Let's look at some data points ahead of this transfer window.
Bielsa has always maintained he has what he needs.
We've spent 150m over last 2 summers and AR recently said have to sell 1/2 key players to fund the next acquisitions (we aspire to be a Leicester).
Incoming players tend to need some time to get up to speed with Bielsa's system.
We've tended not to spend in January window under Bielsa.
Uncertainty ahead regarding restrictions and matches.
I don't see us selling anyone this January and I don't see us signing anyone either....talking about first team players here not U23s.
If any big names do leave this January, the only acceptable one to leaven for me would be Rodrigo, whom has been a bit of a misfit from the start.
I can't see an injured Philips leaving and I cant see us selling our one pal match winner at present.
I predict not much change over January.
However, this of course all depends on Bielsa staying the course which I fully expect from his side and hopefully he's feeling that the club is fully supporting him.
Transfer speculation
posted on 27/12/21
Jonty - nope I wouldn't
posted on 27/12/21
The fact that we spent £25m for James may well bite us in the backside come May…. £15m was / should have been his top value. That decision is directly impacting this window now given there’s talk of selling before buying
posted on 27/12/21
I'll maintain, if we do nothing this window regards players
coming in, then the club will be in a very dicey spot the
rest of the season. With the odds against us.
Whatever the club do decide to do (because it'll be
squarely on them). No one else or COVID. I hope they
live with it. And don't trot out a bunch of excuses if we
fail. They've had ample warning and time to fix it.
posted on 27/12/21
If you see james acquisition as an advance replacement for Raphinha leaving them James makes sense, otherwise it was a waste of money.
posted on 27/12/21
Agree with Jonny. Nothing happening January unless we loan someone in.
Again agree if I could lose one player to fund something else it would be Rodrigo before he’s worth nothing!
posted on 27/12/21
Jonty, James was a waste of 10 mill regardless of the situation or any foresight. And I like him as a player.
posted on 27/12/21
comment by Batty (U4664)
posted 30 minutes ago
Jonty, James was a waste of 10 mill regardless of the situation or any foresight. And I like him as a player.
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I just dont see enough end product from him and dont see him get to use his pace as I'd hoped we might.
posted on 28/12/21
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 1 day ago
comment by Batty (U4664)
posted 30 minutes ago
Jonty, James was a waste of 10 mill regardless of the situation or any foresight. And I like him as a player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I just dont see enough end product from him and dont see him get to use his pace as I'd hoped we might.
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Very true. With our slow build up, side to side, back to half way, then up the other wing etc there is no opportunity for him to use his pace. The opponents defence are all well set and able to double up on James or Raph or Harrison to snuff out danger.
Last season we scored quite a few breakaway/counter attack goals I seem to recall. Not so many of those this season.
posted on 28/12/21
comment by tslufc (U12903)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Jonty (U4614)
posted 1 day ago
comment by Batty (U4664)
posted 30 minutes ago
Jonty, James was a waste of 10 mill regardless of the situation or any foresight. And I like him as a player.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I just dont see enough end product from him and dont see him get to use his pace as I'd hoped we might.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Very true. With our slow build up, side to side, back to half way, then up the other wing etc there is no opportunity for him to use his pace. The opponents defence are all well set and able to double up on James or Raph or Harrison to snuff out danger.
Last season we scored quite a few breakaway/counter attack goals I seem to recall. Not so many of those this season.
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Yep and they relied on creative passing, seem to remember Pablo setting Harrison on his way and remember Alioski pass for Dallas v Man City.
I think I've yet to see James in a straight race with a defender.
posted on 29/12/21
I like James, but as yet he’s not proved to be significantly better than Costa. I agree that we paid 10m more than we should have.
Any news on the JKA situation?