The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 28th August

[Pekoni]

The window has been incredibly chaotic within the club today. I just received an update indicating that if United makes headway with Pierre, a potential that's gaining momentum, we might solidify our interest in Sofyan Amrabat. Fabio has suggested Amrabat as a more feasible option given the current expense associated with Paulinha . We also haven’t ruled out not replacing Pierre but ideally ange wants a replacement with Bentancur out still to fill a cm position.

Good old Amrabat. His stock has certainly risen since the last time we were linked. Thanks for the info WLB!

 

[robertgoulet]

The window has been incredibly chaotic within the club today. I just received an update indicating that if United makes headway with Pierre, a potential that's gaining momentum, we might solidify our interest in Sofyan Amrabat. Fabio has suggested Amrabat as a more feasible option given the current expense associated with Paulinha . We also haven’t ruled out not replacing Pierre but ideally ange wants a replacement with Bentancur out still to fill a cm position.

Oh that'd be some fun business.

 

[N'Obody]

The window has been incredibly chaotic within the club today. I just received an update indicating that if United makes headway with Pierre, a potential that's gaining momentum, we might solidify our interest in Sofyan Amrabat. Fabio has suggested Amrabat as a more feasible option given the current expense associated with Paulinha . We also haven’t ruled out not replacing Pierre but ideally ange wants a replacement with Bentancur out still to fill a cm position.

Thanks for the update WLB.

I would definitely switch Pierre for Amrabat. The guy just oozes class in that position. If he's also a Paratici recommendation. I'm all in.

 

[rawhide]

Thanks for the update WLB.

I would definitely switch Pierre for Amrabat. The guy just oozes class in that position. If he's also a Paratici recommendation. I'm all in.

I’d rather switch him for Amrabat than not replace PEH at all.

 

[NYSpur]

I’m so confused with where we stand with HG tbh. It seems to be a major priority so would be surprised if this were to happen. I’d have thought we’d rather keep non HG positions available for guaranteed starters rather than squad rotation/depth roles.

I did a write up on this. I hope this helps. It also should add context to what ITK like WLB, Trix, Herc, and HS88 are saying. (Mods feel free to move this elsewhere or suggest where it belongs if this isn't appropriate for this forum, but I do think it helps add context to the discussion.)

Here is the entire roster outlook. Keep in mind homegrown is probably more about future planning, because some of our homegrown won't be here for much beyond this year and we do have capable U21 players who can take HG slots this year.

It makes sense then that we targeted homegrown players rumored, because when you look at our current HG's of Skipp, Maddisson, Forster, Davies, and Sessegnon who likely survive this window, only Skipp and Maddisson likely have long-term futures here. Thus, build for the future now and try to get as close to 8 as possible so you don't need to rely on U21 players coming good. This allows you to maximize your roster at 25, which is also more important once we get European football again.

Currently we have 18 players who are virtually guaranteed roster slots and the breakdown is 12 foreign slots, 4 homegrown slots, and 2 U21 slots. This leaves slots for 5 more foreigners from our current roster or through acquisition. It also leaves 2 slots for homegrown or U21.

They are... CM 1 Skipp HG, LW 1 Son, CM 2 Bissouma, CF 1 Richarlison ,CM 3 Maddison HG, RB 1 Royal, GK 1 Vicario, LW 2 Perisic, CB 1 Romero, GK 2 Forster HG, RW 1 Kulusevski, RB 2 Porro, RW 2 Solomon, CM 4 Sarr U21, CM 5 Bentancur, LB 2 Davies HG, CB 3 van de Ven, LB 1 Udogie U21.

We have four players who I believe the club feels MUST go no matter what and are not counted above or below... Lloris, Reguilon, Ndombole, Spence.

We have 7 players who may go to make room and balance needs... LB 3 Sessegnon HG - likely stays due to HG and injury, CM 6 Lo Celso, CM 7 Hoijberg, CB 3 Sanchez, CB 4 Dier, CB 5 Tanganga HG, FW 6 Gil. Almost definite that 1 of Lo Celso or Hoijberg go.

CB is tough as we have 2 locked in and Davies as emergency cover. This means we have to get rid of 1 of Dier, Tanganga, and Sanchez to bring in another CB. Ideally we are all thinking we should rid ourselves of all, but that is just not doable with #'s and time. Even getting rid of 2 is tricky with our backup needs and time remaining. Tanganga helps the most as a HG, but has little long-term future. Ideally Dier goes first and we keep Sanchez, but who the heck knows.

We also have Veliz and Phillips who could be used for roster slots as U21 and HG in Phillips case, but I would imagine that is a last resort and we would prefer they only be used in an emergency.

From a positional standpoint this leaves us finished at GK (2 + U21), LB (2), RB (3). Major decisions need to be made at CB with 2 locks and ideally wanting 5. At forward/CF we currently have 5 players not including Gil. I assume we bring in 1 more and 2 if Gil leaves.

We also have Veliz and maybe Scarlett as cover if we struggle with moves to close out the window. Neither would take up the critical foreign slots. This explains why we may be willing to pay up to get Johnson, especially if we can unload anyone the other way.

