True - and I think that tactical shift will revolve around those two players + Ekitike shouldering the burden that has been Salah’s to carry for years now. That should mean that the right winger should/could be more of an “assistant”, rather than a goalscoring type like Salah (hence Slot’s infamous comment about Isak needing a “Jacob Murphy” type of winger to provide him with assists).
I’ve only read reports of club’s interest in Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Toure but I’ve seen neither playing, not even on YouTube clips, so I can’t tell if they are that “assisting” type of winger.
There was an article in the Athletic I think it was recently on the progress Neco has made at Forest. A real shame that he and Jarell didn’t stay on here.
It was hard for Neco to stay with Trent being only, what, 2 and a half years older than him. And one of the world’s best players in his position and one of our key ones. Wilson was simply too young and too untested at the time when he left, I think it was the right decision for him to go and make the steps he had to make. Quansah is more open for discussion (also because it’s most recent), but I can’t say I didn’t understand the move from a few angles.
Wonder how much the long lay off to Hugo will affect the plans this summer. If we’re still unable to get Isak fit and firing from the off, we really will struggle for goals.
I can see us doing something similar with Mo’s situation to when Torres/Suarez left and signing 2 wide players to accommodate for the impact they left behind.
Getting Ibou over the line is a welcomed boost, I reckon we can rely on him fitness wise now to not have to worry about bringing in another CB…provided there’s no funny business with any setbacks to the young guns.
Sounds like Ali could well be off, Mama promoted to #1 with Jaros getting looked at closely pre-season to determine whether he can stay as #2. Kostas as back up to Kerkez for next season.
For me we should be looking at 3 wingers and a DM, Barcola would be ace as the main signing. Liked Hinshelwood for a while now, there’s a young Milner in there somewhere.
3 is too many even accounting for a potentially long absence for Hugo. I think you need 6 options for the “front 3”. We will already have Isak, Cody, Rio, and Chiesa. And Frimpong who seems just as comfortable (a backhanded compliment?) on the RW as RB. If you let Chiesa leave and bring in 2 “wingers” that leaves you 6 and plenty covered especially if one of them, like Barcola, can flip among the roles.
I just got in from work, did I miss news that Konate signed an extension?
Regarding new wingers, Elliott and Chiesa have to be sold first. The clubs statement was we have to sell before we will buy, add to that Virgil’s interview where the captain makes a big statement saying current players now have to step up.
The owners would say to the manager, you want wingers you have 2 already still in contract. Elliott can play RW and Chiesa can play on either wing.
The really concerning thing to this is - are there any clubs in the market for a player that hasn’t played for a year and has just one year left on contract. And another player who’s basically sat on the bench for a year and has two years left on contract.
We will need a generous club to rescue either of them. And the fee received would probably be a pittance. - Maybe added to the money saved on Salah’s wage, could then mean one new winger arrives max!
These are separate things. Virg’s comments is about leadership within the team, particularly now that Mo and Andy, viewed as key parts of the existing player leadership structure are leaving, and the fact that the team has failed to step up this season. It’s nothing to do with the club’s strategy on transfers.
On the winger situation, I would be happy with Mitoma and Diomande. Great shout above for Mitoma, didn’t realize he has one year left on his deal. Hopefully it will mean a lowish price, in relation to quality, and his age gives a good gap to Rio. The other winger, Diomande, will cost a lot but I think he is poised to become very good indeed, possibly even one of the best in the world (don’t want to pile that expectation on him, but it feels a bit like the potential opportunity we may have had to sign Olise when he left Palace, and now the price is out of sight).
I would move Gakpo off the wing and play him in the middle, as a back up to Isak while Ekitike is out.
Wirtz should be used in the middle behind the striker, so long as we get a stable midfield platform behind him to stop teams waltzing through us.
Links with Adam Wharton again. Not against signing him, personally I see more outstanding qualities from Elliott Anderson and Alex Scott if we are targetting some English players but possibly Wharton would be more suitable for a patient possession system.
My fear would be right now that if we are to play this slow, possession heavy system we may have to rip up the entire midfield to achieve it (and losing Jones would make no sense, he’s our best CM on the ball).