19 Aug 2026 09:43:10
So come the end of the Transfer window, this could be our starting XI.
Suzuki
Wan Bissaka, Konsa, Torres, Ruggeri
Kamara, Palhinha
McGinn, Manzambi, Garnacho
Jackson.
So of the starting XI against Freiburg only 3 would remain!! I know we thought this would be a summer of transition but I’m not sure any of us thought it would be anything like this.
This season will be a real test of Unai’s coaching credentials. All teams have to transition as the squad gets older but I can’t ever remember any teams transition involving so much change in one transfer window.
19 Aug 2026 10:09:55
Unfortunately Unai's hand was forced, and I don't believe he would want changes to be so drastic, but it is what it is. I'll be happy with top 10 and getting out of Champions League group stage this season.
19 Aug 2026 11:15:53
If anymore go, who will we sell next summer to comply with the rules? We'll miss Watkins massively. Not only his all round play and effort, but he's rarely injured.
19 Aug 2026 12:47:31
In fairness I'm not sure the financial pressures will be the same. We have saved significantly in terms of salaries we are paying. Tielemans, Rogers, Digne, we're all on circa £150,000 a week. Suzuki is allegedly on £88,000. Manzambi is on £85,000 and Ruggeri £82,000. That saves us about £190,000 a week. Shifting Mings, Martinez and Bailey saves another £450,000, and if Konsa and Watkins go it will be even more.
Admittedly, some outlay will be required, but I wouldn't imagine we will eat up all of the salary savings the club has made. Add to that, we will have reduced the age profile of the squad, so all positives. The key question is, can Unai make us competitive this season with such upheaval in the squad?
19 Aug 2026 13:00:24
You're assuming that Manzambi and Garnacho won't still be injured, and that we haven't sold Konsa (looks certain to go).
Not sure how long Gomes will be out either ??
Re: next summer, we'll have same issues imo. Lower capacity will have a significant impact.
UTV !!
19 Aug 2026 14:32:56
The pessimism is really grating on me. We're getting inflated prices for our players, & they'll be replaced by players that the best manager on the planet chooses/has chosen. We've got injuries, but that'll only be an issue if every club we play against has zero injuries, which is very, very, very, very unlikely, & we have some quality kids in & around the squad that look hungry.
Chill out ffs. ??♂️
UTV.