Statement signings if we go up? (14 Viewers)

shmmeee · 2026-04-20T09:47:54+0100

HuckerbyDublinWhelan said:
to me the task is that big - there isn't one player in the current squad that is indispensible, i include Grimes, Onyeka, Wright and MVE in that. All of them whilst great for us in the championship, shown why they were in that league. There isn't a world where wright could go missing for 3/4 games in the premier league, likewise with MVE - Brilliant getting up and down the pitch, but if he's in no mans land when Bobby Thomas has a wayward pass picked out by Cherki we'll be conceding goals by the bucket load.

Yeah there’s a couple who have attracted PL interest recently but most have been deemed not to be good enough by teams that could if they wanted pick them up for relatively peanuts. Players can always surprised you but if we stay up for say three years I’d be very surprised if more than one or two of the current squad are still here. I said before if a player comes up that we can afford and attract who is of the level we’ll get them in and that might be in positions people didn’t expect.

shmmeee · 2026-04-20T09:48:10+0100

Martw said:
What’s the crack about loans from other Premier clubs ?? Isn’t it only 3 allowed or am I confusing that with something else ?

2 from other PL clubs 2 from abroad.

skybluecam · 2026-04-20T09:49:50+0100

John Stones, Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliot and Curtis Jones?

Martw · 2026-04-20T09:51:01+0100

SkyBlueDom26 said:
Doug will have to get people in to help him, no way he can do it all on his own

Financially then yes - I suspect his exec team that are in place are well equipped already though

skybluecam · 2026-04-20T10:00:13+0100

On wages-

Pretty well established that our top earners are on about 25k right? Would be interesting to see what Onyeka has agreed when his new contract kicks in.

Could we really afford to offer players 60-70k a week? Even with a hefty relegation clause you're still looking at carrying 40-50k of that wage into the championship. Not sure I can see it.

I imagine wages is where we'll keep the leash very tight.

SleepyGinger · 2026-04-20T10:02:06+0100

skybluecam said:
On wages-

Pretty well established that our top earners are on about 25k right? Would be interesting to see what Onyeka has agreed when his new contract kicks in.

Could we really afford to offer players 60-70k a week? Even with a hefty relegation clause you're still looking at carrying 40-50k of that wage into the championship. Not sure I can see it.

I imagine wages is where we'll keep the leash very tight.

Id imagine with promotion clauses that’s pushed a few of our higher earners to 30k a week

Skyblueweeman · 2026-04-20T10:03:50+0100

Is Maddison on a season long loan a stupid idea? Assuming he's over his injury?

HuckerbyDublinWhelan · 2026-04-20T10:04:33+0100

SleepyGinger said:
Id imagine with promotion clauses that’s pushed a few of our higher earners to 30k a week

wouldn't be suprised if they're pushed to 40-50k, Van Ewijk has signed a new contract, its likely it wasn't adding extra years but amending that clause to more money.

People talking about our wage structure are stuck in 2001, in 1 year's time, our wage bill will be hovering around 45-50m. all we can do is put in the relevant clauses that our friends down the M69 didn't

HuckerbyDublinWhelan · 2026-04-20T10:06:23+0100

shmmeee said:
Yeah there’s a couple who have attracted PL interest recently but most have been deemed not to be good enough by teams that could if they wanted pick them up for relatively peanuts. Players can always surprised you but if we stay up for say three years I’d be very surprised if more than one or two of the current squad are still here. I said before if a player comes up that we can afford and attract who is of the level we’ll get them in and that might be in positions people didn’t expect.

i'm not fully convinced Grimes has the pace for the premier league. He looked at sea when he was on his own in the championship. One rash Onyeka challenge picked up by VAR and for 3 games Grimes will be chasing shadows.

skybluecam · 2026-04-20T10:06:52+0100

HuckerbyDublinWhelan said:
wouldn't be suprised if they're pushed to 40-50k, Van Ewijk has signed a new contract, its likely it wasn't adding extra years but amending that clause to more money.

People talking about our wage structure are stuck in 2001, in 1 year's time, our wage bill will be hovering around 45-50m. all we can do is put in the relevant clauses that our friends down the M69 didn't

Why would we increase Milan's wages if he wasn't extending the deal? And no way we're doubling people's wages on promotion.

skybluecam · 2026-04-20T10:07:47+0100

Skyblueweeman said:
Is Maddison on a season long loan a stupid idea? Assuming he's over his injury?

Why would spurs loan him out and we can't afford him anyway.

Skyblueweeman · 2026-04-20T10:08:38+0100

skybluecam said:
Why would spurs loan him out and we can't afford him anyway.

I meant if they get relegated.

And we wouldn't be paying full wage.

HuckerbyDublinWhelan · 2026-04-20T10:08:55+0100

skybluecam said:
Why would we increase Milan's wages if he wasn't extending the deal? And no way we're doubling people's wages on promotion.

Might be part of a promise that kept him here in the summer, i am suspicous we didn't announce an extension. Of course it may have added a year.

