Winter Transfer Window Scouting Thread 23/24

[KaribYid]

As long as the brains trust isn’t just the board like it has been in the past.

You'd assume it's Munn, Lange, McKenzie et al.

 

[Oscar22]

I really hope Lange and co have some good contacts, networks and a bit of nouse about them.

Regardless of politics and rather unsubstantiated rumours of some rocking the boat, I am concerned we’ve moved away from the Gabbanini/Paratici partnership as their hit rate was highly successful over the last few seasons and is where our best players have come from.

 

[JonnySpurs]

Wasn’t sure where to put this so I’ve chucked it in here and will also chuck it in the RO:

PROF on COYS.

As much effort will to be made in moving players out as bringing new ones in, although whether moving players on is a feasible goal remains to be seen. Of course, outgoings are not as exciting as incomings, however we have a plan for the summer window which, to be viable (from a squad size perspective), requires a non-trivial number of outgoings.

Ange's January 'In' list is relatively short and contains players for positions that any Spurs fan would predict (eg CB). A couple of the targets seem (to me) to be unlikely for the January window - more likely/less unlikely in the summer; one or two others are feasible. Biggest debate within the THFC brains trust at the moment is whether there's a need to bring in another ACM in January.

Personally, I dont see the need for another ACM in January. Lo Celso is looking great, Kulusevski as well. I would sooner prioritise cover for Bissouma with Bentancur now out long term and a CB with a WF being 3rd on the list.

 

[Trix]

I really hope Lange and co have some good contacts, networks and a bit of nouse about them.

Regardless of politics and rather unsubstantiated rumours of some rocking the boat, I am concerned we’ve moved away from the Gabbanini/Paratici partnership as their hit rate was highly successful over the last few seasons and is where our best players have come from.

Soon find out I guess. They've got a hard job on their hands to follow what FP and his team managed to do, but when you bring in a man in a high profile position(Munn) he 100% has to be able to do the job his way, and with his own people otherwise it'll almost certainly fail.

 

[PCozzie]

Personally, I dont see the need for another ACM in January. Lo Celso is looking great, Kulusevski as well. I would sooner prioritise cover for Bissouma with Bentancur now out long term and a CB with a WF being 3rd on the list.

Agree. I can see the benefit in a loan deal (ACM) if a decent one is available, but there's a danger in buying someone on a 5-year contract to cover a (by January, hopefully) 4 to 6 week problem.

 

[fecka]

Agree. I can see the benefit in a loan deal (ACM) if a decent one is available, but there's a danger in buying someone on a 5-year contract to cover a (by January, hopefully) 4 to 6 week problem.

I believe it's more likely we get cover on the wings and move Deki inside if we need to. He's been a revelation there.
I would assume our actions for CM cover depend on the status of our injury crisis in late Jan.
f p

Jota on a loan deal until summer ticks a lot of boxes depending on how Ange & the brain trust rates his ability.

 

[Trix]

Agree. I can see the benefit in a loan deal (ACM) if a decent one is available, but there's a danger in buying someone on a 5-year contract to cover a (by January, hopefully) 4 to 6 week problem.

I just think we have other area's that need attention first. We have GLC, Kulu and Donley that can all play at 10. Not to mention Devine out on loan and Mikey Moore(I know he's still a way off) looking more and more impressive with every game he plays. If I'm honest CB is the only 'must sign' position in January and a CM/DM if PEH goes.

 

[Japhet]

I just think we have other area's that need attention first. We have GLC, Kulu and Donley that can all play at 10. Not to mention Devine out on loan and Mikey Moore(I know he's still a way off) looking more and more impressive with every game he plays. If I'm honest CB is the only 'must sign' position in January and a CM/DM if PEH goes.

Kulu's been absolute class at 10. Donley's obviously highly rated and ready for some minutes too.

 

[brasil_spur]

I just think we have other area's that need attention first. We have GLC, Kulu and Donley that can all play at 10. Not to mention Devine out on loan and Mikey Moore(I know he's still a way off) looking more and more impressive with every game he plays. If I'm honest CB is the only 'must sign' position in January and a CM/DM if PEH goes.

Agreed, but I think getting a CM/DM in and selling PEH is pretty important too. PEH is a very decent footballer but clearly can’t play Ange's style of football very effectively.

