Focusing on the past won’t change anything. Gravenberch stepping up is great, but signing a new player is about improving the squad.
The midfield still needs to improve, and if the club feels Zubimendi is the right player, then you go for it. Irrespective of what happened in the summer.
Have to disagree. His comments today really just reinforce my view. He’s welcome to his opinion but I’ve got to question the ambitions and motivation of a player who says it was an easy decision to turn us down.
I haven’t seen his comments, but if he is doubling down and saying it was easy to turn us down, we move on!
He is a quality player, and if he was hungry to come here in January, after getting cold feet and staying home in the summer, I was happy to forgive and welcome him.
If that isn’t the case, no problem. Plenty more fish in the sea and I can’t wait to see how Slot shapes it as we go.
Tesco condiment aisle.
Agree to disagree.
We lack numbers. We dont lack the quality. VVD is exclusively playing as a left sided CB.
One thing to bear in mind is that we currently have 15 non-homegrown players registered, of a maximum of 17 (by PL rules). Mamardashvili will make that 16 of 17 when he joins. Kelleher and/or Jaros might leave to make room for him but they are both homegrown so doesn’t help us on the squad registration side.
Bajcetic and Doak will both be homegrown players next season (and are U21 anyway so doesn’t count).
If we go out and buy someone like Kerkez then we will be at our limit of non-homegrown players - unless we loan out/sell someone. Chiesa and Endo would seem to be the most expendable.
In total we have 21 players registered. Elliott and Quansah will have to be registered next season as they are over 21 for 2025 - and both homegrown.
Surely if we get Kerkez that means Tsimikas is leaving?
Or Robertson…
Both Gomez and Quansah are able to work on both sides. Gomez may even be more comfortable on the left. I don’t want to add another with the same level as them.
The new CB I want is someone who can play both RCB and LCB and not be a left-footed LCB. Because the chance of Konate being unavailable is much higher than VVD. If the new CB is a left-footed LCB, he’d have to sit on the bench with Gomez or Quansah playing, which is a big waste and doesn’t improve anything.
Thanks for the breakdown. If I understand it correctly, I think we will be fine. Add Kerkez and Mamardashvili and we are at our limit for non-homegrown, assuming no outgoing.
We could even add Kerkez and Zubimendi in January. It would take us to our limit, and then, to make way for Mamardashvili in summer, someone would need to leave in summer, and there would be 2-3 prime candidates for an exit if we make the signings mentioned.
We operate around the limit for non-homegrown and I’m sure it is something that club officials are on top of, but it’s a fair reminder for fans, as we all start throwing out the names of players we want when the window opens, and the squad composition is an important guardrail for what is permissible.
Bradley too?
Elliott, Quansah, Trent, Jones, Bradley, Gomez, Jaros — that’s 7/8 homegrown slots filled.
I think one of Robertson or Tsimikas will leave. Endo will also leave. That still leaves us with four slots for non-homegrown players and one slot for a homegrown player.
What do we think about Jamie Gittens at Dortmund? Young English winger doing well for himself, and is probably looking at a move to an even bigger club in the near future.
In my opinion, Chiesa, should he prove his fitness, will remain for one more season to keep the seat warm for Doak (he should have another loan move next season - again, in my opinion).
I do expect Endo, Tsimikas and Nunez to be moved on next summer, that should free up three spots for new non-homegrown signings, which is about what the team needs in terms of upgrades. Obviously, I’m not taking The Contract Three into account.
Yes you’re right, forgot about him
Also Tom Hill currently is registered but I would imagine he will leave before next season that creates one gap that Bradley, Quansah or Elliott will take.
Are Gittens the young offsprings of old gits?
He doesn’t come under the home grown players.
Let’s just prey that they aren’t cynical
Bayern are after him, which is usually bad news in Germany.
They’re actually my backing group.
COG and the Gittens. We’re just like Josie and the Pussycats, only more gothic.