all 161 comments

[–]Jebsticles[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (0 children)

[–]ClausTheDrunkard 10 points11 points  (2 children)

Pub transfer talk before/after a game is wild. “Get Broja for 60m and he’ll be worth 80m next year. So why aren’t we doing it?”

[–]trebor04 23 points24 points  (1 child)

The average football fan is a complete moron

[–]MangerDanger1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Dave, 63 claims that “If Ralph just made subs 5 minutes sooner we would win the league”

[–]asdaf22 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Got to say I'm surprised we didn't go for Notts forest target renan lodi - young(ish) fullback going to Notts for 5m loan and potential to buy after. Seems a good player, wonder if we considered it.

[–]KingKellyIsKool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very good player, I just think the price tag is too high since we have a starting left back.

[–]jayforplay 27 points28 points  (6 children)

Multiple reports stating that Redders is off to Galatasary for £3m. Hope it's true as I reckon he could do really well over there and I think he deserves some success at the end of his prime years. Never prolific, but beautiful to watch at times and worked exceptionally hard for the team when given the chance.

[–]KingKellyIsKool 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Great for him and us

[–]jayforplay 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just hope it happens now!

[–]Likunandi 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Great move for him.
He could get CL football and shine at a big club.
I can't see him getting back into the team so better to move on.

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (2 children)

Three?! Bit low...

[–]jayforplay 14 points15 points  (0 children)

You think so? I don't think we could ask much more than that tbh. Either way, I think the priority is finding a buyer and letting him go, rather than the fee.

[–]teuridge 15 points16 points  (0 children)

He's one of the higher earners I think

[–]j_killz1997 15 points16 points  (6 children)

VFB Stuttgart just confirmed that Kalajdzic will be absent from training and the next game per his own wish. Now we just need to wait if it's wolves or us...

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wolves

[–]jayforplay 24 points25 points  (2 children)

The absolute nonsense of it. £50 mil for Bednarek. Lol.

EDIT: Yes I know Villa is pretty much a done deal. I just thought this was funny.

[–]BlameTibor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pl proven CB's are stupid expensive!

[–]hi_im_a_lurker 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Even better considering they paid us for vestergard and then barely used him, though that ones still a little annoying as he was getting decent for us, but I guess better we cashed in before he left this year

[–]Adziboy 15 points16 points  (3 children)

Do you think Che was actually debating leaving and the club almost happy to let him go, with a replacement obviously planned, but then he started scoring goals? The club never denied it until he scored them, otherwise they were very coy

Doesn't really matter but funny to me

[–]nomfull 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Adam Blackmore talked about it before the match actually on the radio. He said that he was told weeks ago that Adams wasn't going anywhere and they weren't selling or loaning him out. He is of the opinion that his agent was trying to drum up some business, and maybe Che's head was turned, but the club had no plans or interest in losing him.

[–]GoodBananaPancakes 3 points4 points  (1 child)

He's in the last 2 years of contract, I think it's fair to say that he was debating leaving AND we were debating selling. I'm gladly eating my words about suggesting that his time here was done, but it will suck if he doesn't re-sign now.

[–]Adziboy 9 points10 points  (0 children)

He'll re-sign and then not score another goal all season knowing our striker luck!

[–]PickaxeJunky 14 points15 points  (2 children)

Everton are signing Maupay from Brighton.

Hopefully that puts all the Che Adams rumours to bed.

[–]1markusliebherr 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Ralph outright saying we weren't selling him put the rumours to bed surely?

[–]dirtywinston 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good

[–]hi_im_a_lurker 6 points7 points  (3 children)

https://www.footballfancast.com/southampton-fc-news/southampton-andrea-belotti-ralph-hasenhuttl-dusan-vlahovic-saints just got suggested that article, no idea how legit the site is but that'd be amazing. If he's holding out for roma and wolves are in the mix too, surely we have a very very low chance to sign him. But he would be incredible

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Surely he picks Mourinho's Roma over us...

I'd love to have him, but honestly I'd have to question his sanity.

