He's certainly one of the best young midfielders out there. Out of the ones born on this side of 2000 I'd only hold Pedri, Musiala and maybe Tchouameni higher. Bellingham is the only one who isn't already at an "endgame" club.

More reports today that Felix wants to leave in January.

Would love him here of course, but as long as he doesn't join another different team in England I'll be happy. Could see him going to United, or PSG if they sell Mbappe.

I'm wondering what is going on with Felix. Obviously the man is outrageously talented. But how much of his lacklustre performance over the last two is due to his own lack of fire versus Simeone's war against football?

Burnwinter wrote:

The defence we've got is potentially title-worthy.

Ramsdale might be a bit loose. However, I think we can afford him.

Swoop for someone random but surprisingly good, a Bentancur or similar, let's say Danilo turns out to have been a Christmas stocking-warmer, and add Felix, and we could give the Premiership a shake.

Any technically gifted young forward will thrive in our current team. Actually improving on Martinelli, Jésus and Saka will be bloody hard.

Reading this made me smile.

Can’t believe we are in this position, yet here we are.

For me, while our defence is fantastic, it needs another addition to keep holding at bay. Plus we need a winger or two.

Free transfers

  • Nidcka 

He would spell Gabriel at times or even play at LB. He and Tomiyasu would provide fantastic versatility.

  • Trossard

Trossard’s work rate, versatility and emerging consistency would be a sensational addition next to Martinelli and Saka.
Trossard can play both wing positions, up top in a pinch, and false nine.

Money Transfers

  • Danilo
    Great engine, great work rate and physicality. Would close runners and be a nightmare to play against. Exactly what we need to rotate Partey with.

  • Bellingham

I would want both him and Felix, but if money is tight I would choose Bellingham. We all have seen him. Leadership. Pace. Power. Work rate. Technique.

The sky is limit for him, and in that “8” role he would be the ticket.

Fantasy if money is somehow still there

Felix

We would definitely have to let someone go to get him in, but the potential is so hard to pass up. 

Potential. That is what makes it such a huge gamble. For someone who gets ragdolled in La Liga, he would have to think quicker and pass quicker so he doesn’t get abused in the PL.

Felix was the dream signing in the summer, wonder how much Atletico would want for him?

Quincy Abeyie wrote:

He's certainly one of the best young midfielders out there. Out of the ones born on this side of 2000 I'd only hold Pedri, Musiala and maybe Tchouameni higher. Bellingham is the only one who isn't already at an "endgame" club.

Personally I like Camavinga a lot. Think he is the best around in that age category

Agree about Camavinga, the moments when he would come on for Madrid in CL games last season were always turning points.

But Bellingham is the only player out of that group who will possibly move next summer.

@lorddulaarsenal wrote:
Quincy Abeyie wrote:

He's certainly one of the best young midfielders out there. Out of the ones born on this side of 2000 I'd only hold Pedri, Musiala and maybe Tchouameni higher. Bellingham is the only one who isn't already at an "endgame" club.

Personally I like Camavinga a lot. Think he is the best around in that age category

Definitely as big a talent as them, but also definitely not at the same level yet. 

7 days later

Marcus Thuram and Danilo in January
3rd CB (Ndicka?), reliable rotation LB, rotation RW (Chukwueze / Pino?) in the summer. If possible, an upgrade on / backup to Xhaka as well with Lokonga going out on loan.

Danilo aside, I’d keep my January signing from the league so they’re quicker to offer game contributions.

Danilo
Harvey Barnes

I also think if he maintained his current form, that Pereira (Fulham) could be interesting as Odegaard / LW cover.

Pep has been talking Bellingham up in the last few days. Laying the groundwork. We could pay the fee, but not compete with wages. But as wishlist, yes of course.

Shatkhar chairman confirmed we are interested in Mudryk and he will accept our bid if it meets his valuation of 100m.

Wouldn't put it past us to just go and pay it.

He hasn't shown anything to justify such a price.

MistaT wrote:

Danilo aside, I’d keep my January signing from the league so they’re quicker to offer game contributions.

