The Football Thread 2020/21: Mods plz lock thnx bbz x

[PatSharpsMullet]

There is no danger whatsoever of Gerrard knocking back CL football for Everton atm. I reckon he'd leave for Liverpool and that's about it.

Unrelated but is there any chance whatsoever of Celtic taking Duffy off our hands on a permanent basis?

strawberry float off.

OK.

Perhaps he fancies heading back to Ewood Park instead.

I refer you back to my previous statement.

Serious answer - he's burned his bridges at both clubs spectacularly, at Celtic by being awful and at Blackburn by being a terrible banana split. I believe you'll be stuck with him till his contract runs out.

He'll throw his toys out the pram and get a family member to go running to the press to say how badly he is being treated just so he can get his move.

[Benzin]

If someone told me last year I'd be happy to see Benteke extend his contract for 2 years I'd never have believed it.

Hopefully the new manager can keep him going.

[Ecno]

Anyone a Southampton fan on here? Have just been reading the ahtletic article about possible transfers this summer and it didn't make good reading. Ings & Vestegaard looking to run their contracts, not a huge amount of money to spend and a few holes to feel (along with an owner who wants out). Hopefully a bit of turmoil/mistakes in the transfer market might mean Southampton are one of 3 clubs Norwich can finish above.

[Drumstick]

Can you share the article.

[Corazon de Leon]

Anyone a Southampton fan on here? Have just been reading the ahtletic article about possible transfers this summer and it didn't make good reading. Ings & Vestegaard looking to run their contracts, not a huge amount of money to spend and a few holes to feel (along with an owner who wants out). Hopefully a bit of turmoil/mistakes in the transfer market might mean Southampton are one of 3 clubs Norwich can finish above.

I’d appreciate it if one of the other three were Burnley.

[BOR]

Spurs call off plans to appoint Conte.

[Wrathy]

Anyone a Southampton fan on here? Have just been reading the ahtletic article about possible transfers this summer and it didn't make good reading. Ings & Vestegaard looking to run their contracts, not a huge amount of money to spend and a few holes to feel (along with an owner who wants out). Hopefully a bit of turmoil/mistakes in the transfer market might mean Southampton are one of 3 clubs Norwich can finish above.

I live in Southampton (having moved here about 4 years ago) and follow them cos they're local and interesting (i.e. gooseberry fool).

Yeah, they're strawberry floated. They also don't have a Left Back signed with Bertrand going, many of the first team starters (Redmond in particular) are crap, if any of the first team get injured there's basically no depth or quality to fall back on, the owner has never spent any money on the team due to a combination of wanting them to be self sufficient financially and Chinese government regulations basically making it illegal for him to do so anyway, both of the first team keepers are Championship quality at best, Ings is the only player who knows where the goal is but he's made of glass and also likely to want out...

Basically it's not a good picture at all! Haha. Probably gonna get relegated if we're honest about it.

[Preezy]

Anyone else think it's a bit lame that Pep won the Manager of the Year award?

Winning the league with the most expensive squad ever assembled doesn't really seem like much of an achievement compared to the jobs that Bielsa and Moyes managed with significantly inferior squads and budgets - City were many people's favourites to win the league and they met those expectations, hardly groundbreaking stuff.

[Drumstick]

Also don't understand the praise he's received for "rebuilding" City. What has he actually done?

[Tomous]

He's spent a lot of money very well and assembled an excellent squad.

Spending money well isn't necessarily easy. Ask Man United.

However, I totally agree with Preezy on someone like Bielsa being more deserving.

[Psychic]

I was a bit bemused at Pep winning it too. City were worthy champions but they really should win the league every season and it's not like they made a massive leap over last season either.

Taking into account expectations etc, I'd say Moyes should've won it. To finish 6th and be in a position fighting for a CL place late on in the season was a fantastic achievement.

[KingK]

Can you share the article.

https://theathletic.com/2619189/2021/06 ... ed-article

Signing a left-back has been Southampton’s priority since last summer’s transfer window.

Their efforts to land Manchester United’s Brandon Williams in 2020 fell flat, as did a second push in January. The winter window also saw them pursue Liverpool’s Neco Williams on deadline day, only for Takumi Minamino to join on loan.

