Transfer News, Gossip & Speculation Transfer Thread - Summer 2025 Edition.

[Shrimp Curry]

But we have only lost a centre back from a squad that would have finished 3rd with 41 points from the 2nd half of the season.

You just cannnot look at last season as a whole as the first half was an utter cluster**** with embargo’s and Cardwell/Kensdale leaving.

We don’t need big changes to go from 68 points to 85+ as the current squad should get about 80.

We just need 3 or 4 quality additions to challenge the top 2 or 3.

You're assuming Gus is going to get 15+ goals again.

Almost impossible to finish top 3 without a 25 goal plus goalscorer, or a couple of 15 plus goalscorers. Walker, Bonne, Hopper will do well to get 10. I like Kendall as I feel he's the only one of the forwards who brings more than goals but I'd be surprised if he reached double figures either.

I hope you're right and I'm wrong but 5th/6th/7th is our maximum in my opinion.

 

[henry18]

Losing Kawa to Halifax too would be a bigger worry

Kawa is not anywhere near good enough for us right now, the football department know this too

 

[Holy Joe]

You're assuming Gus is going to get 15+ goals again.

Almost impossible to finish top 3 without a 25 goal plus goalscorer, or a couple of 15 plus goalscorers. Walker, Bonne, Hopper will do well to get 10. I like Kendall as I feel he's the only one of the forwards who brings more than goals but I'd be surprised if he reached double figures either.

I hope you're right and I'm wrong but 5th/6th/7th is our maximum in my opinion.

Agree with the assumption that Gus is unlikely to be as prolific next season.

But evidence would suggest we don't need a 25+ goal scorer - only York had one of those this season. Neither Barnet nor FGR has 2 players with 15+. So it's very 'easy' to finish in top 3 without a 25+ or 2 15+ goalscorers.

What is needed is more goals scored - it doesn't matter if that's 1 player or many. Infact it's probably better to get more goals throughout the team rather than rely on 1 goalscorer.

 

[Rattus Norvegicus]

As above.

Goals need to come from across the team. And we need more "going forward at pace" than "side to side" please.

 

[Strykr]

As above.

Goals need to come from across the team. And we need more "going forward at pace" than "side to side" please.

Of course, but the confidence in your goalscorers filters through the rest of the team. Midfield can score more from second chances from shot rebounds etc etc.

Like when we had freddy, the whole squad knew they were never out of the game with him up front.

And agree about playing through the middle more. Rarely ever see us driving through the middle. Ideally we want a combo of wing play, driving midfield, and route one.

 

[londonblue]

Kawa is not anywhere near good enough for us right now, the football department know this too

Assuming that's true, isn't that the point? We buy relatively cheaply because a player shows potential. Potential our coaching team feel they can improve and turn into a player that is good enough.

 

[Richard Hearn]

Spasov?

Bless you!

 

[dusterman]

Assuming that's true, isn't that the point? We buy relatively cheaply because a player shows potential. Potential our coaching feel they can improve and turn into a player that is good enough?

But need to be adding to first team at same time. Like Leon…

 

[Mark Corrigan]

Yep but the agent that represents him is trying to get him a move by using the club…

You mean the same agent as Alfie Lewis, Josh Anifowose etc?

 

[londonblue]

But need to be adding to first team at same time. Like Leon…

Who says they don't think he'll be ready by the start of the season? Even if they think he's a bit longer term, isn't that also worth it, so long as we have a squad that is good enough?

 

[Medway Blue]

Yep but the agent that represents him is trying to get him a move by using the club…

He is someone who had been identidied as a possible target, though.

However, the old chestnut of data vs. experienced eye, and all that.

 

[Grayson]

Yep that’s the one… funny how they’ve all been linked to the club almost like it’s for persona gain

That's 25% of his client list (according to TransferMarkt) touted with a move to Southend now. 31% if we include Lomas who did join.

 

[dusterman]

Who says they don't think he'll be ready by the start of the season? Even if they think he's a bit longer term, isn't that also worth it, so long as we have a squad that is good enough?

I think so, but perhaps Kev wants smaller squad (he’s said so) and Kawa eats up budget for someone who’s ready now and yet still has a high ceiling.

 

[TheSouthendUnitedRunner]

Losing Kawa to Halifax too would be a bigger worry

He was never a primary target, more an eye cast over him and decided against making a move.

IF we wanted to sign him, we would.

 

[TheSouthendUnitedRunner]

That's 25% of his client list (according to TransferMarkt) touted with a move to Southend now. 31% if we include Lomas who did join.

All of the names that he has mentioned have been looked at by us.

Haven’t made moves for all of them, however he isn’t making stuff up.

 

[TheSouthendUnitedRunner]

A lot of the leaks are external supposedly, agents, other clubs etc, so even if the ship was fully tightened up a lot would still get out.

Correct.

Some of my information comes from external sources.

 

[londonblue]

I think so, but perhaps Kev wants smaller squad (he’s said so) and Kawa eats up budget for someone who’s ready now and yet still has a high ceiling.

But isn't that KM's choice to make? He owns the budget after all.

 

[TSG]

To be fair, the post he quoted and said he agreed with (mine) stated that in point 2.

Kev and the team managed to squeeze all the juice out of this squad given what they had. I'd personally be very surprised if this squad with no additions finished 3rd next season, I'd estimate 6-7th is more likely, but who knows maybe the three amigos can yet again over deliver on the tools they've been given.

Naturally COSU aren't to blame for those tools and aren't the enemy, they're the clubs saviours who are doing everything they can to rebuild the club in both the short and long term. As with any new ownership group there will be teething problems, targets missed and lessons learnt.

What annoys some of us on here is the self-righteous mockery from some that seem to think the idea of anyone being frustrated that we've missed out on our top target, who by all accounts was ready to sign, are being delusional.

We're all aware of the history of many of our great signings not being obviously the next big thing (Corr, Leonard, etc) and there's a sizeable chance that a Spasov may be far more impactful than Cashman would have, but having been through the pain of being a Southend fan and having missed out on any half decent player for half a decade, it's naturally a little annoying when the new dawn is announced but turns out to be false.

I think using the word 'false' is a little over the top.

COSU have more than delivered on so many fronts, potentially missing out on 1 player doesn't change a thing, I'm sure we might 'miss out' on a couple more.

At the end of the day nobody knows the true story re this 'missed' player unless the club tells us, a lot of social media nonsense has been posted on this subject as ever.

I've just bought a season ticket for the first time again in many years and will only make a few games, but I want to invest in this club again, confident the new owners & the management team will get the players in they want, at a fair cost to the club, and see in a successful 25/26 season.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

So it's very 'easy' to finish in top 3 without a 25+ or 2 15+ goalscorers.

Is it? Oh ok, let’s not worry then

 

[Holy Joe]

Is it? Oh ok, let’s not worry then

2 out of the 3 teams this season did it.