Should they stay or should they go?

[SalisburyClaret]

Should focus on Tella and Beyer. Spend the change on keeper and midfield

[IrkthePurists]

I think Cork will stay. There was an interview with him not long ago where he seemed accepting of his reduced role, but was happy to stick around to add some experience to the group.

That suggests it’s his decision, which it isn’t. I love Jack Cork but a 25 man squad needs 25 players who can start and finish games, there’s very little room for bit part players, which he has been this season.

[123EasyasBFC]

I've heard Beyer is being sorted, and Obafemi is a formality I think

Some talk a while back of THB wanting to stay and being happy at another loan move

Maatsen is OOC next year (but option of another year), so Chelsea have a decision to make. I think he's crucial to the way we play, and I can see him being top of the list

Tella is the biggest question mark for me. I can't see Southampton letting him go on loan again. They'll either want him to play for them into he Championship, or sell big

Dervişoğlu obviously not coming

The PL loan rules are quite interesting:
Max 2 loans at any one time
Max 4 loans in total per season
Max 1 loan from any PL club at any one time
But loans from non-English clubs (unless a Welsh club playing in English league) don't count to the quotas above - so we could go large on loans from abroad (some rumours of de Ketelaere at AC a while back)

I’m sure it’s 2 loans from prem clubs

[123EasyasBFC]

Hard to predict anything until we have sorted the loan players out, club will want a decision as soon as possible on those players to plan the rest of the summer

Beyer
Tella
THB
Maatsen

In that order for me

[Spike]

We need upgrades in midfield. Both Cork and Brownhill were part of our team that were relegated last time round and one of our key weaknesses was lack of pace, creativity and physical presence in midfield. Neither Cullen nor Twine really address that issue so for me is a key area for upgrade. But as ever I trust VK to make the right move, he has got a hell of a lot more right than he has wrong.

I have to disagreeI would be building my team around Cullen

[Down_Rover]

I almost got the impression yesterday that Tella knew he wasn't coming back. Something in his body language.

I think Southampton have more important things to deal with before they get down to the detail of what they want to do with Tella

I don’t expect Southampton will even enter into the conversation until they know which division they are in. Even then he is theirs unless Tella or BFC can persuade them otherwise

[CaptainKirk]

I am guessing at a ruthless half a dozen out and the same number in ( and the incomings will be total unknowns to all of us, apart from the resident experts who will profess to know all about them of course).
Also, how about no THB and bring in Kalvin Philips instead on loan?

[Newcastleclaret93]

Should focus on Tella and Beyer. Spend the change on keeper and midfield

I would be incredibly concerned if that’s the extent of our business

[Roosterbooster]

I’m sure it’s 2 loans from prem clubs

From the PL website

[Roosterbooster]

I think Southampton have more important things to deal with before they get down to the detail of what they want to do with Tella

I don’t expect Southampton will even enter into the conversation until they know which division they are in. Even then he is theirs unless Tella or BFC can persuade them otherwise

I think they have already accepted the inevitable

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65529479

[JohnMac]

If we offered £15m (add ons making it £20m) plus McNally then it might sway it.
I think he's the best striker in the league. And only 24. So that's not bad business for a striker

If they go up though, then I don't think they will sell

Keep McNally and offer them Wout for Gyorkes + 5 million

[123EasyasBFC]

From the PL website

So that just says no more than 1 from the same club

[Clarets4me]

I think Southampton have more important things to deal with before they get down to the detail of what they want to do with Tella

I don’t expect Southampton will even enter into the conversation until they know which division they are in. Even then he is theirs unless Tella or BFC can persuade them otherwise

Southampton are gone, and they know it already .... I suspect their summer will follow a similar pattern to ours last year, 3 or 4 high earners will depart for fees, reducing the wage bill, and the 2023/24 Championship squad will have a younger, fresher look. I can't see them not wanting Nathan Tella to be a big part of that .....

[Vegas Claret]

it's going to be interesting, I've seen a few things on Twitter regarding Sheff Utd and Mcatee, they obviously want him back and we have an interest but apparently Man City value him at 25 million. You would expect Tella, THB etc to have similar valuations which I think we would look elsewhere for better value

[CoolClaret]

I think we will be prioritised with not having a radical change over of staff as some are implying:

The last thing we need in the PL is another 10 games to gel or so.

Outs (definites):

Costelloe sale/loan
Dodgeson sale/loan
Norris sale/release
Lowton release
Barnes release </3
McNally loan or potential sale if Cov are ready to stump up a good fee
CJ loan
Weghorst sale hopefully, but think a Turkish team will shithouse us with a loan offer

Other players:

BPF should stay - easily good enough to be a number two and we don't need to sign a load more players just because - makes no sense

Twine - should stay as well, has quality and another pre-season of coaching will do him a world of good - didn't look out of place in the last few games playing for us!

