Even the deals that were “done” on Thursday are yet to be confirmed and I think we leave for the tour tomorrow. Morsy also linked with a move away but I would be astonished if he ended up at Derby
Agreed Gaffer, we've done some good business signing those two players. Throw in finally getting a Category 1 academy and it's been a great week for the club. At almost 6 foot 4, Kipre certainly fits the profile in terms of getting a more physical, taller presence in our backline. He was solid for West Brom and getting top flight experience in France has hopefully developed his game a little more. Although it's only a loan, the deal seems to be made permanent if we get promoted (for a relatively low £3.9 million fee too). The move should add power and pace to the defence - something we lacked over the last couple of years - and although he's right-footed, he often plays in the left centre back position - so Greaves will have his work cut out. I'm more excited about the Azor Matusiwa signing - although I admit, I hadn't heard of him before! 27, physical midfielder, again fairly tall, and he has an Ajax footballing education. Lot of talk seems to pin-point him as the long-term Morsy replacement. I imagine at £7.8 million and coming from a top flight French side, he'd be a nailed on starter. Addresses a position of weakness and he hopefully won't be the last central midfielder through the door this summer. Does the Matusiwa move spell the end for Morsy? I'd argue we need our club captain for the season ahead. However, Morsy is 34 in September and is in the last year of his contract. I see Derby have been strongly linked yesterday and a couple of Middle Eastern clubs also rumoured to be interested. If Morsy does go, and I'd be surprised if he does (as he's surely worth keeping as a squad midfielder) then we'd have to bring in another central midfielder and really shake up the area of the pitch. I imagine McKenna is likely thinking of a different system to play this season. The counter-attacking style that got us up in 23/24 is arguably going to waste the 'on paper' talent and abilities we now have in the squad after a year of Premier League riches. Could we maybe start to see us transition more to a possession-heavy side that expects to dominate and win most games, given the level of expectation and squad ability for this level. Or will McKenna have one eye on potentially competing in the Premier League again next year and work on something a bit more progressive so we're better set up for the near future, while still achieving promotion this year?
