That’s a big IF though…
I also think the team chemistry isn’t right anymore. Klopp somehow always managed to keep everyone happy. Everyone was important, there was more of a sense of community, etc. Everyone got their playing time, etc.
Imo Slot has maybe destroyed the group dynamic by always relying on the same players, regardless of whether they’re in form or not. As long as things are going well, you might be able to get away with that, but the way things are looking right now, I think some of the players who never or only rarely get to play are pretty frustrated by now. This also prevents these players from feeling a sense of belonging.
I noticed it in the last press conference when he said, “Joe might be able to help us.” It sounded like Joe wasn’t part of this group.
I can’t judge how the internal communication works there, but I have a really bad feeling about it now. In my opinion, he finally needs to start involving everyone more, if you know what I mean.
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I dont buy that Diaz wanted to leave. He just wanted a better deal. We underpaid him for years so a pay rise was well due. I said at the time losing him would be a blow and boy is it a blow.
He worked so hard for the team. Had a great season last season and we let him go. Huge mistake.
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The rumours about his low wages were fake.
To whom you give contracts that take them into their 30’s is always a good question.
If you give extensions to all of them, then there’s the danger of Barca happening, when their golden team grew old together.
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Hes 29 in Jan so 2 more years wouldve been fine then sell him.
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Of course Slot has destroyed the group dynamic.He rewards poor performances all the time.Konate could score 3 own goals against West Ham and you know he will play against Sunderland.There is no accountability.
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Why would he accept a new 2-year deal, because it suits us?
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However bad he is he’s still probably better than putting Endo or Gravenberch there for many reasons.
That’s what sucks!
I think Kerkez is a good signing and has already shown that (with further coaching) he will nail down the LB position and be a great addition for many years to come. Frimpong the jury is certainly out, not simply because of his injuries and lack of game time, but also because he doesn’t really fit how we would have expected our RB to be playing. There is a sense that understanding how he can best be integrated into the side is still unclear - does he actually play higher up the pitch?
I think he means he could have had a three year deal and be sold after two (if necessary)
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Again, most probably not what he would’ve accepted. 4-5 years would be his natural target at the stage he was, like it usually is.
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Yes very likely all 3, in a playground. Im just wondering if it was inevitable, given the unavoidable transition, and they’ve just tried to flip it, and it hasnt worked at all. The impact of that transition could have been minimised if they hadn’t gone all out.
I keep ending up in the same place, as @ISMF, I just do not think Slot is capable of rectifying it, or filling the void from Klopp. Whilst not really anyone is, we could have gone for someone more closer to Klopp’s profile, but Slot is at the other end.
Another concern is if these results keep crushing us, some players could suffer damage to their mentality, and this might already have started. Salah VVD Konate and Mac all look totally affected by it. Which is another aspect to the loss of fighting spirit. This pales back into my preceding point, that I just dont think Slot can lift them out of it, he’s just not charismatic.
It was again the length of the contract, the age profile, and the salary desired that was the issue. I don’t think there was ever a question of quality.
Quality always plays a part, but I know what you want to say.
Diaz was great for us last season in doing a job up front and on the wing. We went up a level when Slot decided to form a trio of Salah, Gakpo and Diaz.
Jota and Nunez both provided in their own ways, but the mentioned 3 were our main and best attack last season.
But ultimately, a decision had to be made; either a new long term contract or accepting an important offer (probably higher than Barca could go) which we got from Bayern in the end.
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The other aspect of ‘missing’ Diaz is that the new boys haven’t performed yet, so it’s natural to look back to what we had before.
We will come good again, hopefully sooner rather than later, hopefully under Slot, but obviously there are question marks on those things. What is clear is we have some smashing players and we are not getting a tune out of them. Slot or someone else will.
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Give him 3 or 4 sell him after 2.
Offer him 3 and see what he says.
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Daily express saying Luis Enrique could be a replacement for arne if he goes .
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He did plan to takeover a PL side in the past, taking time to learn English, etc.
But what was offered to him, he didn’t like as a project. I think Spurs were in, maybe some other clubs.
For now, I don’t think he would run away from PSG, because it’s really exciting what they’re doing.
His contract is up to 2027, so we’ll see what happens. I guess PSG would love to extend with him.
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Enrique is a really good manager, so yes please, if it gets to the end of the line with Slot. Chances are there’s nothing in it at the moment, as he has a young PSG side who should be there or thereabouts for everything over the next few years. He has built that and presumably he would want to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
If there is any wrinkle we don’t know about with his employer, and he’s open to a move, bring it on. And bring Barcola too.
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