25 Mar 2015 19:23:48
At the end of the 2015 Summer transfer window, we'll have to register our squad of aged-over-21 players for the Premier League for the 2015-16 season. Under the current rules, that squad can be a maximum of 25 players of which at least 8 must be homegrown - which therefore means that no more than 17 can be non-homegrown. Players classed as aged-under-21 for next season (that's players born on or after 1st January 1994) don't have to be included in this squad of 25.
Our current aged-over-21 squad comprises 23 players of which 9 are homegrown and 14 are non-homegrown.
The current squad's 9 homegrown players are Hibbert, Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Barry, Gibson, Osman, and McAleny (out on loan) plus on-loan Lennon.
The current squad's 14 non-homegrown players are Howard, Robles, Coleman, Oviedo, Alcaraz, Distin, Besic, Junior, McGeady, Mirallas, Pienaar, Naismith, and Kone plus on-loan Atsu.
Three players currently aged-under-21 - Lukaku, Barkley, and Garbutt - will have to be included in the squad in order to be eligible for next season, as they were born before 1/1/1994. (These three will all be classed as homegrown.) Other players, like Stones and Browning, will still be classed as aged-under-21.
So, the multi-million dollar question is: who moves in and out of the club this Summer so that we have a squad that meets the 25 (8/17 split) rule for aged-over-21 players? Also, which aged-under-21 players will be challenging for first team places just like (hopefully!) Stones and Browning will be next season? By the way, nett transfer fee expenditure and any increase in wages will have to stay within the financial fair play rules, which makes any changes to the squad even more complicated.
So, sensible suggestions please.
25 Mar 2015 21:03:44
Distin is on around 50k, we have not used him this season so therefore expendable. Pienaar is on around 70k we have not used him so he is expendable. Much to Degsys delight (I have also always been a fan) Osman has another year in him. That frees up over 100k of wages (per week)
When it comes to FP we are regardless of our league position for the next 12 months in a position to spend around 30-40million including wages so about 2 players of 10 mill on around 50k a week.
Let's face it Kev will go for about 15 million which is more funds and wages. The wages will probably be replaced by Lennon but transfer will be about half of Mirallas.
So it should be a summer of about 4-5 exits, I'm saying Hibbert (not on bad wages) Distin, Mirallas and Pienaar. I would say Alcaraz may go too. Lennon in (that's one home grown) and potentially one or two cheap lower league home grown talents. We should still have 20 mill for a decent centre back and striker. Minus Europe that should do for next summer. Maybe a loan as well. Then the next summer the major re build will be required where we aim to improve from 12th and get back towards top 7. The reality is people can say Moyes left Martinez an a dream scenario but like Fergie he actually left an ageing squad. I don't like Martinez because he didn't address it in his first summer. Why he did that? I think he gambled that he had enough to try for top 4 and get the extra 20 mill that would have allowed him to make changes this summer. He failed so he was unable to really do anything.
Gareth Barry is brown shoes' biggest mistake. Such high wages such a long contract and so short term in thinking. I am convinced the guy has a play when fit clause in his contract which is and has been suicidal. I would cut our losses pay his contract off and get rid, don't be surprised if that happens, big Sam would take him.
Then we have Tim Howard. He is the only player at the club to surpass his wages with merchandise sales, therefore he will stay (football is a business this guy is free) but no World Cup would suggest he won't replicate his merchandise sales but still as a marketing tool we have no better. (Bring back Cahill, the biggest footballer in Asia)
Bottom line, if dealt with sensibly our situation is not so drastic. I personally think Kev is our best player and it's sad he will go but clearly that is the case. However we lose/get rid of two more squad players on high wages who either by injury or no fault of their own have contributed nothing this season it frees us up for fresh blood. I just don't really want Bobby brown Shoes responsible for who we replace them with
{Ed025's Note - i cant see us getting big money for kev svenny mate..
25 Mar 2015 21:25:41
15 mill is not big money anymore and he is the only champions league ready player we have
{Ed025's Note - he is a luxury player svenny, is lazy and does not produce the goods very often...if it was your team would you want to buy him?..
25 Mar 2015 22:05:08
Yes, he is the only player in our current squad that can do something others can't. These players are rare these days. Just because of what Phillips did for QPR the other week at Palace (scored one 40 yarder nearly got another) I would have him. There is much of muchness in the premier league these special players differentiate who cares if we carry them? We have 22 squad players who carry everyone else. Only Kev can score a goal like he did at Spurs.
Ross has the potential to be the same eg goal against city last season but I think Kev does it more often. Think his impact away at West Ham when we lost on pens. Who else do we have that is a bit special?
25 Mar 2015 22:17:48
He's what I call a match of the day player. Anyone who watches him for 90 minutes will not be impressed if we get ten million for him I'll be a happy man
{Ed025's Note - im with you kingy..
26 Mar 2015 15:07:58
Outs oviedo becuasehe will not want to be third choice mirallas because its looking that way alcaraz and distain willbe out maybe kone will be let go for a better replacement. Ithink pienaar and mcgeady should go but will not. So squad remaining would be robles howard baines garbutt jagielka stones coleman hibbert mccarthy gibson besic barry osman mcgeady pienaar naismith barkley lukaku mcaleny. that's 19 players 12 home grown 7 foreign players. So we are well within quota and can sign 6 new players and promote ledson galoway browning without that effecting the 25 there are other players like walsh long dowell and the young keepers like stanek who can also provide cover. I would think realistic targets would be lennon ayew delefeu out wide alderviweld at centre back.
26 Mar 2015 16:03:57
Seanmcc1985: Stones will still be classed as aged-under-21, so that's another place free in the squad.
26 Mar 2015 21:10:54
You right sid. We have loads of space for new players home grown or overseas. The problem i'm having is on paper our defence is not that bad apart from cover at cb. Is martinez going to bring in a cb who replaces stones or jagielka, probably not. I don't think we will improve the fullbacks either.so first game of next season we will be playing the same back four with the same manager same tactics and more than likely the same problem. Not that i'm a massive fan, but if tony pulis had that back four he would be able to coach it to keep clean sheets. For me this is why I believe he has to go. I also think the majority of our transfer budget has to be spent in the wide positions, we need to add goals to our midfield and support lukaku. I still think barkley can go on to be a cracking player and our team should be built around him and lukaku.
{Ed025's Note - i agree with most of that sean, but maybe lukaku will not be here after the summer, and anyone who would put their faith in ross to build a side around is very naive mate..
27 Mar 2015 09:51:17
I see where you are coming from ed, my worry is we sell Rom and Ross and they go on to have great careers elsewhere. They are both still young and every ex pro you hear is positive Ross is the real deal. Maybe because he is a blue I am wanting him to do well also. If Rom leaves the rebuild for next year looks even bigger, yes there will be money but our only centre forward will be Kone. If Rom goes who do we replace him with with realistically, Danny Ings, Charlie Austin or take a chance on a foreign player. I would be worried having to bring in so many new players. The consequences of this awful season are yet to be seen I feel.
{Ed025's Note - i think you could be right sean..