Liverpool banter 4

28 Jul 2026 12:07:33
Interweb is rife. PSG sticking to their guns €170m, that is it!!!

I don’t care what happens but no way am I paying over £80m for the lad.

28 Jul 2026 12:43:34
You don't have to. The club will.

28 Jul 2026 12:49:46
Jay, if you get asked to pay anything, call Martin Lewis. That's bang out of order.

28 Jul 2026 13:22:12
I would think it will be more like 100m, as he has 2 years left on his deal and has told them he won't sign a new one and wants to leave.

28 Jul 2026 13:28:13
What do you expect them to say in the middle of a negotiation - we were only joking?
But if they're at the table negotiating, that means something...

28 Jul 2026 13:29:06
Jay Dub Red, 80m ain't gonna cut it so don't get mad if we bid 80m and Barcola doesn't come.

28 Jul 2026 14:10:55
Expect £100m-£120m plus add ons.

If the owners pay it, they feel he's worth it.

Doesn't matter what others think. That's not how big business works.

28 Jul 2026 17:28:58
I personally wouldn't be paying it. I can't see how he's worth it, much very much like Wirtz and Isak. And I don't want the club to pay it either.

29 Jul 2026 09:24:32
And the interweb's never wrong.

29 Jul 2026 09:24:50
And the interweb's never right.

28 Jul 2026 11:32:50
Just a discussion rather than claiming anything.

Chelsea moving for Welbeck and Henderson has me wondering whether they’ve at least sounded out Salah about a return.

I don’t think it’ll happen, but their recruitment this summer suggests they’re deliberately targeting experienced players. As much as we all know Mo loves Liverpool, he’s also incredibly driven to keep competing at the highest level. If Chelsea are looking to add proven Premier League experience, he’d be an obvious profile to consider.

The opportunity to keep adding to his Premier League goals tally could also make England an attractive place to stay.

He’s also not exactly short of options. There are still multiple offers on the table from Turkey, interest from MLS and Saudi Arabia, while interest from Italy seems to have cooled, presumably because the wages on offer elsewhere are on a completely different level.

Again, I don’t think it’s likely, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they at least explored the possibility.

Diddly out.

28 Jul 2026 11:57:24
Plausible, Ned. However, I think their focus will be a 3421 type system with Rogers and Palmer behind Pedro. You never know, though. Chelsea seem to be full of surprises this year.

28 Jul 2026 11:58:34
Well, considering how incredibly competitive he is, and how he might be determined to correct his legacy at Chelsea, I wouldn't think it that it's absolutely impossible. I'd imagine he could probably start over Neto with Estevao being injured, though with Palmer regularly occupying the right half space that's not so certain.

Palmer and Rogers, you'd think, would be nailed on starters in the playmaking positions high up the pitch.

28 Jul 2026 12:02:56
Really good point, Ned.

28 Jul 2026 12:08:58
Ned, am not sure Chelsea will pay Salah £350k a week.

28 Jul 2026 12:09:13
Has anyone told Alonso about the registration restrictions on first team players?
They're only allowed 25.

28 Jul 2026 12:25:31
I'm guessing, Ron, that Alonso and Chelsea are concentrating on building the 25 they want, and then moving people out of the door.

There's a risk that players will happily sit in the background soaking up their wages, but it's probably better to do it this way round than leave yourself short on numbers and/or quality.

28 Jul 2026 13:36:19
I would think Hendo and Welbs know they would be joining Chelsea to come off the bench and provide the young squad with leadership and experience.

I get the impression Mo wants to play and be the main man for another year or two.

Plus there will be a salary difference.

28 Jul 2026 14:14:39
Seems like it could also be about adding home grown players.

28 Jul 2026 14:55:37
Very unlikely, I would imagine. Can't see anyone in the Prem willing to pay his massive wages after last season's performance. I think Mo himself has probably figured a less demanding league is a better choice. Even if they offered it, I think he'd find it very difficult to accept a bit part role at a rival club.

He really does love Liverpool and comes across like a man of principle with the utmost respect for the club that made him who he is.

