Transfer watch (Summer 2018)

[The Cryptkeeper]

I can't agree. I don't think we have enough to cover all comps effectively. We don't have the strength in depth to compete on 4 fronts... which means we will inevitably have to choose to prioritise or potentially fail at them all. I have never clambered for marquee names, but you have to look at what Poch's ambitions were at the end of last season. We all follow and trust him and I personally agreed that what he said was spot on... we needed those players in and ready to absorb the Spurs/Poch philosophy.

I can't help but think this will come back later in the season when we have a blip or an injury crisis... Poch will pipe up and say he never got what he wanted ie players in certain positions early before the world cup, and then the tension between him and Dan will escalate.

This is the past repeating it's self, I've seen it too many times.

Negative as fuck for a beautiful Monday morning, and I hope to fuck I'm wrong.

I can also understand this reasoning, even if I don't 100% agree with it. I suppose I don't want to throw the bank at overhyped signings, only to have them disrupt team harmony...I kind of like our "moneyball" approach where we pick off undervalued commodities. I also think that a fully fit Winks and particularly Lamela will make a massive difference to our squad. Lamela doesn't get enough credit in my opinion. He has a unique skill set and his workrate is incredible. He does a lot of the underappreciated stuff and has some mongrel in him which is what we need. As for Winks, well he has already shown his quality in big games and is on the improve. There is two "new" signings right there. Wanyama is a third if we consider how little football he played last season.

Grealish, for example is not worth the 40M price tag that is being thrown around.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

The only real bonus so far for this season, is that Erik & Lucas will have had a full preseason. Almost like having 2 new players...yeah I know, i’m seriously clutching!

Not at all.

Moura, Lamela, Winks and Wanyama hardly played last season. There is 120M in talent right there.

 

[J.spurs]

Grealish, for example is not worth the 40M price tag that is being thrown around.

Which was the fee Everton paid for Richarlison.

Obviously all of this is something we go through most summers, but I think everyone's especially anxious this time around because of a number of factors--new stadium, other teams being more proactive, and just the sense (maybe wrong, who knows?) that this can't go on for that much longer unless we start winning things.

 

[skiathospurs]

Pochettino: "Be sure that we are going to do some movement but like always, we are working hard, no rash decisions."

 

[Boone]

Poch settling me down per usual.

 

[BrooklynYid]

He is like a warm blanket and some hot coco.

 

[BrooklynYid]

Speaking of which, Fulham is starting to assemble a really impressive roster. They will certianly be a top 8 team, potentially even battling for a European place if things break right.

 

[J.spurs]

Speaking of which, Fulham is starting to assemble a really impressive roster. They will certianly be a top 8 team, potentially even battling for a European place if things break right.

Yes, Fulham are serious. And don't call them Schurrle.

 

[corroded]

Speaking of which, Fulham is starting to assemble a really impressive roster. They will certianly be a top 8 team, potentially even battling for a European place if things break right.

They had a whole load of players on loan last term. And whilst signings show good potential so far, they need to get hold of Mitro, Kalas, Norwood and maybe Targett, and replace Odoi.

Lots of players on loan maybe not coming back, losing Fredericks. Lots of wild card players.

I'm not convinced yet. Not being negative just as an easy counter point, as I say they look ... promising. But with a realists hat on Schurrle hasn't been great for at least two years, and they are going into the season with a completely changed defence and no Mitro (who himself hasn't set the PL alight, though that might be Newcastle's fault).

I think my Fulham supporting mate will be ecstatic at mid table. But he's really looking to survive.

 

[Finchbee]

Speaking of which, Fulham is starting to assemble a really impressive roster. They will certianly be a top 8 team, potentially even battling for a European place if things break right.

Whats a roster? Something you but a chicken on over a bbq?

 

[J.spurs]

Whats a roster? Something you but a chicken on over a bbq?

What's a BBQ? You mean a grill?

 

[BrooklynYid]

Whats a roster? Something you but a chicken on over a bbq?

No, but you have inspired me to get some BBQ chicken!

 

[skiathospurs]

What's a BBQ? You mean a grill?

with a skillet,you mean frying pan !!

