Summer Transfer Window 2025 Thread

[pfim]

It didn’t work on Monday although the whole team was like watching cats on sleeping tablets trying to play Chess

Well we weren’t competitive when he was on the left. Not his fault by any means, but tells you it can work

 

[Fonzy]

Is Ake a rumour or just someone you would like to see?

I would love to see him here, but he would be competing with Branthwaite for the left sided CB spot, not sure how we could keep both of them happy. I know he can play LB, and does it well, but I think his preference is CB

I think if he comes…he starts as your best LB…while providing really good cover for CB and CM

 

[Daytripper]

Well we weren’t competitive when he was on the left. Not his fault by any means, but tells you it can work

We weren’t competitive for the vast majority of the game mate. It was dreadful.

 

[Fonzy]

I’d say the period in Moyes’ first reign where we didn’t make a permanent money signing for a couple of years was more bizarre

Your forgetting the free signing of Castillo…part legend, part myth

 

[Fonzy]

Yup, especially with a three day work week and long lunches...going to be tight

The team that has long lunches together…wins together

 

[WA Toffee]

I think if he comes…he starts as your best LB…while providing really good cover for CB and CM

Yes, he would instantly be our best LB (and CB). But is that where he wants to play, and would he join another club to be first choice LB?

Although Van Dyck does seem to have the left sided CB spot secured for the Netherlands, so maybe he would be happy to become starting LB?

As I said before, deciding who to leave out is a much better position to be in than who can you fit in

 

[Drico]

Never all that?
Worn the famous Brazilian No 9.
Was always pretty damn good for us.

Serginho wore the famous Brazilian No 9. So did Hulk and Fred.

As Tostao used to say, "When Serginho plays, the ball is square."

 

[njligernj]

I’d say the period in Moyes’ first reign where we didn’t make a permanent money signing for a couple of years was more bizarre

Yeah. Thanks for this quick reality break. Kind of insane how MUCH we had to talk about that when it happened and now over half the people here don’t even remember.

 

[pfim]

We weren’t competitive for the vast majority of the game mate. It was dreadful.

No difference between first and second half? Completely disagree

 

[John BCN]

100% agree, and I have said before that I would much rather Moyes has to choose who to leave out and than try to work out who to put in.

But if we sign Ake, he plays. If Ake plays, Branthwaite doesn't. I can't recall seeing either of them playing right sided CB, so unless we are planning a back 3, either one of them is sitting on the bench, or Ake plays LB.

Branthwaite played right sided centre back in a back four for PSV.

 

[WA Toffee]

Branthwaite played right sided centre back in a back four for PSV.

Good to know, and perhaps gives us an option I wasn't aware of Any idea how he performed on the right?

 

[John BCN]

Good to know, and perhaps gives us an option I wasn't aware of Any idea how he performed on the right?

If I recall correctly, he played most of his games for PSV on the right as their best defender was very left footed and undroppable. He did a few interviews at the time confirming he was completely two footed (though with a slight preference for the left). I think Ake and Branthwaite could form an excellent partnership but as others have said, Ake's wages could be a stumbling block.

 

[argietoffee]

If I recall correctly, he played most of his games for PSV on the right as their best defender was very left footed and undroppable. He did a few interviews at the time confirming he was completely two footed (though with a slight preference for the left). I think Ake and Branthwaite could form an excellent partnership but as others have said, Ake's wages could be a stumbling block.

Branthwaite nowhere near as dominante in the air as Tarkowski.

Ake not either.

Grocks up and down the League be licking their lips.

We'd be pumelled unless we could get Pep's posession rates and that ain't happening under wee Davey.

 

[Curtis]

Apparently the last manager to win a game in August was Benitez so yeah it might be crucial to bring in the necessary players before September if we have intent to be ambitious this season

 

[Zatara]

Ake is odd. 240+ games at CB in a 2 and a 3. 70+ at LB. 25 or so as a DM. Versatile but unless Branthwaite is out for six months not six weeks, why??!!

Even if Branthwaite and Mykolenko were both out long term.

Why would you want a permanent transfer for a 30 year old, high wage player...

...who is frequently injured?

I just don’t know what we are actually trying to do in this window, our recruitment is all over the place

Were strengthening our strongest positions.

Its 'Moyes bingo'. How much money can the man waste over 2 months.

I think we (the club) would have been happy to go into a season with -

LB - Myko/Aznou
CB - Branthwaite/Keane/Tarks/JOB
RB - New/Coleman

if we started the season and that was all in place and everyone was fit.

As it stands we have no new RB, we can't and haven't offloaded Patterson, and Branthwaite, Myko and possibly Aznou are all injured.

Leaves us bare thin, again. I think another CB/LB would have been down near the bottom of the list and a January or next summer signing but the situation of the market/our squad frailties with fitness have led to us needing to address it sooner and if someone like Ake becomes available, who is a huge leap in quality, you go for it.

I'm not sure id be signing a THIRD left back and FIFTH centre back.

Neither would i consider a 30 year old injury prone player on a big wage.

Its pathetic.

Aznou was never ready. He's the sort of youngster you pay 8 million for when you have an established squad.

Yet was ready to play well in La Liga last season.