28 Jul 2026 17:38:30
Not a bad shout, neighbourino, but can how many experienced heads do they need. Maybe one more and I'd probably say CB is more important.

28 Jul 2026 11:24:31
Sorry, meant to post this on banter, no new information on my end about LFC - just that I think things will heat up soon.

Sorry all!

28 Jul 2026 11:41:51
Don't apologise to us, Flanders, apologise to God.

28 Jul 2026 11:48:46
Yes, you have greatly displeased Robbie Fowler.

28 Jul 2026 12:55:47
Thanks for Ned-ucating us of this!

28 Jul 2026 14:56:09
stupid (sexy) flanders

28 Jul 2026 10:43:19
Must say am very very surprised by the amount of votes Rayan got as the prefered RW target on the poll on here with over 400 votes. Be honest how many of you have even watched him play? Kroupi was the standout for Bournemouth last season and the only reason Rayan even played in the World Cup was injury to Raphinha.

Needless to say he did nothing and was completely anonymus. Complete waste of money imo. Maybe in 2 years time but right now we need someone to "slot" right in! Munoz looks very good on the RW. Play him, avoid Rayan, another super overrated Brazilian.

28 Jul 2026 11:13:55
Are you the thought police? Do you want to put up a vote asking people, do they really know enough about football for your liking?

Then, you can ban all those who don't pass your test.

Maybe Rayan wasn't great at the WC. But that's your opinion.

28 Jul 2026 11:18:36
I think we're all entitled to our opinion. Some will be more popular than others. But can we tone down the criticism? Over the top stuff should be left to Twatter and Faceplant.

28 Jul 2026 11:20:55
The options in the vote included two players who actually play RW, hence the results. It's always gonna get skewed when the parameters are like that.

28 Jul 2026 11:30:10
So you can have an opinion, Molby, but I can't? That is amazingly hilarious. You rate him, I don't, there is zero reason to behave like a child "mate".

28 Jul 2026 11:31:14
ArneSlotsBarber, well that's your opinion, man - looks like 220 disagree and so do I... Rayan's raw potential impresses me, and if AI wants him having worked with him then I don't need any more convincing.

28 Jul 2026 11:37:28
Molbyslostgoal, you must see the irony in your comment? Just as people are allowed to pick Rayan in the poll, ASBarber is also allowed to express why he thinks Rayan is a bad choice and question how many times people have seen him play. Even the most die hard Bournemouth fan has surely only seen him a maximum of 10 times live in person or on TV.

I trust Iraola, and he allegedly wants Rayan. I am equally as concerned as ASBarber is, though, about paying big money for him.



There's just been so many teenagers who looked good over 10-15 games and then faded out very quickly. Rico Lewis, Jack Rodwell, Kobbie Mainoo, Adnan Januzaj, Stefan Bajcetic, Anthony Martial, Estevao, Tariq Lamptey, Julio Enciso, Destiny Udogie, Ethan Nwanieri, Miles Lewis-Skelly, Jon Flanagan etc.

Not everyone kicks on like Wayne Rooney or Cesc Fabregas. So why go big on such a risky acquisition to replace the best Liverpool forward since Ian Rush?

28 Jul 2026 12:01:10
I like Rayan's potential. And I have seen him play and he was excellent in the game I watched for Bournemouth.

Looked a bit overwhelmed in the Brazil team. Like he was meant to find the big players like Vini with the ball rather than own the situation himself.



He is still very young.

Add to that the alternative options weren't great, I think it was a pretty clear choice.

28 Jul 2026 12:03:26
I think Lewis Kelly is actually a decent player myself, and 60 something games in the PL & CL is decent for a 19 year old. Mainoo too. ?‍♂️
While players like Martial (300 major games) and Udogie, 150 games so far and 27 games last season, are certainly not teenagers that have faded very quickly.

28 Jul 2026 12:05:08
He's clearly a good player, and he has the physique to thrive in the prem. He also has all the qualities we would want - he loves running in behind, he is incredibly strong and tall, he runs at defenders, he looks like he has good ball striking technique, is good in the air and he has played center forward before in Brazil.

Whether he's worth 100m or not is a very valid question, though.

