Take our squad right now (plus Sancho, top 10 youth, minus deadwood), how suitable would it be for Nagelsmann or Rose to implement their philosophy to a standard good enough to challenge Liverpool? Would it be yet another massive reconstruction vs OGS squad? What are the players they'd get rid off and who would they try to get in? Can you imagine what the 1st XI would be?
Also asking
@VP89 as the OP and resident fanboy
To implement the style in question you need technically strong players but also players who have high energy/mobility, especially in defensive transition IMO.
Matic would be first to go followed by AWB IMO. Both players would be a hinderance to either coach for differing reasons. Matic would be a liability because the high tempo, high risk strategy requires dynamic DMs who are mobile and tenacious and Matic is polar opposite to that and would be lost in defensive transition if isolated.
Wan Bissaka isn't good enough in the build up phase and would be a weakness as one of the wide receivers IMO. There's a reason why the opposition coaches have allowed Wan Bissaka space in games which is a ploy for the ball to reach him so they can spring a pressing trap. I can see Ethan Laird given an opportunity to cement his place in the team at RB.
I think our forwards have the right attributes as far as triggering the press goes and with the addition of a dynamic DM we would enforce the press better higher up the pitch to support the forwards which currently can't be done against quality opposition with a slow and immobile DM who Ole doesn't seem to rate either if his exclusion from the first 11 against Sevilla is anything to go by.
And last but not least both Rose and Nagelmann would want their CBs to play high up the pitch to close off the space that's been vacated by the midfielders to support the forwards which would enforce the press. What's important to remember here is that once the forwards trigger the press high up the pitch, the midfielders, fullbacks and CBs have to move in tandem to make it effective or things will break down and the forwards will end up chasing shadows. Assuming everyone is fit, it wouldn't surprise me if either coach deployed Axel Tuanzebe or Eric Bailly next to Maguire to enforce the high press more effectively.
Laird at RB
New DM who has high energy, dynamism and the ability to dominate defensive zones and enforce the press.
Axel or Bailley next to Maguire to help implement the forward push after the press gets triggered.
