Philosopher

This one is a curious one. Zaniolo is very talented, and like Ramsey can play left inverted winger, centre mid, or no 10. Two major knee ligament injuries is horrible bad luck. However we signed Mings whom had two serious knee ligament injuries prior to joining us, and has barely missed a game since he arrived at the club. It all depends on how he has recovered from those injuries. As he would be fairly cheap (I would have thought) if we decided to sign him, would add depth, and potential is a top player.

Sancho's style of play suits us better if believe, also Sancho has a higher ceiling. Finally Barnes has been quoted in the press at costing 40 to 50 million, which is similar to what Man U would accept for Sancho. I agree wages are an issue. Villa won't pay 300k a week and nor should we. However do you really think Barnes wages will be low. I expect he'll be asking for at least 150k per week.

I'd agree prefer Sancho over Barnes. Similar transfer values mooted, although the wages are a huge difference. Sancho has a problem at Man U as they're set up to play with Rashford on the left, who is a different type of player. He has had some injury issues which has meant that when he has built up form and started playing well that momentum has been checked. For me the problem with Sancho is injuries may be a concern.

Some of the best CB'S aren't particularly combative. Central defenders generally don't make many tackles these days. Also centre back is a partnership. Generally you partner an aggressive combative cb with a quick intelligent cb. The combative one one being a stopper, and the quick one being the covering defender. Pau Torres has some pace about him, and he reads the game so well. He'd be a fine partner for either Mings or Carlos, both of whom are comfortable being the stopper.

Emery won't sell Watkins unless Watkins wants to leave. Makes no sense to sell the only striker we have that we know we can rely on. If Watkins leaves this summer it will be because of Watkins. However if we sign a striker that proves he is as least as good, then we can consider shifting him. The smart moves is a shiny new contract for Watkins, and a striker brought into compete with Watkins. Then we can consider cashing in on Ollie come the winter, or more likely summer window next year (so long as new striker is an improvement).

Purslow has done a solid job. The Gerrard appointment showed he should be kept away from footballing decisions however. For me Purslow is a savvy operator, very slick (almost slimey), and very astute, on the business and strategy side. However it's clear we are pursuing a different model. Heck will run the commercial side. A sporting director to run the football business side. Then a director of football to oversee the scouting and player recruitment. This is a good model as the demands placed on the leadership structure increase as we increase in stature and reach.

Oh okay. But Kondogbia is never a target!

So this idea of guaranteed starts is not quite right. But yes he would expect to by a regular first team player to join us, or pretty much any team. If he has ambition he'll want to play wherever he goes, and if he doesn't he'll move on. Also he cost Athletico 100 million so they want to recoup as much of that as possible. Simeone has been huge for them, his importance trumps Felix, so Felix has to go as they don't get on.

Tielemens is a very astute signing. His role is similar to Luiz in that he is a deep playmaker type. He plays for Belgium alongside Dendonker. So we basically have two good quality midfield duos in Kamara and Luiz, and Dendonker and Tielemens. With Iroegbunam back up to those two (if he doesn't go back out on loan). Oxlade-Chamberlin is a good player perfect for the wide midfielder role, but as we all know is injury prone and not worth it. Pay as you play deal the only way we even consider, so smells like media BS.

Champions league final still to come.

Reminds me a little of Rivaldo, but not as quick. Looks a player, strong, clever, creative, good touch, clean striker of the football. Looks like a cross between a 10 and traditional target man. Could play with any of our current strikers as a result.

So as Moreno won't be fit for the start of the season, it should give Digne expectations of a run in the team and a chance to stake a claim. I can't see him leaving unless a champions league team come in for him. He wages mean teams smaller than ours can't sign him. Tierney is injury prone, which is why Arsenal want to sell him. Otherwise he's a very good player. Also Tierney isn't the marauding fullback Moreno is, he is actually more of a defensive fullback. Makes no sense even if we do want another left back.