28 Jul 2026 12:06:59
For a 19 yo, Rayan has the sizing, speed, workrate and hunger.

Can play CF and hold on his own, yet has a high ceiling. Expensive indeed, but there's a real player there. Can be world class if he gets his head down and works hard.

28 Jul 2026 12:13:36
I'm sure Rayan bullied a certain Scottish left back out of possession and assisted for a goal during the World Cup. But if you class that as "nothing" then that's up to you.

What did Kroupi and Diomande do at the World Cup?

Like MKS said, I trust Iraola's judgement over my own and everyone else on the internets.

28 Jul 2026 12:07:41
With rayan ed1 you have stated with Brighton, Bournemouth set up, they play these type of players first team football and then don't stand in there way if a bigger club comes in? I may have this wrong but be good to know

{Ed001's Note - yes, but they like to keep them for a bit first. However, they rarely stand in the way of a move as making it difficult can put off other players from joining.}

28 Jul 2026 13:04:59
Not saying they all became bad players, Irish Rover, but Lewis-Skelly, for example, when he first broke through, everyone was saying he was the new Ashley Cole, and then one year later he's only played 600 League minutes for Arsenal all season, and he's left out of the England squad for Chalobah and Spence who aren't even LB's.

I probably chose the wrong terminology though with "faded out". What I meant was that the hype died out. Martial, for example, was supposed to be a superstar and although he went on to play a lot of games and score plenty of goals, he never came close to living up to the initial expectation. Mainoo is another similar story.

When he first broke through there were comparisons to Zidance, Pirlo and Seedorf. Next thing you know, he can't get a game for England ahead of 35 year old Jordan Henderson. Udogie was initially the envy of the whole league and I remember people going overboard with how brilliant him and Porro were inverting into midfield under Postecoglu. Now Udogie is being replaced by 32 year old Robertson.

My point is, Rayan might be having a good spell right now, but a lot of (probably most) teenagers never reach their full potential so spending a lot of money on them is a dangerous game. Lazar Markovic (aka the Serbian Messi) comes to mind.

28 Jul 2026 13:33:43
"When he first broke through there were comparisons to Zidance, Pirlo and Seedorf."


MKS, who was doing that? If it's United fans then, forget I asked. Those guys can get giddy over literally the very tiniest of anything United related.

28 Jul 2026 13:56:53
"Zidance".
I like that terminology, reflects well on his balance and grace. ?

28 Jul 2026 14:00:51
OliRed, not just the fans, mate. The pundits were doing it too. Paul Scholes said he had footwork like Zidane, and Rio Ferdinand said he was going to be as good as Seedorf. Shappy on the United page compared him to Pirlo, and then they all jumped on the bandwagon.

28 Jul 2026 15:23:16
If you must know, I voted for Rayan because I trust in the manager. Outside of Olse, there's not a single RW I actually want. The talent pool is all dried up, and the options are bleak, so if Iraola thinks Rayan is the way to go, then I back him. Personally I'd be going for somebody who's put up numbers the last 2 seasons in a European league, but it's still a toss-up between a bad lot, so let Andoni cook, I say.



MK, I mean, if you're actually paying attention to what ex-manc players say, that's your own fault. Scholes and Ferdinand, of all people... if they told me the sky was blue, I wouldn't believe them.

28 Jul 2026 16:05:39
I think the bigger issue here is the lack of available RWs to choose from. This is why Rayan has made the list and people are excited about his potential. Nobody has seen enough of him up to now to say he'll replace Salah effectively (that doesn't mean he'll be as good as Salah).


Another challenge is how crazy the market is, meaning average players or those with potential can go for 100m. Even if there was a player out there who could replace Salah directly, he'd likely cost 250m+ which no one would pay.

28 Jul 2026 18:22:41
Cheers ed1 thought I remembered what you had said

28 Jul 2026 09:52:40
Hey, been lurking for a while and thought I would join in.

Would love these signings. (Assuming Gakpo leaves and one of Macca or Curt.)

Barcola, Rayan - Solid, Multi Dimensional, Resistant, Direct, good defensive work rate and both also strong in the air which is a plus.

