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Summer Transfers 2025 (rumours and incomings)

If we want to push on, other than replacing as best we can players that leave, then left wing-back is the position most in need of upgrade. It is such a key position in the system and clearly there is a big gap in talent between Mitchell and Munoz. I have no quarrels with his effort - he was in a position to shoot if the ball that Eze scored from in the final had been behind him - but he has not got the engine or crossing/shooting ability of the Colombian
He could still be a significant squad member as a sub/cup games/backup at LCB.
I would go for the best that money can buy but have no idea who that could be. There was talk of a lad playing in Turkey during the last window but he was very young and probably not the standard to displace Mitchell immediately
Can you imagine if we had the equivalent of Munoz at LWB?!

That is definitely the missing piece we need to find.
 
Like what Parish was saying about integrating two players max into the team. That seems wise. Otherwise we risk disruption. And the truth is, we don't need THAT much strengthening. All signs point towards Esse being a top player...we may get a tune out of Franca yet...Kamada might actually prove useful next year...and even then that still involves two of Wharton/Hughes/Lerma/Devenny sitting on the bench.

Up top Nketiah is probably the best back up we're going to find to Mateta. Defensively I'd be tempted to make Chillwell's loan perm if we can compromise on the numbers...we'll have Riad back...happy days.

Of course if we lose players, things change. But fingers crossed.
We currently have no fit central defenders in reserve with our back-ups being players filling in (eg Lerma, Ward, Clyne) and Riad not due back until 2026. Our back-up goalkeeper and left-back are also on loan. We got very lucky that after Chalobah returned to Chelsea our back three did not have any major injury issues. Even without Guehi going I'd say we need a new central defender, a new left-back and either getting Turner back, or another first-team quality goalkeeper to compete with Henderson. That's three signings before we even look anywhere else on the pitch and even that would leave us stretched with only a couple of injuries. I imagine Clyne will get a new deal, but Ward is going and Schlupp. There's a lot of work to be done...
 
Robinson at Fulham has always looked very decent to me. Not sure how positionally sound he is but offensively he's been impressive.
Lerma was a rare one. I still don't know how we managed to lure Bournemouth's PotY??

Otherwise, getting another EPL player who is valued by that team is largely the privilege of the Rich 7. And they suffer their fair share of knock-backs; and are always vastly over-charged.

No, I fear we will have to fish in another pool.
 
Can you imagine if we had the equivalent of Munoz at LWB?!

That is definitely the missing piece we need to find.
Not so sure - I like the Munoz/Mitchell partnership, it provides balance of sorts - Mitchells defensively better, but Munoz is better on the attack. When Munoz bombs forward, Mitchell can effectively slot in to form a back 4, and helps our defensive solidity.
If we had 2 wing backs constantly looking to bomb forward, then it could leave us more exposed.
Does Mitchell need to improve his attacking prowess? Yes. In the same way that Munoz needs to improve his defensive qualities.

Cover/competition for Mitchell when we want a more attacking option on that side is what we need - a role Chilwell has occupied. Mitchell is still a first choice, but there's an option to go more attacking if required.
 
Not so sure - I like the Munoz/Mitchell partnership, it provides balance of sorts - Mitchells defensively better, but Munoz is better on the attack. When Munoz bombs forward, Mitchell can effectively slot in to form a back 4, and helps our defensive solidity.
If we had 2 wing backs constantly looking to bomb forward, then it could leave us more exposed.
Does Mitchell need to improve his attacking prowess? Yes. In the same way that Munoz needs to improve his defensive qualities.

Cover/competition for Mitchell when we want a more attacking option on that side is what we need - a role Chilwell has occupied. Mitchell is still a first choice, but there's an option to go more attacking if required.
I think there is an assumption that because Munoz is such an attacking threat yet cost so little that he must be a poor defender. I haven't seen any stats but he looks pretty competent to my eye. If he needs support e.g as against Doku in the final then Sarr - who has contributed defensively much more than I expected - helps out
Chelsea won the 2016-17 with Moses and Alonso absolutely crucial in the wingback roles
 
I think there is an assumption that because Munoz is such an attacking threat yet cost so little that he must be a poor defender. I haven't seen any stats but he looks pretty competent to my eye. If he needs support e.g as against Doku in the final then Sarr - who has contributed defensively much more than I expected - helps out
Chelsea won the 2016-17 with Moses and Alonso absolutely crucial in the wingback roles

His tackling stats are surprisingly good.

 
The Sun is running a story that Glasner is 'relaxed' about Eze and Guehi leaving in the summer, that he wants more physical strength and consistency in the team and that he wants 6 new players in a rebuild.

I'm sure Glasner has not been giving an interview to the Sun along these lines, so you have to surmise it's conjecture and speculation.
Bellingham is mentioned as a potential incoming and I do think he'll leave Sunderland in the summer, but some top clubs seem interested in him too.
With regard to Eze, there's no doubt of his tremendous ability but it may be that we could get a better fit for the front 3 role that Eze has been shoehorned into in Glasner's system.
Eze hasn't been shoehorned into a role, this system is absolutely perfect for him and his numbers have backed that up.
 
Eze hasn't been shoehorned into a role, this system is absolutely perfect for him and his numbers have backed that up.
I agree that Eze’s form has been outstanding of late in the role, as it was at the end of last season.

The opinion I raised was partly based on his poor form until the last couple of months when some on here would have seen him left out of the team.
He looked out of sorts continually passing/running backwards and not threatening in the final third.
This may have been partly attributable to his foot injury at that time together with a possible lack of confidence.

I hope he stays and continues to be ‘perfect’ in the front 3 role.
The only observation I would make is that the history of Eze’s Palace career has been some long average spells punctuated by brilliant spells of form.
It’s often the case with outstanding talents.
There’s no doubt he’s a match winner though on his day.
 
In today's play-off final it is the model of plausibility that Sunderland's Eliezer Mayenda will feature, a player who has impressed me.
A left-footed striker who is still a tad 'Raw' but is exciting,fleet of foot and direct.
Tony Mowbray signed him from Sochaux for £1 Mill with a 25% sell-on clause.
Sunderland's Wilson Isidor is also a player who has caught my eye.
He is certainly very fleet of foot.

I do hope my comments have not jinxed these players !
 
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