The Transfer Window & Who We should Go For

So the January transfer window is open and a week in… and surprise surprise nothing has happened. I say ‘nothing’ i am sure ‘the hardest working man in football’ has been trying his best. Whether that is making a loan offer for Messi or bidding 2m for a premier league rival’s best player…

We’ve known for a good few months that we are short in midfield. Bilic wanted Carvalho, however the owners weren’t too keen and Krychowiak + Renato Sanches were offered as alternatives. Both currently tearing it up at West Brom and Swansea…

So after ‘painfully’ watching another game with Kouyate and Obiang struggling to complete a 5 yard pass i got thinking what sort of players we could (should) be in for…

In the summer i wanted Tom Cairney at Fulham. Who was one of the best players in the Championship last season. He’s had his injury problems this season which has held him back a little but i would still take a chance on him. He’s very good on the ball and i think he would work really well with Lanzini and Mark Noble.

Another player from the Championship who should be considered is Alex Pritchard. Ex Tottenham (don’t hold that against him as he’s a hammer!). Described as “very good tactically and technically with excellent dead ball delivery”. Something we really lack. He joined Norwich in 2016 for £8m but is now reportedly a target for Huddersfield with the fee rumoured to be about £11m.

£11m for a 24 year old Englishman is not a lot in the current market.

We paid £10m for Robert Snodgrass remember…!

A little wildcard pick would be ‘Bobby Reid’ at Bristol City (the guy with the fire extinguisher gif – check them out!). Unlike Cairney and Pritchard he would be a real punt. He’s had quite a few loan spells at Plymouth, Oldham and Cheltenham but has now been a Bristol City regular the last 2 years. 13 league goals and 3 assists this season from ‘attacking midfield’ – he has caught the eye. He’s very good on the ball, skilful and I think he has the ability to make the step up. He’s recently been linked with Everton and I can only see more teams having an interest, so we’d have to act fast.

Those are my 3 picks from the Championship. Cairney (26), Pritchard (24), Reid (24) – all flourishing at their clubs. ‘here and now players’ – ready to step in and improve us. All 3 players’ where their main strengths are keeping possession and being comfortable on the ball. (So completely opposite to Cheikh Kouyate!)

I really think looking at the Championship would be a good option for us. It worked with Antonio and Creswell and I would much rather we went for a player on the up, with something to prove, rather than someone who is just an average premier league player.

We have some really important games coming up against teams around us so hopefully we will get some (good) business done asap – COYI

By Jamie Norwood