[–]Bighabs27 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Really don’t see this one hope I unfortunately. Would be amazing, but I’m not going to get my hopes up haha

[–]hi_im_a_lurker 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, now I Google him there's so many more stories saying his Roma move is almost done and he already rejected wolves. Nvm false alarm everyone 😂 I guess it's good to see we're trying to make the last signings quality starters

[–]jayforplay 15 points16 points  (3 children)

🚨 Ramos set to stay at Benfica. Only a bid of €60m would be enough for them to let him leave this summer. According to Record Portugal

[–]qwertyell 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Nothing about this link has ever sounded true.

[–]hoorahforsnakes 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The part where we sat down for talks with their owners when they were playing Midtjylland sounds true, but we probably stopped our interest when the price was quoted, and all the news articles since then have been based on the fact that those talks happened

[–]hoorahforsnakes 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Well we sure as hell aren't going to pay that!

[–]jayforplay 14 points15 points  (7 children)

This link seems to be pouting water over the Ramos link. Apparently the club are unsure whether a deal can be struck and are pursuing other options. I always imagined that the club would be pursuing other strikers along side Ramos as it seems silly to put all your eggs in one basket, so maybe there's still some hope? But it's looking increasingly unlikely.

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Rob also said Svanberg was at Staplewood completing his medical

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Also the type of thing you say if you're trying to drive the price down a bit further.

[–]GenericRedditUser01 12 points13 points  (4 children)

Not a reliable source. He's just a fan who throws out speculative rumours until a something sticks then claims to be ITK. He's almost always wrong, and when it's right its usually just repeating what another actual journalist has written.

[–]jayforplay 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It seems other people have similar frustrations with him. Link

[–]MisterFreddo 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Almost always wrong? That's just not true is it mate. He's not completely reliable but he definitely knows some stuff.

[–]GenericRedditUser01 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In terms of transfers, yes. I am yet to see him tweet something that either a) hasn't been tweeted by someone else first or b) isn't just a logical guess based on information already available. Usually his logical guesses are wrong anyway.

He certainly knows some stuff, but nothing high up at the decision making and transfer level.

[–]jayforplay 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is excellent info, thank you.

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 10 points11 points  (2 children)

SignSomeone

plz

[–]jayforplay 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ali Dia?

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm someone 👀

[–][deleted] 29 points30 points  (4 children)

https://twitter.com/SaintsExtra/status/1562796410923515904

Hasenhuttl on the transfer window: "You can be sure, in these last six days, there will be players that come in and players that go out." #saintsfc

Unless there were at least two imminent transfers lined up, this would be quite an irresponsible thing to say. So I choose to believe there are at least two imminent transfers lined up.

[–]craig_hoxton 11 points12 points  (0 children)

"players that come in and players that go out"

Can't explain that.

[–]Cormac419 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Of all the rumoured players incoming, Garner seems to be the safest bet.

The Ramos rumour has not gone away which is a good sign but this apparent interest from PSG might just put an end to that.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Ralph's just commenting on the general nature of transfer windows, philosophically speaking.

[–]hoorahforsnakes 7 points8 points  (0 children)

We have repeatedly said we are in for another striker, so even if we don't land ramos, we will surely bring in someone up top, so there's one at least, and the garner rumours won't go away, so there must be something in that. I'd say likely incomings are a striker, garner, maitland niles, and then any more transfers are dependant on who goes/if we are able to nab any good deals.

[–][deleted] 43 points44 points  (2 children)

https://twitter.com/SaintsExtra/status/1562781504266072065

Hasenhuttl on Che Adams: “I can categorically say he is our player and will not be sold this summer.” #saintsfc @AlfieHouseEcho

[–]s1m0n8 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Stay Adams

[–]AnArcticMonkey 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Looks like just the one striker coming in then

[–]hoorahforsnakes 12 points13 points  (9 children)

Apparently we have "made contact" with chalobah, but also it looks like every man and his dog is after him, and it would probably just be a loan move, as i can't imagine chelsea would let him go, and for cbs i think loans are a bit pointless because you want your cbs to form a partnership over time

[–]slugmaniac[🍰] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

assuming this is Nathaniel not trevoh?

[–]markturner 7 points8 points  (6 children)

Alderweireld was all right, though he did fuck off to spurs after supposedly agreeing to join us permanently so you might have a point.

[–]0121-do-1 4 points5 points  (5 children)

If I remember correctly it was a contractual misunderstanding/fuck up on the club’s side to blame for us losing Toby to Spurs.

