2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[RevidgeBlue]

8 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont think you would want to be chucking in kids unless they stood out like Phillips. 

Although I agree it shouldnt be a priority.

You're not exactly "chucking them in" to start every week, you're hoping they're good enough to do a job for the odd game in case of emergency. As should be the case for any youngster in and around the squad.

No point having them about if they aren't.

[RevidgeBlue]

3 minutes ago, Neal said:

Think its too early to be chucking around credit at Gestede. Proof is in the pudding with how the players perform. However, as I see it he needs to prove himself, be decisive and show leadership in contracts and recruitment. Set deadlines to Hyam, Tronstad and Trav for contract renewals, if they aren't going to sign then they need shipping out. We can't have weak leadership anymore, willing to let millions of pounds walk out the door for nothing when we don't have the budget to replace them. If you've recruited this guy (VI) and want to give him a fair chance then sell those not wanting to be here and let him build something this summer. No point on waiting. 

Yep, fair enough put like that.

[jim mk2]

59 minutes ago, unleaded said:

Axel reminds me a mix of Glen Hoddle & David Platt for his being at the right spot at the right time …

If he turns out to as good as either of those 2 we have signed a £50 million player. I'd settle for better than Travis who hopefully isn't going but whom he seems likely to replace, 

[Mashed Potatoes]

5 minutes ago, Neal said:

Think its too early to be chucking around credit at Gestede. Proof is in the pudding with how the players perform. However, as I see it he needs to prove himself, be decisive and show leadership in contracts and recruitment. Set deadlines to Hyam, Tronstad and Trav for contract renewals, if they aren't going to sign then they need shipping out. We can't have weak leadership anymore, willing to let millions of pounds walk out the door for nothing when we don't have the budget to replace them. If you've recruited this guy (VI) and want to give him a fair chance then sell those not wanting to be here and let him build something this summer. No point on waiting. 

Players can only be shipped out if they agree to be. Regarding Tronstad, haven't people on here said that he wants to stay for the last year of his contract and then move back to Norway - where I guess wages are rather lower- where his wife has already relocated to ?

[roversfan99]

There may be individual circumstances but a total of 1 contract renewal (a player signed initially for 6 months then extended) asks big questions.

And totally undermines anything we are supposed to be trying to build.

[Danny O.Brien]

3 hours ago, rog of the rovers said:

Interesting the fans chant at the end to the tune of ABBA's "Lay all your love on me"

Axel Nils Hen-rik-sson

 

We desperately need this song translating, the gimme gimme song I've seen floating around is terrible.

[MarkBRFC]

4 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

There may be individual circumstances but a total of 1 contract renewal (a player signed initially for 6 months then extended) asks big questions.

And totally undermines anything we are supposed to be trying to build.

I don't think anyone who has signed since last summer will ever sign new contracts either.

The "plan" now will be to play them and hopefully develop them to sell 2 years into there 3 (+1) year deals.

We're a one contract club now.

[roversfan99]

3 hours ago, islander200 said:

No he called them out in January over the lack of spending when it became apparent he wasn't getting a new deal before that there wasn't any discontent shown towards the owners and board 

In fact he called out our fans a lot more than the owners "its not 94/95" We don't have Shearer etc".Also openly saying in an interview that he encouraged the recruitment guy to join Sunderland.Saying that publicly whilst still manager would have got him sacked at other clubs

I don't agree with the name calling and I think initially he did a good job he was just kept in it too long.Should have been sacked at least a year before he went 

He also showed frustration in the summer when Armstrong was sold and he wanted to reinvest some of the proceeds but wasnt allowed. Across numerous interviews.

I suggest people need to get a thicker skin if the odd defensive comment or the odd attempt to manage expectations (ill advised) still causes people to get angry at the mere mention of his name years later and have a strong dislike to him still.

Or to create all the rubbish about him protecting his pension fund etc. He subsequently has easily found Championship work, even once just after his illness. He wasnt in a job well above his reputation, he had no reason to be so protective. Promotion would have been incredibly beneficial to him, he just wasnt capable.

[Tomphil2]

It seems the ones earmarked for development to sell are getting long contract but the caveat to this is no doubt their starting point wages here are low by British standards.

At least there's a few here now beyond next summer though !

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, ROVER_N_OUT1978 said:

Some loose suggestions that the RW we are after is Dapo Afolayan from St Pauli (formerly of Bolton).

