09 Apr 2026 22:22:52
Hi all, am a very old user of this site (~ a decade), but never posted. Just thinking, Ed001, with the current malice at Chelsea, do you think we can realistically revisit the Caicedo bid, because in my opinion, that's the most glaring miss in our squad? Any feedback is appreciated.
{Ed001's Note - no, I don't think it would make sense anyway. He will be expensive at a time when we need multiple players.}
09 Apr 2026 22:40:39
Thank you for the prompt reply. Who do you think would be an affordable option?
09 Apr 2026 23:25:15
Na. Caicedo is a decent player, but not the right attitude in my opinion, and he got the move he wanted.
I hope we don't go too boyish with our transfers.
Already Jacquet. Ok, I like Diomande, who we are linked with.
But then Archie Gray and Kees Smit rumours are out there.
All talented young boys, but we need some men next season. We are starting to look very Chelsea-like. Need to watch that.
10 Apr 2026 08:50:43
Davey, I just think we need the men we have to step up.
Gomez, Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Jones, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Ekitike, Isak etc are all probably going to be here still next season; and they'll all be 24+ years old. It wouldn't go amiss for those guys to really show all the younger players what is required. It wouldn't shock me if Endo and Tsimikas were brought back into the fold next year as squad players as well.
I actively want us to target younger players, because if you're bringing in a new manager, 19-21 year olds are ideal.
You can mould them into exactly what you need.
The only exception I'd make is if Virgil were to leave. In that scenario, I think we have to go for a replacement who can come straight in as a leader. Someone like Rudiger, Pavard or Stones. All 3 of them are going to be available in the summer (Rudiger and Stones out of contract, Pavard finishing his loan to Marseille). Hopefully Virgil stays though. In that bracket of CB's who are going to be 30+ next year, he is still the best there is by far.
10 Apr 2026 09:09:40
We're going to need a strong senior players' leadership group to go with that strategy (which I like, btw), Mks, and I don't see one anymore. I attribute this to our poor form as much as the coach.
10 Apr 2026 09:11:36
Reading your post, MK, makes me realise, even more, what a mess we're in. Stones, Rudiger... Really?!
10 Apr 2026 09:30:51
It does feel like a mess, Rome, no doubt.
I hope we start to shop again in the mid market, and pick up a few hungry younger mentality monsters rather than the entitled ones. Restore a bit of order.
10 Apr 2026 10:22:57
We need to bring in players with good leadership skills & physicality. Guehi & Semenyo fitted that profile, that's why it was such a big miss.
10 Apr 2026 10:38:12
The Caicedo stuff is old news. We need to leave the past in the past and move on.