What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

[ole@thewheel]

Being absolutely reasonable our transfer priorities for next two seasons are as follows:

GK - If De Gea is extending his contract it means that he will be first XI GK for at least 2 more years (summer 2025 replacement at the earliest). If not this obviously a priority. Henderson to be sold
CB- Starter CBs locked for 2-3 years dependent on form. Summer 2025 starter replacement. Backup with Maguire/Lindelof + one academy is covered. Baily/Jones to be sold/released Summer 2023. If Maguire has a taker a replacement is a priority.
LB- Shaw/Malacia covered. Replacement dependent on form/market availability. Sell Telles
RB- Dalot/AWB- Better starter/backup is required. Can wait for Summer 2024 at a risk but preferentially this should be sorted Summer 2023 for at least a backup (if AWB is sold).
CM/DM- Backup: Fred is extending so that means that this is being pushed to Summer 2024 for a replacement. If McT is sold than we need a replacement. Starting: Improvement on Eriksen is desirable. Priority for Summer 2023 if we find the right player and release McT.
AM-Backup to DVB if he is sold. Starting is sorted
LW- Rashford/Garnacho/Sancho good for the foreseeable future
RW- Recent investments Antony/Amad/Sancho/Pellistri - we are not going to invest in this position until Summer 2025 at least
CF- Absolute priority on summer 2023.

Transfer strategy:

Summer 2023/2024 (in order)
CF (urgent!)
Starter GK- if DeGea doesn't extend. Sell Henderson
Starter/Backup CM/DM - sell McT , Fred replaced Summer 2024
Starter/Backup RB- sell AWB
Backup CB- sell Maguire/Bailly release Jones
Backup AM- sell DVB

 

[LuckyScout78]

New updating at this time writing this:


+ New CF = A top level CF. The names for me personally so far. Goncalo Ramos, Harry Kane and i will consider Osihmen from Napoli

+ One new CM that is controlling and been able to control against top team like City and Arsenal. Frenkie De Jong or Enzo Fernandez from Benfica

+ New CB. A beast of a CB. So far: Kim Min Jae from Napoli,
Joško Gvardiol . Even left foot. But he is really good at dictate the build from the back. Really precise level.


Those are 3 must positions to strength: CF + control, creative and dictate cm player + a beast of a CB = make United hard to beat and score against. United need that kind of CB

 

[croadyman]

We could do with a pacy striker who is comfortable down the middle on loan before end of the window. Just so we can keep Rashford in his best position off the left

 

[Adnan]

Gk: Costa/Vandervoordt
RB: Vanderson
CM: Caicedo
CM: Kokcu
Striker: Osimhen, Ferguson or Sesko.

Kokcu is a 22 year old midfielder who plays for Feyenoord. And there's always going to be question marks over his potential to step up to EPL level. But as far as profiles go, he's a high volume passer, comfortable on either foot and can operate in all three phases of play centrally. Very creative player and plays with a real intensity.

His stats below are also very interesting for anyone that is interested in observing statistics.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

And a midfield three of Casemiro, Caicedo and Kokcu looks very balanced with a good mix of technical, physical and athletic capabilities. All three players are potentially very good on the ball aswell. And if people haven't noticed whilst watching Caicedo, he's very very good at making passes whilst under extreme pressure and the stats below back that up.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[daba]

Gk: Costa/Vandervoordt
RB: Vanderson
CM: Caicedo
CM: Kokcu
Striker: Osimhen, Ferguson or Sesko.

Kokcu is a 22 year old midfielder who plays for Feyenoord. And there's always going to be question marks over his potential to step up to EPL level. But as far as profiles go, he's a high volume passer, comfortable on either foot and can operate in all three phases of play centrally. Very creative player and plays with a real intensity.

