As the Trent news broke after this, I wondered what you thought about Cambiasso for the right back position? Like you said in the "Replacing Andy Robertson: Part 5" piece, he is good with both feet and has played right back as well, but on the other hand he could be really expensive. Would be interesting
I had the same thought actually. He’s definitely worth remembering. Still feels like a long shot but he can play both sides for sure. And Juve have just sacked Motta.
Great little Q&A Josh! Wanted to submit a question but it looked like the Trent deal with Madrid was becoming all the more likely, so held off. Now it seems pretty much done, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we go about ‘replacing’ him and his unique skill set, particularly in relation to how ridiculous his long range passing is for those rapid transitions from deep! Will we just see more Slot influence on our style of play to compensate e.g. much more short passing / more traditional RB play allah Bradley. Or could we see someone like Szobo have more responsibility to make those long range switches of play. We don’t see a tonne of it from him but I reckon he has it in his locker. I’ve thought about that nearly Diaz goal against Newcastle as the shining example! Insane outside of the right boot pass from Trent to Salah before Salah puts in that delicious outside of the left boot cross to Diaz. Nobody else in our team plays that pass IMP.
I like with the way you described the offseason approach in question 2. Regardless of contract extensions or other factors, the club MUST address 3 positions:
(1) sign a left back, selling Kostas;
(2) sign a forward, selling Darwin;
(3) sign a 6/8 midfielder, selling Wata.
Additional moves may be necessary to address the expiring contracts. It seems likely that Trent leaves so a 4th item is likely to be "sign a RB". It seems to make sense for both club and player to extend Virg and Mo for 1-3 additional years so, while there will be drama we all have to live through, it'll probably be just one additional move required.
It is possible that other transfers are necessary, but, because 4 moves is already a busy summer, I think it'll be reactive vs. proactive:
(a) signing a CB if Ibou doesn't want to sign an extension this summer;
(b) signing an additional forward if Lucho or Fede push for it & an acceptable offer is received
We've just snotted the league (or have we) with Robbo and Kostas.
Possibly Robbo might disappear back to Celtic when his contract runs out next summer.
There's not a left back who has ever existed in world football who would make up for the horror show of PSG away, watching them toying with us, taking the piss. I thought 'Slotball' was about dominating midfield/possession? That's what Curtis said during pre-season.
Your time would have been better spent doing right back, as was obvious for ages now.
Trent's off to play golf, a sport he's eminently better suited for given all he does is walk around and then twat the ball into the distance.
Glad his mural's not on the side of my house...
I'll save you some time and effort. Identify the new right back signing the FSG way:
1) Phone up Red Bull Leipzig.
2) Ask them if they have a player in that position under 25.
3) If they do, offer them 40m euros.
4) If they don't, give up.
That's it. That's the process.
The good news is that if Virg and Mo leave as well, we still only need to make one expensive international trunk call to Germany.
Yankuba Minteh: “Will sign for the Reds in 2027.” Is that a statement /prediction requiring an exclamation mark! Or is the word “he” and a question mark missing ..?
As the Trent news broke after this, I wondered what you thought about Cambiasso for the right back position? Like you said in the "Replacing Andy Robertson: Part 5" piece, he is good with both feet and has played right back as well, but on the other hand he could be really expensive. Would be interesting
I had the same thought actually. He’s definitely worth remembering. Still feels like a long shot but he can play both sides for sure. And Juve have just sacked Motta.
Great little Q&A Josh! Wanted to submit a question but it looked like the Trent deal with Madrid was becoming all the more likely, so held off. Now it seems pretty much done, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we go about ‘replacing’ him and his unique skill set, particularly in relation to how ridiculous his long range passing is for those rapid transitions from deep! Will we just see more Slot influence on our style of play to compensate e.g. much more short passing / more traditional RB play allah Bradley. Or could we see someone like Szobo have more responsibility to make those long range switches of play. We don’t see a tonne of it from him but I reckon he has it in his locker. I’ve thought about that nearly Diaz goal against Newcastle as the shining example! Insane outside of the right boot pass from Trent to Salah before Salah puts in that delicious outside of the left boot cross to Diaz. Nobody else in our team plays that pass IMP.
Just came across this clip…
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHbi_CgtdX6/?igsh=Mno3Z3Y1MGt4bzEy
Love this Josh mate, subscribed for the pods but liking the reading just as much. Buy you a pint when I’m up for parade day
I like with the way you described the offseason approach in question 2. Regardless of contract extensions or other factors, the club MUST address 3 positions:
(1) sign a left back, selling Kostas;
(2) sign a forward, selling Darwin;
(3) sign a 6/8 midfielder, selling Wata.
Additional moves may be necessary to address the expiring contracts. It seems likely that Trent leaves so a 4th item is likely to be "sign a RB". It seems to make sense for both club and player to extend Virg and Mo for 1-3 additional years so, while there will be drama we all have to live through, it'll probably be just one additional move required.
It is possible that other transfers are necessary, but, because 4 moves is already a busy summer, I think it'll be reactive vs. proactive:
(a) signing a CB if Ibou doesn't want to sign an extension this summer;
(b) signing an additional forward if Lucho or Fede push for it & an acceptable offer is received
We don't need a left back.
We've just snotted the league (or have we) with Robbo and Kostas.
Possibly Robbo might disappear back to Celtic when his contract runs out next summer.
There's not a left back who has ever existed in world football who would make up for the horror show of PSG away, watching them toying with us, taking the piss. I thought 'Slotball' was about dominating midfield/possession? That's what Curtis said during pre-season.
Your time would have been better spent doing right back, as was obvious for ages now.
Trent's off to play golf, a sport he's eminently better suited for given all he does is walk around and then twat the ball into the distance.
Glad his mural's not on the side of my house...
I'll save you some time and effort. Identify the new right back signing the FSG way:
1) Phone up Red Bull Leipzig.
2) Ask them if they have a player in that position under 25.
3) If they do, offer them 40m euros.
4) If they don't, give up.
That's it. That's the process.
The good news is that if Virg and Mo leave as well, we still only need to make one expensive international trunk call to Germany.
Yes we do. And now we need a right-back as well.
Yes, well well, we now really need a right back. Who is on your radar and would it be a backup to Bradley, or a new starter type?
Great work as always Josh!
Yankuba Minteh: “Will sign for the Reds in 2027.” Is that a statement /prediction requiring an exclamation mark! Or is the word “he” and a question mark missing ..?
Well, it was a tongue-in-cheek line really. But one that could end up being true if Minteh lives up to his potential.