Summer transfer window

[Vegas Claret]

Christ on a bike.

Joe Gomez is better (by far) than either of our current CB’s. He’s a powerful, talented and versatile defender.

Fitness aside, he’d be our first choice in the Premier League.

sadly you can't "fitness aside" when you have our budget, player availability will be massive for us

[Vegas Claret]

Apparently Tanganga has a £1.2m release clause to PL clubs active. Seems an odd one but surely something we’d be keen on? I suggested him a few weeks back, let alone at that price!

we should be all over that imho

[Selby Claret]

Not sure - he's 26 and played 83 games lifetime - smacks of Kevin Long

[Cooclaret]

I think now you have to be very talented technically to make it, if you don’t have the physicality, in the Prem, it’s just where it’s gone over recent years.


Kante, while small, was an incredible athlete. Probably one of the quickest, most athletic midfielders the Prem has seen.

I am going to say this: Messi wouldn’t make anywhere near the same impact in the Premier League as he did in La Liga.

He’s technically brilliant, but he’s be lost in the pace and physicality of the league.

That’s why Ronaldo is the GOAT. Done it all, in every league.

[Woodleyclaret]

Kevin Long was much maligned but never let us down when called upon.He was unfortunately behind others who rarely missed a game restricting his appearances

[aggi]

Christ on a bike.

Joe Gomez is better (by far) than either of our current CB’s. He’s a powerful, talented and versatile defender.

Fitness aside, he’d be our first choice in the Premier League.

I've never been that convinced by Gomez. Had a lot of early promise but has never really fulfilled it. He gets shuffled around to accommodate other players and has never really nailed down a position. He's not a dominant defender but he's not an attacking defender either.

He's fine but he strikes me as one of those who has had their reputation enhanced by playing at a big club and may well fade away once he leaves.

[Darnhill Claret]

No pace or physicality in La Liga?
Ronaldo didn't exactly rip up the Premier League, he was still developing. Don't confuse his achievements with Madrid and Man U.

The secret of top players is there confidence to keep hold of the ball longer than others.

[GetIntoEm]

Sums this board up, people pining to get Ben Mee back and then saying Joe Gomez isn't good enough. Would be the best CB at the club if he came

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

I am a big fan of Ronaldo. But appreciated both he and Messi. But to say Messi wouldn’t do it in the premier league is ludicrous.

He ripped plenty a premier league side apart in the champions league. And dragged a very average Argentina side to the World Cup.

Anyway. Back on topic.

[Hedontplayforyou]

Messi was out of this world .

[TsarBomba]

The Times reporting Newcastle are ‘pushing’ for Trafford. Not something we don’t already know.

And a Man City fan account, so debatable on legitimacy, is saying we are one of 5 clubs after Oscar Bobb on loan.

[Socrates]

I am going to say this: Messi wouldn’t make anywhere near the same impact in the Premier League as he did in La Liga

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

Pele would never have done it on a Tuesday at stoke.

[Conroy92]

The Times reporting Newcastle are ‘pushing’ for Trafford. Not something we don’t already know.

And a Man City fan account, so debatable on legitimacy, is saying we are one of 5 clubs after Oscar Bobb on loan.

Oscar Bobb is an absolute baller. No way he's coming here. But I can dream.

[CoolClaret]

Physicality can overcome technical gaps - it's why you often get players like Jozy Altidore make a career at a level that's higher than his technical ability... Now imagine if Robbie Blake had his physicality, he'd have been a top 8 PL player for his entire career!

With someone like Messi, he is that good that on talent alone he'd get by... but he's also far, far more physical than given credit for. May not have been the tallest, but he's a very strong dribbler. Good luck knocking him off the ball!

[Holtyclaret]

Not sure - he's 26 and played 83 games lifetime - smacks of Kevin Long

Long played his part in the squad as a fourth choice cb perfectly.

Was never going to get much gametime behind mee, Tarks and Keane but was always ready when needed and never moaned.

There’s always players who get less gametime for various reasons.

[jrgbfc]

I could have sworn Gomez was a regular for Liverpool when they won the league under Klopp. Are people seriously suggesting he isn't good enough for us?

[ŽižkovClaret]

I am going to say this: Messi wouldn’t make anywhere near the same impact in the Premier League as he did in La Liga.

He’s technically brilliant, but he’s be lost in the pace and physicality of the league.

That’s why Ronaldo is the GOAT. Done it all, in every league.

