Thread by @Edit_Kev

A month or so ago, @JohanJnrRidley requested a list of the players I think #NUFC should sign to improve the squad this summer.

Now European football of some kind is all but guaranteed for #NUFC, I’m in a position to deliver this.

So here’s my 40+ tweet transfer mega 🧵 👇

However, I want this thread to be sensible and bring in as many realistic factors as it’s possible to know I’m going to break this down into three sections:

1️⃣ Potential Outgoings & Squad
2️⃣ Recruitment Strategy
3️⃣ Transfer Targets

#NUFC

1️⃣ Potential Outgoings & Squad

Let’s start with players that are 𝙇𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 #NUFC via loan, transfer or end of contract this summer:

▶️ Hendrick
▶️ Fraser
▶️ Dummett
▶️ Dubravka
▶️ Ritchie
▶️ Lewis
▶️ Manquillo
▶️ Clark
▶️ Hayden
▶️ Darlow
▶️ Wood

Next, are players that 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 #NUFC via a transfer this summer:

▶️ Jamal Lascelles
▶️ Allan Saint Maximin

Both Lascelles (Passing) & ASM (Defensive instincts) have gaps in their game. IF the right offer comes in for either man, IMHO it will be considered.

I’m sure that some of you are 🤬🤬🤬 at the prospect of either player leaving ahead of some that I’ve said will stay, but at UCL-level these flaws would get targeted.

So for the sake of this piece of analysis let’s assume ALL​​ these players leave #NUFC this summer.

Given the need to increase the size AND quality of our squad to compete in Europe as well as try to maintain or improve our league position in 23/24, then #NUFC would need additional cover for 8️⃣ positions in the squad 👇

Now an EPL squad can only be 25 players over the age of 21 & the squad above has 28 unique slots…

To make it fit #NUFC would have to:

◾ Sign players that can play more than one position
◾ Sign at least two first-team-ready U21 players

4-6 players to cover, 8 positions 👇

However, Euro squad rules require 8 Homegrown players with 4 trained at #NUFC for 3 years between the ages of 15-21.

In the squad, just S.Longstaff & Anderson meet the Trained at Club criteria

There are workarounds, but the return of Forster or Krul would free up an extra slot.

Taking these into account, there are numerous ways to cover the 8 positions, however, I would buy a:

◾ Starting left back
◾ Starting right centre back
◾ Starting central mid
◾ U21 versatile mid
◾ Starting left/right winger
◾ U21 versatile forward

Budget: £100-150m #NUFC

2️⃣ Recruitment Strategy

With 6️⃣ player profiles identified, we now need to factor in #NUFC’s appetite for transfer risk.

Since the takeover #NUFC has taken what I’d call “a high-floor, low-ceiling” approach to transfers 👇

By paying premiums for:

◾ EPL experience
◾ European comp experience
◾ U21 International experience

#NUFC has limited the possibility of multiple failed transfers (floor) at the expense of a higher volume of potentially successful deals (ceiling), creating more certainty.

As the club attempts to bridge the commercial gap to the ‘traditional’ top-six within the bounds of FFP, any mistakes could prove costly & slow progress toward this goal.

Each of the recommendations for #NUFC transfers will meet as many of the following criteria as possible:

Additionally, I’m going to factor in any previous strongly reported links - where #NUFC already have an obvious interest - AND generally limit (with one exception) my searches of talent to players in the top divisions of the following nations: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, 🇫🇷, 🇩🇪, 🇮🇹, 🇪🇸, 🇵🇹, 🇳🇱, 🇧🇷 & 🇦🇷

3️⃣ Transfer Targets

For each position, I’ll provide a set of stats I’m interested in, then make three recommendations 🥇, 🥈& 🥉based on players that meet those criteria & the others listed previously. #NUFC

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸

#NUFC will likely look for a defend-first full-back who offers more going forward but isn’t so different from Burn that any injury dramatically changes #NUFC’s shape or playstyle when the team rotates.

