January Transfer Window 2026

[Clarky cat]

….no, I’d imagine the last thing Dyche thought of was playing a 6ft 4in CB at RB when Tarkowski and Branthwaite were playing so well in tandem. I know I never thought of playing him there and I don’t recall posters on here suggesting he’d be effective cover at RB.

Innovative from Moyes to introduce a young player like O’Brien into the team in such an unlikely position.

Posters have made up their minds that if Dibling turns out to be a poor signing it’s down to him being mishandled by Moyes, but if he turns out to be the superstar we hope then it’s in spite of Moyes

I can only guess why the lad has failed to perform, but most seem to know.

Ah, swerving the point about Alcaraz I see. O’Brien is 6ft 6 btw.

The idea of playing a youngish centre back at full back has been around for years. That was the most Dyche solution ever and he missed it because he was too busy trying to think up new ways of floating a set piece to the back post.

With AFCON just round the corner, I think it’s hard to argue that a potentially exciting winger who has the fabled “Premier league experience” that Moyes soils himself over and who should be taking Ndiaye’s current position when he’s away hasn’t been handled poorly with regards to his playing minutes. I haven’t checked but I think he’s had less minutes than an actual full game this season in the league? How exactly is he going to improve at all?

The one thing that I do know is that there isn’t a single player who can play himself into top form sat on a bench, I think it’s beyond ridiculous that he hasn’t been used more and that’s on Moyes (who then cryarses after signing the playing squad which he says isn’t good enough for him). We all want Dibling to succeed but he won’t unless he’s playing will he?

 

[Eggs]

If he was a Moyes signing, than the buck will always stop at his door.

Unless Dibling is downing tools or causing disharmony in the squad (which i cant see is happening) than it will always be down to the manager.

….of course Moyes is accountable for sanctioning the deal if it fails to turn out, I think that’s perfectly reasonable.

What’s not reasonable is blaming him if the player fails to perform without knowing exactly what is happening behind the scenes.

 

[Curtis]

Behind a paywall. Can you please summarise ?

It appears that the original priority was acquiring a right back in the Jan window, now we're also looking at procuring a striker. The details of particular players are scant , we looked into toney as a possibility but as of now it would be incredibly challenging and unlikely due to wages and his current club being opposed to his departure.

Branthwaite is expected to return after the new year and they are also weighing up recalling Armstrong from his loan.

The new head of recruitment from city has started developing targets for the summer window.

We still have room to spend in Jan but we can't make any significant transfers in the realm of over 50 million for a single player obviously

 

[Eggs]

Ah, swerving the point about Alcaraz I see. O’Brien is 6ft 6 btw.

The idea of playing a youngish centre back at full back has been around for years. That was the most Dyche solution ever and he missed it because he was too busy trying to think up new ways of trying to float a set piece to the back post.

With AFCON just round the corner, I think it’s hard to argue that a potentially exciting winger who has the fabled “Premier league experience” that Moyes soils himself over and who should be taking Ndiaye’s current position when he’s away hasn’t been handled poorly with regards to his playing minutes. I haven’t checked but I think he’s had less minutes than an actual full game this season in the league? How exactly is he going to improve at all?

The one thing that I do know is that there isn’t a single player who can play himself into top form sat on a bench, I think it’s beyond ridiculous that he hasn’t been used more and that’s on Moyes (who then cryarses after signing the playing squad which he says isn’t good enough for him). We all want Dibling to succeed but he won’t unless he’s playing will he?

….sorry, Clarke, I didn’t see your point re Alcaraz. Saying that, I can imagine you were saying he should also be playing.

Unfortunately Moyes can only select X1, I’m sure if you asked 20 people on here to pick their preferred team you’d likely get 18 different answers. I’d have thought it obvious why Alcaraz doesn’t play, if it isn’t it’s because he’s deemed inferior to KDH. I like Alcaraz too, but I struggle to see where he fits into the team when everybody is fit.

I suspect he’ll start tonight, what we do know is the lad will be fired up for it.

 

[Curtis]

If he was a Moyes signing, than the buck will always stop at his door.

Unless Dibling is downing tools or causing disharmony in the squad (which i cant see is happening) than it will always be down to the manager.

