I don't have strong feelings about Adams, but I'd really like to keep Aurier. He's only 30, he fits the way Cooper plays perfectly, he's versatile, he's a good leader, and he seems to be happy here.
I thought he was a bit older than that tbh. Sure. I don't really mind. What I would say is that I hope we are going to try and have a bit more possession next year, and therefore we might want Neco on the pitch ahead of him.
I'd have been chuffed with Adams a year ago, and maybe it's premature arrogance, but I hope we've moved on now. We've got a functioning forward line and we should be looking to improve it and provide variety and I'm not sure Adams does either.
Agree that looking down our noses at Serge is mental - if we are looking to play a more posession-based game, he'd be ideal on the right of a back three and we've seen he's still excellent at right-back and passable at right-wingback.
Agreed. Angry serge as right side of a back three, makes the concept of playing neco at right wing back more viable. They are not mutually exclusive players.
For those who missed it in the Player of the Season thread, Serge played in 8 of the 9 league wins, despite only making 23 appearances. Let’s worry about upgrades elsewhere. I very much hope he stays and that SSC can accomodate his obvious quality without hindering Neco’s development.
The importance of leaders in the dressing room can't be overstated.
Obviously got a youngish squad, which has been guided by old heads such as Colback, Cook, JLingz (30!), Serge, possibly Kouyate this year.
Three of them set to depart and I'm not convinved Felipe's English is strong enough for him to step up.
Serge must stay.
Pretty much every team next season will try (at least once) to play the inverted full back, a la City/Liverpoo
Serge is not up to that job, maybe Neco is.
Is that what Partey was doing for the first half on Saturday?
Only going to work for teams dominating possession, isn't it? If we'd tried that, every time the full back got into the midfield, he'd have to sprint back after we lost the ball.
Likewise, MGW is most likely player of the season, and to an extent I think everyone expected Johnson to step up in some way but Aurier was a revelation. Also seems to be an integral part of the spirit of this team.
Serge Aurier was probably our most consistent player this year, is definitely up to the level and has vast premier league experience without being anywhere near past it. It would be mental not to give him another contract and surely we can compete with Rennes.
You’d think so, other than the being French bit, so unless he has reasons to want to go home I would hope he stays. If he really wants to go back to France then bonne chance and thanks for your contribution to a great season.
There is an option on his contract automatically triggered by us staying up. Angry Serge is here to stay. I would have Djed back for certain but he can play with Serge. Neco can move to the left to play with Lodi. Bye Bye Toffs. This game is fcuking simple.
Anybody wanting rid of Aurier is seven levels of Charlton mental.