Modric did ok

[Cooclaret]

I am a big fan of Ronaldo. But appreciated both he and Messi. But to say Messi wouldn’t do it in the premier league is ludicrous.

He ripped plenty a premier league side apart in the champions league. And dragged a very average Argentina side to the World Cup.

Anyway. Back on topic.

European football is slower. Simply that.

[burnmark]

Kevin Long was much maligned but never let us down when called upon.He was unfortunately behind others who rarely missed a game restricting his appearances

Long seemed to do OK on the occasions when he stepped in for a couple of games then he’d drop an absolute howler.

[Mattster]

I could have sworn Gomez was a regular for Liverpool when they won the league under Klopp. Are people seriously suggesting he isn't good enough for us?

I think it's more people think we can't afford to blow a huge chunk of our budget on a player who would most likely spend the majority of the season injured.

[RBFC]

Article in L’Equipe from earlier this evening regarding CJ and Strasbourg

Translated into English

Negotiations between Strasbourg and the young English defender CJ Egan-Riley, at the end of his contract at Burnley, are progressing well.

Currently in preparation for the Euro Espoirs with England, CJ Egan-Riley is coming out of a great season with Burnley, which he helped move up to the Premier League. At the end of the contract, the 22-year-old defender should go abroad, as several English teams who are interested think. As we announced on May 14, it is Strasbourg that holds the rope in this file.

In recent hours, negotiations have intensified and all parties are optimistic about a close outcome. The RCSA offers him a five-year contract and one of the highest salaries in the workforce. Right-handed center, used to evolving full axis, he would strengthen a sector that could lose this summer Mamadou Sarr (departing for Chelsea), Ismaël Doukouré (very courted) and Andrew Omobamidele (return on loan to Nottingham Forest).

https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actuali ... ey/1567703

[ClaretLoup]

I followed the link and read the article however below it is a Comments section. The first one says " is there a young player that Strasbourg isn't interested in? " !!

Can't read the rest without registering with L'Equipe.

[gandhisflipflop]

Physicality can overcome technical gaps - it's why you often get players like Jozy Altidore make a career at a level that's higher than his technical ability... Now imagine if Robbie Blake had his physicality, he'd have been a top 8 PL player for his entire career!

With someone like Messi, he is that good that on talent alone he'd get by... but he's also far, far more physical than given credit for. May not have been the tallest, but he's a very strong dribbler. Good luck knocking him off the ball!

This highlights his strength. People on here today are showing their limited knowledge of the game. Firstly suggesting Gomez isn’t good enough for us, then saying Messi wouldn’t cut it in the prem. laughable.

https://youtu.be/-HqjbTTFr3Y?feature=shared

[Stan Tastic]

European football is slower. Simply that.

I assume you didn't watch PSG in the Champions League.

[warksclaret]

Long seemed to do OK on the occasions when he stepped in for a couple of games then he’d drop an absolute howler.

When he was "released" by Kompany, he eventually got a club in Birmingham City, but failed to impress, in a club hovering around relegation. Appreciate Kevin Long never really let us down, but if he was quality, he would have pushed for a move rather than accepting being 4th choice for a number of years

[Woodleyclaret]

If you have a mortgage and kids to raise why move and give yourself financial grief?

[Socrates]

European football is slower. Simply that.

Maybe you’re slower?

[Hedontplayforyou]

Hoping that there’s an announcement on CJ and Brownhill soon to out this to bed. .

[Burnley Ace]

I’ve seen Japhet Tanganga (defender from Millwall) mentioned elsewhere. Their player of the season.

[boatshed bill]

Hoping that there’s an announcement on CJ and Brownhill soon to out this to bed. .

Prepare yourself for the (what appears to be obvious) disappointment. I have serious doubts that we'll be holding on to our 4 in demand players.

[Hedontplayforyou]

CT did mention that Brownhill was done, and another poster who has been credible too suggested that he’d been told CJ had signed. I’m hoping this is right.

But if they are going then I presume the club knows and they are looking at replacements

[boatshed bill]

CT did mention that Brownhill was done, and another poster who has been credible too suggested that he’d been told CJ had signed. I’m hoping this is right.

But if they are going then I presume the club knows and they are looking at replacements

If they had signed surely the club would have announced it. There is no logical reason for holding back that sort of information.

[Hedontplayforyou]

They’ve not announced the contract situation with Barnes either ….

[boatshed bill]

They’ve not announced the contract situation with Barnes either ….

I think Barnes has a year option (check on Uptheclarets).