Bastien - I think we should keep hold of him purely because of numbers and the fact we are unlikely to make any money on him and I doubt a club would cover 100% of his wages

Again, I will reiterate that we aren't going to be bringing in 10 players of PL quality - it's about having a few key additions - so on the Bastien front we have another 3 right now that can play in the middle; Cork, Brownhill and Cullen... Unless we are planning on signing two midfielders to be starting then we may as well keep him - I think we will sign one holding/sitting midfielder

I think Chaz will only leave if someone came in with a good offer, otherwise there's no point - shown that he can play two positions and is a senior member of the squad - though if say a Leeds/Everton or something offered a couple of mill it may be good business

Really think some posters are getting ahead of themselves because of the sheer amount of additions we had last summer

Loan players we should try and keep:

Beyer - priority
Maatsen - think we can get a good deal on him given Chelsea's PFF issues
Tella - desperately need someone that can run in behind from the wing and press like he does
THB - I'd love to sign him permanently, but think it could be a loan

[CoolClaret]

To add (can't edit anymore)

Players that I'm not massively bothered about signing (unless for good money) :

Obafemi - might be good in transition in the PL like

Derv - think he's a good player but obviously not the type of 9 we're looking at

[ClaretPete001]

Possibly, the Nathan Tella situation will be complicated by Southampton's relegation.

[RVclaret]

To add (can't edit anymore)

Players that I'm not massively bothered about signing (unless for good money) :

Obafemi - might be good in transition in the PL like

Derv - think he's a good player but obviously not the type of 9 we're looking at

Obafemi has already been confirmed as signed by Swansea reporters. Promotion meant he signs.

[CoolClaret]

Obafemi has already been confirmed as signed by Swansea reporters. Promotion meant he signs.

Well I'll be right behind him then cheering him on! Hopefully can use his pace on the counter well

[SonofPog]

Muric / + New

Defence
Roberts / Vitinho
Beyer / Ekdal / Al-Dakhil / THB (Loan or McNally)
Maatsen (Buy) / Taylor

Midfield

Cullen - Starter
Cork Back Up
Brownhill - New Contract or Sell - Back Up regardless.
2 x 1st Teamers. Both with some physicality
1 x Back Up or promising youngster

RW

Benson / JBG

CF

New / Jay Rod

LW

Zaroury / New


Squad
Foster or Obafemi - loan out the other
Leaving 2 other squad places in the 25.

Churlinov - Sell or Loan
Bastien - Sell or Loan
Twine - Squad or Loan
Wout - ACtually think he would suit our deep centre forward role. But questions abound. Might be best just to cut our losses.

Would love to sell Tella, but think he's already out of our "find a bargain / develop for profit" gameplan.

Tl/Dr:

1 Keeper or BPF
THB - Loan
Maatesen - Loan or Buy
2 x 1st Team Midfielders
1 x Back Up Midfielder
1 x Centre Forward
1 x LW

Now... Back to Football Manager...

[Vegas Claret]

Possibly, the Nathan Tella situation will be complicated by Southampton's relegation.

I think it strengthens our position in terms of Tella wanting to play in the PL, if we've told him we want to sign him he could lodge a transfer request which would further help, sadly player power rules. The issue however will be the fee, I suspect Saints will want silly money, however their manager earlier in the season (pre january window) said he was unproven in the PL so there was no point recalling him which again helps us. I don't think we would go more than 12-15 million for him as there will be better value elsewhere. I'll add, I'm wrong on most football related things

[CoolClaret]

It’s worth noting how many of our squad would be in the U21 category and therefore not adding to the 25 man cap

For next season, any player born on or after January 2002 will be in the U21 category…

We have a few that fit that category - with only Maatsen being one that’s played this season (and he’s actually not our player… yet)

CJ, Costelloe & I think Franch/Casper obviously fit that bill but I highly doubt we will see them lining up for us next season - CJ maybe in a cup game if he’s not got a loan move

[Roosterbooster]

So that just says no more than 1 from the same club

No more than 1 from the same club at any one time

So, for example, you could take a City and Swindon player in the summer.
Then send them back in January, and take a different City player and a Chelsea player

And on top of this, you can have as many loan players as you like from abroad

[Newcastleclaret93]

I think it strengthens our position in terms of Tella wanting to play in the PL, if we've told him we want to sign him he could lodge a transfer request which would further help, sadly player power rules. The issue however will be the fee, I suspect Saints will want silly money, however their manager earlier in the season (pre january window) said he was unproven in the PL so there was no point recalling him which again helps us. I don't think we would go more than 12-15 million for him as there will be better value elsewhere. I'll add, I'm wrong on most football related things

Wouldn’t be surprised if they want 20-25m for Tella. Only signed a new contract last year and was on for a 20 goal season.

