I’m wondering what a good / ideal (but hopefully potentially realistic) end to the window would be based on current rumours Retain: KWP Che In: Stewart THB Paintsil (or other RW) Drameh (Lots of noise over these first three. Don’t know much about Paintsil and the rumours suggest he doesn’t want to come but he seems key to getting Onuachu out) Out: Onuachu ABK Sulemana Djenepo Aribo Bree Maybe Wood as well (if THB isn’t an alternative and squad space allows) and another midfielder. But I don’t see 6 incomings True fantasy stuff would be McCarthy also going and a new back up keeper I’m not convinced we will be able to move on those last three listed even on loan. If either of the two listed as retained aren’t retained then I would think they would be on the list as needing replacements and would like to think that is true regardless of the bid for Stewart. An extended period with Armstrong and Mara would be a big gamble
Someone on saintsweb has said that based on the YouTube video reel Paintsil seems like a “direct” and strong winger rather than a tricky one like Edozie (and Djenepo). From what people have said this is also what Fraser looked like when he came on. Giving us a mix of direct and tricky wingers if he does join.
Tbh I hope we never sign anyone from the Belgian league again. If paul can score goals for fun in that league, the quality must be horrific
Well the word late last night was that the deal is off again. And that Burnley are now involved (even though they have loads of wingers in their squad) So you might get your hope. I think the main boon would be the deal allowing Onuachu to go back. If that means Paintsil going elsewhere and us signing a different Tella replacement then that is fine too. I’m sure someone E outlined from that Martin presser that we have at least 3 targets on the list in the position
Incase it comes in handy when we inevitably panic at the signing of someone from the Belgian league later...here are some midfielders/strikers that made their mark there before going on to better things. Most of these would do OK in the Championship...: Doku, Tielemans, Ndidi, Berge, KDB, Perisic, Leon Bailey, Trossard, Milinkovic-Savic, Lukaku Mitrovic, J.David, Osimhen ..well, that passed the time for half an hour anyway.
I think I'll pass on the constant lookout for transfer news, let those getting paid for it sort it it all out. Then the fun begins all over again!!
And missed the point as none came direct from the Belgian league to the premier league. I know we aren’t there any more but that was the point being made - that players recruited directly from Belgium have flopped. The step up is seemingly too much in one go. Whether that applies to the championship is something we might find out. But Onuachu and Djenepo haven’t got a look in. That might be due to style of play from the manager but it’s tough to tell. It is interesting that no one outside of Belgium seems to want to give Onuachu a chance edit : Trossard came direct from Belgium. Berge did too but the discussion was on attackers and how their records might not transfer across
It's a tiny sample size. Hard to draw particularly good conclusions there. Our permanent signings direct from Serie A since our previous promotion: Gaston Ramirez, Dany Osvaldo, Manolo Gabbiadini, Mario Lemina, Wesley Hoedt, Lyanco. Does that mean that Serie A is a weak league with weak players? Of course not. It means that we got really bad for a long while at identifying good players and/or people that weren't absolute madmen. Wanting 'established' players from good leagues (while not being willing to pay the sorts of transfer fees associated with good established players from good leagues) can have that effect.
At least 4 of them came directly to the PL and have gone on to be excellent players, some of them world class. But sure, whatever fits the narrative. Not every player is going to be great but making blanket statements about anyone playing in a certain league not being ready for the PL is mad.
Pretty sure the “narrative” is that our attackers signed from the Belgian league have been garbage. Small sample size but still true. So not really a “narrative”. Providing a list that includes players for whom goals is not a main part of their game (savic, Tielemans, Berge and Ndidi) and/or who mostly went to other leagues first or were not expected to instantly deliver for their club (Lukaku was always a long term signing for Chelsea and did nothing in his first season for example. De Bruyne signed straight to a premier league club and immediately loaned to another league as another)
I did wonder. I don’t know enough about him to know whether he has some fan based connection or rivalry
If we are still in for Wood might we see a late move out for Bednarek? His wages will be among the highest and with some of the signings he might not be guaranteed a first team spot. Perhaps another loan with someone paying full wages. But I assume the Wood deal is dead Although I’m sure those out there who like to have childish giggle (who doesn’t from time to time) would like a defence of Wood and Harwood
I suspected they would come in if they got the £60m for Nunes. They will have money burning a hole in their pocket and are seeing other targets (such as Iheanacho) go elsewhere as it stands...
