02 Feb 2026 21:25:05
ED001 If you're about. the way we've made 6 or 7 singings this season to me is not the way to go about things, I know we done it bfr when buying Alisson, VVD etc n it worked well then but I'd rather we done that once then added one class player a year n the odd youngster with potential, instead of repeating it every 4 or 5 years n hoping it will work again, I know times have changed but back when we was most successful that's what we did.

{Ed001's Note - if we are not going to utilise the academy, then we will be forced to sign lots of players.}

1.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 22:07:32
Guehi and Semenyo were not VVD/ Ali levels, but Wirtz and Isak were supposed to be. Wirtz will deliver, Isak maybe not.
There is a reason only 7/ 28 players over 80m have been a success, and the VVD/ Ali purchases were heaven sent, but its not the norm. Big prices come with big risks.

Who is out there that will be available and will be worth the risk? Anderson will cost a tidy packet and will likely go to City. I reckon we'll get Wharton and or Stiller if Mac leaves.

2.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 22:26:13
Why do people think isak won't deliver? don't forget wirtz only got his 1st assist setting up isak for the spurs goal that brought his injury. Now everyone thinks he's the 2nd coming of kenny. being injured doesn't mean you lose your talent.

3.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 22:32:57
Don't understand why Isak is being written off.

4.) 02 Feb 2026
02 Feb 2026 23:24:45
Isak will deliver when he is fit (and I don't just mean uninjured) and gets quick ball. Everybody plays better when we play at pace. I can only hope that Slot will learn the lesson now after past week. That he didn't after real Madrid.

It wasn't perfect against Newcastle by any stretch. But it was a step in the right direction.

I really dread going back to slow football. I can only hope we are learning. And Slot is learning.

5.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 00:00:41
ED001, so in your opinion, if we're not going to use the academy, who's fault is it, we spend millions nurturing them, giving them the best chance of making it n yet not many come through. you see the likes of Barcelona who just seem to have an endless supply of youngsters coming through.

{Ed001's Note - that is Slot.}

6.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 06:40:38
Jesus people writing off world class talent like Isak. If you're judging players based on this season then only Szobo and Ekitike would make it.

7.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 07:38:12
Florian - the issue is the rise of Ekitike. In an ideal world you could play them together or give them equal starts / sub appearances and they would maximise that time with G/ A output matching their transfer fees.

But I just don't see that as realistic.

8.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 10:19:12
So let them duke it out faith, not rocket science. Whoevers in better form starts. Build a squad with that kinda calibre of players and you can be sure we'll be playing the bones of 60 games a season. Allowing for injuries and being rested etc that's plenty of ball for both. People are seriously sleeping on Alexander Isak.

9.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 10:21:47
No Lamal's, Pedri's, Fermin Lopez's or Cabarsi's in our Academy unfortunately.

10.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 10:46:43
But there should be Florian, we spend enough money and time looking fir them.

11.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 10:53:09
@Frode, you missed out Wirtz - the lad is just class.

12.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 11:37:33
I think Ekitike could play as LW Isak centre Salah/ or replacement on RW
Wirtz in behind

Then play Szob and Grav in a more disciplined central role, allowing Frimpong and Kerkez to do what they do well and that is run the channels.

But what do I know?

13.) 03 Feb 2026
03 Feb 2026 11:47:39
FatSpanishWaiter, and what have you seen of Isak of late, to suggest that he will "maybe" not make it, exactly?

You have to have arguments to support your thesis rather than just put stuff out there in a public forum.