Transfer Talk Topic

[xceleryx]

3 minutes ago, Morgs said:

Uppamecano, anyone?

HELL NAH.

I remember when he was a topic of discussion a few years ago before he joined Bayern, so glad we dodged that bullet. Man is a liability and a half.

[Floyd25]

Just now, xceleryx said:

so glad we dodged that bullet. Man is a liability and a half.

He wouldn’t be out of place then.

[east lower]

2 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

Hummels doesn't have the legs, granted his leadership and experience would be nice.

 

Neither did Thiago Silva and look how that turned out!

I'd also question the 'intelligence' (ability or willingness to learn) of our existing centre-halves, most of them played with Silva and don't seem to have learned much.

3 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

Bisseck only joined Inter last season and still needs a bit more football in him, he is talented through from the limited appearances I've seen him make.

As I said looked better that our two.

I'd also add one wouldn't cost anything in terms of fee and the other no more than circa. £20m

[east lower]

2 hours ago, Chelsea_Matt said:

More players?  💀💀💀👀

Hell yes. Buy enough and by the law of averages you ought to find a decent one..................................eventually.

[paulw66]

2 minutes ago, east lower said:

Neither did Thiago Silva and look how that turned out!

 

Played his best football for us in a 3.

If we are planning on sticking with a 4, I'm not sure a slow CB really suits.

2 minutes ago, east lower said:

 

As I said looked better that our two.

 

Up against an 18 year old unproven CF. 

Very difficult to take much from one pre season game. 

[xceleryx]

5 minutes ago, east lower said:

Neither did Thiago Silva and look how that turned out!

I'd also question the 'intelligence' (ability or willingness to learn) of our existing centre-halves, most of them played with Silva and don't seem to have learned much.

Silva's individual quality was great, however his lack of leg speed was a problem that required us to manage and played a big part in why we needed to move on. Bringing in Hummels, with similar limitations, just puts us right back to where we were. 

[east lower]

3 minutes ago, paulw66 said:

Played his best football for us in a 3.

If we are planning on sticking with a 4, I'm not sure a slow CB really suits.

 

Played outstandingly for a number of seasons whatever the 'system' and Hummels could well do similar, but only a suggestion and observation passed to a question. Hummels looked outstanding in the CL last season, which is supposedly the highest level.

3 minutes ago, paulw66 said:

Up against an 18 year old unproven CF. 

Very difficult to take much from one pre season game. 

Did well in the second-half too, although I did say the sample was limited - Can play too.

[Thiago97]

25 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

This sort of highlights the problem with trying to find a solution. We'd be spending a lot of money on a centre back that isn't necessarily a lock to improve us while adding the desired qualities we need. Granted no transfer is a guarantee, outside of Romero (entirely unrealistic anyway), and to a degree Bremer (recently signed a new deal until 2028), one could argue the remaining options would all be considered relative punts. 

I’m not sure I agree. I get the point you are making, but that was a handful of players off the top of my head. I didn’t really invest much time to think of those 4-5 players. I don’t think Guehi , Andersen or Kilman are or would have been punts. They are better than why we have now, maybe bar a prime fit Fofana (we have no idea what player is left with him). All three are proven quality CB’s , whilst Branthwaite has huge potential and is physically and aerially dominant already. 

[east lower]

7 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

Silva's individual quality was great, however his lack of leg speed was a problem that required us to manage and played a big part in why we needed to move on. Bringing in Hummels, with similar limitations, just puts us right back to where we were. 

I watched him live for the seasons he was here and he rarely got burnt for pace - because he was so intelligent. So I'd not worry too much about that, if the coaching can acknowledge the skill-sets of their players.

There's already talk of Maresca having to adjust tactics as he's found that the skill-sets of existing players might not suit his 'best' system. If there's an awareness then it can be mitigated. Heck, we need some intelligence and some game-time savvy within the squad.

Edited August 14 by east lower

[xceleryx]

So for a little fun I've taken 9 centrebacks from within the Premier League and used ChatGPT to create a basic analysis and comparison. Based on the results, who would be the four CB's you'd pick for us this season?

I'll reveal the names later.