Danilo
Harvey Barnes

I also think if he maintained his current form, that Pereira (Fulham) could be interesting as Odegaard / LW cover.

This.  IMO you only look to sign in Jan in order to address an issue in the current season - not for the future (unless you get an opportunity too good to ignore).
The other consideration this season is the impact the WC will have on the market, and who will be 'available/fresher' to contribute when the season re-starts on Boxing Day, a week after the WC Final (with FIFA requiring players to have a 3 weeks break after an international tournament = 4 EPL games).

Sure looks ready for the next level. 

Would prefer someone who could play either flank, though that's rare. Though I suppose Martinelli has looked alright on the right if he needed to cover Saka, and let Mudyrk step into RWF

MistaT wrote:

Sure looks ready for the next level. 

Would prefer someone who could play either flank, though that's rare. Though I suppose Martinelli has looked alright on the right if he needed to cover Saka, and let Mudyrk step into RWF

Both Saja and Mart play either flank. Jesus too. Mary and Jesus striker. So there is enough flexibility

Best off forgetting about him. After that £100m sound bite from Shakhtar, you can bet no deal will happen.

Pick a position, any position you like…

—————-——Costa
Gusto/Simakan—Kim—Gvardiol—Ait-Nouri
——————Danilo/Sangare/Anguissa
———-Lobotka/SMS—-Bellingham
———Olise/Bowen—Osimhen/Endrick—Mudryk/Kvaratskhelia

should we enter the bellingham sweepstakes? reckon he's potentially a silver bullet for the B2B role in our midfield, abd he has that bit of x-factor about him, even at the 80m+ price that will be quoted. id be OK blood sacrificing the summer budget for the right opportunity.

Should go all out for Trossard in January. Top player, can do RW, LW and CF. Goals away against Liverpool and Man City, and against Chelsea this season.

Phenomenal. We would probably pass because of age. We need players who will grow with Saka and co. So probably want some 22-25 year olds for forward and midfield.
It’s what makes me skeptical about Danilo. We need someone who comfortably comes in ahead of Lokonga right now. And then the whole squad (and Lokonga) will exhale a bit.

Jed wrote:

Should go all out for Trossard in January. Top player, can do RW, LW and CF. Goals away against Liverpool and Man City, and against Chelsea this season.

maybe. he's 27 and this could be as good as he gets. at the same time, a versatile veteran who's ready to deliver immediately would take pressure off our young forwards. comes down to price really. Brighton will probably ask for too much

we really need our longterm bellingham/goretzka/SMS type figure. xhaka is filling that role admirably this season but we still need to recruit/unearth the true heir to that position

Aaronson would be a good alternative. Lively, good dribbling ability, can link well and has an eye for goal.

Gazza M wrote:

should we enter the bellingham sweepstakes? reckon he's potentially a silver bullet for the B2B role in our midfield, abd he has that bit of x-factor about him, even at the 80m+ price that will be quoted. id be OK blood sacrificing the summer budget for the right opportunity.

We should. I've felt earlier that he's destined for Liverpool, but as things stand we're the more attractive destination.

Either him or De Jong if he finally decides to leave that scummy club. 

Never watched him other than against us to be honest. Is he a big talent?

Not seen a great deal myself - liked his ability to run with the ball and his spikey attitude. Pretty sure Barca will give him another chance though but that may lead to De Jong departing

He's going back to PSG. It's confirmed so nothing to discuss

Given their financial situation, Barca are actually a good place to start for forwards. Ferran Torrres barely plays and Ansu Fati is also unsettled about playing time.

Btw, Joao Felix came on to completely turn things around for Atletico. Until his team hilariously collapsed in the 99th minute. Sums his situation up. If we do have the cash, we should rescue him

We’re a handsome lad of a team right now but adding SMS or Bellingham would make us a big dicked handsome lad of a team

If Reiss proves to be a viable option for the wings, we should go for a traditional #9 instead. Perhaps sell Nketiah, and get a Mitrović type to rotate with Jesus.