Defense is better but now the offense sucks - 2021 Jan Transfer Thread

Agreed. Think they tend to focus on how the starting lineup can be fixed. For me, i think the priority for Jan should be CAM, LB & GK. Then in the summer look at CM, RB, ST & maybe CB.

 

My guess is that they aren't looking at our entire depth chart and the fact that we have 3 players that play almost exclusively at RB/RWB. I assume they are looking at starters only and making suggestions on where we can improve. Based purely on the starting lineup RB, AM & CM are our biggest issues. However, if you look deeper into the entire squad you see the glaring LB & GK depth issues as well.

 

I wouldnt be opposed to selling Laca but i have a hard time seeing us do any business with Atletico right now. Between us buying buying Partey and them loaning but not playing Lucas I think there may be a little bad blood that could prevent a decent deal.

 

Couple new links today...

1. Seeing a few "official" links to Marseille CM Morgan Sanson. We were linked to him in the summer but nothing ever came of it. A few days ago I saw claims that Morgan's agent was talking to a couple EPL clubs. Today I am seeing links to Arsenal being one of those clubs. He is said to be valued at 25m GBP but could be sold cheaper due to financial issues at the club. Sanson is a classic box-to-box #8. In our current formation, he would likely play in the 2 man base and would provide a very good rotation with Partey & Xhaka. If/when we shift to a 4-3-3 (#6 with 2 #8/10 types) he could play further up the field while still providing some defensive support.

2. We are being linked (along with West Ham) for 19yo Slavia Prague ST Abdallah Sima. He is a 6'2" speedy ST that has been scoring quite a bit for Slavia this season. My guess is this could be a replacement for Balogun assuming he does not re-sign.

 

Possibly. Think he could also look different in the EPL with a different system (or players around him). Eddie is similar to PEA in that he isn't a hold-up / target ST. He is a poacher that will get his chances from being in the right place at the right time. Unlike PEA he A) doesn't not operate as well out wide and B) has not developed his abilities to always be in the right place at the right time. If he can learn to make better/smarter runs and has some guys around him (Saka & Martinelli?) that can draw attention as well as make a good pass, he has the potential to be a very effective ST.

 

Seeing a report claiming that Edu says we are reassessing the Torreira loan to Atletico. Supposedly Valencia have been in contact with Torreira's agent and Lazio, Fiorentina & Torino have been in contact with Edu all about taking over his loan from Atletico.

 

Agreed, it would be better if he was younger but the rumor I read a few minutes ago is that Villa is negotiating a 15m GBP deal for him. In addition to your assessment I would say that he is also more defensive than Dani. Think he could be a guy that could be paired with Xhaka when Partey needs a rest without creatign a defensive liability in the middle.

Agree on ESR and agree that we need a cheap option that's not gonna take too much of his playing time. I still like the idea of snagging someone with some versatility (AM & W/CM) so the new player can get plenty of minutes without taking it all from 1 person (ESR). My favorite option that I have found is Brahim. Real are rumored to want to sell to raise money for the summer. He is currently on loan at Milan and supposed to be playing well. Arteta would be familiar with him from his time at City. He is young (21) and would be HG because of the time he spent in City's academy. Curious if A) Arteta likes him and B) would their relationship be strong enough to convince him to switch his loan from Milan to us. Get Real to give us a loan with a buy option in the summer.

 

I don't see Neto happening. Too much cash (Barca want around 15m euro) and we would basically just being bringing in a 31 yo GK that is expecting regular playing time which means it won't be too long and we would be replacing our GK once again.

Really like the Woodman option. HG and young enough to replace Leno in 2-3 yrs and still give us 5+ yrs as a starter. Not sure he would be willing to give up the number of matches he is getting at the moment but it wouldn't hurt to try and I would think the deal would be pretty cheap.

 

I like Odegaard but I'm not sure he would be a good fit for us right now. He could technically play some on the wing but he is primarily an AM which means he would mostly take minutes from ESR.

 

Any idea how Adli has been doing at Bordeaux? If I recall correctly he joined them 2 years ago (Jan 2019) but I haven't kept up with him since.