 

[skiathospurs]

lol

 

[wilson]

Bit of pub talk with my mates last night that I thought I’d carry over to here. I’m still a little confused as to what our focus is this window other than to replace outgoings (if we even have time after they’re sold).

Other than the odd CB to replace Toby, we seem to be only linked to attackers this window - Zaha, Grealish, Martial etc. I can understand Martial and to a certain extent Zaha because they’d offer backup for Kane in the same way Son does.

But I don’t really get the Grealish move, we are already well stocked for the 3 positions behind Kane with -
Alli
Eriksen
Lamela
Moura
Son
Sissoko
Onomah
N’Koudou
+ youth prospects

I’m not saying Grealish isn’t an improvement on all of them but he would realistically sit like 6th choice and doesn’t help to solve the backup for Kane issue (if we sell Llorente and Janssen). Yes, if we are selling Sissoko then I understand it but I doubt we will sell him.

For me the key role we should be looking to strengthen is our CM options. Even if Dembele stays (which is supposedly very very unlikely) we still don’t have enough in that department in my eyes.

Our options for CM currently are:
Dier
Dembele (injury problems/likely leaving)
Wanyama (injury problems)
Winks (injury problems)
Sissoko (?)
+ youth prospects

That makes for pretty grim reading in my eyes. Currently who would even play the first game if we were to rest Dier? I know the solution would be to push Eriksen to CM to cover or maybe Alli but then you’re losing quality in the final third. Maybe it’s a role Grealish is capable of I don’t know. But for me we need a CM that is first team quality regardless of whether Dembele stays or goes. If I’m brutally honest, even if all four of Dier, Winks, Dembele and Wanyama didn’t have injury problems I would likely still want to be bringing in a 5th CM as good as or better than Dembele in the more offensive CM role. I like Winks, he seems like a great lad and has massive potential but I just don’t think he has the skillset to do the linking defence to attack CM role, not yet anyway.

What I’m really saying is that from this window I’d have liked to have (at the very least) seen us replace any outgoings with at least equalling quality and actively improve/strengthen our CM options. With 11 days left of the window and a handful of our players still expected to leave I’m concerned we won’t even replace what we lose with the same quality never mind actually improve on the squad we ended the season with.

Before anyone thinks I’m slamming our current squad, I’m not. It’s probably the best squad we’ve had in my lifetime but for me the aim of every transfer window is to finish it with a better squad than you started it with.

 

[Glenjamin]

Bit of pub talk with my mates last night that I thought I’d carry over to here. I’m still a little confused as to what our focus is this window other than to replace outgoings (if we even have time after they’re sold).

Other than the odd CB to replace Toby, we seem to be only linked to attackers this window - Zaha, Grealish, Martial etc. I can understand Martial and to a certain extent Zaha because they’d offer backup for Kane in the same way Son does.

But I don’t really get the Grealish move, we are already well stocked for the 3 positions behind Kane with -
Alli
Eriksen
Lamela
Moura
Son
Sissoko
Onomah
N’Koudou
+ youth prospects

I’m not saying Grealish isn’t an improvement on all of them but he would realistically sit like 6th choice and doesn’t help to solve the backup for Kane issue (if we sell Llorente and Janssen). Yes, if we are selling Sissoko then I understand it but I doubt we will sell him.

For me the key role we should be looking to strengthen is our CM options. Even if Dembele stays (which is supposedly very very unlikely) we still don’t have enough in that department in my eyes.

Our options for CM currently are:
Dier
Dembele (injury problems/likely leaving)
Wanyama (injury problems)
Winks (injury problems)
Sissoko (?)
+ youth prospects

That makes for pretty grim reading in my eyes. Currently who would even play the first game if we were to rest Dier? I know the solution would be to push Eriksen to CM to cover or maybe Alli but then you’re losing quality in the final third. Maybe it’s a role Grealish is capable of I don’t know. But for me we need a CM that is first team quality regardless of whether Dembele stays or goes. If I’m brutally honest, even if all four of Dier, Winks, Dembele and Wanyama didn’t have injury problems I would likely still want to be bringing in a 5th CM as good as or better than Dembele in the more offensive CM role. I like Winks, he seems like a great lad and has massive potential but I just don’t think he has the skillset to do the linking defence to attack CM role, not yet anyway.