Nice Post. Not convinced by Wan Bissaka. Good defender, but I think Emery isn't just looking for a good defender. He needs defenders confident in possession and able to play out. I'm not convinced by Wan Bissakas ability to play out. So for.this reason I don't see Bissaka as the best option Under Emery we operate a high line, so any RB we sign will need to be quick. We also are a little weak aerially on set pieces, so I think any right back we sign will need to be decent in the air. Juan Foyth maybe not quite quick enough for my liking, but he ticks every other box. Rashford exposed us on the right side, his pace and abilty to spring the offside trap meant Konsa and Young could only watch. Hence i would like us to sign a player with genuine pace. Would be a good a signing in my opinion non the less, but 46m for a right back when we are looking to sign at least 2 attacking players, and a midfielder means I can't see us paying that. Given the stringent requirements for a right back, I can't see this being an easy position to fill. Emery may have to compromise a little here. Geertruida seems like a compelling option to me.

It's right to let him go. For me he was starting to look his age in his last few games. At 38 (which is what he'll be next season), we have to look forward. I'm sure Emery wants to bring in a RB of his own, so space needed to be made in the squad!

Agreed.

I think we need a better number 10 then him. He is a good player to have in the squad, so I wouldn't sell him. But he has clear limitations, so we need better. Came on as a sub so would obviously not be as good as the rest who played very well. Reality for him is, McGinn has been a better number 10 than him, and McGinn for me is an 8 that can do a job at 10. Not a natural 10. He has indeed made a few important goal contributions, and the reality is since Emery has come in, every player he has picked to start matches has made positive contributions. So our players are good (Buendia included), but to reach the next level we need to improve the squad and the 10 and 7 positions are obvious areas that can be improved.

Bailey had a good game yesterday, his defending was much improved, and he was productive going forward. 60 minutes he does tire, part of which is down to still not being fully match fit. Will be a good squad player next season, as I'm sure we'll bring.in a top talent in his position. However there are no guarantees, so better to keep him until whoever we bring in proves they're better than him. Plus we need to expand the squad. We need to bring in a player for each of those 3 positions behind the striker. And Archer needs to come back.

What a way to get European football. If we had start well and fizzled out to make 7th it would have been a disappointment, but to do the opposite and achieve this after such a terrible start to the season feels so special. Europa Conference, is the minimum this club should be achieving given our history, fan base, and infrastructure. This is the first season in a long time where what has been happening on the pitch is reflective of the the standard of the club as a whole. The match today was excellent. Not just a great, and deserved result (we were definitely the better team over 90 minutes), but a fantastically entertaining and high quality football match. Every player put in at least a Seven out of 10 bar Buendia (but as a sub it's understandable). Special mention to Ramsey, Luiz, and Kamara, who were excellent today. Kamara almost back to he best. Luiz was very good once again, and 7 goals for the season as a DM is a great return. Ramsey, two assists (should be 2 goals as well), looked like a proper left winger today, unplayable at times. As usual the referee was inconsistent, and made a mistake with most of his yellows. And also as usual the commentary was atrocious.

Two assists for Ramsey. Playing really well.

Bailey's been very good so far.

I would say he did a job for us. His loan when we were in the championship help us get promoted, but in the Premier league he wasn't particularly effective in my eyes. Flat track bully. When things got tough he disappeared! All in all I'd say add a mediocre bracket between good and bad, and toss him in there with Trezguet. While Trezguet was arguably even more mediocre than El-Ghazi, his goals kept us up, and he never went missing, always worked his butt off and always showed for the ball. A humble lad too. I miss him, even if he isn't good enough to be a Villa player anymore.

Such a likeable guy. Happy for him. Hope Luton pay up for him, because he deserves to play for a team where he is loved.

Rashford exploited the high line well for Man U in the game a old Trafford and the league Cup game. However they targeted our right hand side, which is where our slowest defenders are. If we can get a really speedy right back or right centre back it will help a lot. Konsa is no slouch, but Mings and Moreno are 2 of the fastest defenders in the league, but they are both on our left side.

He skilled and can pass. Not simply y a clogger. Also to have the pressing and tackling stats he has, means he isn't a holding player, but a ball winner. With good movement too.

I think he can come in to play right midfield or left midfield, or Luiz' role. He is versatile enough. In fact I think the extra attacking freedom of the wide midfield positions would suit his game better. Honestly if we got him and any one of Asensio, Williams, or Torres we would a fearsome proposition.