Adam Wharton - Feel like he's got generational aspects in passing and tempo, will unlock Isak / Wirtz and can become world class with the right guidance. Could also be a positive influence on Curtis, leading to him releasing the ball earlier.

Ilya Zabarnyi - Reliable familiarity which along with Rayan and Kerkez helps bridge the initial tactical gap. Also the initial loan aspect is attractive.

Nmandi Collins - Can play across the back 4, a nice bonus, but looks strong at Lcb and could be good future proofing for Van Dijk.

These would be my minimum incomings. Any more would depend on outgoings and how certain players look in preseason I.e. Ramsay, Tsimikas, Nyoni, Morrison, Koumas etc. Chiesa for me sorts the Ekitike problem providing he can stay fit and also can be a 5th option on the wing incase Ngumoha's progress stagnates.

Will be very interesting to see who can make a strong enough impression. There seems to be a lot of potential in our youth ranks. Hopefully we can use this potential to bolster the squad before any babies are thrown out with the bathwater!

Godspeed. :)

28 Jul 2026 10:41:16
I actually agree with all of that. Don't know enough about Collins but I'd be happy with him if he's super versatile. Good window that.

28 Jul 2026 11:11:26
I've only ever seen Collins once and he looked shocking in the 5-1 defeat to us. Doesn't mean he's a bad player, I've just not seen enough of him to judge. Definitely the profile I'd be going after though (versatile RB/CB).

Barcola, I fully agree on. I also like Zabarnyi to be fair, but unsure if he'd come to us to be a back-up and I can't see us benching Van Dijk or paying £60m for Jacquet to sit on the bench.

Wharton is quality but I only think he'd work in our side if Gravenberch will play with more discipline like he did in 24/25. Rayan, I've just not seen enough of to justify the prices being quoted but if anyone has seen enough to make a good judgement call, it's Iraola.

Nice post overall, mate. Welcome.

28 Jul 2026 12:06:36
Everybody looked shocking in that game for Eintracht, MK, including Brown and Larsson, and both of those are excellent players. I don't know much about Collins myself besides him being a Liverpool fan.

28 Jul 2026 13:07:20
He's a Liverpool fan? Why didn't you say so! I'm sold. The German Scouser in our team!

28 Jul 2026 13:25:18
Think if Zabarnyi came it would be to start with Virgil. I know we paid big money for Jaquet, but surely it'd be an obligation to buy loan with Zabarnyi. One that wouldn't be much less than £60m, I'd imagine.

28 Jul 2026 13:49:14
Florian Musiala, the only way I could see us signing another starting CB is if the plan with Jacquet is to rotate him with Virgil. We did something similar with Konate as we phased out Matip. It didn't really work though and we often looked disjointed at the back in the 3 seasons they crossed over from 2021-2024.

As soon as Matip left and we went back to a settled CB partnership of Virgil and Konate, we won the league again in 24/25. I really hate rotating CB's.

It rarely ever works. Arsenal just won the league on the back of Saliba and Gabriel being absolute mainstays. It's okay to throw in a deputy when there is an injury, but actively rotating CB's through choice is a mental concept to me.

If next season is seen as a transitional year, then it is possibly worth gambling on defensive disruption, to ensure a smooth handover from Virgil to Jacquet. I think we can win the league though and give Virgil a big send off.

28 Jul 2026 14:38:08
Yeah, I think you rotate those 3 starting CDs.
VVD, Jacquet and another.

28 Jul 2026 09:43:28
How do you post photos?
From iPhone thanks

{Ed033's Note - You tap on Sightings at the top of the page, then use the upload form at the bottom of the page.

28 Jul 2026 08:21:38
Thanks for the pole Ed's, it's a resounding Rayan result and my preferred choice of available right wingers too.

Can we do another one for RB now as I see that as the next priority
Names mentioned from memory

Kayode
Ruggeri
Gertruida
Kounde
Ratiu
Read
Spence

{Ed033's Note -


Potential LFC RB

28 Jul 2026 08:55:30
Kayode has signed a new deal with Brentford and Spence is absolutely shocking. I'm very surprised they both have over 20% of the vote share.

