Lovebitesandeveryfing
Well-Known Member
Ok, because of the way this club has generally been run over the past fourteen years or so, I'm disinclined to believe that any of the four players we've acquired in this window were mere “panic buys” (despite my user name, I recognise that Paul Merson says many, many stupid things. He said one great, surrealistic thing — by accident).
Least of all is the last one a “panic buy”. Txiki — and therefore probably Pep — have had their eye on these players, I believe for some time. It may turn out to be one of the most remarkable January windows we've ever had. I repeat — may. I also believe that we'll go into the market again in the summer.
Obvoiusly — everybody cannot be kept. Or put it this way, everybody cannot be kept, and kept happy. The question becomes then, who goes? And as of this summer, pretty much…
Can I emphasise that this has nothing to do with who I, personally, would like to see gone. I'm just speculating on what thinking may be going on in the club.
I'd suggest the likely candidates:
Walker gone. Theoretically on loan. Won't come back.
Phillips. Double ditto.
Age (still good players, but not part of the two-year future which Pep has for the rebuild):
Kev
Gundo
Not age, but not fitting in anywhere:
Jack Grealish
Rico Lewis
Matheus Nunes
Fitness issues which are chronic, and might have led to a loss of faith in them as regulars:
Nathan Aké
Johnny Stones
People who I wouldn't be in the least surprised to ask for a move and head for a big payday elsewhere, which would be granted at this point):
Bernardo Silva
Ederson
And a big surprise, a huge triple question mark ??? I'll add one for good measure: ?
Phil.
Phil has never expressed any desire to leave the club. We know this. He's one of our own. He's having a pretty poor season. Phil could be a target for any club in Europe. Literally any. If he were to be tempted by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern, Inter Milan (add as you see fit…) I would not hold it against him. I would just be devastated to see him go. But for the club, it would be big, big money. Which could contribute in a major way to the top to bottom rebuild.
Completely off the wall? Maybe.
Got a feeling that there are still plans for McAtee. Wouldn't be surprised to see him stay. And get more time.
Akanji? Really don't know. A good servant, who's currently stinking the place out. Don't know what the thinking might be there.
Least of all is the last one a “panic buy”. Txiki — and therefore probably Pep — have had their eye on these players, I believe for some time. It may turn out to be one of the most remarkable January windows we've ever had. I repeat — may. I also believe that we'll go into the market again in the summer.
Obvoiusly — everybody cannot be kept. Or put it this way, everybody cannot be kept, and kept happy. The question becomes then, who goes? And as of this summer, pretty much…
Can I emphasise that this has nothing to do with who I, personally, would like to see gone. I'm just speculating on what thinking may be going on in the club.
I'd suggest the likely candidates:
Walker gone. Theoretically on loan. Won't come back.
Phillips. Double ditto.
Age (still good players, but not part of the two-year future which Pep has for the rebuild):
Kev
Gundo
Not age, but not fitting in anywhere:
Jack Grealish
Rico Lewis
Matheus Nunes
Fitness issues which are chronic, and might have led to a loss of faith in them as regulars:
Nathan Aké
Johnny Stones
People who I wouldn't be in the least surprised to ask for a move and head for a big payday elsewhere, which would be granted at this point):
Bernardo Silva
Ederson
And a big surprise, a huge triple question mark ??? I'll add one for good measure: ?
Phil.
Phil has never expressed any desire to leave the club. We know this. He's one of our own. He's having a pretty poor season. Phil could be a target for any club in Europe. Literally any. If he were to be tempted by Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern, Inter Milan (add as you see fit…) I would not hold it against him. I would just be devastated to see him go. But for the club, it would be big, big money. Which could contribute in a major way to the top to bottom rebuild.
Completely off the wall? Maybe.
Got a feeling that there are still plans for McAtee. Wouldn't be surprised to see him stay. And get more time.
Akanji? Really don't know. A good servant, who's currently stinking the place out. Don't know what the thinking might be there.