While all 4 defenders are fit, Holgate would never make the matchday squad anyway. Particularly because of only being allowed 5 loan players in a matchday squad. Downes, THB, Fraser, Brooks, Rothwell. So if we bring in another CB loan as cover, they not only will be unlikely to feature, but unlikely to even be on the bench. Seems unlikely we'd be able to get anyone good enough to fulfil that role. Holgate was kind of perfect for that from our POV. Think it's unlikely we look to cover him leaving, use Charles as 4th CB cover and hope we don't get unlucky with injuries!
The Athletic: Sheffield United have agreed a deal in principle to sign Mason Holgate on loan. The 27-year-old’s loan to Southampton has been terminated and he is set to have a medical in Sheffield this afternoon. Everton manager Sean Dyche told reporters earlier today that Holgate moving to Sheffield United before the transfer deadline was a “very favourable deal”. “It’s in a process,” he said. “We’ll see but is looking likely from their (Sheffield United’s) point of view and is a very favourable deal for this football club.” Holgate has been limited to just five Championship appearances for Southampton this season, with the club being keen to terminate his loan since January. They also aimed to free up space to bring in another player on loan after reaching their maximum allocation, but Carlos Alcaraz’s move to Juventus eased those concerns. A move to Premier League strugglers Sheffield United could provide more minutes for Holgate, therefore, as Chris Wilder’s side aim to solidify their defence to maintain their top-flight status.
Not sure why we would be keen to terminate the loan since he was perfect 4th CB cover for us. And the max loan allocation also isn't true. As far as I understand it from what I've read and heard...you can have as many loans as you want. Just a max of 2 from a single club (i.e. we couldn't get a third loan from Bournemouth), and only 5 loans can be in your match day squad. Maybe I'm misunderstanding it, but also how does Alcaraz going to Juventus on loan ease our concerns on reaching a max allocation of loans that doesn't even exist!?
I thought it was a maximum of 5 loans in a match day squad and (as of 2023/24) a club have have a total of seven players loaned in seven players and loaned out?
There is a definitely a max allowed to be loaned out, I think Leeds had a problem with it with the amount they were loaning out in the summer. We won’t be near that though I guess and I’d imagine some players don’t count (players from the academy under a certain age or something) Anyway very unlikely Saints do anything today, don’t really need to either. Probably give the window a 7 out of 10 for keeping hold of KWP but losing Alcaraz. Brooks deal looks good, not so convinced by Rothwell but we will see. A solid if unspectacular window for me, which is fine considering the position we are in
Slightly nervous having only 3 CBs but yeah, how do you bring in quality if you can't promise game time? Bednarek is 2 yellows away from a 1 game ban. Can't think who from our academy could step up. Moore seems to be first choice for the u21s but he is 17. Simeu is injured; Lawrence not match fit. I know we have Charles, but he is our back up DM.
The end of Holgate’s loan is unlikely to be in our control at all. And as discussed - trying to bring in a 4th choice now is next to impossible. They’d have to be able to challenge for another position
The seven loan limit is only for international loans. (Which is why it impacted Leeds, because most of their loaned players are to overseas clubs.)