But their need for a left-back is more pressing than ever, especially with Ryan Bertrand leaving the club once his contract expires at the end of June.

Ralph Hasenhuttl sent Jake Vokins on loan to Sunderland in January and doesn’t view him as a suitable replacement for the experienced Bertrand.

Because of this, Southampton’s hierarchy realise signing a left-back is of the utmost importance. And that is where their main focus has been since as early as last year.

But The Athletic is led to believe the club are also looking to sign another full-back, who can provide cover for Kyle Walker-Peters and Bertrand’s replacement. It’s expected at least one of them will be a permanent addition, with the back-up possibly arriving on loan.

Theo Walcott has already committed to joining Southampton on a two-year deal once his Everton contract runs out at the end of June. The former Arsenal forward spent last season on loan at St Mary’s and adds depth to Hasenhuttl’s attacking department.

It’s also understood that while it’s unlikely Minamino will sign permanently, there is scope for him to return temporarily again. However, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wants the Japan international to report for pre-season to assess whether he can become an important squad player for the Anfield side.

But if it becomes clear that the 26-year-old isn’t going to be part of Klopp’s plans, then Southampton would be interested in the forward returning to St Mary’s. Hasenhuttl is a fan of Minamino and believes he did enough during his time on the south coast to warrant a second spell with the club.

Before the 2020-21 season ended, Hasenhuttl mentioned that they would be spending around the £10-12 million mark for new signings.

While it’s unlikely Southampton will surpass the £19.8 million spent on Guido Carrillo in January 2018, there is scope for them to get near that figure should they deem a target worth it. However, don’t expect them to spend that sort of money on all of their targets, it would most likely be a one-off.

The attacking department will continue to be an area of great interest throughout the summer, simply because Danny Ings is yet to sign a new contract.

Ings, 28, will become a free agent in 2022 and is yet to commit his future to Southampton. This is because he wants to wait and see whether one of the Premier League’s elite clubs will be willing to make a move to sign him.

While Hasenhuttl wants to keep hold of his side’s talisman, if a substantial offer is made then it almost becomes impossible to turn down. If a club puts anywhere between £25-30 million on the table, then it would be difficult to say no. That sort of money would enable the club to replace Ings with a player of his quality — they would not sell him for below his value just because of his contract situation.

If Ings does end up leaving St Mary’s over the summer, then it almost goes without saying the club will look to sign another striker. However, there is a strong enough argument to suggest that the club should be looking to add to their attacking options even if Ings stays.

Only Che Adams (nine) and James Ward-Prowse (eight) came close to matching the forward’s tally of 12 Premier League goals last season. And a player who can not only score, but also create chances, would be a worthy acquisition.

Given the fact Hasenhuttl has said the club’s general stance on transfer fees is to spend up to £12 million, it could be difficult to find a player with Premier League experience who could make a significant and immediate impact.

The Ings situation is also mirrored in defence by that of Jannik Vestergaard. The Denmark international is also out of contract next summer and is yet to state his desire to stay.

The Athletic is led to believe that should the central defender depart St Mary’s this summer, then a move abroad appears more likely at this stage. Tottenham have been linked in the past, but it appears they are now assessing other defensive options.

As with Ings, should the 28-year-old leave, then Hasenhuttl would look to bring in a new body to complement Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens and Mohammed Salisu.

Perhaps one of the more confusing elements of Southampton’s summer plans is what they choose to do with the goalkeepers.

Both Alex McCarthy and Fraser Forster are out of contract next summer, and Angus Gunn spent last season out on loan with Stoke.

The Athletic has learnt that Gunn met with Andrew Sparkes, the club’s goalkeeper coach, and Matt Crocker, Southampton’s director of football operations, upon his return from the bet365 Stadium. Those talks were said to be positive but Hasenhuttl isn’t convinced and there now appears to be a desire to sell the goalkeeper they signed from Manchester City for £10 million in 2018, although that could be easier said than done in the current market.

Newly-promoted Norwich are understood to be keen on securing Gunn’s services. They wanted to sign him after his successful loan spell at Carrow Road in 2017-18 but were gazumped by Southampton, and then ended up signing current No 1 Tim Krul on a free transfer from Brighton.

