January 2025 Scouting Thread

[coy-spurs1882]

I really like having two creative/attacking CM's in team. Martin Baturina and Bergvall would be awesome with Gray as a pivot.

good player, can see him signed by someone like Leipzig and become a 100m+ player

 

[Locotoro]

Unusual take here.

Our down turn in results coincides with losing Perisics crossing ability (2 assists in 6 appearances) and Solomon's dribbling skills (also 2 assists in 6) both on the left.
None of our wingers can cross the ball. We need a winger who can cross from the line but also cross the early ball

 

[Yiddo100]

Unusual take here.

Our down turn in results coincides with losing Perisics crossing ability (2 assists in 6 appearances) and Solomon's dribbling skills (also 2 assists in 6) both on the left.
None of our wingers can cross the ball. We need a winger who can cross from the line but also cross the early ball

Maybe but not so sure, Solomon’s 2 assists came in one game against a wide open Burnley, Perisic assists usually came from corners which we may be missing.

 

[tobi]

Unusual take here.

Our down turn in results coincides with losing Perisics crossing ability (2 assists in 6 appearances) and Solomon's dribbling skills (also 2 assists in 6) both on the left.
None of our wingers can cross the ball. We need a winger who can cross from the line but also cross the early ball

Johnson can cross but its a very specific type of cross and it mostly occurs when he has space and doesn't have to think.

He's like a striker that is better when instinct kicks in but panics when he has to think or create the space himself.

 

[Cinemattis]

What? We don’t have wingers or players who can cross? We have PLENTY of players who make PLENTY of crosses!..?!

They cross the ball too far, too short, over the line, into the goalie’s hands, onto the defenders heads and feet, into empty spaces, and into space crowded with opponents … I’d say we’re a crossing galore kind of team!

 

[THOWIG]

Like the look of Dibling, but I'm sure we're not the only ones.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Next 2 windows make or break this project.

We need to undo the Werner and Johnson errors

Werner yes, Johnson no, he was always going to take a while to blossom and get going just like Odobert will.

Werner is the big error but really we need to sign 2 top class wingers, one to replace Son long-term (unless we think Moore or Yang can do that) and one to give competition to Johnson.

What about Mbuemo ?

Otherwise perhaps Mitoma or Eze or Bakayoko or Raphinia etc

 

[joey55]

Does anyone know what the situation with Kudus is? He was all set to go to Brighton, but then the deal fell through because apparently he insisted on a release clause. So surely he must have a release clause of some sort at West Ham. Maybe it doesn't come in for the first season or two, but you'd think there would be a clause. I really think we are one player with that "x factor" away from being a really good side. You look at our games against Leicester, Newcastle and Arsenal and it's hard to imagine we wouldn't have taken man more points if we just had someone on the pitch who could scare them with the ball at his feet. We've got no one who can beat 2 or 3 players in the final third, which drags the opposition out of shape and creates the space for Madders, Deki, Sonny and Solanke.

We've done really well with our youngsters recently, but in terms of 1st team, I don't think we signed anyone who really makes us notably better in the last 2 windows. I don't think January or the summer is the time for trying to find a gem abroad. I think it's time to go all in on someone we know can really shake things up in the Prem. If Eze's clause is such that it's hard for us to trigger, then I think Kudus is ideal for what we need. Ordinarily West Ham wouldn't sell to us, but hopefully there is a clause.

 

[rossdapep]

Does anyone know what the situation with Kudus is? He was all set to go to Brighton, but then the deal fell through because apparently he insisted on a release clause. So surely he must have a release clause of some sort at West Ham. Maybe it doesn't come in for the first season or two, but you'd think there would be a clause. I really think we are one player with that "x factor" away from being a really good side. You look at our games against Leicester, Newcastle and Arsenal and it's hard to imagine we wouldn't have taken man more points if we just had someone on the pitch who could scare them with the ball at his feet. We've got no one who can beat 2 or 3 players in the final third, which drags the opposition out of shape and creates the space for Madders, Deki, Sonny and Solanke.

We've done really well with our youngsters recently, but in terms of 1st team, I don't think we signed anyone who really makes us notably better in the last 2 windows. I don't think January or the summer is the time for trying to find a gem abroad. I think it's time to go all in on someone we know can really shake things up in the Prem. If Eze's clause is such that it's hard for us to trigger, then I think Kudus is ideal for what we need. Ordinarily West Ham wouldn't sell to us, but hopefully there is a clause.

Apparently he has an 85m pound release clause it expired on 30th June but becomes active again in the next summer window.

Looks like West Ham tailored it so that they wouldn't be subject to bids and unsettling the player during the season but also ensuring if there is interest in the summer windows, its done early and at a high fee.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Does anyone know what the situation with Kudus is? He was all set to go to Brighton, but then the deal fell through because apparently he insisted on a release clause. So surely he must have a release clause of some sort at West Ham. Maybe it doesn't come in for the first season or two, but you'd think there would be a clause. I really think we are one player with that "x factor" away from being a really good side. You look at our games against Leicester, Newcastle and Arsenal and it's hard to imagine we wouldn't have taken man more points if we just had someone on the pitch who could scare them with the ball at his feet. We've got no one who can beat 2 or 3 players in the final third, which drags the opposition out of shape and creates the space for Madders, Deki, Sonny and Solanke.