I just don't see where Dibling is supposed to be featured heavily even if he adapted instantaneously? Moyes has clear favorites and he wasn't going to give Dibling more opportunities until Ndiaye went to AFCON. I think he's been bringing in McNeil not because he doesn't trust dibling but because he has a certain task for McNeil as it fits a different profile than Dibling. People want to look at things in a good/bad lens I don't think that's always the case. I think Dibling was always considered a slow burn in being implemented

 

[blueboy72]

….of course Moyes is accountable for sanctioning the deal if it fails to turn out, I think that’s perfectly reasonable.

What’s not reasonable is blaming him if the player fails to perform without knowing exactly what is happening behind the scenes.

Moyes has no
History of bringing youngsters through
, he even had the greatest talent ever to come through our ranks on the bench quite a bit.
Dibbling v Palace, was the first teenager he’d started in a game in 5yrs

 

[Clarky cat]

….sorry, Clarke, I didn’t see your point re Alcaraz. Saying that, I can imagine you were saying he should also be playing.

Unfortunately Moyes can only select X1, I’m sure if you asked 20 people on here to pick their preferred team you’d likely get 18 different answers. I’d have thought it obvious why Alcaraz doesn’t play, if it isn’t it’s because he’s deemed inferior to KDH. I like Alcaraz too, but I struggle to see where he fits into the team when everybody is fit.

I suspect he’ll start tonight, what we do know is the lad will be fired up for it.

My point about Alcaraz was that he took his chance, his reward was being shunted out wide in the next game where he is least effective and he was then straight back to warming the bench the next game.

I dont think Alcaraz is anywhere near KDH levels as a player (the player you didn’t rate btw) but the time has come where the safety net of Gana is gone and nobody else can do what he does so to set the team up as if he was still available was ridiculous. Time for Moyes to start using the playing staff he had the final say on in the summer and for him to stop cryarsing over the decisions he ultimately made. He usually stumbles upon a decent team when injuries force his hand, let’s hope thats the case again.

 

[Clarky cat]

I just don't see where Dibling is supposed to be featured heavily even if he adapted instantaneously? Moyes has clear favorites and he wasn't going to give Dibling more opportunities until Ndiaye went to AFCON. I think he's been bringing in McNeil not because he doesn't trust dibling but because he has a certain task for McNeil as it fits a different profile than Dibling. People want to look at things in a good/bad lens I don't think that's always the case. I think Dibling was always considered a slow burn in being implemented

Defend first.

 

[blueboy72]

My point about Alcaraz was that he took his chance, his reward was being shunted out wide in the next game where he is least effective and he was then straight back to warming the bench the next game.

I dont think Alcaraz is anywhere near KDH levels as a player (the player you didn’t rate btw) but the time has come where the safety net of Gana is gone and nobody else can do what he does so to set the team up as if he was still available was ridiculous. Time for Moyes to start using the playing staff he had the final say on in the summer and for him to stop cryarsing over the decisions he ultimately made. He usually stumbles upon a decent team when injuries force his hand, let’s hope thats the case again.

Alcaraz will definitely be on the right when Ndiaye goes

 

[Swartzy]

I just don't see where Dibling is supposed to be featured heavily even if he adapted instantaneously? Moyes has clear favorites and he wasn't going to give Dibling more opportunities until Ndiaye went to AFCON. I think he's been bringing in McNeil not because he doesn't trust dibling but because he has a certain task for McNeil as it fits a different profile than Dibling. People want to look at things in a good/bad lens I don't think that's always the case. I think Dibling was always considered a slow burn in being implemented

There is slow burn, and then there is letting the flame burn out.

The longer it goes on Dibling wont be coming into the mix in Afcon, McNeil will be handed the spot.

Moyes will look at the lack of experience/Minutes approach, when it's actually down to him that his minutes have been so few and far between.

Afcon will probably be the big 'eye opening' make or break time for Moyes.

If injuries hit in, and players aren't ready to step in, than everything could blow up.

 

[Curtis]

There is slow burn, and then there is letting the flame burn out.

The longer it goes on Dibling wont be coming into the mix in Afcon, McNeil will be handed the spot.

Moyes will look at the lack of experience/Minutes approach, when it's actually down to him that his minutes have been so few and far between.

Afcon will probably be the big 'eye opening' make or break time for Moyes.

