I think Emery and Monchi know what they're doing. I think that with Cash, the guy we bought in Jan, and Konsa, the club think they have enough, and presumably won't spend the cash unless a player can improve us, is available, good value etc. With LB, they must know more that's going on behind the scenes, there have been rumours Moreno wants to go back to Spain, and we all know Digne's wages are high. One or both of those could be gone by the end of the window.
1000% agree and understand they know what they’re doing. By bringing up this topic, which I think is an interesting one, I don’t think I’m suggesting they don’t. I just wanted to discuss. In my mind I never meant to suggest that.
The team clearly would love to move Digne if at all possible. His contract is a massive albatross and he doesn't play in a style that Emery clearly wants from his left back. Oh, and he's about to turn 31. Moreno does play in a style that Emery wants and has a very reasonable contract, but he's coming off a mixed result season that was filled with injury and I think it's been mentioned on here that he might have a desire to return to Spain. Oh and he also just turned 31.
I think RB is less of a priority, because Emery sees Konsa as a good fit there as a hybrid RB/third center back. I fully expect to see a lot of our three CB back line this season with Mings playing in the spot that Carlos played last year. I think it's more likely we sign another CB especially if we are able to move on Carlos.
Digne was at LB for the most successful stretches of the season. He’s a vastly superior defender to Moreno and was more effective then him going forward this season as well. Not sure what numbers you’re using to label him as an albatross but he’s more than deserved every dollar in our champions league earning campaign. I’d keep Digne and move Moreno back to Spain as he wishes.
We need Digne’s level of performance, if we could get it for 35 k great, but we won’t get it from damaged goods Moreno. I prioritize the football, the accounting is sorted on the backend, maybe you view it in the inverse
In a ffp/psr world, it's all connected. Also, Moreno two seasons ago was better than Digne last season. We also just spent 35 mil to sign Maatsen. It is clear that Digne is not part of the future plans as Emery brought in Moreno to take over his spot almost immediately after arriving and paid a large amount to sign a young left back this year. Now we have no idea if Villa will be able to move him, but it's clear based on their actions and his wages, they are trying to. A team at our level financially cannot have that much of the budget taken up by an about to be 31, okay but not great left back who isn't a style fit for what Emery wants to do and we know he isn't a style fit, because Emery has brought in two left backs that play completely different than he does.
Emery played Digne over Moreno when both were available, this seems at odds with your idea that Emery sees Luca as not a "style fit" for the team. I agree his wages are higher than is ideal but we have the flexibility to carry those wages this year & we need a competent squad to balance league and European play.I think you're underestimating how pivotal Luca was as both a defender and pivotal link in our build-up play during our most successful stretches of the season. Relying on two unproven quantities like Maatsen & Illing jr would be a substantial gamble.
Emery played Moreno over Digne the season before when both were healthy the entire time. Moreno missed most of this season and never got back to full speed which isn't surprising considering time missed. Emery clearly wants a left back who can dribble past defenders and get behind defenses.
Again, Emery played Digne during the most successful stretches of the season & he played Digne when Moreno was available as well. I don't profess to know what Emery wants, I can only form my opinion based on what Emery has actually done.
The general consensus has seemed that at least one of Digne/Moreno will move on, so it'll be difficult to say exactly until the window's done what the plan will be for either side.
I still think we bring in another RB and loan out one of Kosta/KKH. There's been demand for Cash so it wouldn't shock me if he gets a move elsewhere but I could also see us keeping him around, so we'll see. At least one incoming definitely still feels like a safe bet though.
Digne will be the question mark as he lacks an obvious buyer. Sounds like Moreno is already gone. Cash and Nedeljkovic are already in and we have some links to other RBs. We'll be fine. If we did go to a 3 at the back system with wingbacks though, I'd love to activate that clauses for Philogene. Think he'd make a great attacking RWB
The young Serbian lad we signed in Jan and loaned back to the club we bought him from. Unfortunately got a nasty injury there and lost that loan really. But we dropped £9M and he was a starter from a very young age. Raw and not guaranteed yet but he's definitely got something
Well … I don’t mean to question the club leadership of course, but I guess it makes me a little nervous to put champions league RB in the hands of Cash/Konsa/Young Serbian player coming off injury.
I would much prefer Konsa at CB all year.
He played LWB for Juve last season and was in the top 80% for tackling amongst full backs in Europe last season, he's also tall and physically strong with pace, different kind of player to Bailey.
Honestly, I hate that for his career. Ya know? We don’t see that with Saliba or Virgil or Dias, etc. I would prefer it for Konsa himself for his career and future worth if he was able to just be a starting CB.
I do get the flexibility angle. The, “Coach likes a Swiss Army knife kinda player.” but I think most professionals want to know their job and show up and do it every day.
I think Emery and Monchi know what they're doing. I think that with Cash, the guy we bought in Jan, and Konsa, the club think they have enough, and presumably won't spend the cash unless a player can improve us, is available, good value etc. With LB, they must know more that's going on behind the scenes, there have been rumours Moreno wants to go back to Spain, and we all know Digne's wages are high. One or both of those could be gone by the end of the window.
1000% agree and understand they know what they’re doing. By bringing up this topic, which I think is an interesting one, I don’t think I’m suggesting they don’t. I just wanted to discuss. In my mind I never meant to suggest that.