Considering MVE was on about 15k, and Wolfsburg were after him, the chances are he'd be receiving 35-40k there - something he'd expect we'd match.

shmmeee · 2026-04-20T10:09:17+0100

skybluecam said:
On wages-

Pretty well established that our top earners are on about 25k right? Would be interesting to see what Onyeka has agreed when his new contract kicks in.

Could we really afford to offer players 60-70k a week? Even with a hefty relegation clause you're still looking at carrying 40-50k of that wage into the championship. Not sure I can see it.

I imagine wages is where we'll keep the leash very tight.

I could see a year deal for an older player like a Barkley on that which we know we won’t have to carry on. We can carry a fair bit as we’ll get something like £40m first season down and £20m second season to cover it. Personally I’d argue that any player that doesn’t get bids post relegation isn’t worth more than £30k/week max tbh. Not sure it’s easy to make that argument to an agent though lol.

Viktor17 · 2026-04-20T10:10:02+0100

HuckerbyDublinWhelan said:
i'm not fully convinced Grimes has the pace for the premier league. He looked at sea when he was on his own in the championship. One rash Onyeka challenge picked up by VAR and for 3 games Grimes will be chasing shadows.

Grimes will need x2 minders, Onyeka and another Athletic pair of legs to give him protection and help.

Grimes will also have more time and space than the championship and more often for periods will be slower paced.

Hes good enough technically, just need to set it up correctly.

skybluecam · 2026-04-20T10:11:22+0100

HuckerbyDublinWhelan said:
Might be part of a promise that kept him here in the summer, i am suspicous we didn't announce an extension. Of course it may have added a year.

Considering MVE was on about 15k, and Wolfsburg were after him, the chances are he'd be receiving 35-40k there - something he'd expect we'd match.

We didn't announce length for any of the three but it would make no sense to pay him extra and get nothing in return.

HuckerbyDublinWhelan · 2026-04-20T10:11:34+0100

Viktor17 said:
Grimes will need x2 minders, Onyeka and another Athletic pair of legs to give him protection and help.

Grimes will also have more time and space than the championship and more often for periods will be slower paced.

Hes good enough technically, just need to set it up correctly.

See i don't think he will have more time and space, the pressing in the premier league is another level. But you are correct, set him up correctly and he'd be fine

shmmeee · 2026-04-20T10:11:45+0100

Viktor17 said:
Grimes will need x2 minders, Onyeka and another Athletic pair of legs to give him protection and help.

Grimes will also have more time and space than the championship and more often for periods will be slower paced.

Hes good enough technically, just need to set it up correctly.

If you need to sacrifice two other slots to allow him to play homestly not sure he’s worth it. He’s a tidy player but not that good.

HuckerbyDublinWhelan · 2026-04-20T10:13:33+0100

shmmeee said:
If you need to sacrifice two other slots to allow him to play homestly not sure he’s worth it. He’s a tidy player but not that good.

tell you the truth, i know realistically where we're at, but if we had unlimited funds you'd look for 25 new players.

Diehard Si · 2026-04-20T10:14:31+0100

Ccfcisparks said:
not getting a game as he’s at monaco

i knew that as well! Thats what posting before coffee does!

Still, reckon he (Eric Dier) would be a good shout as he's not playing for them either!

HuckerbyDublinWhelan · 2026-04-20T10:15:15+0100

skybluecam said:
We didn't announce length for any of the three but it would make no sense to pay him extra and get nothing in return.

We did get something in return - he didn't leave last summer.

skybluecam · 2026-04-20T10:16:49+0100

HuckerbyDublinWhelan said:
i'm not fully convinced Grimes has the pace for the premier league. He looked at sea when he was on his own in the championship. One rash Onyeka challenge picked up by VAR and for 3 games Grimes will be chasing shadows.

I'm not sure his skills will be as useful either, he's fantastic when you have a lot of the ball and he can dictate play but you'd assume most games next season we'll be on the back foot.

It's the opposite for Onyeka, I've been disappointed in his performances recently but I think he'll be very useful next season as his mobility and ball winning will be even more important.

skyblue025 · 2026-04-20T10:18:20+0100

I don't think John Stones or Curtis Jones are realistic signings. Stones on massive money and can't stay fit. Jones a current England International is going to be way above our buying and wages budget.

Robertson unlikely as he will get better offers from clubs higher up the Prem but could be doable as on a free and we could guarantee he would be starting every week.

Elliot has a point to prove having been mugged off by Villa this season after they signed him and then decided not to play him as they don't want to or can't afford to sign him due to financial rules. Of the 4 he would be most the probable and would probably be about as high as we could go as our statement signing.

Alkhen · 2026-04-20T10:27:55+0100

Might be unrealistic but how about a 40 yr old Milner?! Played with Frank at Man Citeh and England .Would absolutely set the standards at the club, literally nobody more experienced at this level. He'd be able to fill in a bunch of positions and be a great option to calm a game down. Yes he is ancient but seems to still get games in a decent Brighton team.

