RedTillI'mDead
A Key Tool
I thought it would be interesting to discuss where we stand versus other top teams and how many and what types of signings would we need to break through each barrier.
I’m sure everyone will argue standings, it’s hard to compare a Napoli vs Bayern for example.
Athletico Madrid are close to us, as are Chelsea. I’ve intentionally put Chelsea ahead of us as I think Hazard is a key differentiator.
1. Barcelona
2. Real Madrid (amazingly off form at mo, on form I think they are ahead of Barcelona in quality)
3. PSG
4. Manchester City
5. Juventus
6. Napoli
7. Bayern Munich
8. Chelsea
9. Manchester United
So looking at 4 teams ahead of us, I think one world class skilful player could take us ahead of all of them. By this I mean a Hazard, Ronaldo, Messi, Bale (if can stay uninjured, Mbappe, etc. Problem is only injured Bale is at most a faint and relatively short term fix anyway.
Alternative ways to get ahead is maybe some quality width with a winger and wing back of very good standard.
As soon as we get to top 4 I think these are all essentially out of reach. I think between them they have most of the top players in the world and the best of the rest would either be impossible to get like Hazard or just not good enough.
Where we do have potential is if Shaw, Rashford and Martial reach their full potential and Lingard and Lukaku add to a limited skill set then we have a decent framework. We would still probably need another world class midfielder to replace Herrera and a rightback to replace/ swap with Valencia.
I would say all of the above needs to happen to even think about a stab at the top 4 and certainly the top 3.
Any one else see things differently?
Based on this view I also think United need to be planning 5-8 years ahead. Keep ticking along in Champions League and cups for now, but the real targeting should be on longer term money, otherwise I fear we could waste a lot to at most maybe reach another round in the Champions League or maintain 2nd, rather than 3rd/4th in Prem.
We need to be snapping up the best aged 16-20 range of players with a view to future dominance. I just can’t see us finding the probably £600m-£1bn that it would otherwise take to pick up enough stars to take over these other teams.
I’m sure everyone will argue standings, it’s hard to compare a Napoli vs Bayern for example.
Athletico Madrid are close to us, as are Chelsea. I’ve intentionally put Chelsea ahead of us as I think Hazard is a key differentiator.
1. Barcelona
2. Real Madrid (amazingly off form at mo, on form I think they are ahead of Barcelona in quality)
3. PSG
4. Manchester City
5. Juventus
6. Napoli
7. Bayern Munich
8. Chelsea
9. Manchester United
So looking at 4 teams ahead of us, I think one world class skilful player could take us ahead of all of them. By this I mean a Hazard, Ronaldo, Messi, Bale (if can stay uninjured, Mbappe, etc. Problem is only injured Bale is at most a faint and relatively short term fix anyway.
Alternative ways to get ahead is maybe some quality width with a winger and wing back of very good standard.
As soon as we get to top 4 I think these are all essentially out of reach. I think between them they have most of the top players in the world and the best of the rest would either be impossible to get like Hazard or just not good enough.
Where we do have potential is if Shaw, Rashford and Martial reach their full potential and Lingard and Lukaku add to a limited skill set then we have a decent framework. We would still probably need another world class midfielder to replace Herrera and a rightback to replace/ swap with Valencia.
I would say all of the above needs to happen to even think about a stab at the top 4 and certainly the top 3.
Any one else see things differently?
Based on this view I also think United need to be planning 5-8 years ahead. Keep ticking along in Champions League and cups for now, but the real targeting should be on longer term money, otherwise I fear we could waste a lot to at most maybe reach another round in the Champions League or maintain 2nd, rather than 3rd/4th in Prem.
We need to be snapping up the best aged 16-20 range of players with a view to future dominance. I just can’t see us finding the probably £600m-£1bn that it would otherwise take to pick up enough stars to take over these other teams.