Dusic

Surely the point of playing him is to have our best chance of winning? Hojbjerg is so key to how we play, we dominated Norwich in the middle and it will be a key area vs Arsenal. As long as PEH is putting the effort in, which there is no suggestion that he is not, then he plays most games as he is a big part of our best lineup. If we want teams to spend £35m on him then let him showcase his abilities.

Given that it is troublesome to let key players go into the last two years of their contracts then Semmens and Crocker have quite a lot of work to do this summer. I make it that the following first teamers, and this is what I would do, obviously if those players want to sign extensions: Key Players: JWP (2022) - look to extend, sounds like its in progress. Interesting for JWP as he is in his prime (will be 26 in November). Will he ever move to a higher level? If so, now is probably his time. Ings (2022) - surely worth an extension to reflect what he has done and stop what will probably be inevitable speculation about him moving to a bigger club? Bednarek (2022) - ever present under RH and experienced for a young player. No brainer extension. Stephens (2022) - Good player, good character. Obvious to extend. Bertrand (2021) - Try to extend and have him here til the end of his career Hojbjerg (2021) - obviously on his way. Massive job to replace him, a player ideally suited to our style, experienced in big leagues, 90min player every game. Not too many of those around in our price range. Others: McCarthy (2022) - I would probably leave it for now. Romeu (2021) - Good guy and good player but not really suited to our style now. Ideally would sell this summer and replace but seeing as we have to do that with Hojbjerg I think its more likely he will stay and maybe sign a one year extension. Obafemi (2022) - given his age and potential probably worth an extension but could maybe wait til mid way through next season to see how he is doing. Boufal (2021) - sell this summer for whatever we can get. Such a disappointment. Vestergaard (2022) - look to sell, obviously. U23s - quite a few who have been near the first team who have contracts ending in 2021 so will be interesting to see who stays and who goes.

Such a big difference in our team when Redmond plays. That couldn't really have gone much better. For those being critical of Obafemi - worth remembering he is 19 and his only experience of pro football has been in the PL, he is learning on the job in one of the best leagues in the world. He clearly has good attributes and there is a lot to work with. Hopefully his composure and knowledge of his position will increase with experience and game time - which is basically the blueprint of what Saints and Ralph want to do. I see similarities with someone like DCL who has played most of his career in the PL and after a long time of seeming mediocre has developed into a really good striker this season, aged 23. If Ralph thinks he deserves to play then thats enough for me.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/everton-join-race-demand-real-22221813 Think Everton have lost out on Gabriel, another left sided CB, to Napoli.

Big chance for Obafemi to get ahead of Long for most of the rest of the season tonight. Lets hope he does well. I believe all his Saints goals have come away from home.

https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/atletico-madrid/20200618/481832046382/salisu-examen-en-el-metropolitano.html Says Atletico made a bid for him before lockdown and he has a chance in his next game vs AM to show why he is rated as one of the best young CBs in La Liga and possibly still of interest to them. Meanwhile in France the word still seems to be that Rennes are in the race still. €12m seems to be an utter bargain...for someone, so if we are in pole position hopefully we wrap it up soon. (Also not sure how he would get a work permit in the UK?)

Thought it was strange that Saints briefed the Echo about signing a RB this month from a team whose league has ended. Makes total sense to get someone in early but just talk about it once its done! With Genk seeming pretty sure Maehle isn't going anywhere, I don't recall us linked with any other RBs. We have also briefed that we don't want to sign KWP permanently, so would be interesting if there is a u-turn there at all.

Hanley has a knee injury.

What about if a top six team signs him? Surely then he IS a top six signing.

Bargain fee for a player with that profile. Worth remembering that the Saints leak came from the Valladolid end, and its in their interests for a bidding war. One decent French journo said last night the player had agreed terms with Rennes and they will likely up their offer. Believe they are in next seasons Champions League too. Saints have been linked with him since at least January though and certainly need a left sided CB. Still a bit to run in this one I think.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/18475570.southampton-aware-celtic-midfielder-olivier-ntchams-availability/ I've seen Ntcham a few times in European/Old Firm games and he clearly has ability. Powerful player, a little bit Lemina like but not as good as Lemina's top level. Have to wonder why he doesn't always start for Celtic but probably worth a gamble in a swap for Forster. Not a Hojbjerg replacement though as is better on the ball than off it and PEH is so key in our press.

Overall the Gap takeover has been a disaster, only mitigated by Swansea being dreadful and somehow persuading Hasenhuttl to join. Will be interesting to see what happens this summer.

The last comment on recruitment from Semmens at the last forum was that we had people lined up who were employed at the time so were looking to sort by the end of the season. As you say, would be good to get an update. It's been quiet on what Crocker has been doing since he joined...but that's not a bad thing. Sent from my SM-G981B using Tapatalk

Is Hoedt actually worse than Vestergaard?

His home club. Would be great for him, if he has ambitions to be a Manager.

Nice article on Hojbjerg in The Athletic, showing why his key stats make him very attractive for other clubs. It suggests he prefers Spurs to Everton and won't sign a new deal at Saints. Passing into final third per90 - 13th of midfielders with 900+mins 15th for aeriel duel wins 1st for ball recoveries (a key of our game under RH) Available for all but 2 PL games and no major injuries since 2013

Lol. Lets get £20m back for Carillo whilst we are at it.

Is he a superstar? No But he is a leader, well suited to the Manager's style, PL experienced, available for virtually all matches and still improving. Good luck replacing that with our likely post COVID budget. Ultimately - will his departure make us weaker? Yes

If we want to be relegated then yes.

Clyne for one kept talking about a new contract when he clearly had no intention of signing one. The club even briefed he was likely to sign one I think. In this case it looks like Hojbjerg told Saints a while back that he wouldnt and wanted to see what else there was for him.

At least he is honest, unlike a few before. If he has told the club what he wants to do then not much else to say really.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/05/07/tottenham-interested-inpierre-emile-hojbjerg-will-assess-budget/ Difficult one for Saints as we don't want anything dragging on through the window, whenever that is and certainly don't want him to sit tight and leave on a free the season after. Assuming he isn't interested in signing a new deal then hopefully we sell as soon as we can, but certainly this next window will be a strange on.

Interesting that we are being linked to strikers. Gianlica Scamacca who is 21 and we were first linked with aged 16 so there may be some truth to it. Shon Wiessman, 24yo Israeli Wolsfberger striker who has a goal a game this season. We only need 4 strikers so signing one would mean a departure. Long has seemingly been offered an extension but nothing has been announced. Obafemi is an obvious one to keep given he is a.) cheap b.) Academy produced and c.) not likely to expect to start all the time. Therefore would seem like Adams is the most vunerable, especially if we were to get a big offer from Leeds who seem to love him. Unless of course the striker links have no substance.

Just sent.

You are like a dog with a bone, Davey. Would recommend asking Glasgow to forward you his latest PM update. Will give you a few more leads.