zero. He’s like a robot. I know this because I negotiated with him about Heitinga. He has no feelings. This could be the reason, especially with a player like Salah, who has emotions, comes from a different culture, and is sensitive to warmth," Jansen shared this theory.
Pretty clear heitinga doesn't like him anyway. On another. One I've not heard any word about any of the staff which is a good thing so they must all be well accepted I guess. You'd hear something usually.
Despite doing so well, there's quite a few positions we could do with a signing... ... But a lot of that depends on who is staying and who is going. LB yes, but also RB if TAA goes. Some would say a CB. Salah will either leave, and if he doesn't, he needs a deputy that Slot trusts. Chances are during January or Summer we will lose: Robertson, TAA, Endo, Alison, Kelleher and Salah, Nunez Chiesa... (That's a wicked 5-aside team +2 subs ) Probably half the promising youth that we haven't sold yet too. There's a lot who will be leaving, so we may see busier intake the next two windows too. We know one Keeper incoming, but if we lose both keepers we will probably get another.
