Summer 2024 Transfer Window Discussion - Rumours and Links welcome

[123EasyasBFC]

Philip Billing isn’t first choice at Bournemouth anymore, he would be the ideal number 10/ CM position if we could get a deal done, was a key player for Parker when they got promoted

[jedi_master]

Philip Billing isn’t first choice at Bournemouth anymore, he would be the ideal number 10/ CM position if we could get a deal done, was a key player for Parker when they got promoted

Exactly what we need.

[ClaretTony]

Maybe they were on the list that the (now ex) academy director accidently sent out to the wrong WhatsApp group last week

So that's why he's gone. He left over a week ago, or he's not been in for over a week.

[agreenwood]

If/when O'Shea, Weghorst & Benson leave our squad size will be 24, meaning we can register 1 more player born on or after Jan 1 2023, or register 1 loan player. Maybe there's some more wiggle room with some of our long term injuries.

I suspect we’ll be losing more than 3 players this week

[123EasyasBFC]

So that's why he's gone. He left over a week ago, or he's not been in for over a week.

I was told him and Bellamy didn’t get on at all

[ab1882]

I suspect we’ll be losing more than 3 players this week

I agree, just making a counter point for why so many are being moved on. Incomings will be key. Saturday's fixture couldn't be worse timing, hence the heightened stress levels.

[ArmchairDetective]

Can't believe I'm saying this but I think we might need to sign some wingers

[Burnley1989]

So that's why he's gone. He left over a week ago, or he's not been in for over a week.

Apparently, it wasn't very complimentary about a few players, even though most of us would probably agree with what he said. "Lazy, bad attitude, etc."
I know it's caused a stir because there's young lads now unsure if this will change things with regards to them getting contracts, now hes gone.

[123EasyasBFC]

If/when O'Shea, Weghorst & Benson leave our squad size will be 24, meaning we can register 1 more player born on or after Jan 1 2023, or register 1 loan player. Maybe there's some more wiggle room with some of our long term injuries.

Add al-dakhil to that and it would but our squad at 26 with 5 players U21 that don’t have to be registered (Egan Riley, Dodgson, Ramsey, koleosho and ageyi) so we would actually have 4 squad spaces to fill.

Then you have the injured players depending on the time frame they might not get registered.

That’s why selling koleosho doesn’t help at all because it doesn’t reduce the 25 man squad size

[stateofthenation]

if that fee structure is correct then it's even worse than I previously thought

It’s not about profit it’s about cash flow.

[AGENT_CLARET]

If any future signings saw yesterday’s inept performance they would run a mile which is probable more than the shower who turned out in claret and blue yesterday.

That "shower" was playing away In front of 40k home supporters all on a high including the team after winning at home the previous game 4-0, and this so called shower lost 1-0, okay the performance and bench wasn't the best but a hell of a lot of team's will go there and lose by a bigger score line, GET A GRIP

[Swizzlestick]

Apparently, it wasn't very complimentary about a few players, even though most of us would probably agree with what he said. "Lazy, bad attitude, etc."
I know it's caused a stir because there's young lads now unsure if this will change things with regards to them getting contracts, now hes gone.

Just to clarify - an academy director sent a message basically laying into the players, but accidentally sent it to the players’ WhatsApp group?

[boyyanno]

That "shower" was playing away In front of 40k home supporters all on a high including the team after winning at home the previous game 4-0, and this so called shower lost 1-0, okay the performance and bench wasn't the best but a hell of a lot of team's will go there and lose by a bigger score line, GET A GRIP

To be fair I've seen a lot of people mention the scoreline but 1-0 absolutely flattered us.

[CoolClaret]

Josh Brownhill here:

https://x.com/BBCLancsSport/status/1827624455344156828

"Don't want to make excuses, but our changing room's probably a little bit different [to Sunderland's]. What's going on at our place is out of my hands. Ideally, the transfer window will shut as soon as possible so we know what we're dealing with."

"Some people don't know whether they are coming or going."

This is on the board full stop.

[Burnley1989]

Just to clarify - an academy director sent a message basically laying into the players, but accidentally sent it to the players’ WhatsApp group?

