Maybe it’s the heat in London, or maybe it’s just because it’s been a slow, July week with little news, but it’s one of those Thursdays that feels like a Friday.
Just when we thought it was all winding down without anything happening, our writer Simon Phillips has dropped a tasty little exclusive on his Substack site. None of this is brand new, but it confirms earlier stories about the plans for our central defensive situation this summer.
The rumours linking us with new options there don’t really seem to add up, as we’re so deep already. But Phillips claims the plan is to loan out Alfie Gilchrist, and to attempt to sell both Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah.
The man currently top at the list of players to come in and replace them is Murillo of Nottingham Forest, who has looked brilliant for the relegation threatened Tricky Trees since his move to England.
A potential upgrade, but a huge risk
There’s been so much turnover in defence in the last couple of years, and nothing has really stuck. Players have come in without really convincing, the best options haven’t been able to stay fit, and the only veteran there has left this summer.
We would still say that Chalobah is a fantastic player, home grown and versatile and should be given another chance. And that Badiashile, despite having largely looked very shaky, deserves more time to prove his worth.
But if the guys in charge are convinced that Murillo truly is a world class option and a huge upgrade on both then… well, who are we to argue? There’s been talk of a £50m price tag, so we’d have to get good fees on both Chalobah and Badiashile just to break even.
