Summer Transfer Window (2024/25)

[Knutserov13]

5 minutes ago, Aston_Villan4 said:

Well I think it’s fair to say that there are plenty of things you simply can’t replace when you lose a player like Luiz. Not even mentioning his intangibles. But I don’t think Emery is sitting there expecting to bring someone in who will be an exact replica of him. This will be a more technically nuanced version of “let’s bring in several players to replace Grealish.” We’re strengthening and replacing at once. Theoretically, we should be in a much better place when all is said and done. It’s also just a difficult pill to swallow when you lose a vital player. Nothings going to look right in the immediate aftermath.
 

In terms of players, I wouldn’t mind seeing them go after someone like Ivan Ilic, more defensive but he’s got a swagger that I feel Luiz has and not a lot of other players mentioned to replace him have that. Also 3 years younger than Luiz, plenty of talent there to be developed.

Ilic is a good shout, I like him aswell.

[Zatman]

9 hours ago, RicRic said:

Nico williams doesnt have a fancy name or play for any of the top clubs yet i want him at Villa 100x more

Its a fancy name in the Basque region

[Leeroy]

6 hours ago, Tomaszk said:

Brighton and Brentford are the only clubs that are sustainable.

With respect to those clubs as I know you seem to love them, but they are small clubs punching above their weight. Maybe they are sustainable in terms of having a healthy balance sheet and buying low and selling high, and their scouting is something to admire, but players leave them to go to bigger clubs and they constantly have to replace big players. That’s not an attractive model. 
 

They are very well run but they don’t have the history, fanbase or prestige to do very much except have the odd good season then fall away. Brighton finished 6th, their highest finish ever, then sold their 2 best midfielders and regressed. Brentford had a fine season in which they finished 9th with nearly 60 points (also their best season ever) but were in a relegation battle last season.
 

The likelihood is both these teams will go the way of Southampton, Leicester or even us a few years ago, sell your best players, invest in mediocre ones, then have multiple relegation battles before going down. 

 

We are more like Newcastle - small compared to Man Utd and Liverpool but just as big as Spurs, Man City and Chelsea historically (arguably bigger than the latter two clubs). We have just had a couple of decades of rubbish on the pitch. Both clubs have owners happy to invest, take losses to grow the club, and not sell key players, but are held back by PSR. Don’t think either club is unsustainable but needs more income to achieve their lofty ambitions of competing for the best players. 
 

If we try to follow the Brighton or Brentford model, we will not get very far because constantly having to replace key players is very difficult to do. 

[jigen]

6 hours ago, Jas10 said:

I’m still struggling to think of a player (and one we could sign or attract) who could bring what we’ve lost or will miss with the loss of Dougie… open to suggestions… haven’t seen a good/suitable one so far. Not a comparable kind of player anyway.

The guy had a lot of “strings to his bow”… he wasn’t perfect and had his deficiencies or weaknesses, but had many, and more important/relevant, strengths. Creativity, technique, composure, passing prowess, press resistance, set piece ability… a really classy player who was integral to us.

A shame he didn’t get to play in his preferred role or position more (often even having to play as DM or cover there, even though that’s not what he is or how he can show his best qualities). We would’ve seen even more from him otherwise…

I’m going to miss the Luiz-Kamara partnership  

Can’t say I’m confident at this present time, but let’s see if we can match, if not better that. I don’t think we have anything as good at our disposal rn (starting 11 is weaker atm, at least until Bouba returns. Confident that the squad will end up much better and stronger though with actual and quality options), even once Barkley has signed (who I don’t see as a starter or very important/reliable player).

I know the standard response now is that Unai will change things up… but I can’t deny that I’d personally like to see another top class, silky player in our midfield that helps us tick while posing a danger to the opposition. I just love technical players who make the game more appealing to watch… Dougie did that for us, especially when he had a proper DM (mainly Bouba) in the side to help/allow him to thrive and focus on what he was best at… but that wasn’t always the case. Although he really stepped up and performed admirably at DM to help us avoid relegation after lockdown…

Wonder what the actual plan is… over to Unai and Monchi.

Some realistic names to replace Douglas: K.Thuram (word class potential and his contract ends in 2025: he should be your first choice), Guendouzi (a mix between a 6 and a 8),  Samardzic (not so dinamic but very technical), Ederson and Koopmeiners (expensive), Manu Kone (high potential at cheap price but maybe too defensive for your needs).

