2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[Mike E]

I’m going to half-hold my hands up here. The addition of our long-term target (Baradji) and seemingly a major piece of our jigsaw (Moroshita) has started to make this window overall quite an exciting one.

Only two things would tip it above 8/10 for me:

Forshaw out in favour of Travis (I know that won’t happen).

Bring in a striker worthy of the name.

I feel like we have otherwise answered many of our problems either with competition, adequate replacements or actual improvements. The irony that it is pretty much the model Broughton and JDT wanted to implement, albeit with a different style.

With ALL of that being said, I cannot get excited because we’ll throw it all away after Christmas as we have done now for three successive years.

Venkys Out. Pasha Out. Gestede Out.

[Tomphil2]

The transition to a cheaper squad has suddenly maybe become a revolution.

I'd say someone somewhere has been rattled and let the brakes off a bit but we'll see by the end of the window.

Agents payments in the next set of accounts will be eye watering.

[SuperBrfc]

22 minutes ago, Mike E said:

I’m going to half-hold my hands up here. The addition of our long-term target (Baradji) and seemingly a major piece of our jigsaw (Moroshita) has started to make this window overall quite an exciting one.

Only two things would tip it above 8/10 for me:

Forshaw out in favour of Travis (I know that won’t happen).

Bring in a striker worthy of the name.

I feel like we have otherwise answered many of our problems either with competition, adequate replacements or actual improvements. The irony that it is pretty much the model Broughton and JDT wanted to implement, albeit with a different style.

With ALL of that being said, I cannot get excited because we’ll throw it all away after Christmas as we have done now for three successive years.

Venkys Out. Pasha Out. Gestede Out.

I agree, this is what JDT and Broughton were trying to do. I think this is also what Luke Griffin and the rest of the newly formed recruitment team was trying to do at the time.

It seems as though they and the head honcho couldn't agree on matters, hence what we saw play out. It feels different this time as the trio seem to be on board with the current strategy.

The real test of this will come in January, if we find ourselves in or around the top six by that point. I think Val and Rudy will fancy it and will want to push on. Not so sure about the other fella right now, but let's hope we are in a position to find out.

[Armchair supporter supremo]

5 hours ago, davulsukur said:

Genuinely think he'll be back in England in 6 months time.

Playing for derby in division 1 next season 

[Armchair supporter supremo]

3 hours ago, J*B said:

Forshaw signed because he’s English, so helps that quota, is happy to sit on the bench and if we need someone to bring on when we’re comfortably winning he can do a job?

Completely forgot we've (re)signed Forshaw 😅 can't see him getting much game time tbh, probably be loaned out or released at Christmas 

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

You’re doing that direct comparison thing again mate, I get it because you’re a logical thinker but it’s not that straight forward.

You could probably apply it more if JE had stayed and then we’d lost Dolan, Travis, Brittain, Batth, Buckley and Weimann. But with VI coming in and having watched us at the back end of last season and early this season, I’m genuinely glad most of them didn’t sign and I can understand why others have left.

Its a new world now and rightly or wrongly the profile - in particular the physical attributes of the signings we’ve made are like night and day to what we had.

So, the ‘glaring holes’ you refer to are really hard to justify. Tavares would’ve replaced one of Travis or Sonny in Val’s new midfield. Not because they’re not good players, because he wants bigger, stronger athletic types.

It’s done now, this is the biggest shift we’ve had in years. 

 

But we are at a point where as you have said, we have barely if at all seen the new players. So all we can do really is speculate and also discuss what we have lost. Even if they wouldnt fit into the new way, if we are comparing the quality of the respective squads, regardless of styles, its worth noting key personnel that has left.

Take Batth. He is seemingly potentially starting to decline. And I dont think he would have suited our style as much now anyway. We didnt want him to go though, Ismael wanted him to stay, he turned us down. But I would be amazed if we keep as many clean sheets this season as last. So it is a fair direct comparison still.

People are downplaying the quality of those who have left too. 

You mention Travis. Ismael seemingly wants to play athletic, high energy stuff. That would have been right up Travis' street. Full of energy, a great presser, in your face. I dont get why you think Tavares would have knocked him out of the team. You also consider the intangible differences. Travis in the team against Birmingham doesnt show the same naivety that Tavares did.

Dolan, a player I know you really did not rate. Again, Ismael really wanted to keep him, and his form was possibly the only player to actually improve when Ismael came in. Loves to press, high energy, and started to become more and more productive. So he is again a big loss, both in terms of comparisons to last season AND as someone who would have really suited Ismael.

