The best possible league finish would be 3rd but that would require next to zero injuries and a large slice of luck. Realistically, I think we will be in a scrap for 4th, and then it's a toss up whether we have enough to get over the line or not. I am a little concerned as to whether we have enough goals in the squad. Ronaldo was the main outlet last season, and with serious question marks surrounding his future, going into a season with Martial as our only #9 is a concern. We definitely need more firepower if he leaves, and we likely do anyway even if he stays. FDJ would be nice but I just don't know if he will choose us now. It looks like Barca will force him out, it depends who will pay the money they want - we have a deal in place but could be outbid. We need cover in the middle of the park.
The Europa league should be a target for us. Winning that again would be nice. We should breeze the group stages and then it depends who drops in from the CL. We need to go deep in that competition. An FA Cup / League Cup would be great. It would be nice to build that confidence from winning a trophy again. It's a shame everyone above us is now taking them all so seriously again!
In my eyes the most pleasing thing would be to see a team that is fighting for each other again, and giving their all on the pitch in every game. We need to see a real style of play being implemented and I for one am excited to see how we look once ETH implements his methods fully to the entire squad. It won't happen from the first game, maybe not during the first half of the season, but as long as we see it starting to blossom that would be great.
The season will be a weird one. A lot rides on how players treat it with the World Cup being in the middle. Will certain players 'get injured' a few weeks before, possible Ronaldo if he stays - his last chance for World Cup glory after all? Could that affect us and teams around us? Players could get injured at the World Cup which could derail a season for someone close to us.
I am an optimist, so if I were placing a bet I'd say we will finish 4th in the league and win a cup and see ETH's methods and style in the team also. Positive for 23/24 season....