Condimentalist

Emi wants to play in Europe. Villa are in Europe, Chelsea are not.

I'm not naive, just as Jack left, so could Emi. But I do think it would only be for CL side. 

I thought United might be a risk this summer but looks like they've gone for Onana.

13 minutes ago, Adam2003 said:

A childhood nickname that doesn’t necessarily make sense? I don’t believe that could ever happen

Alright sausagefingers chill out. 

25 minutes ago, sne said:

Hmmm

Not bowled over by the WHU kit either but it's smarter than ours. I'm really not a fan of Castore, all just looks basic, cheap and nasty.

Diaby would be super exciting. He was always the more rated between him and Bailey but there's also probably no harm that they've played together before either.

Of course there is an adjustment period for playing at a higher level but he's got decent UCL and UEL experience and it's probably the right time in his career for him to move somewhere.

If the links are real it's a big thumbs up from me. 

1 hour ago, OutByEaster? said:

I know it's a sort of heresy, but I was never overly keen on the Luke home shirt, I much preferred the first Kappa one the season afterward with the big yellow W on the front - for me that's the best of our modern ones.

This season's shirt continues to grow on me, but the sponsors logos are just a bit too overbearing.

 

Neither - I thought the Luke kit was OK but preferred the Kappa shirts generally. 

Bollocks. He's going to be a key man this year. But he'll come back OK. 

Further emphasises the need for attacking reinforcements though. 

Yeah he's going to be a key player for us this season, really don't need him injured.

4 hours ago, Jas10 said:

I have zero concerns, the owners have set up Unai with the best environment to thrive and be comfortable in. He won’t get this amount of freedom and control at a club like that, this is a long term project for him and he wants to have success with us… we are building something special.

Unai can draw on past experiences too…

I don’t think he chases the money/glory either, he has such passion and enjoyment for the game… 

 

I hope that is right. 

I think Unai would like to achieve a few things here before perhaps moving on in future, and that would be to the very elite clubs ala Real Madrid.

The club are giving him a full set up here to push us on - it's working well for us but it's a good arrangement for him too and I don't think he would give it up too readily, particularly not before he has achieved a few goals e.g. silverware and a decent standard of European competition. 

Have to say I'm surprised given how well our CBs performed last season, but equally by all accounts he's an excellent player at what seems like a good price.

I can't see Mings not starting (and it would be a mistake not to) so can only imagine we play with two left footed CBs. 

Like the badge but the kit is toilet 

I wonder if the Coutinho deal also contributed to the end of Purslow 

47 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

Surely a lot depends on Tyrone’s contract situation.  

46 minutes ago, DaveAV1 said:

Especially as Unai seems to like him 

He signed a new contract in February. 

1 hour ago, DeadlyDirk said:

Much like two right footed centre backs can play together so can two left footed one's. You don't know what the agenda is with regards to Ming's future if we sign Torres, unless you've got the ear of the coaching staff.

I don't think it matters. Neither Mings nor Konsa should be dropped, and Carlos can cover both sides as we know. So I just don't see the case for splurging on an expensive CB who may not even start.

If we are going to spend decent money in defence the obvious player type is someone who can play RB and also CB, to compete with Cash and provide cover across the back. 

Have said it elsewhere but we're not spending big money replacing Mings, and nor should we.

11 minutes ago, thabucks said:

Think we can kiss goodbye to the prospects of signing Pau Torres as Bayern are now rumoured to be in for him … Good enough for them but according to @Kiwivillan not good enough for us - hmm 

I don't think we were ever in for him, nor should we have been. 

3 hours ago, Pinebro said:

Classic example of hard work beats talent.

This guy burst onto the scene out of nowhere and his brother was supposedly from what I've heard more talented.

I know Aaron is yoinger but Jacob was a PL regular at his age.

Partly I think JJ being bigger but also because we were a poorer side / easier to get into. It's harder for youngsters to play now than it was a couple of years back.

That said - JJ has really taken his chance. Powerful runner and a really good finisher, he's going to be one of our key players next season and for years to come. 

Please not a newly promoted team away. Always seems to happen and it's a dreadful draw vs playing them at any other point. 

Can't really judge this until we know what the replacement plan (or circumstances around departure) but overall he was very good IMO and easily the most competent football administrator we've had for decades.

If he's paying the price for Gerrard I think that's harsh in the context of his other achievements. 

Ollie proved last season that he can be our number 9. We're not at a level where we need to be upgrading Ollie Watkins, it would be very expensive and risky. 

If we somehow get Champions League over the next few seasons I think we might need a more ruthless finisher but who knows - he's still improving IMO and his finishing especially. 

Brilliant pick up on a free transfer. Smart business by the club. If we can get him back to his best, and I am sure Unai can, he's a CL standard player. 

And if we're not seeded it just effects the play off? Or also the groups? 

3 minutes ago, HeyAnty said:

He had, until Emery came in and seems to have fixed that.

Exactly, it wasn't unfair - but last season he cut it out. 

I don't mind Gregg but agree he isn't usually there with inside knowledge and really most of us could have written that piece - it's just a compilation of major rumours.

Only interesting shout is Adams, who I guess would be an alternative to Tielemans. 

I just don't see us spending big to replace Mings from the first XI, and nor should we.

We've got a better crop of youth players to help pad the squad than West Ham.

That said, we still need 5 or 6 signings IMO, including at least 3 for the first choice 14/15, assuming the anticipated departures happen. 

Back up GK

RB/CB (elite) 

CM

AM / Wing (elite)

Second Striker / wing (elite) 

Very much in the camp that if Emery wants him that's good enough for me.

I've not watched enough of Leicester to judge his performances of late, but if we can get the player of the couple of seasons before this one, on a free transfer, that's great business.

I think the other side of this is that our midfield first team is already strong. Hard to drop any of Ramsey, Luiz, Kamara and McGinn from the first XI, so are we really going to spend big £ on another CM? 

If doing this rather that Guendouzi - who I am not convinced is even a better player - means we can spend more to land our top targets in the forward positions, then I'm all for it.