Transfer Rumours transfer thread fact and fiction

A few of our players are talking up Eriksen returning to Spurs recently. The last time this happened Davies was commenting about us signing his Welsh team mates Rodon and Bale and they signed shortly after.

 

Kulu on Eriksen:
“He would be most welcome," Kulusevski told media outlet Nettavisen. "He is an incredible player and a wonderfully good person too. I know him a little from before, but no [we haven't spoken recently], we are not that good friends.

You can be good friends in time, Kulu

Thorstvedt on Eriksen:
“This has been speculated for quite some time, and he was very good after he returned to the Premier League. He was a huge contributor to the spring Brentford had," he told Nettavisen. "We see that Conte has a tendency to go back to players he knows from before and even though it took a long time before he got into Conte's system at Inter, it was a success in the end.”
“Tottenham have sometimes struggled to control matches against supposedly worse teams. He is someone who is good at lubricating the system, keeping the ball in the team and will be able to make sure that Tottenham dominate. He has killer passes and a very good set piece foot. In addition, he clearly loves to play football. The club he gets gets a dedicated player who does not have a giant ego, but who does his best for the team."
“The fans will probably be very happy if he comes back. He has a very high standing and you will not find many who have anything bad to say about Christian Eriksen. I think they would think it was great to have him back.”

When Erik speaks, you listen.

 

I am happy for him to have a veto on a signing but not for him to insist on one. He simply does not have the information at his disposal to overrule the recruitment team.

 

...apart from the fact that he picks how the team plays and who's in it.

Conte can do pretty much as he sees fit...because we have no viable alternative to keeping him happy. He could walk and sign for PSG.

Theory is great...but it ain't the real world.

 

IMHO the clincher on Eriksen would be whether you believe
that any MF combo of Skipp / Betancur / PEH / others will
provide the CM steel + driving forward akin to the combos
of Dembele / Dier / Wanyama from 2015-17.

If you believe so, then Eriksen should be ok to resume.

 

If we think he is so much better than any alternative coach that we have to do whatever he wants on recruitment then that's fine.
But the ability to see the players all week in training and pick those who will do the best on the field is NOT the same as determining which of the 20 plausible players we could sign in each position is the best use of our budget.

 

Re Eriksen returning...I say this as someone who wanted him sold the minute he said he wanted out and found him irritating in his last 6 months with us...if he wants to return then it's a no brainer for me...the bloke was outstanding for Brentford and clearly has what it takes to improve us.

 

Where does he fit into a 3 4 3 though. Surely not into the 4. Then he keeps Kulu or Son out.

 

Horses for courses. I think he can play in the three or the four, depending on the opposition.
We desperately needed more creativity against sides that sat back last season.
We also need more quality depth if we're going to compete in Europe and domestically.

 

It’s a lovely problem for Conte to have.

But I’d say between him, Bentancur, Hojbjerg and Skipp, it’s a very decent midfield four to choose from for two spots in the XI and if at times we need to rest any of our front three, we can fit Eriksen in there too and go 352. We really struggled against those who sat back last season and Eriksen is one of the best in the business at unlocking stubborn defences. Against City and Pool though, that’s a gritty job for Bentancur and Hojbjerg/ Skipp.
With 5 subs to bring on next season too, we should be able to satisfy many players with plenty of game time.

 

He’ll be playing midfield, Conte played him deeper than a 10 and Brentford did too, I think. Still gets up the pitch obviously. The main thing is having a proper passing midfielder in the team who can help us unlock teams who sit in, especially when we have more of the ball.

 

Matt Law claims we've offered Lucas & Winks to Everton as part of the package for Richarlison

Considering how Lucas has spoken of returning to Sao Paulo when his contract ends in 2024, I find that somewhat fanciful

 

Djed Spence with a first minute OG in the England U21s game with Slovenia

AFTV are going to devote at least seven videos to this, aren't they?

 

Bayern have signed Gravenberch for almost the exact amount we want for Bergwijn.

I wonder if some dominoes will start to fall.

 

There will be games when Kulu or Son etc need resting, are suspended, injured or out of form. We should not be worrying about who gets into the team and who is left out, we need to build a squad capable of handling all eventualities, and that means a squad a lot deeper than the current one.

 

The Times are reporting that we’re signing Bissouma.

 

Wow, according to a few reliable sources ( Gary Jacob) and others, Spurs have agreed a £25m fee with Brighton for Bissuma. Medical due this week.

Hope this is true, superb player, dominates so many games .
What a quintet of options Conte will have at CM - Hojbjerg, Bentacur, Skipp and Bissuma.

Fingers crossed.

 

Not sure how I feel about Bissouma.

The sexual assault case is still looming isn’t it? (Or has there been a decision?). I’ve spent the last few months lambasting people like Mendy and Greenwood so I can’t now suddenly act like I’d be elated if Bissouma joins, even if he is a decent player.

Iffy decision by the club. Can only hope they’re confident he’s 100% innocent.

 

I don't think for one second that Daniel Levy would sanction such a purchase if there was any credible concern over the investigation and potential charges. There's been some ongoing suggestions that the alleged perpetrator was a member of Bissouma's family (an uncle?), not the man himself.

If the above is correct and we have a deal in place...what a signing!

 

I think the case was supposedly against Bissouma and a 40 year old man wasn’t it? Whether that was his uncle or not I’m not sure.

Agree on the quality of player and it being a good signing, just hope the quality of the person is good too.