Meanwhile, over on the Sunderland board…

[agreenwood]

€130m later, they think they’ll need another 3-4 big signings to be competitive

https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/% ... 86/page-73

[JarrowClaret]

If I was a Sunderland fan I would be a little bit excited,but with a large dose of concern they are paying over the top prices for albeit seemingly decent players but the majority are untried over here it could go great but it could be an absolute disaster

[JarrowClaret]

They have been down that road before, paying people like Jack Rodwell prem wages in League 1

[Commy]

They have signed a full back from Real Madrid but nobody else for the defence, including goalkeeper. They also have no strength in depth and most of their midfield will be off for AFCON. I know Xhaka is good but even he is going to struggle when that happens.

[IanMcL]

If I was a Sunderland fan I would be a little bit excited,but with a large dose of concern they are paying over the top prices for albeit seemingly decent players but the majority are untried over here it could go great but it could be an absolute disaster

Logic says half and half....but which half, that's the question!

[The Shire Claret]

The season we spent the most money pre season into the Premier League is the season we got the least points ...

[Jakubclaret]

If I was a Sunderland fan I would be a little bit excited,but with a large dose of concern they are paying over the top prices for albeit seemingly decent players but the majority are untried over here it could go great but it could be an absolute disaster

I'd say wrong recruitment is better than no recruitment. Of course it's a gamble not many things aren't but the reward outweighs the risk. Get it right & stop up it all pays for itself. The signings will be mitigated with relegation release clauses you'd imagine so that's insurance if it does go sh1tshaped.

[warksclaret]

Reminds me of Ipswich last year

[chekhov]

Xhaka? Wow, how did they manage that. He’s been outstanding for Leverkusen. Far beyond what he did at Arsenal.

[Jakubclaret]

A lot to like about Sunderlands bold ambitious recruitment approach. They are asking the questions & even when not liking the answers they keep on asking the questions & getting the signings done.

[ElectroClaret]

Reminds me of Ipswich last year

Yes.
But it might work for Sunderland.
Time will tell....

[DingleDangle]

They have signed a full back from Real Madrid but nobody else for the defence, including goalkeeper. They also have no strength in depth and most of their midfield will be off for AFCON. I know Xhaka is good but even he is going to struggle when that happens.

Close to signing a goalkeeper according to Ornstein. 22 yr old Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen for €10.5m + €3m add ons. Dutch U21 on a 5 year contract, apparently for 1st choice. Medical today.

I think Xhaka is potentially an excellent signing, though will be interesting to see how it pans out during the season.

[NickBFC]

The keeper looks very inexperienced to be coming in as a number 1 in the Premier League. Barely played many games at an inferior level.

[criminalclaret]

The keeper looks very inexperienced to be coming in as a number 1 in the Premier League. Barely played many games at an inferior level.

Oddly familiar to us 2 years ago.....