14 Apr 2026 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - MK Scouser has posted a new article entitled, Slot, backing, and a big summer rebuild
14 Apr 2026 08:56:51
Good article.
Personally for me, I would look to get a proper DM in. Tchoumeni/Camavinga maybe, or surely we might say to Chelsea, your wage and squad are bloated, let's re look at Lavia. I think gravy is better suited further up, on the premise we sell Macca.
Right back certainly needs looking at. Neither can currently take to the field for more than 5 games in a row. I like Tino, but his injuries this year have been bad. That Kayode looks good.
Personally, I am not bothered about replacing Mo with an out and out winger as such. I think we more need a versatile forward as we move between formations for Xabi. I think with 2 strikers and a 10, we are set there for something like 4312 and variations. If Xabi wishes 433, we can maybe look at some sort of deal for Olise, who seems to miss home? I know it's a rumours site so possibly Gakpo and cash for him? Then maybe Barcola or Doue.
I'd still like a strong centreback option who's older. Vvd is probably in his last season next season. Jacquet and Leoni are young. Konate may move on. Maybe Kim Min Jae?
I'd still love another good midfielder too for rotations. I don't think Curtis Jones is the level required.
I think my main difference would be that, I don't feel as confident in the right back situation as yourself, MK. I don't think Bradley or Frimpong are the required level, and neither passes like Trent. Maybe Frimpong improves with Alonso, but with their inabilities to defend at times or cross, compounded by not staying fit, I'd rather something more solid.
14 Apr 2026 09:18:22
I would never want Gravenberch higher up the pitch. His passing is nowhere near good enough. As a 6, his ability to break the lines, with his ability to run past people, creates space, and then gives him more space for simple passes, but him trying to find the final ball is definitely not him.
If we could replace him and Mac Allister with Sobs as an 8 and a better number 6, I would definitely be down that route. Anderson and Sobs with Wirtz in front of them would be my choice.
14 Apr 2026 09:50:39
That article was nightmare fuel, MK. I can't go through another season of watching slotball. Even with the players he wants, we have seen for a year now that his version of football just doesn't work in English football. He has to go end of.
14 Apr 2026 10:01:46
Nice read but Slot isn't staying, there's no way. Lol.
I'd be looking to bring in 2 new wingers, a rb and a midfielder as an absolute minimum.
You can make the case to bring in more as well if the kids can't fill the gaps as our squad depth just isn't there.
Selling Macca, Gakpo and some of the fringe players will bring in some funds.
14 Apr 2026 10:08:21
He can definitely play cm and does often. I don't particularly like him in the pivot, it's a waste of his legs, I guess I am not seeing what you see regarding his passing. The stats say he has an accuracy in the high 80s for passing. I don't think he's particularly wasteful, certainly not Macca levels, who seem to earn adulation from our fans, yet Gravy has attempted 500 more passes and is rated 5% clear on accuracy, and that's without the shooting wildly from 40 yards.
I like his carrying ability further up the field. I don't rate his defensive awareness all that highly. When to sit, when to go. I think he's better suited alongside a Szobo as a cm and a proper dm.
14 Apr 2026 10:08:46
I think Slot is staying. I can feel it in my water.
14 Apr 2026 10:21:14
Rome, stop drinking water and switch to whisky - that would sort your issue out.
I personally think Grav would work as a ball playing 6 in a pivot with a destroyer. I haven't seen much of Archie Gray or Alex Scott - both of whom we have been linked with for different reasons recently and both of whom are HG.
Would either of them give a credible alternative to people like Camavinga, Tchouameni or Stiller?
14 Apr 2026 10:52:32
Grav isn't good enough in an 8, that's part of the problem this season. He was very good last season in more of a 6, and Macca in 8, sobs 10. Slot has switched round, and it hasn't worked. There's an old saying, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Obviously, Arne hasn't heard of it.
14 Apr 2026 11:03:54
Surely the solution, and the Slot doesn't want to play, is Grav at 6, Szoboszlai at 8 and Wirtz at 10.
14 Apr 2026 11:34:35
I think with a good coach we don't need that many new signings. A good coach who can get the best out of these players. We need a "multiplayer".
Maybe a RB, maybe a midfielder.
If Grav plays like last season, that will fill a huge hole.
14 Apr 2026 11:48:32
Just cause vodka looks like water, Rome, you can't call it water. ?
14 Apr 2026 11:57:07
I'll reply to you when I'm sober, JLC!
14 Apr 2026 12:19:17
Phil babs nuts. Senesi on a free would be the experienced centreback I would get in, as for Lavia hes barely played for Chelsea since he signed, so cant think of any reason why you would want him.
14 Apr 2026 12:48:23
The issue I have with Gravy is that he's just too nice. I am not sure he's got the aggression or mentality to be a long-term no6.
The DM market is really difficult. There are unfortunately no Caicedos out there.
Unfortunately, Carlos Baleba has not had a good season, his head having been turned by the Man Utd links last season. Would still cost a fair whack to get him out of Brighton and he's not really a specialist no6 either.
I wonder if one of Amadou Onana or Boubacar Camara from Villa could be prised out of Villa.
Camara does have a horrible injury record, and I don't think Onana's availability is too hot either.
Going further afield, Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille) and Mamadou Sangare (Lens) could be worth a look from Ligue 1, and then Luciene Agoume (Seville) and Mandela Keita (Parma) could also be interesting ones.
I know Caleb Yirenki (Nordsjaelland), Adam Wharton, Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart) and Djaoui Cisse (Rennes) have been linked, but I would say they are deep lying playmakers, not necessarily the grit and bite we might be after.
14 Apr 2026 13:25:25
Yorkie Red
He's been injured? He's played in all the games he was available for in the league, bar 1?
He started a lot of the games he played last season, when not injured.
The problem would be his injury history, not his playing?
14 Apr 2026 13:10:29
If Gravenberch doesn't have the aggression or the mentality to be a 6 we should get rid because he's not good enough on the ball to be a top player further forward.Last season he was aggressive, barging people outa the way to get that ball.This season he's regressed to the pansy that Jurgen didn't trust.
{Ed025's Note - im with you FM..
14 Apr 2026 14:05:55
Rio can now be Diaz replacement specially if he is given regular game time until the end of the season.
We should spend available funds on a quality winger and MacAllister's replacement.
We should not bring 4 to 5 new players again as this will again put us in "transition".
14 Apr 2026 14:18:08
Great post, Pelican. I agree with every point.
14 Apr 2026 14:19:40
Rome I think you should go to the doctor sounds like you have a uti.
Strange that because that's the best way to describe Slot, he is like an infection and if he stays beyond the end of the season am afraid that infection will turn to sepsis in the club.
14 Apr 2026 14:28:18
Florian, honestly, I am not against cashing in on Gravy if it meant we got a specialist no6. Gravy has all the tools but his lack of aggression will be his limiter.
14 Apr 2026 15:24:07
It's a shame FPF because last year he did all d things needed in a DM but also had that flash of skill. Turning away from opponents and leaving them for dead but sadly this year I've seen him not wanna get stuck in there too many times.
14 Apr 2026 16:42:13
Pelican, I am a big fan for Villa's Camara and he is exactly what we need. He can defend, pass it, get forward etc. He is levels above Onana, IMO. However, not sure how he will handle his return for a long injury spell. He would be my pick, as well.
14 Apr 2026 18:49:43
FPF, Bouaddi is definitely the one we want and need. Would take him over any other midfielder linked to us. Just a pity we don't seem to be looking in his direction.
14 Apr 2026 22:33:31
Camara is made of crisps, Oli, hard pass.