Transfer Rumour 25/26 Summer Transfer Window (71 Viewers)

[SBT]

Because our system of play is incredibly dependent on this position. Grimes is amazing, his injury track record is very good but should he get injured we don’t have any cover at all now that Sheaf has moved on.

The more likely outcome is that Grimes stays fit through the season and keeps doing what he’s doing. We don’t need to spend money on a backup now who likely won’t be a viable option in the PL next season.

 

---

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I joke about Hamer but someone of that profile that can happily sit in the 6 or 8 roles and even 10 would be perfect. I do wonder what Louza would cost.

Where dos Louza fit in?

Clearly a top end player in this league but unless he’s definitely displacing Torp/Rudoni, it’s not a goer imo. Jimmy’s source reckons we’re looking at a midfielder from Europe which strikes me as a more realistic market to look at.

Watford lose 4 players to AFCON, Louza may be another (unlikely), they aren’t going to let their best player go. It’ll be like Charlie Hughes all over again.

 

[PUSB-We_are_going_up]

Patrick Berg is perfect although cannot play in the 10, but if we sign Memheti as well who is a 10 that can play on the left then thats good enough in my eyes

 

[Ccfcisparks]

I'm expecting Mehmeti Louza and Garcia in Jan. Will be incredibly disappointed in Doug if we dont get those 3 in.

 

[Levship20]

Where dos Louza fit in?

Clearly a top end player in this league but unless he’s definitely displacing Torp/Rudoni, it’s not a goer imo. Jimmy’s source reckons we’re looking at a midfielder from Europe which strikes me as a more realistic market to look at.

Watford lose 4 players to AFCON, Louza may be another (unlikely), they aren’t going to let their best player go. It’ll be like Charlie Hughes all over again.

Would take Louza over Hamer anytime

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Where dos Louza fit in?

Clearly a top end player in this league but unless he’s definitely displacing Torp/Rudoni, it’s not a goer imo. Jimmy’s source reckons we’re looking at a midfielder from Europe which strikes me as a more realistic market to look at.

Watford lose 4 players to AFCON, Louza may be another (unlikely), they aren’t going to let their best player go. It’ll be like Charlie Hughes all over again.

Fitting him in wouldn't be much of an issue really. Torp just can't play every single game he breaks down too easily and Louza would be a useful option against sides which look to overwhelm the midfield.

But it's irrelevant as it would be impossible to get him without a monstrous bid.

Didn't actually click they had that many players out with AFCON. Makes it all the more unlikely.

 

[SBAndy]

The more likely outcome is that Grimes stays fit through the season and keeps doing what he’s doing. We don’t need to spend money on a backup now who likely won’t be a viable option in the PL next season.

I bring it back to Sam Rak-Sakyi who we were supposedly interested in last January. Don’t know enough about him but could potentially look at someone like that on a permanent who won’t necessarily expect to play every game but in the long term may have what it takes at PL level. It’s difficult, though.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Fitting him in wouldn't be much of an issue really. Torp just can't play every single game he breaks down too easily and Louza would be a useful option against sides which look to overwhelm the midfield.

But it's irrelevant as it would be impossible to get him without a monstrous bid.

Didn't actually click they had that many players out with AFCON. Makes it all the more unlikely.

Exactly and Watford are actually a good team, they’ll be up in and around the playoffs come May. Having several players out for AFCON however is potentially debilitating.

We’re not fitting in Louza, Torp, Rudoni and Grimes in the same team. None of those players are rotation players in the league.

Louza is fantasy signing, but there’s nothing about that move that makes sense whilst we’re in the Championship.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Exactly and Watford are actually a good team, they’ll be up in and around the playoffs come May. Having several players out for AFCON however is potentially debilitating.

We’re not fitting in Louza, Torp, Rudoni and Grimes in the same team. None of those players are rotation players in the league.

Louza is fantasy signing, but there’s nothing about that move that makes sense whilst we’re in the Championship.

Like I said it's irrelevant as we're not signing him but the midfield is still lacking in depth from a quality perspective. The gulf from Torp to Allen is far too broad and we need someone that can comfortably deputise in the event he's either injured or needs resting.

Yes there's obviously Eccles as well but FL seems to see him as a more utility player this season due to his versatility where he can just fill in as and when needed.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

I bring it back to Sam Rak-Sakyi who we were supposedly interested in last January. Don’t know enough about him but could potentially look at someone like that on a permanent who won’t necessarily expect to play every game but in the long term may have what it takes at PL level. It’s difficult, though.

It is difficult. As why would a young player like SRS - who realistically wants consistent game time - come here when their minutes are likely going to be extremely limited?

In an ideal world it would be great to have that kind of succession pipeline in place but at our level it's unrealistic.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

It is difficult. As why would a young player like SRS - who realistically want consistent game time - come here when their minutes are likely going to be extremely limited?

In an ideal world it would be great to have that kind of succession pipeline in place but at our level it's unrealistic.

Being around a title winning MENS team is much better than playing for an academy for another half a year.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

It is difficult. As why would a young player like SRS - who realistically want consistent game time - come here when their minutes are likely going to be extremely limited?