For me it’s:

Ins - New CB, New CM/DM and Jota on loan.

Outs - Dier, Lloris, PEH.

 

[JonnySpurs]

I dont know how to feel about selling PEH.

When he's started under Ange, it's not worked well but every time he's come off the bench, including yesterday, it's like he's been able to see the game, understand what's required and play accordingly.

I don't think we're in a position to sell him, particularly with Sarr and Biss being at AFCON in January. Next summer, for sure, but not in January.

I'm not even sure we should make a permanent signing for the 6 role, unless it's a young player. If there's a good loan option out there then that makes most sense because Biss and Bentancur, with the latter also able to play as an 8, have us covered for next season. Maybe Skipp can do it, I'm not sure. He seemed to do fine yesterday from what I saw and had good close control to escape the press and start the move for our 3rd goal too.

 

[cjsimba]

PEH will be starting all games in the 6 position whilst Bissouma (and Bentancur) is out so if we do sell him this January we have to have a replacement who can come in and start matches straight away. Otherwise we're probably better keeping PEH until the summer.

 

[Cochise]

For my money it's CB and then probably another LB as I don't think Davies can do a comparable job there to Udogie nor will Sessegnon ever be fit.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I’d hold on to PEH - just far too valuable right now given the stability he offers. The focus for me is obviously CB and then possibly the front line.

 

[JayB]

I’d hold on to PEH - just far too valuable right now given the stability he offers. The focus for me is obviously CB and then possibly the front line.

Agree -- with PEH's contract situation he will need to be replaced in the summer, but he's played an important role in the squad and I don't see us splashing a big fee in January on a No. 6 who can slot straight into the starting XI when we've already got Bissouma and Bentancur at the club.

We'll need Hojbjerg to shore up the midfield at least through AFCON and Bentancur's return from injury. Selling him now just to get a higher price would be shortsighted.

 

[Oscar22]

Soon find out I guess. They've got a hard job on their hands to follow what FP and his team managed to do, but when you bring in a man in a high profile position(Munn) he 100% has to be able to do the job his way, and with his own people otherwise it'll almost certainly fail.

Yeah, completely get that and understand it. It just felt like a big risk. The thought of it not working out, or our scouting or level of targets and success being thrown off just really scares me given that Gabbanini and Paratici got us Vicario, Udogie, Maddison, VDV.. it almost seems insane to move away from that.

Hey, look, this is why I’m a football fan at home on my couch though and someone else is getting paid the big bucks to make these calls, all it means is you, me and everyone else here just has to hope it was the right one.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

One for you @Ghost Hardware

 

[Tucker]

One for you @Ghost Hardware

I’m going to view all these Italian links with a little suspicion now that we have a new recruitment team in place. If Paratici and Gabianini were still calling the shots then stuff in Calciomaercato might be worth paying attention to.

I suspect we’ll be going after different kinds of targets from here on out.

 

[rabbikeane]

From what I understand he's one of the absolute best players in Serie A this season.

 

[McFlash]

I'm open to selling Hojbjerg because his value will only go down but we'd have to replace him.
I think we're fine at ACM and while we'll struggle a bit during Afcon, it's not worth changing the strategy for a couple of games.

CB is the only real must have for me, along with maybe a loan for a winger/forward but again, I don't feel that's essential.

There's no point buying for the sake of it, in an over-inflated window just to further bloat the squad and block the pathway for the youth.

Just trim the squad, get in a CB and take advantage of any quality options that may crop up. Then focus on the summer.

 

[JayB]

I’m going to view all these Italian links with a little suspicion now that we have a new recruitment team in place. If Paratici and Gabianini were still calling the shots then stuff in Calciomaercato might be worth paying attention to.

I suspect we’ll be going after different kinds of targets from here on out.

Paratici is still hanging around in some capacity. While it certainly appears that his influence has waned, if the new setup targets an Italy-based player Paratici will still be useful in negotiating the deal.

We're not going to neglect opportunities in Serie A simply because Munn and Lange are in charge now -- it'd be stupid to do so when you consider how successful the likes of Romero, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Udogie, and Vicario have been. Italy remains fertile recruiting ground.