What I’m really saying is that from this window I’d have liked to have (at the very least) seen us replace any outgoings with at least equalling quality and actively improve/strengthen our CM options. With 11 days left of the window and a handful of our players still expected to leave I’m concerned we won’t even replace what we lose with the same quality never mind actually improve on the squad we ended the season with.

Before anyone thinks I’m slamming our current squad, I’m not. It’s probably the best squad we’ve had in my lifetime but for me the aim of every transfer window is to finish it with a better squad than you started it with.

Agree 100%, although I do think we should do everything in our power to bring in Martial as he can play up top. To be honest I feel like he is an Isco type signing (once in a lifetime while unsettled).

At the minute in my opinion we are starting the season weaker than last season and that just isn't acceptable, especially in the position we are in now toying with the top.

Dembele and Toby are two of our best players. If we lose both we are really lacking options. If Toby stays and Pochettino still puts him below Sanchez in the pecking order then we still aren't playing our most effective team. Nothing against Sanchez he is great but Toby is at his peak.

Levy is playing a dangerous game.

He knows teams want Toby so he is making them wait and panic in to paying over the odds, while we have no other option so he can use that as leverage to, but in doing this we are having to wait even later... It's gonna be to late this time I feel.

 

[Yid]

Even if Dembele stays (which is supposedly very very unlikely) we still don’t have enough in that department in my eyes.

I would likely still want to be bringing in a 5th CM as good as or better than Dembele in the more offensive CM role.

1. Lie to me.....
2.Ha..... good luck.

I am an unashamed Moose fangirl... yes.

Even though i know we can't carry him much longer itll be a fucking huge shame watching him pull on another clubs shirt. I think he has quality in those hips that genuinely sets him apart. I agree that if Poch would have had him early doors he'd have been a worldy.

 

[wilson]

1. Lie to me.....
2.Ha..... good luck.

I am an unashamed Moose fangirl... yes.

Even though i know we can't carry him much longer itll be a fucking huge shame watching him pull on another clubs shirt. I think he has quality in those hips that genuinely sets him apart. I agree that if Poch would have had him early doors he'd have been a worldy.

I completely agree. Moussa is my favourite player alongside Eriksen over the last however many years. We are a completely different animal when he’s on the pitch and fit. I think anyone would be hard pushed to find many, if any, in world football that have the same combination of attributes to his standard.

Because of this it’ll require a change of tactics/the way we play in the centre of the park which is why we should’ve moved earlier if he really is going. I personally would bring in a Modric-esque CM to sit next to Dier/Wanyama/Winks. There’s more options out there of that type of player where we can bring someone in without a detrimental loss of first XI quality. And like I’ve said, we’d need that sort of player anyway even if Moussa stays because of his injury problems.

 

[Yid]

Modders... is about the only player who iv seen who can retain under pressure and recycle the ball at his level.

Granted I don't know much about footy these days if I am honest but that is the precise player we need. Someone who can Suck players onto them as they move forwards with the ball and release it effectively allowing us to use our superior numbers and fast break to attack.

Modric aint leaving Madrid though... I genuinely don't know who else is out there who could do this for us?

 

[Chavhater01]

I’ll throw my hat into the Moussa love fest. I absolutely love the guy, he’s truffles and champagne all rolled into one.
However and i’m in total agreement with @wilson, I have no idea what the hell is going on with our transfer dealing but we are in desperate need of a CM/DM, in fact it’s absolutely essential we get one, if not two in before the window closes. To have a Modric type player would be a dream, there must be players out there who would make us better in that department, tbh we’re really not flushed with quality in that position right now, especially with Vic looking like he could be out for some time, I have no evidence to back that up but when a player has a recurrence of an injury that has kept them out for 4-5 months, then it doesn’t bode well. Sissoko, well I can’t even be bothered to make a case for him either way, I have nothing really against him, I appreciate his work ethic but i’m almost as upset that he’s still at the club, than I am that we haven’t signed anyone yet. Eric Dier, I like as a utility player but i’m not his biggest fan as an out and out DM, he can be immense on occasions but I find him extremely frustrating to watch, he’s too often negative in his distribution of the ball and cumbersome on it, I don’t think it would cost a vast amount to improve on him in that position. So we’re left with Moussa, who we have to keep but I have no idea what’s going on with him and an unfit Winks, who has shown he’s got serious potential but not sure whether he’s good enough to start week in week out just yet.