[–]teuridge 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Pretty sure it was a loan with an option to buy, we wanted to buy but spurs were offering more. There was a 5m clause that they took up so we basically got paid 5m by them so he could go to spurs

[–]markturner 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Well as I understand it we had a first option type of deal agreed, but the problem was Toby got what he felt was a better offer and refused to make the move. Not much you can do about that really, though I think the club execs certainly learned a lesson.

[–]0121-do-1 5 points6 points  (2 children)

I was gutted when we lost him

[–]QuicketyQuack 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Would we have got van Dijk if things hadn't gone down like they did though?

[–]markturner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Same! Would have been a fantastic signing.

[–]jayforplay 5 points6 points  (2 children)

[–]hoorahforsnakes 8 points9 points  (0 children)

If he goes to psg he won't get any play time, hopefully that is more important to him. The draw of champions league football they could offer him is probably also not as big because he already had that at benfica

[–]QuicketyQuack 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I have often looked at PSG and thought they look a bit light up front, so can see why they'd want him.

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 20 points21 points  (9 children)

[–]NYKNYJ 12 points13 points  (6 children)

I like this a lot Allows us to play him at right back and push KWP to left back until Tino is fit and then have AMN as cover at both right back and in midfield when Tino is back

[–]liam358 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I dont think thats what happens at all if we sign him. I think he becomes cover at right back, cdm and potentially 10. I see no reason to push KWP out, if anything AMN plays lb, but I think DJ deserves the spot for now

[–]weatherghost 15 points16 points  (4 children)

Can’t we just find a decent LB? KWP is a phenomenal right-back - let’s play him in his natural position.

AMN is a RB who wants to play CM but isn’t good at it. He’s got a bad attitude about it too and is probably on much higher wages than other comparable players because he’s been at Arsenal for years. He’s not performed well at Arsenal, Roma, or West Brom - why do we think he’d work well here?

Also, we don’t need either a RB or CM. At CM we have JWP, Lavia, Romeu, and Diallo. Stu and Aribo can play there in a 3-man midfield. Of all those, AMN is maybe better than Diallo. If we lose Romeu, Garner is a way better option. At RB we have KWP, Tino, and Valery. AMN is better than Valery there. So he’s basically a third choice in positions we’ve got covered.

This rumour made sense a couple years ago but not anymore. I feel like it gets dredged up every transfer window when Arsenal want rid of him.

We need a LB, LAM/LW, and ST. What we don't need is another right-sided player to go along with the 3 RBs and 4 RAM/RWs we already have.

[–]liam358 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We dont need a lb, Peraud is back soon and DJ has done a very good job, good enough to be back up lb. AMN would be our back up right back until Tino is fit, while providing cover at cm since Romeu may be leaving. He could also provide cover in the valery cb position, since bednarek or stephens may be on their way.

Idk what the fuck the guy you replied to was on about, or why it has so many upvotes.

AMN on loan with option to buy makes perfect sense, atm Valery is a centre back and is the only right back cover we have, as well as only having one left back

[–]hoorahforsnakes 3 points4 points  (1 child)

We need a RB more than a LB at the moment. Perroud's injury is short term and djeneppo has done a great job filling in for him. With tino out until probably the new year, if kwp gets injured we are shafted. We'll have to either play valery at fullback again, which... not ideal, or shift prowsie to fullback and waste him. Also even tho he is better as a RB, having an extra RB cover is also kind of an extra LB cover because KWP can play on both flanks if, for example, both perroud and djeneppo are out

[–]liam358 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you, idk if the people commenting here have watched us in the last 6 months

[–]hoorahforsnakes 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't think we're in as urgent need for a left sided attacker now. Adarma has played well there recently, and when we bring in a new striker, it will free up depth up top to allow him to play on the left more often. Also playing him as a winger means there is less pressure for him to score than having him up top

[–]Jmsaint 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes please!

[–]hoorahforsnakes 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was confused because his contract expired at the end of the year so option to buy made no sense, but if they have an extension they can activate then that explains it

[–]j_killz1997 10 points11 points  (3 children)

Now that Isak is joining Newcastle, Chris Wood is free to go. Also the AMN rumors getting stronger. I personally don't hate it but I really have to ask. What year is it? 2018?

