Jean Michael Seri's move from Nice to Barcelona seems to have fallen through. The last player whose move collapsed from France to one of the big teams in Spain was Lacazette. If Wenger's out drying Monsieur Seri's tears, someone had better keep an eye on HBIC.
Problem is these wingers aren't getting a chance so they're never really going to make the desired impact anwyay, I genuinely don't know why we're chasing another winger tbh. With Son, Alli and Eriksen, anyone coming in is likely to play second fiddle, not forgetting that once Lamela is back fit he'll likely be chomping at the bit to return to first team duties too. So that's four top class attacking mids/ wingers vying for what could potentially be just two spots in the XI if we go with three at the back. I'm all for competition but I think we're a bit too stacked in that department to realistically warrant the need for any more. A striker to truly challenge Kane, a CM to challenge and cover Dembele and potentially a new RB is all I feel we truly need. Add a couple of young prospect signings like Sancho and Diop then it'd be a great window in my eyes.
I disagree. We need another winger that actually threatens goal on a regular. Let them fight for their places. With goals. If we had on more we'd have probably beaten Chelsea. We were looking at Mane before his Liverpool move for a reason. I also think we need three strikers for the same reason. But that's just me.
I don't personally think we're too stacked at all. In fact, is say we're on the cusp of being short, especially if there's an unforeseen departure, which could well happen over the next 9 days. I.e. Rose. Trippier and Davies just aren't wing backs. They're both decent defenders, but they aren't particularly suited to the "3 at the back" formation, IMO. They almost always do a decent enough job, but I don't personally think that formation plays to their strengths for the majority of a game. Lamela hasn't played in yonks. No one has any idea when he's gonna be back, or whether he'll be anything like the player he was before he got injured. I can't include him as an "option" when considering our squad and talking about transfers. I just don't get the point in doing so when he's literally not a playable option and hasn't been for so long. With all of this in mind, as well currently no replacement for Walker's pace, athleticism and width he provided, AND the fact that Rose is injured or potentially on his way out, our 352 formation is a little precarious. I'm have every confidence that it will be addressed, but even so, only having Alli Eriksen and Son leaves us with 1 of them on the bench in a 352, and all of them playing with no cover in a 4231. We're an injury or suspension away from a bit of a headache. Not to mention needing to replace the raw speed we lost in the squad with Walker.
According to The Sun, WBA are in for Kevin Wimmer and Vinnie. That could be possible. Tony Pulis likes an ex-Spur and Mauricio Pochettino seems to have no degree of faith in either. The only bit I'm not so sure about is the suggested price of £30m. Why don't we say £40m and throw in GKN to sweeten the pot? We'll even gift wrap them for you, Mr Pulis.
A "very respected" ITK from a Man City forum is convinced that Jadon Sancho will be signing for Spurs today. Sanchez, Aurier and Barkley for the first team and Sancho and Foyth as squad options would be a fantastic window IMO. Walker, Wimmer, Sissoko as outs. Loans for Onomah and CCV. That would leave us with this squad - GK - Lloris, Vorm, Gazzaniga. RB / RWB - Aurier, Trippier, Kwp. LB / LWB - Rose, Davies CB - Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Foyth, (Dier), (Davies) DM - Wanyama, (Dier) CM - Dembele, Winks (Barkley) AM - Eriksen, Dele, Son, (Barkley), N'Koudou, Lamela, Sancho CF - Kane, Janssen, (Son)
I struggle to picture us bringing in 5 players between now and the 31st. It isn't Levy-like at all. I personally think that a lot hinges on the 'crisis talks' with our new DOF. If it emerges that he will be leaving THIS summer, or even in january, the goal posts will shift entirely. Foyth currently looks like the only option that is somewhat likely to happen, as Wimmer looks like he's on his way out. Aurier will only be pursued if Rose stays. If Rose leaves, we will be forced to shift our focus to the other flank and notch up the pressure on Fulham hoping to goodness that Sessy is ready for PL football. I sincerely hope we aren't stupid enough to sign a player who will be injured until january. Much better to wait until then and sign him for pittance. Then there's this Diop bloke (it's all gone quiet over there). Sancho is an easier move as he is a youth player and for some reason those deals tend to happen much faster than anyone who has signed a senior contract. Same for Gazzanigga - shouldn't be too hard to sign a back up keeper. But Aurier/Sessegnon/Diop/Barkley... It would be a miracle if we get more than 2 of those across the line.
I've highlighted the "threatens goal on a regular" bit because that's where I see the problem. Unless we sign an absolute top class player, whoever we bring in likely won't be better than Son/ Alli/ Eriksen, thus meaning game time will be limited to 15-20 cameos and the odd cup appearance - like Njie/ Nkoudou had - which results in a lack of impact. With Lamela soon to return, the chances for minutes decreases even further for any new arrival. Agree on strikers, I would like another in to really give Kane some competition.
There just isn't enough game time, period. Max for the PL = 38. Max for the FA/League Cup / CL (before the final) = 6/6/12. Even factoring in injuries, some of the squad are going to be unhappy. The reason some of the richer clubs reduce the discontent is by paying far higher wages, and in the case of the PL a squad player is likely to get a winners medal by default. It is what it is (like it or not) .
Nope not just you, i think the same..i agree..we are falling into a trap of these are our starters and these are the support act...we need someone to make them up their game. We have lost games due to players knowing they can just plod at their expected intensity as opposed to thinking they can be hauled off and might not make the starting XI in the next game. I like Mourinho for that, he will haul you off in the first half and he will haul you off even if you just came on as a sub. We missed a trick with Mane..i knew we should have bought him. However we get blown out of the water when it comes to wages 99% of the time. This is just going to be one of them periods in the club's development until the owners see fit to up the wage structure. So we cant really attract anyone good enough to walk into our team..everyone comes with potential...most seem to drown. Lamela being injured has not helped but the French wingers policy is embarrassing and amateurish...apart from the hair cuts i see no difference in N'Jie and GKN. Thats why i think regardless of the press Aurier is getting, we need to buy him..he's got the skill set required to come into our first team..we have to hope the rest goes to plan..we have to take risks in a different way to get good players..he's one, he's flawed..but that's what we can afford.
Rose leaving won't affect the AMs though mate. In those roles I think we have some of the best options in the league and arguably Europe. I'd back that up saying the goal and/ or assist counts of Alli, Son and Eriksen last season were near enough unrivalled in the league. I'd disagree that we shouldn't include Lamela, the guy was immense the season before last and even started last season well before his injury, yeah sure he's gonna need time bedding back in but I think he's become/ becoming a top player and having him fight with the other three is great competition. I actually think Davies played great in Rose's absence, doesn't have the athleticism but I think he's a much smarter player. Trippier is completely different to Walker, Walker was all about pace while Tripps has the technique, I don't envisage Poch asking Tripps to be like Walker but more the case of letting Tripps implement his own game. Aurier potentially signing is great though as that replenishes the athlete side of a RWB and gives Tripps competition.
