| Alot of speculation about domestic league players 07:45 - May 26 with 2288 views | muccletonjoe |
But to my mind we desperately need to find players from continental clubs who are experienced in top flight football. Any one who saw Sunderland last season will have been impressed by Granit Xhaka , who didn't cost a fortune ( 13m from Bayer Leverkusen) , and was experienced in the champions league . An absolute steal for them , and they built their survival around him. If we can find someone along those lines , maybe only takes one player to raise the level, it would give us a chance. |  | | |  |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 08:12 - May 26 with 2175 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
Didn't cost a fortune in fees. His wages on the other hand.
We all want a Xhaka but players like that for newly promoted teams are a bit of a one off. |  |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 08:15 - May 26 with 2167 views | Nutkins_Return |
A lot of money for his age and big wages. But we need to find that CM gem. |  |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 09:10 - May 26 with 2036 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 08:15 - May 26 by Nutkins_Return |
A lot of money for his age and big wages. But we need to find that CM gem. |
We should be aiming high, I imagine we wasted rather a lot on Phllips wages. We also should be in a stronger financial position than Sunderland having already had a PL season. | | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 10:01 - May 26 with 1947 views | Vaughan8 |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 08:12 - May 26 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
Didn't cost a fortune in fees. His wages on the other hand.
We all want a Xhaka but players like that for newly promoted teams are a bit of a one off. |
Exactly. People think we can just rock up with one of these "gems".
I suspect Phillips was our punt that didn't pay off. | | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 10:14 - May 26 with 1911 views | ipswichtillidie |
The only speculation is lazy journalism and clueless fans. Suspect the majority of our signing will be left field and unknowns. A few on here seem fairly knowledgeable on the foreign markets but they are in the minority. I’d expect the domestic signings to be frees as the value on a budget like ours will come from abroad. |  |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 10:28 - May 26 with 1861 views | IndependentlyBlue |
Not having a go at anyone but have been astonished at the breadth of players we ‘should’ be looking at on here over the past few days. From Phil Foden and Mason Mount at one end to Ashley Barnes at the other, taking in a plethora of continental players I’ve barely heard of along the way
Bring back Connor Sammon I say…oh |  |
| Better to stay silent and be thought a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 10:32 - May 26 with 1843 views | Churchman |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 08:15 - May 26 by Nutkins_Return |
A lot of money for his age and big wages. But we need to find that CM gem. |
The fee rises with add on’s to £17m and internet says his wages are £100-£110k a week so say £5m for the year. Dirt cheap given without him they might well have been relegated. He played I think 33 games too.
The problem is finding a player like that. Players who offer commitment, have looked after themselves, are robust and have that drive you just cannot put into someone. They did brilliantly with him. Like the keeper and CF they bought too. The spine of the team. |  | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 11:36 - May 26 with 1691 views | PhilTWTD |
My understanding is our recruitment will be a lot more overseas-based than it was a couple of years ago, certainly not so many Championship players. |  | | |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 11:39 - May 26 with 1672 views | baxterbasics |
I suspect we are trying to do this, but so much more easily said than done innit? This isn't Championship Manager.
For every Xhaka there are several Phillips'. |  |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 12:23 - May 26 with 1561 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 08:15 - May 26 by Nutkins_Return |
A lot of money for his age and big wages. But we need to find that CM gem. |
Another one to check out by LegendofthePhoenix 25 May 18:36Got a tip from my scout in Switzerland.
Leon Avdullahu - defensive midfielder, has been in Bundesliga with Hoffenheim for the last year, before that with Basel.
He doesn't get goals or assists. But he does more interceptions and passes than anyone else. Just what we need alongside Matusiwa, can drop into defence if needed, is over 6 foot. 22 years old. Transfermarkt has him at Euro25M, but he's some player and haven't heard him linked with English clubs.
This guy is, so I'm told by my brother, a carbon copy of Granit Xhaka - who also came through the youth system at Basel. He tells me he plays the same game, but he is 22.
Edit: if you go on the BBC website you can click on the player in the lineup and see passes, tackles etc. His stats are superb, probably why he plays the full match every game, for a side that finished 5th in the Bundesliga. [Post edited 26 May 12:46]
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 13:32 - May 26 with 1437 views | vilanovablue |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 12:23 - May 26 by LegendofthePhoenix |
Another one to check out by LegendofthePhoenix 25 May 18:36Got a tip from my scout in Switzerland.
Leon Avdullahu - defensive midfielder, has been in Bundesliga with Hoffenheim for the last year, before that with Basel.
He doesn't get goals or assists. But he does more interceptions and passes than anyone else. Just what we need alongside Matusiwa, can drop into defence if needed, is over 6 foot. 22 years old. Transfermarkt has him at Euro25M, but he's some player and haven't heard him linked with English clubs.
