Yes, his numbers have to be better (this season he might beat his season best and get to maybe 10+10), especially when he’s playing as a single #10/second striker. And not only numbers, creativity cannot be found only in goals and assists. But he already told Slot last season that he prefers playing deeper than the position he played last season.
These are good numbers for a player who contributes so much else.
Some of our players are solely focused on their numbers, Szoboslai isn’t one of them.
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Great, very good, ballpark, more or less the same. He stepped up a lot from his first season, did plenty beyond goals and assists, worked hard in pressing and covering ground, and wasn’t just a number 10. He brought a lot to the team.
It’s not the same, there are levels. Although yeah, it can be a game of words sometimes. His first season wasn’t the same all season. He is our best presser (now even more so without the likes of Jota and Diaz), but we wanted to add more creativity from that #10 zone.
He has reacted brilliantly to us signing some big players, probably felt his starting position at #10 was under threat. The team now is struggling and his strong points are essential to us (because we’re not doing them well enough colectivelly), he’s one of the first names on the team sheet at the moment.
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We have a myriad of issues rather than just one big problem this season. The midfield imbalance, lack of a proper number 6, and fullbacks lacking quality are all key concerns. Salah is well below last season’s level, and Diaz’s departure hasn’t helped, with Gakpo little more than a squad player.
If Kerkez, Frimpong, or Bradley don’t step up, the club needs to accept it and buy a starter. Robertson is past it, and his contract expires at season’s end.
There are still plenty of holes, so needing five or six new starters shouldn’t be a surprise if certain players’ form continues, though there might not be funds for all.
We need a proper number 6, someone positionally strong, a quality passer, and able to progress the ball. Wharton might be that player. Konate may well leave, which means we will certainly need a starting centre-back. Guehi would be a good addition, though good enough as a starter, maybe, but might need another. Depending on Salah’s form, we will also need one or two wide forwards, ideally both Semenyo and Olise, as Salah’s contract ends in 2027.
Wait and see for now, but Slot needs to find some solutions.
Can anyone see us bringing back Harvey in January?
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Dom was the odd man out with all the signings, and now it seems like he’s the only one that fought for his place. He was good last year, and now great this year. It’s a waste seeing him at rb.
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Mo Salah is fading and Semenyo would be a good January addition. My preference as a long term Salah replacement would be Olise, but Semenyo is doing well and would be a good addition.
Part of me wants to resist the temptation of talking about signings and getting excited about all that, before I know what we are planning to do with them.
What is the system? How are we going to get the best out of the players we bought in the summer?
It seems without clear answers to those questions it somewhat takes the shine off further new signings.
Still, put me down for Semenyo, Wharton and Guehi 
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Olise and Elliot Anderson are the two for me. Guehi of course would do nicely for defence.
Depending on what happens with Salah, and if an offer comes from Saudi Arabia, there’s a small possibility that could open up having both Semenyo (Jan) and Olise (summer) on our books come the 26/27 season.
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If it came to it, I too would be very happy with Anderson and Olise, instead of Wharton and Semenyo. I want to know what Slot has in mind though, as right now I’m not seeing the clarity I’d like to see around Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike.
Incidentally, The Athletic posted an article earlier today about how Forest would demand 100+ million pounds for him given there were no clauses in his deal and his deal was supposed to run for four more years if I’m not mistaken. Man United and Newcastle are credited with strong interest in that article, by the way.
It’ll be interesting to see how Forest do under Dyche, and if Anderson can keep up his form for Forest and England under Tuchel. Can’t see anyone offering £100m+. Probably one to watch for 2027 instead of 2026.
Sign him up.
I like him a lot but I’m a bit concerned that he’s fully suited only to a counter-attacking side - that used to be a strong weapon in our arsenal but never the main one.
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Can we afford to? What about CB and defensive midfueld. I assumed we are looking to change how we play wrt to wide forwards as surely we want to be playing Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike most games?
I like Anderson but not at 100m
CB is the biggest area for me and one of the main attributes must be, being good in possession
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I would think we could afford him, and other targets if available. Our net spending over the last few years hasn’t been too heavy and we know the club are quite happy to spend big one or two seasons and then tighten belts again for a year or two, rather than get lulled into big spending every year.
If the clause is true, then it might be a case of us ‘kitchen sinking’ this season and getting players in early so they are ready for next season, a bit like when Diaz came to us.
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