I had a look at the fixtures and there are so many international breaks in the season it's frustrating. There are of course less games to fit in and do we not enter the league cup later?. So just maybe it will give bielsa time to bring the fringe players along. Because if that's the best they can do against stoke then we need more players fast. I am wondering how much four sessions of murder ball took out of the lads last week. Especially the younger u23s taking part in pre season.
It’s only fitness and match practice, nobody really expects anything of pre-season. Kiko, Davis, Casey, Struijk, Douglas, Shackleton - they won’t start against Liverpool. We’ll have our usual squad all back (minus Ben White obviously), plus Rodrigo and Koch, and potentially De Paul, and that’s assuming Orta and Radz don’t bring in any more new toys before then. Relax.
Don't panic guys, last two pre seasons under Bielsa haven't exactly set the pulses racing. We'll be fine.
Well that answers the question, we can't do it on a warm Tuesday afternoon in Stoke. I've seen a video of one of the goals. Honestly believe we would be better starting an extra defender than Kiko. His head has gone in much the same way of Rachubka. When he first arrived his eccentricities were forgiven because he was a good keeper with a great reputation, the defence trusted him. That trust has gone and when he plays we end up with a back 5 all over the place because there is no trust and no one knows what is gonna happen.
If KP is unavailable, is Koch the man to replace him? Then of course he needs to be replaced as he'll be a first team player. No, I'd keep Forshaw and also Alioski (he's a decent player and decent left sided midfield players are few and far between) Kiko can go - but we'll need to offer him a free transfer Douglas can go (to Celtic?) if we get a quality LB in Roberts? Yes he can go, as Derby are interested I'd quote them £5 million but be will to take £4 million Two that are surplus IMO are Klich and Dallas - both international so should bring in £10-12 million for the pair. Bamford is on borrowed time IMO, if he has to cover the striker position, it'll be a big downgrade in quality. He wouldn't get a smell of a chance in the top 6-8 Prem teams.
Kiko, Douglas and Forshaw can all go for me, Forshaw must be on a wages par with Messi about a million for every game played.No goals in 52 games over 3 seasons, we need much better until we have a big goal scorer.
Klick??? Only league game Bielsa didn’t pick him for in two seasons was because he got absolutely battered celebrating promotion / title win.
Brighton defender Ben White has signed a new four-year contract at the club until June 2024. The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Leeds United in the Championship andhad been linked with a permanent moveto Elland Road. The Brighton academy product has also previously had loan spells at Newport County and Peterborough. "I have been looking forward to working with Ben for a long time," said boss Graham Potter. "He was a player I was well aware of, even before I came to the club. "He had a brilliant season helping Leeds to the title last season, and now he has the opportunity to show his qualities in the Premier League."
I agree with most of this but Klich and Dallas being surplus is crazy talk. Klich is an outstanding CM and some of his runs off the ball are crazy good. His passing accuracy is one of the best in the team, he scores and assists. He’s a definite keeper and starter in the PL for me. Echo you on Forshaw and Alioski. Good backup and players to come off of the bench, besides I doubt we’d be able to offload Forshaw. For me Kiko can go if we can get one of Gunn, Martinez or Romero as a replacement but I’m more than happy having Meslier as the no.1 and Kiko in the cups if it comes to that and we can’t get rid. Douglas will go once we sign that 18 y/o CB/LB I’d imagine as Dallas is first choice and Alioski/Davis is back up over Dallas. If we can get a decent price for Roberts it’s worth taking as he isn’t as young as some others who have got better and improved, he’s very injury prone and when playing in midfield he doesn’t create a lot. He’ll also be behind Bamford and Rodrigo up front and behind the new midfielder and Hernandez so he options for starting will be limited. Does anyone know if he played any minutes today? That might suggest if he’s on his way out.