And obviously he had great success with Brittain before and he was another key player.

You also say you can understand why most have left. It isnt out of choice. We tried to keep them, they just didnt stay because the club has a continued inability to get players to sign new deals. This summer hasnt gone to plan, the plan was to sign 6 or 7 and Ismael has said numerous times that we have had to "transition" and sign more players than initially planned due to unwanted departures. Travis, Brittain and Dolan in particular would have not only been key features of the team had they stayed but perhaps would have suited Ismael as much as anyone. 

Which of the players that have left are you NOT glad that they have left? Ie which do you think would have thrived and improved in an Ismael team?

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

What happens if you are over estimating it? 

We will see over a season whether it's been problem or not so much. Also need factoring in the changes tactical that has happened this season. 

Im not over estimating that compared to last season, some really crucial players and also some very useful players have left the club.

That doesnt mean that some might not be adequately be replaced or some new signings might not improve us. They may very well do that. Thats a seperate argument. 

But we dont have to pretend that some of the players that have left have done based on our decision. They left when we didnt want them to. 

Nor do we have to pretend that some of the players that have left were not as good or as useful as they actually are. They do leave big gaps. Whether those gaps are filled, time will tell. But those gaps are still left nonetheless.

Brittain, Travis, Dolan, Batth. You wanted them all to stay. I wanted them all to stay. Now they are gone, similar to your trick with managers. It is of little surprise that you will downplay their quality or their influence. Its what you do. As soon as anyone heads through the Ewood exit door, in your eyes they become 50% worse. Eustace, JDT, and now a series of key players.

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

I’m going to half-hold my hands up here. The addition of our long-term target (Baradji) and seemingly a major piece of our jigsaw (Moroshita) has started to make this window overall quite an exciting one.

Only two things would tip it above 8/10 for me:

Forshaw out in favour of Travis (I know that won’t happen).

Bring in a striker worthy of the name.

I feel like we have otherwise answered many of our problems either with competition, adequate replacements or actual improvements. The irony that it is pretty much the model Broughton and JDT wanted to implement, albeit with a different style.

With ALL of that being said, I cannot get excited because we’ll throw it all away after Christmas as we have done now for three successive years.

Venkys Out. Pasha Out. Gestede Out.

Another key objective to make a successful window has to be to tie down Tronstad and Hyam to new deals. 

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, SuperBrfc said:

The way deals are happening without much or anything leaking, Morishita being the latest example of that, is what makes this a potentially exciting end to the window.

No sarcasm when I say that. We don't know what might be lined up and despite Rudy's words on the budget being unaffected, it's obvious they have raised quite a bit of money from sales. A percentage of this being added to the pot isn't a wild thought.

I agree with Duncan's view that Rudy has more of an understanding with Pasha than any other before him. This could be to our benefit. It appears they are all together as it stands and that they are trying to improve the team by meeting what the manager wants.

The encouraging sign for me is the creativity being shown and most of the new signings clearly having something about them. We can't call them successes yet, but these aren't in the same mould as the likes of Paul Taylor (who?), Varney, Brown, Fode Koita, Edun, Mola, Telalovic etc where you're thinking 'wtf!' (even after seeing them play).

Personally, I can't wait to see Baradji driving forward from midfield and our Japanese attack linking up. I think Baradji is going to be one of those where we go 'wow'.

Sentiment aside regarding Academy and English players, I particularly like the ruthless way 'wooden' players are being moved on. This needed to happen years ago.

JRC and Buckley, despite given chance after chance, have demonstrated, IMO, that they are not good enough to play for us. In Buckley's case he has gone backwards as a player. I wish them well at their new clubs and this isn't personal. We need better. It looks like Rudy and Ismael actively want better too and I'm pleased about that.

I also wouldn't blink in moving Leonard, Pears and one or two more out too if we have the opportunity to replace them.

"But they are Academy lads".

Yeah, and? We've been out of the Premier League for 13 years now. This game is about winning and trying to win.

Only my opinion, but sentiment shouldn't come into this. These guys aren't good enough for where we need to get to. If we can bring in better, move them on.

You won't hear Newcastle fans saying "Aargh, I wish we had kept Longstaff, I wish we had kept Elliot Anderson...they were Academy lads" when they can do a lot better and ARE doing a lot better.

Even with these owners and Pasha being here, we can do better than those we are allowing to leave.

We definitely shouldnt hold on to academy lads purely because they came through.

