Transfer Rumour 25/26 Summer Transfer Window (77 Viewers)

[Ccfcisparks]

I think being fully involved in first team training & activities for a while now shows FL and the coaching staff believe he has the ability to be at that level. There is only a select few fo the u21s that have gone to Portugal. I think it's fair to assume those that have gone over there are highly thought of young players, who have been given the opportunity to put their cases forward to be involved for the season.

Was he signed as an U21?

 

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

I think being fully involved in first team training & activities for a while now shows FL and the coaching staff believe he has the ability to be at that level. There is only a select few fo the u21s that have gone to Portugal. I think it's fair to assume those that have gone over there are highly thought of young players, who have been given the opportunity to put their cases forward to be involved for the season.

The proof will be on the pitch in league matches. I'm particularly intrigued by the noise around Kai Andrews, not just from those at the club

 

[edgy]

Was he signed as an U21?

I dont know. Probably as he was alwasy talked about as being a "project" as such. But he is an u21 by definition, so why people have to try and cast him aside as not good enough is a bit silly really. Especially when the experts, our coaching staff, seemingly like what they see everyday.

 

[TomRad85]

The proof will be on the pitch in league matches. I'm particularly intrigued by the noise around Kai Andrews, not just from those at the club

As much as everyone finds a new signing exciting i would genuinely be delighted if one of our youth team came through at this level, its not something that happens too often here. Kind of class Raphael as one too even though of course we signed him for peanuts.

 

[Pezza]

If Kai Andrews isn’t going to be in and around the starting eleven, in other words, if he’s just going to be on the bench every week with no game time, then we might as well send him out on loan to League One, perhaps to a club like Lincoln City or Barnsley.

As for Rafael, I don’t think he’ll make it at this level, especially as we’re trying to push for a top-six finish in the Championship. At the risk of leaving us a bit thin, he could also benefit from a good loan move.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

As much as everyone finds a new signing exciting i would genuinely be delighted if one of our youth team came through at this level, its not something that happens too often here. Kind of class Raphael as one too even though of course we signed him for peanuts.

Its interesting that both are being spoke about highly in the Lampard interviews. He's renowned for giving young players a chance so fingers crossed at least one of them breaks through this season

 

[Hobo]

Was he signed as an U21?

Yes because he was under 21 when we signed him. Training with the first team and developing him because the coaches think he has development potential. Is different to expecting him to be a first team regular last season. The fact he was held back back injury and the need to up his fitness levels, adapting to a more intense league in his first season. Doesn't make him a failure.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

If Kai Andrews isn’t going to be in and around the starting eleven, in other words, if he’s just going to be on the bench every week with no game time, then we might as well send him out on loan to League One, perhaps to a club like Lincoln City or Barnsley.

As for Rafael, I don’t think he’ll make it at this level, especially as we’re trying to push for a top-six finish in the Championship. At the risk of leaving us a bit thin, he could also benefit from a good loan move.

What are you basing your assessment on ?
The noise coming out of preseason is that both are performing above expected levels

 

[Pezza]

What are you basing your assessment on ?
The noise coming out of preseason is that both are performing above expected levels

Honestly, just a general gut feel and what has gone in the past. I genuinely hope I'm wrong because would love to see young lads come through, would love it. But if you take Rafa for example, how much football has he played? He needs minutes!

 

[procdoc]

If Kai Andrews isn’t going to be in and around the starting eleven, in other words, if he’s just going to be on the bench every week with no game time, then we might as well send him out on loan to League One, perhaps to a club like Lincoln City or Barnsley.

As for Rafael, I don’t think he’ll make it at this level, especially as we’re trying to push for a top-six finish in the Championship. At the risk of leaving us a bit thin, he could also benefit from a good loan move.

If the coaches who see him train every day think he’s not good enough then fair enough, but you cannot make this statement based on how little you have seen him play

 

[Perennial Lurker]

If the coaches who see him train every day think he’s not good enough then fair enough, but you cannot make this statement based on how little you have seen him play

I think having a successful stint in the SPL and then sending him off to League One doesn't make a lot of sense either .

 

[Pezza]

If the coaches who see him train every day think he’s not good enough then fair enough, but you cannot make this statement based on how little you have seen him play

If you read what I have said, I'm talking about game time, not how much I rate them.

Coaches have seen Rafa in training, none of them have seen him play a consecutive run of games, because he hasn't had any. Hence why I feel he might not get any with what's ahead of him, thus maybe a loan is best option.

 

[Pezza]

I think having a successful stint in the SPL and then sending him off to League One doesn't make a lot of sense either .

why? Have you seen the state of the SPL?

 

[Perennial Lurker]

If you read what I have said, I'm talking about game time, not how much I rate them.

Coaches have seen Rafa in training, none of them have seen him play a consecutive run of games, because he hasn't had any. Hence why I feel he might not get any with what's ahead of him, thus maybe a loan is best option.

I doubt Rafa would have had a run of games for any club last season , he wasn't physically up to the levels of the professional game. Feedback this summer suggests he's baulked up and looks in better shape , his ability was never in doubt . Hopefully he can push Saka for a start on the right side

 

[oneofourown]

I used to always question why some teams like to have large squads, and someone I know in football said that for a team to be successful you need to have a good opposition, when you are training. It's no good having 15 odd great players and then an adaquate mix of subs and U21 making up the numbers, you need to have 25 potential starters on the training field. If we are content with the squad we have now we cannot be sending our 'elite' youngsters off to other teams we need them training. Likewise, we need the older players like Allen and Bidwell to also be part of the training program. We as fans only see the 90 minutes on a match day whereas FL and his team need the other 5 days to train, assess and pick the team.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

why? Have you seen the state of the SPL?