To the U21 group but there's players classed as first team that are also in it, so they read his opinions also.
Proper schoolboy error

[BurnleyFC]

To the U21 group but there's players classed as first team that are also in it, so they read his opinions also.
Proper schoolboy error

What a complete dick head.

[Swizzlestick]

To the U21 group but there's players classed as first team that are also in it, so they read his opinions also.
Proper schoolboy error

**** sake

[wadeswondergoal]

So, has Pace put everyone up for sale, or has Parker come in and said “right lads, it’s a fresh start. If you don’t want to be here, you can foook off for the right price.”?

I suppose we will find out when the window shuts next week - but at the minute, it all looks like a bit of a shambles.

[jsclaret]

On a more positive note!
We have 2 more points after 3 games than we had when we were promoted.
Our defence isn't any weaker replacing OShea with Worral

[Turftalker]

For anyone who reads the Sunday Times there is an interesting article on Chelsea which seems very similar to the Burnley approach. References to players being dots on a sheet and seen as completely expendable.

I am reserving full judgement until post transfer window, but no one can pretend this is planned or ideal. Most accept a model of buy cheap, sell high. But I think we envisaged this would be 3 or 4 players a year. This is the third summer in a row we will have double figure turnover. That is no conducive to building a one squad mentality or developing players. It also does seem we are paying for putting so much faith in VK in so far as buying everything he wanted and allowing transfers to be built so much on his profile. It has left us increasingly vulnerable when he left. Finally, I wonder where in the Data model you assess player character/fit?

Let's see where we are in 5 days, but the club must learn from this. Given its the third year in a row, the evidence they will is patchy.

[wadeswondergoal]

On a more positive note!
We have 2 more points after 3 games than we had when we were promoted.
Our defence isn't any weaker replacing OShea with Worral

That may be so, but at the same stage of that season we had almost a full squad ready to go and all pulling in the same direction.

[ervi34]

Josh Brownhill here:

https://x.com/BBCLancsSport/status/1827624455344156828

"Don't want to make excuses, but our changing room's probably a little bit different [to Sunderland's]. What's going on at our place is out of my hands. Ideally, the transfer window will shut as soon as possible so we know what we're dealing with."

"Some people don't know whether they are coming or going."

This is on the board full stop.

Brownhill obviously doesn't understand our "model".

[taio]

Josh Brownhill here:

https://x.com/BBCLancsSport/status/1827624455344156828

"Don't want to make excuses, but our changing room's probably a little bit different [to Sunderland's]. What's going on at our place is out of my hands. Ideally, the transfer window will shut as soon as possible so we know what we're dealing with."

"Some people don't know whether they are coming or going."

This is on the board full stop.

In line with the concerns raised by many supporters

[CoolClaret]

In line with the concerns raised by many supporters

Precisely.

It doesn't take rocket science to figure this sh1t out. It just takes a bit of life experience and 'common sense'.

Sick of fans using their intuition and gut feelings being gaslit about this kind of thing, it's really frustrating.

Of course we're gonna see crap like yesterday when it becomes clear to the players that they're seen as commodities or pound signs, rather than human beings and squad members of a football club.

[taio]

Brownhill obviously doesn't understand our "model".

I'm sure he does understand it, but simply may not agree with it. "Some people don't know whether they are coming or going" is quite revealing.

[kentonclaret]

Brownhill obviously doesn't understand our "model".

He’s not the only one

[ervi34]

On a more positive note!
We have 2 more points after 3 games than we had when we were promoted.
Our defence isn't any weaker replacing OShea with Worral

That is true, but it's a completely different scenario. What I think we did really well two years ago, was the fact that we did most of our selling before the season started. Kompany didn't count on those players and probably planned without them. Right now it's exactly the opposite and we will need even more time to gel properly.

Also, I remember how calm I was two years ago when transfer deadline was approaching. We have done most our business by then. Right now, it looks like we'll need about five players in as many days.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Josh Brownhill here:

https://x.com/BBCLancsSport/status/1827624455344156828

"Don't want to make excuses, but our changing room's probably a little bit different [to Sunderland's]. What's going on at our place is out of my hands. Ideally, the transfer window will shut as soon as possible so we know what we're dealing with."