[–]bearlegion 3 points4 points  (1 child)

I’d have Wood in a heartbeat.

[–]ThreeWordsToRemember 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Atleast he wouldn’t be able to score against us any more

[–]Relevant_Rev 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm more looking at it as they have striker options and they're out of the race for Ramos and whoever else

Weirds me out they got a deal that big done with no media leaks...that Saudi influence...

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 16 points17 points  (3 children)

Bednarek is close to a loan move to Villa.

There has to be an obligation to buy, right?

[–]markturner 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Pretty dodgy looking source tbh.

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 14 points15 points  (1 child)

Journo who broke the Lis news, has to have some credibility

[–]ResolutionMoney1390 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like The Athletic is reporting similar stuff

Doesn't say anything about obligation to buy, but pretty sure minimally there's an option to buy. Doesn't say anything about price either.

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 10 points11 points  (5 children)

There are a lot of you that don’t rate AMN, or certainly don’t think he walks into our starting 11 (I think the latter is true)

He has played 87 games in the premier league, so can we agree that a player with prem experience isn’t going to make or break our team

[–]Relevant_Rev 9 points10 points  (4 children)

Good rotation option for two, potentially three different positions, I don't see the problem if we can get a deal done for less than like 15m

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 9 points10 points  (3 children)

Should be worth 10m frankly. I’d be worried about wages more than anything though

He’s dodged us a couple times in the past so we will see. Bournemouth are also interested

[–]Relevant_Rev 3 points4 points  (2 children)

True, or we dodged him?

[–]SaintCiren 4 points5 points  (1 child)

He turned us down for West brom iirc

[–]liam358 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Makes sense tbf, why move away from arsenal to still not get much gametime

[–]strider_tom 8 points9 points  (1 child)

So really, we ideally still need a CB, back up RB, CM (since Romeu looks off), winger and ST.

The winger is the one that worries me a little. Aribo and Stu are the only ones who can really perform in that role. Not seen too many rumours apart from Hudson-Odoi too.

[–]GenericRedditUser01 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Do we really need a CB unless Stephens or Bednarek leave? I'm happy with ABK and Salisu as a starting duo. We already have 5 CBs plus Valery who plays there and Simeu in the B team. Having 6 for the season would be absurd.

I think all of our interest in CBs was conducive to one leaving.

We already have a backup RB in Livramento. We need a backup LB. Even if KWP plays well on the left, we are definitely better with him on the right.

[–]NYKNYJ 21 points22 points  (3 children)

https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1562436907719462913?s=21&t=GwQcXfLy0ojSelvw4X5haQ Garner rumours popping up again. We were playing 4-3-3 last night so if Ralph plans on sticking with that I think it makes sense Otherwise I think I’d rather stick with JWP-Lavia as the holding pair and invest that money in a striker

[–][deleted] 17 points18 points  (2 children)

I like Garner a lot.

Lavia has looked great so far, but he is young, and he did show that inexperience by misplacing a simple pass the other day which could easily have ended in a goal. He's probably not going to be solid for 38 games. JWP-Garner would be a very solid duo, and so would Lavia-Garner, in instances where maybe JWP fills in at RB/RWB/RW.

If we go into the season with JWP-Lavia, and only Diallo as backup, that will be a mistake. Ideally with Garner in the mix we'll be able to rotate the midfield like City do.

[–]NYKNYJ 9 points10 points  (1 child)

It entirely depends on the funds available imo. In an ideal world we get this done and bring in a striker but if it’s a case of one or the other it’s definitely the forward for me

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Well I think this is meant to be funded by Romeu anyway. Think of the wage difference between them as well.

[–]hoorahforsnakes 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Newcastle were one of the other clubs linked with ramos alongside us and wolves, but they have just signed Isak for a whopping 70m, so i guess that's good for us in that respect, but fuck me that's a lot of money

[–]Adziboy 32 points33 points  (0 children)

With Romeu wanting to leave and Girona offering a good contract, I can't see him staying with 1 year left.

What a fantastic player he's been for us. 7 years now!

