18 Oct 2021 07:05:58
I would imagine everyone is in agreement that extending Mo, s contract is a must. But what are people's thoughts on the other players who's contract run out in 2023.

Mane
Firmino
Keita
Oxlade-Chamberlain.

18 Oct 2021 07:48:09
I'd want to keep Bobby and Mane, we still need senior players in the squad and I think we can still get something out of them even if maybe we bring in younger players to takeover.

I imagine Ox will go, maybe Southampton/ Arsenal next summer?
Wouldn't surprise me if we kept Kieta but I think he should probably be sold and upgraded on in the summer too.
We've got Harvey and Curtis in front of those two now so perhaps you replace them with a single more defensive player to balance out the midfield options abit.

18 Oct 2021 08:18:40
The ox and kieta are definitely on to high of a wage to justify keeping them because of the amount of game time they get and injures. Mane looks almost back to his best so yes a new contract and bobby is a hard one. It would have to come down to how much and how long of a contract.

18 Oct 2021 09:16:56
I think Milner will retire, Ox will leave to join a midtable team and Keita will end up with a new contract. And I expect Gravenberch or Bissouma to be the new midfield signing
I'd sell Origi and Taki, and ask Mane and Bobby to extend but on reasonable terms especially after we break the wage structure for Salah.
And obviously sign a new forward to add to the front 4 we already got. Hopefully a Adeyemi or Neto or Raphinha or Vlahovic.

18 Oct 2021 09:35:15
I'd keep Bobby and Mane. Although I wouldn't be as willing to throw £350k a week for another 5 years as I am with Salah.

Ox seems unlikely to recapture his form and Keita has never played well enough for us. As Maxmimosa says, they appear to have fallen behind Elliot and Jones in the pecking order. And they've both been available for nearly every game (I think Keita was injured for one) That makes them 7th and 8th choice currently? Barring a massive turnaround in form, I'd look to get what transfer fee we can in the summer for both.

18 Oct 2021 10:27:49
I would keep Mane he looks like he is getting back close to his best. With Bobby I would wait until the end of the season before deciding. The other 2 I am afraid need selling.

18 Oct 2021 10:45:09
I would keep Firmino until he retired. He’s so important to us and how we play. Plus no point selling him because he’s not going to attract the kind of money that makes it worth it.
Kieta, I’m surprised he’s still at the club to be honest. He’s shown signs recently of the player he should be, but he shouldn’t be showing signs, he should be dominating games from the middle.
Ox, depends on if he can find some fitness and form, if not then maybe a move might be in his and our interest.
Mane, I would also keep but maybe I’m being a bit sentimental? He might have to go to raise funds and Jota seems to be his replacement.

18 Oct 2021 11:20:07
I hope Keita isn't still here by 2022 yet alone the end of his contract.

18 Oct 2021 11:20:15
Keita and Ox need to be moved on. Given how frequently they play, I'd rather give their squad spots to younger players either from the U23's or buy. We don't have enough of a churn of supporting players that can come in and do a job when required, like Chelsea or ManC. Our bench is probably the best it has been for a few years, but still, always have to keep moving, improve and stay ahead.

18 Oct 2021 11:27:10
Firmino - keep, definitely, but on reduced wages if possible
Mané - same as Firmino
Keita - offer a new take or leave it contract or sell
Ox - sell
Milner - some sort of coaching role if the club feels it is right, assuming he retires.

18 Oct 2021 12:22:07
Mane is equal third highest scorer in the league so far this season. Five in eight matches in the league. Six in ten in all comps. Whilst there is a point of view that he wasn't at his best last season, which I think is fair, he still scored 11 in the league and 16 in all comps, and it's only two years ago that he scored 18 in the league and 22 in all comps as we won the league.

Firmino again didn't quite do it last year but has four in six in the league this season and seems to have forced his way back to first choice ahead of Jota.

I also find it interesting that people think these players will accept "reduced wages". Mane is still only 29. If he carries on like he's started this season he'll be up to 20 goals for the season again. Why would he accept a pay cut?

18 Oct 2021 12:32:18
Sell Ox - too injury prone and high wages.
Keita - sell to a willing club and put the money towards a player like Bissouma.
Bobby - irreplaceable. Plus market value would be low.
Mane - Out of the front 3, maybe he'd be the one to sell as I'd imagine his market value is reasonable. Maybe the sale could warrant a younger player like Sarr.

Ideally the front 3 remain unsold and mentor new players in their position. But I doubt if a player or two doesn't move on in the summer, we won't be able to rebuild.

Best team in my lifetime so long may it last 😭😂.

18 Oct 2021 12:59:31
I think we would all love to keep out front 3 together but ed has made it clear we will need to sell in order to buy. mane is finding top form again but while we can make some good money on him we should sell and look to the future. Don't know if Bobby will get much in the market so maybe worth keeping around.

Ox has shown me nothing to suggest he should stay.

{Ed002's Note - There needs to be a progression to replacements.}

18 Oct 2021 14:49:56
I can see the Ox going to Newcastle tbh now they're rich. They'll pay decent wages. They need that first batch of good players as they won't immediately attract superstars. Ox fits the bill when playing well. He'll be in the northeast so closer to Perry's family for her sake. Be playing regularly if fit. And has a good shot for playing midfield.

18 Oct 2021 15:27:25
It seems we have Zero money to replace Mane/ Firmino. So keep them.

18 Oct 2021 15:59:41
I have no objection to Salah receiving a massive rise but I think that Jones should get one first - his weekly salary of £7,500 is a lot less than some of the reserves!

18 Oct 2021 19:01:51
Are you sure he is only on £7.5k?

18 Oct 2021 19:34:01
I love how we make out Mane will be the easiest one to replace out of the front 3. We do realise he’s got 56 goals and 15 assists just in the premier league in the last 3 and a bit seasons. Sometimes you don’t appreciate what you have until it’s gone and I think Mane will be a fine example of that for us in the future.
I’d happily keep all the front 3 and if players like Raphina and Sarr etc want to join a team that is challenging for titles like us then there’s nothing stopping them from running down their contracts and joining us on a free in a few seasons time once our front 3 have had their day.

For me it would make zero sense to sell mane for say 50-80 mill and spend 50 mill plus on one of them to replace him when their output is nowhere near currently.

18 Oct 2021 19:34:11
I checked on two (online) sources. Seems to be correct. (Market value of 27 Million, too) . Ben Woodburn and Neco Willams earn 2 to 3 times more. Kelleher earns even less than Jones.

But there's no point in delving deeper into it because you won't find much logic in there. Everything depends on the timing of negotiations, who does them for you and how good they are at it.