No actually links so maybe take with a pinch of salt.

Where have you seen this?

[ROVER_N_OUT1978]

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Where have you seen this?

 

[islander200]

12 minutes ago, Mashed Potatoes said:

Players can only be shipped out if they agree to be. Regarding Tronstad, haven't people on here said that he wants to stay for the last year of his contract and then move back to Norway - where I guess wages are rather lower- where his wife has already relocated to ?

Ismael said after one of the games "sonny wants to stay this year"

[Exiled_Rover]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

He also showed frustration in the summer when Armstrong was sold and he wanted to reinvest some of the proceeds but wasnt allowed. Across numerous interviews.

I suggest people need to get a thicker skin if the odd defensive comment or the odd attempt to manage expectations (ill advised) still causes people to get angry at the mere mention of his name years later and have a strong dislike to him still.

Or to create all the rubbish about him protecting his pension fund etc. He subsequently has easily found Championship work, even once just after his illness. He wasnt in a job well above his reputation, he had no reason to be so protective. Promotion would have been incredibly beneficial to him, he just wasnt capable.

Mowbray consistently talked down Blackburn Rovers FC.

It wasn't one defensive comment or an attempt to manage expectations. He genuinely thought he was bigger and better than us - and acted like we were a minnow  in this division.

Fuck that. We're a division too low, thanks to the owners. JDT was a breath of fresh air when he came in with the way he talked about the club - so was Eustace.

That sour faced Moggie can take his lemon drizzle and shove it up his arse.

 

[MarkBRFC]

6 hours ago, MarkBRFC said:

Saw someone mention Dapo Afolayan, ex Bolton playing for St Pauli.

28 next month and one year left on his contract, wouldn't need a ESC spot either.

Can't see us spending "a few quid" in general on one signing, but certainly don't see it on a near 28 year old winger.

 

2 hours ago, ROVER_N_OUT1978 said:

Some loose suggestions that the RW we are after is Dapo Afolayan from St Pauli (formerly of Bolton).

No actually links so maybe take with a pinch of salt.

 

3 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Where have you seen this?

I saw it too last night on X, wasn't from anyone reputable, I thought it was just an opinion rather than a link to be honest.

[rovers11]

3 hours ago, Torgeir said:

de Neve is the type of player you can start away from home when looking to catch teams on the break (not letting them get too comfy and sit high). Also when protecting a lead towards the end of matches or if we face an opposition RW with pace and he needs to help our slower players in Ribeiro and Pickering. 

I agree, I think he'll be a useful player away from home where we need to keep shape, be disciplined in your position, and press the opposition. Also at home when you're protecting a lead.

He won't be a player who creates many chances or opens teams up. He's the polar opposite of AK in many respects. AK is dynamic, explosive and can produce something out of nothing. But you wouldn't count on him to keep shape, track back, or do his defensive work. That's why he's not a starter yet imo. 

[DutchRover]

Afolayan would be a big upgrade on Hedges, surely out of our league.

[MarkBRFC]

2 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

Afolayan would be a big upgrade on Hedges, surely out of our league.

I dunno, seems like he wants out of there. Depends on what they want for him and what wages he would command I suppose.

https://africasoccer.com/frustrated-oladapo-afolayan-questions-role-after-tough-season-at-st-pauli/

 

[Neal]

Are we just in for him or is it supposed to be close to getting done? (afolyan)

[JCRovers]

Team is obviously being set up to be very physical and doing a lot of running out of possession. Biggest fear will be that Ismael won't be as good as Eustace in setting up the defensive structure. Another worrying factor is that we're currently lacking depth (and quality) amongst the front four; Cantwell is basically our only creative player and Kargbo the only winger with good pace. The rest doesn't really have that "x factor" to make a difference on their own but is heavily reliant on team effort and getting enough support around them to make offensive contributions. 

Ismael has spoken to media about his players going out to 'war' this season, so wouldn't surprise me if we see a team committing tons of fouls and bookings, relying on transitions (without any pacey players bar Kargbo) or set pieces (without any set piece specialist), and see next to nothing of skillful individual play but rather attempts at making combinations to break defensive lines:

Alebiosu - has pace but doesn't have technical skills from what I've seen

Miller - built like a brick wall. Seriously doubt he can provide anything offensively bar the long throws he appears to have in his locker. Technically limited as well is my guess.