But 2 exceptions to what you say. Newcastle fans were gutted to lose Anderson who has been excellent for Forest, he only went due to FFP rules.

And the likes of Buckley and JRC are not big losses. But Travis is a giant on.

[USABlue]

6 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

He's one player, if he could refind his love for the game, I wouldn't mind us having a buy back option on because there is a real talent in there somewhere, his main problem seems to be the six inches between his ears.

You are not meaning what's in his mouth are you?

[USABlue]

5 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

I still think that people are underestimating the holes that some of the leaving players have left.

They might not be fancy exotic names with youtube highlight reels but they were crucial players in us doing so well. Travis is a leader but hes not just that, he might not be a silky player but hes an intelligent one. He reads danger, he protects the defence, he wins the ball back high up, and he manages games well. If he played instead of Tavares v Birmingham we win that game. Hes also not as bad on the ball as people make out.

I think McLoughlin might be our best signing and I think he will do better than Batth does at Derby, but not as good as Batth did for us last season. He was superb. Brittain is the best right back in the league, I think both of our new ones show promise and our sub RB will be much stronger this season, but our starter will be weaker. No shame on either, but its going to be so hard to equal Brittain. Dolan has his critics, he isnt stand out at this level, but he is a good Championship winger who had a productive season. Beck and Weimann played lesser roles but still important.

I am not saying that some of the new signings arent quite exciting and some could go on to be really shrewd pick ups. But there is a lot to just equal the side we had last season, never mind eclipse it which has to be the aim.

Only tome will tell.  Too bad about Bucko, he seemed to have it in there it just was rare to see it.  It was always like zinwas wondering ok maybe this is the game when he pulls it together.  I just don't know why he never progressed.  Good luck to the lad he's done nowt wrong cept for bouncing a ball of a opponents.head.  Possibly the STUPIDEST sending off I have ever seen.  Ref was.cold on that one get a sense of humour.

[Tom]

4 hours ago, DutchRover said:

Garrett has a torn groin and is out until at least Oct/Nov I believe. Might get a loan in Jan I guess, but yeah never quite kicked on as we all hoped after JDT left.

In theory he's a good fit for Ismael, 6'2 and athletic, hard working with some ball playing ability. Next summer will be decision time I think.

I sadly think he’ll have the same trajectory as Willem Tomlinson, hope to be wrong of course. 

[Paul Mani]

2 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

But we are at a point where as you have said, we have barely if at all seen the new players. So all we can do really is speculate and also discuss what we have lost. Even if they wouldnt fit into the new way, if we are comparing the quality of the respective squads, regardless of styles, its worth noting key personnel that has left.

Take Batth. He is seemingly potentially starting to decline. And I dont think he would have suited our style as much now anyway. We didnt want him to go though, Ismael wanted him to stay, he turned us down. But I would be amazed if we keep as many clean sheets this season as last. So it is a fair direct comparison still.

People are downplaying the quality of those who have left too. 

You mention Travis. Ismael seemingly wants to play athletic, high energy stuff. That would have been right up Travis' street. Full of energy, a great presser, in your face. I dont get why you think Tavares would have knocked him out of the team. You also consider the intangible differences. Travis in the team against Birmingham doesnt show the same naivety that Tavares did.

Dolan, a player I know you really did not rate. Again, Ismael really wanted to keep him, and his form was possibly the only player to actually improve when Ismael came in. Loves to press, high energy, and started to become more and more productive. So he is again a big loss, both in terms of comparisons to last season AND as someone who would have really suited Ismael.

And obviously he had great success with Brittain before and he was another key player.

You also say you can understand why most have left. It isnt out of choice. We tried to keep them, they just didnt stay because the club has a continued inability to get players to sign new deals. This summer hasnt gone to plan, the plan was to sign 6 or 7 and Ismael has said numerous times that we have had to "transition" and sign more players than initially planned due to unwanted departures. Travis, Brittain and Dolan in particular would have not only been key features of the team had they stayed but perhaps would have suited Ismael as much as anyone. 

Which of the players that have left are you NOT glad that they have left? Ie which do you think would have thrived and improved in an Ismael team?

The two I think would have thrived under VI are Brittain and Travis. From a technical and physical standpoint, they look aligned and VI has shown most displeasure in losing them. That said, I think Tavares can / will be a better player than Travis and has a much higher ceiling in this regime.

The point I’m making about ‘them’ leaving refers to a player choice rather the club.

