What do we need now before the end of the transfer window? On the basis of two good players for every position we have:
Schmeichel
Jakupovic
Simpson
Need someone here as Amartey and Maguire are CBs who can do a job, but it's not their natural position. An attacking RB would also give us more flexibility.
Maguire
Morgan
Benny
Huth (when fit)
Fuchs
Chilwell
Mahrez (will probably leave before the end of the window)
Albrighton
Gray
We may need one or two wide players if Mahrez goes as expected. We would definitely need someone in the midfield with a bit of creativity or someone who can go past players.
Drinkwater
Ndidi
Iborra
James (could he save us the cost of a new midfielder. Definitely good to have him back as an option)
Vardy
Slimani
Iheanacho (hopefully)
Okazaki
Then there are one or two maybes like: Lawrence, Barnes, Amartey and Moore
One or two that aren't really good enough unless something changes this season like: Ulloa, Musa, Mendy, King
Without Mahrez I fear that we will lack the creativity required to challenge for top ten this season. That's not because Mahrez is so great (especially last season), but simply the other options leave us with a fairly predictable approach to winning games.
Top said in an interview that we would sign one or two more. Personally I would like that to be a right back and a creative midfielder + Iheanacho, but I've got this feeling that we will only see 'nacho and one more (and that one more wont be Gylfi Sigurdsson).
Thoughts?
Squad for 2017/18
posted on 22/7/17
I still think that there is a good chance of us going for Gibson - if Dier doesn't leave Spurs.
I agree we need cover at right back but I am starting to see encouraging signs from Amartey.
The most obvious gap at the moment is a midfielder who can pick a pass, by which I don't mean over 30 yards ! Anyone with other than completely rose-tinted spec's can see this won't be Sigurdsson - have we still got Steve Walsh's little black book ?!
Not sure about wide-players. I can see Mahrez being here until January at least. If he plays for a move - great. If he gets moody - drop him for Gray. We are holding all of the cards here.
Get rids - Leo, Musa, Mendy. I like what I have seen so far from Matty James but think another loan would do him good (same for Lawrence) but Andy King is a definite keep. Totally committed to the club and will always do a job when called upon without whingeing.
posted on 22/7/17
Prawn,
It seems from what I've seen and read that Andy King is a great bloke. Apparently he's a strong influence in the dressing room, our longest servant of the club and a committed professional in every respect. But there still remains one question for me: is he good enough?
The answer might be yes if our sole ambition is to remain in the Premier League rather than push on for top 10. Even then he'd probably not be somebody you'd want as first choice, but somebody who as you say can "do a job" when called upon. Is that the limit of his and our ambition and are all those other great attributes still enough? I'm not so sure.
posted on 23/7/17
Pretty much spot on joby. However if Mahrez goes, I think we'll be looking to replace him with a attacking midfielder rather than a winger. I'd see Gray and Lawrence filling the role left by Mahrez.
I still think we need to strengthen the midfield. I feel like we have a lot of almost players in King, James and to some extent Drinkwater. Ndidi looks class.
posted on 23/7/17
A few thoughts.
What if Kasper goes? Is Hamer good enough with his confidence in tatters?
Agree nice to have a better attacking RB option, but not too worried.
CB - would like a better CB trio than Morgan Benny and Huth to add to MacGuire.
Midfield - looks OK, I'd keep Kingy as backup. Yet to be convinced about keeping James. Lawrence might be worth a shot, also Amartey. Musa and Mendy can go.
Up front, not bad if we get Ihenacho, why keep Leo though?
posted on 24/7/17
Nuneaton,
I initially read your comment ".... keeping James. Lawrence ....." as "keeping Jamie Lawrence".
I needed a few moments to recover.
posted on 26/7/17
Match on lcfc.com tonight