08 Apr 2026 17:20:08
Following the update from Tom and J that the club are in for Sensesi and are abandoning the current model of only buying young, tradeable prospects ready for 2030 and are now going for a more rounded squad. It appears this has now been endorsed by Nizaar Kinsella: Privately, the club have assured Cucurella and captain Reece James
that signings with proven Premier League experience will arrive at centreback, central midfield and in attacking areas.
Great news all round.
08 Apr 2026 19:28:30
It's about time, Greenaway.
08 Apr 2026 20:59:01
Bill, I have no problem at all with people making mistakes, we all do. It is how you react to them that counts. So, if Tom and J are correct, and the owners and sporting directors have ripped up their blueprint and are now going for experienced 29-year-olds like Sensesi and binning the so-called trading model, then that is great news.
09 Apr 2026 07:23:53
I wouldn't expect the mistakes of the first window, when signing the likes of Sterling or Koulibaly for expensive fees on huge contracts. The ownership got their fingers burnt there. In the case of Sterling, it's a mistake they're still paying for.
For CB, the previously mentioned Senesi is available on a free, along with Stones and (I believe) Konate, whilst Van Hecke has a contract up in 2027. They're the type of EPL experienced players we should be looking at, who won't have huge initial outlays. One younger, but non-EPL experienced, CB to keep an eye on is Antonio Silva at Benfica, only 22, but he has plenty of UCL experience and a contract up in 2027. If he doesn't sign a new contract, he'll be available at a reasonable price this summer.
We've had previous interest in him and he's always impressed me when I've seen him play.
The midfield and attacking areas are a bit harder to anticipate where interest might be. No doubt, we'll be in for Anderson and Wharton, but I see both going to Manchester. Foden is an interesting one, not getting the mins at City right now and has a contract up in 2027. Pretty far-fetched, but he could be on the move in the next year. It's going to be difficult to get EPL/UCL experience in the midfield and attacking areas without spending big or looking at squad fillers who offer leadership and experience.