[Hedontplayforyou]

Club announced that they were still in talks with CJ, Brownhill and Barnes. No updates since.

[boatshed bill]

Club announced that they were still in talks with CJ, Brownhill and Barnes. No updates since.

Yes, OK, I've just seen that both have an extra year option.
However, if they'd agreed to stay on I'd suggest that it would be a really good idea to announce it.

[warksclaret]

Hoping that there’s an announcement on CJ and Brownhill soon to out this to bed. .

I think if this is the case and confirmed, it would be fabulous news for club and fans. For me this would confirm the club have learned from two years ago and be keeping the spine of the team that have done so well, if you combine this to recent signings of Fleming, Hannibal, Humphreys, Edwards and Anthony. It would leave us to recruit just 4 or 5 quality signings who can walk into the team and be proper PL players, and of course we can loan two English players too. Maybe Trafford is an obvious departure-he has proved to be brilliant this season and hopefully generate a £30m plus fee, allowing us to recruit 2-3 experienced players.

In the meantime the priority is probably the planning and pruning of an over sized squad which contains players who are well off the mark as Championship players, let alone PL. Not knowing contracts but it is feasible that players like Obefemi,v Delcroix, Benson, Messengo, Hountondji and quite a few more could have contracts that dictate their salaries increase with promotion

[Spijed]

Prepare yourself for the (what appears to be obvious) disappointment. I have serious doubts that we'll be holding on to our 4 in demand players.

If that's the case then our transfer strategy needs to completely change, as it's obviously pointless signing players to try and stay up.

We'd just need to sign players purely for making a profit at the end of the season.

[boatshed bill]

If that's the case then our transfer strategy needs to completely change, as it's obviously pointless signing players to try and stay up.

We'd just need to sign players purely for making a profit at the end of the season.

It's all about money, Spijed, and we are basically at the bottom of the food chain. Loyalty doesn't exist in professional sport, particularly where agents run the transfer market.

[Spijed]

It's all about money, Spijed, and we are basically at the bottom of the food chain. Loyalty doesn't exist in professional sport, particularly where agents run the transfer market.

I'd still like to see us make a bit of an effort to stop up.

[Tricky Trevor]

When he was "released" by Kompany, he eventually got a club in Birmingham City, but failed to impress, in a club hovering around relegation. Appreciate Kevin Long never really let us down, but if he was quality, he would have pushed for a move rather than accepting being 4th choice for a number of years

Living near Cork I had an insight into Kevin Longs’ salary. He wouldn’t have got that anywhere else. No wonder he stayed. He was a more than useful back up but he did throw in the odd ‘mare.

[CyrilEbokiPoh]

European football is slower. Simply that.

https://youtu.be/Mf-mlmqOOpI?feature=shared

Goal 20 and 23 are just ridiculous on this link. The style may be slower. But Messi certainly isn’t.

He’s literally the best / equal best in the league that has produced the most champions league winners this century.

[boatshed bill]

Living near Cork I had an insight into Kevin Longs’ salary. He wouldn’t have got that anywhere else. No wonder he stayed. He was a more than useful back up but he did throw in the odd ‘mare.

Actually he would never have been good enough to hold down a first team place if it was not for several defenders being long-term injured.
Still, he gets almost legendary status for staying on . Fair play to him.

[Cooclaret]

Maybe you’re slower?

No need for that. Not clever.

[willsclarets]

I don't get why people forget Messi is one of the best short passers the game has ever seen either. He'd have walked the premier league in his prime with goals and assists. Ronaldo isn't even the best Ronaldo.

[mdd2]

I could have sworn Gomez was a regular for Liverpool when they won the league under Klopp. Are people seriously suggesting he isn't good enough for us?

There is good enough then and now
Most of us want to see Beyer back but will he be the Beyer as was
Gomez is not the player he was. Look at his injuries and he is I think 29
He would be a big risk signing not quite as bad as Gaza

[aggi]

I could have sworn Gomez was a regular for Liverpool when they won the league under Klopp. Are people seriously suggesting he isn't good enough for us?

That's kind of the point, that was 5 years ago and since then he's not really improved on that.

[Taffy on the wing]

..........it's the hope that kills you!

..............ALL IS DROSS!!!!!!!!

[Vegas Claret]

I'd still like to see us make a bit of an effort to stop up.

Genuine question - what qualifies as "a bit of an effort"

I looked at the table today with the new PL and asked myself who are any of the 3 promoted teams going to finish above. There are no weak teams, it's going to be a seriously tough ask for anyone imho.