Re the chatter about the homegrown slots, we’re fine.
The 17 non-homegrown players (if Jota signs) would be:
Alisson, Adrian
VVD, Matip, Tsimikas, Robbo
Thiago, Keita, Fabinho, Gini
Jota, Minamino, Bobby, Salah, Mane, Origi, Shaq
This doesn’t include Karius or Grujic, neither of whom will be with us in October. We’ll look to sell both (and Wilson) but if we don’t get Edwards’ value they’ll end up on loan. There’s simply no space in the squad for Grujic and Wilson, who both played regular first team football in the Bundesliga and Premier league respectively last season. We’ve got the above 17 plus Gomez, Trent, Hendo, Milner, Ox, Jones, Elliot, Williams, Brewster. That’s 26 players already. Grujic and Wilson aren’t getting in the team and are not going to spend a year in our U23s. I know Fordy disagrees profusely and obviously we’d rather raise some cash, but it will be a loan or sale. We’ve said we won’t loan to protect their value but it’s just a negotiating position ultimately.
Also, the likelihood is that we’ll sell one of Origi and Shaq which frees up a space to use for a central defender if we need it. Not beyond belief that we’d sell both, though I’d be very surprised if we let both Origi AND Brewster go. I think we’ll want one more traditional goal scorer in the squad. Jota and Minamino are excellent players but if we needed someone to score goals it would be a risk not to have that more direct attacking type as an option.
Then hopefully in time, Kelleher takes Adrian’s spot. The other of Shaq / Origi will likely leave, then we have free spots again.