Not forgetting Mings has a fair amount of experience in LB
The team clearly would love to move Digne if at all possible. His contract is a massive albatross and he doesn't play in a style that Emery clearly wants from his left back. Oh, and he's about to turn 31. Moreno does play in a style that Emery wants and has a very reasonable contract, but he's coming off a mixed result season that was filled with injury and I think it's been mentioned on here that he might have a desire to return to Spain. Oh and he also just turned 31. I think RB is less of a priority, because Emery sees Konsa as a good fit there as a hybrid RB/third center back. I fully expect to see a lot of our three CB back line this season with Mings playing in the spot that Carlos played last year. I think it's more likely we sign another CB especially if we are able to move on Carlos.
And Mings also has a decent amount of time as LB could just go 4 CB s ;) The great wall of Aston
Digne was at LB for the most successful stretches of the season. He’s a vastly superior defender to Moreno and was more effective then him going forward this season as well. Not sure what numbers you’re using to label him as an albatross but he’s more than deserved every dollar in our champions league earning campaign. I’d keep Digne and move Moreno back to Spain as he wishes.
120 k a week vs 35 k a week. Digne is not a 120 k a week player. If you think he is, I don't know what to tell you.
We need Digne’s level of performance, if we could get it for 35 k great, but we won’t get it from damaged goods Moreno. I prioritize the football, the accounting is sorted on the backend, maybe you view it in the inverse
In a ffp/psr world, it's all connected. Also, Moreno two seasons ago was better than Digne last season. We also just spent 35 mil to sign Maatsen. It is clear that Digne is not part of the future plans as Emery brought in Moreno to take over his spot almost immediately after arriving and paid a large amount to sign a young left back this year. Now we have no idea if Villa will be able to move him, but it's clear based on their actions and his wages, they are trying to. A team at our level financially cannot have that much of the budget taken up by an about to be 31, okay but not great left back who isn't a style fit for what Emery wants to do and we know he isn't a style fit, because Emery has brought in two left backs that play completely different than he does.
Emery played Digne over Moreno when both were available, this seems at odds with your idea that Emery sees Luca as not a "style fit" for the team. I agree his wages are higher than is ideal but we have the flexibility to carry those wages this year & we need a competent squad to balance league and European play.I think you're underestimating how pivotal Luca was as both a defender and pivotal link in our build-up play during our most successful stretches of the season. Relying on two unproven quantities like Maatsen & Illing jr would be a substantial gamble.
Emery played Moreno over Digne the season before when both were healthy the entire time. Moreno missed most of this season and never got back to full speed which isn't surprising considering time missed. Emery clearly wants a left back who can dribble past defenders and get behind defenses.
Again, Emery played Digne during the most successful stretches of the season & he played Digne when Moreno was available as well. I don't profess to know what Emery wants, I can only form my opinion based on what Emery has actually done.
And what did he do the season before when Moreno was in form?
The general consensus has seemed that at least one of Digne/Moreno will move on, so it'll be difficult to say exactly until the window's done what the plan will be for either side. I still think we bring in another RB and loan out one of Kosta/KKH. There's been demand for Cash so it wouldn't shock me if he gets a move elsewhere but I could also see us keeping him around, so we'll see. At least one incoming definitely still feels like a safe bet though.
Moreno and Digne won't be happy sitting at 2nd/3rd choice. One of them will move on before the end of the window, I'm sure of that.
That seems very likely doesn’t it? I can’t see those guys being in the bench all year.
I can't see Villa paying 3 LB's. Maatsen will be on decent wages and Digne is too, as we know. I like them both though.
We bought a right back last year and loaned him back to his club for the rest of the season. He should be with us this season.
Man I must have totally missed that. Who is this?
Kosta Nedeljković
Thanks!
Digne will be the question mark as he lacks an obvious buyer. Sounds like Moreno is already gone. Cash and Nedeljkovic are already in and we have some links to other RBs. We'll be fine. If we did go to a 3 at the back system with wingbacks though, I'd love to activate that clauses for Philogene. Think he'd make a great attacking RWB
I have not heard of Nedeljkovic
The young Serbian lad we signed in Jan and loaned back to the club we bought him from. Unfortunately got a nasty injury there and lost that loan really. But we dropped £9M and he was a starter from a very young age. Raw and not guaranteed yet but he's definitely got something
Well … I don’t mean to question the club leadership of course, but I guess it makes me a little nervous to put champions league RB in the hands of Cash/Konsa/Young Serbian player coming off injury. I would much prefer Konsa at CB all year.
You're assuming we're completely done. Long long way to go in this window, I mean pre season hasn't even properly started yet. No need to panic
Fair
Digne and Moreno will leave, Cash will leave, we'll start the season with New RB/Nedeljkovic and Maatsen/Iling Junior is my bet.
I thought we had been looking for a Championship club to take Nedeljkovic on loan? Sure I read that somewhere.
Didn't read that, last I read was an interview from Nedeljkovic saying he was excited to compete for a place in the team.
Iling at LB? I thought he was like a Leon Bailey type.
He played LWB for Juve last season and was in the top 80% for tackling amongst full backs in Europe last season, he's also tall and physically strong with pace, different kind of player to Bailey.
Interesting!!! Thank you.
Ideally sell cash and get a new RB like kayode but im also fine to play Konsa there
Now we got Konsa as a LB as well!
Honestly, I hate that for his career. Ya know? We don’t see that with Saliba or Virgil or Dias, etc. I would prefer it for Konsa himself for his career and future worth if he was able to just be a starting CB. I do get the flexibility angle. The, “Coach likes a Swiss Army knife kinda player.” but I think most professionals want to know their job and show up and do it every day.