07-06-2023, 06:27 PM
GK - Looks like Henderson which I'd be happy with. Great talent, big personality & commands his box well. Was a bit disappointed with his distribution last season but hopefully that improves with more of a settled team in front of him. I'd also look at Lafont (Nantes), Maximiano (Lazio), Mamardashvili (Valencia) as alternatives.
CB - We have a lot of CB's so probably not a priority but I'd look at bringing someone in if we can find someone with pace, who's better than what we've got. We'd probably need to move out one of our current CB's (Boly? Done well but injury prone. McKenna? Left footed & never let anyone down but will probably get left behind). Disasi (Monaco), Mavropanos (Stuttgart), Chalobah (Chelsea), Bella Kotchap/Salisu (Saints), Ndicka (Frankfurt) are all worth a look.
LB - Lodi's the obvious one but £25m is steep IMO. If we can get that to £17/18m then fair enough. Maatsen (Chelsea) had a great season at Burnley but not sure what he'll be like when he's tested defensively in the Prem. Sosa (Stuttgart) is another one who is fantasic going forward but mostly plays as a wing back. Looking at the relegated clubs there are some really good RB's that would be ideal if we needed one (Justin, KWP, Livramento) but nothing much at LB; Thomas (Leicester) is highly rated but has struggled for 18 months.
DM - Ideally someone to do the job Shelvey was brought in for & give competition to Mangala as the 'no.6'. Someone that can get on the ball & play but also run, tackle & compete. N'didi (Leicester), Varela (Boca), Adams (Leeds), Stach (Mainz). I'd also potentially move Freuler on as well as Shelvey if we sign someone in this position.
CM - A younger, box-to-box version of Kouyate would be ideal. Someone that can do his job winning tackles & breaking up play but can also push on & get in the box like Danilo. Gallagher (Chelsea), Sangare (PSV), Kone (Gladbach), Fofana (Monaco), Dewsbury Hall (Leicester) would all be top class signings, if not a little ambitious.
AM - Ideally someone that can play across the attack (Like Lingard but useful!). If you could guarantee Hudson-Odoi's fitness then I'd take him tomorrow for the rumoured £10m. Barnes (Leicester), Kudus (Ajax), Sinisterra (Leeds), Chukwueze (Villareal), Blas (Nantes) other options that are all versatile, quick & can create/score a goal.
CF - Taiwo's done really well after a slowish start but I think another goal threat is essential. Surridge will go & Wood looked miles off it. Abraham (Roma), David (Lille), Thuram (Gladbach), Dembele (Lyon), Diallo (Strasbourg), Wahi (Montpellier), Jackson (Villareal). Hopefully EM is feeling generous!
Henderson/New GK
Hennessey
Aurier
Williams
Lodi/New LB
Richards/Toffolo
New CB
Felipe
Niakhate
Worrall
Boly/McKenna
New DM
Mangala
Freuler
New CM
Danilo
Yates
Kouyate/O'Brien
New AM
MGW
Scarpa
New CF
Johnson
Awoniyi
Wood
CB - We have a lot of CB's so probably not a priority but I'd look at bringing someone in if we can find someone with pace, who's better than what we've got. We'd probably need to move out one of our current CB's (Boly? Done well but injury prone. McKenna? Left footed & never let anyone down but will probably get left behind). Disasi (Monaco), Mavropanos (Stuttgart), Chalobah (Chelsea), Bella Kotchap/Salisu (Saints), Ndicka (Frankfurt) are all worth a look.
LB - Lodi's the obvious one but £25m is steep IMO. If we can get that to £17/18m then fair enough. Maatsen (Chelsea) had a great season at Burnley but not sure what he'll be like when he's tested defensively in the Prem. Sosa (Stuttgart) is another one who is fantasic going forward but mostly plays as a wing back. Looking at the relegated clubs there are some really good RB's that would be ideal if we needed one (Justin, KWP, Livramento) but nothing much at LB; Thomas (Leicester) is highly rated but has struggled for 18 months.
DM - Ideally someone to do the job Shelvey was brought in for & give competition to Mangala as the 'no.6'. Someone that can get on the ball & play but also run, tackle & compete. N'didi (Leicester), Varela (Boca), Adams (Leeds), Stach (Mainz). I'd also potentially move Freuler on as well as Shelvey if we sign someone in this position.
CM - A younger, box-to-box version of Kouyate would be ideal. Someone that can do his job winning tackles & breaking up play but can also push on & get in the box like Danilo. Gallagher (Chelsea), Sangare (PSV), Kone (Gladbach), Fofana (Monaco), Dewsbury Hall (Leicester) would all be top class signings, if not a little ambitious.
AM - Ideally someone that can play across the attack (Like Lingard but useful!). If you could guarantee Hudson-Odoi's fitness then I'd take him tomorrow for the rumoured £10m. Barnes (Leicester), Kudus (Ajax), Sinisterra (Leeds), Chukwueze (Villareal), Blas (Nantes) other options that are all versatile, quick & can create/score a goal.
CF - Taiwo's done really well after a slowish start but I think another goal threat is essential. Surridge will go & Wood looked miles off it. Abraham (Roma), David (Lille), Thuram (Gladbach), Dembele (Lyon), Diallo (Strasbourg), Wahi (Montpellier), Jackson (Villareal). Hopefully EM is feeling generous!
Henderson/New GK
Hennessey
Aurier
Williams
Lodi/New LB
Richards/Toffolo
New CB
Felipe
Niakhate
Worrall
Boly/McKenna
New DM
Mangala
Freuler
New CM
Danilo
Yates
Kouyate/O'Brien
New AM
MGW
Scarpa
New CF
Johnson
Awoniyi
Wood