I suppose there’s a case for trying Lamela in that role, he’s one of our better passers of the ball and has the tenacity and work ethic of a DM, could pick up a fair few cards though.

Fuck knows what’s going on, I can’t for the life of me believe that Poch is comfortable going into the new season with the same squad as last year. Surely Poch, Levy and his scouts had an idea at the end of the season as to what we wanted in terms of squad upgrades, so what the flying fuck is going on, is anyone’s guess.

 

[Don Diaz]

If we accept that we are now one of the better teams in Europe, and top 4 in the Premier League then we are at the position where we can’t be just satisfied with ‘good’ players, we need a couple of worldies that the very wealthy teams have. These players are the Mbappe ‘s, Hazards, Modric’s etc.

We may not be able to afford them but they are the game changers and who we should be targeting if we’re serious about winning major trophies....? Otherwise it will be down to brilliant coaching and that might not be enough.

 

[Don Diaz]

Love how Mourinho is encouraging United to buy players. If he was any sort of manager he would be able to coach what he’s got to be better. Any of us could spend £300m on players and be successful. Arrogant twat

 

[wilson]

Love how Mourinho is encouraging United to buy players. If he was any sort of manager he would be able to coach what he’s got to be better. Any of us could spend £300m on players and be successful. Arrogant twat

He’s also moaning about the fact they’ve not done enough business this window. They’ve spent the 3rd most in the prem this window at £81m and not sold anyone of note! Moany prick.

 

[wilson]

Otherwise it will be down to brilliant coaching and that might not be enough.

I have a feeling this is what Levy is putting all his eggs on. Eek out one more season with what we have, hope a few youth players come through and then spend a few mil next season once the stadium etc is settled down. But honestly as good as Poch is, and he is very very good, I don’t think he can squeeze much more out of what we have. I know every player has it within them to improve but pretty much everyone in the first XI were fantastic last season and I don’t know how much more they can give/add to their game. Especially the majority having had a long World Cup too.

 

[Glenjamin]

I have a feeling this is what Levy is putting all his eggs on. Eek out one more season with what we have, hope a few youth players come through and then spend a few mil next season once the stadium etc is settled down. But honestly as good as Poch is, and he is very very good, I don’t think he can squeeze much more out of what we have. I know every player has it within them to improve but pretty much everyone in the first XI were fantastic last season and I don’t know how much more they can give/add to their game. Especially the majority having had a long World Cup too.

The problem with that scenario is does Pochettino even sit about for another summer or just move on.

There is no way we are coming out of this window without a couple of signings... Surely!!!

 

[J.spurs]

Love how Mourinho is encouraging United to buy players. If he was any sort of manager he would be able to coach what he’s got to be better. Any of us could spend £300m on players and be successful. Arrogant twat

Yep, buy up proven players and then publicly humiliate players like Luke Shaw that aren't quite at that standard, and/or need coaching. He's been at it for years now.

 

[Yid]

We may not be able to afford them.

That's the thing.... we can/could/should....

Same old Levy.....? IDK what's happening. To me it reeks of Poch being Levy'd and if history repeats it's self I will be utterly heart broken about the consequences.... we have never had it so good, and I don't want it to end because Levy is putting his dividend and uncle Joe first.... again.

 

[Finchbee]

Haha.....SC has gone into meltdown. I have been banned from replying to Transfers

 

[Flump]

Haha.....SC has gone into meltdown. I have been banned from replying to Transfers

I'm not on there, what's it over, Bale rumours?

 

[Finchbee]

I'm not on there, what's it over, Bale rumours?

No over other stuff....seems like my ban was temporary. The lack of signings, Bale and Levy make it quite comical.