Kounde having nearly 50% of the vote is no surprise though. He's the clear stand out.

28 Jul 2026 09:02:22
I think Acheampong should be on the list. AI has made it clear we're after a cb who can play rb.

28 Jul 2026 09:11:36
I would have voted if 'none of the above' was on the list.

28 Jul 2026 09:16:52
Arnau Martinez should be on there.

28 Jul 2026 09:28:01
Joel Ordonez?

28 Jul 2026 09:49:05
Mks, I picked Gertruida cos he is very versatile but like you, I thought Spence getting 20% of the vote was very strange cos that dud is absolute pants, man.

Kounde actually prefers playing CB as that is the position he played at Nantes and Sevilla earlier in his career, but cos he can't dislodge the actual CBs at Barca or in the French setup, RB is where his daily bread is for the moment.

28 Jul 2026 09:51:31
Where is "none of the above"?

28 Jul 2026 09:57:43
Spence is better than Frimpong and Bradley.

28 Jul 2026 10:06:55
Rome, I totally disagree on Bradley. He's a very good player. He just can't play more than 20 games a season apparently. Spence is nowhere near his level defensively or going forward. Spurs are pushing Spence out the door for Andy Robertson and Pedro Porro, so that should tell you what De Zerbi thinks of Spence. They'll be looking to capitilise on World Cup fever because they know it's only a matter of time before everyone realises he's pony.



I do agree Spence is probably better than Frimpong, but that's nothing to write home about. We should be lookin to sell as well. You need footballers in the Premier League, not just sprinters. We made the same mistake with Nathaniel Clyne and now Frimpong. Let's look for a RB who can actually play football and win a tackle that isn't a sliding recovery from behind.

28 Jul 2026 10:15:28
I haven't seen enough of Bradley, MK, to class him as a very good player. Moving forward, and I know he's still young, I'm not sure we can rely on him.

I voted for Kounde.

28 Jul 2026 10:30:55
@mks, Bradley is decent going forward, but is not very good defensively. He's rash and prone to receive the yellow card, gets caught out of position too regularly, and is obviously a constant injury risk, so is unreliable.

He's better than Frimpong but that would not be very hard. We require a top level RB without doubt or fail. Neither of those 2 are good enough for one reason or another. Unfortunately.

28 Jul 2026 10:55:57
Agree on Bradley living off that tackle in the Champions League, looks sus defensively, (not Trent sus), and is just good going forward.

28 Jul 2026 11:03:33
Shankly ghost, Bradley isn't the best defensively but he's much better at it than Spence.

Spence, for all the hype, wasn't even that good at the World Cup. Messi won the game for Argentina by moving out to the right wing and taking advantage of Spence not getting tight enough.

You always have to ask yourself why the professional managers think the way they do when so many of them come to the same conclusion. None of the last 3 Spurs managers fancied Spence.

He was only ever played out of necessity when all other options were injured. Postecoglou, Frank and De Zerbi all didn't want him.

On the flip side to that, Bradley was trusted by both Klopp and Slot, as well as Iraola saying the other day that he sees Bradley as the long term solution.

Bradley is definitely more comfortable attacking than he is defending, but Spence is useless at both. Being less useless than Frimpong doesn't make him a good signing.

28 Jul 2026 12:27:45
I don't know, really. I find Bradley and Spence to be around equal in all respects, both can be good (with emphasis on can be, because they aren't consistent) one on one defenders, but are not that good at defending in other respects. On the attacking end, maybe Bradley has a bit of an edge, but it's not a huge one.

Both like to carry the ball from deep, both can have questionable final product in the attacking third. Where Spence has the edge on Conor is pace, though, he really is very fast. All things considered, though, I'd hardly consider Spence to be an upgrade on Bradley.

{Ed001's Note - Spence is a rank awful defender, and he doesn't want to bother defending either. He will just stand and watch at times. Not a player anyone should be considering at this level.}

28 Jul 2026 13:12:23
PB, Spence definitely has questionable end product. He has 1 goal and 2 assists in 59 Premier League appearances, at 25 years old.

