We need to be keeping Casemiro for one more year. I think we are often a bit hasty in trying to get rid of everyone. I think he certainly has a lot to offer, even if only as a rotational player, but he’s a captain and someone I think we will need.
Beyond that, we need to firstly decide what midfield structure we want to play with in the longer term. I’d personally like to see a trio that can work well as a unit in all/most phases of play - so a setup that isn’t structured with each midfielder playing 25 yards from each other. We also need to decide what midfield function we want Kobbie Mainoo to take on in the longer term.
I think we should be targeting Vermeeren. He looks a great talent as an all-round midfielder with great defensive workrate and comfort on the ball. He and Mainoo would make a great pairing long term I think, and I don’t see why Casemiro couldn’t bridge the gap for a year. He’s be great value too and we can’t spend 60m+ on everyone.
I’m a great believer in Dan Gore’s talent, although he is yet another teenager like Mainoo and Vermeeran. This is why Casemiro’s presence would be key. I’d have Casemiro, Mainoo, Gore and Vermeeren in and around the midfield. Rabiot of a free would also be shrewd business to offer physicality and experience.
Further forward, I’d like to see Bruno replaced with a more agile, stronger and better close control. This would keep the team moving at a quicker speed, especially when paired with deeper midfielders with similar characteristics. I think Eze would be a great option for this role personally. Cherki can be gotten for peanuts and there is still loads of potential in there too.
McTominay, VDB, Eriksen, Amrabat and probably Hannibal can all go. What I do know is that McTominay absolutely MUST go. Bruno can also be sold for a huge fee and I think that would be smart business at this point in his career.