Player (A)
Strengths:
- Positioning and Reading of the Game: Excellent at intercepting passes and making crucial tackles.
- Ball Playing Ability: Comfortable with the ball, initiating attacks from the back.
- Leadership: Shows leadership qualities despite his young age.
Weaknesses:
- Physicality: Can struggle against very physical forwards.
- Aerial Duels: Not the strongest in aerial battles.

Player (B)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Strong in the air, effective during set-pieces.
- Defensive Solidity: Consistent and solid defensively.
- Versatility: Can play in a back three or four.
Weaknesses:
- Pace: Not the quickest defender.
- Distribution: Decent but not exceptional passing range.

Player (C)
Strengths:
- Potential: Shows significant potential and maturity.
- Versatility: Can play both as a centre-back and left-back.
- Aerial Presence: Strong in aerial duels.
Weaknesses:
- Experience: Relatively inexperienced at the top level.
- Consistency: Needs to develop more consistency.

Player (D)
Strengths:
- Passing Range: Excellent long-range passing ability.
- Physicality: Strong and imposing.
- Experience: Significant experience in top leagues and international football.
Weaknesses:
- Mobility: Can struggle against quick and agile forwards.
- Discipline: Occasionally prone to making rash challenges.

Player (V)
Strengths:
- Versatility: Can play in multiple defensive positions.
- Physicality: Strong in duels.
- Interceptions: Good at reading the game.
Weaknesses:
- Consistency: Has struggled with consistency.
- Injuries: Has had injury issues.

Player (W)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Strong in the air.
- Physicality: Physically imposing and strong in duels.
- Interceptions: Good at reading the game and making interceptions.
Weaknesses:
- Pace: Not the fastest defender.
- Consistency: Needs to maintain consistency.

Player (X)
Strengths:
- Composure: Highly rated for his composure on the ball.
- Ball Playing Ability: Excellent at initiating attacks from the back.
- Versatility: Can play in multiple defensive roles.
Weaknesses:
- Experience: Still gaining experience at the top level.
- Physicality: Can improve in physical duels.

Player (Y)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Excellent in the air.
- Defensive Solidity: Strong defensively.
- Ball Playing Ability: Good with the ball at his feet.
Weaknesses:
- Injuries: Has had injury issues affecting availability.
- Pace: Not the quickest.

Player (Z)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Strong in aerial duels.
- Passing Range: Good long-range passing.
- Physicality: Physically strong and imposing.
Weaknesses:
- Consistency: Needs to maintain consistency.
- Mobility: Can struggle against quick forwards.

- Experience: Player (D) and (W) bring more experience compared to younger options like (C) and (X).
- Aerial Ability: (B), (Y), and (Z) are particularly strong in the air.
- Versatility: (V) and (X), offer more versatility in defensive roles.
- Physicality: (D), (W), and (Z) are more physically imposing, while (A) and (C) rely more on positioning and intelligence.

Edited August 14 by xceleryx

[east lower]

18 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

So for a little fun I've taken 9 centrebacks from within the Premier League and used ChatGPT to create a basic analysis and comparison. Based on the results, who would be the four CB's you'd pick for us this season?

I'll reveal the names later.

Player (A)
Strengths:
- Positioning and Reading of the Game: Excellent at intercepting passes and making crucial tackles.
- Ball Playing Ability: Comfortable with the ball, initiating attacks from the back.
- Leadership: Shows leadership qualities despite his young age.
Weaknesses:
- Physicality: Can struggle against very physical forwards.
- Aerial Duels: Not the strongest in aerial battles.

Player (B)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Strong in the air, effective during set-pieces.
- Defensive Solidity: Consistent and solid defensively.
- Versatility: Can play in a back three or four.
Weaknesses:
- Pace: Not the quickest defender.
- Distribution: Decent but not exceptional passing range.

Player (C)
Strengths:
- Potential: Shows significant potential and maturity.
- Versatility: Can play both as a centre-back and left-back.
- Aerial Presence: Strong in aerial duels.
Weaknesses:
- Experience: Relatively inexperienced at the top level.
- Consistency: Needs to develop more consistency.

Player (D)
Strengths:
- Passing Range: Excellent long-range passing ability.
- Physicality: Strong and imposing.
- Experience: Significant experience in top leagues and international football.
Weaknesses:
- Mobility: Can struggle against quick and agile forwards.
- Discipline: Occasionally prone to making rash challenges.