Lastly, we have 5 players locked in at CM. The question here is do we want 6 or 7 midfielders as that will likely impact what we do at CB. My bet is on one staying (Lo Celso), but could come down to who is easier to get our price for. WLB's ITK suggests we may be thinking of multiple ways to deal with the Lo Celso/Hoijberg situation and overall numbers here.

So bottom line is it is not just a numbers game of 25 players. It's also a numbers by position, and a balancing of homegrown, U21, and foreign players. In addition our homegrown numbers could be an issue in the future if we don't start acquiring the right players now.

One final thing...we can loan out 7 players, and we have already loaned Joe Rodon, so we have 6 remaining. Academy players and U21's do not count against the 7. I think we have flexibility and I can see us loaning late to get rid of stubborn players to take less losses.

 

[arunspurs]

The window has been incredibly chaotic within the club today. I just received an update indicating that if United makes headway with Pierre, a potential that's gaining momentum, we might solidify our interest in Sofyan Amrabat. Fabio has suggested Amrabat as a more feasible option given the current expense associated with Paulinha . We also haven’t ruled out not replacing Pierre but ideally ange wants a replacement with Bentancur out still to fill a cm position.

Yesterday when this Hojbjerg to United possibility came I was hoping we go for Amrabat - if this happens we would be actually upgrading the squad superbly.

We could move Bissouma further forward if we can bring Amrabat. In any game Ange could easily replace entire midfield 3 with another 3 without dropping quality

 

[DanNolan]

Strengthening united would be stupid imo. They’ll be a direct rival this year

 

[arunspurs]

Strengthening united would be stupid imo. They’ll be a direct rival this year

It’s fine as long as we upgrade on that player that’s getting sold. So if we selling him we have to replace him well

 

[EQP]

Strengthening united would be stupid imo. They’ll be a direct rival this year

I get the sentiment but no other team seems likely to offer what we consider as fair market value for PEH outside of United. We need to strengthen our team and if we can eek out an additional 8-12 million from united for PEH, that would help us get Amrabat and another LCB, I would be awfully okay with that.

 

[jbstarr14]

Strengthening united would be stupid imo. They’ll be a direct rival this year

Not stupid if we strengthen ourselves to a greater degree.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

Faffing around with the midfield… hopefully not taking up manpower needed to bring in players we actually need.

 

[talkshowhost86]

If we end up with Amrabat replacing Hojberg in the squad that is a great bit of business.

It is therefore pretty unlikely.

But here's hoping.

At least then the midfield will look sorted even if defence and upfront continue to have big holey holes.

 

[yankspurs]

The window has been incredibly chaotic within the club today. I just received an update indicating that if United makes headway with Pierre, a potential that's gaining momentum, we might solidify our interest in Sofyan Amrabat. Fabio has suggested Amrabat as a more feasible option given the current expense associated with Paulinha . We also haven’t ruled out not replacing Pierre but ideally ange wants a replacement with Bentancur out still to fill a cm position.

Yeah i'd rather have Kane than Palinha anyway. Oh, hang on.

 

[What Lies Beneath]

Faffing around with the midfield… hopefully not taking up manpower needed to bring in players we actually need.

I agree and disagree . Think we have left it too late to sort all areas. Gonna wait till jan and asses options up top before a striker comes in been told

 

[spursn17]

I agree and disagree . Think we have left it too late to sort all areas. Gonna wait till jan and asses options up top before a striker comes in been told

Johnson, Schurrs now and Toney in January would be decent...if PEH goes then maybe a replacement for him as well..

 

[the yid]

I agree and disagree . Think we have left it too late to sort all areas. Gonna wait till jan and asses options up top before a striker comes in been told

So a winger CM and possibly CB

 

[yido_number1]

I agree and disagree . Think we have left it too late to sort all areas. Gonna wait till jan and asses options up top before a striker comes in been told

Can't help but feel this will cost us at some point. Hopefully Son can put a good shift in up top.

 

[Wig]

A much more dynamic player than Hojbjerg and more a Postecoglou fit. Although might be another one who may be off to AFCON in Jan.

Hopefully Bentancur is fully fit and firing by AFCON. But we shouldn't let AFCON and missing one or two games decide whether we go for a player, and I agree with your first point that Amrabat would be a quality replacement for Pierre

 

[Rob]

The window has been incredibly chaotic within the club today. I just received an update indicating that if United makes headway with Pierre, a potential that's gaining momentum, we might solidify our interest in Sofyan Amrabat. Fabio has suggested Amrabat as a more feasible option given the current expense associated with Paulinha . We also haven’t ruled out not replacing Pierre but ideally ange wants a replacement with Bentancur out still to fill a cm position.

Surely Utd just go after Amrabat if he's available? I feel like this is one that's going to leave us stuck with PEH.

 

[LukaKranjcar]

Thanks WLB.

I really feel we're going to regret not getting a CF, i know we're arguably short in other areas too but really feel we could end up far shorter up front over the season if Richy doest start clicking. Love Sonny too but theres a risk there with form.

I'd love for us to make a statement signing up there.