In an ideal world it would be great to have that kind of succession pipeline in place but at our level it's unrealistic.

Exactly that reason some games this season and more next when hopefully we are at a higher level

 

[shmmeee]

Nevermind them not selling, there's no way we could afford him until we hopefully get that Prem money in the summer.

Give it the old Doug King “£5 now and £15m if we get promoted”

 

[shmmeee]

Where dos Louza fit in?

Clearly a top end player in this league but unless he’s definitely displacing Torp/Rudoni, it’s not a goer imo. Jimmy’s source reckons we’re looking at a midfielder from Europe which strikes me as a more realistic market to look at.

Watford lose 4 players to AFCON, Louza may be another (unlikely), they aren’t going to let their best player go. It’ll be like Charlie Hughes all over again.

Good players always fit in. Torp is made of glass and always needs a rest in a three game week so any CM would get plenty of time.

 

[TomRad85]

Give it the old Doug King “£5 now and £15m if we get promoted”

A King special. Get it done! Probably even easier to get done if we get to Jan still clear at the top, teams would be confident of getting their money.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Being around a title winning MENS team is much better than playing for an academy for another half a year.

I doubt we'll be the only interested party that have looked at him over the past year or so.

His game time here would be very limited unless Grimes suffered a serious injury god forbid. In the PL, if we're to get there, that game time would probably go from limited to non-existent and therefore he'd probably have to be loaned out.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Like I said it's irrelevant as we're not signing him but the midfield is still lacking in depth from a quality perspective. The gulf from Torp to Allen is far too broad and we need someone that can comfortably deputise in the event he's either injured or needs resting.

Yes there's obviously Eccles as well but FL seems to see him as a more utility player this season due to his versatility where he can just fill in as and when needed.

That’s harsh on Eccles, Lampard has praised him publicly several times. He’s been struggling with niggly injuries in recent months and this has been overlooked by many on here.

Eccles would start for most teams in this division and he’s 3rd choice with us. I say that as someone who’s more of a Eccles sceptic in recent season. Torp and Eccles are similar players but the big difference is that Torp is much better at ranged shots, he had 7 goals from 2.36 xG.

Allen as a 4th choice midfielder to play a specific role in closing out games is a good role player to have. He’s going to be happy with limited minutes, other players won’t be happy.

It wouldn’t surprise me if we did sign a CM this Jan because we let Sheaf go without a replacement but it’s a position we can afford to wait until the end of the season.

Good players always fit in. Torp is made of glass and always needs a rest in a three game week so any CM would get plenty of time.

I think that’s a little bit harsh. Torp joined us without having 2 preseasons effectively. He looks more robust now that he’s had a solid preseason under Lampard.

 

[shmmeee]

That’s harsh on Eccles, Lampard has praised him publicly several times. He’s been struggling with niggly injuries in recent months and this has been overlooked by many on here.

Eccles would start for most teams in this division and he’s 3rd choice with us. I say that as someone who’s more of a Eccles sceptic in recent season. Torp and Eccles are similar players but the big difference is that Torp is much better at ranged shots, he had 7 goals from 2.36 xG.

Allen as a 4th choice midfielder to play a specific role in closing out games is a good role player to have. He’s going to be happy with limited minutes, other players won’t be happy.

It wouldn’t surprise me if we did sign a CM this Jan because we let Sheaf go without a replacement but it’s a position we can afford to wait until the end of the season.


I think that’s a little bit harsh. Torp joined us without having 2 preseasons effectively. He looks more robust now that he’s had a solid preseason under Lampard.

He’s literally just come back from injury.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

I doubt we'll be the only interested party that have looked at him over the past year or so.

His game time here would be very limited unless Grimes suffered a serious injury god forbid. In the PL, if we're to get there, that game time would probably go from limited to non-existent and therefore he'd probably have to be loaned out.

Is he purely in the Grimes mould? Could he not fill in for Torp or in the Rudoni position?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

He’s literally just come back from injury.

He’s missed 2 games all season… Same as Sakamoto and Haji.

Sheaf coming back from injury, being subbed on a subbed off after 7 minutes… or getting injured kicking a ball, that’s being made of glass.

Torp’s last injury was v Pompey where he got hacked down by a nasty challenge doing a turn on the ball.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

That’s harsh on Eccles, Lampard has praised him publicly several times. He’s been struggling with niggly injuries in recent months and this has been overlooked by many on here.

Eccles would start for most teams in this division and he’s 3rd choice with us. I say that as someone who’s more of a Eccles sceptic in recent season. Torp and Eccles are similar players but the big difference is that Torp is much better at ranged shots, he had 7 goals from 2.36 xG.

Allen as a 4th choice midfielder to play a specific role in closing out games is a good role player to have. He’s going to be happy with limited minutes, other players won’t be happy.

It wouldn’t surprise me if we did sign a CM this Jan because we let Sheaf go without a replacement but it’s a position we can afford to wait until the end of the season.


I think that’s a little bit harsh. Torp joined us without having 2 preseasons effectively. He looks more robust now that he’s had a solid preseason under Lampard.

