I mean, two years ago we were debating whether Cantwell needed a Championship loan and then he stepped up to look very at home at Premier League level. Whilst Buendia had assists and excellent "underlying stats", it was Todd who got the goals. Some players are better suited to Premier League football than the Championship, Cantwell looks that way. His influence grew through the 20/21 season, so he was operating at a much higher level than before the 19/20 season. Hopefully he can kick on again. I see Villa have also been linked to Leon Bailey, another attacking midfielder. That seems much more likely to me. Ricky van Wolfswinkel has signed for FC Twente, for those who like to keep track of what could have been!
The big question now, though, is whether NCFC's 2021--22 season is going to join that long list of "could have beens"
Fulham apparently want Trybull on loan, according to the Telegraph. So they could have the Reed/Trybull midfield we had a few years back. Assuming Reed isn't for sale.
Didn’t realise Tryball was back from loan (at Blackburn?). They obviously didn’t want to continue the loan or take him on permanently so if Fulham want to take him on loan that seems a good move for him.
All of the noise about Cantwell to Villa is based on one dubious blog in Football Insider. I'm not convinced. Leon Bailey maybe.
For those waiting for this: https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/liam-gibbs-joins-norwich-city-8177870
Take with the usual pinch of salt, but I think I saw a separate source for this earlier today, although I trusted it even less. Cameron Carter-Vickers, 23 year old CB who was on loan at Bournemouth last season, having had spells at Sheffield United, Ipswich, Swansea, Stoke and Luton previously. Transfer gossip has linked him to Newcastle, Celtic, Fulham and Cardiff in the last 48 hours. They all seem agreed that a fee of around £5m would be required. His Spurs contract has 12 months left, so they want to shift him now. He made 21 appearances for Bournemouth last season, and was ever-present once he got into the starting XI in February. Played as a RCB in a 4, and in the middle of a back 3. He's right footed. 6ft Ball playing CB (so I guess not that tall for the position) with 84% pass completion last season, averaging more than 50 passes per game and 3 long balls. (Gibson averaged 78 passes with 86% completion and 3.8 long balls).
Given our apparent problems with recruiting a CB, this one could be possible. I'm not very keen on 6 foot CBs but given the success Godfrey is achieving at Everton perhaps I need to change. Being able to also play at RB is an advantage and his Bournemouth loan seemed to go well. The development of Omobamidele means that we'd have 5 CBs and Sørensen who can also play there, given DF's interest in a 3 at the back option. Carter-Vickers would seem to be a good fit for that and it would leave more money for other positions.
I suggested we went for him last year around this time because he was widely credited with keeping Luton up that season.
Louis Thompson has left by mutual agreement. In seven years with us managed a grand total of 16 appearences.
Shame his City career was hampered by injury, woud like to see him at MK Dons with Russ Martin who knows him well from his City days
Among Paddy Davitt's "pointers" following yesterday's pre-season work-out against Huddersfield (my emphases): "There are clearly things Farke is seeking to add for the much tougher proposition in the Premier League. But he would dearly love to retain the miserly streak and the pride in clean sheets that carried them back to the top flight." That sounds sensible, aiming to keep clean sheets .............................................. ....................................................... but without an Ollie Skipp-type DM apparently. "[Lees-Melou's] range of passing, the way he covered the ground and the relish he snapped into tackles underlined his versatility and illustrated perhaps why another defensive midfielder - in the mould of Olly Skipp - is not on the agenda in what remains of the transfer window." Oh dear, here we go again
It's only Paddy, Robbie, and he's hardly ITK as much as he'd like us to believe. He didn't even know about the private jet bringing PLM when it was common knowledge on this board. I think the chances of Skipp returning are slight, but I do think we'll get a quality DM in before the window 'slams shut'.
At 6 foot and 92kg (203 lbs) Carter-Vickers shouldn't get out-muscled in the box. I would still rather have cb's at least 6'2".
I hope we here more about Yokuslu. But as a dm not a dm/cb. I want a player dedicated to the defensive midfield who can also pass forward or take the ball forward when necessary.
I hope you're right Rick, about a "quality DM", I mean. Maybe Paddy knows more than you give him credit for; whoever that private jet was carrying, I've heard it wasn't PLM!
Well, here's Paddy's latest prediction: "The Canaries are expected to add several more signings as they continue preparations for the top-flight. On their shopping list includes a left-back, a central midfielder, a central defender, a winger and a striker. Although City would be open to signing an attacker who is capable of fulfilling both a wide and sole forward role. Any central defensive signing looks set to be a Premier League loan addition at this stage." By my count, we currently have four CMs and one DM/CM who can also play at CB, so why we would be looking to sign another CM is beyond me.