Use this thread for general daily football discussion.
This thread can also be used to discuss Transfer rumours and to post Tier 4 sources.
£50m for Calafiori seems a bit steep
I agree in general, but we’re well into the silly money era now. Plus, he’s only 22 but has just come off an excellent Euros showing an impressive season in Serie A. Young, skillful, ball-playing defenders are very in demand right now (just look at how many envious eyes are on Saliba these days).
I thought this Calafiori rumour was total bollocks up until a day or two ago, but it seems pretty legit now. I’m assuming Arteta will use him more as a left back, given our problems there last season.
I didn’t know why we were looking for a new LB with Kiwior and Tomiyasu both able to fill that role. But then someone pointed out that Kiwior has looked dodgy in one v ones, and Tomi is a right footer. Not to mention Zinchenko’s injury problems and defensive frailties.
Assuming Calafiori arrives, I would be surprised if we don’t part ways with Kiwior. That would be a shame as I rate him, but he’s wanted by multiple Serie A clubs.
If the Calafiori deal does go through you can bet that Jorginho played a massive role in convincing him to join us.
If Calafiori is intended to play LB then I think Zinchenko needs to be more worried than Kiwior. Kiwior has a claim to a spot in the squad as a deputy CB, and if we dump him out for Calafiori to play LB then we’re light at CB.
Spending 50m for him just to replace Kiwior in a squad role seems a tremendous waste of money unless we can get a similar amount for Kiwior.
Agree. If anything Kiwior has more potential to get even better and he’s done a decent job as an understudy.
Great point.
tbh I think Zinny leaving is more likely than Kiwior, especially given both players’ roles last season, especially given Zinny’s injury record with us. But yeah Calafiori’s probably coming it seems.
Yeah great point. I was thinking about that after I posted my comment. Zinchenko does seem more likely to leave between him and Kiwior.
happy murica day, by the way, AND BRITS GO FUCKING VOTE.
Also I just realised but like no one has been posting transfer rumours this window lol. Maybe I need to spend more time on Twitter (shock horror)
I feel like our club (actually the league in general) has been very quiet with rumors, perhaps the tournaments going on have steered the spotlight away from the rumor mill. Which is a good thing.
Ok definitely silly season is upon us
https://x.com/Matt_Law_DT/status/1808855183444541742
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