Player (V)
Strengths:
- Versatility: Can play in multiple defensive positions.
- Physicality: Strong in duels.
- Interceptions: Good at reading the game.
Weaknesses:
- Consistency: Has struggled with consistency.
- Injuries: Has had injury issues.

Player (W)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Strong in the air.
- Physicality: Physically imposing and strong in duels.
- Interceptions: Good at reading the game and making interceptions.
Weaknesses:
- Pace: Not the fastest defender.
- Consistency: Needs to maintain consistency.

Player (X)
Strengths:
- Composure: Highly rated for his composure on the ball.
- Ball Playing Ability: Excellent at initiating attacks from the back.
- Versatility: Can play in multiple defensive roles.
Weaknesses:
- Experience: Still gaining experience at the top level.
- Physicality: Can improve in physical duels.

Player (Y)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Excellent in the air.
- Defensive Solidity: Strong defensively.
- Ball Playing Ability: Good with the ball at his feet.
Weaknesses:
- Injuries: Has had injury issues affecting availability.
- Pace: Not the quickest.

Player (Z)
Strengths:
- Aerial Ability: Strong in aerial duels.
- Passing Range: Good long-range passing.
- Physicality: Physically strong and imposing.
Weaknesses:
- Consistency: Needs to maintain consistency.
- Mobility: Can struggle against quick forwards.

- Experience: Player (D) and (W) bring more experience compared to younger options like (C) and (X).
- Aerial Ability: (B), (Y), and (Z) are particularly strong in the air.
- Versatility: (V) and (X), offer more versatility in defensive roles.
- Physicality: (D), (W), and (Z) are more physically imposing, while (A) and (C) rely more on positioning and intelligence.

They're all ours!!!😉

[Ham]

1 hour ago, thevelourfog said:

Anyone got any links on the transfer ban rumours? A quick Google mostly finds results from 2019.

You won't find anything relating to a transfer ban per se.  Richard Masters was interviewed and said that our case was complicated and that we'd find out soon enough what the conclusion was.

People then looked at our stockpiling and inferred that we knew that we were getting significant transfer ban, which makes sense.  

 

Edited August 14 by Ham

[thevelourfog]

22 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

So for a little fun I've taken 9 centrebacks from within the Premier League and used ChatGPT to create a basic analysis and comparison. 

Stewart and Winstanley looking anxiously over their shoulders ...

[Mark Kelly]

6 minutes ago, east lower said:

They're all ours!!!😉

That's what I thought too 

[east lower]

1 minute ago, Mark Kelly said:

That's what I thought too 

Yep, @xceleryx has thrown the grenade in - he's just waiting for someone to pull the pin.

[xceleryx]

9 minutes ago, east lower said:

They're all ours!!!😉

I wouldn't be that cruel. 😅

[xceleryx]

1 minute ago, east lower said:

Yep, @xceleryx has thrown the grenade in - he's just waiting for someone to pull the pin.

Just wanna see who picks what, don't be afraid haha.

 

[east lower]

4 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

Just wanna see who picks what, don't be afraid haha.

 

The traps set, I’ll let the cannon fodder go in first.

 

[Mark Kelly]

I'll bite then "W"

[xceleryx]

1 minute ago, Mark Kelly said:

I'll bite then "W"

And the other 3?

[east lower]

2 minutes ago, Mark Kelly said:

I'll bite then "W"

B is Lewis Dunk………..possibly 😇

[Mark Kelly]

5 minutes ago, xceleryx said:

And the other 3?

B X Y

[xceleryx]

5 minutes ago, Mark Kelly said:

B X Y

Very interesting.

Stay tuned for results, once others pluck up the courage. 

[Lump Of Celery]

They all sound quite simlar tbh

I would say C is probably Colwill

C&X sounding the ones I would think suit the football Maresca would want to play, also Y as he is strong in the air which is needed for Sanchez. Hard to differentiate the others really as I wouldn't usually rate players from a written description and prefer the eye test, as someone already said slow legs can be mitigated a lot by speed of thought - didn't see Silva caught out for pace often

[east lower]

29 minutes ago, east lower said:

B is Lewis Dunk………..possibly 😇

V & Y are Fofana & Martinez....................................????