They can demand a pretty significant fee. I want him but not sure the club will want to spend that kind of money on him.

[Vegas Claret]

Wouldn’t be surprised if they want 20-25m for Tella. Only signed a new contract last year and was on for a 20 goal season.

They can demand a pretty significant fee. I want him but not sure the club will want to spend that kind of money on him.

agree

[RVclaret]

Wouldn’t be surprised if they want 20-25m for Tella. Only signed a new contract last year and was on for a 20 goal season.

They can demand a pretty significant fee. I want him but not sure the club will want to spend that kind of money on him.

I wonder how much the club will spend this summer.

I will go for 45-50m with around 5-10m in sales.

Therefore any signing above 15m is taking up a very large portion of that budget.

[Taffy on the wing]

I think it strengthens our position in terms of Tella wanting to play in the PL, if we've told him we want to sign him he could lodge a transfer request which would further help, sadly player power rules. The issue however will be the fee, I suspect Saints will want silly money, however their manager earlier in the season (pre january window) said he was unproven in the PL so there was no point recalling him which again helps us. I don't think we would go more than 12-15 million for him as there will be better value elsewhere. I'll add, I'm wrong on most football related things

This fact hasn't gone unnoticed!

[tarkys_ears]

I think the Tella situation might be helped with a loan going their way. Duno who though, maybe Twine?

[FCBurnley]

WW ?

[Newcastleclaret93]

I wonder how much the club will spend this summer.

I will go for 45-50m with around 5-10m in sales.

Therefore any signing above 15m is taking up a very large portion of that budget.

I think we will spend close to 60m with 15m in sales.

60m on 7-8 players

[RVclaret]

I think we will spend close to 60m with 15m in sales.

60m on 7-8 players

Certainly optimistic (given our highest spend is around 40 in the Prem I think). But yes I think Kompany could build a seriously capable PL team with that.

[colne-claret]

Muric Stay
BPF Sell
Franchi Loan-out/U21
Norris Leave

Roberts Stay
Vitinho Stay
Maatsen Sign but only if price right
Taylor Leave
Lowton Leave
CJER Loan-out

THB Leave
Beyer Sign
Ekdal Stay
Al-Dakhil Stay
McNally Loan or sell for right price

Cullen Stay
Cork Stay
Brownhill Stay
JBG Stay
Bastien sell

Twine loan if we make the right signings
Zaroury Stay
Benson Stay
Tella sign if fee is sensible
Costelloe Loan-out or sell
Churlinov Sell

Obafemi Stay
Foster Stay
Barnes Leave
JRod Stay
Dervişoğlu Leave

[Newcastleclaret93]

Certainly optimistic (given our highest spend is around 40 in the Prem I think). But yes I think Kompany could build a seriously capable PL team with that.

Probably is optimistic but they way I see it, we will likely sign Maatsen and Beyer and I think that will cost around 30m.

So I’m really saying we will sign 6 other players for 30m.

Personally that’s why I can’t see us signing tella. I think he takes up too much of the remaining budget.

[Taffy on the wing]

I'm surprised so many see Jay-Rod staying.......thought he'd be off for sure.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I'm surprised so many see Jay-Rod staying.......thought he'd be off for sure.

I would be genuinely amazed if Jay Rod stays.

Someone might be able to correct me but I assume relegation clauses in contracts are reversed if promoted again. If so that would surely make Jay one of our top earners in the prem.

[TheFamilyCat]

I think the Tella situation might be helped with a loan going their way. Duno who though, maybe Twine?

He'd be a decent replacement for Ward-Prowse.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

I'm surprised so many see Jay-Rod staying.......thought he'd be off for sure.

Contract expires next summer when he will be 34, nearly 35.

It could be his final season with us, in the PL, at which point he either retires or goes off somewhere in the lower leagues.

As it stands, he's got PL experience, is a level head, probably good to have in the changing rooms for team unity etc

[trawlen]

I'm surprised so many see Jay-Rod staying.......thought he'd be off for sure.

Signed a contract extension May last year, 33 (34 in July), injury prone in the last few seasons so that might dissuade teams from paying his wages for a player who might have injuries. Barnes has kept fit mostly.

I can see him retiring at the end of his contract or dropping down the leagues for a year or two after but I doubt any major offers would come in for him now.

Id be happy to have him as backup for a season at least and that's probably all he'll be able to manage whilst keeping injury free. We can't lose too many players either, we have loans going back and not a £100m budget.

