07 Apr 2026 15:11:20
There seems to be a lot of links to Mateus Fernandes (West Ham). I like him, as he reminds me of a young Bruno Guimaraes. He loves a bit of 'housery', will get stuck into a physical battle, but also has the technical ability to cause the opposition problems. He'd definitely be a better partner for Gravenberch than Mac Allister is, because he's got far more in terms of mobility. Playing in the double pivot with Soucek at West Ham this season, he's had to get used to sitting in when Soucek has got forward, and we all know Gravenberch is prone to a forward dash every now and then. He's also had to cover massively for Soucek being less mobile than Macca!
What I really can't decide though is whether M. Fernandes is actually good enough for us. He may have the bite and mobility that we lack alongside Grav, and I know he's only 21 so likely to improve vastly in the coming years, but although I've watched him and always liked him as a player (at both Southampton and West Ham) I've never watched him and wanted desperately to sign him.
Although that's also the exact feeling I had about James Milner and he didn't do too bad for us.
This is an interesting link. I'd certainly rather M. Fernandes than Camavinga and probably even Wharton now too (after the terrible injury hit season he's had). I think I probably still prefer Joao Gomes overall though. He's also got that same sort of skillset as Guimaraes and M. Fernandes. We definitely need to replace Macca with someone who offers both bite and mobility. Macca has the bite, Jones has the mobility, but neither of them really work alongside Gravenberch because we end up lacking in some capacity either way. Macca is too slow and Jones is not aggressive enough.
07 Apr 2026 15:42:52
My grandma has more bite than Macca and Jones combined, and she got no teeth!
07 Apr 2026 15:51:50
Gomes for me too MK, mate.
Gomes and Bouddai to be exact!
07 Apr 2026 16:13:01
Both Jones and Macca need replacing. Gomes most likely off to Utd. I'd like Stiller as he's what we need.
07 Apr 2026 16:39:54
Oh God, please no! Please no. Why in the blue hell? This is what Slot has done to us. Inexcusable.
07 Apr 2026 16:47:13
"What I really can't decide though is whether M. Fernandes is actually good enough for us."
MKS, I don't think he is. Wharton? No. Not if you are gonna play in a mobile midfield with quick passing and ball movement going forward.
Slow possession footie? I agree, he's your guy.
Camavinga? Been a huge fan of his for years. However, I read he has suffered severe injury issues over the past 2 years or so.
Who did I think we should get, then? I have no idea, honestly.
07 Apr 2026 17:43:26
Macca is taking a lot of flak. He's a top midfielder when used right. Like others this season, he's been moved. Grav has been moved further forward, which doesn't suit him, Macca has been moved further back, and that doesn't suit him!!!! When both were placed in the opposite last season it worked. Yet another baffling decision.
07 Apr 2026 18:11:09
I rate Feenandes, does the donkey work well, the stuff we haven't done all season.
Henderson wasn't a supremely technical footballer, and you wouldn't watch him and covet him.
But, by God, when he didn't play, we missed him.
07 Apr 2026 19:49:33
To be honest, haven't seen him, but we should still be doing ever to convince Anderson we should be his next move. CL football would help this obviously, and knowing who the coach will be next season. Weren't we rumoured to be looking at Gray if Tottenham go down? Also, Wharton is of interest.
We really do need some strength in depth in midfield, Geertrudia would be a really clever buy also.
Covers a number of positions including RB.
Ideally for me, ins.
Anderson.
Geertrudia.
Wharton (cos I believe Xabi can develop him).
Arguably one more, as Geerrudia will be covering full back.
Outs
Jones.
Elliot.
McAllister (would take Cammavinga in exchange though).
07 Apr 2026 21:35:12
I've not seen any links, then again I don't use social media or digest most media outlets. On the other hand, the only team I've heard rumoured to be sniffing about is Utd as a Casmerio replacement.