Men's Soccer (Football) Thread Soccer • Page 420

Oh yeah, didn’t include Hannibal but had his fee in the money received. Oyadele off the books too. Seems like Lindelof might be off as well, if we can get Sancho/Eriksen/Lindelof gone and another midfielder in I might even be ok with Sterling.

Has to be said though i’ve got massive reservations about this year still especially with EtH still at the helm. I know our squad quality/make up hasn’t been great but can’t shake feeling ten Hag is unable to adapt and optimize our squad the way other managers through out the league have been able to do.

 

I have a feeling Eriksen/Lindelof will leave when their contracts expire

at least this season it's all going to be on ten Hag, they've certainly backed him and landed almost all their top targets, so if there's more underperformance I won't be surprised if RVN steps up in the interim

 

Olmo with the game winner in his debut for Barca

 

I still think it’s the move that made the most sense. It was just INEOS in at that time with no Berrada/Ashworth in at that time, no real appealing ten Hag replacements available either with Poch and Tuchel being the two main names. The squad moves this summer will benefit any coach moving forward whether it’s ten Hag or not. Set themselves up for a better chance at ten Hag succeeding or worst case scenario they’ll get the positive bump of firing an underachieving coach while giving themselves the time they need during the season to sound out a true number one candidate to take over the job. If that is the way this season goes, whichever new manager comes in will inherit the strongest squad we’ve had in years and next summer will be one of getting rid of the remaining deadwood as well is upgrading and adding the final pieces to a squad that should be looking to challenge in 25/26.

 

17 year old Marc Bernal suddenly being a DM genius out of nowhere in La Masia is just wild. How do they keep finding these kids?!

 

…aaaaand he’s done his ACL lol.

 

womp womp

 

So unfortunate for him. I hope he heals well, because this feels way too similar to Pedri.

only 17, and genuinely looking that amazing already too. Really hope it’s a good recovery.

 

I still think it’s the move that made the most sense. It was just INEOS in at that time with no Berrada/Ashworth in at that time, no real appealing ten Hag replacements available either with Poch and Tuchel being the two main names. The squad moves this summer will benefit any coach moving forward whether it’s ten Hag or not. Set themselves up for a better chance at ten Hag succeeding or worst case scenario they’ll get the positive bump of firing an underachieving coach while giving themselves the time they need during the season to sound out a true number one candidate to take over the job.

If we do get a ten Hag mid season sack and RvN interim situation, the new manager will be inheriting quite a decent squad and next summer is setting up to be the final major window of our squad refresh/revitalization.

Next summer priorities line up as

Figure out the left back situation: If the season goes by and Malacia comes back and finds some relative form and a buyer can be found for Shaw, would prefer to move on from him and bring in a bonafide starting LB.

Figure out the wingers: First and foremost Antony has to go, doesn’t matter if the fee is basically nothing and they have to send him off with a payoff package. Absolutely see Rashford gone in the summer if he doesn’t have an incredibly strong bounce back year.

Smart value squad midfielders: Casemiro to Saudi or MLS, Eriksen contract expiring. Do we see a strong enough showing from Collyer to not have to worry about a back up/competition for Ugarte next summer? Unless we get one in this summer I think next year another 8 to cover and compete with Mainoo is a must.

GK: If ten Hag is sacked and there’s still money left in the budget for a right time right place replacement for Onana I could see a move being made there. Maybe i’m just trying to speak that into existence?

 

Agree with all of this. I don't think they'll move on from Onana that quickly, unless an extraordinary opportunity presents itself in the market. He could be improved upon, but would be a luxury move after sorting the rest of the squad out, for me.

 

I think Onana’s passing and on ball work is very good but we don’t actually use it. But his goalkeeping fundamentals are just so god damn bad. He’s always on his heels and so slow, his positioning is shocking and bar one or two moments he’s as stuck to his goal line as DDG was. I would love if we could improve on him, but I don’t see it happening it’s too low priority.

I’m actually a bit baffled that Ten Hag went for a possession football based goalkeeper then went full chaosball last year.

 

Good signing

 

10m?!?!

 

Good value for the six games he’ll be fit for.

 

That’s insanely cheap, has potential to be a really underrated signing for them.

 

Ipswich keeping getting linked to and signing players, it's strange. They're most poached from Championship teams so guess we should walk the league next year after we're relegated.

 

Forest have got some brass on them going for Gimenez from Feyenoord. He's a year away from a "big" club imo.

 

Matt O’riley Brighton signing was completed and then he took apparently a gnarly tackle from a crawley town player in the cup and he went off hurt after 9 minutes. Love that.

 

RIP Sterling to United 27/08/2024 - 28/08/2024

 

Purchased my tickets for the France v Italy match next week

Beyond excited for this trip!

 

Well glad thats over.

 

Damn, Ramsdale about to get relegated again.