"Some people don't know whether they are coming or going."

This is on the board full stop.

The captain of the club openly criticising the owners strategy.

This is going to end well isn’t it

[CoolClaret]

I'm sure he does understand it, but simply may not agree with it. "Some people don't know whether they are coming or going" is quite revealing.

Think evri was being sarcastic mate.

[123EasyasBFC]

Josh Brownhill here:

https://x.com/BBCLancsSport/status/1827624455344156828

"Don't want to make excuses, but our changing room's probably a little bit different [to Sunderland's]. What's going on at our place is out of my hands. Ideally, the transfer window will shut as soon as possible so we know what we're dealing with."

"Some people don't know whether they are coming or going."

This is on the board full stop.

That’s the most p*ssed off I think I’ve ever seen brownhill come across in an interview.

But he has to lead from the front, he talks about lack of quality, he was one of the biggest culprits yesterday for showing a lack of quality and the weak back pass in the second half summed it up

[ArmchairDetective]

So, has Pace put everyone up for sale, or has Parker come in and said “right lads, it’s a fresh start. If you don’t want to be here, you can foook off for the right price.”?

I suppose we will find out when the window shuts next week - but at the minute, it all looks like a bit of a shambles.

I'm not 'ITK' one bit but my guess is that both are true, leading to a hell of a lot of movement.

Can't wait for this transfer window to be over.

[CoolClaret]

The captain of the club openly criticising the owners strategy.

This is going to end well isn’t it

Just waiting to be gaslit once again telling me/us that "he didn't mean that" or words to that effect. Clear as day to me what the issue is.

[Scampi]

To the U21 group but there's players classed as first team that are also in it, so they read his opinions also.
Proper schoolboy error

And sorry, to clarify one more thing - the academy director's message was one he was intending to send to an agent, which was then mistakenly sent to the U21 players?

Irrespective of the content, wouldn't sending off-book messages to an agent be misconduct?

[CoolClaret]

That’s the most p*ssed off I think I’ve ever seen brownhill come across in an interview.

But he has to lead from the front, he talks about lack of quality, he was one of the biggest culprits yesterday for showing a lack of quality and the weak back pass in the second half summed it up

He might have been poor yesterday, I think Josh more than anyone would hold his hands up to that but again, how can we expect to get most out of the players and manager (who are both human beings) in such a bizarre work environment? It's simply not conducive to getting the most out of people.

[Walt]

The captain of the club openly criticising the owners strategy.

This is going to end well isn’t it

It probably won't end well but Pace needs to be told. He's in charge and in a week or so, confidence and morale in the squad has gone from very high, to very low.

I would hope privately, as the captain, Brownhill has more frank words for Pace. He has a few days to sort the issues out, here's hoping he has a transfer masterplan this week but at the moment it doesn't look great at all.

[AGENT_CLARET]

How many do you think we'll bring in this week, I'm guessing 4

[Murger]

None.

[Conroysleftfoot]

He might have been poor yesterday, I think Josh more than anyone would hold his hands up to that but again, how can we expect to get most out of the players and manager (who are both human beings) in such a bizarre work environment? It's simply not conducive to getting the most out of people.

Spot on

[Swizzlestick]

We’ll obviously be bringing players in. Whether they’re of the required standard is another question

[Paddy1882]

How many do you think we'll bring in this week, I'm guessing 4

I think 2 (both loans with options) with 5 possibly 6 going out the door.

[wadeswondergoal]

How many do you think we'll bring in this week, I'm guessing 4

How many do I hope? 7

How many do I think? 2

[ksrclaret]

Josh Brownhill here:

https://x.com/BBCLancsSport/status/1827624455344156828

"Don't want to make excuses, but our changing room's probably a little bit different [to Sunderland's]. What's going on at our place is out of my hands. Ideally, the transfer window will shut as soon as possible so we know what we're dealing with."

"Some people don't know whether they are coming or going."

This is on the board full stop.

It's the same pattern every time with Squeaky Alan.

