Daily Discussion - 26 June 2025

Use this thread for general daily football discussion.

This thread can also be used to discuss Transfer rumours and to post Tier 4 sources.

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15 comments

I’m ready to let Thomas leave, but do we need Nørgaard?
- I am too, but that means we have only have Rice, Merino and Zubimendi in midfield, with Zinny also out the door. You could argue moving MLS to cover midfield, but he's been playing so well in his current role, I don't see the need to hamfist him into a position he hasn't played in at this level. You could also argue Havertz, but he seems to excel up front opposed to when he played in midfield for us.
  For me, it comes down to how many times we've not recruited appropriate backup when required and been left wanting. We could be one injury away from disaster again i.e. Havertz in Jan after Jesus being out injured, amongst others in the past few seasons.
  People are also getting anxious about the lack of silverware, which has been compounded since Newcastle and Spurs have since gone on to win some trophies (although the EL was easy pickings for a club like spurs).
  I think for the amount of comps we're involved in and subsequent games, we'll need the backup.
  
  Thanks for your thoughts. So nice to see civil, thoughtful discussion rather than the cesspit on some social media platforms.
  
  Of course! I don't see the need for getting personal. There's no need for it, really. We're all here for the same thing and we all want the same thing for the club. We can all disagree, it's not going to end the world. I think some other countries already have that covered, lol
  In the grand scheme of things, football is meant to be a thing to enjoy and we can sometimes go a little too far (I have at times for sure).
  I have opinions, but I don't have strong opinions. I try to keep an open mind and I'm open to being incorrect or misguided.
  But, the community here as a whole feels cordial. It's a nice little corner of the internet :)
- Yeah, we really do. With both Partey almost certainly going and Jorgingo gone we will be very light in the defensive midfield department.
  With no further additions, back-up options for Zubimendi will be:
  Rice, who can play there, but then it deprives us of him further up the pitch.
  Zinchenko, who Arteta doesn't seem to like playing in that position (and who might also be leaving).
  MLS, who I think would be great there eventually, but he's still pretty inexperienced.
  Merino, but I think he's much better a bit further up the pitch, and I don't think he really has the chops to play reliably as a DM.
  White, who played there for Bournemouth years ago, but again Arteta doesn't seem to want him playing as a DM.
  Having a PL battle-hardened defensive midfielder who can come off the bench and relieve some of Zubimendi's workload will be essential. And Norgaard fits that need very well.
  
  It seems like a largely inexpensive purchase as well, from what the reports say. A kind of Trossard-esque type transfer.
  It seems like shrewd business.
  
  Yeah, for the money it’s hard to see a downside
  
  I see your points. There’s also Havertz in the 8 which frees up Rice for time at 6. Can’t hurt to have more experienced bodies though. As long as Mikel can find a way to keep everyone sharp and engaged.

15 comments