Picture this…please allow for some colour and humour (It’s my style). Rovers squad sat round the camp fire under the leadership of Big Johnny Eustace and his merry men! Lots of backslapping and a strong and clear understanding that, if you “do it my way, you’ll get that contract you always wanted.” This starts to break down as the club won’t give those juicy contracts out and John packs up and leaves the pack, now feeling rudderless and vulnerable…

In steps Valerian Ismael, who seems nice, but he’s different. Firstly he’s physically chiselled from what looks like granite (No more cosy nights round the fire with pot bellied John). But there’s more….Big Val is cut from a different cloth. He’s singing from a new hymn sheet, and the players he’s bringing in are like cyborgs in comparison to what’s gone before them. Suddenly that nucleus, that strength of the group held together by John and his lieutenants Travis, Brittain, Buckley, JrC etc is smashed and one by one, they all look for a way out.

Eustace, like Mowbray relies on that English style model of camaraderie and an understanding that “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours…” Once he was gone then that would never last under Suhail and Rudy. It’s not about whether Travis and Brittain and Batth are good players, they are VERY good championship players. But the writing was on the wall as soon as Eustace left and Val came in. We couldn’t see it because, we’re not on the inside but the profile of the players signed are proof enough that club has moved on from the old guard.

The club knew this was going to happen too, and Val has intimated on more than one occasion that he was hoping for a slower transition into the model but they’ve been forced to rip the plaster off and just go for it.

This is why I don’t think the direct comparisons work. If this were still Johns gig, then we could be like, “How will Tavares, do what Trav did before him?” But it’s not….Val wants a different profile of player. Watching Tavares, and reading the raving about Baradji then I’m not even sure Sonny or Trav really stood a chance!? Trav was the most likely fit but they want high octane, ball carrying, progressive passing ‘8’s’…

This is what the manager is talking about in terms of us being in full transition mode. I just don’t see the point in the comparisons anymore. Is Travis better than Tavares? Well in John Eustaces  Rovers, yes. But in Valerian Ismaels Rovers, it’s much closer. Kargbo, Alebiosu, Henriksson, Morishita, Miller etc represent the T2000’s in this model. The T1000’s need to move on…and that’s what’s happening!

[Upside Down]

6 hours ago, Ossydave said:

Needs doing this week if it's a goer, with the window closing 7pm on Monday or I wouldn't have confidence in them getting it done on time.

Hang on, I wonder if they realise it closes at 7 🥲 if one of the club plants is reading this, remind/inform the powers that be please....

Well, looks like you've already predicted this window's "mistake".

[oneandycrawford]

6 hours ago, smudger said:

I think you are forgetting the woeful Keith Andrews and sick note Grella played in our team before the club went to shit. You can't tell me these were better footballers than JB or LT

Grella was a decent footballer in my memory.

But useless in terms of value to the team as never fit.

 

[norwichblue]

2 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

The two I think would have thrived under VI are Brittain and Travis. From a technical and physical standpoint, they look aligned and VI has shown most displeasure in losing them. That said, I think Tavares can / will be a better player than Travis and has a much higher ceiling in this regime.

The point I’m making about ‘them’ leaving refers to a player choice rather the club.

Picture this…please allow for some colour and humour (It’s my style). Rovers squad sat round the camp fire under the leadership of Big Johnny Eustace and his merry men! Lots of backslapping and a strong and clear understanding that, if you “do it my way, you’ll get that contract you always wanted.” This starts to break down as the club won’t give those juicy contracts out and John packs up and leaves the pack, now feeling rudderless and vulnerable…

In steps Valerian Ismael, who seems nice, but he’s different. Firstly he’s physically chiselled from what looks like granite (No more cosy nights round the fire with pot bellied John). But there’s more….Big Val is cut from a different cloth. He’s singing from a new hymn sheet, and the players he’s bringing in are like cyborgs in comparison to what’s gone before them. Suddenly that nucleus, that strength of the group held together by John and his lieutenants Travis, Brittain, Buckley, JrC etc is smashed and one by one, they all look for a way out.

Eustace, like Mowbray relies on that English style model of camaraderie and an understanding that “you scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours…” Once he was gone then that would never last under Suhail and Rudy. It’s not about whether Travis and Brittain and Batth are good players, they are VERY good championship players. But the writing was on the wall as soon as Eustace left and Val came in. We couldn’t see it because, we’re not on the inside but the profile of the players signed are proof enough that club has moved on from the old guard.

The club knew this was going to happen too, and Val has intimated on more than one occasion that he was hoping for a slower transition into the model but they’ve been forced to rip the plaster off and just go for it.

