Joel Matip

Won everything, been a class servant for us, I love the big mad bloke. Probably seen himself be a bit underrated personally because of the levels of the guy largely next to him.

Has to be the be of the best free transfers ever. I'm gutted it means we'll probably never see him turn out for us again, I'd try not to be sentimental but give him another short term deal next year so we can get him a send off and can get him up to speed for his next move.

 

Shame. He's still playing at a good level so I'd be tempted to keep him.

 

Yes he's a big mad nutter and great for the squad apparently. BUT he's been wildly inconsistent over the past 3 or 4 years.

If we look back at his "best" years like 21/22 he played 31 league games and we come within inches of a quadruple. In 22/23 he played 14 games, he was clearly not right and wouldn't make a tackle and we end up 5th.

Same for 18/19 and 19/20 though he was playing less with gomez taking on the games.

the game time stats for the lad are not inspiring, we'd be offering a contract for what he can do off the park as much as on it. we've had him as 3rd or 4th choice for the past 3 or even 4 years but he showed his real class in 21/22

I'd sell or release phillips (contract is not up to 2025 btw) and give his wage to matip if i had my choice.

We have 4 CBS now with quansah and need to show patience and give development time to the lad.

 

too much time out injured, considering not many good players are on frees then that narrows down the field to the point of pointlessness

I think the club needs to move on, surprising number of younger players slotting in nicely and if Konate can avoid being Matip II in terms of injuries and Van Dijk can last a few more seasons do need another CB to compliment Quansah

Gomez can of course play CB but looking more and more like he's not trusted enough, certainly hasn't gone on from a sterling enough 19/20 season