[Albion] Building the 22/23 squad. Ins and outs??

[GT49er]

If we manage to finish Top 10 this season and DON'T spend in the summer then we will be accused by the media of "lacking ambition".

Also, a large chunk of the players that have helped us up the table WERE still sizeable fees, i.e. Trossard, Cucurella, Bissouma, Webster.

Yes, we have young talent but you can see what will be said if we sell Biss for £40 mill and don't reinvest, particularly in a striker.

I like Mitoma, Undav, Van Hecke, Khadra and think they will enhance our squad but we still need an X Factor attacking player.

I think the press are more likely to 'accuse' us of running the club brilliantly, building succession from within through the policy of buying young players with promise and developing them.
Some on here though will be less complimentary, and knickers will be twisted into corkscrew shape if we don't invest at least £50M on a PL-ready star striker, even if (like Nunez) he doesn't want to come here!

 

[Stat Brother]

Would you swap Biss for Rashford?


Don't even bother with the dullest of dull answers 'wages'.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I think the press are more likely to 'accuse' us of running the club brilliantly, building succession from within through the policy of buying young players with promise and developing them.
Some on here though will be less complimentary, and knickers will be twisted into corkscrew shape if we don't invest at least £50M on a PL-ready star striker, even if (like Nunez) he doesn't want to come here!

Running the club brilliantly is not a story. The media is all about transfer speculation and rumour, we all get sucked in. If every club followed our model of 'buy cheap, loan out' it would be a disaster for them.

And the bottom line is that despite "running the club brilliantly" we are relegation form at home and one of the lowest scoring teams in the Prem. Our internal development has not solved our striker crisis either. The media will be all over that, with our "lack of cutting edge" trotted out on a weekly basis.

I think the club should continue to do things their way, although the effect of not having Ashworth remains to be seen. But they do need to bring in a striker to share the workload with Welbeck while Ferguson is loaned out.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Who comes in and in what positions obviously depends on who stays and who goes.

As it stands, assuming Duffy leaves, we'll need two more defensive options, either two cbs or a cb and a wb. They could be Van Hecke and Ostigard or someone similarly promoted from within.

Kozlowski I think will join the senior squad. I have a vague recollection that that is what Potter said the plan for him was. Maybe he replaces Gross in the squad if Gross moves on. If Biss goes, Gross goes and Kozlowski isn't ready for the first team I'd imagine we'd be in the market for another central midfielder, particularly with Moder out for a long time.

If Maupay stays and Welbeck is given a new contract I can't see us bringing in another striker, not with Undav joining and potentially Zima and Zequiri. If Maupay goes I'm sure we'll throw a dart at someone fairly cheap and hope we hit gold dust.

Which just leaves a Trossard shaped hole. He's a key player and I don't think Mitoma, Sarmiento or Khadra will be able to adequately fill it. The best way to fill it would be to keep Trossard. If we can't then I'd imagine that that would be the one position that we spend good money on.

So by my maths that means we'll need anywhere from 2 - 5 players:

1 or 2 defenders depending on what happens to Duffy.

1 midfielder if Biss and Gross leave and Kozlowski isn't up to the premier league yet.

1 Tross replacement, if he leaves.

1 striker if Maupay goes.

Potentially that could also mean that we spend nothing: Van Heck and Ostigard promoted from within, Kozlowski brought into the fold, Tross and Maupay don't leave.

I wonder how we'd react if that is what happened? I think I'd be quite happy with the squad strength but unhappy that the close season would be monumentally boring with no transfer rumours.

 

[Justice]

I disagree, Maupay has gone off the boil before yet come back and started scoring goals again, I'm confident he will come good again next season.

Besides which he scored a few crucial goals for us this time around, people have short memories. All this providing he wants to stay of course.

It’s not about short memories more about progression.

 

[Machiavelli]

Totally agree but as I posted it is an investment. If he wanted to sell up I'm sure the full team squad (inc youth etc) is worth around the investment without the other assets.

No one wants TB to sell up but in our current situation we are a very attractive proposition.

I kind of disagree. Not with your point about TB and RoI, but about attractive proposition. The reason why we're in the position we are, in my view, is less to do with TB's investment, and more to do with his business acumen and access to highly relevant statistical data. Take that out, and you'll have to over-compensate by spending a whole lot more money.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Who comes in and in what positions obviously depends on who stays and who goes.

As it stands, assuming Duffy leaves, we'll need two more defensive options, either two cbs or a cb and a wb. They could be Van Hecke and Ostigard or someone similarly promoted from within.

Kozlowski I think will join the senior squad. I have a vague recollection that that is what Potter said the plan for him was. Maybe he replaces Gross in the squad if Gross moves on. If Biss goes, Gross goes and Kozlowski isn't ready for the first team I'd imagine we'd be in the market for another central midfielder, particularly with Moder out for a long time.

If Maupay stays and Welbeck is given a new contract I can't see us bringing in another striker, not with Undav joining and potentially Zima and Zequiri. If Maupay goes I'm sure we'll throw a dart at someone fairly cheap and hope we hit gold dust.

Which just leaves a Trossard shaped hole. He's a key player and I don't think Mitoma, Sarmiento or Khadra will be able to adequately fill it. The best way to fill it would be to keep Trossard. If we can't then I'd imagine that that would be the one position that we spend good money on.

So by my maths that means we'll need anywhere from 2 - 5 players:

1 or 2 defenders depending on what happens to Duffy.

1 midfielder if Biss and Gross leave and Kozlowski isn't up to the premier league yet.

