Summer 2022 Window Scouting Thread

[jpascavitz]

The best part about CdK is that he's versatile and physically suited to the PL. I could really see him playing in any of the front 3 in a 343 and at CAM/ST in a 352. I know sometimes that works against younger players but imo I'd rather that. Although it may limit growth in certain situations, I really think that it helps limit risk as well. Maybe he only becomes a squad player or a solid PL starter, but he has more opportunities and pathways to get there than to flat out bust

 

[Aphex]

Isn't that the point of doing due diligence on the player before hand though. It's exactly what Conte has criticised all season with our past signings. We have just bought players that look good where they are, without considering how those skillsets will transfer to the Prem. I mean he's come in taken one look at them and said, " he's not a PL player, and needs to go" either on loan or be sold.

It's why I have far more hope with upcoming transfers. We looked at many players for January, and the two we bought in have settled very quickly and are tailor made for life in the Prem. There are so many players we have enquired about so far, but I'll bet my life that most of them will be whittled down when Conte has run the rule over their suitability to play in both the EPL and his system.

The due diligence goes without saying, as does the fact I have much more confidence now we have FP and Conte on board, that whoever we bring in, will hopefully be the right calibre of player to improve us and kick on to challenge the top 3 next season, but CDK? I mean, he might be amazing but I can't imagine he's already that good that he will come in and be able to deliver the same quality to the team that Dybala or Martinez would. I just can't see it. He's a project and will take a few years to get to that level, if he ever does, and I thought the whole thing about the club with Conte here is that we are ready to compete now, not in 3 years.

Now that doesn't mean we shouldn't sign young players with scope to improve, we absolutely should, but again not at the expense of signings that will help us now. If Conte and FP think someone like CDK is ready to come in and smash it for us next season then great, but I would be very surprised if he is already at that level.

I don't want to see us spending 30 million of our precious transfer fund on CDK, when the chances are he's not at the level we need right now. We need to close the gap on the top 3 and the way to do that is to sign players like Bastoni, Martinez, let's start taking other teams star players off them. We have the pull, we hopefully have CL, the PL to offer, London, Conte, stadium / training ground. We should be able to tempt elite players this summer, the only thing that would mean we can't sign these players, is a lack of financial ambition.

I would like us to sign CDK, just not instead of an elite attacker.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

but that's why you sign proven quality, to push one of our usual first teamers to the bench or at least make it very competitive who gets picked each week/mid week. , there by making us stronger all round.
Like liverpool and Diaz, made it more difficult for Jota and Roberto to be as regular

the skill is in buying young hungry players who will improve DIaz is 25 so could still improve a bit the same as Jota 25 (just looked it up) I can't see us going and spending buckets of money on players any older than that

Buying players better than what you have is a decent starting point but whoever we sign up front won't be of the same level so you have two options one find someone akin to Llorente who did a job of sorts or you look to find a young player or players who can give you different options of course the other option is giving the kids a go.

Midfield and the wing backs are the areas where we most need investment another midfield player is where we ought to spunk our money in the summer with two decent full backs neither of them are currently good enough though another option up front would be nice I don't see it being a mega expensive signing

 

[Aphex]

you won't sign proven quality up front to sit on the bench most of the time - its much more likely to be a promising young player who will be happy to get game time as and when

I would still expect most of our signings to be under the age of 25 with maybe an odd free transfer to throw in a bit of experience

NO, that's exactly what you do. You sign Martinez so that Deki now has to sit on the bench, or Son if he loses form has to sit on the bench, that's how you improve.

To sit there and say 'oh we can't improve our front three of Deki, Son and Kane so let's sign a back up' is daft. Deki has had an excellent 6 months, nbut even if he does keep up this form, we still need another elite option to share the burden.

 

[kaz Hirai]

the skill is in buying young hungry players who will improve DIaz is 25 so could still improve a bit the same as Jota 25 (just looked it up) I can't see us going and spending buckets of money on players any older than that

Buying players better than what you have is a decent starting point but whoever we sign up front won't be of the same level so you have two options one find someone akin to Llorente who did a job of sorts or you look to find a young player or players who can give you different options of course the other option is giving the kids a go.

