[Albion] January Additions

[southstandandy]

After last summer's spending it's unlikely we'll be spending big or anything in January but with our weakness at the back surely a defensive addition or two must be a consideration, even though we rarely do much in this window.

We have Gomez coming in, and we all expect two or three to go out on loan, but will we go for defensive additions?

For me we need an out and out 'Right Back' and ideally another Center Back. I did think Ferdi was coming in to do that job at RB but notwithstanding injuries he's rarely ever been used in this role, so presumably FH doesn't fancy or see him as our RB option from what he sees in training.

Will we sign defensive additions in January or do you think we'll have to wait until summer 2025 for these areas to be addressed?

 

[Superphil]

I’d be surprised if we signed anyone in addition to Gomez, we know it’s not the way they like to do things.

 

[macbeth]

don’t see the need for a right back unless one is sold, we have four players who can play there and it’s just sod’s law (and whatever the **** appears to still be going on with the medical department) that three of them are injured now.

there has has has HAS to be some investment at centre back if the board are serious and want to push for europe this season, it should’ve been done in the summer

 

[Weststander]

Are we permitted any loanees?

 

[Hometownglory]

Simples we won't do any except Gomez but that was done in the summer really.

 

[jcdenton08]

You just never know with us. My gut feeling is we’ll stick with what we’ve got incoming and probably a couple on their way out, but as always if the right player with the right numbers and at the right price becomes available, something might happen.

Really have to put this talk of the summer spend out of our minds though. As I’ve said in other threads, that spend was to rejuvenate a very tired squad and replace players like Mac Allister, Mwepu, Dahoud, Caicedo, Trossard and Undav who we’d lost and not replaced. £40m-odd of that spend went out on loan immediately. The spend was to maintain a top half finish (hopefully) not challenge for the flippin’ title. It’s taken Chelsea £1.2 billion to do that, spending over £200m on two central midfielders alone, never mind signing 8-9 players for the same amount.

At right back we have Veltman first choice, then Lamptey, Hinshelwood and Ferdi (and Milner at a push) who can play there. Lamptey looks gone in the summer (or sooner), Hinsh has been favoured in central midfield, which really leaves Veltman and Ferdi to compete for the spot in the second half of the season.

But as I say, if the right player is available, who knows.

 

[Machiavelli]

After last summer's spending it's unlikely we'll be spending big or anything in January but with our weakness at the back surely a defensive addition or two must be a consideration, even though we rarely do much in this window.

We have Gomez coming in, and we all expect two or three to go out on loan, but will we go for defensive additions?

For me we need an out and out 'Right Back' and ideally another Center Back. I did think Ferdi was coming in to do that job at RB but notwithstanding injuries he's rarely ever been used in this role, so presumably FH doesn't fancy or see him as our RB option from what he sees in training.

Will we sign defensive additions in January or do you think we'll have to wait until summer 2025 for these areas to be addressed?

We won't be getting two defensive additions in Jan, and unlikely we'll be getting one.
We've got six players in the squad currently that play at RB -- Veltman, Kadioglu, Hinshelwood, Lamptey, Milner and at a push March. We won't be getting anyone new in until one even two of those leave. In brief, the club will not be prioritising that position.
We might get a CB but, even then, we've currently got JPVH, Dunk, Igor and Webster -- with Veltman also a possibility.
More likely to get one in the summer though.

 

[LamieRobertson]

You just never know with us. My gut feeling is we’ll stick with what we’ve got incoming and probably a couple on their way out, but as always if the right player with the right numbers and at the right price becomes available, something might happen.

Really have to put this talk of the summer spend out of our minds though. As I’ve said in other threads, that spend was to rejuvenate a very tired squad and replace players like Mac Allister, Mwepu, Dahoud, Caicedo, Trossard and Undav who we’d lost and not replaced. £40m-odd of that spend went out on loan immediately. The spend was to maintain a top half finish (hopefully) not challenge for the flippin’ title. It’s taken Chelsea £1.2 billion to do that, spending over £200m on two central midfielders alone, never mind signing 8-9 players for the same amount.