We've done really well with our youngsters recently, but in terms of 1st team, I don't think we signed anyone who really makes us notably better in the last 2 windows. I don't think January or the summer is the time for trying to find a gem abroad. I think it's time to go all in on someone we know can really shake things up in the Prem. If Eze's clause is such that it's hard for us to trigger, then I think Kudus is ideal for what we need. Ordinarily West Ham wouldn't sell to us, but hopefully there is a clause.

I don't know what the value of the clause is but from what I read it basically means W.Ham have to listen to offers from any team who is in the champions league.

 

[joey55]

Apparently he has an 85m pound release clause it expired on 30th June but becomes active again in the next summer window.

Looks like West Ham tailored it so that they wouldn't be subject to bids and unsettling the player during the season but also ensuring if there is interest in the summer windows, its done early and at a high fee.

Any info on the terms of payment? Levy would like to know if they would take £1 per week for the next 1634615 years?

 

[GioW]

Werner yes, Johnson no, he was always going to take a while to blossom and get going just like Odobert will.

Werner is the big error but really we need to sign 2 top class wingers, one to replace Son long-term (unless we think Moore or Yang can do that) and one to give competition to Johnson.

What about Mbuemo ?

Otherwise perhaps Mitoma or Eze or Bakayoko or Raphinia etc

Yeah I think it was a little harsh of me to group them together.

I do still have my doubts about Johnson's ceiling but will be delighted to be proved wrong.

Yes please on Mbuemo... I wonder whether Brentford could be tempted into a January deal, probably unlikely.

 

[HarryKane]

Not sure what our learned friends think about this guy?

Very talented youngster, been highly thought of for many years then joined man city for a bit then chose to go to Dortmund, smartly. Lots were after him at that time too, "next sancho" and all that. Don't know if he's ready to be the starting winger yet but he's not far off, he's well rated at BVB and they say he's a cheat code off the bench, they wouldn't be surprised to see him go for well over 50m. If he keeps progressing he is going to play at a very high level

 

[SpursSince1980]

I wonder how much scouting we do in the US and Canada? It's my understanding from a Irish mate of mine, who runs an elite academy in LA, that there are some brilliant talents all over the country between the 14 to 19 range. A lot go under the radar because of the US (SOCCER!!!!) stigma. Plus, many of them don't realize the full extent of their potential due to lack of talented coaching and investment in infrastructure. Which is massively improved from where it was 30 years ago. But could be better. Point being, is that more and more European teams are plucking up these kids and bringing them over to their academies. Especially Germany, Netherlands, Belgium scouts. Who are very active and engaged. With full time scouts placed all over north America. Whereas as his experience in dealing with UK scouts has been lackluster by comparison. Just doesn't see as many of them, as the aforementioned. And the few who he does deal with, are still a bit unconvinced.

Seen some of the kids in a few of these academies... and damn... there's some good 'uns.

 

[14/04/91]

Kelleher at Liverpool did well again Saturday, always seems very impressive despite playing irregularly.

With the Georgian keeper joining next summer, he might be worth looking at for real competition for Vicario.

 

[THOWIG]

Kelleher at Liverpool did well again Saturday, always seems very impressive despite playing irregularly.

With the Georgian keeper joining next summer, he might be worth looking at for real competition for Vicario.

Wondered the same thing, but Kelleher wants to start.

 

[VoteMe4Prez]

Wondered the same thing, but Kelleher wants to start.

I think there's better chance of that here, but he may well not think so

 

[Yiddo100]

Kelleher at Liverpool did well again Saturday, always seems very impressive despite playing irregularly.

With the Georgian keeper joining next summer, he might be worth looking at for real competition for Vicario.

If Liverpool don’t think he’s good enough to be #1 should that not be a bit of a red flag.

 

[Dazza86]

Not sure who we could go after here - but if Richy is off in Jan/next summer, which I think is likely unless he returns before then and has no more issues + scores regularly, then I think we're looking for a new striker to alternate with Dom soon.

That's likely on top of 1, or ideally 2, new wingers over the next 12 months. Now Kulu is preferred centrally, that'll leave us with Johnson, Odebert, Moore and Sonny once Werner is off (and assuming Solomon isn't favoured).

If Sonny continues to play international football and Ange's style of football, he's going to need way more rotation in the next few years or he's going to be absolutely gassed. He just can't keep the quality up by relentlessly playing at 110% for both Korea and Spurs at every opportunity.

There's also no telling yet how quickly players like Moore or Odebert will get up and running properly, and Johnson needs balance too, especially after the recent abuse and the pressure being first choice is putting on his name (if not him mentally).

Davies is likely to be going at some point or taking a step back, which will hopefully lead to the LB/CB cover we also need and specifically someone who is more stylisitcally suited to Ange/front-foot football.

Guessing we're now more optimisitic with our midfield options depending how Gray and Bergvall do over the next 3/9 months. If they stall, we could be looking at another creative/B2B option especially if Maddison gets anymore lengthy injuries (which historically does happen over the course of a season).

I think there's still quite a way to go with the squad building, and that's hoping Romero does sign a new contract and isn't packing his bags next summer.

Exciting for transfers - I just hope we bloody nail it and we can solidly get into Ange's style with a few more additions + time to implement his thinking.

 

[14/04/91]

If Liverpool don’t think he’s good enough to be #1 should that not be a bit of a red flag.

It’s all relative.