Winter Transfer Window Intrigue and Excitement.

[Özim]

If we've don't have much money... I don't think any of us should expect a culling anytime soon.

I would have thought it's the opposite, we need to sell the duds to raise money and also lower the wage bill by getting rid of the rubbish.

If Emery doesn't get rid of Mustafi and Xhaka (both on a decent sum I bet) then we have a problem and I'm not convinced we'll achieve anything, first thing for a manager is to be able to spot rubbish when he sees it.

We really need a major cull to get rid of all the substandard players we've horded over the years, it's clear we have quite a few who just aren't up to it (almost the entire defence and a lot of the midfield), no point working with players of this quality, it's just a waste of time.

[Özim]

Apparently Bayern have bid 35m for Hudson-Odoi.

Looks a massive talent to be fair, he gave us the runaround in pre-season, though granted 35 million is a lot, but they don't often get it wrong and are quite wise with their money.

[Bumble]

I would have thought it's the opposite, we need to sell the duds to raise money and also lower the wage bill by getting rid of the rubbish.

If Emery doesn't get rid of Mustafi and Xhaka (both on a decent sum I bet) then we have a problem and I'm not convinced we'll achieve anything, first thing for a manager is to be able to spot rubbish when he sees it.

We really need a major cull to get rid of all the substandard players we've horded over the years, it's clear we have quite a few who just aren't up to it (almost the entire defence and a lot of the midfield), no point working with players of this quality, it's just a waste of time.

problem is selling duds on large wages is quite difficult I imagine. either we will have to take a hit on price and possibly cover part of the wages on the initial contract. we do need to cut the squad and we do have a fair few kids coming through who could give us options.

I do think Xhaka could be worth something, good age, can still develop and he isn't Mustafi. But Xhaka seems quite a key player for Emery like he was for Wenger. Otherwise if we want to raise big money we need to look at Bellerin and Lacazette both are good players and offer something but also could generate funds to reinvest in the bigger picture. Mukhi would be another but his wages £220k/week means only a few clubs could buy.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I would have thought it's the opposite, we need to sell the duds to raise money and also lower the wage bill by getting rid of the rubbish.

If Emery doesn't get rid of Mustafi and Xhaka (both on a decent sum I bet) then we have a problem and I'm not convinced we'll achieve anything, first thing for a manager is to be able to spot rubbish when he sees it.

We really need a major cull to get rid of all the substandard players we've horded over the years, it's clear we have quite a few who just aren't up to it (almost the entire defence and a lot of the midfield), no point working with players of this quality, it's just a waste of time.

Because rubbish players are famously easy to sell?

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

Anyone thinking he's desperate to sell Xhaka or Mustafi is having a giraffe too.

[I am invisible]

I would have thought it's the opposite, we need to sell the duds to raise money and also lower the wage bill by getting rid of the rubbish.

If Emery doesn't get rid of Mustafi and Xhaka (both on a decent sum I bet) then we have a problem and I'm not convinced we'll achieve anything, first thing for a manager is to be able to spot rubbish when he sees it.

We really need a major cull to get rid of all the substandard players we've horded over the years, it's clear we have quite a few who just aren't up to it (almost the entire defence and a lot of the midfield), no point working with players of this quality, it's just a waste of time.

Yeah, it’s the current operating costs and wage bill that are going to hamstring us. I’m not worried about transfer fees - I think we have enough money sat there if we need it, and I think we have people in recruitment now who can find us cost-effective options. Plus we can spread any repayments out over a lot of years. But none of it means a thing unless we can actually add any new recruit’s wages to our wage bill, and at the moment our allowance is just about maxed out under the new rules (we may even be in breach?!).

This is why I think this summer could be quite brutal. There are clearly some obvious cases there who should be binned off without a second thought, because they offer nothing close to value for money, but they may not be the easiest to move on. That means we may have to look at players who are easy to move on, even if they don’t necessarily deserve it.

Guys like Koscielny and Monreal have been fsntastic servants to the club, but they must also be on pretty big, accumulated contracts by now, and are playing less and less through age and injury.

Cech must be on well over 100k/wk, he makes as many errors as anyone, and Emery doesn’t seem to rate him.

Welbeck must be on well over 100k/wk - feels harsh to suggest letting his contract expire after such a horrible injury, but if we can’t shift guys like Özil and Mkhi, then these players are going to be obvious, and perhaps necessary, targets.

This is likely what has happened with Ramsey - you have Özil and Mkhi sat there on relatively safe, new contracts, and all three play more or less the same role (or at least occupy the same place on the field). Emery doesn’t really seem to rate any of them, so something’s got to give there.

Then there’s Elneny - he’s done nothing wrong, per se, and has performed his role as but-part utility player well enough, and without complaint, but if we’re not going to use him then he’s just a drain on resources.

I think Xhaka will probably survive because he seems to have a trait or two the Emery wants in the side, but if Mustafi is still here next season I think I might burst with frustration! Give me Holding or Mavs any day on a fraction of the money...

[SMatthews]

Anyone thinking he's desperate to sell Xhaka or Mustafi is having a giraffe too.

And neither should he sell Xhaka. A good squad player.

[Özim]

And neither should he sell Xhaka. A good squad player.

Personally I think he's a waste of space, I wish we'd just get rid of the guy, a good squad player he isn't.

[Özim]

Because rubbish players are famously easy to sell?

Tell them they have no future and sell them for a knockdown price or just release them on a free and take the hit to save the wages.

[Özim]

Anyone thinking he's desperate to sell Xhaka or Mustafi is having a giraffe too.

I don't think he's desperate, but if he isn't you do have to question his judgement, neither of these two would last 6 months at any other big club (never mind being given a new contract).