Outs:-
All of the loanee’s will be gone in the summer along with Anderson and Anders – if they get to the summer. At 27 if Evans isnt stepping up now (in my eyes he’s a poorer player now than he was at 18) then he’s never going to and he should be the one to make way.
I think Van Persie has done enough and offers enough to stay on a roling contract, Carrick too.
Falcao, not sure whats going on. Amazed at the weekends decision. Wilson hasn’t looked like scoring all season. Against Yoevil, Wilson was incredibly poor.
I wish Rafa could stay fit. I love his tenacity and aggression which is something we have severley missed whilst he has been out. However, (I created a thread on this in the newbies). I have had about enough of his injuries. Over the last 6 years (whilst we have played in the later stages of the champions league and so 50 odd games per year), Rafa has averages 19 “appearances”, he’s proberbly completed 90 minutes in about half of them. So lets say a dozen games per year. Therefore he simply can not be relied upon to be a “fixed” player as LVG says. So I am definatley in agreement that a world class right back is required. I wouldn’t get rid of Rafa (yet), but I would definatley buy a right back.
Ins:-
Centre Back - I know Hummels is mentioned over and over again but I’ll be honest – ive never seen him be anything other than bang average – at best, ive seen him have some shockers and although I don’t watch German football and don’t like regurgitating media opinions ive read reports he’s been very poor for Dortmund and many of the goals they have conceded can be directly pointed at Hummels . He’s had as many injury problems as our current mob, he looks slow and clumsey at times, struggles against movement and basically think at the money qouted its bad business. All of his faults would also be shown up a lot more in the Premier League. The young French lad at Bilboa, I havent seen so couldn’t really comment, but he’s 20 is he not? The Ducth lad at celtic similar. I havent lost faith in Jones, Rojo and especially Smalling fullfiliing there potential and so if prefer us to bring a 30 year old centre half in who has been there, seen it and done it. Unfortunatley there is a real shortage of those. However, if we are looking and spending top drawer then could we tempt Ramos? I have criticised Pepe extensivley in the past but I wouldn’t be against him either, we desperatley need some aggression and leadership back there. Rojo can maybe provide it but that’s why id prefer a short / medium term fix as opposed to another young centre half – especially a foreign one.
As for the right back situation, not sure any of those mentioned are world class, but wouldn’t be against Clyne or Coleman. I have read a few reports about the Swiss lad at Juve??? Anybody seen him? Id prefer a right back more in the mould of a Ivanovic / Zabelleta.
Midfield, although its been high priority for years I think with Blind, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini stepping up a bit and then having the potential to play Di Maria and Rooney there then I cant see us signing a midfielder if I am honest.
If we let Falcao go, assuming hernandez is gone too and with RVP on the decline then the summer could see centre forward being priority. Wilson is certainly a good few years from being a 25 goal a season number 9 from what I have seen. We would be left with RVP, Wilson, Rooney(??) and so therefore if it isnt Falcao then it must be somebody else? Benzema would be my preferred choice, he’s had a number of years at Real now and we know how they like to move people on. Hopefully they go for aguerro. I don’t want cavani. Again, not sure who the answer is. Don’t think Muller is dynamic enough, obviousley a great player but as a main number 9?? Not sure.
It is very difficult to assess exactly who/what we need because we don’t know how we are going to play!
