David Brooks
Strange thing is, if he'd stuck around I think he might have played a decent amount since January but the impact of Semenyo means he'll be on the bench again come August, at best. His delicate and clever play doesn't feel a natural fit for the AI system. With so much competition for that role even as a sub, this might be a sad departure. I do wonder if an 'emotional return' to Sheff Utd, even on loan, might be the outcome for this one?
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Jaidon Anthony
Lots of criticism went Zemura's way for bailing on us when Anthony signed a new contract but which looks to be the better move now from the player's perspective? A wasted season of bit-part minutes in the Championship for JA. It's a hard one to call as he looks like a player that would thrive in the AI system so maybe he'll rejoin the squad for next season, although the Sinisterra permanent signing is a barrier. Equally, he might feel disgruntled at the way things happened and seek a move.
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Kieffer Moore
In a grand total of 83 Championship minutes, he scored four goals and became a player that will live long in the memory of AFCB fans. He simply doesn't suit the IA way but his spell at Ipswich shows he can still make an impact. If they don't want to sign him, surely someone else will snap him up this summer?
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Dominic Solanke
The big kahuna. If he's sold it significantly changes our finances for the summer, but also has us looking to replace something every team wants - a goalscorer. I think a Solanke move depends on three things:
1 - What Lopetegui wants to do at West Ham
2 - Whether Spurs sell Richarlison and, if they do, whether they decide to shop domestically again or try an overseas striker.
3 - Where Toney goes
His stock and value are high. The right time to sell? Let's see what offers materialise.
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I'm not suggesting for a moment all those players will leave but there are a lot of questions across the squad so we could end with a summer that is very busy with outgoings. Some of the above have already been replaced, but others will definitely need new blood to take their place if they go. Which could mean we need to bring in quite a few as well.
Finally, there's one thing at the back of my mind. We need to be wary of building a squad packed only with players that fit like a glove to the AI system unless he commits to a longer contract. Of course, he might leave at any point if he's poached but we should at least try and protect ourselves a little. Otherwise, we may regret letting certain players move on when a new manager bemoans the lack of variety at his disposal, kicking off another rebuild.
A quiet summer to bed in Simon Francis? I doubt it.
