Pivoting | Isak/Attacking Alternatives

[Squiggles]

Well, Ekitike is likely going to have to be the main man at nine, so who do we have to support him? Anyone half-decent is going to need replacing by the selling club, or we'll be entering the 'offer they can't refuse' phase, which is enough to make anyone nervous. Alternatively, do we sit tight and hope Danns can be an effective understudy and wait for Isak? I think that's too big a risk with Ngumoha and Chiesa also largely unproven in the Premier League.

I do like the Semenyo shout. Fofana still looks available, exciting and cheap.

 

[Buddha]

Granted I haven’t seen a huge amount of him but Fofana looks both lightweight and very raw to me…I don’t think he’s currently developed enough to contribute much in a side of our stature. I’m also mindful that he’s available on the cheap and no big club has swooped yet?

 

[MomoWASright]

Well, Ekitike is likely going to have to be the main man at nine, so who do we have to support him? Anyone half-decent is going to need replacing by the selling club, or we'll be entering the 'offer they can't refuse' phase, which is enough to make anyone nervous. Alternatively, do we sit tight and hope Danns can be an effective understudy and wait for Isak? I think that's too big a risk with Ngumoha and Chiesa also largely unproven in the Premier League.

I do like the Semenyo shout. Fofana still looks available, exciting and cheap.

I’d be fast tracking Danns and using Chiesa as Jota’s replacement. Manage Ekitekkers minutes is key.

I would walk away from Isak and refuse to have any dealing with Newcastle in the future, even if they want one of our players. The no dickheads policy should include clubs.

 

[Modo]

Mikautadze from Lyon.

 

[737Max]

Alvarez from Athletico

 

[peterhague]

I don't think many clubs will be willing to sell at this point. I'd go for Rodrygo if we've given up on Isak and Fofana if not.

I like Semenyo but unless his new deal has a release clause I don't think Bournemouth will let him go now.

 

[bluebell]

Samu!

 

[mom]

Isak will happen this window

 

[BishBashBosh]

Alvarez from Athletico

This would be where I am at….the money required to release Isak can’t be far off what is required to tempt Atletico.

 

[dmishra]

Barcola please

 

[Hansern]

If we have to move on from Isak then the natural target would be Rodrygo imho, and maybe Semenyo as the back up.
Both can play in multiple positions and can at a stretch play upfront. Neither will block a future move for Isak.

Barcola, Alvarez etc wont be attainable 2 weeks before the window closes.

 

[Fabio]

If we have to move on from Isak then the natural target would be Rodrygo imho, and maybe Semenyo as the back up.
Both can play in multiple positions and can at a stretch play upfront. Neither will block a future move for Isak.

Barcola, Alvarez etc wont be attainable 2 weeks before the window closes.

No guarantee semenyo would be either though.

Rodrygo would probably be the best bet but those fucking wages

 

[Hansern]

No guarantee semenyo would be either though.

Rodrygo would probably be the best bet but those fucking wages

No, but Bournemouth could be willing to sell and as was mentioned yesterday there might be a release clause there.

 

[Squiggles]

If there is, then Hughes will know all about it. It's probably wishful thinking, though. Most players/agents aren't savvy enough to force them into contracts.

 

[Buddha]

Given the Isak saga and bid, it seems an Alvarez fee isn’t out of bounds and I’d imagine he’s an alternative we’re considering.

If we’re moving on him instead then I hope it’s something we’ll get done quietly (helpful to Atletico too) and announce out of the blue.

…but I still think Isak gets done…

 

[binomial]

What an absolute clusterfuck of a mess the last 4 weeks has been.

& I'm holding Hughes solely responsible.

 

[Fabio]

Given the Isak saga and bid, it seems an Alvarez fee isn’t out of bounds and I’d imagine he’s an alternative we’re considering.

If we’re moving on him instead then I hope it’s something we’ll get done quietly (helpful to Atletico too) and announce out of the blue.

…but I still think Isak gets done…

I think Isak might get done, but I will be fucking livid if we don't have backup plans. Tbh I'm a bit annoyed because guehi should already be through the door

 

[moron]

I think Isak might get done, but I will be fucking livid if we don't have backup plans. Tbh I'm a bit annoyed because guehi should already be through the door

Yeah - I know, at least get the other one done if no actions are actually taking place with the Isak deal.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Alvarez would be ideal.

 

[Hansern]

I think we're getting a second attacking player regardless of Isak/alternative.

 

[peterhague]

I don't think Alvarez is in the same class as Isak, though. I thought there was a case for paying over the odds for him when it looked like there were no other good options, but since Ekitike has come in and looked great I just don't think it makes sense any more. You could argue that even Isak doesn't make much sense either, tbh, but at least he's a genuinely world class player.

I think Fofana probably makes the most sense overall cos he does look decent and he's quite cheap, and then try again for Isak in January.

 

[moron]

If we have to move on from Isak then the natural target would be Rodrygo imho, and maybe Semenyo as the back up.
Both can play in multiple positions and can at a stretch play upfront. Neither will block a future move for Isak.

Barcola, Alvarez etc wont be attainable 2 weeks before the window closes.

I don't get this business with 2 weeks before window closes etc.. I am pretty sure clubs can get deals done quickly if they want it to be done. If Isak don't come then get Alvarez, the Simenyo links are not good - not because he is a bad player - would more more than happy if he joined, but the issue is he has AFCON, so no good if him and Mo are away.

 

[Buddha]

I don't think Alvarez is in the same class as Isak, though. I thought there was a case for paying over the odds for him when it looked like there were no other good options, but since Ekitike has come in and looked great I just don't think it makes sense any more. You could argue that even Isak doesn't make much sense either, tbh, but at least he's a genuinely world class player.

I think Fofana probably makes the most sense overall cos he does look decent and he's quite cheap, and then try again for Isak in January.

Re the Ekitike looking great, doesn’t that potentially make Alvarez a better fit for a front 2 though?

 

[Hansern]

I don't get this business with 2 weeks before window closes etc.. I am pretty sure clubs can get deals done quickly if they want it to be done. If Isak don't come then get Alvarez, the Simenyo links are not good - not because he is a bad player - would more more than happy if he joined, but the issue is he has AFCON, so no good if him and Mo are away.

Mostly because other teams wont have the time to get a replacement.

Semenyo's Ghana aren't qualified for AFCON.

 

[bluebell]

FWIW I think Isak will happen, Isak wants it to happen. Newcastle need to get DoF like Paul Mitchell who is unemployed and knows the club.

 

[peterhague]

Re the Ekitike looking great, doesn’t that potentially make Alvarez a better fit for a front 2 though?

I don't think we want to play a front 2 though. You could just about make a case for it - as rare as it is nowadays - if we hadn't signed Wirtz, but there's no way in hell we're playing a 10 AND a front 2. I think we signed Ekitike because we thought he was too good to pass up, and because he can play on the left, and because we need 2 strikers.

 

[KopRed]

How about Morgan Rogers?

It's worth it just to piss Spurs off.

 

[Fabio]

Mostly because other teams wont have the time to get a replacement.

Semenyo's Ghana aren't qualified for AFCON.

tbf we JUST sold them Doak. Offer them Harvey

 

[Fabio]

I don't think we want to play a front 2 though. You could just about make a case for it - as rare as it is nowadays - if we hadn't signed Wirtz, but there's no way in hell we're playing a 10 AND a front 2. I think we signed Ekitike because we thought he was too good to pass up, and because he can play on the left, and because we need 2 strikers.

I think Alvarez could happily play off the left, similar to the way gakpo does, and occupy half spaces.