11 Apr 2026 08:44:53
Feels like so many big things need to happen this summer for the club's fortunes to improve.
I see it as follows:
1- Alonso to take over as manager and not just as the coach.
2- Dependable right back signed, my choice would be Kayode from Brentford.
3- Top class right winger signed, Olise would be a dream, but more likely to be Diomande.
4- Top class CB signed, must replace VVD. I’m afraid he is gone, nowhere near world class anymore. I like the idea of Lacroix due to his prem experience.
5- Midfield rejigged, MacAllister to be sold, Jones and Elliott too, Anderson won’t be joining the reds, we should push for Stiller, Wharton, Gomes etc, my choices would be Stiller and Gomes.
Other issues to be resolved are Isak and his fitness/ availability.
Ekitike and his potential attitude issues.
Left back cover for Kerkez providing genuine competition.
Goalkeeper potentially required, I would sell Allison if we are offered anything close to £30-40m. Love the guy but he is way too injury prone to be our go to number 1.
11 Apr 2026 09:28:27
If we sign Kayode, can the club put a clause in his contract that he has to have the name Wiley on the back of his jersey?
11 Apr 2026 09:38:08
Kayode is a great option centre.
Gertruida is less dynamic but good cover for several positions.
11 Apr 2026 09:43:42
I don't buy in this theory that our CBs are suddenly terrible when they were part of such an impressive record last season. The issue for me is with the way they are so exposed at the back.
Even the best CBs would look poor when you have no help.
Ibou has several brain farts but get him a RB who helps defend and he'll be fine.
11 Apr 2026 10:31:08
I half agree with Brommers, the CBs have been made to look crap. I'd say the same about Mo too. And as for selling Ali, not for me, he's gotta stay til he retires.
11 Apr 2026 11:06:27
I agree, Brommers. With Leoni coming back, Jacquet already signed and Konate looking like he'll sign a new deal, I think anyone wanting another CB signed is in for a disappointing summer. Leoni and Jacquet cost a combined £95m. We're not signing another if Konate, Virgil and Gomez stay; which looks extremely likely.
I also can't see us signing 2 or 3 midfielders. Elliott has been replaced with Wirtz. Nyoni will be seriously banging on the door for more game time. Gravenberch has just signed a huge extension. Szoboszlai is close to signing a huge extension. Jones, I just can't see leaving, sorry I know many dislike him but he's not going to want to leave in my opinion. We will need to replace Mac Allister and it seems like Wharton, Camavinga, Gomes, Fernandes and Andre are all on our radar. I expect only 1 to sign though and I hope it's Gomes or Fernandes.
The main priority is going to be new wingers. Gakpo and Salah both likely to leave, Chiesa probably will too. We have Rio and Morrison coming through but I don't see them as ready yet. I think it'll be 2 or 3 of Gordon, Minteh and Diomande.
I make you correct, Brommers. We look bad defensively because of the shocking lack of pressure on the ball at all times and that comes from Slot's fitness training (or lack of) and us missing a work horse in midfield. We've already signed a £30m right back last summer. Bradley, Gomez, Ramsay and Stephenson are there as cover. The problem we have at RB is a bottle job manager who won't trust an academy RB. He sent the best one out on loan to Scotland and let Ramsay rot in the u21's whilst he put midfielders out of position. We do not need a RB and we have already committed £60m to a CB. The squad is not as weak as all these defeatists are suddenly making out. We have a top squad that is just lacking in a few key areas. A) we don't have the right wingers to play with an out and out striker and B) we don't have midfielder who is both aggressive and mobile. Fix those issues and any half decent manager will have us competing again. Let's not forget we signed Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike last summer which is £300m worth of attacking talent.
11 Apr 2026 11:59:02
Personally, I think Mac Allister & Jones should both be moved on. Mac Allister has fallen off massively, lacks any mobility, physicality or pace. Jones is just a waste of a shirt. Hopeless player, weak in the tackle and brainless in and out of possession. Poster boy of everything wrong in midfield.
Our midfield is painfully short on physicality. We need two midfielders, judging by how absolutely awful we are in the engine room.
Personally, not impressed with Wharton, he's just as leaden footed and immobile as Mac Allister, but without the goal threat, he's just as poor defensively as well. Camavinga is a sicknote and should be avoided at all costs.
We need a defensive midfielder and there's no argument to the contrary. If we don't address that effectively we're in for another season like this one.