This guy is, so I'm told by my brother, a carbon copy of Granit Xhaka - who also came through the youth system at Basel. He tells me he plays the same game, but he is 22.
Edit: if you go on the BBC website you can click on the player in the lineup and see passes, tackles etc. His stats are superb, probably why he plays the full match every game, for a side that finished 5th in the Bundesliga. [Post edited 26 May 12:46]
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He's £25 mill on transfermarkt but I guess that much we might have to spend to get the quality that we need. Plus he has the potential to increase in value which is also likely to be a thing. |  | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 13:42 - May 26 with 1391 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 10:01 - May 26 by Vaughan8 |
Exactly. People think we can just rock up with one of these "gems".
I suspect Phillips was our punt that didn't pay off. |
Although there’s a world of difference between Phillips with confidence issues and who hadn’t been playing and Xahka who has played most of the season for Leverkusen including 10 games in Europe.
Not easy of course to find someone like that, but we should be trying to simply because it’s what’s needed. |  |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 14:15 - May 26 with 1333 views | wischip |
I think we have to face it that everyone's attention will be on the players playing at the World Cup. Any players who have a good tournament are all going to be picked off by the Premiership clubs in Europe next season. We can't compete at that level, yet. I think we have to look elsewhere, at the players who didn't make their World Cup squads and the nations that aren't even going. |  | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 14:34 - May 26 with 1269 views | Vaughan8 |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 13:42 - May 26 by Swansea_Blue |
Although there’s a world of difference between Phillips with confidence issues and who hadn’t been playing and Xahka who has played most of the season for Leverkusen including 10 games in Europe.
Not easy of course to find someone like that, but we should be trying to simply because it’s what’s needed. |
Well yes. They've paid £13m plus his £100k+ a week wages.
Ours was a "cheap" punt which ultimately didn't pay off.
Theirs was clearly more likely to work. I'm sure the 3 year deal probably did it too. Not many of those are offered to 33 year olds.
I just think this is the "exception" not the norm, or everyone would do it. [Post edited 26 May 14:34]
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 12:51 - May 27 with 1004 views | strikalite |
Sunderland also had a lot of luck let's be honest, our fairly new group were still "gelling" three months or more into the season, Sun on the other hand hit the ground running from the start in possibly the best league in football... |  | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 13:24 - May 27 with 963 views | C_Jam_Blue |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 09:10 - May 26 by SuperKieranMcKenna |
We should be aiming high, I imagine we wasted rather a lot on Phllips wages. We also should be in a stronger financial position than Sunderland having already had a PL season. |
I think the big difference between Xhaka and Philips is that Xhaka has averaged around 33 games a season (at the age of 33) whereas Philips (who was 28 when he joined us) had only played 24 games in the 2 seasons prior. Sunderland took a gamble on a player well into his 30's which paid off, we took a gamble on a younger but highly injury prone player. Hopefully that will not be the case again this season. | | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 14:37 - May 27 with 837 views | RobTheMonk |
Been quiet at work, so I like to act as my own scout for my imaginary Ipswich team:
Joe Scally - Borussia Monchengladbach. Plays right back but can fill in at left back. Bags of Bundesliga experience.
Diego Moreira - Strasbourg. Anywhere on the left. Has been in the Chelsea system before. Doing well abroad.
Jack McGlynn - Houston Dynamo. Midfield. Absolute wand of a left foot. Would perhaps be one to buy and loan to the Championship for a season.
Dženan Pejčinović - Wolfsburg. Forward. Seen as being the successor to Edin Dzeko.
Mario Stroeykens - Anderlecht. Anywhere along the front line. Will create space and chances.
Morten Frendrup - Midfielder. Genoa. The perfect partner to Matusiwa.
I've also mentioned Nathan De Cat of Anderlecht and Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar, but think both will go on to bigger clubs. [Post edited 27 May 14:38]
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 14:45 - May 27 with 802 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 12:23 - May 26 by LegendofthePhoenix |
Another one to check out by LegendofthePhoenix 25 May 18:36Got a tip from my scout in Switzerland.
Leon Avdullahu - defensive midfielder, has been in Bundesliga with Hoffenheim for the last year, before that with Basel.
He doesn't get goals or assists. But he does more interceptions and passes than anyone else. Just what we need alongside Matusiwa, can drop into defence if needed, is over 6 foot. 22 years old. Transfermarkt has him at Euro25M, but he's some player and haven't heard him linked with English clubs.
This guy is, so I'm told by my brother, a carbon copy of Granit Xhaka - who also came through the youth system at Basel. He tells me he plays the same game, but he is 22.