At right back we have Veltman first choice, then Lamptey, Hinshelwood and Ferdi (and Milner at a push) who can play there. Lamptey looks gone in the summer (or sooner), Hinsh has been favoured in central midfield, which really leaves Veltman and Ferdi to compete for the spot in the second half of the season.

But as I say, if the right player is available, who knows.

Can I just add Pascal to that list of the departed

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

No one thinks there's a chance for Boscagli?

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Think we could speak to Jonathan Tah who’s on a free in summer during the January window, although probably Bayern Bound

KWP is also out of contract in the summer

 

[Han Solo]

I'm sure there will be a new attempt to sell and replace Igor. Not because he's a terrible 4th option but to make room for the next generation CB.

He's 26, likely on a good contract and not the level we're looking for, so its important to sell him before he rots his value away on the bench or through meh performances. He's also a typical "Italian top team utility defender" so there should be some interest if the price is right. We'll do a deal if we can.

If he leaves, a new central defender will be brought in. Most likely we want Olivier Boscagli, but the chances of getting him will depend entirely on what PSV does in the Champions League - and we won't know until 29 January if they've gone through or not. Before that, it won't be possible to get him.

Boscagli would likely arrive as an intended starter which could mean more a 3-man-backline or tougher competition for Dunk at LCB.

Other than that I don't think we'll see any arrivals, but a few players going out (Moder, Lamptey, maybe Adingra).

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I’d say zero chance of getting any players who will walk straight into the first team. This isn’t how we usually operate.

 

[Balders]

Classic "what the fans want" as opposed to fitting in with our model ;-)

 

[HangletonGull]

Bloom already stated he doesn’t like to do business in jan

 

[Seagull58]

I EXPECT 2 new CBs, 3 new RBs, a LB, a DM, a striker, a new Head Coach, a set-piece coach, a Director of Football and an Assistant CEO-OBE. Then, the same again in the summer.

 

[Hometownglory]

Bloom already stated he doesn’t like to do business in jan

Agreed. We had a crippling injury crisis last season and we did nout. Even though we were hanging on to top 7 and in the last 16 in Europe.

 

[Justice]

Bloom already stated he doesn’t like to do business in jan

No one sensible does inflated prices.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

don’t see the need for a right back unless one is sold, we have four players who can play there and it’s just sod’s law (and whatever the **** appears to still be going on with the medical department) that three of them are injured now.

there has has has HAS to be some investment at centre back if the board are serious and want to push for europe this season, it should’ve been done in the summer

That back line we had before Dunk became fit again.... that worked quite well....

(I mentioned some time ago that I feel Dunk has passed his sell by date.....and got fewer pelters than expected.....hmmmmm. Apparently his off field impact has value. Unfortunately we don't play off field...).

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Agreed. We had a crippling injury crisis last season and we did nout. Even though we were hanging on to top 7 and in the last 16 in Europe.

But we also had a twitchy manager, allegedly particularly with respect to singings. Were I Tony that would have been a red flag. And nobody bets when there is a red flag.

 

[SittingbourneSeagull]

After last summer's spending it's unlikely we'll be spending big or anything in January but with our weakness at the back surely a defensive addition or two must be a consideration, even though we rarely do much in this window.

We have Gomez coming in, and we all expect two or three to go out on loan, but will we go for defensive additions?

For me we need an out and out 'Right Back' and ideally another Center Back. I did think Ferdi was coming in to do that job at RB but notwithstanding injuries he's rarely ever been used in this role, so presumably FH doesn't fancy or see him as our RB option from what he sees in training.

Will we sign defensive additions in January or do you think we'll have to wait until summer 2025 for these areas to be addressed?

We need a pacey centre half and possibly 2 as Webster seems broken beyond repair. Possibly a full back although if we could keep Veltman fit he is as good as any.