Midfield and the wing backs are the areas where we most need investment another midfield player is where we ought to spunk our money in the summer with two decent full backs neither of them are currently good enough though another option up front would be nice I don't see it being a mega expensive signing

for what it's worth i dont want us signing non free players over 28 myself. Dybala right on the cusp and his is of the highest quality.
But I dont think we should be filling up the squad with more potential in a maybe CL season, we already have gill, skipp, sessegnon, devine, white and pape sarr

 

[spids]

NO, that's exactly what you do. You sign Martinez so that Deki now has to sit on the bench, or Son if he loses form has to sit on the bench, that's how you improve.

To sit there and say 'oh we can't improve our front three of Deki, Son and Kane so let's sign a back up' is daft. Deki has had an excellent 6 months, nbut even if he does keep up this form, we still need another elite option to share the burden.

Exactly this. Imagine next season we have a 4 games in 13 days that looks something like this:

PL: Man City (h)
CL: Ajax (a)
PL: Liverpool (a)
CL: Milan (h)

Wouldn't it be great to rotate between 5 top tier forwards, and have game changing options from the bench every game? If we play 3-4-3 then we need 5 forwards who can inter change. This is what Liverpool (Salah, Mane, Firmino, Jota, Diaz) and Man City (Grealish, Jesus, Foden, Mahrez, Sterling) do.

 

[funkycoldmedina]

I like mcginn but I think we should be aiming a bit higher than him.

Isn't that the point of doing due diligence on the player before hand though. It's exactly what Conte has criticised all season with our past signings. We have just bought players that look good where they are, without considering how those skillsets will transfer to the Prem. I mean he's come in taken one look at them and said, " he's not a PL player, and needs to go" either on loan or be sold.

It's why I have far more hope with upcoming transfers. We looked at many players for January, and the two we bought in have settled very quickly and are tailor made for life in the Prem. There are so many players we have enquired about so far, but I'll bet my life that most of them will be whittled down when Conte has run the rule over their suitability to play in both the EPL and his system.

This a million times over. All this we have to be wary of french league players, or not prem proven etc is just bollocks. We've had our fingers burnt because our scouting hasn't been up to scratch and our recruitment structure too fragmented. Scout well, do due to diligence on skill set and mental attributes and then ensure Conte 100% gets the ones out of those he wants.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

NO, that's exactly what you do. You sign Martinez so that Deki now has to sit on the bench, or Son if he loses form has to sit on the bench, that's how you improve.

To sit there and say 'oh we can't improve our front three of Deki, Son and Kane so let's sign a back up' is daft. Deki has had an excellent 6 months, nbut even if he does keep up this form, we still need another elite option to share the burden.

just don't see it happening at all not at this stage I think that's hugely optimistic when other areas of the side need much more work than the forward line - you need another option up front but it won't be a 60 million pound player

 

[Japhet]

People seem dead set on replacing PEH, but he’s been out most consistent midfielder - good player, and I think will be even better next year

I don't think people are dead set on moving PEH on, but every scenario has it's own set of circumstances. He has plenty of time left on his contract and has been an excellent signing for us, but the flip side of that is his contract is obviously getting shorter, and now is probably the optimal time to cash in if the circumstances are right. How would people feel for instance if we could sign Milenkovic-Savic this Summer, but only if we let Hojbjerg move on? Upgrading players has to be our priority, and as we know, Conte doesn't look for potential, he looks for the very best we can get right here and now. I'm not for one moment advocating shoving PEH out of the door, but there would undoubtedly be circumstances where it might be the sensible thing to do.

 

[Tottenham_God]

Absolute steal and great piece of business by Sporting.

Official: Manchester City Sell Pedro Porro to Sporting CP

Another departure, though with a positive.

www.google.com

 

[YB123]

Exactly this. Imagine next season we have a 4 games in 13 days that looks something like this:

PL: Man City (h)
CL: Ajax (a)
PL: Liverpool (a)
CL: Milan (h)

Wouldn't it be great to rotate between 5 top tier forwards, and have game changing options from the bench every game? If we play 3-4-3 then we need 5 forwards who can inter change. This is what Liverpool (Salah, Mane, Firmino, Jota, Diaz) and Man City (Grealish, Jesus, Foden, Mahrez, Sterling) do.

No, no people. We are not allowed to strengthen the squad. 11 only!

 

[YB123]

People seem dead set on replacing PEH, but he’s been out most consistent midfielder - good player, and I think will be even better next year

He may actually get a rest with some rotation aswell! Was no surprise as soon as he missed out against Wolves he came back even better.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Hope whoever we go for that we see movement the instant the season is over. Imperative we get the important pieces of the jigsaw in place asap for preseason.