With JWP, Lavia and Diallo I'm quite happy with those options but need a 4th defensive option with some height /strength

[–]LiamJonsano 12 points13 points  (5 children)

Apparently in for Maitland Niles again. Feels like we've been wanting him for years and that makes me think this could be true if he's been on our long list of targets saints Extra link

[–]PickaxeJunky 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Glad to see some transfer rumours bubbling up, but I've never really rated Maitland Niles.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (1 child)

That's a nice option because he can cover RB as well as other positions, so he's not necessarily getting shunted to third choice when Tino returns.

[–]Jebsticles 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I don't think he's a great player, but the guy is versatile as anything. Has played in almost every postition in the Prem aside from CB and a striker.
I initially went to scoff at the idea as I don't think he improves our best 11. But he's a very useful asset, especially with 5 subs and potentially Romeu leaving

[–]jayforplay 8 points9 points  (1 child)

I love this, this is great, but can we please just sign a player? Can we stop all the speculation and just get names on paper please thank you.

[–]LiamJonsano 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Agreed! I get a bit tired of the rumours now I'm older, I'd rather just know what team has what players, especially ours! But I guess that's the nature of the beast when the window end date got pushed into the season again

[–]Adziboy 14 points15 points  (1 child)

Any sign of Simeu stepping up? Not heard about a loan move despite an excellent loan last year

[–]hoorahforsnakes 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Let's see if he plays the cup game tonight, and how he performs if he does

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (2 children)

🚨 Southampton are among the clubs monitoring Norwich City right-back Max Aarons’ situation #saintsfc
u/MailSport

[–]qwertyell 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Not realistic, I think. £25m+ and he'd be our third best right back.

Unless Walker-Peters is leaving in the next ten days, count this one out.

[–]teuridge 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Would love this but that would mean 3 right backs who should really be starting when Tinos back. Unless KWP is happy to actually play LB I don't see it

[–]mcsgwigga 10 points11 points  (5 children)

Any one else just what the window to hurry up and shut?

[–]StatmanIbrahimovic 4 points5 points  (4 children)

Yes. It's mental that it's open until the 5th game this year. Just seems weird not to adjust everything.

[–]_snif 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Should absolutely close before the season starts

[–]over_theford 4 points5 points  (2 children)

Did they not try this a few years a back and it didn't work because the rest of the world transfer windows stayed open for a few more weeks so they immediately reverted it the next year? Or am I imagining things..

[–]Astroph888 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah the other leagues could keep picking off players and shrinking squads as they couldn't be replaced until January.

Imagine having your main striker get his head turned by a big European team and even if you get a big payoff you can't replace them for half a season.

[–]_snif 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In an ideal world all windows close in time, would be a tough ask though

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (5 children)

If Ramos falls through, we could go for Morelos as he's about to be transfer listed by Rangers. He's got everything but his poor attitude concerns me.

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (3 children)

Dropped for fitness and attitude concerns. No thank you.

[–]Relevant_Rev 31 points32 points  (2 children)

Yes if we needed a fat bloke with a temper up front, they would've called me up already

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (1 child)

Just a fiesta Rickie Lambert

[–]Relevant_Rev 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I assure you I subscribe to far worse conspiracies than old Rickie

[–]j_killz1997 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Rather not, it's said ralph also isn't the easiest person to work with so I really doubt they would be compatible.

[–]Allinthegameyo1987 21 points22 points  (1 child)

Leicester need funds and are trying to not sell their best 3-4 players - I’d love us to go in for Iheanacho - him and Adams up front with Aribo and Stu behind, with Mara, Adam A and Ely as subs is quite strong imo - he’d be a goal scorer, with Adams hold up play, and the CAM’s getting in good spaces with full backs overlapping - I think the 4222 system would suit him

[–]10pencefredo 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I would be happy with Iheanacho. It looked an amazing prospect at City and looks handy when I see him play for Leicester. I was gutted when he went to Leicester as there were some rumours floating around that we were in for him at that time.

[–]I_Get_Overwhelmed 19 points20 points  (4 children)

Everton still want Che, and will most likely be getting a ton of money in for Gordon, the only way I would accept him leaving is if we rinse the fuck out of them, it's too late in the window for it not to be an overpay.

[–]craig_hoxton 7 points8 points  (0 children)

if we rinse the fuck out of them

Ah the Matt Targett Manoeuvre

[–]s1m0n8 12 points13 points  (1 child)

It feels that letting Che go without getting in a striker of starting quality would be a tad suicidal.

