As I’ve told you all before, I hate the summer with no footy. I can’t be bothered with the World Sportswashing Club Championship. I’ve not even bothered with a Fantasy team to try and grab some sort of tentative link. My only possible interest is Man City getting totally knackered for next season and hopefully losing in the semi- final.
Most summers we force ourselves to read who we’re linked to in order not to deprive our dysfunctional brains of some sort of football content. Secretly though, we know most of it is fantasy as we seemed to have somewhat tight owners who weren’t going to match the spending of other teams near us in the league.
So what’s changed? My take is Slot gave them an ultimatum. Don’t spend first year while I take stock, but I want it all next (ie this..) season.
I was so disappointed when we last won the league, and whoever called the tune, whether it be Klopp or FSG, didn’t upgrade the team to hopefully create a dynasty of success.
The difference between then and this transfer window we can already see is massive, with more ins and outs to come.
What a statement bringing Florian Wirtz into our squad. The statement that the best players are not beyond our budget if they’re a great fit, and that we mean serious business in the upcoming season.
It also appears that there is a lot of business left to do. A slight concern is that so many changes may temporarily destabilize the set up. I’ll be really sad to see Robbo leave, and I’m sure his personality will be missed in the dressing room. I still think he’s got masses to give on the pitch too. Personally I’d rather have Robbo challenging Kerkez for the left back position than Kostas Tsimikas. I bet Robbo could also teach Kerkez more. I’d like to think it’s Robbo’s decision to be sure of game time rather than being pushed out.
I’m also a little sad to see Jerell Quansah leave. At one stage I thought we had a lad capable of playing at the highest of levels.The way he strode fearlessly out of defence reminded me somewhat of a young Alan Hansen. I still think that with a little confidence he can shake the mistakes out of his game and become top class.
Ibrahima Konate seems a little hesitant in signing his new contract, and after the newly branded ‘Trent’ debacle, we might just need to sell sooner rather than later. Marc Guehi from Palace could be an ideal replacement. There is a little part of me saying that Konate wouldn’t be half the player he appears to be without the mighty Virgil by his side..
Up front we need some real teeth. Darwin is so likeable, and never gives less than a hundred percent, but he is simply not good enough to lead the line. He has the physical attributes but not the top class footballing brain I so cherish. I don’t really believe we can get Isak, but I can dare to hope. If we can get maybe £80m for the combined sale of Nunez and Jota, we might be in with a chance.
So, who starts, Bradley or Frimpong? I must admit I’ve got a real soft spot for Conor Bradley. Watching ‘him who cannot be named’ replaced by one with real defensive capability filled me with defensive joy last season. I’m not one of those who appear to study players in foreign leagues, and maybe I just haven’t seen enough of Frimpong. On a slight diversion, do these folk who seem to know the ins and outs of all these players we’re linked with really have this level of knowledge? I’ve just about heard their names..
Thanks for giving me an hour or so thinking totally of football during the rather miserable off season, and hope you are enjoying sharing my thoughts and ramblings with you. It won’t be long until the mighty reds take to the field again, completing the dark vacuum of our obsessed minds. Bit more fun though so far this summer!
