Winter Transfer Window Scouting Thread 23/24

[Trix]

Its tricky. But, lets say our scouting department has determined the HG options to ultimately be insufficient, and we are better off selling them now, rather than waiting to see if the develop into top-4 caliber players.

I am not suggesting that is the case - only that the team has to look at the big picture and balance HG needs and 1st team performance. It is obviously a judgement call, and those kind of subjective opinions are always going to come under scrutiny.

That is fine in principle, but on top of that you have to balance that against having a mandatory number of club trained players and the cost of bringing in replacements that may or may not adapt and settle in England. The best players from the academy have to be given opportunities because there has to be a pathway seen for those below it as well. If there isn't they don't sign with us and go elsewhere. We've finally got to a point where we are seeing the academy flourish we have to take the next step in pushing some through or it will just die a death again, and sink back to obscurity with middle of the road players for their respective age groups.

 

[McFlash]

Personally I can't see the point when we already have Donley at the club.

Agree with this, don't want to be signing young foreigners who will just block the pathway for our talented youngsters, like Devine, Donley and Moore behind them.
We need to be wise in regard to squad building with our youth purchases, not just hoover up talent and watch a large chunk of them fail, like Chelsea.

 

[King of the Lane]

There is so much news around Raphinha atm but I cant decide if its even remotely realistic/true or not. He would be great competition for RWF though and I would be happy to sign him.

 

[Wig]

There is so much news around Raphinha atm but I cant decide if its even remotely realistic/true or not. He would be great competition for RWF though and I would be happy to sign him.

From any reliable sources?

 

[spursville]

There is so much news around Raphinha atm but I cant decide if its even remotely realistic/true or not. He would be great competition for RWF though and I would be happy to sign him.

I think we need to prioritise one or to other positions first perhaps.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

There is so much news around Raphinha atm but I cant decide if its even remotely realistic/true or not. He would be great competition for RWF though and I would be happy to sign him.

Was talking about him in another thread on here as I watch Barca fairly regularly. He's on €240k P/W, is turning 27 in a few weeks and really not very good 1v1. He's a hard worker and fast but his game more revolves around pass and move then putting players on the back foot. He's also horribly inconsistent, really struggles against teams that pack the box and sit deep, often makes bad decision in the final third and he performs best with an overlapping FB which we don't play. For the money it would involve I honestly think it would be a really poor signing.

If he was on half the wages and Barca weren't looking for a large fee, which they would as they need money, then i'd be more open to giving him a shot but as is i really don't like the prospect. Yes I am being a little harsh and he's not a bad player he put up solid numbers last season, his work rate would certainly fit in well and obviously his speed is good but he's just not really an improvement on what we have or fills any skill gaps missing in our front 3. Also If we didn't have Johnson then he'd more attractive an option.

I'd take Nusa or Soulé any day of the week over him as even tho they are much more raw currently they have far greater potential and tbh they are already probably better 1v1.

 

[mr ashley]

Was talking about him in another thread on here as I watch Barca fairly regularly. He's on 250k P/W, is turning 27 in a few weeks and really not very good 1v1. He's a hard worker and fast but his game more revolves around pass and move then putting players on the back foot. He's also horribly inconsistent, really struggles against teams that pack the box and sit deep, often makes bad decision in the final third and he performs best with an overlapping FB which we don't play. For the money it would involve I honestly think it would be a really poor signing.

If he was on half the wages and Barca weren't looking for a large fee, which they would as they need money, then i'd be more open to giving him a shot but as is i really don't like the prospect. Yes I am being a little harsh and he's not a bad player he put up solid numbers last season, his work rate would certainly fit in well and obviously his speed is good but he's just not really an improvement on what we have or fills any skill gaps missing in our front 3. Also If we didn't have Johnson then he'd more attractive an option.

I'd take Nusa or Soulé any day of the week over him as even tho they are much more raw currently they have far greater potential and tbh they are already probably better 1v1.

Well, when you put it like that….

 

[teok]

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Was going to mention Inacio on here a someone that would suit our system well and that looks very good. The big problem is he would be £££ and already has a lot of suiters. Real Madrid and Utd have quite strong interest I read. Looks to be a great defender tho, the most appealing on that list but won’t happen because the money involved.

Tbh tho I really can’t see us going for anyone other than Kelly.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

The issue if we go for Kelly will be we still won’t have any cover for Romero. So you can guarantee he will get injured in the second half of the season.

The great thing about Inacio is he’s an extremely rare breed who has covered RCB quite a few times and done it well despite being left footed. Pretty much unheard of.

 

[GioW]

 

[Lappi]

The issue if we go for Kelly will be we still won’t have any cover for Romero. So you can guarantee he will get injured in the second half of the season.

The great thing about Inacio is he’s an extremely rare breed who has covered RCB quite a few times and done it well despite being left footed. Pretty much unheard of.

Agreed. But I think CB is the one position where we need to get cover in urgently, so for Jan we might have to take a less than ideal option if we can't get the ideal profile.

For other positions we should only be buying players who will properly improve the first team / high ceiling, rather than any stopgaps

 

[0v3rl0r9]

Did we ever find out who the CB we had at Hotspur way on deadline day was that we didn't sign?

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Agreed. But I think CB is the one position where we need to get cover in urgently, so for Jan we might have to take a less than ideal option if we can't get the ideal profile.

For other positions we should only be buying players who will properly improve the first team / high ceiling, rather than any stopgaps

We already have less than ideal options, though.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

The issue if we go for Kelly will be we still won’t have any cover for Romero. So you can guarantee he will get injured in the second half of the season.

The great thing about is he’s an extremely rare breed who has covered RCB quite a few times and done it well despite being left footed. Pretty much unheard of.

It’s what makes Scalvini so attractive an option as well as he is equally comfortable ether LCB or RCB. It’s just a shame that both will be too expensive for us. There’s just no way I see us spending £60+ mil on a CB.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Re defenders I can actually see us possibly bringing in both Kelly and Cáceres as both have their contracts running out and one is left footed and the other right.

 

[ajspurs]

Re defenders I can actually see us possibly bringing in both Kelly and Cáceres as both have their contracts running out and one is left footed and the other right.

Would be a fantastic move. I'd be content with that being our only business for January to be honest. I think our squad can of course be stronger in terms of quality and will need to be going forward, but to continue playing the way we wish without any glaring weaknesses, it's not too bad for now. The only glaring weakness that does render us unable to play as we wish without being vulnerable is at CB really.

I hate to say it as it's often the generic response but it seems to make too much sense to happen.

 

[nedley]

Has Kelly played much in a two.

I'm not sure he has..

 

[luRRka]

Has Kelly played much in a two.

I'm not sure he has..

4 times this season - against us, wolves, Brighton and Chelsea. Once on the left of a 3 and 3 times at left back

 

[gibbospurs]

I think the guy Semenyo looks a talent for Bournemouth. He bossed Bissouma when we played them early in the season. could be a good option if and when holberg leaves. No idea what they paid for him but I wouldn’t imagine it would take a great offer to pinch him. If we’re looking obviously.