For example, in the case of Kerkez, we could have tried signing Truffert, a 23 year old left back and captain of his club who is expected to play for France and was wanted by several other European clubs, for 1/4 of the cost of Kerkez. Not saying we should in this case, but he's a player who shouldn't need a long grooming period.
Until we sign him, he’s a bust, we go back for Kerkez (who, in all likelihood, is now gone from Bournemouth) and he costs us £70m. What the big clubs do - use the lesser clubs as expensive academies and proving grounds - has a lot wrong with it, but it is an excellent way to look very closely before you buy. It’s the reason why there’s always a premium for PL players. I’d prefer to pay the premium of £45m for the proven Kerkez than the lesser of £18m for the unproven Truffert. No way is Truffert ready for our first game next season, Kerkez is. When we signed Robertson, he was a Truffert type signing and he didn’t get a game until December in his first season. Not certain we have that luxury with Kerkez.
Kerkez is premier league tried , tested and proven . Truffert is not .I'm sure the scouts go over these guys with a fine tooth comb from their stats right down to their character and personality.
So I guess we've got Frimpong, Kerkez, and Wirtz over the line now (or essentially so). What's next? Move Nunez along, possibly with one or the other of Diaz, Jota, or Gakpo (possibly in order of likelihood...) and look for a new central forward type? Isak or Ekitike are what we keep hearing about in the rumor rags, but I'm not sure I believe either of these are really true. Isak is a proven quantity in the PL, but is injured quite often and would likely be prohibitively expensive. While Ekitike has done well this last season in the BL, I'm not sure that necessarily equates with being effective in the PL (it was for Haaland, but not for TImo Werner, for example). Wouldn't be surprised if we might suddenly hear about someone who hasn't had their agents flogging them to the market by contacting every sports journalist/rumormonger between here and Timbuktu.
Osimhen is getting his share of rumours as well. I know very little about him but from what I've read he has a bit of an interesting history - "interesting" in the sense may never pass our "no dickheads" policy.
Yep all true but he is a good player and reportedly Napoli like Nunez and Chiesa so is there a deal to be had?
We might not do anything... Not sure there is really a nailed-on best option that is technically good in small spaces, has a good/long enough track record, and is not exorbitantly priced that is available this year. While I'd like to see an improvement for Nunez (and frankly for his own good, let him move on for a fresh start), we arguably have perfectly serviceable attacking players, and may (almost certainly) will increase our scoring from attacking midfield, which would offset losing Nunez.
I would prefer a cheaper option, Nick Woltemade, 6'6 and good on the ball. Osimhen is not a cultured finisher, so will miss quite a few. Still good though but expensive.
I feel we are going to be focussed on outgoings. A CB is a necessity which may be able to wait till the end of summer, but all this forward talk is not going to materialize until we've got a couple of own forwards sold. Personally, I feel we need a new CM who the manager trusts. I'd love that to be Endo but given he's not started him in the league I feel he's going to be offloaded and a new guy brought in. Grav and the CB's need cover more than we need a new forward right now.
Need for CB cover depends if anyone leaves? We now have VvD, Konate, Quansah, Gomez + Endo + kids + MF's. Could easily go with that again. Not sure MF is urgent either? We now have Grav, MacA, Szobos, Jones, Wirtz, Endo (I think he stays) + Elliott (may leave) + kids. So 6 players for 3 spots? Think if we add a top drawer CF it would make this a great window!
I think signing Wirtz indirectly covers for Gravenberch. Jones played mostly as a number 10 last season, and now I think his games will come more in the deeper roles. Hes done the number 6 very well for England U21. Szoboszlai can now play deeper. Mac Allister can play in the 6. Sounds like Endo will stay. I don’t think the manager trusts him to do anything other than see out games, but he can eat up minutes in the league cup to rest others. I wouldn’t think that midfield is a priority this summer, but I could be wrong. After the outs I think we will sign a centerforward and possibly sell Quansah to get a new centerback. Also, if Diaz goes we will need a replacement in his position.
I don't want Oshimen as we already have Salah going away for afcon midway through every second season and losing our two main goal treats for the busiest time of the year(21. December-18. January)could ruin the season completely
See, starts early, doesn’t it? Arsenal have to play the champions TWICE next season and we don’t play them at all. I’m beginning to think Arsenal fans and Arteta might have a point about bias against them.
Vitezslav Jaros has signed a new long-term contract at #LFC and will spend the season on loan at Ajax Great experience for him to be Ajax starting goalkeeper.
Don't we already have a guy who "misses a few" here and there, and is more adaptable as a 2ndary fast winger?
I don;t see Endo going. As Suss said above - we might not need the CM, as Wirtz can also free MacCallister to free Gravenberch when needed. Jones is available also. My main thing would be not to start Gravenberch in all Premier games - an occasional 4th or 5th game rest - and only in the bigger CL ones.