Welcome to LFC Ibrahima Konate

[RedReet]

Can the club afford to buy another CB and just let Konate sit out and not play though. It would be good to send a message but it could be an expensive one. All the talk is after the three new players come in that the next purchases need to be funded by sales. Best case sell Quansah and use that money for a CB to take Konate’s place and make Konate the back up. Puts pressure on him but the club would still be in a strong position.

Either way if he signs a new deal and stays or leaves the next CB we buy needs to have the ability to be the next leader of the defence as none of the current lot look like they could take over when VVD goes.

Keeping an injury prone player who main focus might be keeping himself fit for his new club and/or World Cup could also be a huge financial risk if it costs us games.

If we are in genuine negotiations, by all means keep playing him, even if ultimately we fail to reach an agreement. But if it's clear that his intentions are to just see out his contract, I'd be concerned that he might play within himself. If that's the case, we might be forced to play Quahsah anyway or find a replacement.

[peterbread]

Not an easy situation but I’m confident they get it right whatever they do. Edwards isn’t one to mess about with sentiment and Hughes is showing himself to be right up for the job. Plus Slot will have his say and doesn’t seem to one to be messed about.

[Catrin]

Can the club afford to buy another CB and just let Konate sit out and not play though. It would be good to send a message but it could be an expensive one. All the talk is after the three new players come in that the next purchases need to be funded by sales. Best case sell Quansah and use that money for a CB to take Konate’s place and make Konate the back up. Puts pressure on him but the club would still be in a strong position.

Either way if he signs a new deal and stays or leaves the next CB we buy needs to have the ability to be the next leader of the defence as none of the current lot look like they could take over when VVD goes.

I don’t mean never playing him. Prepare for the future whilst he is still here. With Virgil getting older and Konate seemingly reluctant to stay that’s two incredibly important signings. Sign Konate’s replacement this summer. Next summer Konate goes and we sign Virgil’s replacement. This probably means selling one of Quansah or Gomez this summer.

[peterbread]

I don’t mean never playing him. Prepare for the future whilst he is still here. With Virgil getting older and Konate seemingly reluctant to stay that’s two incredibly important signings. Sign Konate’s replacement this summer. Next summer Konate goes and we sign Virgil’s replacement. This probably means selling one of Quansah or Gomez this summer.

I see what you mean. I think that’s the plan because the next two targets are a 9 and another CB. So I think they’ll look to bring in someone who can compete right away. It would help if Quansah could find that first season form. I don’t know what to make of him now but he’s still young. But yeah sell one of Gomez or Quansah, probably Gomez due to age and wanting to play more regularly.

[The_weatherman]

Konate is great alongside VVD, but doesn't really seem to be able to control the defence, as seen with France as well. I know I've said before that we should sell him if he doesn't sign, but given his low salary, maybe we should just take the hit. Konate and Huijsen will not be a good pairing IMO.

By all accounts we are looking at a CB either way. But we really need to guard our assets better in the future, and something needs to be done regarding Real Madrid for football as a whole.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Konate is great alongside VVD, but doesn't really seem to be able to control the defence, as seen with France as well. I know I've said before that we should sell him if he doesn't sign, but given his low salary, maybe we should just take the hit. Konate and Huijsen will not be a good pairing IMO.

By all accounts we are looking at a CB either way. But we really need to guard our assets better in the future, and something needs to be done regarding Real Madrid for football as a whole.

Like what?


They are doing what lots of clubs try to do.


Plus it takes two to tango so do you also try to bring in something that goes against employment law and look to force players to be unable to run down contracts and/or having talks with other clubs?


Real are just taking advantage of the system that is in place and using media mouthpieces to stir the pot.


Bayern do similar in Germany.


Hell we had form for the talking to players without the permission of their clubs.

[The_weatherman]

I'm pretty sure other clubs will be taking this up, it's obviously going to distort the market a lot if one or two clubs just ask other players to run down their contracts 12-24 months in advance.

It's one thing to tap someone up and pay for him, a totally different thing to do it in order to run the contract down, while football is still using transfer fees. For one thing, clubs might have to hand out longer contracts, like Chelsea or crack down at tapping up whichi is still illegal even though loads are doing it.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I'm pretty sure other clubs will be taking this up, it's obviously going to distort the market a lot if one or two clubs just ask other players to run down their contracts 12-24 months in advance.

It's one thing to tap someone up and pay for him, a totally different thing to do it in order to run the contract down, while football is still using transfer fees. For one thing, clubs might have to hand out longer contracts, like Chelsea or crack down at tapping up whichi is still illegal even though loads are doing it.

Players would have to agree to those plus there have been changes to the rules with regards to longer contracts.


As for the market being distorted by clubs asking players to run down their contracts. That still requires players to want to do that in order for it to work and as such would be something that could not be cracked down upon without going against employment laws.


Really do not see how anything could be done about it tbh.

[Paul12]

If he refuses to extend then we sign his replacement now and use this season to bed him in. If he forces Konate out of the team, even better. We can’t sell Konate against his will but if he doesn’t want to be here we can try to ensure he loses his place, on merit, to someone who does.

Buying another player now and putting Konate in the reserves is a more expensive option than replacing him when he leaves on a free at the end of his contract.

[rudedog]

Buying another player now and putting Konate in the reserves is a more expensive option than replacing him when he leaves on a free at the end of his contract.

But maybe cost effective in the long run if it stops other players doing the same.

[5europeancups]

Can the club afford to buy another CB and just let Konate sit out and not play though. It would be good to send a message but it could be an expensive one. All the talk is after the three new players come in that the next purchases need to be funded by sales. Best case sell Quansah and use that money for a CB to take Konate’s place and make Konate the back up. Puts pressure on him but the club would still be in a strong position.

Either way if he signs a new deal and stays or leaves the next CB we buy needs to have the ability to be the next leader of the defence as none of the current lot look like they could take over when VVD goes.

Edwards and Hughes will remind him that this is a World Cup year.
I feel that it is clear that they cannot agree to a contract now then it is not going to happen.

If he is not onboard with the project then a replacement will be found.

We cant have players playing for us that dont want to stay. We saw with Trent what a half arsed season looks like.

[baitman]

You also have to consider if a player will be fully committed and put in the beefy tackles and do all the extra running if they have already got their move lined up.
.I can't quite think of a recent example, but I'm sure it will come to me some time soon

[Norbs]

You also have to consider if a player will be fully committed and put in the beefy tackles and do all the extra running if they have already got their move lined up.
.I can't quite think of a recent example, but I'm sure it will come to me some time soon

Go onz stick your neck out

[peterbread]

This might start to become more normal with how transfer fees are going and future planning form clubs.

If the club has a left sided CB of LW they think can take over in a couple years I kind of hope they’re talking to them now especially if their contracts are coming to an end.

We’ve had some amazing free signings and why not get involved and take advantage.

[Sus]

This might start to become more normal with how transfer fees are going and future planning form clubs.

If the club has a left sided CB of LW they think can take over in a couple years I kind of hope they’re talking to them now especially if their contracts are coming to an end.

We’ve had some amazing free signings and why not get involved and take advantage.

This will completely change football economics and will require a different allocation of revenue streams to avoid smaller clubs going bust.

But I have no faith in football authorities trying to solve this problem before it becomes an existential crisis