With that in mind, we’re going to narrow our search for #NUFC’s next left back even further by using the following data points:

Aerial Win%: 45 & 🔼
Good Defensive action OBV
Tackle% vs. Dribble: 45% & 🔼
xGA: 0.05 & 🔼

🥉Lloyd Kelly | 20m | 190cm

Previously purchased by Howe at Bournemouth, Kelly 🔴 offers a very similar skillset to Burn 🔵. He’s younger, faster & better at dealing 1 v. 1 with wingers. At #NUFC his attacking output is likely to improve too.

🥈 Mathías Olivera | £20-30m | 184cm

Having moved from Getafe to Napoli last summer, Olivera 🔴 has excelled in Napoli’s title challenge this season & his performances in the Champions League have been even better. His attacking output exceeds Burn’s 🔵 with ease. #NUFC

🥇Pervis Estupiñán | £35-45m | 175cm

Height aside, Estupiñán ticks every box as 1st choice for #NUFC’s left-back target this summer. He’s EPL proven & once more, his output 🔴 exceeds Burn 🔵, I don’t, however, think the club push the boat out for this position.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸

#NUFC need a pacy ‘stopper’ with excellent passing ability:

🔼 HOPS heading rating than Schar (495)
🔼 Defensive action OBV
🔼 Possession adjusted Tackles & Interceptions
🔼 Line Breaking Passes
🔼 Passing under pressure

🥉 Edmond Fayçal Tapsoba | £40m+ | Header rating (507)

Tapsoba’s 🔴 speed, technical quality & versatility make him my 1st choice here. Played mainly as Left Centre Back at Leverkusen, but he’s right-footed & played RCB 10+ times this season & has the passing range #NUFC need.

🥈Jean-Clair Todibo | £30m | Header rating (478)

Todibo 🔴 is a classy right-footed centre-back. He has the speed #NUFC are looking for next to Botman, which underpins his preference to stop attacks higher up the pitch. Heading rating is a concern, but close enough to Schar’s 🔵

🥇 Tosin Adarabioyo | £20m | Header rating (604)

With just 1️⃣ year left on his deal, Tosin 🔴 feels like a good fit for Howe’s team. Schooled at Man City, he’s comfortable on the ball & is a better athlete than Schar 🔵 His EPL experience makes him a sensible transfer for #NUFC

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿

While I understand the clamour to move Guimareas into the right side of #NUFC midfield three, I think the cost to upgrade his performances at 6️⃣ may prove prohibitive & so looking for an upgrade on Longstaff feels more viable.

So #NUFC are likely to look for a player similar to Longstaff - but with a better final ball - especially crosses from the right side half-space.

Pressures: 13 & 🔼
Deep Progressions: 5 & 🔼
Turnovers: 1.8 & 🔽
xGA: 0.10 & 🔼

🥉Youri Tielemans | Free Transfer | 176cm

While I have some reservations about Tieleman's 🔴 athleticism, I think Howe would take his game up a level.

His quality with the ball is undeniably better than Longstaff 🔵, he can shoot from range & in a pinch, could cover 6 for #NUFC

🥈Khéphren Thuram | £40-50m | 192cm

With his mix of height, speed & ball-carrying ability, it’s little wonder why #NUFC are interested in Thuram 🔴 - who can play either as an #8 or #6.

OGC Nice don’t press high, so his numbers there compared to Longstaff 🔵 aren't a worry.

🥇Conor Gallagher | £40-50m | 182cm

While I’m sure there will be a few eye-rolls 🙄 here, Gallagher 🔴 is a ‘plug and play’ right-sided 8 for #NUFC.

He is relentless in the press & offers the right amount of uplift over Longstaff’s 🔵 passing - ball safety needs work though.

𝗨𝟮𝟭 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿

This is a profile where we can add a little more risk into the mix while also adding cover across the midfield three.

