summer '22 transfer craziness and stupidity

[I am invisible]

I’m certainly not adverse to bringing in Raphinia but I think it’s less of a priority than a central midfielder

The problem with Arteta’s so called plan is that in order for that system to work you need either a deep lying central midfielder capable of getting the ball forward quickly or you need a more advanced midfielder to drop deep and win the ball and we don’t have that. This is why Tielemans or a player like him was a must.

We have two key attacking issues - one no reliable goalscorer and two no one who can beat the press and play in out quickly to the attacking quartet or as Arteta seems to favour Quintet.

I have no issue in principle, I think there are a lot of games where it’s patently unnecessary to be playing with two defensive midfielders but we simply do not have the conduit between defence and attack in the middle of the park. And if that Lego haired fool doesn’t address this, we are going to be up shit creek again before long.

Prioritising moves isn’t always about which player the team needs the most - sometimes it’s more about which deals need to happen most urgently because of competition? From what I’m reading about Tielemens it sounds like there’s no particular rush - there may still be some haggling involved with club and player, but Leicester are in a pretty weak position and there doesn’t seem to be anyone else in for him, so we might feel it’s safe to park that one for a few days.

[IBK]

Prioritising moves isn’t always about which player the team needs the most - sometimes it’s more about which deals need to happen most urgently because of competition? From what I’m reading about Tielemens it sounds like there’s no particular rush - there may still be some haggling involved with club and player, but Leicester are in a pretty weak position and there doesn’t seem to be anyone else in for him, so we might feel it’s safe to park that one for a few days.

Yes that's what seems to be happening, and we shouldn't be spooked by other clubs doing business. Still plenty of time. I do wonder though whether the club would need to find a buyer for Xhaka in order to sign Tielemans?

[I am invisible]

…I'm also convinced Vieira is to play CM with Partey and Odegaard. We know Arteta wants to move to a 1 DM and 2 more progressive players in CM/AMC kinda system. He's said as much.

Could be. It’d certainly be a good option to have with 5 subs. I’d be surprised if he was ready to be starting games right out of the box, though - if I had to guess I’d say he’ll be looking at more or a supporting role in his first 5-8 months until he’s up to speed with the league and has spent a few months in the gym. Final third of the season / year 2, though? Could be.

Whatever our plans for him I don’t think it’ll have a bearing on our pursuit of Tielemans / alternative 6/8 - we’ll want that option too. Again, I keep going on about 5 subs, but I really think it’s going to be seismic - everything’s about to get a lot more tactical, with system changes and counter-changes in the middle of games, and the teams who do best will be the ones who have built out the most options and flexibility. If our interest in Tielemans has cooled I think it will be for other reasons.

[I am invisible]

Yes that's what seems to be happening, and we shouldn't be spooked by other clubs doing business. Still plenty of time. I do wonder though whether the club would need to find a buyer for Xhaka in order to sign Tielemans?

Could be that? Or it could be his representatives causing problems? Maybe a more interesting option has come on the market? Could be lots of things. I still think we’ll want a left-sided 6/8 though.

[Gooner23]

Sounds like us, Chelsea and the spuds are all in for Raphinha, with Barca priced out of the move. Leeds must be rubbing their hands together at a bidding war.

At 65 million I think he'll end up at Chelsea. Hopefully we can get the Gabriel Jesus deal wrapped up quickly though.

[Gooner23]

Could be that? Or it could be his representatives causing problems? Maybe a more interesting option has come on the market? Could be lots of things. I still think we’ll want a left-sided 6/8 though.

On the Arsecast this week Gunnerblog suggested the Tielemans deal is likely to depend on Xhaka going out, and there doesn't seem to be any concrete links on that.

[Chippy]

Sounds like us, Chelsea and the spuds are all in for Raphinha, with Barca priced out of the move. Leeds must be rubbing their hands together at a bidding war.

At 65 million I think he'll end up at Chelsea. Hopefully we can get the Gabriel Jesus deal wrapped up quickly though.

Raphina is not worth £65m.

As you say, lets just get Jesus over the line and look elsewhere for other signings.

[Marc Overmars]

Kalvin Phillips is going to City.

Leeds probably know there’s a good chance they’ll go down if they sell Raphina too.

[mandela8]

Kalvin Phillips is going to City.

Leeds probably know there’s a good chance they’ll go down if they sell Raphina too.

Dunno, man.

That'll generate well over 100m, you'd assume, for a new(ish) manager to build a team that was hugely reliant on those two plus a fit Bamford. There's upside to such a shift, potentially.

[LDG]

Kalvin Phillips is going to City.

Leeds probably know there’s a good chance they’ll go down if they sell Raphina too.

I would put 65m on the table for that forest right back that shat all over us (spence)

Full backs are crucial for us this season