Use this thread for general daily football discussion.

This thread can also be used to discuss Transfer rumours and to post Tier 4 sources.

  • ThePowerOfGeekEnglish
    5•7 months ago

    So, here we are, officially in the post-season / silly season.

    I think we can expect to see one or two new signings announced relatively quickly. Edu and team don’t seem to procrastinate, and from what we’re hearing there are several viable striker options in the hopper.

    When do you all think our first be signing will be announced?

    • @AstrealixMEnglish
      6•7 months ago

      I think we’ll hear about some sales first this time round. You’ve got Tierney and Tavares and some other players that need to get gone, and the former at least should have a buyer. Plus like, Nketiah as much as I love him.

      • @soycapitan451English
        3•7 months ago

        Realistic outgoings: Tierney, Tavares, Sambi, El Neny, Nelson, ESR, Nketiah, Vieira, Partey.

        Probably more I’m forgetting about.

        • NuggsyEnglish
          4•7 months ago

          Ramsdale as well, I guess? There’s only one team in the world who can have 100’s of millions of pounds of talent on the bench and have them be content to sit there.

          These would be a lot of outgoings for one transfer window. But, I suppose we need to be ruthless if we want to maintain the same level of competitiveness against 115 FC.

          • Soares and Elneny’s contracts expire next month, I think. So, I think they’re both gone regardless.
          • Tavares and Lokonga should probably be moved on as I don’t see how they fit into Arteta’s plans.
          • Nelson and Nketiah I think can still improve and are possibly first team members for other teams. But we need upgrades in those areas and I don’t see what they bring to this current side. I think they would benefit from a move for their own development.
          • Tierney I would love to see continue playing for us, but I can’t see it happening. He’s also had availability issues which is a pretty bit issue.
          • ESR and Ramsdale are interesting. I would love them to stay, but also have the talent and skill to be playing consistently for a PL side. So, I could see them wanting to move on and it would probably be beneficial for their development. Please don’t go 🙁…
          • Vieira is talented too, but I don’t know if he has or is capable of what Arteta is after.
          • Partey is a tough one. I’m split. Half of me thinks it would be better to cash in on him if we can. The other thinks he could be a game changer. Availability I think is the biggest question mark for him. Consistency is also an issue, however I feel it’s more secondary. But only because I think it plays into the first issue.

          I feel like there was more I wanted to add but I don’t remember. This is also starting to blow out, so I should stop before I start talking in circles.

          • @AstrealixMEnglish
            3•7 months ago

            Funnily I think Sambi might get a look in, has had a good loan and he plays in a spot that we’re gonna be looking to refresh sooner rather than later.

            • NuggsyEnglish
              4•7 months ago

              That’s a fair point. I haven’t kept tabs on his loan. So, you may be onto something

              • MHPengwingzEnglish
                4•7 months ago

                Sambi was Luton’s best player for a bit

              • @AstrealixMEnglish
                2•7 months ago

                I don’t think he’s quiteee ready but I think he’s pretty damn close, if we can’t afford to get in a 6 to replace Partey or wtv I could see it as a stopgap. Or for him to get another loan to develop — what’s his contract situation?

          • MHPengwingzEnglish
            3•7 months ago

            The thing is we’ve sort of learned to play without Partey, and the times he came back have been shaky. If anything we need an upgrade for him to partner with Declan, at least rotating with Jorgi for specific games.

            I would love it if Arteta gave ESR more time, but him staying on the bench really isn’t ideal for his development.

            • NuggsyEnglish
              3•7 months ago

              Absolutely agree. He hasn’t looked all that convincing and I think injuries have played a part in that. With consistent game time that could change, but it may be worth more selling him if the right bid was made. Kinda why I was in two minds about him.

              I also agree with ESR, I just don’t want it to happen xD

              • MHPengwingzEnglish
                3•7 months ago

                Arteta doesn’t trust his second tier players even for cup ties, which I would like to see us be a bit more serious about. I mean some still left on the squad aren’t up to par even for those (Vieira is one that comes to mind), but a cup is silverware. We also can’t run a majority of the team ragged but have people not develop and get stronger while sitting on the bench.

        • @AstrealixMEnglish
          2•7 months ago

          Cedric. Also Elneny’s leaving on a free, he confirmed it. The older Okonkwo also iirc.

          • @soycapitan451English
            2•7 months ago

            There’ll be be a raft of academy players leaving including Ruell Walters, too.

            Forgot about Cedric, his role was so minimal this year that I don’t think he needs replacing.

            • MHPengwingzEnglish
              4•7 months ago

              Cedric was like in case of true emergency, break glass

              I actually wish Arteta gave the children a chance at times, see who is moldable and save a few quid.

              • @AstrealixMEnglish
                3•7 months ago

                I think it’s actually the other way around: that he isn’t giving them chances because he knows they aren’t good enough from training. He’s given Nelson and ESR and Nketiah ample opportunities. We know the other ones are worse — Patino’s probably the best in that bunch and barely managed to play in Swansea after the change of manager.

                • MHPengwingzEnglish
                  3•7 months ago

                  Nwaneri would be an interesting one, my concern is he peaked too early

                  • @AstrealixMEnglish
                    3•7 months ago

                    Nwaneri will be fine. Probably a loan next season, upper championship / lower prem would be my preference but idk that we’ll get that.