JimmyC74

I agree that we are unlikely to see a significant change in FB and CB areas. Even if we bring someone in like Colwill at CB they will be under the wing of Evans and be gradually phased in so we will be much the same. I would be inclined to go for Pope as No.1 GK and look at bringing in a defensive coach. That said I don’t know Brendan will do either. Adding a new tall, physical CM and the return of NDidi would also help but without Kasper commanding his 6-yard area and us upgrading our defensive organisation then we could still be suspect.

You maybe correct. Point was more there are better targets than Garner. My preference would be we look at likes of Madueke for RW and Kökcü to replace Youri but suspect we won’t have the budget and may need to look at cheaper options / frees and loan to buy options.

If we were looking at Forest then Brennan Johnson would be a better option on RW - assuming we have first been priced out of getting likes of Madueke.

Agree it is probably time for Youri to move on but How many Clubs are interested will be interesting to see. Would hate him to go to Arsenal and you should never sell to a potential rival for Europe but they appear the only show in town. If Arteta makes an enquiry I would be inclined to suggest a swap deal for likes of Saliba if for nothing else than to try and drive up the price.

£120k for a near 30-year old feels too much. It would make him one of our top earners and i think he would be sharing defensive responsibilities with Jonny Evans. Think the agent is looking for an auction to push up his wages. I wouldn’t be against him joining but maybe more value in the market.

There could be value in getting Pope and Cornet out of Burnley. They are under pressure to raise funds and quickly to pay off loans used to buy the Club (triggered by relegation) - see recent posts by @kieranmaguire. Pope would be a solid replacement for Kasper.

Being competitive depends on us maintaining a strong youth set-up, looking at markets others don’t e.g Celtic and Furuhashi and taking a punt on a few the Big 4 don’t. We’ve shown we have done it before, no reason why we can’t obtain Europe and win a domestic cup again.

I like Praet as a player but he offers no more than KDH and isn’t what we need for next season. Crucial we get someone in to pull the strings and unlock defences. Reality is we we need to sell to buy and Praet can help with that. He seems to prefer Italy to Leicester also - go figure ;D Also Brendan clearly doesn’t trust him and there is no point him warming the bench. Sell. Reinvest. Move on.

Agreed free up some wages bring in a few first eleven quality players and trust in the youngsters to fill out the squad.

Interesting to see how we square the circle of rebuilding the squad with limited funds. The problem with the idea of raising funds from Hamza, Perez, vestegaard etc is you need a buyer and one willing to spend many pound notes. Not sure there will be lots knocking down our door. Our main assets with a resale value are Madders and Little Wes. Hopefully there is no intention to sell one of these guys. We need to build a team around them.

Eriksen is definitely worth a punt. I don’t expect our net spend / transfer budget for incomings will be significant and there are a number of positions to fill for next year . Question marks exist over Kasper, Evans (fitness / age) Youri, Cags (form) Soumare (hasn’t settled). Not sure we will get much for Youri and Cags to reinvest with them in the last of their contracts (2023) and indifferent form.

Rodgers can’t afford to look too far ahead to the end of the season and the rebuild. He needs to organise & shore up the defence so we stop giving teams a couple of goals head start and get some wins otherwise he is finished. I think there are some fans who think he already is and he will struggle to win them around.

Looking forward to Dyche’s response to this coming out just before they play.

No doubt Ndidi is a big miss but I reckon with Mendy Tielemens Praet Ûnder and Barnes they will think we have enough. Ball retention and breaking forward I probably agree but we will miss Ndidi recovering the ball. If we get a 3rd centre back expect we go 343 352.

Expect with Ndidi’s injury we will put all our pound notes down on getting a centre back and pivot to 3 centre backs with Praet + Tiels as our midfield. 2/3 of ünder, Barnes and madders supporting Vards. Will be a hard season if we get a couple of injuries as back up outside first XI not good enough.

BR likes Perez for his work off the ball but with Ünder now in he will need to improve his final ball if he wants to stay in the first XI. Win win do better or find yourself on the bench. That is what we need competition for places.

Hearing BR said Castagne’s shoulder popped out and had to be put back in ... makes his performance even more impressive. The lad oozes class. 🙌🙌

Clear Castagne is a big upgrade on Chilwell, Tielemens has been really at it so far and loving Barnes simply terrifying defenders. Lots of positives with Evans & Ricardo to return. If we can land a quality centre back we are in a good place, even though more challenging games to come.

Fofana reported to have been left out of the squad for this afternoon’s game 👀

Suggestion from recent @JPercyTelegraph article was Brooks looking too expensive.

Agreed and I don’t dismiss / want to downplay the mental issues He has had since. just a shame that at our peak he decided to twist and not stick.

I struggle with the deflation bit tbh. He should have been part of group saying let’s push on together to achieve more (not saying league wins, but Europe & FA Cups) rather than thinking of his career. Not sure if urban myth but I recall that when Arsenal wanted Vardy a group of players (probably including Drinky) begged him to stay...shame he didn’t think like Vards. Up the city!

Ok thanks

What about AMF? My mate says he could fill that role quality final ball / breaks lines.

Doesn’t look like BR has faith in the lad .