17 Sep 2026 07:58:28
Ed666 I thought the club made a big mistake letting Salah leave early.
I hope we can get VVD and Alisson to sign contract extension for at least one more season.
We have a lot to do and I think they both have plenty left in the tank.
{Ed666's Note - I would like to make that decision at the end of the season. Too early to call I think
17 Sep 2026 13:02:46
The version of Salah that plays these days isn't the same as the one we scored so many for us. He is a legend but his timing was perfect to depart I personally think.
I like the look of Munoz so far.
17 Sep 2026 13:05:36
I would give Alisson another year for sure. We need a keeper who can play before we sell him, we should have learnt this much from selling Salah.
As for Virj, i would wait. Should he leave, we seem to have some capable CBs now. Of course we would need to bring someone in so that we have enough CBs, but I think it's something more manageable than Alisson leaving as it stands.
17 Sep 2026 13:13:55
99% of people on here wanted Salah dropped / sold last season when he was doing nothing in games and throwing strops when the manager dropped him.
17 Sep 2026 13:46:07
I think it was right for both parties to separate when it comes to Salah. I think people are underestimating just how much the league has increased in intensity over the past couple of seasons. Both the immediate and longer term physical demands have increased massively, and it didn't look like he could meaningfully adapt to it.
Salah could never settle for a bit-part role, he's just too much of a competitor. He reminds a bit of CR7 in that regard.
What we didn't want to have happen is it become so toxic as to irreparably tarnish his legacy at the club.
As for Virgil and Alisson I think we need them at the club for as long as they can play at the level. Virg has looked really good recently, long may it continue, and Ali on his day is still the best in the business for me. His kicking has declined significantly, but it's still levels above Mamar's and no other keeper reads the game as well as Ali.
While I think Mamar would prove to be a good keeper at the Forests/Palaces of this league, I don't think he can cut it long term in a team like ours, so if Ali goes we're going to need to spend big to replace him. I'm not overly impressed with what I have seen of Brughmans so far for anyone thinking he may be the answer.
17 Sep 2026 13:51:16
How come big players say, like Virg, don't stay on at a club, when let's say he can't keep up with the league next season, pace or stamina or whatever, I hope he does, but would someone like him, not be great to have for lower intensity early cup rounds? Extra time in semi finals? Guiding and supporting the new trench to build them in his image?
Do older players leave for a big pay day? Saudi or America?
17 Sep 2026 14:25:22
@WarMachine73
I'm 87% sure that the figure of 99% you state is an exaggeration.
17 Sep 2026 13:10:32
We may not be able to make that decision at the end of the season though Ed. Both of them could sign a pre-contract with a foreign club from Jan onwards.
{Ed666's Note - gun to my head I would let them go.
17 Sep 2026 16:33:33
We have to think we have four to five stepping up this season in form of Araujo, Jacquet, Leoni, Ndukwe and Ndiaye. I think he'll leave. Less sure on Alison as may depend if we want to throw Brughamns in from beginning of season or say Jaros.
17 Sep 2026 16:34:22
I'd keep them if they wanted to stay. passing on experience,
17 Sep 2026 17:06:21
Why can't John Barnes be a teacher to Rio and all the young players. What a person to learn from.
{Ed666's Note - I think he’s preoccupied with getting healthy at the moment. But it’s a great idea.
17 Sep 2026 17:23:04
We do have a habit of hanging onto players for sentimental reasons rather than moving them on when the candle is fading or when the sardine loses its glimmer.
Just my opinion, but Salah was here one year to many. I can't see VVD being effective past this year. I can't see him wanting to be a bit part player in decline here when he can go to Italy or the USA and look like a legend of the game for another year or two.
17 Sep 2026 17:25:23
Of them 5 named Red Jones two or no more than prospects at this stage, Leoni(as much as I think he looks very good)has played 80 odd mins for us and has been out for over a year and Araujo is by next summer going to be 28 and the club might think they can do better and younger for their money.
Virg is still so important to us. Not the player he was but still in the top 5 CB's in the league for me easily.
17 Sep 2026 17:45:51
If Virg and Gomez leave at the end of this season. I think we will sign another centre half as well as araujo if that gets made permanent it's only early days so far but if he carries on in this form be hard not to make it permanent just hope we don't do another Nicolas Anelka ?.
17 Sep 2026 19:41:21
I disagree Flo. I think this is Virgs last season with us and we will move forward with Jacquet Aruajo partnership (if things go as way as they have). Leoni will have returned to fitness over the course of this season, and we have Ndukwe and Ndiaye who would be phased in.
I just don't see us extending given his wages and age, when we have so much talent waiting to get in. I don't know what Aruajo being 28 has anything to do with it.
17 Sep 2026 19:51:18
Do we usually spend big money on 28 year olds?
{Ed666's Note - We know Wayne Rooney doesent
17 Sep 2026 20:04:05
I read £47 million when we signed him, is that a big fee in this day and age, I'd say it's a good deal, especially if he keeps playing the way he is. You could even argue (not sure if correct) that Araujo, jacquets, Ndukwes, Ndiayi and Leonis wages are less collectively than Vigils.
{Ed666's Note - So you think those 5 players earn less collectively a week/year than Virgil??? I have chocolate tea pot for sale and it’s never been used
17 Sep 2026 20:10:34
Don't know about the wages. Dont care about wages when it comes to Virgil to be honest. I think about him the way I thought about Salah. All time 11 players deserve every penny of their huge salary. The likes of Virg could have been earning much more than we've paid him this last decade but he stayed loyal to us.
I really like Jaquet and Araujo has done well also but Virg is still the main CB for me at the club even now for me.
18 Sep 2026 00:28:22
Agree with Ed. Wait and see. Ali has made no secret of wanting to go back to Brazil at some point and while Mama might not be the answer he is at least far younger, plus we have the big Belgian lad coming in. Those two fight it out for the shirt?
Virg even at half the player he once was is still a top drawer defender and will have offers from elsewhere, plus we have JJ, Leoni coming back, the two young lads who are both supposedly highly rated and possibly Araujo if he keeps on as he has been.
Mentioned above he could keep and have for experience and slower paced games. I'd say that's a very expensive 2nd choice option, can only see that on reduced wages.
If I had to guess looking at the info, I again agree with Ed, I reckons this is their last season.
{Ed666's Note - I just want to see Ali gone so I can remember him for the GOAT and the incredible performer that he is. He has nothing to gain by staying another year after this one. I don’t want to see him become a shadow of the player he was in a red shirt because people will dispute his greatness. I’ve never seen a better goalkeeper and yes he’s better than Schmeical, chech and De gea in my humble opinion
18 Sep 2026 07:40:07
Those players would have to be good teachers, not just great players.
There are somethings which are unteachable. Glenn Hoddle as England manager used to struggle when he was coaching England players because things he just 'did instinctively' lesser players couldn't replicate. Hoddle couldn't teach it because no-one taught him, it was just his instinct.
It's tough to teach 'skill' I think that needs a specialist coach, not necessarily an ex-player. I doubt Barnes could teach some of his ball skills and I doubt VVD could teach the way he reads the game etc.
On the other hand, somethings you can teach, like hard work and professionalism. You can teach players how to get the best out of your talent by fitness and good habits. You can teach mentality, how to deal mentally with injuries or career setbacks etc.
That's where someone like James Milner is definitely worth his wage.