January transfer window 2024

[WA Toffee]

I'm actually not really thinking too much about it which is why the Mina/Coady examples didnt register -- neither would make logical sense for the club as ive pointed out (high fee and wages).

As I said, those were just illustrative examples of a third option.

Theres been two clubs Salzburg and Leipzig mentioned already.

Yep, and if they are the only two examples, I think that shows it is probably not the best path to take

The ressons put forward as to why this wouldnt work in the premier league are because of the level of competition and the money at stake.

And those reasons are correct

Didnt work out badly for Arsenal or Man United once they pinpointed players to keep as the foundations.

Didn't work out badly for Leicester when they signed Huth and Morgan. Also notable that Man Utd built their young 90s team around two very experienced centre backs

If you expand past the centre backs, these are the contracted players as we enter 2024.

2026 (3)
Mykolenko
Tarkowski
Garner

2027 (7)
Branthwaite
Onana
Pickford
McNeil
Patterson
Beto
Chermiti

When we look at this, it shows us that short term thinking isnt going to do much good when we will only have 43% of a 23man squad that will be contracted 2years+.

Totally agree, but getting an experienced backup player aged 25 or 26 for a key position doesn't equate to short term thinking.

There has to be a long term solution put in motion...

I don't think anyone would disagree with that

 

[malcson]

I reckon the best we can hope for January is offloading Keane and Gomes. In all likelihood the outcome of the FFP investigation will mean we can’t invest due to fine or probable relegation from points deduction. Best case scenario is a transfer embargo for that window. Any way you cut it we don’t sign anyone unless we sell an asset or we get off on the charges.

 

[Simon Buttle]

Of course we have to run like a business. I was asking why 99% of clubs don't use the model of 2 established cb's with the only backups being youth players, because to me that sounds like a business plan that is likely to cause more issues than it solves.

The only thing that is important is whether or not the individual is good enough, players mature at different ages. As the saying goes "If you are good enough then you are old enough" I do agree it's not common place in the PL and it's more a European thing.

 

[formerly manx toffee]

Here's the problem. If you bring in another Coady its a short term stop gap.

Theres no growth trajectory.

Also, you may want to check your facts, I actually was open to Young signing. Just as I am with Coleman as a backup -- due to funds and the idea being for them to pass experience and knowledge to the younger players' benefit.

Not to mention wanting Tarkowski to join.

The problem is the barriers to growth, as the teams that succeed either have alot of money OR the best scouting system.

We have neither. Coady was not kept on for a reason.

The dining point was relevant because if you're wealthy you can go with expensive restaurants every time.

If you arent, you either choose something 'different' or stick to the standard budget meal.

For a club near the bottom, its time for something different.



I'm actually not really thinking too much about it which is why the Mina/Coady examples didnt register -- neither would make logical sense for the club as ive pointed out (high fee and wages).

Theres been two clubs Salzburg and Leipzig mentioned already. The ressons put forward as to why this wouldnt work in the premier league are because of the level of competition and the money at stake.

Didnt work out badly for Arsenal or Man United once they pinpointed players to keep as the foundations.

If you expand past the centre backs, these are the contracted players as we enter 2024.

2026 (3)
Mykolenko
Tarkowski
Garner

2027 (7)
Branthwaite
Onana
Pickford
McNeil
Patterson
Beto
Chermiti

When we look at this, it shows us that short term thinking isnt going to do much good when we will only have 43% of a 23man squad that will be contracted 2years+.

There has to be a long term solution put in motion...

Do you have the reported salaries Zat ? We are in need to trimming cost and knowing which are good value for money is key

 

[Zatara]

As I said, those were just illustrative examples of a third option.

Yep, and if they are the only two examples, I think that shows it is probably not the best path to take

And those reasons are correct

Didn't work out badly for Leicester when they signed Huth and Morgan. Also notable that Man Utd built their young 90s team around two very experienced centre backs

Totally agree, but getting an experienced backup player aged 25 or 26 for a key position doesn't equate to short term thinking.

I don't think anyone would disagree with that

I also used the United example along with Arsenal. We should have 5 or 6 players locked down long term e.g instead of our longer contracted players being to 2027 there should be a handful with 2029 expiry dates.

Then build around them.

Disagree about signing 25 or 26 year olds as backup players. It just means were not improving the 11 and those players cost money.

Harrison for example and McNeil are mid table level players. What i would do is go for u21s to be their backups, then rotation and finally they become first choice.

That way we go from mid table players to that level being our bench.

I reckon the best we can hope for January is offloading Keane and Gomes. In all likelihood the outcome of the FFP investigation will mean we can’t invest due to fine or probable relegation from points deduction. Best case scenario is a transfer embargo for that window. Any way you cut it we don’t sign anyone unless we sell an asset or we get off on the charges.

