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Next seasons squad

Surfless said:
Your whole basis for removing players seems driven by the performance of the side under managers with questionable tactics - Ange was never going to make Romero look good, any more than Frank was going to turn Solanke into a 25 goal a season man.

Solanke is capable under the right manager of getting goals. It's been shown before. His injuries have been limited to us and mainly this season so I fail to see how he can be grouped with Richie who is far more renowned for his injury issues. Either way he can't be sold, as he represents a home grown player, of a high standard, who when paired with a manager who works well with him, produces. That's guaranteed relegation mindset doing that.

If you can find me an instance of Romero prioritising the national side over us, that wasn't concocted by the media for a week when it's quiet, I'm all ears. He could have left last summer but stayed. He could have bailed in the madness that was the only player in the Argentina squad who didn't get a pay rise when they won the world cup. He could have not dragged us more or less single handedly to the first trophy in the recent history of the club. If you want to believe the rhetoric, feel free, but bear in mind that this is a media lead by Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and ah Wazza Rooney. Hardly footballing brainiacs. You don't hear Linkeker saying anything negative about him...

Tel is on the cusp of getting it. Of understanding his role. Of course we could sell him, like we were about to sell Bale to Coventry for £5m. He's a kid with one full season in this league. Let him be managed by a guy who made Trossard, mitoma and MacAllister into top class forwards.

If you think we are clearing out then you're deluded mate. We will add four or five and lose a similar number, likely Vicario, Davies, Dragusin, Bissouma and Richie. The new faces will be aimed at improving the first 11 not being squad players, that is the difference I expect.
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Solanke played just 15 PL games this season.

Please don't tell me he is capable under any manager. He is not.

Part of the reason we were all bricking ourselves on Sunday is because of Dominic Solanke, 15 appearances, three goals, and zero assists.

If this is our ambition, then welcome to another 17th position.
 
Mikey10 said:
Agreed. I’m not advocating buying a whole new team, and was largely agreeing with the list of those to be kept in the poll, which is relatively long, given we’ve finished just outside the relegation places for two years running.

We do need to get rid of those who have shown themselves to be average or unreliable (and, in Romero’s case, brain-dead) over a relatively long period. And we need to be ruthless in doing it.

For me, Bentancur is one, as was evidenced again in his poor performance against Chelsea a week ago.

It’s all about opinions though!

Edit: I’ve just noticed Solanke doesn’t appear at all on the list. He needs to go too. 😀
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Solanke does need to go. Even when fit hes never much of a threat. He does work hard but we need someone who can score goals regularly. Hes had one 19 goal season in the PL his whole career.
Needs upgrading , as does Richy and Tel.
 
NaijaSpurs said:
It is all well and good saying Robertson is experienced, but last he was average. He only started 11 league matches because Liverpool also thought he was poor.
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Yeah I was about to post the same - I understand the experience angle and it is of course important. I want more like Palhinha's experience and attitude in the team. But it's also important they are good on the pitch too. I've seen him a fair bit this season and he has been average to poor, including when he got pulled off at half time - he just doesn't have the legs anymore.

If he comes of course I'll back him, sometimes new surroundings can give a new lease of life. But based on his performances this past year, he's not a player I see improving us. I'm sure there are players out there with the necessary experience and mentality who are still playing to a very good level....
 
harr1984 said:
Yeah I was about to post the same - I understand the experience angle and it is of course important. I want more like Palhinha's experience and attitude in the team. But it's also important they are good on the pitch too. I've seen him a fair bit this season and he has been average to poor, including when he got pulled off at half time - he just doesn't have the legs anymore.

If he comes of course I'll back him, sometimes new surroundings can give a new lease of life. But based on his performances this past year, he's not a player I see improving us. I'm sure there are players out there with the necessary experience and mentality who are still playing to a very good level....
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I could not agree with you more.
 
RDZ at Brighton had Milner and Lallana in the squad for an older head/voice in the changing room, there is a chance he wants Robertson for more than playing
 
I think we will see a couple of surprising players on the block as sellable. Players most of us really, really like.

Of the others, I would personally sell Bissouma, Solanke, Dragusin, Souza, Romero (not because I want to - I think he'd be great under RDZ but I don't think he'll ever be reffed fairly in the Prem plus I think he might see this as the time to move on), Vicario, Min-Hyeok, Kota-Tai, obviously not pick up Muani's contract again in any way.

I'd be looking to keep - Kinsky, Palhinha, Madders, Gallagher, Bentancur, Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, VdV, Porro, Danso, Spence, Richy, Kudus, Tel

Players we cannot make decisions on due to injury - Xavi (I'd keep), Odobert (in the end release)

I think RDZ will make a couple of very surprising decisions, and I have a hunch that Bergy might be a player he just doesn't feel fits what he wants to dos!!! In fairness, we will probably need to lose one of Sarr, Grey, Palhinha.