For reference, Connor Bradley has 1 goal and 7 assists in 45 appearances, at 23 years old.



That means Spence is close to a goal involvement every 20 games whilst Bradley is closer to a goal involvement every 5 or 6 games. Bradley is still miles better in terms of his end product despite being 2 years younger.

28 Jul 2026 13:14:16
I didn't say anything about wanting Spence, MKS. I did say, however, that we need a top level RB. I, like you, don't think Spence fits the profile for that. Neither does Bradley. Nor Frimpong.

28 Jul 2026 13:50:02
We agree then, Shankly, because I also want us to sign a RB. Kounde. ?

28 Jul 2026 13:46:00
" I find Bradley and Spence to be around equal in all respects, "

PB, this tells me you clearly have not watched both players play. Bradley was League 1 POTY with Bolton. When he came on under Klopp, he was amazing esp. vs City and at Wembley in that EFL final for the ages. The kid made the likes of Mbappe and Vini jnr eat grass in the CL at Anfield, as well as many other games.

Injuries have slowed him down, clearly and that was/is always an issue with him even before Klopp gave him his chances. That does not remove from his quality. I remember people saying that were Trent to go (which he did), we have Bradley so we're good. It is the injuries that have changed the notion about him, imo. Spence is not a patch on him, personally.

Now Spence on the other hand, is as Ed01 has described. Abject and awful who couldn't be arsed to defend.

28 Jul 2026 14:33:45
Bradley wasn't League 1 POTY with Bolton.
He was their POTY but not League 1's.

28 Jul 2026 14:40:15
Ahh 'none of the above' from an 80's classic with Richard Pryor and John Candy. ?

28 Jul 2026 15:05:05
I'm pretty sure I have seen Bradley play, I was excited as anybody else when he broke through and I bought an away kit with his name and number on the back. I remember ed001 saying he expected great things from him and he was the best thing to come out of the academy since Trent.

He has only really shown flashes since then, generally he has been okay with some outstanding performances in the Madrid games, but he has a lot of faults with his game too, even discounting the injuries. Not saying that he won't get there, clearly he is a super talented footballer, but sometimes he tends to play right back like a central midfielder plays right back.

28 Jul 2026 16:02:24
I get the reference there, Ron Keague. Classic film.

28 Jul 2026 16:03:26
Rigsby, why let a fact get in the way of spinning a yarn.

I don't want Spence, but I disagree that he's as bad as folk on here are making out, including Ed01. I've also never bought into the view that Bradley is that good. Jury is still out for me. The jury have come back regards to Frimpong. Get rid, he's a waste of space.

As I've said, Kounde for me.

28 Jul 2026 17:46:09
I actually think Kayode was the one but as one of the posters says, it's difficult now he has extended.
My preference is Kounde and he is versatile too.

28 Jul 2026 04:35:06
Let's just sit back now that PSG has rejected the bid or whatever.

We need a CB and RB and I think we have attackers.
If Sunderland game showed us something it's that we lack defenders not attackers.

Koumas Morrison Chiesa Elliott Frimpong are enough for cover to Gackpo Rio Isak Wirtz and Ekitike.

We absolutely have no RB apart from Ramsay atm and that defense is bleak with no Gomez and Leoni.
We just have 2 starting CBs; one is coming from long term injury and hasn't had a game for us and the other is 35 who will miss most of preseason!!

This is nuts.

Drop this RW and attacker shenanigans. We don't even want to test this bizzare market. Get reinforcements for defense.
Even with backup attack we can score goals but we cannot start the season with Frimpong at RB and just two half ready CBs. We will be out of any race by game week 10!!!

28 Jul 2026 08:30:45
I agree, I said the other day that we're desperate at the RB position and that is where our focus should be. In my mind that is the one position where we don't have a decent player (Bradley - I don't rate and is always injured, Frinpong - not really his position, Ramsey - never actually seen him play).

28 Jul 2026 08:37:15
There's something in what you're saying, Wirtz. Although we do need a right wing specialist.

We need to get your namesake firing. We can't have another modest season from him at over £100m, same with Isak. They should be like two new players for Iraola.