De Neve - decent athlete but seems to lack an end product. His stats from last season regarding offensive contributions (assists) is a concern.

Henriksson - stated himself that he's not very technical in the interview. Has the height to be a threat inside the box as well as making smart runs but who is going to provide the crosses now when Brittain is gone?

Tavares - bit of an unkown quantity since he's been injured. Seems to be a decent ball-carrier.

This season smells like an endless stream of flying tackles and fouls sprinkled with a bit of shithousery on top to get results.

[sharpysharps86]

2 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Suspect one of the other midfielders already here will be a direct replacement for Travis when he goes as well.

Otherwise agree.

I reckon you are probably right.

So yeah, basically its just replace what you lose and never try to build on what you have. Brilliant 🥲

[MarkBRFC]

4 minutes ago, Neal said:

Are we just in for him or is it supposed to be close to getting done? (afolyan)

Not even linked.

Just a name thrown out there because Nixon said the winger we are after is "experienced and would cost a few quid".

[wilsdenrover]

10 hours ago, KentExile said:

 

I am pretty certain from the efl handbook that the 25 man squad doesn't come into effect until the end of the window (from memory, the wording is "changes can be made at any time during transfer windows", but hopefully WilsdenRover (how do you do "mentions" anyway?) sees this post and can confirm or correct me.. thanks in advance either way), so for that limited period of time, we have room to bring in more anyway

Just my guess at what I think they may be aiming for, I am not not saying it will ultimately be achievable, and I may be wrong of course

We wouldn't necessarily have to sell Leonard, Pears & Buckley in order to create room in the squad, loans for them would do, and if Rovers desperately need squad space at the end of the window and are willing to take a hit by paying a hefty portion of their wages, then I would think all 3 could be found temporary homes in League 1 & 2 without much issue

To play in a match during a transfer window a player still needs to be on the squad list but the list can be changed ‘match by match’ during this time.

The ‘final’ squad list then needs to be submitted to the EFL within 24 hours of the window closing.

If this would be a weekend/bank holiday, the EFL will notify club’s of a different deadline.

 

Edited 1 hour ago by wilsdenrover

[briansol]

23 minutes ago, Danny O.Brien said:

We desperately need this song translating, the gimme gimme song I've seen floating around is terrible.

lol, that's a great one. Loosely translated they sing "Don't waste your goal chance, pass it to Henriksson"

[Exiled_Rover]

11 minutes ago, JCRovers said:

Team is obviously being set up to be very physical and doing a lot of running out of possession. Biggest fear will be that Ismael won't be as good as Eustace in setting up the defensive structure. Another worrying factor is that we're currently lacking depth (and quality) amongst the front four; Cantwell is basically our only creative player and Kargbo the only winger with good pace. The rest doesn't really have that "x factor" to make a difference on their own but is heavily reliant on team effort and getting enough support around them to make offensive contributions. 

Ismael has spoken to media about his players going out to 'war' this season, so wouldn't surprise me if we see a team committing tons of fouls and bookings, relying on transitions (without any pacey players bar Kargbo) or set pieces (without any set piece specialist), and see next to nothing of skillful individual play but rather attempts at making combinations to break defensive lines:

Alebiosu - has pace but doesn't have technical skills from what I've seen

Miller - built like a brick wall. Seriously doubt he can provide anything offensively bar the long throws he appears to have in his locker. Technically limited as well is my guess.

De Neve - decent athlete but seems to lack an end product. His stats from last season regarding offensive contributions (assists) is a concern.

Henriksson - stated himself that he's not very technical in the interview. Has the height to be a threat inside the box as well as making smart runs but who is going to provide the crosses now when Brittain is gone?

Tavares - bit of an unkown quantity since he's been injured. Seems to be a decent ball-carrier.

This season smells like an endless stream of flying tackles and fouls sprinkled with a bit of shithousery on top to get results.

I think Henriksson is being modest - took his goals well in his highlights and seems to be able to pick a pass too.

I agree with a lot of it though - think it's going to be about effort, athleticism and discipline this season.

Desperately need a quick RW who is also a good set piece taker (I'd have been happy for the set piece taker to come from another position, but it seems like we've basically already built the team so that's the last option).

[...]

On 05/08/2025 at 14:38, Gamst21 said:

Duncan McGuire was in Lancashire .....

👀