But all along we were being failed by not having a 10? Even though when we had one (Phil) we barely played him there and agreed to sell him because of the difficulty of playing a 10 with that front line.
I think people greatly misremember how (in)frequently that 4 played together in the half season they were all here. It certainly was not some blue print we’ve spent the years since trying to replicate
Exactly. That’s the question we all want to see the answer to, and we can all post formations for either case. Wirtz as a false 9? Or Wirtz with another central striker ahead of him? Let’s see!
Rolling makes much more sense. Otherwise deals would be held back/pushed through to fit in one window or the other and spending would be even more chaotic
The way I understand it (I’m sure someone with a better understanding than me will be along) it’s a three year reporting period. That mean it’s the previous three years that are assessed. It doesn’t mean everyone’s books are wiped every three years.
Basically, as your spending from three years ago becomes your spending from four years ago it falls from consideration.
I like the idea of getting in Wirtz, Frimpong, Kerkez and Ekitike. Then I see people questioning about the 300M we may need to spend to get them. But that’s up to the club’s money guys. If possible then let’s go for it.
What is important to me is when we are making such deals. Financially we are quite stable. Just won the league. Not much deadwood to flog off, in fact, quite substantial amount can be earned from those we can afford to move on. And most importantly, we are at a stage where I don’t think any of our rivals have problems lesser than ours.
We are in a position of strength and this should be the time to stamp our authority on the league. Just improve ourselves and they will self distruct for a good few seasons.
Frimpong’s done. Kerkez and Wirtz are close to done.
My questionmark here is Ekitike. The price might go high because Chelsea are reportedly also interested and we all know what happened with the Caicedo signing. I hope that doesn’t happen again. We better confirm first that he prefers us before making an offer.
Bobby was more of a false Nine than a true clinical 9 though. Coutinho was brilliant for us for a while but maybe he just didn’t match what we needed. In the long run we benefitted more from selling him than keeping him.
Aren’t Chelsea already close to signing Delap? In that case why would Ekitike find their “project” interesting? If he still does then will have dodged a bullet.
Had the thought from reading that he might be effective as a false 9 between Gakpo/Diaz and Mo. certainly in some games…. Interested to see how the tactics evolve when all the incomings and outgoings are done.