18 Aug 2020 12:05:59
Interested to get everyone's thoughts. Obviously with what will be a very difficult transfer market. Assuming CA wants to go ahead with a 4-4-2.

Goalkeeper - If a cheaper alternative is available I'd sell Pickford. If we can get £25m I'd think options like Romero and Ramsdale (ship maybe sailed) are available for less without weakening the back?

Defence - I'd actually leave this alone, I'd be happy to spend on Antonee Robinson to come back and cover at LB. I think Kenny should be given a go and if its a disaster then Coleman should be able to cope until Jan. Branthwaite gave me confidence in depth, I think we have four capable and allowing CA to rotate.

Midfield - Seeing a lot of you keen on Allan but for me that seems a gamble on if he can adapt to the league with a fee like £30m, if that's what Napoli want. Up to CA and MB to sort it out if they really want him. Doucoure would seem a more sensible purchase as we know he can perform in the PL and may help to take control of games and give Gomes some support so he can do his thing. If Gueye is available on loan I'd bite PSG's arm off. Siggy can go I'd imagine but tough to offload, wouldn't see much point in any 'Number 10's' if we want to play 4-4-2?

Wingers - No left wingers required. Walcott has actually looked quality recently but if someone is available then could be worth strengthening on the right.

Forwards - Think we're good here. DCL should thrive on any kind of service and Richy looks good. Kean needs more minutes but looks a player.

Outs - Siggy, Bernard, Delph, Tosun (Jan) , Sandro (I wish)

Thoughts?

1.) 18 Aug 2020
18 Aug 2020 12:48:42
How about a punt on Butland? Cheaper keeper, was a good keeper a couple of seasons ago.

2.) 18 Aug 2020
18 Aug 2020 12:49:34
“ Walcott has looked quality recently “? Dunno who you’ve been watching mate but I think you’ve been watching someone else lol.

3.) 18 Aug 2020
18 Aug 2020 12:56:40
Navyblue,

I posted very similar but would sell Walcott and keep Bernard. Loan Zouma and Gueye and let Branthwaite go on loan to get playing experience like Holgate did.
Possibly let Tom Davies go on loan too.
Is the Robinson return looking likely?

4.) 18 Aug 2020
18 Aug 2020 13:59:09
Would get rid of Walcott and Bernard. Would not let Branthwaite go anywhere. Best place for him is to carry on working with Ancelloti.
We could get Butland at a decent price as his standing has dipped recently. But is he good enough to push Pickford?
Would let Sigurdsson and Davies go. Ones past his best, and the other will never get to the level we require.

5.) 18 Aug 2020
18 Aug 2020 14:47:33
Butland may be a shout. I don't think he's had the best time of it of late though.
Admittedly I'm judging Walcott by his own standards but his balls into the box have been quality. No one has been there to capitalise, previously I sighed everytime he was on the pitch but he looks better than he was.
I'd rather give Branthwaite a chance than get Zouma, but I wouldn't be upset if we went that way.
Unsure on Robinson (Ed's? ) heard it rumoured but Sheffield United were in for him too.
I would keep or loan Davies, in flashes he still has something, he needs a different environment to improve though.

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of SU interest in Robinson.}

6.) 18 Aug 2020
18 Aug 2020 15:08:30
Cheers Ed - Just looked around and Fulham are todays headline destination for Robinson. Is that looking likely?

{Ed002's Note - Antonee Robinson (LWB) was due to move to Milan in January as the replacement for Ricardo Rodriguez who was on a loan to by deal with PSV. He would have been signed if a heart issue was not found which left Milan with no back up to Theo Hernandez, Now PSV don't want the player and need Milan need to sell RR before looking again at AR - but RR is less than keen on moving to Trabzonspor in Turkey. There is a further complication in that a new coach has arrived in Milan. David Moyes who had the player at Everton as a youngster wants to take him to West Ham but knows that Fulham are very keen to sell their project to him and are in a position to offer him a suitable package to complete the deal. The likes of Sheffield United, Everton and Newcastle have had the player on lengthy lists of players they are considering but none has agreed a fee to allow a discussion to take place - and as such there was never serious interest.}

7.) 18 Aug 2020
18 Aug 2020 15:23:49
Many thanks Ed, helpful as always.