The 33-year-old Dutchman signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal in December and remains Daniel Farke’s first choice. However, there is a suggestion Gunn could come in and wait should the Holland international leave before his contract expires.

The key choice for Southampton, however, is how much they are willing to accept to sell Gunn. Sources indicate there is a realisation within the club that Southampton won’t recoup the £10 million they spent to sign him in three years ago. You could, however, expect him to be sold for a figure somewhere upwards of £5 million.

Both Mario Lemina and Wesley Hoedt are out of contract next year, and there appears to be no way back for them at Southampton. It’s hoped this will be the summer they both leave the club on a permanent deal.

Again, though, it’s unlikely either of them will generate substantial transfer fees, but getting them off the wage bill is the most important part of them leaving.

Every summer is deemed important by Southampton supporters, yet this transfer window sticks out as one they have to get right. The club aren’t in a financial position where they can afford to get signings wrong, they have to be a success.

And with last season ending in disappointment, the need to generate some momentum around the football club is paramount.

The easiest way to do this is to sign a left-back, add another defensive player to provide cover, get Ings to stay and buy another forward to ease his and Adams’ burden.

Sounds easy, doesn’t it..?

[Lotus]

I was out all day yesterday, and was just catching up on a few things and noticed that Villa had signed Buendia

Was hoping it would happen, but didn't necessarily expect it to (given interest from Arsenal) and also not this early in the summer. Great news

[Pancake]

I was out all day yesterday, and was just catching up on a few things and noticed that Villa had signed Buendia

Was hoping it would happen, but didn't necessarily expect it to (given interest from Arsenal) and also not this early in the summer. Great news

Saw this and immediately assumed Grealish was on the way out, what do you think?

[KingK]

He's not signed yet. A deal has been agreed apparently and medical done but not formally signed or announced.

Would expect it to be this week when he returns to England

[Herdanos]

I was out all day yesterday, and was just catching up on a few things and noticed that Villa had signed Buendia

Was hoping it would happen, but didn't necessarily expect it to (given interest from Arsenal) and also not this early in the summer. Great news

Saw this and immediately assumed Grealish was on the way out, what do you think?

I think it's very unlikely Grealish would be leaving Villa anytime soon. If they're relegated next year then maybe but otherwise where would he go? I can't see him wanting to leave his boyhood club for a team abroad, and he doesn't naturally fit into any of the bigger club's strongest line-ups. Given the pandemic I doubt they'll want to pay big money for a squad player, and as Villa are hardly cash-strapped they'd only consider a large offer.

[Tomous]

I was out all day yesterday, and was just catching up on a few things and noticed that Villa had signed Buendia

Was hoping it would happen, but didn't necessarily expect it to (given interest from Arsenal) and also not this early in the summer. Great news

Saw this and immediately assumed Grealish was on the way out, what do you think?

I think it's very unlikely Grealish would be leaving Villa anytime soon. If they're relegated next year then maybe but otherwise where would he go? I can't see him wanting to leave his boyhood club for a team abroad, and he doesn't naturally fit into any of the bigger club's strongest line-ups. Given the pandemic I doubt they'll want to pay big money for a squad player, and as Villa are hardly cash-strapped they'd only consider a large offer.

He could easily fit into City, especially if someone like Mahrez goes.

I agree though, I expect him to stay at Villa. Grealish - Watkins - Buendia will be great for them next season.

[Finiarél]

Anyone else think it's a bit lame that Pep won the Manager of the Year award?

Winning the league with the most expensive squad ever assembled doesn't really seem like much of an achievement compared to the jobs that Bielsa and Moyes managed with significantly inferior squads and budgets - City were many people's favourites to win the league and they met those expectations, hardly groundbreaking stuff.

Yeah. Bit bored of it to be honest, Moyes definitely deserved it more for me.

[Finiarél]

Also - Gini has snubbed Barca. Now off to PSG Fair play.

[Tomous]

Also - Gini has snubbed Barca. Now off to PSG Fair play.

Bit strange really. Barca were offering less than Liverpool so initially you'd chalk the move up to him wanting to play for Barca but now he's strawberry floating them off to play for PSG because they're paying more? So why leave Liverpool at all?