People forget how much damage the previous regime did and left so much work to be done. You can't undo that within one summer window frustrating as that is, therefore some will feel it's a bit underwhelming
What do we still need? Aka The never ending story
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People forget how much damage the previous regime did and left so much work to be done. You can't undo that within one summer window frustrating as that is, therefore some will feel it's a bit underwhelming
Super happy with the first three.
I think it’s more just the Ugarte and Mazraoui signings. Mazraoui is essentially cover for Dalot and Shaw on both sides and not sure Ugarte is a massive upgrade and what we need in midfield.
I haven't watched him much from Barcelona tbh so most of my evaluation is coming from his Leeds stinct. The other two you mentioned are unrealistic as you said but are also left sided forwards. I am looking more at giving Amad competition on the right. Someone to help us pace his development without overwhelming him.
Isn't Ugarte exactly what we need?
We've got the playmaker, we've got the runner. What we don't have is the ball winner, and one of the big reasons we conceded so many shots on goal last year.
Ugarte may be limited in other areas, but whose out there that is a better option and available right now?
For Mazraoui, I'm not fully up on how good he is, but can cover both sides is a nice bonus.
Dalot last year was very good for us, and a fit Shaw is also very good, so this guy sort of fits that cover role on both areas, and by all accounts, if he can sort his fitness out, he sounds like he'd actually be a starter for us
Still have this awful feeling they could get both which is annoying because lowish release clause
The fact that Williams hasn't left yet and very little news surrounding him suggests he knows where he's going, which is more than likely Barca, even if they need to do many shady / stupid things to get him
We still haven't got the high volume passer who can progress the ball forward though, hopefully there is still plans to sign one even though it won't be happening this window
To complete the set we really need to move a few players on, which would have to be Casemiro, McTominay and Eriksen
Yeah and feels like only one will leave this summer
Actually shocked nobody from Saudi came in for Casemiro, but it is what it is.
Eriksen though, even letting him go on a free and picking Rabiot up makes sense
Yeah I was certain they would come in, also the noise around Rabiot is only from shite sources
If someone had said at the start of the window we will end up with Zirkzee, Yoro, De ligt, Mazraoui and Ugarte, I wouldn't have believed it for a second. It will be a great summer to get them all in.
Can we sign a left back? Malacia is cooked and Shaw is at best good for 30 games a season.
Williams stated a few days ago he is staying at Bilbao this season. That's why Barcelona are in for Olmo now. They have been reassured that Williams isn't moving this summer so they can get him next summer. The Barcelona board see Williams as a absolute key signing. Yamal/Williams will be their answer to Mbappe/Vinicius
Would be our best window in years if we pull off all those signings
Don't let that fake sideshowbob tell u otherwise
If you offered me that at the start of the window I’d have snapped your hand off.
Not sure why people are feeling underwhelmed with Ugarte. It’s not like he had a shocker at PSG, and he’s just really impressed at the Copa America.
Not sure who else the fans were realistically wanting instead of him? I’m happy we’ve gone for him over Onana that’s for sure.
Joao Neves.
Even thought a midfield of Neves, Mainoo and Bruno wouldn't work, thats not the point of a lot of fans. It's all about ceilings and roofs and generational talents these days
According to a journalist for Portuguese paper The Record Sport we did make a bid that was rejected.
June 6th: Sergio Krithinas, Record Sport: "Jorge Mendes brought an offer of around £51m from Man Utd for Benfica's Joao Neves, but the club turned it down. They want at least £85m." [@TransfersCast]
Don’t get me wrong, I’d have loved Neves but not as our only signing and we need a Ugarte type DM more than a Neves this summer.
If we have the funds and are able to offload Sancho and Antony, would Chiesa be worth bringing in? Thiago Motta confirmed Juve are looking to sell!
No. Look at his injury history.
We have two sideshow bobs on this forum? Not good.
Same it as it always was. Midfield midfield midfield. We will never contend again until we have a top class midfield group. Doesn't matter who we sign elsewhere.
Said the same when people here were obsessed with buying 3CBs, and 2FBs, and also when we missed out on Neves. The priority is midfield and getting people comfortable of the ball there.
We need 2 new midfielders and both of them need to be comfortable of the ball. If we dont do that, we are cooked.
