I've had a couple of exchanges with Paul Barber since Christmas-Day-Dembele-Gate and thought I would just share a few of his points below. I appreciate these are obvious to many, but figured it worth sharing anyway. Strap in and enjoy the ride (my words, not his).
Here you go:
- our squad evaluation and recruitment work never stops. It’s an ongoing process and a constant cycle of activity involving the 1st team, U23s, and academy.
- the recruitment team spends months working on narrowing our specific targets which are then agreed with Chris in advance of a transfer window opening.
- despite suggestions in the media and from one or two individuals on social media, the club hasn’t already signed anyone ahead of this window opening.
- unfortunately, we can’t control speculation so we can expect more of it - and more claims of inside knowledge - as the January window unfolds.
- for context, at any given time, knowledge of our transfer targets, recruitment strategy, and ongoing discussions is typically limited to just 4 people in the club.
- leading up to or during a window, we limit this information, both inside and outside the club, so that we can keep the risk of leaks to an absolute minimum.
- invariably, and despite our best efforts, leaks may (and do) still occur; they rarely help us and will sometimes damage negotiations and put deals in jeopardy.
- as a consequence, we will very rarely comment on transfer window speculation (some days we’d be doing nothing else!) and we will never discuss our targets.
- throughout any transfer window, expect some agents (and clubs) to “market make” providing the media with a range of “stories” for a variety of different reasons.
- timing for deals will vary. We don’t wait to the end of the window to do our business unless there’s a good reason to, but a selling club may well wish to do so.
- finally, as a general rule and usually regardless of media comment, club media channels will only confirm transfers when all elements of a deal are completed.
Here you go:
- our squad evaluation and recruitment work never stops. It’s an ongoing process and a constant cycle of activity involving the 1st team, U23s, and academy.
- the recruitment team spends months working on narrowing our specific targets which are then agreed with Chris in advance of a transfer window opening.
- despite suggestions in the media and from one or two individuals on social media, the club hasn’t already signed anyone ahead of this window opening.
- unfortunately, we can’t control speculation so we can expect more of it - and more claims of inside knowledge - as the January window unfolds.
- for context, at any given time, knowledge of our transfer targets, recruitment strategy, and ongoing discussions is typically limited to just 4 people in the club.
- leading up to or during a window, we limit this information, both inside and outside the club, so that we can keep the risk of leaks to an absolute minimum.
- invariably, and despite our best efforts, leaks may (and do) still occur; they rarely help us and will sometimes damage negotiations and put deals in jeopardy.
- as a consequence, we will very rarely comment on transfer window speculation (some days we’d be doing nothing else!) and we will never discuss our targets.
- throughout any transfer window, expect some agents (and clubs) to “market make” providing the media with a range of “stories” for a variety of different reasons.
- timing for deals will vary. We don’t wait to the end of the window to do our business unless there’s a good reason to, but a selling club may well wish to do so.
- finally, as a general rule and usually regardless of media comment, club media channels will only confirm transfers when all elements of a deal are completed.