CovveeBreak · 2026-04-20T10:31:11+0100

Alkhen said:
Might be unrealistic but how about a 40 yr old Milner?! Played with Frank at Man Citeh and England .Would absolutely set the standards at the club, literally nobody more experienced at this level. He'd be able to fill in a bunch of positions and be a great option to calm a game down. Yes he is ancient but seems to still get games in a decent Brighton team.

Get's 68 seconds a game because they've had this strange desire to force his Premier League appearance record.

Senior Vick from Alicante · 2026-04-20T10:36:37+0100

What are considered as Top draw signings like Madders are on 170 a week so we wont be buying or loaning any one of that level. We will get better prospects though that can be the next Maddison. Average players remember start at 65k a week and thats the difference, thats an enormous lift on where we are. The weekly wage in the Premier league dictates where you finish, so that needs to be around what gets you to 16th or 17th. We need to take the best bits of the Brentford and Brighton models and search far and wide and get a couple of old campaigners in. You cant aim to build higher until the third season when you have established all the income streams. We have a big enough ground to thrive compared to some clubs but this summer has to be the smartest DK and DA have ever worked. Its going to be fun and we will be linked with all kinds of players, DK doesnt work in the open which could well help us, one thing we wont be is hostages to mercenaries like Fester.

SkyBlueSam01 · 2026-04-20T11:16:51+0100

Expecting a few unheard of young French league kinda players but we will also need to replace the experienced Champ squad players like Allen and Bidwell with experienced Prem squad players.

A Jordan Henderson or James Milner would be excellent to give leadership and know-how to the squad, and maybe come on and play the Liam Kelly role if trying to grind out a result.

My brother suggested Ben Davies as a LCB/LB - seems like a great shout to me?

Sky Blue Harry H · 2026-04-20T11:41:49+0100

shmmeee said:
We can carry a fair bit as we’ll get something like £40m first season down and £20m second season

You get 55% of PL money season 1 (after relegation), then 45% season 2 iirc. Also 20% Season 3 (if you've been in the PL for consecutive seasons)

Sky Blue Harry H · 2026-04-20T11:48:19+0100

skybluecam said:
It's the opposite for Onyeka, I've been disappointed in his performances recently but I think he'll be very useful next season as his mobility and ball winning will be even more important.

The best bit re: Onyeka is not having Nigeria at the World Cup - gives him a chance to reset, and get a decent break/pre-season in with the squad. Think Jamaica's failure to qualify gives EMC a nice break, and Tats similar, after his recent batterings. If we got a big offer for Haji Wright, I wouldn't be averse to cashing in personally - I think we need someone a bit more more robust (although I wouldn't be upset if he stayed, as long as we bring in decent competition).

Manchester_sky_blue · 2026-04-20T11:54:26+0100

SkyBlueSam01 said:
Expecting a few unheard of young French league kinda players but we will also need to replace the experienced Champ squad players like Allen and Bidwell with experienced Prem squad players.

A Jordan Henderson or James Milner would be excellent to give leadership and know-how to the squad, and maybe come on and play the Liam Kelly role if trying to grind out a result.

My brother suggested Ben Davies as a LCB/LB - seems like a great shout to me?

Mentioned this on another thread, he's out of contract in June. Wouldn't be bad although ideally you'd want his sort of attributes but in a slightly younger player.

Terry Gibson's perm · 2026-04-20T12:01:13+0100

Mings at Villa and Chilwell has had a few mentions.

oneofourown · 2026-04-20T12:02:20+0100

At the end of the day all our comments are stupid/wonderful at the same time and as with most of my comments they are made after I listen to what Doug and Frank are saying, and then make an opinion.
Doug - he has said this is a good squad, he has also said we will not do a Sunderland as he believes in loyalty to the players that got us there. I think he intends giving as many of them a chance as possible. Maybe this is where FL said he will have many disagreements over the coming weeks with Doug.
Frank - out of everyone connected with the club he knows what a PL player is made of and recently he has mentioned J Terry and B Thomas in the same sentence in more than two conversations. He has also said Rudoni is a champions league player and recently every time he has spoken about Grimes it is with respect, and unless he is bigging him up before dumping him, Grimes will be his captain for next year. FL said he learnt alot from past experiences and if you look at Derby he brought in 4 loanees from Chelsea and most of them became international players, so he knows his stuff.

SkyBlueDom26 · 2026-04-20T12:08:06+0100

Terry Gibson's perm said:
Mings at Villa and Chilwell has had a few mentions.

Mings be a great signing

Diehard Si · 2026-04-20T12:30:18+0100

Throwing another 'out there' suggestion....

Jobe Bellingham

fernandopartridge · 2026-04-20T12:31:53+0100

Ccfcisparks said:
The midfielder we want is Hojberg

Is that the 'royal we'?

Statement signings if we go up? (14 Viewers)

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