He makes what are objectively a shocking set of decisions, some fans on here pretend it's all part of some plan, and then it comes out, usually from people within the club, that his mismanagement is actually worse than we thought.

[nyclaret]

How many do you think we'll bring in this week, I'm guessing 4

Whoever we bring in will probably be a panic buy

[Hedontplayforyou]

How many do you think we'll bring in this week, I'm guessing 4

For me we need :
1 striker
2 central midfielders
2 wingers

That’s to compliment what we already have . If we lose more from yesterdays 11 then who knows.

[CoolClaret]

It's the same pattern every time with Squeaky Alan.

He makes what are objectively a shocking set of decisions, some fans on here pretend it's all part of some plan, and then it comes out, usually from people within the club, that his mismanagement is actually worse than we thought.

Spot on. Same with politics isn't it, some can't just call a spade a spade and go off words or bits of PR more than actual actions.

Judge actions and the results of said actions. The rest is just fluff.

[RVclaret]

The Brownhill & Esteve interviews are obv concerning and don’t present a good look at all for the board. There needs to be real leadership shown this week by Pace as this could be a tenure, let alone season, defining week for him. I’m dreading it.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

For me we need :
1 striker
2 central midfielders
2 wingers

That’s to compliment what we already have . If we lose more from yesterdays 11 then who knows.

We need more than one striker.

[Ric_C]

Makes you wonder if we would have tried to sell Ramsey, Beyer, Ekdal and Tresor as well if they had been available?

Zaroury signed a new 5 year contract Aug 23
Benson signed a new 4 year contract Aug 23

Maybe these both included release clauses, who knows? Last season must've been bad from a morale pov, as both these guys seemed really happy at the Turf only a year ago.

So the plan at the start of the summer would have been to sell 4-5 key players who were always going to get interest from Premier league clubs

Muric, Berge, Odobert, O'Shea (Plus the money for VK) -done

Then try and move on the fringe players who were unlikely to get much game time
Twine, McNally, Churlinov, Obafemi, Bastien - done

Also to move on any players who have become so disenchanted with things over the last year, that it would for everyone concerned that they move on
Benson?, Al-Dakhil, Zaroury, JBG, Weghorst? - pretty much done

This in theory leaves us with a more balanced squad with less bloat, and less full of centre backs and wingers. So you could argue it is going to plan in that respect. What has thrown me (and most others) is underestimating how bad it got last season. I was fine losing Odobert when we had Zaroury and Benson as backup, but wasn't expecting to lose all 3 plus JBG. We have gone from having too many wingers to hardly any.

We now have a situation where we had a team bonding session in Spain with the new manager, which really was a waste of time, as half those players won't be here in a week, and now the manager needs to both prepare for Blackburn, not knowing if there are going to be anymore outgoings, and also somehow miraculously find 4-5 new players who will get us to compete at the top end of the table. Not an easy task.

So what needs to happen next week?

Goalkeepers - Trafford may leave, another to come in?

Defenders - Delcroix out? We still only have one fit left back at the club, this needs addressing.

Midfielders - Need a replacement for Berge. If Brownhill leaves, we need 2 in.

Attacking / wide players - Koleosho may leave. That leaves us with...zero fit wingers. We need at least 2 in.

Strikers - Amdouni may leave. We therefore have Foster, Hountondji and Jay Rod. Our worst attacking options in some time. We need to bring in a proven striker somehow

So much to sort, so little time. Luton away seems like such a long time ago.

[Shaggy]

Coolclaret is anything other than cool just now. Why get so worked up? Theres still a week to go in the transfer window.

Relax, pour yourself a nice floral gin and crack open the woodbines it will be all fine.

[ervi34]

How many do you think we'll bring in this week, I'm guessing 4

It depends on the outgoings. If we manage to keep Koleosho and Amdouni, then it's not as grim as it could be. We can potentially field something like this in the near future:

Trafford
Roberts Esteve Worrall Pires
Brownhill Cullen
Vitinho Amdouni Koleosho
Foster

If that's our starting lineup, I'd be happy with a few players for rotation - Hannibal and Sarmiento, maybe another winger and a striker. But I don't want to think what happens if there will be more unexpected departures.