Have you seen the state of League One ?
You can't honestly compare them , The SPL is poor but it is a level above League One . Also to keep developing young talent you raise the level of club they go out on loan too so "if " Andrews does go out I could see him playing for a European club

 

[Hobo]

Honestly, just a general gut feel and what has gone in the past. I genuinely hope I'm wrong because would love to see young lads come through, would love it. But if you take Rafa for example, how much football has he played? He needs minutes!

That is the sort of decision that will be made after pre-season. It would not surprise me if we don't keep him under our wing and coaching to make sure his fitness levels are right. A loan decision might wait until January.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

That is the sort of decision that will be made after pre-season. It would not surprise me if we don't keep him under our wing and coaching to make sure his fitness levels are right. A loan decision might wait until January.

Retaining both with a view to getting games when required due to fitness and injuries , if they are both deemed close enough to the levels needed , would save us much needed funds for other areas of recruitment

 

[Deity]

I used to always question why some teams like to have large squads, and someone I know in football said that for a team to be successful you need to have a good opposition, when you are training. It's no good having 15 odd great players and then an adaquate mix of subs and U21 making up the numbers, you need to have 25 potential starters on the training field. If we are content with the squad we have now we cannot be sending our 'elite' youngsters off to other teams we need them training. Likewise, we need the older players like Allen and Bidwell to also be part of the training program. We as fans only see the 90 minutes on a match day whereas FL and his team need the other 5 days to train, assess and pick the team.

This is spot on.

ask any academy director why they have 30 boys on their books but already know that only 1 or 2 could make it and they will tell you that without a large squad they can’t train those 1 or 2 with the intensity they need. Cruel on the others but that’s elite sport.

 

[JSL]

Do the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?

 

[Perennial Lurker]

Do the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?

There are certainly a few U-21s at preseason and I would imagine that a select few take part in training at home when required

 

[Deity]

Do the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?

Based on Frank’s interview this week it appears only a selected few get to step up to first team training. It’s not all under 21’s or even the majority.

 

[CovRes]

Do the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?

Sometimes

 

[CovRes]

I dont know. Probably as he was alwasy talked about as being a "project" as such. But he is an u21 by definition, so why people have to try and cast him aside as not good enough is a bit silly really. Especially when the experts, our coaching staff, seemingly like what they see everyday.

He's no longer qualifies as an U21. If he's not out on loan he'll be listed amongst the senior players.

 

[Viktor17]

Do the U21s mix with the main squad when training to make up numbers?

Generally used to fill in when numbers short/injuries/internationals etc.

I know at bham a few years ago they had selective (first team potential) 21s training pretty regularly with first team. It’s as exactly as said - you need numbers to train properly.

remember when we went to Portugal season after we lost to Luton, think we only had circa 10 outfield fit first team players - must have been right waste!

 

[Perennial Lurker]

He's no longer qualifies as an U21. If he's not out on loan he'll be listed amongst the senior players.

Where do you see him ?

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

The thing is, you can't 'soak up the pressure' against the majority of Premier League teams, because before you know it you're picking the ball out your own net for the 3rd time.

And they don't have a good defence now they are in the Premier League.

People really underestimate how big the gap is. I think they will struggle to get to 20 points.

I didnt say they have a good defence now, just that that is the way to go

 

[Perennial Lurker]

I didnt say they have a good defence now, just that that is the way to go

I personally think of the promoted sides that Leeds have the best chance as they will score goals and sneak a few wins especially at home

 

[Hincha]

You have Wright and at a push DaSilva and MvE/KKH who can play further up .
We literally cannot cover every single eventuality

If MvE stays you could probably manage - but he's not

Winger is where you definitely need 4 quality players to rotate throughout a season

 

[Perennial Lurker]

He was 21 September 24 last year. They take their age at the start of the calendar year. So would have been classed as under 21 last season.

I meant in respect to the first team or out on loan?

 

[Samo]

As much as everyone finds a new signing exciting i would genuinely be delighted if one of our youth team came through at this level, its not something that happens too often here. Kind of class Raphael as one too even though of course we signed him for peanuts.

I think if there was someone capable of playing in a top end Championship team among our youth players we would already know, and they would probably have smashed a loan in L1.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

If MvE stays you could probably manage - but he's not

Winger is where you definitely need 4 quality players to rotate throughout a season

You can say that about centre backs , full backs and midfielders. It's the cost and need that would need to be affordable and pragmatic

 

[Perennial Lurker]

I think if there was someone capable of playing in a top end Championship team among our youth players we would already know, and they would probably have smashed a loan in L1.

Andrews had rave reviews after his stint in the SPL last season

 

[Ccfcisparks]

You can say that about centre backs , full backs and midfielders. It's the cost and need that would need to be affordable and pragmatic

If you have good centre backs, its rare that you openly look to rotate them.

 

[JSL]

If MvE stays you could probably manage - but he's not

Winger is where you definitely need 4 quality players to rotate throughout a season

Yep - we have always struggled when one of our wingers has been out injured. When Saka was out, we had noone for the right and tried playing BTA and Tavares out there as we were down to bare bones. When EMC was out, Wright was injured for a while and we struggled.