1 Tross replacement, if he leaves.

1 striker if Maupay goes.

Potentially that could also mean that we spend nothing: Van Heck and Ostigard promoted from within, Kozlowski brought into the fold, Tross and Maupay don't leave.

I wonder how we'd react if that is what happened? I think I'd be quite happy with the squad strength but unhappy that the close season would be monumentally boring with no transfer rumours.

Anyone know why the words 'the fold' in my quoted post link to a womens clothing website? I thought you had to deliberately insert a hyperlink. This one just appears, unasked for.

It's not even a lingerie site, just bog standard clothes, so there's not even a bonus nostalgic thrill of stumbling onto page 455 of the freemans catalogue...

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

It's an odd thing for a man who will never change from blue and white home kit to do.

I suspect it is about getting everything in writing before a football regulator is introduced ?

 

[macbeth]

am I the only one who deson't see caicedo as a natural replacement for biss? imo he's totally wasted in that defensive role, we need someone like biss in the middle between mwepu and caicedo with the latter two helping to dominate the attacking third with their energy and ability on the ball

 

[Swansman]

I suspect it is about getting everything in writing before a football regulator is introduced ?

Dont think the football regulator is going to decide what colours the kits should be.

 

[pornomagboy]

Would you swap Biss for Rashford?


Don't even bother with the dullest of dull answers 'wages'.

yes, he has hardly set the world alite in last 2 seasons there is a good player in there lacks confidence potterwould get that shining again man United are going to go all out in summer to back new management, rashford might be on big money but can't see many teams paying it

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

 

[Swansman]

If we manage to finish Top 10 this season and DON'T spend in the summer then we will be accused by the media of "lacking ambition".

Also, a large chunk of the players that have helped us up the table WERE still sizeable fees, i.e. Trossard, Cucurella, Bissouma, Webster.

Yes, we have young talent but you can see what will be said if we sell Biss for £40 mill and don't reinvest, particularly in a striker.

I like Mitoma, Undav, Van Hecke, Khadra and think they will enhance our squad but we still need an X Factor attacking player.

Why would anyone give a **** about what media thinks? If Martin Keown says Brighton are not ambitious, will his words have any impact on what is actually going on on the pitch?

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Dont think the football regulator is going to decide what colours the kits should be.

No one suggested they would decide that.

 

[Doonhamer7]

Would you swap Biss for Rashford?


Don't even bother with the dullest of dull answers 'wages'.

Yes

 

[Affy]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Trossard leaves. He’s already said he wants to play at the highest level he can and if someone comes in for him then I suspect he will go. Whilst I accept he is a quality player and has a good finish, I do think he takes too many touches at times and I do find him frustrating to watch sometimes. There’s nothing wrong with crossing first time!


I’m not 100% certain Biss will go (maybe it is wishful thinking) but a top 10 finish does put us in possible contention for Europe in the next few seasons if we continue to build like we have. If we could get one more contract out of him then that would be incredible but I feel it all comes down to what Biss wants to do as he has all the cards to play.

Personally, I’m very happy with who we have and would not be disappointed if we retained the squad we have with some of the loan players coming in, particularly in the attacking sense.

I wouldn’t be sad to see Connolly and Andone go. They don’t seem to have the quality of the attitude to fit in with Potter. Duffy will probably be allowed to speak to other clubs and then make a decision as to whether he wants to go for first team football or stay and be a cover player. I can’t believe they wont offer Gross a new contract but, again, it’s whether he wants to stay with the emergence of Caicedo, MacAllister, Alzate, Sarmiento etc.

 

[Weststander]

I kind of disagree. Not with your point about TB and RoI, but about attractive proposition. The reason why we're in the position we are, in my view, is less to do with TB's investment, and more to do with his business acumen and access to highly relevant statistical data. Take that out, and you'll have to over-compensate by spending a whole lot more money.

Or both? He spends his substantial annual investment wisely.

Locadia and Jahanbakhsh the only expensive regrets, but all part of the EPL learning curve.

 

[Weststander]

The losses though are accountancy figures. Sure TB has put money in over the period but nowhere near that figure.

You’re correct.

Between the 30 June 2019 and 30 June 2021 accounts, TB didn’t personally bankroll £120m of accounting losses.

Instead, he lent the club a further £69m.

Separate to this the company borrowed on a new bank loan to the tune of £34.5m.

The current year includes Ben White’s £50m.

 

[amexer]

All about opinions,players wishes, contracts etc. Would like to think with Burn/White income plus additional for league placing we can make a couple of quality signings Rather take chances on players on the way up. He may have had good games but dont think Lalana route is way to go especially with 3/4 year contract.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Why would anyone give a **** about what media thinks? If Martin Keown says Brighton are not ambitious, will his words have any impact on what is actually going on on the pitch?

I don't know where you got Keown's name from, but the Albion will have an issue if they achieve Bloom's goal of Top 10 this season.

Top 10 is entirely achievable with organic growth, but if you then set the bar to - say - competing for a European place whilst selling Bissouma there will be questions about whether the Albion have gone as far as they can, and the noise around the club could impact on performances on the field.

Keeping managers, players and fans happy whilst selling players and not spending big money is a tall order. Teams like Burnley and Southampton have risen to Top 10 only to drop down to be relegation candidates within a season or two.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

If Trossard did decide to move elsewhere I'd be very happy if we signed a clone of him.

In that case, it makes sense to do all we can to keep him.

I started work on a cardboard cut out of the Belgian maestro this very morning. I will be happy to sell to Tony . . . at a price of course.