There’s that Gakpo fella, too, he ain’t too bad. That said, I expect at least two forwards to be signed this summer.
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Diaz and Nunez to go with Rodrygo and Isak to take their spots.
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I don’t know how I forgot him. That does make me feel a bit better, though I agree that two forwards are a must if we sell Diaz and Nunez.
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My god my head is spinning today from this summer’s moves. This is so very different from recent history.
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You mentioned Cody, but not Gakpo. I think tey are the same person.
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I edited it to add Cody.
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Someone needs to put him in touch with Sadio.
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I’m 100% sure this won’t be how the club are thinking but for me deciding whether or not to let Diaz go would depend entirely on whether it’s Isak or Ekiteke at number 9.
If it’s Isak, sound, let Diaz go if he wants to leave and an offer big enough comes in. Isak is of huge quality and obviously proven in the league and I’d have no doubts about his ability to slot right in and hit the ground running.
If it’s Ekiteke then for me Diaz has to stay no matter what. Hugo is an exciting player and I’d be right behind him but there’s no question that it’s a bit of a risk and if he didn’t hit the ground running (which would be fine and we all need to give him time and patience) we’d need someone we can rely on to step in and play minutes at 9. Diaz is the only one that fits the bill.
No, he isn’t. Cody Gakpo can play as LW and CF. I think Cody is due some respect on here.
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Cody has much respect from me. He’s a great left winger, but he hasn’t convinced centrally for whatever reason. There’s a reason Diaz was preferred there.
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Ekitike like Isak favours the left side more. He can play both as the Left Inside forward or the CF.
Cody on the other hand is a more traditional winger.
Either way it likely looks like a swap for one of Diaz or Nunez. We’ll likely keep Chiesa who can play both left and right too.
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I don’t really feel Diaz has convinced me centrally that’s why we are looking to buy one. I don’t think this particularly changes that it’s evident we need a striker.
With Ekitike joining I’d still keep Diaz. Tell him he can leave next year if he wants.
Let Nunez go.
Forward options for this season of Salah, Gakpo, Diaz, Ekitike, and Wirtz is healthy particularly with our high energy style necessitating rotation and Salah off to the AFCON in January.
After that the only business remaining would be sorting Konate’s immediate future and bringing in a top quality CB.
Departures such as Elliott and Tsimikas/Robertson can happen later, if at all.
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I’d be happy if the remaining incomings for the first team this year are Ekitike and a CB. Would take care of our two areas that badly need reinforcement and Diaz can compete to be first choice on the left and be backup to Ekitike.
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One of the LBs will have to go because of homegrown rules, apparently.
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Agree with this although you’ve left of Chiesa.
I’d also be prepared to let Diaz (and Chiesa) go if we could bring in Rodrygo.
A CB signing is essential and hopefully Guéhi is instead earmarked to come on a free to balance out the loss of Konate.
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I don’t think we have a choice unless we’re willing to go out and buy another forward. With Diogo’s passing and Nunez on the way out, losing Diaz would really limit our rotation options even if we bring in Ekitike. AFCON would be a major challenge. And any injuries to our forward line would quickly leave us in a precarious position.
I honestly think we should keep Diaz, buy Ekitike, and buy another forward as well that we can spend the next few months bedding in before potentially selling Diaz in the winter window.
Diaz staying or going would, for me, be heavily influenced by the player’s intent, and the strength of his intent. If he really wants to go, I would sell. We don’t need a disgruntled player in the new group that is coming together.
Still, it’s a matter of degrees, and Slot needs to assess. If he would rather go, but will still knuckle down and give his all if he doesn’t get a move or a new contract, fine. Bring it on as he is a good player.
I’ve been banging the Malick Fofana drum as a versatile, fast winger we could sign and develop further. He would be useful now, rotating in and out, and if he kicks on then in time he might even be in the conversation to replace Salah, but we are not there yet.
Given the high quality we have throughout the team and squad, we can easily accommodate such a winger to develop. Further along than Ngumoha, but would not expect to start all the time just yet.
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