I agree. But we aren’t buying a new first choice CB and CM this window because they aren’t needed. Konate vvd is up there with best partnerships. Mac Grav Szobo Wirtz is 4 into 3 in theory. Who and where are we buying a better midfielder available to replace them? I think in a year or two we may need a new Cb especially if Konate isn’t extended but we needed a rb / LB and CF for the first team. We have the rb and lb assuming Kerkez comes and Wirtz covers a lot of positions up top to add real quality. Im not sure we really need a load of first players in those areas.
While we are waiting, what do you all think of Man City’s transfer moves. They spent about 180 million in December and have just spent another 150 million on Cherki, Rejinders etc. These are not accurate figures just ballpark but about 330 million in less than six months by a club with 115 outstanding charges to answer, they seem confident that the wealthy lawyers will get them off the hook again
Konate is in the last year of his contract and VVD isn't getting younger so if say there is an argument for a first team CB. Nor would it hurt to have a bit of competition either. I guess it depends on whether Gomez is off or not CM - you missed Jones and Endo, so that's actually six into three (although, I think Wirtz will play a false nine role so I wouldn't count him in midfield) I share Saints concerns about too many arrivals at one time too. But signing backups rather than first teamers doesn't change that aspect.
I think good signings on the whole. i think marmoush is brilliant one. Replaced Alvarez who they really missed and looks really good player and goal threat. The 2 young cb’s, yet to be convinced. Seemed unnecessary and seemed like they short term panicked when they had defensive crises like we did but fail to see either of them playing a part when you have Dias stones Gvardiol akanji and ake who are all naturally cb’s and will be ahead of them. Maybe they were brought for 2/3 years time. Ait-nouri is 50/50. Going forward very good. Not sure defensively but offers natural width at LB and allows Gvardiol to go central where he’s a lot better. So it was needed, prem experience, could be good or bad. CM looks a good one. Decent stats over in Italy. Always hard to judge players coming from Italy but seems a decent all rounder and chips in with goals. Cherki could go either way. So much hype over so many years someone’s finally taken a gamble. Rumours of attitude issues which doubt would go down well at city. Coukd be real world card though
I think I heard on a podcast from Ornstein that the fee is agreed in terms of the top figure, but how that number is reached is the difference (e.g. how much up front, how much in instalments and add-ons).
If we buy a first choice cb then you have to sell Konate as Jo point having him as back up with a year left. If that happens you essentially go into new season with new tv new rcb and new lb which is a gamble. I personally don’t think a cb and cm is priority right now. In a year time maybe. But right now we needed a rb a lb and a forward. Now where Wirtz plays is anyone’s guess. Coukd be replacing szobo. Could be false 9. Coukd be wide left with Diaz playing centrally again. I think any of those work and we still have gakpo who is say is prob first choice lw this season. The original point I made was to argue that spending 150m on Wirtz isn’t stopping us signing other areas as we’re signing both full backs and it’s covered the key areas needed and I don’t believe there are other areas that needed major surgery that the Wirtz fee is stopping us from getting.
I've seen a few of you say this now but hasn't Slot said he wants a classic no. 10? The bits and bobs I read elsewhere are saying that the selling point on Wirtz's side was the promise of commanding the 10 role. I don't know anymore than any of you, obviously, just saying what I've seen.
I made the same point on PL board . One might almost think they have been tipped off that they are going to get a transfer ban so are stocking up in advance
It's a squad game, it wouldn't be Konate or the new guy, they'd fight for a starting position. We may even look to move VVD on the next summer with it being the last opportunity to get something for him. I think we have adequate numbers in midfield, depends if we want a holding player to challenge Gravenberch
