20 Aug 2020 14:10:06
I agree with Ed002 about City not panic buying but Torres is nowhere as good as Sane'. As for LFC I think they're waiting to sell the likes of Gruijic and Wilson before they buy anyone else. I wish to ask Ed 002 if there's genuine interest from other clubs in Gini. Sgaqiri and Origi?

{Ed002's Note - (a) Not that I am aware. (b) Wants more game time but wishes to stay, and if he leaves it opens the door for HG player to ease an issue the club has - Seville interest has gone - Galatasaray want a loan with an option to buy. Interest of Lazio is possible as they have been unable to agree a price for their first choice player. (c) If he were made available at a reasonable price then there would be interest - if Brewster is to stay he may well make way.}

1.) 21 Aug 2020
21 Aug 2020 04:22:34
Grujic Wilson shaqiri and origi all moving away would likely bring us in 70mil or more for players who only played rarely and when we didn't have minamino, Brewster, Jones or a fit keita available. Each of those players don't even need direct replacement but the money could be used to strenghten the wing areas if possible. Shaqiri and Origi would free up 2 non HG slots from last year while grujic also keeping a space open. Gini could be replaced by thiago and maybe target a HG defensive addition and a speedy wide attacker. We could drastically improve our squad without even spending what we could bring in from sales. Clyne, lovren, lallana off the books while kostas, any potential CB and Jones instead of lallana surely all earning much less. Origi and shaqiri wages I'd imagine are far higher than minamino and Brewster so any big earning signing would not even expand our salary cost from previous seasons. Sturridge and Moreno last season also could afford us to offer players deserving better deals. We have our best talent all tied in to long good contracts so financially we can't be under pressure to force decisions we don't want to take with the squad. I'm just hoping that those players have clubs interested enough to offer fair money and we can move them out. Shaqiri, Lovren, Wilson sales alone would match kostas and thiago fees. Grujic, karius, another 2 who could leave for the price of thiago. Origi or gini could possibly bring us more each than thiago price. While kostas, Curtis Jones, neco Williams, minamino and Brewster all stepping in to main squad at combined cost of under 20 mil which is less than most of the price each one of our squad players not needed could bring. We're doing very good work in shaping the squad when buying and selling the right players at the right times. We will be very well much improved financially and also squad balanced and strenght by the time the window shuts I'm sure of that.

2.) 21 Aug 2020
21 Aug 2020 07:56:19
The way the trends are panning out, SA, Asia and Africa will be in the middle of their second wave in Jan/ Feb. I wouldn't bank on those games being played. Maybe the UK clubs who have players involved could work out a plan to offer/ allow the games to happen over here. Less travel, dispruption, risk of catching C.V. and maybe even a few quid from UK based supporters if socially distant crowds are a thing by then?

It's not a completely insane idea is it Ed?

{Ed001's Note - how can you see far enough ahead to say that? The games will be in 2022 won't they?}

3.) 21 Aug 2020
21 Aug 2020 08:06:31
Sorry Ed I meant the scheduled frendlies for Jan/ Feb that involve the Afcon players.

A straight cancel would be best but if they are determined i’m sure we could accommodate in some way to help our (PL teams) players.

{Ed001's Note - I thought they had been postponed until 2022.}

4.) 21 Aug 2020
21 Aug 2020 08:15:27
I’ll bow to your greater knowledge mate. Something in the back of my mind said friendlies early next year. I assumed they were pre the WC Qualifier in March (Colombia v Brazil) but I guess it may all be cancelled?

{Ed001's Note - I don't know, I have lost track to be honest. I am not sure anyone knows for sure and it will all be subject to change anyway.}

5.) 21 Aug 2020
21 Aug 2020 08:27:40
That's for sure. If this has taught us anything, it's that the whole planet is subject to change at any time and football is merely a luxury unfortunately.

6.) 21 Aug 2020
21 Aug 2020 10:53:50
Ed002 mentioned there will be friendlies in Jan2022 involving the African countries so you likely read that here BeckersGloves.

@Har_red92, good post, I think reasonable and I agree with most of what you have laid out. Ed002 has said we aren't focusing on a winger and I'm not looking to reopen that discussion but I do agree we could do with an upgrade here. On centre back, Ben White sounded like he would cost an enormous amount but Leeds bids were £18m and £22m or thereabouts. If Brighton would accept somewhere around £30m then maybe he would be considered but otherwise Nat Phillips makes more since than signing a foreign 4th choice backup for £10m, in my opinion anyway.

{Ed002's Note - It all all non European countries who have games then.}

7.) 21 Aug 2020
21 Aug 2020 12:30:35
Cool, cheers Ed002.