The Summer 2025 Transfer Window Thread

[jd1981]

We only finished as low as we did because we had GON for half the season. Our form after VP arrived would have seen us just about in the top half.

We’d still have strugggled with this squad, as I’ve just commented on Alan post VP seems to be good at disposing of the crap sides but struggled against teams in top half. Notable win was Villa at home and Bournemouth away although they were down to 10 men.

 

[Alan]

I don’t disagree that the squad is weaker now; all I can say is that I’m not convinced it’s so much weaker that we’ll be as poor as folks seem to think. Season started today, I’d guess 14th or 15th, in the midtable group that isn’t threatening top half in a meaningful way but also doesn’t have to panic about the bottom 3.

I don’t think it can be understated just how organized we became almost immediately when Vítor got here; I don’t think it’s just a case of looking more organized relative to GO’s tenure.

Far be it from me to be naïvely optimistic, but we shall see!

 

[prawnking]

I really hope we're not overestimating Vitor here, it's entirely possible he overachieved in his first few months here, especially relative to his previous career trajectory.

I wouldn't want to test that theory even further by giving him a weaker squad than he had last time to boot, but that's what we're doing

 

[Mel Evo]

He’s great, but as he himself has intimated, he can’t keep pulling rabbits from a hat in this league. He needs resources, and it’s evidently a major recruitment. If he doesn’t get it he’ll be gone one way or the other and more fool us.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I don't buy the "bed in" stuff, good players with the right mentality will be alright from the off. André was magic from the off, no matter what O'Neil thought.

Need to sign a few of em la.

 

[Alan]

Exceptional players can, but you can’t ignore that many will need to adjust. And it isn’t because they’re ineffably terrible.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

I don't buy the "bed in" stuff, good players with the right mentality will be alright from the off. André was magic from the off, no matter what O'Neil thought.

Need to sign a few of em la.

Alternatively, Cunha took a while.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Alternatively, Cunha took a while.

Well De Burgh didn't really pick him much or know where to play him, which didn't help.

Presumably every other club will be in the same boat then, loads of their new players will be shite for weeks if that's the rule of thumb (it definitely isn't).

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

It's not a rule of thumb.

But there are plenty of players that have taken a while to get going, or alternatively come in and smashed it up immediately.

 

[Jinky]

I don’t disagree that the squad is weaker now; all I can say is that I’m not convinced it’s so much weaker that we’ll be as poor as folks seem to think. Season started today, I’d guess 14th or 15th, in the midtable group that isn’t threatening top half in a meaningful way but also doesn’t have to panic about the bottom 3.

I don’t think it can be understated just how organized we became almost immediately when Vítor got here; I don’t think it’s just a case of looking more organized relative to GO’s tenure.

Far be it from me to be naïvely optimistic, but we shall see!

Well we’d be starting a Premier League season with Hoever & Hugo Bueno as our starting full backs, no recognised back up to our centre forward or midfield pairing, and only an injury in the back line (or to our goalkeeper) away from some serious issues there too. Oh, and having to play a midfielder in the front three from the off.

So I’d say we would bloody struggle! We need to sign some bloody players!

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

You'd assume that Arias will feel like it's a few weeks into the start of the season.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

I don’t disagree that the squad is weaker now; all I can say is that I’m not convinced it’s so much weaker that we’ll be as poor as folks seem to think. Season started today, I’d guess 14th or 15th, in the midtable group that isn’t threatening top half in a meaningful way but also doesn’t have to panic about the bottom 3.

I don’t think it can be understated just how organized we became almost immediately when Vítor got here; I don’t think it’s just a case of looking more organized relative to GO’s tenure.

Far be it from me to be naïvely optimistic, but we shall see!

I think Sunderland have done some good business, Leeds are ambitious but have struggled to get the quality in. This bottom 3 will be better than last year, and we won't have Spurs and United down there this time.

 

[Alan]

@Jinky I’d love more! We’re not as far apart on this as our telenovela posts probably suggest.

@Elephant Pyjamas I’m really interested in where VP will play Arias; he’s not dissimilar to Jean, who Vítor has said he doesn’t like as a midfielder.

Obviously, I’ve only seen Arias a handful of times, but he seems to me like he’d thrive as an #8.

 

[Alan]

I think Sunderland have done some good business, Leeds are ambitious but have struggled to get the quality in. This bottom 3 will be better than last year, and we won't have Spurs and United down there this time.

Brentford, I think, will be awful (relatively speaking). They’re relegated for certain, IMO. The clubs coming up are a crapshoot this season, though I agree about Sunderland (good to have them back in the PL; soft spot for them).

The future is always shifting, mate. Though I fully expect that Jinks will be shoving crow down my throat come November.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

@Jinky I’d love more! We’re not as far apart on this as our telenovela posts probably suggest.

@Elephant Pyjamas I’m really interested in where VP will play Arias; he’s not dissimilar to Jean, who Vítor has said he doesn’t like as a midfielder.

Obviously, I’ve only seen Arias a handful of times, but he seems to me like he’d thrive as an #8.

Arias looks like Cavaleiro Max to me. He won't play deep.

As for Sunderland, I would question the wisdom of paying €20m for Granit Xhaka who turns 33 in September and they looked like they needed 20 new players when I watched them in the playoffs.

 

[Alan]

Arias is really strong for his size, but as long as he’s on the pitch somewhere, I’ll be happy.

On Sunderland, it’s a fair point, but for just next season, I think he’ll help them. Long term, it’s more questionable, as you say.

I’m not saying I expect any of the promoted sides will be particularly good.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

View attachment 14418

It's so disingenuous to list it like that though.

Dawson wasn't even in our Premier League squad for the final four months of his contract, anyone with eyes would gladly never watch Guedes play another minute in a Wolves shirt, Djiga wasn't trusted to come on at 3-0 up against relegation fodder at home, Meupiyou never kicked a ball for us, Joe Hodge would struggle in the Conference as he is a truly dreadful footballer, Chiquinho last started a league game for us under Bruno fucking Lage, and that's not even being exhaustive in pointing out the nonsense.

Yes we need new players, no it hasn't been good enough so far, don't pretend we've lost loads and loads of good players though, we have lost three (four if you squint a bit with Sarabia, but who would have renewed his contract, basically no-one).

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Arias looks like Cavaleiro Max to me. He won't play deep.

As for Sunderland, I would question the wisdom of paying €20m for Granit Xhaka who turns 33 in September and they looked like they needed 20 new players when I watched them in the playoffs.

Doesn't matter how old Xhaka is for this coming season, if he's a leader and shows quality (which he did in Germany) he'll be priceless.

I agree they looked crap in the playoffs though, I dont know anything about Diarra (€32mill), but Adringra is a good signing.

 

[Jinky]

The future is always shifting, mate. Though I fully expect that Jinks will be shoving crow down my throat come November.

I want nothing more than to be proven wrong, mate!

 

[Alan]

It was out of love, promise!