Agree with every word TBTP.

Whilst it all sounds quite damning I think they’re a very good duo for us despite their respective shortcomings. I also think for the reasons you’ve highlighted both may be considered as having higher value to bigger and better teams than they do for us, ironically and in direct contrast to Wilf where he was invaluable to us but not to the big guns. Hence the interest and speculation in both players.

I also feel similarly in either domino falling. If one goes the other might but also they are equally the literal and metaphorical foundation on which our team exists. A lot of doubt and over the shoulder looking may arise if that defensive alliance is broken and the whole team might look a bit shaky. Equally, if we keep both, it will definitely make everything look a bit more stable to me, if not perfect.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Nobody mention "It's a knockout"

Red and Blue Army!

Centre Half ????Main position:
Left-Back
Other position:
Left Midfield
Central Midfield

In a couple of years Guehi will be the Nathan Ake replacement at City......

Watching every game live on TV doesn't come close to the real thing..... COYP

You would like to think so, but although unlikely, it would not surprise me if we sell Guehi and Andersen for a combined £90m - £100m and then buy Schuurs or one of the other centre halves we have been linked with and take Chalobah on loan with an option to buy.

It would certainly resolve some of our financial issues if we are looking to buy a striker and winger.

To be honest, I feel our transfer plans are reactive rather than proactive, but maybe or should I say hopefully I am doing them an injustice.

Would think it very unlikely both first choice centre halves would be sold, given Zaha's departure and Olise's likely one though in practice it would give our esteemed chairman yet more money to avoid investing in the most important area, that's the first team squad Steve !!

Couldn’t agree more. Buying Franca shows the club is trying to find talent.

I would like to think that with DF having been in the position for as long as he has been he would have spreadsheet(s) of people they have / would like to have for every position in the club
(including managers / coaches / etc etc) a kind of living document which is regularly updated with all the pertinent information required to make decisions -

However, having a spreadsheet or sheets is one thing, calling it a plan in itself is probably giving it too much credit & implementing it / or getting it implemented is a whole other ball game with so many outside influences & permutations that can interfere with any desired outcome with timing playing a key part & everyone involved having their own agenda as to what they want to see as a result out of it.

I tend to disagree with a few of you here.

We’ve wanted a right back for two seasons (some would argue 3), no right back.

We’ve needed a striker since we found out both Mateta and Edouard are distinctly average, no striker.

Our plan to provide cover and maybe an improvement at left back is to yet again wet nurse a player for Chelsea with no provision to buy after a loan.

We’ve lost our two star players out wide from last season albeit we are not sure of Olise’s injury duration and whether he is going to be our player once he is fit. No replacements (França is not a winger and is injured).

If we are not careful we will start the season with just one decent keeper.

Yes, some of these holes may be filled but I very much doubt they all will be and our transfer policy never allows us to have any sort of pre season with new players (Lerma excepted).

If the above situation is what you guys consider a decent transfer strategy then I’m not with you on it.

The most realistic assessment of the situation I have seen on this forum.
We seem to have reverted to patching up the squad and making do and mending.
It may be enough to keep us up but there is a lesson to be learnt with Leicester.
Who would have had them going down this time last year?
Like us they had a handful of excellent players, but they also had a few veterans, a few injury prone players, a few who wanted out and players that were brought in who weren’t good enough.
We still have time to address shortcomings in the squad , but where are the goals coming from to turn draws into wins and losses into draws.