I'd give Moore, Vuskovic and Lankshear another season on loan continuing their developments and with the hope that in 2027/28 we will be back in the CL and need them.

I'd look for fees for Donley, Devine and Philips as I don't think De Zerbi will ever give them the opportunities and I don't think they're top 6 players sadly, but I think all would command decent fees.

Finally, I do not think Deki can come back to be the same player from his injury. Would LOVE to be wrong, and base this view on absolutely no outside knowledge whatsoever...
 
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GKs : Kinsky + New
LB : Udogie, Souza + New
RB : Porro, Spence
CB : VDV + New
CB : Danso + New
CM : Palinha OR Bentancur, Gray + New
CM : Bergvall + New
AM : Maddison, Xavi + New
LW : Tel + New
RW : Kudus, Odobert + New
CF : New + New

With 4 or 5 of the new signings being first XI ready. LW RW CF CM - we need to properly strengthen the first XI in these areas. Not counting Kulu as I'm not expecting him to come back from his injury close to the same player.
 
thfcsteff said:
I think we will see a couple of surprising players on the block as sellable. Players most of us really, really like.

Of the others, I would personally sell Bissouma, Solanke, Dragusin, Souza, Romero (not because I want to - I think he'd be great under RDZ but I don't think he'll ever be reffed fairly in the Prem plus I think he might see this as the time to move on), Vicario, Min-Hyeok, Kota-Tai, obviously not pick up Muani's contract again in any way.

I'd be looking to keep - Kinsky, Palhinha, Madders, Gallagher, Bentancur, Sarr, Gray, Bergvall, VdV, Porro, Danso, Spence, Richy, Kudus, Tel

Players we cannot make decisions on due to injury - Xavi (I'd keep), Odobert (in the end release)

I think RDZ will make a couple of very surprising decisions, and I have a hunch that Bergy might be a player he just doesn't feel fits what he wants to dos!!! In fairness, we will probably need to lose one of Sarr, Grey, Palhinha.

I'd give Moore, Vuskovic and Lankshear another season on loan continuing their developments and with the hope that in 2027/28 we will be back in the CL and need them.

I'd look for fees for Donley, Devine and Philips as I don't think De Zerbi will ever give them the opportunities and I don't think they're top 6 players sadly, but I think all would command decent fees.

Finally, I do not think Deki can come back to be the same player from his injury. Would LOVE to be wrong, and base this view on absolutely no outside knowledge whatsoever...
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On Romero, do you not think he brings it on himself with style of tackling? One thing officials look for is excessive force, i.e. you may win the ball but you take too much of the man at the same time. Could it be argued that officials ref Romero differently? Probably, but he’s made a rod for his own back with some of the ridiculous tackles he’s made. The one on Richarlison when he was at Everton springs to mind, no danger whatsoever near the corner flag and Romero decides to clean him out.
 
Jurgen the German said:
On Romero, do you not think he brings it on himself with style of tackling? One thing officials look for is excessive force, i.e. you may win the ball but you take too much of the man at the same time. Could it be argued that officials ref Romero differently? Probably, but he’s made a rod for his own back with some of the ridiculous tackles he’s made. The one on Richarlison when he was at Everton springs to mind, no danger whatsoever near the corner flag and Romero decides to clean him out.
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Whatever your view as to how/why he has arrived there, the fact is he has! And (sadly IMO) it means we will likely not see him in our shirt again.
Personally I think RDZ is exactly the right manager for him, and someone who would get him and VdV playing at the top of their games for us. But yeah, sadly it feels like the ship has sailed for Cristian...
 
SteveAWOL said:
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“There has to be no bad character energy.”

Correct, Andros - hence why Romero and Spence have to go.

I’m not particularly sure on on VDV’s character, but I’d keep him as I can’t see RDZ standing for any nonsense from him.
 
Mikey10 said:
“There has to be no bad character energy.”

Correct, Andros - hence why Romero and Spence have to go.

I’m not particularly sure on on VDV’s character, but I’d keep him as I can’t see RDZ standing for any nonsense from him.
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Why do you think Spence has bad character energy?

Bit off when he first arrived but don't get that impression now personally..
 
Lost Mango said:
Why do you think Spence has bad character energy?

Bit off when he first arrived but don't get that impression now personally..
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Ignoring Frank's offered handshake at the end of the game on the pitch; tapping Tudor on the shoulder during the game having been substitued off. Both this season.

And that's what he chose to do in front of the cameras...
 
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