Keane and Gomes leaving would be brilliant. Cant believe we didnt let Gomes go in the summer...fees rumoured were £4-8mil. If we could punt those (and Gana) then massive wages saved and a bit of cash for at least 1 new signing + whatever we may have from Iwobi/Gray sales.

Do you have the reported salaries Zat ? We are in need to trimming cost and knowing which are good value for money is key

No, just what others post.

I would guess Keane £80k, Gomes £120k and Gana £100k arent far off.

On the flipside someone mentioned Garner on £30k which shows the difference getting high earners off the books.

 

[MIKE85]

The other lad is Roony Bardghi (sp?) I think. Supposed to be a massive talent. I'd wager out of our league already.

Yeah, that fella. He looked excellent every time I've seen him.

 

[RomanReigns]

Summerville with 2 goals and 2 assists today a player we were interested in buying during the summer apparently

 

[Simon Buttle]

The other lad is Roony Bardghi (sp?) I think. Supposed to be a massive talent. I'd wager out of our league already.

He is going to be a real star him, he is a cracking player.

 

[RomanReigns]

wonder if we can loan a Saudi player in January like Newcastle

 

[WA Toffee]

I also used the United example along with Arsenal. We should have 5 or 6 players locked down long term e.g instead of our longer contracted players being to 2027 there should be a handful with 2029 expiry dates.

Yep that would be good. I believe the EPL are cracking down on 5+ year contracts though, as Chelsea have used it to manipulate FFP so not sure if that will be an option moving forward

Then build around them.

Disagree about signing 25 or 26 year olds as backup players. It just means were not improving the 11 and those players cost money.

There are plenty 25/26 year olds that are effective back ups. Who would have thought that Huth and Morgan would be a title winning cb pairing? Age is not the be all and end all

Harrison for example and McNeil are mid table level players. What i would do is go for u21s to be their backups, then rotation and finally they become first choice.

Yep, those are positions you can afford to have youth as the primary back up. Centre back is not, which is why no clubs do it.

 

[Zatara]

Yep that would be good. I believe the EPL are cracking down on 5+ year contracts though, as Chelsea have used it to manipulate FFP so not sure if that will be an option moving forward

There are plenty 25/26 year olds that are effective back ups. Who would have thought that Huth and Morgan would be a title winning cb pairing? Age is not the be all and end all

Yep, those are positions you can afford to have youth as the primary back up. Centre back is not, which is why no clubs do it.

5year deals are fine, any longer and also fine but max for FFP calculations is 5.

I dont see how 9/10 times a signing to be a backup makes sense unless theyre u21.

If we could sign a right sided CB with the ability of Branthwaite from overseas to come in as 3rd choice and adapt...i think that would make much more sense than someone like Harry Maguire for example.

 

[mikel_88]

As others have posted...but the key point is that if we went with Tarkowski and Branthwaite that would mean were starting a player who is 21 already so surely having a 3rd choice 20/21 isnt a big deal?

Then to have a 4th choice e.g 19 years old would put them 2 years behind Branthwaite and 1 year behind the 3rd choice.

If you look at it like that, wheres the negatives?



If you pay money for a senior player to come in as 3rd choice it means they probably arent good enough as otherwise they would be starting...while an u21 may already be or become good enough to start very quickly.

Same goes for centre midfield as well...we have Onana and Garner in the middle, both 22. Why cant we have an u21 and an u19 behind them?

All seems perfectly logical to me.

Was thinking maybe try for bellisand Maatsen prob both be out of the price range. Is an area we need to freshen up at at lb

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[Gwladys St. Glory]

I would guess Keane £80k, Gomes £120k and Gana £100k arent far off.

On the flipside someone mentioned Garner on £30k which shows the difference getting high earners off the books.

4 Garners for one Gomes....I (and most others) will take that.

 

[Zatara]

Was thinking maybe try for bellisand Maatsen prob both be out of the price range. Is an area we need to freshen up at at lb

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Maatsen i think they were asking big money from Burnley in the summer.

Harwood-Bellis is on loan at Southampton who have a £20mil option to buy. So thats the level we'd be dealing at.

Bit weird Burnley didnt sign him.

Ronnie Edwards looks a possible option to me, 10 England u19 caps and 10 England u20 caps at 20. Plus, his contract at Peterborough expires in 2025.

Nelson Abbey perhaps a good backup to Branthwaite as hes left footed.

4 Garners for one Gomes....I (and most others) will take that.

Yes if we had the transfer fees then wages wouldnt be an issue. Have to look at those championship players and see the value.

 

[Nymzee]

Was just looking at our side under the infamous 72pt season.

Howard
Coleman Stones Distin Baines
McCarthy Barry
Barkley
Geri Rom Mirallas

How many of our current squad get in that side? We haven't have replaced every single one of them poorly.