I mean, I haven't really said anything that's harsh. That's primarily what FL has used him for this season..

Eccles is a solid player at this level that's not really up for debate in my eyes, but as an 8 or a 10 he doesn't provide anywhere near the creative or goalscoring output that Torp or Rudoni offers. That becomes a problem when one or both are out, especially as under FL we're a team that looks to the midfield to support in adding to the scoresheet.

Allen I'm happy to keep as he's seemingly more than happy to remain as a backup option in the event of injuries or suspensions, which is pretty rare to have as very few would be content in that role while retaining the attitude he has.

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

Is he purely in the Grimes mould? Could he not fill in for Torp or in the Rudoni position?

He plays 6 and 8 predominently. If you read his play style he does seem to have a lot of similar characteristics to Grimes though.

 

[JSL]

It was widely believed that we missed out on Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the summer. He's on loan elsewhere but what are the chances of having the loan pulled in and him coming to us?

 

[KenilworthSkyBlue]

It was widely believed that we missed out on Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the summer. He's on loan elsewhere but what are the chances of having the loan pulled in and him coming to us?

It's possible but I'm not so sure it'll happen. It would take a heavy bid to get him over the line there's probably more cost effective out there.

He also might be happy staying in Turkey.

 

[shmmeee]

He’s missed 2 games all season… Same as Sakamoto and Haji.

Sheaf coming back from injury, being subbed on a subbed off after 7 minutes… or getting injured kicking a ball, that’s being made of glass.

Torp’s last injury was v Pompey where he got hacked down by a nasty challenge doing a turn on the ball.

Last season he finished the full 90 7 times. He’s clearly not as fit as some of the others.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Last season he finished the full 90 7 times. He’s clearly not as fit as some of the others.

Robins didnt think he could last a 90. He's 8th most for minutes this season.

 

[Londonccfcfan]

Exactly and Watford are actually a good team, they’ll be up in and around the playoffs come May. Having several players out for AFCON however is potentially debilitating.

We’re not fitting in Louza, Torp, Rudoni and Grimes in the same team. None of those players are rotation players in the league.

Louza is fantasy signing, but there’s nothing about that move that makes sense whilst we’re in the Championship.

Our last game of season at Watford looked like an away banker earlier in season. Not gonna be as easy right now.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Our last game of season at Watford looked like an away banker earlier in season. Not gonna be as easy right now.

We will know our fate by then.

 

[Macca1987]

We should already be up by then, party time in Watford for the Sky Blue Army

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Last season he finished the full 90 7 times. He’s clearly not as fit as some of the others.

Last season, I'm pretty sure he missed a lot of preseason that summer. When he joined in 23/24, it was at the start of the Norwegian preseason and it was pretty clear he wasn't primed to play. I don't get the formats of the other leagues he's played in but looks like he played in most of the games in Norway and Denmark (34 game seasons or thereabouts).

It's probably worth mentioning that Lampard was quite critical of the player's fitness last season and has worked on that this summer so that is probably a change that's helped Torp and others.

 

[SBT]

I bring it back to Sam Rak-Sakyi who we were supposedly interested in last January. Don’t know enough about him but could potentially look at someone like that on a permanent who won’t necessarily expect to play every game but in the long term may have what it takes at PL level. It’s difficult, though.

The top consideration for bringing in any permanent signing in January should be whether they could feasibly be part of a PL squad next season. If they can’t, we shouldn’t be signing them.

 

[SkyBlueDom26]

The top consideration for bringing in any permanent signing in January should be whether they could feasibly be part of a PL squad next season. If they can’t, we shouldn’t be signing them.

Top end champ players/young potential players for the prem, we won’t be promoted in Jan. until we’re in the prem we won’t be able to attract them top players sadly

 

[shmmeee]

Last season, I'm pretty sure he missed a lot of preseason that summer. When he joined in 23/24, it was at the start of the Norwegian preseason and it was pretty clear he wasn't primed to play. I don't get the formats of the other leagues he's played in but looks like he played in most of the games in Norway and Denmark (34 game seasons or thereabouts).

It's probably worth mentioning that Lampard was quite critical of the player's fitness last season and has worked on that this summer so that is probably a change that's helped Torp and others.

He’s failed to play the full 90 in 8 of his 13 appearances so far. You can’t keep blaming the Norwegian season three years later.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

He’s failed to play the full 90 in 8 of his 13 appearances so far. You can’t keep blaming the Norwegian season three years later.

In those 8 he played: 81,76,81, 53 (when the game was won at millwall), 87, 75, 23 (after being injured) and 80.

Is it really a bad thing we have the ability to rotate one of our most demanding positions. Its not as if hes being brought off at 60 every game. I'm sure he could have played 90 in most of those, we just have the ability to rest players.

 

[TomRad85]

In those 8 he played: 81,76,81, 53 (when the game was won at millwall), 87, 75, 23 (after being injured) and 80.

Is it really a bad thing we have the ability to rotate one of our most demanding positions. Its not as if hes being brought off at 60 every game. I'm sure he could have played 90 in most of those, we just have the ability to rest players.

@shmmeee really has it in for Torp for some reason