[jigen]

For me, you can't start the season with the pair Enzo-Tielemans because this is a big downgrade compared to last season. And this year you have also the CL, than drain many energies (watch last year Newcastle). 

[mikeyp102]

You’d imagine once July starts we’ll see a lot more leaving on loan and @Hornso can have his own thread again. 
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple go to Real Union again, someone at Plymouth again as we seem to have a good relationship there. 
The likes of Barry, Young will need to get the right move as they are at that age now where could be moving on so a good loan could cement their futures.

[The_Steve]

7 minutes ago, jigen said:

For me, you can't start the season with the pair Enzo-Tielemans because this is a big downgrade compared to last season. And this year you have also the CL, than drain many energies (watch last year Newcastle). 

We won’t! I anticipate next month will be very busy! 

[Tomaszk]

27 minutes ago, Leeroy said:

With respect to those clubs as I know you seem to love them, but they are small clubs punching above their weight. Maybe they are sustainable in terms of having a healthy balance sheet and buying low and selling high, and their scouting is something to admire, but players leave them to go to bigger clubs and they constantly have to replace big players. That’s not an attractive model. 
 

They are very well run but they don’t have the history, fanbase or prestige to do very much except have the odd good season then fall away. Brighton finished 6th, their highest finish ever, then sold their 2 best midfielders and regressed. Brentford had a fine season in which they finished 9th with nearly 60 points (also their best season ever) but were in a relegation battle last season.
 

The likelihood is both these teams will go the way of Southampton, Leicester or even us a few years ago, sell your best players, invest in mediocre ones, then have multiple relegation battles before going down. 

 

We are more like Newcastle - small compared to Man Utd and Liverpool but just as big as Spurs, Man City and Chelsea historically (arguably bigger than the latter two clubs). We have just had a couple of decades of rubbish on the pitch. Both clubs have owners happy to invest, take losses to grow the club, and not sell key players, but are held back by PSR. Don’t think either club is unsustainable but needs more income to achieve their lofty ambitions of competing for the best players. 
 

If we try to follow the Brighton or Brentford model, we will not get very far because constantly having to replace key players is very difficult to do. 

Not fussed about following anyone's model.

It's as simple as if we don't sign good young players with the majority of our transfers, we won't progress much beyond one 4th place finish.

[PaulMcGrath_5]

Quote

In the last few hours, the Premier League is moving for Celta de Vigo's Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen. The clubs that have taken concrete steps are Wolverhampton and Aston Villa. Small survey by West Ham. Much further away, until now, several Italian teams. The economic strength of the Premier is superior. They are going to be very important days.

 

[burchy]

7 hours ago, Jas10 said:

I’m still struggling to think of a player (and one we could sign or attract) who could bring what we’ve lost or will miss with the loss of Dougie… open to suggestions… haven’t seen a good/suitable one so far. Not a comparable kind of player anyway.

The guy had a lot of “strings to his bow”… he wasn’t perfect and had his deficiencies or weaknesses, but had many, and more important/relevant, strengths. Creativity, technique, composure, passing prowess, press resistance, set piece ability… a really classy player who was integral to us.

A shame he didn’t get to play in his preferred role or position more (often even having to play as DM or cover there, even though that’s not what he is or how he can show his best qualities). We would’ve seen even more from him otherwise…

I’m going to miss the Luiz-Kamara partnership  

Can’t say I’m confident at this present time, but let’s see if we can match, if not better that. I don’t think we have anything as good at our disposal rn (starting 11 is weaker atm, at least until Bouba returns. Confident that the squad will end up much better and stronger though with actual and quality options), even once Barkley has signed (who I don’t see as a starter or very important/reliable player).

I know the standard response now is that Unai will change things up… but I can’t deny that I’d personally like to see another top class, silky player in our midfield that helps us tick while posing a danger to the opposition. I just love technical players who make the game more appealing to watch… Dougie did that for us, especially when he had a proper DM (mainly Bouba) in the side to help/allow him to thrive and focus on what he was best at… but that wasn’t always the case. Although he really stepped up and performed admirably at DM to help us avoid relegation after lockdown…

Wonder what the actual plan is… over to Unai and Monchi.

