Posted in the unreliable rumours thread, but it’s Joyce and we know one of the older LBs is gonna go. The Robbo to Atletico move fizzled out so far more likely that Tsimikas goes. Forest so far only named club, but Joyce also mentions other domestic and European interest
4 Likes
20m pounds and we’ll start talking. Any less and Forest can fuck off.
1 Like
Forest’s owner is Greek, also owns Tsimikas’ previous club (Olympiacos), so there might be another connection aside from the sporting one. He’s a good and dependable player but since he’s mostly been there as competition to Robertson (and having been a cheap signing anyway), I assume that Liverpool won’t drive a hard bargain there. It would be nice to get 20 million pounds, though.
4 Likes
He’s just turned 29, we paid 12m for him 5 years ago and he’s been reliable and clearly good enough to play CL and for a team at the top of the PL. He’s a bargain at 20m
2 Likes
And that’s exactly why we shouldn’t let him go. 20m is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Strength in depth on the other hand is invaluable.
1 Like
I’m not sure we can carry 3 LBs, none of whom are great at CB when we are crying out for more depth there.
3 Likes
A change of guard, rejuvenation of the team… I assume his departure would be a part of that process, as well as Robertson’s likely departure in a year’s time. Hughes is building Slot a new team, I’d say. It also doesn’t make much sense to have three left backs, especially when the team needs to free up space for signings because of homegrown quota.
1 Like
We are one of the biggest clubs on earth. We can and we should.
3 left backs when you don’t have 4 CBs.
Robbo I would agree if I am honest, I am not sure about Tsimikas.
1 Like
Been a great signing given what we paid, very reliable squad player and seems well liked amongst his peers…but it’s clear it was always going to be 1 of Kostas/Robbo to make way as it makes no sense carrying 3 LBs into the season.
Should easily be able to get back what we paid for him, if not a little more. Then put it towards Leoni who looks the real deal.
1 Like
Except with Nunez going that means we’ve one non homegrown spot free, presumably earmarked for Isak.
If we don’t get a homegrown CB then we might well need a spot for a non-homegrown one.
Ultimately don’t mind if he stays providing we address other areas but it’s probably better he move on at this stage.
3 Likes
Sounds like Arsenal
I like Kostas, he’s been good for us, accepted being a backup without ever complaining about it but we don’t need three leftbacks that all taking up non-homegrown options in the squad.
So it would be good to move him on now and give us an extra non-homegrown option for a position that we need more depth in.
1 Like
We don’t need three left backs. Robbo or Kostas was always going to go.
2 Likes
Had a feeling before the window opened he’d end up at Forrest. Mainly due to his relationship with Marinakis from his time at Olympiacos.
1 Like
I can understand carrying someone like Gomez who can slip across the defensive backline. Won’t even mind one more like that.
But carrying 3 LBs is a luxury. Looked as if Robbo might be on the way out earlier. Seems it’s Tsimikas right now. As long as we get what we paid for him plus a little extra , it’s fine.
1 Like
Im led to believe hes meeting representatives from Leeds too next week.
1 Like
Not with the limitations over non homegrown players. If we free up another spot it gives us more flexibility with the negotiations over Guehi.
1 Like
I totally understand the need to rejuvenate the squad, but not at once. Assuming that Kerkez beds in well and delivers as we hope he will, and providing that we have some quality in the youth team at LB, then Tsimi could go in January for instance.
But letting him go right now has the potential to put us in a very difficult situation if something happens. Imagine a long-term injury for Kerkez in september. What happens then? Robbo plays every minute of every game until we find someone in January?
As said, maybe there is a brilliant youngster ready to be Robbo’s and Kerkez’ understudy, and then Tsimi is less important. But if that is not the case, he should stay for a while yet. He’s as reliable as it gets, has the experience, and most importantly, the winning mentality.
I realise that getting in Kerkez was always going to mean that one of Robbo or Tsimi eventually leaves. But the timing of that departure is crucial.
A problem we could have easily avoided by keeping Quansah.
Keeping Quansah doesn’t help with signing Non homegrown players.