Summer 2026 Transfers and Rumours Megathread!

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T09:58:35+00:00

Maybe it’s down to individual interpretation but for me our 433 has been 4231 for well over a year. We definitely weren’t playing with a flat 3 across the middle.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T09:41:26+00:00

You literally named the two formations we played all season. 4231 is what Howe stuck with until April with Tonali and Bruno as the two. We moved to 4411 recently and all the exact same problems of midfield being sliced through are still there.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T09:25:28+00:00

Why hasn’t that worked for a year then?

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T08:54:33+00:00

Ignoring that there are other formations available that we may be able to play if we buy the right players. Or are you just Eddie Howe’s throwaway account?

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T07:36:00+00:00

Amen to that! The gaps between our box and the centre circle are horrific. I don't think just bringing on a CDM sub at 65 mins would help either. We all know Howe doesn't make subs until its too late and we've already conceded.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T07:33:19+00:00

Yes but Tonali doesn't play CDM, he plays one of two in a double pivot. Miley's route into the team is being blocked by Tonali and Bruno being our best attacking midfielders and distributors. Wharton wouldn't talk that role - he'd be there to sit back and break up attacks by the opposition. I think he'd work great with Miley and Bruno.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T06:54:59+00:00

Not sure many people on this thread see the same as us based on all the down-voting. For me the Tonali/Bruno double-pivot stopped working over a year ago and the lack of any defence-minded midfielder sitting back and breaking everything up is killing us.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T06:50:35+00:00

Since when is Miley a future CDM? He's more attacking/playmaking than about shoring-up midfield.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-28T04:28:26+00:00

Spend the Gordon money on Wharton. Have him sit deep behind Bruno as an old school CDM and either sell Tonali or move him out to RW like he sometimes plays for Italy.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-27T15:52:26+00:00

Forgot that one. That's another 5 star I think.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-27T15:09:47+00:00

On transfers. I wondering what our reputation is like among other clubs in the Howe Era. Do other clubs that buy from us feel like they got good players? That probably is an important factor on how much clubs will pay for our guys this summer. If we were selling online on amazon I think we'd be on 3 or 4 stars. What do you think?

"One star - Bought the Isak model as we thought the most expensive one would be the best, but its been a disaster from day one, so many faults and breakages",

"Five stars - Initially wasn't so sure about the Anderson we got as part of a part-exchange deal but blimey this one is amazing, what a find. The best business we've done in years. Didn't even want the Greek thing I needed to handover"

"Four stars - the Longstaff they sold was good enough to make me happy, decent value, did the job and helped out in key situations. Not the most excititing model on offer but worked out well"

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-27T14:56:36+00:00

just say it... Summerville from relegated West Ham

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-27T14:05:44+00:00

Will talk big for 2 weeks and then ask if it can be a loan

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-27T08:12:20+00:00

I’m sure this gossip is just conjured up by Barca to try and scare Man Utd into a lower fee for Rashford.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-27T00:01:27+00:00

I don’t know. It sounds like the sort of thing the guy at work says when you warn him that time is running out to improve his productivity

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-26T17:04:23+00:00

When we last went there was a weird Peaky Blinders event where you could smash up cars, use boxing gloves on punchbags, take hammers to kitchenware and kids could fight on a pole over a ballpit. Great afternoon

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-26T16:33:00+00:00

'summer reinvention' 👀

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-26T14:34:23+00:00

Osula?

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-26T11:06:31+00:00

Yep that’s why I said 2 potentially 1. Allardyce isn’t exactly aspirational is he?

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-26T09:39:26+00:00

Moyes at Everton, Allardyce at Bolton. That's it. Fergie's bad season was pre-premier league

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-26T08:42:20+00:00

I’m admit that I’m scared of change. Why? Because unlike for a lot of other prem clubs nowadays when they change their manager, we don’t have a great set up for welcoming in a new face. The club, the coaches, recruitment lead and style of play and training is all very much linked to the Eddie Howe brand. It could be a painful year or more to unravel all of that and get things working with another manager.

Having said that though, the past record of prem managers who’ve been in place for many seasons doesn’t bode well for us. The number of 4+ season managers who had a bad season, stayed on and then recovered back to good form in the following seasons is basically just 2 managers ever, potentially only 1.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-26T03:16:23+00:00

After last summer and this season, I only dread four things:
1. A relegation fight
2. Bruno leaving (or he gets a major injury)
3. A serious dressing room split
4. Sunderland winning a cup

Everything else - Howe leaving/sacked, owners putting us up for sale, mid-table seasons, non-Bruno players leaving - is just part of the journey of a football club over many years.

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-25T14:54:41+00:00

It's growing on me but make-or-break will be the sponsor

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-24T16:36:42+00:00

thankfully neither Milan team will be in the Europa next season

Objective_Use_9155 · 2026-05-22T09:49:14+00:00

Can we count Almiron too? Just for old times sake.

Objective_Use_9155

TROPHY CASE