The season is a write off with Case and Eriksen. We need to get 2 in, urgently
No wonder Ratcliffe said this is going to take 3 years to rebuild.
Our off the ball midfield and defensive actions and goalkeeping issues might probably be the same.
Club should rather prioritise a cdm signing than a Rb.
Our off the ball midfield and defensive actions and goalkeeping issues might probably be the same.
Club should rather prioritise a cdm signing than a Rb.
What was the point of signing Zirkzee if he's not even capable of being a backup striker? Surely this role is filled.
There's zero chance we offload Antony. Unlikely Sancho can be offloaded either unfortunately. Need a miracle from PSG.
Hopefully this week we’ll some more progress.
AWB sold
De Ligt & Mazzer fee agreed
McTominay bid accepted
AWB sold
De Ligt & Mazzer fee agreed
McTominay bid accepted
Hopefully Rabiot and a DM in as well.
I’m taking it one week at a time but yes, McT out and Ugarte+Rabiot in would be solid moves if we can make it happen before the season’s start.
With a pinch of optimism, I think we can go some way to completing the rebuild next summer with 4 or 5 signings. This is assuming we manage to get Mazraoui, De Ligt and Ugarte over the line this window. A year from now, potentially we could be looking at something like this:
Onana
Bayindir
Heaton/Someone else
Shaw
Amass
Martinez
Branthwaite
De Ligt
Yoro
Dalot
Mazraoui
Wharton
Ugarte
Mainoo
Collyer/New CM
Fernandes
Mount
N. Williams
Garnacho
Amad
Lacey/New winger
Højlund
Zirkzee
Obi-Martin
Wheatley
This would put us in a position where for the forseeable, we would only need to make small adjustments here and there each window.
Onana
Bayindir
Heaton/Someone else
Shaw
Amass
Martinez
Branthwaite
De Ligt
Yoro
Dalot
Mazraoui
Wharton
Ugarte
Mainoo
Collyer/New CM
Fernandes
Mount
N. Williams
Garnacho
Amad
Lacey/New winger
Højlund
Zirkzee
Obi-Martin
Wheatley
This would put us in a position where for the forseeable, we would only need to make small adjustments here and there each window.
Amen to that.
Needs to be done this week.
Although I think McT will drag late into August.
We are now 5 days from the start of the season and still need another CB, a RWB, a LWB, 2 DM's, and a 20 goal a season striker if we are to challenge on all fronts this season.
Looks good to me.
Best prepare yourself for absolute maximum of CB, RWB, and 1 DM, so who is this 20 goal a season striker we can afford then?
I dont know who we can afford as I dont now how much money is available but there are few out there with names like Ivan Toney and Victor Goyokeres being mentioned
If Onana has another dodgy season I’d like to see us bringing Kovar back on his buy-back clause next summer.
It’ll be interesting to see how Branthwaite does this year but I don’t see him getting any cheaper unless he underperforms. Prefer us to take a look at Jorrel Hato at Ajax for that LCB/LB player.
Wharton could be very interesting for us to look at. One to watch this season as he has the exact profile we should be looking at and he’s English.
Personally I don’t think Nico Williams is too realistic, as I expect him to stay in Spain if he does move, plus I could see Rashford upping his game this year. For the other New Winger though, I’d be keeping an eye on Roony Bardghji at Kobenhaven when he comes back from his injury, would be cheap and very high potential.
Nice to see our squad start to shake up though. This time next year we should be starting to get confident about challenging hopefully.
I'm open to Kovar returning. Alternatively, I'd be keeping an eye on Diogo Costa/Mamardashvili, though both would be expensive.
I'm not massively sold on Branthwaite, particularly for the reported fee. I only really included him due to the confirmed interest.
I have zero faith in Rashford, though my mention of Williams was purely due to a lack of knowledge on my part regarding semi-realistic top level wide players. It might be a bit too soon for Lacey, but if Garnacho moves back over to the left then we definitely need a second option with Amad. Antony and Sancho are not for me.
Yes, it looks a bit more encouraging seeing it all mapped out like this. Just hope we can get our targets in during the remainder of this and next summer's window, whilst hopefully seeing tactical improvements in terms of control and our ability to swarm the opposition/sustaining attacks.