If we’re able to sign players this summer, we need to go big. We should aim for our squad to end up looking something like this:
Kepa, Caballero, Green
Azpi, James, Emerson, NEW LB
Rudiger, Luiz, Christensen, NEW CB
Jorginho, Kante, RLC, Kovacic, NEW CM
Pulisic, CHO, Willian/Pedro, NEW R/LW
Higuain, Abraham, NEW ST
That would be a maximum 16 Non-HG players + Pulisic who will still count as U21 I think. Loan Ampadu and bring him back when Luiz leaves. Just extend Higuain’s loan, no point spending £30m on him. Squad would become quite young so retaining a bit of experience would be handy.
5 new signings plus making Kovacic permanent could cost anywhere from £200m to £300m.
We can offset the outlay by selling the likes of Moses, Cahill, Drinkwater, Bakayoko, Willian/Pedro, Alonso, Barkley, Zappacosta, van Ginkel, Zouma, Rahman, Aina, Kenedy, Batshuayi. Then there’s the Hazard fee which could hit £100m.
It’s a shame there is almost zero chance the club attempts this kind of squad upheaval even in the face of a transfer ban, no matter how necessary it clearly is. But it’s interesting to imagine anyway.
Squad Next Season
posted on 22/3/19
That gives us two chances to mug them off, I want him even more now
posted on 22/3/19
Pepe would be a very good signing, Till. He's been great this season and the last winger we got from Lille didn't turn out to be too bad.
posted on 22/3/19
Wouldn't mind them fullbacks you've suggested but they'll cost a crazy amount and so would Jovic. I guess we'll have to go all out though if it's going to be our last window.
I still think we need a CB because Luiz is not good enough in a back 4 and not totally convinced on Christensen. Feel Ampadu could do with a loan spell for a premier league club/decent championship side.
Major concern is up front, we need a striker that will score 20+
posted on 22/3/19
Randy....I lost you after "if"
It's youth all the way next term and whatever we retain, hopefully the likes of Luiz Kante (Pedro Willian), unless we get silly offers for those two
posted on 22/3/19
It completely depends whether we keep Sarri or not, if we don't depending who the new manager is the outlay won't need to be as excessive.
With Sarri - (IN) Koulibaly should be the main target, break VVD's record if need be. Elsewhere another RB, first choice LB, Jorginho backup (Tonelli would be perfect), a no.8 CM who can move properly, another WG (Isco in part ex for Hazard would do) & buy or extended Higuain.
(OUT) Zappa, Alonso, Luiz, Cahill, Zouma, Drinkwater, Kovacic back to Madrid, Willian, Giroud, Bats.
Without Sarri - Would be worth keeping Kovacic, decent player just can't find a natural role in Sarri's midfield. If it's a three at the back enthusiast would be worth keeping Alonso and investing in a first choice RWB. If it's a counter attacking enthusiast Jorginho might become surplus (his role would definitely diminish). Depending on their personal tastes regarding strikers Higuain might not be required & Giroud might be valuable. A lot of variables but wouldn't require anything close to the overhaul Sarri will need.
posted on 22/3/19
I think we need an overhaul whether Sarri stays or goes. There are too many average players in our squad
posted on 22/3/19
Latest is Nunu from Wolves to get shoe'd in...
posted on 22/3/19
I think we need an overhaul whether Sarri stays or goes. There are too many average players in our squad
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Yes or no IMO. Too many specialized players who conflict as a group and the overall mentalities wrong. There's plenty of individual quality though.
posted on 22/3/19
Sarri is misusing or underusing Kante, Azpi, Alonso, Hudson-Odoi, Christensen, Loftus-Cheek to name a few. the squad isn't average, Sarri is making it look that way.
posted on 26/3/19
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