***Official Summer Transfer Thread***

[johnny crossan]

Not like the good old days when a player scoring 7 (seven) in one game was an achievement.

That never happened. Did it?

Jimmy Ross was one I believe

[patrickblue]

Not like the good old days when a player scoring 7 (seven) in one game was an achievement.

That never happened. Did it?

Jimmy Ross was one I believe

Now, that was the good old days.
Mind you, there were no crossbars in them days.

[johnny crossan]

So Pep only wants two then. The OP covered the field for Yaya's spot - who is gonna replace Zinchenko?

Mahrez, Zaha, Bailey, Hazard, Griezmann, Lewandowski, Mbappe, Neymar - in order of ascending odds!

[phips]

is this now the official summer transfer window thread?

seems like Jorginho is the most likely. a 26 yo CM/DM that Pep clearly values and will be the long-term successor to Fern and fill the roster slot vacated by Yaya. can see him rotating alot with Fern and/or Ilkay next season but then becoming a full-time starter for the 2019-2020 season. havent seen him play that often for Napoli but if Pep rates him this highly then im on-board.

[PeterParker]

is this now the official summer transfer window thread?

seems like Jorginho is the most likely. a 26 yo CM/DM that Pep clearly values and will be the long-term successor to Fern and fill the roster slot vacated by Yaya. can see him rotating alot with Fern and/or Ilkay next season but then becoming a full-time starter for the 2019-2020 season. havent seen him play that often for Napoli but if Pep rates him this highly then im on-board.

If Jorginho comes it means Fred is off the list.

[Burt]

What do we know of this Jorghino fella? Googled him and he looks a perfect fit for us. Maybe a couple of years older at 27 in December but central midfielders like Fern are usually just priming at that age. Interested to read your thoughts please

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

is this now the official summer transfer window thread?

seems like Jorginho is the most likely. a 26 yo CM/DM that Pep clearly values and will be the long-term successor to Fern and fill the roster slot vacated by Yaya. can see him rotating alot with Fern and/or Ilkay next season but then becoming a full-time starter for the 2019-2020 season. havent seen him play that often for Napoli but if Pep rates him this highly then im on-board.

If Jorginho comes it means Fred is off the list.

According to most of the media his signing is immanent.

[johnny crossan]

is this now the official summer transfer window thread?

seems like Jorginho is the most likely. a 26 yo CM/DM that Pep clearly values and will be the long-term successor to Fern and fill the roster slot vacated by Yaya. can see him rotating alot with Fern and/or Ilkay next season but then becoming a full-time starter for the 2019-2020 season. havent seen him play that often for Napoli but if Pep rates him this highly then im on-board.

If Jorginho comes it means Fred is off the list.

According to most of the media his signing is immanent.

Always been with us in spirit then anyway here's today's CW revelations

[phips]

De Ligt? replacement for Kompany in 1 more season?

Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Kompany (oft injured), & De Ligt?

[PrezIke]

De Ligt? replacement for Kompany in 1 more season?

Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Kompany (oft injured), & De Ligt?

Wonder if Pep wants to go back to a 3 defender back line again.

Nico's ceiling also seems to be a bit of a question mark at the CL level and maybe we think De Ligt

The rumour about Škriniar I read is propaganda from Inter mostly. Hard to see this being true.

If we are signing De Ligt then Pep's claim of not spending much seems off if we're in for a wide forward/winger and Jorginho, as we allegedly are making a bid.

[PeterParker]

De Ligt? replacement for Kompany in 1 more season?

Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Kompany (oft injured), & De Ligt?

Wonder if Pep wants to go back to a 3 defender back line again.

Nico's ceiling also seems to be a bit of a question mark at the CL level and maybe we think De Ligt

The rumour about Škriniar I read is propaganda from Inter mostly. Hard to see this being true.

If we are signing De Ligt then Pep's claim of not spending much seems off if we're in for a wide forward/winger and Jorginho, as we allegedly are making a bid.

I would avoid any dutch player for a while. No idea what happend to their youth system, but what leaves their league is really pumped without any reason.

I was convinced Depay would be a hit. Look what happend.

[mr_nool]

De Ligt? replacement for Kompany in 1 more season?

Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Kompany (oft injured), & De Ligt?

Wonder if Pep wants to go back to a 3 defender back line again.

Nico's ceiling also seems to be a bit of a question mark at the CL level and maybe we think De Ligt

The rumour about Škriniar I read is propaganda from Inter mostly. Hard to see this being true.

If we are signing De Ligt then Pep's claim of not spending much seems off if we're in for a wide forward/winger and Jorginho, as we allegedly are making a bid.

Im pretty certain we will play 3-5-2 much more often next season. I think that was the plan for this season as well, but Mendy's injury scuppered those plans.

[mr_nool]

De Ligt? replacement for Kompany in 1 more season?

Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Kompany (oft injured), & De Ligt?

Wonder if Pep wants to go back to a 3 defender back line again.

Nico's ceiling also seems to be a bit of a question mark at the CL level and maybe we think De Ligt

The rumour about Škriniar I read is propaganda from Inter mostly. Hard to see this being true.