No summer tournament, no extended season, Director of football and coach already established and knowing what we need. All signings to come in last week of window ?

Seriously though I agree 100%, we should have the majority of players in for a full Conte preseason. It’ll make so much difference having all the new players integrated and knowing the system, transitions, automations etc. It’s worth paying a little premium to do it.

 

[danielneeds]

This a million times over. All this we have to be wary of french league players, or not prem proven etc is just bollocks. We've had our fingers burnt because our scouting hasn't been up to scratch and our recruitment structure too fragmented. Scout well, do due to diligence on skill set and mental attributes and then ensure Conte 100% gets the ones out of those he wants.

You can’t totally risk assess how a person will adapt to playing and living in another country though. There is always an element of it that is down to luck and circumstance. That’s why there is certainly a premium on buying from within the PL, is you are negating some of that risk.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

CDK as our number 1 attacking addition would be a huge risk. Could turn out like Gil, signs, everyone realises he's not ready and he's out on loan by Xmas.

He's not even close to being in the same league or conversation as Dybala, or Martinez etc.

We need to sign proven quality this summer, people who elevate the first team immediately. CDK isn't that player.

How has Gil turned out? I thought he looked pretty good at times even in an absolute cluster of a team. Under conte he really only got tiny cameos. I didn’t really think he looked less ready than anyone else in the conference league games.

Obviously I do understand what you are saying, we do need players that can come in and perform above the level of our current players immediately as this is really the time to strike.

 

[Norgie]

No summer tournament, no extended season, Director of football and coach already established and knowing what we need. All signings to come in last week of window ?

Seriously though I agree 100%, we should have the majority of players in for a full Conte preseason. It’ll make so much difference having all the new players integrated and knowing the system, transitions, automations etc. It’s worth paying a little premium to do it.

That's the one thing that worries me with Levy, I do believe he will back Conte but I worry he will hang on for the best deal and not get it done early which may well pee Conte off and hamper pre season.

 

[SecretLemonadeDrinker]

Got to say this is the 4th time I’ve watched Kostic and I’m not overly impressed, I see his qualities, great ball delivery but he’s not athletic and quick at all.

Im impressed by Kamada from Frankfurt and Bassey from Rangers tonight, albeit I know very little of Bassey.

I’m hoping the 4 games I’ve seen are a very small sample size of Kostic.

actually prefer Knauf at RWB - think he looks a much better all round player.

Bassey also hving a great game for Rangers at LCB.

He hasn't been as outstanding as I'd hoped, but as an experienced option rotating with Sess, I think I would he happy with that.

Kamada, as you say, looks a really good player.

Funny how we can all view games differently.

I've never watched either Kamada or Knauf before but I thought they were both poor. Variously and at times: wasteful, selfish, playing with head down, too slow to release the ball etc.

Knauf looks to be a good athlete but little else. If it was just on the basis of just last night's match, I wouldn't be interested in either of them.

 

[YB123]

That's the one thing that worries me with Levy, I do believe he will back Conte but I worry he will hang on for the best deal and not get it done early which may well pee Conte off and hamper pre season.

Think he knows he cant afford to if everything goes to plan Sunday. The club need to kick on, Conte has Levy in a position where he has to truly back him now. No haggling over finances of a deal. Of course not get ripped off but get them done and dont mess around like previous seasons.

 

[SecretLemonadeDrinker]

That's the one thing that worries me with Levy, I do believe he will back Conte but I worry he will hang on for the best deal and not get it done early which may well pee Conte off and hamper pre season.

If what we're told is true, it's no longer Levy's call to make. Thankfully.

 

[YB123]

Funny how we can all view games differently.

I've never watched either Kamada or Knauf before but I thought they were both poor. Variously and at times: wasteful, selfish, playing with head down, too slow to release the ball etc.

Knauf looks to be a good athlete but little else. If it was just on the basis of just last night's match, I wouldn't be interested in either of them.

I thought Knauff wasnt great either. His battle with Barisic was shocking from both parties.

Kamada's movement and runs were excellent last night. Dragged players out of position so many times, really intelligent footballer. He was brilliant in the west ham games, troubling Rice a lot with his positions he took up and great in the Nou Camp.

I think Eriksen is the better choice on a free but if he stays at Brentford (fair enough if he does) then I'd like Kamada in that AM role. Doesnt hurt the exposure we'd get in Japan aswell.