Edit: if you go on the BBC website you can click on the player in the lineup and see passes, tackles etc. His stats are superb, probably why he plays the full match every game, for a side that finished 5th in the Bundesliga. [Post edited 26 May 12:46]
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"a carbon copy of Granit Xhaka"
I am sure many others remember the Macedonian Steven Gerrard and the Scottish Michael Owen. It is easy to make a comparison with a great player ... it's actually living up to it. Xhaka was an absolute coup for Sunderland but I don't think anyone has mentioned a possible player who would be a similar signing. The closest is the speculation over signing Drogba when Gamechanger first came in. |  |
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| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 15:25 - May 27 with 740 views | soupytwist |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 14:37 - May 27 by RobTheMonk |
Been quiet at work, so I like to act as my own scout for my imaginary Ipswich team:
Joe Scally - Borussia Monchengladbach. Plays right back but can fill in at left back. Bags of Bundesliga experience.
Diego Moreira - Strasbourg. Anywhere on the left. Has been in the Chelsea system before. Doing well abroad.
Jack McGlynn - Houston Dynamo. Midfield. Absolute wand of a left foot. Would perhaps be one to buy and loan to the Championship for a season.
Dženan Pejčinović - Wolfsburg. Forward. Seen as being the successor to Edin Dzeko.
Mario Stroeykens - Anderlecht. Anywhere along the front line. Will create space and chances.
Morten Frendrup - Midfielder. Genoa. The perfect partner to Matusiwa.
I've also mentioned Nathan De Cat of Anderlecht and Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar, but think both will go on to bigger clubs. [Post edited 27 May 14:38]
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This from Frenderup's Wikipedia page "His performances attracted interest from top European clubs during the summer of 2024, with media reports linking him to Liverpool".
Who else was interesting Liverpool at that point? Azor Matusiwa, that's who! |  | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 17:16 - May 27 with 629 views | Blue_In_Boston |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 08:12 - May 26 by TRUE_BLUE123 |
Didn't cost a fortune in fees. His wages on the other hand.
We all want a Xhaka but players like that for newly promoted teams are a bit of a one off. |
His wages are peanuts compared to the cost of relegation. | | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 11:09 - May 28 with 464 views | RobTheMonk |
Nik Polster - Goalkeeper - Wolfsberger (Austrian league).
Has had a bit of a breakout season and has played European football. On the cusp of being in the Austrian national team having been called up last year. Relatively cheap. Definitely one to watch.
I wouldn't be surprised if we went for someone like Jorgenson at Chelsea though. | | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 11:20 - May 28 with 454 views | gsoly |
I'm so sick of people saying 'do a Sunderland' as if it's the easiest thing in the world. |  | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 11:32 - May 28 with 432 views | cressi |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 11:39 - May 26 by baxterbasics |
I suspect we are trying to do this, but so much more easily said than done innit? This isn't Championship Manager.
For every Xhaka there are several Phillips'. |
To a point but Phillips hardly played for 3 or 4 yrs his West ham loan was a disaster so it was quite foolish the same goes people mentioning players like Adam Webster another player unavailable more than available we need to smell the coffee. | | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 11:55 - May 28 with 411 views | topguy |
id still look at ross barkley given villa are not rushing to offer the 1 year extention coventry are looking to bring him there ive heard as we know there are not many of these exp PL ready players of the GX mould he is one who has done well everywhere hes gone. | | | |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 10:10 - May 29 with 207 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
| Alot of speculation about domestic league players on 14:45 - May 27 by Nthsuffolkblue |
"a carbon copy of Granit Xhaka"
I am sure many others remember the Macedonian Steven Gerrard and the Scottish Michael Owen. It is easy to make a comparison with a great player ... it's actually living up to it. Xhaka was an absolute coup for Sunderland but I don't think anyone has mentioned a possible player who would be a similar signing. The closest is the speculation over signing Drogba when Gamechanger first came in. |
Well both Xhaka and Avdullahu have gone through the FC Basel development scheme. Basel are renowned for buying promising youth players and getting them regular game time in the Swiss Super league before going on to greater things. Players include Mohammed Salah, Xerdan Shakiri, Granit Xhaka, a recent one Renato Veiga. So my brother, who has has a season ticket at Basel for decades, has seen the players who look good, and makes recommendations. He's pretty spot on most of the time. No reason why Avdullahu can't be every bit as good as Xhaka - he was the engine room at Basel with everything going through him, and now does the same at Hoffenheim.
My other wish list signing is Nicolo Tresoldi at Club Brugges - allegedly only on £16k a week!
Other possibles could be Metinho at FC Basel - very skilful Brazilian center mid, but only 5'10 and looks like he could get bullied in the Prem (but then how big is Azor?)
One anomaly I have seen - a fabulous box to box midfielder who transfermarkt value at E18M - Andy Diouf. He has just won Serie A and Italian cup at Inter. I'm in no way suggesting we could get him, just curious why his valuation is so low for an absolute gem of a player who is only 23. | |
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