Well it was better than 14 other teams at that time.
Did I miss something? Has Robertson announced his retirement?
No, Robbo hasn’t announced anything as far as I know. I think the assumption is we will sign a new first choice left back. At that point it’s up for grabs who will stay between Robbo and Tsimikas - my guess would be we sell Tsimikas, and Robbo rotates/beds in the new left back, before riding off to Celtic at the end of his contract.
On the right back side, we don’t know until it’s confirmed, but Trent has looked like he’s off to Real Madrid for a while.
Whatever permutations happen, Trent and Robbo as our fullbacks seems like it is coming to the end of an era.
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My point was that it’s a premature obituary. It will happen eventually. Just not necessarily now.
Yeah, the era of Trent and Robbo as automatic first choice full backs is over whatever happens over the summer.
What a fantastic pairing they have been.
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Are you guys (and of course the ladies too) happy to start the new season with:
VVD (aging)
Konate (frequent injuries)
Quansah (not matured yet)
Gomez
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Not particularly, but we still have to see what Slot’s plans are. The question is, could we sign a suitable CB within a sensible budget?
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After completing Wirtz and Kerkez, I believe the focus will be more on maximizing sales.
Then, also depending on the market situation, opportunities and the rest of our targets (be it a striker, defender or midfielder), we might bring more.
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No Ifti, I share your implied concern.
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You forgot to list Endo!
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Not happy, per se, but if we make other signings e.g. Frimpong, Kerkez, Wirtz and Ekitike, and it means we go into next season with the same four central defenders named, I can live with that.
I don’t think it will come to that, but I could live with it. Then summer 2026 would be the time to see what’s what and sort out the central defence, after all the other parts of the team have been rebuilt.
Again, I don’t think it will come to that as there are too many question marks around the current central defence, but if we keep it together for one more season, I’m ok.
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It’s the four CBs we just won the league with so it’s not exactly a terrible situation.
I reckon any change in that unit comes as a result of Gomez or Quansah wanting a chance to play more and someone sticking a very sizeable offer on the table.
Otherwise I think we go as we are next season and work out what’s happening with Konate’s contract before doing anything significant there.
Not personally what I’d do but what I think we will do.
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Quansah will be one year older, with a lot more experience under his belt. As others have said, this is the league-winning quartet, and if all things go well, Quansah will probably become more reliable for us than last season. The most concerning thing is Gomez’ injury record, as we know that the poor lad will get injured at some point. With Konate, it’s different. Let’s cross fingers that he has the worst part of injuries behind him and will remain fit. In that case, we’ll be perfectly sound. Especially as VVD, our key cog, looks likely to remain the same man-mountain than he has been for us, fingers crossed!
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That’s a very big if there Hopey, the chances of Gomez and Ibou remaining fit for a whole season are minimal. I wish it was otherwise.
Yeah, it’s a bit of a conundrum. If we bring in a new CB (if we don’t promote a youngster from the academy, who knows?), one of the four current ones has to go.
My preferred option would be to send Quansah on loan and bring in someone who can cover Virg and Ibou. Basically a fit version of JoGo. I don’t think another season on the bench will be good for Jarrel’s development.
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There is a possibility that a CB arrives, if Gomez is needed more to backup at RB, if we realize that Frimpong isn’t really capable to play RB in a back 4, unless it’s against a poor side.
Lots of ifs, but valid questions.
I just don’t want huge pressure to be put on Bradley and Kerkez. One needs to prove he can stay fit and perform as a regular starter for longer periods. The other one is arriving at the top level.
I hope it all turns out fine, but I won’t be shocked if by September or October we judge Frimpong is one for mainly backup on the wing.
It’s much easier to say about a wing back “he’s flexible, he can do it” than actually do it. What, one week play as a RB in a back 4 and then in a few days come in for Salah?
That’s a big difference. It’s not the same (quality and proven) flexibility as playing Jones as a double pivot or #10.
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Yeah, the Frimpong purchase is puzzling. Not that he’s not a good player, but, as you say, it’s hard to see how he fits into our system.
Like everyone else, I’m assuming he’s going to play further back than he did for BL, but who knows?