With the right back, I see fans calling for Frimpong, or even untested youth players to be given a go. Some of which have failed in their loans to lower league clubs.

There are so many better right backs in the prem than what we have. It should have been easy to address.

Centre back is a bit different, as we've bought Jacquet for big money. He's probably been promised a lot of game time, which makes finding another CB of the right calibre more difficult without spending big again. Senesi was probably a miss.

28 Jul 2026 08:46:03
I agree we need a right back, but there is no way Koumas, Morrison, Chiesa, Elliott, Frimpong are good enough back up to challenge for titles, and Ekitike is out until at least January.

28 Jul 2026 09:15:50
Definitely need a first team rb, Bradley is forever injured, and is he really that great?

28 Jul 2026 09:25:01
We are in desperate need of an attacker, Harry.

If Gakpo leaves (which looks very likely), our attack would most likely be Isak, Wirtz, Munoz and Szoboszlai. If any of them got injured, we'd only have the following back-up options:
1. Rio - very young and quite predictable.
2. Chiesa - impact sub/rotation option at best.
3. Koumas - totally untested at this level.
4. Morrison - totally untested at this level.
5. Elliott - hasn't played properly for over a year.

I'm all for giving youth a chance, but rotation is important in attacking areas. Forwards and attacking midfielders typically go through patches of good and bad form. You also need options on the bench to come on and change the game. It's not like your midfield or your defence where you need things to be settled.

In fact, making changes or substitutions in midfield or defence is usually just disruptive. On top of all that though, Iraola will have our frontline pressing like they're possessed by angry demons, so it's very likely they'll be blowing by the 60-70th minute.

I fully agree we need a RB because last year we used 6 different players there (Bradley, Frimpong, Endo, Jones, Szoboszlai and Gomez) and none of them fill me with confidence. It's not an "either/or" situation for me though. We need both. Barcola is the statement signing who can change games. You will not get any argument from me that RB is important though, and I'm baffled there isn't more noise about Kounde, but remaining patient for now.

28 Jul 2026 09:53:33
Exactly, MKS. This is not an either/or thing. Both positions need help and need actual starting material. The guys we have at RB and RW are those who can fill in here and there, not those you wanna put your bets on as starters.

If we can get both, then sound.

If we can't, then we are gonna have to make do in the position we couldn't get the signing in. It will all depend on which position you can do without a true starter and thereby, do it "by committee", if you like.

28 Jul 2026 10:12:46
We need all of them, RW, CB, RB, they're all equally important in a sense. I would say RB is the most critical, but we have the money, purchasing a RW won't stop us getting a RB, what will stop us is the club thinking Frimpong & Bradley are adequate as is.

28 Jul 2026 10:33:01
Hopefully Irola realizes quickly that Frimpong is not the answer, Chewy.

28 Jul 2026 11:20:33
Mad how opinions differ, ppl saying we desperately need a RB or striker, but I think we need to strengthen the midfield. I don't have much faith in Grav, Macallister, Jones, Endo to see us over the line this season.

28 Jul 2026 07:52:02
Ed001 Do you see us signing a RW player even after if we land Barcola (LW) Or do you see us going with Rio and Munez for that position.

{Ed001's Note - it is entirely possible that Barcola ends up as the RW. We are trying to do business, but this window has been a challenging one, not helped by the club being in the middle of a changeover in executive staff involved in transfers. It does seem unlikely we can get two wingers in now, but there is still time.}

28 Jul 2026 09:28:30
Ed001, I think Man City, Chelsea and Spurs blowing up the market hasn't helped either. Anderson at £116m, Rogers at £117m and Tonali at £100m is absolutely mental.

£100m+ signings used to be reserved for players considered to be elite. We probably didn't help that ourselves by paying £100m for Wirtz and £125m for Isak last summer, although at least they came with a bit of genuine pedigree unlike the ones who've moved for 9 figure fees this summer.

28 Jul 2026 09:55:13
Ed01 after Munoz, I do not see another two coming in esp. since we have a serious issue at RB with no one as a true starter.

For me, it's going to have to be Barcola and an RB and even that, is not a sure thing.