After 3 seasons of progress at quite a rapid rate, we have plateaued this year. Last summer saw a number of squad players leave, and for the first time in the 3 years we have really suffered a major injury crisis. This has exposed the squad massively, while the weaknesses even with a full team are quite obvious.
We have a number of first team squad players leaving, and the potential for more. With the need to add 3 players to what we already have, we find ourselves looking at a 8-10 player deficit.
Current Squad (Stay...Doubt...Leaving)
Raya
...............................Neto
White
Timber
Saliba
Gabriel
.............Kiwior
.............Tomiyasu
Calafiori
...............................Tierney
..............Zinchenko
Lewis Skelly
...............................Jorginho
...............Partey
Rice
Odegaard
Merino
Havertz
Nwaneri
Saka
Martinelli
...............Trossard
...............................Sterling
...............Jesus
...............................Butler Oyedeji
Currently out on loan
...............Hein
...............................Tavares
................................Sambi
................Vieira
................Nelson
................................Marquinhos
So, to me, it looks like of the current 25 man squad we will have 14 players staying, 6 doubts and 5 leaving.
The 3 priority signings are obvious - a striker, a left sided attacker and a DM.
We will need a #2 'keeper. Joan Garcia has been linked for a while, but will cost a fair sum of over £20m. The other options including bringing Karl Hein back - who has had a season of conceding a lot at Valladolid. Setford doesn't look ready to step up, and probably needs a loan. Bringing in a 'keeper on loan or on a free is a potential solution, short term at least.
Injuries have massively hampered our rotation choices in defence, so big questions will have to be asked over Calafiori and Tomiyasu before entertaining any offers for Kiwior. We probably need a young defender or 2 to add to the options even without losing anyone beyond Tierney and Zinchenko. There doesn't seem any obvious internal solutions.
The future of Partey remains in some doubt, with his contract ending next month. Jorginho is already heading out, and Zubimendi heavily rumoured to be incoming. If we get our priorities, Merino and Havertz become more regular midfield options. There is also potential for Lewis-Skelly to move into midfield during his development.
The two starting signings in attack will probably need further back ups signed. Obviously Merino and Havertz can continue to be options, but there is also the increasingly likely situation where Jesus stays - his injury potentially turning off potential suitors.
There doesn't seem to be that many internal solutions. Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira could be reintegrated after loans to add numbers, but I don't expect it. Talk will be about 15 year old Max Dowman stepping up, but I cannot see it happening next season (maybe he will get a few minutes somewhere).
By my calculations, to get the current squad up to the required numbers after departures, we need 8-10 additions. 3 of which need to be top class, ready to improve the first XI immediately.
Over to you, Andrea Berta.
Berta's Big Summer...
posted on 8/5/25
comment by IanWrightWrightWright (U12750)
posted 10 minutes ago
everytime I see him diving and the ball going in the back of the net he reminds me of the spanish waiter
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so because he's Spanish, and someone scores a goal past him = Alumina 2.0 ......some of our fans
posted on 8/5/25
Almost sounds as if he is blaming Raya for the 2 goals last night - a massive deflection into the corner for the first and an inch perfect shot into the corner for the second.
Best 'keeper in the PL for the last 2 seasons, but he wants us to spend on a replacement when we already have a massive rebuild.
As silly as those who are calling for us to sell Odegaard.
posted on 8/5/25
Were you at the Bournemouth match
posted on 8/5/25
Yes.
posted on 8/5/25
Club level block 32
posted on 8/5/25
So you would have seen him chuck 2 in
posted on 8/5/25
A flick header into the far corner from a throw in that should have not been allowed to be taken? What are you on about?
Then an elbow from point blank range that he nearly stopped. That should have been disallowed.
posted on 8/5/25
Best summer ever already and it’s not even started yet, the only goalkeeper in world football who even comes close to Raya is Zion Suzuki, I don’t think he’d want to sit on the bench, a great summer of signings and it’s literally 2002 again
posted on 9/5/25
Mad how this gets a massive article bite from someone who filtered me yet still reads my articles 😂😂😂
You can't buy class, and u12019 is proof of that.
posted on 9/5/25
Another hugely important piece of work (arguably moreso than squad building) for Bertie this Summer is sorting out the contracts of Saka, Big Gabs & Saliba.