We're looking for players who will still be 21 or under at the end of next season & are getting significant first-team minutes #NUFC

4️⃣th Alex Scott | £18m+ | 178cm

One of the game's most hyped youngsters. Scott 🔴 has mainly played as part of a defensive midfield duo for Bristol City & impressed scouts across the country.

He’s already showing signs of being a great understudy to #NUFC’s Guimaraes 🔵

🥉Hayden Hackney | £15m+ | 178cm

Hayden Hackney 🔴 is perhaps the best young Carrick-like midfielder in the Championship.

He has amazing ball security in one of the most chaotic leagues in the world & would be a great incredible addition to #NUFC

🥈 Charlie Patino | £20m+ | 182cm

It’s been all but confirmed that one of England’s most talented youngsters is looking to leave Arsenal for more minutes this summer.

Patino 🔴 probably isn’t ready to start for #NUFC & is more likely to sign for a Bundesliga team IMHO.

🥇 Roman Lavia | £40m+ | 181cm

We all saw Lavia 🔴 recently tackle Guimaraes 🔵 to set up the break for Southampton’s goal at SJP, but he’s just 19, putting up good numbers in the league's worst team.

Man City will want him back, but #NUFC should try to jump the queue 👇

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿

With ASM potentially leaving, #NUFC need to ensure that they attempt to replace his creative passing from open play, his ball-carrying & improve on his goal threat.

These sorts of players are - for obvious reasons - incredibly expensive and sought after. This is what I’ll be looking for:

Open Play xG Assisted: 0.20 & 🔼
xG: 0.10 & 🔼
High Dribble & Carry OBV
Pressure regains: 1.70 & 🔼

🥉Edon Zhegrova | £15-30m | 182cm

Heavily linked with Arsenal in the summer of 2022, Zhegrova 🔴 is tall and shifts the ball with amazing speed to create a yard for himself to get a shot or a cross away. He’s happy using both feet but turns the ball over more than ASM ​​🔵

🥈Harvey Barnes | £50m |182cm

A bright spark for Leicester City, Barnes’ 🔴 numbers this season have understandably been affected by his team's poor form. However, go back just a season & you see what he’s capable of.

He has EPL experience & fits #NUFC’s profile well.

🥇Dominik Szoboszlai | £30-40m | 186cm

A cheat code for #NUFC’s transfer window. Szoboszlai 🔴 can play as a right-sided 8 with minimal fuss, especially in games where #NUFC are expected to be the better team.

His creative dribbling & passing is also a match for ASM 🔵

𝗨𝟮𝟭 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

Finally, we come to the last position where again #NUFC can take a little more risk in the hopes of finding a high-ceiling player for next to nothing.

🥉Oscar Uddenäs | £8-12m | 185cm

Having broken into the Häcken team last season, Uddenäs is sure to be on the notepads of scouts across Europe. He’s got pace, height, good feet and reminds me a little of Isak. #NUFC

🥈Ângelo Gabriel | £10-20m | 173cm

A box of dribbling ability, skill and creative passing. Ângelo is the sort of player that comes to mind whenever you think “Brazilian Wonderkid”. I’d like to see more shot volume here, but he’d be a lot of fun at #NUFC

🥇Matheus França | £20m-ish | 182cm

Already heavily linked with #NUFC, I find it difficult to think that the club will have moved on so swiftly having identified him as a target. He’s played mainly as a striker so far, but can play across the forward line.

Phew, what a mega thread. Thanks for sticking with it until the end.

I expect #NUFC to prioritise versatility over everything else this summer:

1️⃣ Szoboszlai
2️⃣ Thuram
3️⃣ Kelly
4️⃣ Tosin
5️⃣ Alex Scott

Nice mix of foreign & domestic talent to keep both the club & manager happy.

PS. Thread was so long I had to upload it in two shifts. Hope y'all enjoy.