01 Sep 2024 13:11:08
Good afternoon Ed02
With the obvious need for a centre back, what happened with the interest in Goncalo Ignacio?
Did the club leave it too late again, due to not settling on a specific target earlier, or was the player simply not interested after we spoke with his agent.
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Joe Gomez stayed and Liverpool did not want to spend a significant amount of cash in one go.}
01 Sep 2024 15:38:42
TBH I’m happy with that. Gomez is a decent player and it looks like VVD and Konate are first choice right now.
01 Sep 2024 19:20:11
Ed2, is Inacio still someone we’d be interested in next windows.
{Ed002's Note - It is hard to tell right now.}
01 Sep 2024 23:43:30
Gomez can play both full back positions and centre back. If you gave me the choice of Gomez or Guehi, I’d rather Gomez any day of the week.
02 Sep 2024 08:04:18
Three clean sheets. The only team in the league to manage that. Why is the need for a centre back obvious?
02 Sep 2024 09:04:33
Because the season has barely started stoneage. The tests will come soon as there will be games every few days.
02 Sep 2024 12:02:32
We are still reliant on Ali and VVD. Konate also has required exp and skill. But we need 3rd CB who is more capable then Qunasha and Gomez are at the moment.
I happy for Quansha to have game time but along side VVD.
02 Sep 2024 13:41:23
Players more capable than Quansah and Gomes expect to start games. They aren't going to sign to sit on the bench.
02 Sep 2024 17:37:27
So playing a supposedly resurgent United at their pit isn't classed as a test?
Or does that not fit the required negative narrative because we won?
02 Sep 2024 17:40:36
You mean Stones, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol are all asking to leave Man city as mostly 2 or 3 of them start games.
02 Sep 2024 18:29:30
Yep, those 3 clean sheets are great but they were it solely down to good defending, there was some ropey finishing and great goalkeeping.
VVD can’t play 60 games a season anymore, we need to succession plan.
02 Sep 2024 20:28:00
Report’s today that we are still looking To go back for M Z hope not let’s give R G some respect.
02 Sep 2024 21:01:11
I would still be okay with MZ if he joined another time. There’s so much to what happened that we don’t know about behind the scenes, and it seemed that Real Sociedad put significant pressure on MZ (maybe due to Merino going to Arsenal) .
Early days but also really happy with RGs start to the season.
03 Sep 2024 03:30:55
Merino looks like he is made of wool … I’ll get my coat.
03 Sep 2024 04:26:05
No need to feel sheepish StEtienne mate.
03 Sep 2024 08:33:37
There are enough Wools in the ground already .
03 Sep 2024 08:41:48
Braithwaite is the one to buy, settled in the area and proven in the league.
03 Sep 2024 12:30:17
Everton won't sell to us, IMO. No point worrying about it.
03 Sep 2024 15:19:35
Just speculating but maybe the flip-flopping was due to an expectation of Saudi bids for Mo and Virgil, that clearly never materialized.
Overall spend was down on the previous year. Perhaps FFP/ PSR is starting to focus minds. If we are moving toward squad building based on sustainable business models and not financial doping this has to be good for us in the long run.
Personally I'm happy with the approach and trust they know what they are doing. I don't buy the contract situation is down to incompetence. It's a strategy for Mo and Virgil.
For Trent, I suspect there's been conversations and he's not willing to commit. Next summer he will be 26, in his prime. Real sniffing around. It's probably tempting, expecially given the squad they are building. Become a club legend or a galactico?
Let's just enjoy the season. Looking good so far :)
04 Sep 2024 02:18:24
Thanks ed2. Assuming whoever we may target at CB would be dependent on sorting VVD’s contract situation first either way?
{Ed002's Note - It needs to be resolved regardless.}