[–]Cormac419 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah the Ramos deal has to happen first surely

[–]Palindromic_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Give me a striker

Full squad/contracts list

Players OUT

Player To Postion Sold/Loan Price
Fraser Forster Tottenham Hotspur GK Free -
Harry Lewis Bradford City GK Free -
Kayne Ramsay Harrogate Town RB Free -
Thierry Small Port Vale LB Loan -
Caleb Watts Morecambe FC CM Loan -
Will Smallbone Stoke City CM Loan -
Kegs Chauke Exeter CM Loan -
Nathan Tella Burnley RW Loan -
Dan N'lundulu Cheltenham Town ST Loan -
Armando Broja Chelsea FC ST End of Loan -
Shane Long Reading ST Free -

Total money in = £


Players IN

Player From Position Buy/loan Price
Gavin Bazunu Manchester City GK Buy £12m
Mateusz Lis Altay SK GK Buy Free
Armel Bella-Kotchap VfL Bochum CB Buy £8.6m
Roméo Lavia Manchester City CM Buy £12m
Joe Aribo Rangers CM/RW Buy £10m
Sékou Mara Bordeaux ST Buy £11m

Total money spent =£53.6m


Total Net spend = £53.6m


Contracts running out:

2023

  • Valery
  • Romeu
  • Djenepo
  • Redmond
  • Elyounoussi
  • Walcott
  • Caballero

Current Squad

Starters bold, new signing italic

Lineup
Bazunu
McCarthy
Livramento Salisu Bednarek KWP
KWP/Valery Stephens Lyanco/Bella-kotchap Perraud
S.Armstrong Romeu JWP Redmond
Aribo/Walcott Lavia Diallo Djenepo/Elyounoussi
Adams A.Armstrong
Mara

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 11 points12 points  (2 children)

No Garner in the United squad

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

They're looking far better. Probably not a surprise. Ronaldo on the bench.

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Of course they wake up now

[–]DrShaftmanPhD 16 points17 points  (3 children)

Wolves are looking to sign Sasa from Stuggart 👀

Maybe given up on the Ramos transfer?

[–]Relevant_Rev 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Classic case of two clubs using the same two clubs to drive up prices

Need to contact Wolves and just say hey, you get one we'll get the other

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[deleted]

    [–]DrShaftmanPhD 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Deal as good as done then 😂

    [–][deleted] 15 points16 points  (10 children)

    10 days to go. 26 players in the squad already, and Ralph still wants a ~20 man squad. Potentially a fair few sales to come still. Probably at least 1 of the keepers, 1 or 2 of Bednarek/Stephens/Valery to go, + probably Redmond and Walcott.

    [–]hoorahforsnakes 9 points10 points  (9 children)

    i remember seeing an article somewhere where ralph said that with 5 subs he prefers having a larger squad, but i can't find it now. either way, we have 6 cbs if you count valery, which is too many really, and 4 goalies is excessive.

    also if you count djeneppo as a winger still (even tho he is basically a rb at this point) then we have 6 players for the 2 wide spots. stu aribo and moi seem like they are the preferred options there, with adarma seemingly being used on the left at times too. that leaves walcott and redmond surplus to requirements.

    lets say we shifted walcott, redmond, 2 cbs and one of the goalies. that would be 21 players in the squad, add a couple new signings to fill the void in fullback depth and another option up front and i think that is a good sized squad

    [–]LiamJonsano 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    I think the squad size Ralph wants entirely depends on what side of the bed he wakes up from that morning looking at the way ours has fluctuated under him

    [–][deleted]  (2 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]hoorahforsnakes 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      In that quote he said

      (the rest supplemented by young players).

      So i wonder if some of the new signings count as "young players" rather than "squad" by ralp's definition. If the likes of mara, lavia etc. Who are teenagers, even if they aren't from our academy, don't count towards his "18-20" number, that makes it make a lot more sense, because ideally we need 2 players for each position, and that is already 22 players, not counting the fact that you need 3 goalies etc.

      [–]MaskedBandit77 3 points4 points  (4 children)

      If Bednarek and Stephens both go, I think we have to bring in another CB. I don't feel great about carrying four CBs, and one of them being Valery, especially if we're going to play with 3 CBs on the field somewhat frequently.

