So Carvalho, Sharp, Pandur in, just the left back left to get? Or still after an attacking option? If we bring in another attacker by my count it's 10-11 players to fit into 4 slots when everyone's fit, so surely some going out on loan or permanently. Assume Vaughan, Lokilo, Traore, Sinik, Ally at a minimum would be looking to head out.
I don’t think Traoré will be here in the summer. Quality player on his day but his contract is up and I don’t think we’ll renew. Likewise with Christie.
I spoke about him on the podcast last week and was genuinely surprised he's only 28. Plays and looks like he's at least 30/31. I was speaking about him as if he was on the decline but he really should be at the peak of his powers at the moment.
Story of his career I think. A player of his talent should really be playing in one of the top 5 leagues in Europe and competing in European competitions. His big money move to Monaco suggest he was destined for big things but he’s been plagued by injuries his entire career. 174 total club appearances as a 28-year-old is abysmal, really. Greaves is 5 years younger and has 194. I reckon he’ll be released in the summer and go for one last big payday in Saudi Arabia.
The thing is though, back end of last season he was unplayable in a central role, he just doesn’t have it in him to maintain at the tempo of the champ imo unlike say Tufan who is an extremely underrated athlete. Traore is probably one of/if not the most talented player in the squad for touch and ability to breakdown a defence but he’s just miles behind a few others physically.
It’s just all those injuries catching up to him. After having so many muscle injuries, ligament issues etc. he just doesn’t have it in him to do 90 minutes. Tufan got a lot of stick for being overweight and a bit of a luxury player but he’s got far more stamina and robustness than Traoré. A fit Tufan is far more suited to the high-intensity of the English game than Traoré ever will.
Definitely still after another attacking option, sounds like Benson is the hope. And yes we'll be looking to offload some as well. Sinik and Allahyar would probably be on their way out even if we weren't bringing in three attackers this window.
I wondered if Benson et Al were fall backs if we didn't get Carvalho but for once our first choice actually said yes.
We really need a proper good winger coming in. Carvalho will surely be playing centrally when Philogene is back. That is now Carvalho, Tufan, Traore and Twine all vying for that same position and all probably championship first 11 quality. Don’t think we have a decent proper right winger in the squad? Carvalho is obviously an outstanding player and absolutely top drawer addition to the squad but, his position is by some way our strongest position. As we are obviously going to stick with the 4-4-2 it just seems illogical to saturate that role further when there are glaring weaknesses elsewhere. Right wing and left back are absolute necessities. Hopefully these deals that are going through don’t lead to us cutting corners on the places that really are in dire need of reinforcement.
Philogene has reasonably frequently played right wing for us hasn't he? He and Lokilo seemed to always be switching wings. As PLT said, I would think we're in for one more winger, and Benson plays on the right I believe, which would mean we'd have a lot of flexibility in line up. We can't bemoan our lack of depth when Delap and Philogene go down but also complain about strengthening in positions we already have players for.
They'll be the next 2. I reckon. Might be later in the window though. It wouldn't be us otherwise. That said, I wouldn't be surprised to see JPB used more on the right, and Carvalho left, with Twine and Tufan vying for the 10.