If we are signing De Ligt then Pep's claim of not spending much seems off if we're in for a wide forward/winger and Jorginho, as we allegedly are making a bid.

I would avoid any dutch player for a while. No idea what happend to their youth system, but what leaves their league is really pumped without any reason.

I was convinced Depay would be a hit. Look what happend.

17 goals and 13 assists in France this season. Maybe just another one who was ruined by the swamp dwellers?

[mr_nool]

De Ligt? replacement for Kompany in 1 more season?

Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Kompany (oft injured), & De Ligt?

Wonder if Pep wants to go back to a 3 defender back line again.

Nico's ceiling also seems to be a bit of a question mark at the CL level and maybe we think De Ligt

The rumour about Škriniar I read is propaganda from Inter mostly. Hard to see this being true.

If we are signing De Ligt then Pep's claim of not spending much seems off if we're in for a wide forward/winger and Jorginho, as we allegedly are making a bid.

I would avoid any dutch player for a while. No idea what happend to their youth system, but what leaves their league is really pumped without any reason.

I was convinced Depay would be a hit. Look what happend.

17 goals and 13 assists in France this season. Maybe just another one who was ruined by the swamp dwellers?

Make that 18 goals.

[johnny crossan]

is this now the official summer transfer window thread?

Yes

[PrezIke]

De Ligt? replacement for Kompany in 1 more season?

Stones, Laporte, Otamendi, Kompany (oft injured), & De Ligt?

Wonder if Pep wants to go back to a 3 defender back line again.

Nico's ceiling also seems to be a bit of a question mark at the CL level and maybe we think De Ligt

The rumour about Škriniar I read is propaganda from Inter mostly. Hard to see this being true.

If we are signing De Ligt then Pep's claim of not spending much seems off if we're in for a wide forward/winger and Jorginho, as we allegedly are making a bid.

I would avoid any dutch player for a while. No idea what happend to their youth system, but what leaves their league is really pumped without any reason.

I was convinced Depay would be a hit. Look what happend.

I hear you mate, as I've said the same (can't forget Jozy Altidore as well), but that could be a false trend of outliers than the norm. Suarez also starred in that league.

De Ligt is considered a top top prospect and several big clubs are interested for a reason, also considering the low number of top centre halves today. Even more of an obstacle for us is that there are not a lot we can sign in that position who can fit in with our style. As far as I hear he is almost a can't miss talent, and we may regret missing out (see: Hazard & Isco). The price seems quite high but I guess that's the market when big PL clubs want you.

Ajax academy is still considered one of the best and they are still producing talent, including Klivert's son who a lot of big clubs want as well, even if it's not as many as once was.

Memphis' stock is on the rise again this season in France and there's now an ever growing list of PL rejects that are turning into stars or at least revive their careers elsewhere because of the pressure to perform due to all of the variables stemming from money (I'd contend) that make it harder for players to develop or adapt in the PL.

Lastly, Ligt wouldn't be under ridiculous pressure so soon as we would likely keep our other 4 around next season. We can keep Vinny around mostly for important matches. Selling Bravo will help wit foreign spots assuming Gunn (most likely) or Muric get the backup role.

[phips]

Im pretty certain we will play 3-5-2 much more often next season.

hope not. that formation doesnt compensate KDB, Silva, Fern, Sane, Sterling & Aguero. one misses out....and Sane is NOT a wing-back

[johnny crossan]

Im pretty certain we will play 3-5-2 much more often next season.

hope not. that formation doesnt compensate KDB, Silva, Fern, Sane, Sterling & Aguero. one misses out....and Sane is NOT a wing-back

---------------------------Ederson---------------------------------
----------Stones-------Fernandinho--------Laporte-----------
Walker ---------De Bruyne--------Silva-------------Mendy
--------------Sterling--------Aguero-----Sane-----------------

Hey Presto accommodation accomplished but as a 3-4-3
(or you could just bring Fern forward and play the wingbacks as fullbacks in a 4-3-3 - Pep's preferred formation)

[Dubciteh]

Id love another bite at hazard, cant see him staying there and with him being outnof contract next summer we might just get him for a reasonable fee.

[PrezIke]

Im pretty certain we will play 3-5-2 much more often next season.

hope not. that formation doesnt compensate KDB, Silva, Fern, Sane, Sterling & Aguero. one misses out....and Sane is NOT a wing-back

---------------------------Ederson---------------------------------
----------Stones-------Fernandinho--------Laporte-----------
Walker ---------De Bruyne--------Silva-------------Mendy
--------------Sterling--------Aguero-----Sane-----------------

Hey Presto accommodation accomplished but as a 3-4-3
(or you could just bring Fern forward and play the wingbacks as fullbacks in a 4-3-3 - Pep's preferred formation)

I think this is what it could look like to accommodate Sane, although we could see no Fern and throw in Vinny/Nico instead.

Will that work defensively enough given that would seem to put KDB and Silva in a deeper role.

Switch Silva with Jorginho and that could also work if he declines next season.