How about Kokcu at Benfica?

[Jas10]

7 minutes ago, burchy said:

How about Kokcu at Benfica?

Ooh, good shout. Highly rated young CM, set piece specialist? Heavily linked with Liverpool.

[Jas10]

 

[Jas10]

2 hours ago, Aston_Villan4 said:

Well I think it’s fair to say that there are plenty of things you simply can’t replace when you lose a player like Luiz. Not even mentioning his intangibles. But I don’t think Emery is sitting there expecting to bring someone in who will be an exact replica of him. This will be a more technically nuanced version of “let’s bring in several players to replace Grealish.” We’re strengthening and replacing at once. Theoretically, we should be in a much better place when all is said and done. It’s also just a difficult pill to swallow when you lose a vital player. Nothings going to look right in the immediate aftermath.
 

In terms of players, I wouldn’t mind seeing them go after someone like Ivan Ilic, more defensive but he’s got a swagger that I feel Luiz has and not a lot of other players mentioned to replace him have that. Also 3 years younger than Luiz, plenty of talent there to be developed.

That’s all very fair and seems to be the usual or most sensible view or response. Maybe we tinker with the balance, e.g. a slightly more defensive or physical CM and a better or more creative attacker in the side.

I’d personally like us to have a more similar player who can orchestrate and create for fun, alongside a top class DM. 
 

You’re right, it is a difficult pill to swallow. I’ll feel much better when I see the kind of signings that genuinely strengthen that first 11.

Edited Thursday at 08:23 by Jas10

[Jas10]

Strand Larsen… 6’4”. @TRO would be delighted.

 

Sorry mate, running joke that’s too easy and hard to resist

[Tomaszk]

14 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

 

Don't think City will sell to us at any kind of workable level.

[burchy]

17 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

Ooh, good shout. Highly rated young CM, set piece specialist? Heavily linked with Liverpool.

Also other options, Quentin Timber, Vitinha (the PSG one) and of course the rubbish Joey Veerman.

I was also thinking another option might be to have Baena or Goncalves adopt the deeper Luiz role. 

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

8 hours ago, Tomaszk said:

Brighton and Brentford are the only clubs that are sustainable.

From a financial perspective yes.

What I mean is if you are a club wanting to challenge at the top.

[Jas10]

1 hour ago, jigen said:

Some realistic names to replace Douglas: K.Thuram (word class potential and his contract ends in 2025: he should be your first choice), Guendouzi (a mix between a 6 and a 8),  Samardzic (not so dinamic but very technical), Ederson and Koopmeiners (expensive), Manu Kone (high potential at cheap price but maybe too defensive for your needs).

Thuram is going to Juve for a low cost deal.

Again, none of these players are like Luiz in terms of creativity and attacking ability, more defensive. That’s probably the way we go anyway… but we need more of that creative ability in attack then.

[The_Steve]

Linked with Celta Vigo striker Jorgen Larsen 

 

 

[Jas10]

13 minutes ago, burchy said:

Also other options, Quentin Timber, Vitinha (the PSG one) and of course the rubbish Joey Veerman.

I was also thinking another option might be to have Baena or Goncalves adopt the deeper Luiz role. 

Nope.

They seem more defensive and too dissimilar.

Again, Baena and Goncalves are attackers (and relatively slight or small) and not midfielders. They would get overpowered and lost in central midfield, would either play out wide or in support of CF. We need to stop thinking of them as CMs.

Kokcu was a good shout mate. Think that’s much more like it. 

We do need a proper set piece specialist in the team imo… and could get someone better, in that area at least, than Dougie.

We have heavily relied on Dougie to make us tick and create for fun (stats showed he was the most creative player in our side over Una’s time, especially the previous season or when Bouba was playing with him). Crucial for building play too.

We tried to rest him in ECL games but were poor and struggled. Had to bring him off the bench to get us playing and lay chances on for teammates… he did it quite often. Got us out of a few holes.

Once again, anyone thinking it’s going to be easy to replace him or what he gave us… is kind of kidding themselves. But I back Unai to find a way… wouldn’t have been on board with letting him go (even though we had to, had to move someone on for PSR) otherwise. There must be a plan.

Edited Thursday at 08:53 by Jas10