A link to Mateta.
3 Likes
erâŠperhaps exactly because we just sold one?
Our centre forwards were probably the weakest part of the team last season with us preferring a Diaz playing there rather than in his preferred role on the wing. With Nunez not appearing to fit the side and Diogo passing away we should absolutely be looking to strengthen that part of the squad.
10 Likes
Considering Jottaâs injury rate, one of the young lads like Danâs could take that spot but selling someone only to take a punt on someone else isnât ideal.
.
In regards to the CB could Bajetic be slated for that role.
1 Like
Anything Baj ever gives us should be considered a happy bonus at this point.
2 Likes
If heâs cheap heâd be a decent rotational option
How does that maintain the levels of the forward line, let along improve it (particularly in a season when Mo is likely to be off to AFCON)?
Jota was in effect second choice behind Diaz, so I fail to see why we should be giving his place to a youngster who is himself having problems with injuries and so played relatively little football over the last year or shown a consistency that demands such a promotion. If he is ready for first team playing opportunities, he can be given them without such a commitment.
Furthermore, given the prices being bandied around for players in this market, and what we know about the processes our recruitment team follow, I think itâs inaccurate to say they are simply âtaking a puntâ.
How many games has he played over the last couple of years and in what position? Arne will have had little opportunity to see what this lad offers to justify him being given the fourth CB spot, particularly when Bajetic has had his own fair share of injuries since he broke into the first team squad.
2 Likes
It should also be noted that Bajcetic is currently recovering from surgery following a hamstring injury and will miss the pre-season. Poor lad.
4 Likes
Good luck to him in his recovery. Rotten timing, as I was hoping that after playing in Spain, and looking quite good again, he might be able to catch Slotâs eye in preseason and add some depth to the midfield, in anticipation of a couple of exits.
You never say never, but it is getting harder to see Bajcetic break through at Liverpool. A younger breed like Nyoni is starting to march up the hill to get to the fringes that should already be occupied by the likes of Bajcetic.
Good luck to him though. You never know. He looked a good player when he started to make the breakthrough here, but it has stalled.
2 Likes
Weâve now only got three senior centre backs. Four at a push of you count Endo. After that itâs an 18 year old with almost zero first team experience and what little he has had has shown him to be some way off being ready.
As for strikers, we donât have âour present bunchâ any longer. And if Nunez goes thatâs even less of last yearâs group. And we donât need a project, we need a quality player.
Thereâs a part of me that thinks we may have put a pause on everything for a bit but deals are pretty much agreed. Reckon Palace might be keen not to let Guehi go until after the Community Shield, especially if heâs leaving to come here. And Ekitike seems to surely be on the move and Frankfurt have signed a CF already this summer.
Expect us to wait until Nunez has moved on before we see any movement on the striker front. Partly for squad/finance balancing but also it can then be framed as the new guy being âa Nunez replacementâ rather than being seen as us replacing Jota so quickly.
7 Likes
Thatâs another good point
But whoâs going to pay what we want for Nunez?
1 Like
Suspect weâll reach some kind of compromise with Napoli eventually. I canât see it being as far along as has been reported without it reaching a conclusion. Once Osimhen has gone theyâll be back.
1 Like
I think Guehli gets done before then. Slot will want him involved in our pre season.
I think shifting Elliott might be part of the attack equation as well, be surprised if stuff doesnât pick up this next fortnight.
3 Likes
Hmmm, maybe Ekitike isnât the plan. Move to Newcastle seems to be picking up pace. Odd theyâd spend so much replacing Callum Wilson. Unless of courseâŠ
2 Likes
âŠyou mean weâre finally closing the deal to sign Gordon!
7 Likes
If Ekitike goes to Necastle it absolutely opens the door for an Isak exit.
I do think Isak goes if this goes through.
2 Likes
Hopefully its Ramsey for canteen.
1 Like
Iâm hoping that weâve agreed with Newcastle to let them have a run at Ekitike before we make a move for Isak, to help them keep the price down from Frankfurt - who would presumably look to get more from a club that just received ÂŁ150m and need a striker desperately.
Itâs the only way I can make sense of us not challenging them for a player weâve been after all summer and now are in even more desperate want of a striker than we were before.
3 Likes
Other than unfounded speculation there is nothing to suggest Ekitike has ever been on the radar.
3 Likes