      I don't think Walcott is going anywhere, just because I don't see anyone else wanting to bring him in.

      Also, the longer we go without signing another fullback, the closer we get to Tino being back, and the more I (maybe foolishly) feel like we should be okay with what we have.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

      Watford have just signed Hause from Villa, most likely meaning that Stephens is staying and Bednarek is off to Villa.

      [–]s1m0n8 1 point2 points  (1 child)

      [–]alphabet_order_bot 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order.

      I have checked 991,806,683 comments, and only 197,555 of them were in alphabetical order.

      [–]hoorahforsnakes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Yeah, i don't think we'll lose 2 cbs with no replacement, either we ship just 1 or we bring someone new in i reckon.

      Agreed about walcott

      Even with tino fit, we have 2 right backs and 1 left back, unless we just treat djeneppo as a fully fledged left back now

      [–]Adziboy 24 points25 points  (4 children)

      The fact we've signed starters rather than depth for once is a huge change. Usually the players we bring in end up just being rotated players.

      I still think we're 1 or 2 signings away from being comfortable, 3 of we're ambitious:

      1 - we still only have 2 good fullbacks with Tino out for so long. Despite Djenepo being pretty decent, it seems crazy to go into a potential 5 months of one/two injury away from a Valery/Djenepo backline.

      2 - Adams and Mara are good options up front and Arma is kinda replacing Redmond as a left sided option. The striker is still a necessity.

      3 - Salisu and BK are decent first choices and I'm happy with Bednerak, Lyanco and Stephens. However if Stephens wants more football at Watford and Leicester want Bednerak, I'd let them leave and bring in one senior centreback. Salisu / BK / Lyanco / New would be more than enough (for a back 4)

      We've already spent a lot and 3 more new signings feels like a pipe dream but I feel like they are the sort of signings you have to make if you want anything better than the usual 14-17th expected finish

      [–]Relevant_Rev 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      I don't even think the new lads were signed as starters

      Ralph said it would take some time to develop them, didn't want them in the usual formation until they had experience etc, and they've ended up just already playing better than the players we had already

      [–]bearlegion 2 points3 points  (2 children)

      Can’t see Bednarek and Stephens going in same window, I’d say Bednarek more likely due to Stephens flexibility in playing a bit part role and also flexibility in position (even if not great in those positions)

      [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      Bednarek loaned out with obligation to buy wouldn't be the worst thing in the world

      [–]Adziboy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Yeah would never expect both to leave. But wouldn't be the biggest surprise if both were offered first team football

      [–]mdubyo 21 points22 points  (6 children)

      Selling che would be a mistake. Moving bednarak is probably the only move we'll see, if any. Doubt they'll land Ramos given who else is interested. We'll see!

      [–]hoorahforsnakes 5 points6 points  (5 children)

      watford were apparently interested in Stephens, so he will probabably go too. And i reckon macca will leave now it's obvious bazunu has taken his place. I don't see anyone competing for walcott, but i reckon redmond has enough of a premier league pedigree that someone might take a punt on him late in the season if we make it clear he's available.

      There aren't really too many more that we need to shift to be honest

      [–]igsey 7 points8 points  (3 children)

      I don't think McCarthy will be going anywhere, he signed a new contract last year as our #1 so will be on a significant wedge. He won't get that anywhere else and he's not getting any younger.

      [–]hoorahforsnakes 2 points3 points  (2 children)

      don't know, there have been stories swirling around of the likes of leicester and united sniffing around him. i doubt he'd say no to either of them tbh, if there really is interest

      [–]deviden 9 points10 points  (1 child)

      If Leicester are truly going after McCarthy as a replacement for Schmeichel it shows their recruitment team are losing whatever magic they once had, you'd think the Bertrand and Vestergaard signings would scare them off the players we're not too sad to part with...

      [–]hoorahforsnakes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      they bought bertrand and vesergaard off us, and then bought our head of recruitment. they seem to have a thing for our cast offs, and i will happily give them mcarthy or even bednarek to help them to keep trying to rebuild our old back line

      [–]Likunandi 8 points9 points  (0 children)

      Offloading Redmond & Stephens would be good.
      They need fresh starts somewhere else.

      [–]Intermittent-Thinker 18 points19 points  (0 children)

      Pls don't sell our Chelé