If this 4-4-2 type system is the way we're going, we're massively overloaded with central midfielders and attacking midfielders, but short up front. The squad balance is wrong. In central midfield we have 2 spots, and Normann, Sorensen, McLean, PLM are enough CM options, whilst even Rupp suits the workload of those roles better than Gilmour. We're wasting a loan spot on a 6th choice CM, who is creating media issues, unhappy parents, unhappy parent club, etc. We have Dowell and Cantwell as creative midfielders without a role in the side. Sargent, Pukki and Idah on the pitch means we have no strikers in reserve, no bench option, no injury cover. Should Pukki or Idah get injured, you move Sargent up front (where he's been less effective) and then probably move Rashica to the right, and bring Tzolis or Placheta in on the left. That's 3/4 of the front 4 changed as a result of one injury, and a definite downgrade up front and out wide. Looking beyond this season, we know Pukki can't keep his performances going indefinitely, we're going to need a long term replacement. A Srbeny-type signing, picking up a 22-24 year old striker for £2-3m, could solve some of those issues, or we could replace Gilmour with a loan striker. We shouldn't have been looking at wholesale changes this window, I'm glad we haven't and keeping Aarons is a bonus. But with a total squad value of £158m (transfermarkt), having £34.2m of that wrapped up in players who don't suit the system is a concern. The club may not have wanted to let Cantwell go on the cheap, but given how much needs to go right for him to be worth more in the summer, I'm not sure that makes sense. Even £5-10m for Cantwell would have given us a striker fund, to try and rebalance the squad depth a touch.
I hear you DH, but the counter argument is that neither Dowell nor Cantwell have really been on form. So the changed formation is partly to play to the strengths we have. Instead, what we have is a squad that can move to another formation if we want to bring on Cantwell or Dowell. And I’m not sure about Gilmour or even how long our formation will last - with him fit and Normann too, we might move back to the team which did so well in Smith’s earlier matches… I quite like the flexibility right now. The key is keeping everyone fit though. And you’re not wrong that we are eye-wateringly reliant on Pukki.
Yeah I'm not saying we should have made major surgery, but a striker in (on loan or a young prospect) with funds/space coming from Gilmour, Dowell or Cantwell departing, would have still left us with midfield options to play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, without leaving us so lacking cover in a 4-4-2.
Bournemouth are being linked with other midfielders now, possibly missed out? Meanwhile talk from the Everton press is that Lampard wants Gilmour at Everton. I'd be tempted to let that happen if Chelsea/Everton loan us a striker in return.
And minutes after I post that, Bournemouth have apparently agreed a loan with option to buy for Cantwell, medical at 13:30.
If true sounds like a deal to please all parties. We save some wages (fingers crossed), he gets playing time and a reset for 6 months. If he plays well we might get a higher fee in the summer, if not we'll have to re-assess where we stand about keeping in the squad
Olympiacos have apparently also agreed a deal with Norwich for Cantwell, up to him to decide where he goes. The Bournemouth deal sounds like it becomes permanent if they get promoted, not sure whether the Olympiacos deal has an agreement to buy.
Surely we would get more money from Bournemouth as he would be a home grown player so we get the added English Tax, that is the only reason I would let him go to Bournemouth
Depends on the deal really. If the fee agreed with Bournemouth is £10m upon promotion (hypothetically), with no loan fee, then we're gambling on Bournemouth getting promoted. Meanwhile if Olympiacos are offering a £3m loan fee and £5m in the summer to make it permanent, then whilst it's less money overall, the chances of getting it might be higher. That certainty might help us make a deadline day addition (he says hopefully...)
All pretty underwhelming so far. Premier League 11:00 Wout Weghorst [Wolfsburg - Burnley] Undisclosed 08:05 Christian Eriksen [Unattached - Brentford] English Football League 12:30 Bambo Diaby [Unattached - Preston] 12:00 Beryly Lubala [Blackpool - Northampton] Loan 11:15 Reo Griffiths [Lyon - Doncaster] Undisclosed 11:00 Jamal Blackman [Unattached - Huddersfield]
Good. I've always liked Todd as a player, but this saga has dragged on for about three years, now. Time for everyone to move on. All the best to him.
I’ve always liked Todd and thought he could be such an important player for us this year, always defended him against those who didn’t like him because he was different. Clearly something hasn’t been right this year, I hoped it was just niggling injuries and him struggling to get match fit, by that doesn’t seem to be the case. Wish him all the best at Bournemouth, hopefully he can recapture some of that magic from his first PL season. Optional fee in the Summer is reportedly £11m and we will be given a bonus if Bournemouth are promoted.
Hope there is a significant sell on clause because potentially, and only that at this time, he is a very valuable asset.
Can someone please post a resume of our outgoings this window. I have just finished a five day quarantine with no Wi-Fi ( I'm back in the Philippines) and am totally out of touch. Thanks in anticipation.
Out: (all loans) Todd Cantwell. Loan Bournemouth Hugill. Loan Cardiff Hernandez. Loan Brum Mumba. Loan Peterborough Soto. Loan Livingston Josh Martin. Loan Doncaster Rocky Bushiri. Loan Hibs In: please log in to view this image