If injuries hit in, and players aren't ready to step in, than everything could blow up.

I think Dibling will be fine like I stated before Moyes takes forever to fully trust younger talents and is very thorough in making sure they can adapt before giving them a host of chances

 

[Eggs]

My point about Alcaraz was that he took his chance, his reward was being shunted out wide in the next game where he is least effective and he was then straight back to warming the bench the next game.

I dont think Alcaraz is anywhere near KDH levels as a player (the player you didn’t rate btw) but the time has come where the safety net of Gana is gone and nobody else can do what he does so to set the team up as if he was still available was ridiculous. Time for Moyes to start using the playing staff he had the final say on in the summer and for him to stop cryarsing over the decisions he ultimately made. He usually stumbles upon a decent team when injuries force his hand, let’s hope thats the case again.

….he was ‘shunted out wide’ because KDH came back into the team. If McNeil comes in does a fine job for a game when Ndiaye is unavailable, we’d all expect Ndiaye to come straight back in and understandably so.

 

[Swartzy]

I think Dibling will be fine like I stated before Moyes takes forever to fully trust younger talents and is very thorough in making sure they can adapt before giving them a host of chances

Hopefully.

Some big shoes to fill once Illy heads off.

 

[Zatara]

Paddy the Baddy Boyland suggesting only a striker reading in between the lines.

LB no as Branthwaite can cover apparently (hahaha) and RB they would want but doesn't look like that will happen.

Defensive Midfielder you say? Nope they're praying they won't have to recall Armstrong but if we are thin on the ground they will do in January.

Standard January window for the Toffee Blues incoming.

We need more sales than signings imo.

Then we may be able to sneak a top player in at the end of the season right when other clubs tend to have PSR issues.

View attachment 335446
This is why we need players NOW

December and January could make it break a season. We could hit a rough patch and drop 3 places OR we grind out 4/5 wins and sit on the cusp of 5th

The facts are - we don't score enough goals, we don't create enough chances and we are open to pace.

So we take Gueye and Ndiaye out of this squad in the middle of December, we lose attacking threat and the one player who seems to tackle in midfield.

Our squad HAS to be improved

So you would spend big in Jan on short term success this season.

Which would then have an affect on the summers budget.

I wouldnt do that.

Id like to see sales in January of fringe players and a big transfer window in the summer.

Let’s see how things go, but he will cope physically no problem. Also the rumour was he was impressing in training before his hernia

Thats the thing, he may well impress in training and could even perform well on the pitch. But if he can only play half a season...

 

[Zatara]

Moyes wanted soucek and I think, that while TFG/kinnear should put their foot down, maybe they wanted to support Moyes in this first window, but I’d guess once West Ham said what they wanted for him TFG pulled the plug and Rhol was targeted 2 days before the window closed. And my guess this will be the same for the likes of ward prowse.

Imagine if we had signed Soucek, McGinn, Tete & Ramsey.

What would that lot have cost in fees and wages?

3 of those players are on a downward spiral with 2 of them injury prone.

Frightening.

We cant give Moyes money to spend on this standard.

It's almost like Moyes has an established tendency about taking time to fully incorporate younger talents, it's not blaming him but recognizing that's how historically moyes operates , also who is he supposed to displace for Dibling? Grealish, KDH or Ndiaye who are all of his preferred players that he is usually reluctant to replace for the majority of the match?

We can often see Ndiaye looking shattered around the 70th minute.

Even if Dibling was getting 20mins a game i think most of us would be happy.

Also, he's basically been brought through the youth levels as a 10 & England u21s used him as a false 9 in their last match.

Surely KDH can drop to pair with Garner and Dibling can be the 10 if he wont use Alcaraz there?

A proper sitting defensive midfielder would be ideal this January , so frustrating we weren't able to get Palhinha as he opted for spurs as he would of perfectly fit the profile we need in the midfield

A loan for €5mil could have been ideal.

When most on here wanted Nunes from Sporting i wanted Palhinha. He was their best player back then.

If he was a Moyes signing, than the buck will always stop at his door.

Unless Dibling is downing tools or causing disharmony in the squad (which i cant see is happening) than it will always be down to the manager.

Joyce or Boyland (i think it was one or both?) has said that Moyes was the one who wanted Dibling and pushed for him.

Or something along those lines.