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Summer Transfer Window 25/26 *Sponsored by Bigpig*
- Thread starter Bigpig
- Start date
It's difficult to say right now, not least I still think there's going to be a few more signings and I have no idea what system we're going to play. The one thing that slightly concerns me is the amount of change we're making both in terms of number of players but potentially the style of play. I said towards the back end of last season that replacing Trent is going to be very difficult, not simply because of his quality but how key he has been to how we've played for 7 years.
On an individual basis Frimpong has really impressed during pre-season and surprised me at how comfortable he's looked as a fullback, Wirtz looks incredible and at the very least you'd hope Ekitike will offer us more than Nunez or Jota done last season. Kerkez concerns me a bit. I'm getting Moreno vibes from him but then again, neither Kostas or Robertson were up to it last season.
I would say we're lacking a direct Diaz replacement but as above, who knows how we're going to set-up. Part of me has started to wonder if we're going to go a bit 4-4-2 diamondy - it would certainly explain why we spent big on Ekitike as well as going for Isak.
They've got no issue with Wissa doing the same, I seem to remember Gordon going on strike at everton to get his move to newcastle..
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Oh yeah, I know they've got no problem with players at other clubs doing it, tbh, I don't have a problem with Isak doing it either, but Newcastle should just sell him and should have sold him already. The writing was on the wall some time ago. Either they'll sell him this window or have a shadow of the player they're trying to keep hold of whilst at the same time poisoning the minds of every potential transfer target until it's sorted out.
It's ridiculous and it's all on them.
Equally I think it's a pretty bad look for Isak, compared to how say Diaz handled his move, or even Salah his contract negotiations which were clearly a bit tetchy at times.
If I'm honest, at the price being mooted, his injury history (particularly his 4 groin injuries over the last two seasons which suggests a recurring issue), that this isn't making his attitude seem the best, and that I'm not sure we'd be buying him for any reason other than that he might be available which may disrupt other players particularly Ekitike, I don't love the idea of the signing. If we miss out I won't be hugely upset.
Neither Salah nor Diaz told Liverpool months ago that they wanted to leave in the summer and have then had a record transfer bid refused.
If that was the case I'd expect either of them, or any player, to down tools on the spot. I don't know what Newcastle expected but that's exactly what they've got.
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Why? You sign a contract for a fixed period of time. You've absolutely no right to fail to honour that contract, and if you down tools you're in breach.
I agree but football isn't like the rest of the real world and that's what footballers do. They expect to be able to leave mid-contract if they want to especially if they, as Isak has done, give their clubs plenty of notice. That's why they have huge "loyalty" bonuses written into them payable on completion/termination. Clubs (apart from Newcastle it seems) know this and their kickback is a transfer fee. It's all part of the dance.
Newcastle not releasing him like this is a massive red flag for any potential signing. No wonder they're struggling. It'd be fine to do it to some youth product kid or a lower profile player maybe, but for a club of Newcastle's stature to do this in such a high profile way is gross stupidity.
Signings and renewals will now want better release clauses written into new contracts too. This is long term self-harm.
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VVD, Konate, Gomez and one other *should* be enough. (Presumably Guehi but needs to be some someone who can stand in for VVD/Konate without a notable drop in quality. If they can be a long term understudy/replacement for VVD then even better.)
However if Konate has one eye on Spain or Gomez decides to be permacrocked (I see both as high risks) then we'll definitely need another from somewhere (whether that's another purchase or promoting youth)
Caporegime
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100% the guy speaking in that vid is still a virgin. Filming out of his nanny's basement.
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I knew he was a man of wisdom and insight when he started talking about the wages United are paying these chumps that are keeping them captive. Those poor souls. Why oh why won't United let them leave for lower salaries elsewhere.
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