Ok. So we will need reinforcements and as much as I'd love to sign Alphonso Davies or Viktor Gyökeres that's clearly not going to happen any time soon. We were already under FFP pressure and getting rid of ETH and bringing in Amorim has sliced out a bigger chunk of our free funds.
So what deals do you think are actually possible in January and where is the biggest need? I'm guessing we wouldn't have more than say £30m (net) in the kitty at this time of year.
Looking around it seems like Ait-Nouri might well be the most available LWB option that won't break the bank. Whether we can prise him away from Wolves mid-season with Liverpool also supposedly interested is another question. Another option which is more in our control is buying back Fernandez from Benfica. Other than in the WB positions an opportunity in waiting is Ryan Cherki from Lyon given the current state of their club.
Of course, there is the possibility of shipping players out as well. There has been some noise about Zirkzee going to Italy - is there any real credence in these rumours? If we can get back what we paid, that would help. There was rumours about Eriksen leaving in January before he's innevitably let go on a free in the summer which whilst not raising funds directly would save on wages and free up a bench slot.
Finally, is there anyone from the academy who people feel can step up this season and take the pressure off? Amass would be the obvious one and I'm surprised he hasn't got minutes already, but who else? Gore/Collyer/Fletcher would really help in CM positions even if they could only play 30 mins from the bench to save Ugartes legs. Anyone see Obi-Martin getting the last 15 mins of games?
So what deals do you think are actually possible in January and where is the biggest need? I'm guessing we wouldn't have more than say £30m (net) in the kitty at this time of year.
Looking around it seems like Ait-Nouri might well be the most available LWB option that won't break the bank. Whether we can prise him away from Wolves mid-season with Liverpool also supposedly interested is another question. Another option which is more in our control is buying back Fernandez from Benfica. Other than in the WB positions an opportunity in waiting is Ryan Cherki from Lyon given the current state of their club.
Of course, there is the possibility of shipping players out as well. There has been some noise about Zirkzee going to Italy - is there any real credence in these rumours? If we can get back what we paid, that would help. There was rumours about Eriksen leaving in January before he's innevitably let go on a free in the summer which whilst not raising funds directly would save on wages and free up a bench slot.
Finally, is there anyone from the academy who people feel can step up this season and take the pressure off? Amass would be the obvious one and I'm surprised he hasn't got minutes already, but who else? Gore/Collyer/Fletcher would really help in CM positions even if they could only play 30 mins from the bench to save Ugartes legs. Anyone see Obi-Martin getting the last 15 mins of games?