[Colburn_Claret]

My opinion is we have to be ruthless, Liverpool are struggling because Klopp is too loyal to players who have done well for him, but are on the downward slope, or peaked.
We need some experience still, and a smaller core of players who know the club, but if we want to improve, some players who have done well for us have done their part of the job, it's time to pass the baton.
I won't name anyone, it wouldn't be fair, and it's disrespectful, but I think Vinny knows what the job needs.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

My opinion is we have to be ruthless, Liverpool are struggling because Klopp is too loyal to players who have done well for him, but are on the downward slope, or peaked.
We need some experience still, and a smaller core of players who know the club, but if we want to improve, some players who have done well for us have done their part of the job, it's time to pass the baton.
I won't name anyone, it wouldn't be fair, and it's disrespectful, but I think Vinny knows what the job needs.

He's shown he can be ruthless where needs be

Both Long and Lowton left this season, for example, Wout went out on loan.
Westwood, Hennessy etc

Loaned out other lads so they can get game time to develop.

[criminalclaret]

WW going on loan was not Vinny's doing, but contractual.

I'm very intrigued what Vinny does with Wout, if he speaks to him etc or even attempts to get him into pre-season training.

[ashtonlongsider]

Must be honest but I'll be most surprised if we see Tella in a Claret shirt again. Just my opinion but he's proved he's the type of player who can score goals to get a team out of the Championship. If as media suggest Gyokeres would cost around £25m, i'm sure Tella would be likewise and thus out of our price range.

[4midable]

Barnes to get 1 more year when theres not a good enough taker

[boatshed bill]

Must be honest but I'll be most surprised if we see Tella in a Claret shirt again. Just my opinion but he's proved he's the type of player who can score goals to get a team out of the Championship. If as media suggest Gyokeres would cost around £25m, i'm sure Tella would be likewise and thus out of our price range.

Southampton would be mad to let Tella come to Burnley.

So there's always hope

[123EasyasBFC]

Southampton bought top scorer in championship (Armstrong) for £15m yes I know he only had one year left but tella having one good scoring season I think Southampton can demand £25m all they want, tella will say he wants to play in the prem with us and it will end up being a £15m fee

[Petersa]

WW going on loan was not Vinny's doing, but contractual.

I'm very intrigued what Vinny does with Wout, if he speaks to him etc or even attempts to get him into pre-season training.

As Wout is contracted to Burnley for another 2? seasons he will have to return to Burnley whether anyone likes it or not unless a deal is done with Man U which is reported as unlikely. If he wishes to be paid his wages (presumably he will) then he has to turn up for training, be available to play and be offered proper training facilities etc. by the club. Otherwise one of the parties will be in breach of contract.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Southampton bought top scorer in championship (Armstrong) for £15m yes I know he only had one year left but tella having one good scoring season I think Southampton can demand £25m all they want, tella will say he wants to play in the prem with us and it will end up being a £15m fee

Your not living in reality if you think Southampton will let him go for 15m

[CrosspoolClarets]

We know we are losing Dervisoglu, Churlinov and Bastien. From what the players have hinted there is no doubt. Probably some of the even more fringe youngsters too like Egan-Riley. Barnes, Lowton gone. Logic would say we would loan out a couple, McNally again being one. Twine the debatable one, I’d keep him.

So I expect about 7 additions on top of those re-loaned/bought. I think Maatsen will loan again with Chelsea seeing how he does, THB may be the same. That keeps our expenditure down both for wages and fees. Tella I expect to be desperate to move and suspect he will ensure it happens (ditto Wout in reverse). Beyer should be imminent.

Of the 7 totally new additions we probably need one really good player all the way down the spine apart from GK, and left wing too as we can expect Anass to be up and down while he develops.

Cullen and Benson are the interesting ones. 6 minutes of football in the Premier League between them in about 16 years of adulthood. Logic would therefore say they aren’t guaranteed to be a success having not broken through so far (probably due to strength and in Cullen’s case speed too) but have done so well they will be given a chance, I bet VK brings in strong competition for each of them but of course keeps them.

It’s thus easy to make a case for strengthening in every position more or less.

[CoolClaret]

It’s thus easy to make a case for strengthening in every position more or less.

It’s really not - we’ve just walked the league and clearly have some very good players.

We’re not looking to compete for the title are we, think we need to be real for a moment.

Like I said, I think people are looking at last summer and presuming we will have a huge overhaul again which I don’t believe will happen.

Talk of Klopp not being ruthless enough - he’s just shown that if you stick with a proven manager they will eventually get it right, he’s slowly rejuvenating that squad and comparatively for their budget does well.

He’s only a point off top 4 - not bad for a ‘bad season’

[JarrowClaret]

Must be honest but I'll be most surprised if we see Tella in a Claret shirt again. Just my opinion but he's proved he's the type of player who can score goals to get a team out of the Championship. If as media suggest Gyokeres would cost around £25m, i'm sure Tella would be likewise and thus out of our price range.

Not sure if anyone else noticed it but after the presentation but during the celebrations Tella was sat for a few minutes on the grass all by himself staring at the Cricket field and Longside stands. could be something totally different I accept but to me it looked as if he was taking in the moment as he knew he wasn’t coming back.