This is why I don’t think the direct comparisons work. If this were still Johns gig, then we could be like, “How will Tavares, do what Trav did before him?” But it’s not….Val wants a different profile of player. Watching Tavares, and reading the raving about Baradji then I’m not even sure Sonny or Trav really stood a chance!? Trav was the most likely fit but they want high octane, ball carrying, progressive passing ‘8’s’…

This is what the manager is talking about in terms of us being in full transition mode. I just don’t see the point in the comparisons anymore. Is Travis better than Tavares? Well in John Eustaces  Rovers, yes. But in Valerian Ismaels Rovers, it’s much closer. Kargbo, Alebiosu, Henriksson, Morishita, Miller etc represent the T2000’s in this model. The T1000’s need to move on…and that’s what’s happening!

Great post. That campfire analogy gave me a good chuckle.

7 hours ago, Mike E said:

Venkys Out. Pasha Out. Gestede Out.

Wondering what people’s reasons are for wanting Gestede out? I know he had a bit of a bust up with fans last season, and I know he’s complicit with the Venky’s shenanigans (but they are providing his role after all). Would people still be anti-Gestede under another regime? I’m not overly pro nor anti Gestede, just curious. For what it’s worth, I think he’s doing a decent job given the circumstances.

[Goozburger]

19 minutes ago, norwichblue said:

Wondering what people’s reasons are for wanting Gestede out?

Have to agree. For someone to suggest they were too quick to judge the transfer window, then have the balls to say it's somewhat an exciting one, and then call for the bloke who's seemingly driven most of the recruitment to be sacked, strikes me as the ramblings of a confused poster trying to be popular.

Edited 43 minutes ago by Goozburger

[Mattyblue]

How these players actually perform through a season will be the judge. I can’t judge one way or another right now as I don’t know enough about them.

I believe he’s a bit of a prick around the place, obviously a Suhail man, but it is what it is. He wouldn’t be near the club under a normal regime… but we aren’t one so you have to expect under qualified/inexperienced individuals to be employed here and all you can do is they quickly learn on the job and hope for the best.

[Old Codger]

54 minutes ago, norwichblue said:

Great post. That campfire analogy gave me a good chuckle.

Wondering what people’s reasons are for wanting Gestede out? I know he had a bit of a bust up with fans last season, and I know he’s complicit with the Venky’s shenanigans (but they are providing his role after all). Would people still be anti-Gestede under another regime? I’m not overly pro nor anti Gestede, just curious. For what it’s worth, I think he’s doing a decent job given the circumstances.

People are suspicious of Gestede possibly because of the way in which he arrived in a relatively low-key role but was suddenly and dramatically propelled into a senior one, without any explanation (notwithstanding that being the modus operandum of the current regime). Coupled with that there is the clear and obvious drive towards a low cost model that has left fans scratching their heads due to the disappearance of familiar (and loved) faces, again with little or no explanation from the club.

What is absolutely clear is that Gestede has the reigns and weilds considerable power in the current set up, despite there being no obvious rationale for his ascendancy into such a pivotal role. He certainly has few credentials, little or no relevant experience, no ownership interest, and poor communication skills in person and asynchronously, yet has been allowed to architect a veritable revolution with an apparent free reign.

What remains to be seen is whether this is a desperate gamble on the part of those behind the curtain to salvage something from their tenure, or whether it is all a bit of a Frankenstein's monster - lots of disparate parts cobbled together with the remote hope that life may ensue.

And this has all taken place during a period of sustained uncertainty for the major stakeholder group of the club - the fans (us) who have been treated as an afterthought (WE AREN'T! - Why does Blackburn Rovers exist in the first place, FFS!). So people have every reason to be suspicious - an untried experimental poorly communicated process led by an inexperienced and autocratic shoe-in, with unclear objectives and questionable tactical decision making that has created sweeping change despite there being no explicit rationale.... Hmmmm.. what could go wrong?

Now, if it was all to somehow go right, and miraculously transform the fortunes of the club, wouldn't that just create more problems (e.g. a manager who would be considered hot property, a model that would be rapidly adopted by other clubs, potential poaching of key staff etc)?

Or perhaps this is just one of those Business School case studies in 'Disruptive Innovation' that will do the rounds in future years - 'here's how Blackburn Rovers became the first small town club to regain the Premier League title' - We Wish!!

Time, as they say, will tell!

Arte Et Labore!  

 

Edited 9 minutes ago by Old Codger
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