His stats below are also very interesting for anyone that is interested in observing statistics.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

And a midfield three of Casemiro, Caicedo and Kokcu looks very balanced with a good mix of technical, physical and athletic capabilities. All three players are potentially very good on the ball aswell. And if people haven't noticed whilst watching Caicedo, he's very very good at making passes whilst under extreme pressure and the stats below back that up.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Given both Frenkie and Enzo look highly unlikely, im praying Brighton hold firm and keep hold of Caicedo for the rest of the season, allowing us a shot at him in the summer.

If we could ship out McTominay in the summer (could be a nice Rice replacement for West Ham) and add in Caicedo (70m) and Tielemans (free), we suddenly have a lot of depth and quality in the middle.

Add in Gonçalo Ramos / Kane / Osimhen / Vlahovic to fill the void up top, and another reinforcement at CB to replace whoever leaves there (Lindelof or Maguire), then we’re starting to have a pretty complete looking squad.

First things first though, Brighton need to hold on to Caicedo.

 

[croadyman]

Given both Frenkie and Enzo look highly unlikely, im praying Brighton hold firm and keep hold of Caicedo for the rest of the season, allowing us a shot at him in the summer.

If we could ship out McTominay in the summer (could be a nice Rice replacement for West Ham) and add in Caicedo (70m) and Tielemans (free), we suddenly have a lot of depth and quality in the middle.

Add in Gonçalo Ramos / Kane / Osimhen / Vlahovic to fill the void up top, and another reinforcement at CB to replace whoever leaves there (Lindelof or Maguire), then we’re starting to have a pretty complete looking squad.

First things first though, Brighton need to hold on to Caicedo.

Yeah be amazed if they keep him past tonight with Arsenal sniffing around constantly and suspect much like Benfica that Brighton will buckle too.

Once De Jong is off the table then we may well have to hope Bellingham has a change of heart about the scousers this summer.

 

[Adnan]

Given both Frenkie and Enzo look highly unlikely, im praying Brighton hold firm and keep hold of Caicedo for the rest of the season, allowing us a shot at him in the summer.

If we could ship out McTominay in the summer (could be a nice Rice replacement for West Ham) and add in Caicedo (70m) and Tielemans (free), we suddenly have a lot of depth and quality in the middle.

Add in Gonçalo Ramos / Kane / Osimhen / Vlahovic to fill the void up top, and another reinforcement at CB to replace whoever leaves there (Lindelof or Maguire), then we’re starting to have a pretty complete looking squad.

First things first though, Brighton need to hold on to Caicedo.

The tweet below is from Brighton's, The Athletic correspondent. I don't believe Brighton care how many bids Arsenal throw their way.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Red in STL]

The tweet below is from Brighton's, The Athletic correspondent. I don't believe Brighton care how many bids Arsenal throw their way.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Did Levy move from Spurs to Brighton? Kinda familiar statement

 

[bosnian_red]

Putting on a penny pinching mindset if we need to drop costs while still improving, I'd say we should:

• Release de Gea, replace with Raya for cheap and relatively low wages (probably save 250k per week if we give him even 100k for example)
• Get Tielemans in on a free
• Sell Maguire and McTominay (could get 40m combined at least?)
• Sell Sancho back to Dortmund (40m at least) and probably subsidize 100k per week wages or find some deal, promote Amad and Pellistri to bigger roles
• Sell Elanga (could get 25m at least I'd think?)
• Sell Van de Beek for 15m
• Sign a younger CB with potential and DM with potential on much lower wages than McTominay and Maguire, possibly from a relegated side like Lavia for DM. Take punt on someone like Ahmedhodzic at CB or Bella kotchap from possibly relegated Southampon (net spend 0 from Maguire and McTominay but lower wages)

Striker is the hardest one to do from a penny pinching POV to be honest. Going to be a big transfer either way. Spend it all on Osimhen I guess...

 

[Shakesy]

Putting on a penny pinching mindset if we need to drop costs while still improving, I'd say we should:

• Release de Gea, replace with Raya for cheap and relatively low wages (probably save 250k per week if we give him even 100k for example)
• Get Tielemans in on a free
• Sell Maguire and McTominay (could get 40m combined at least?)
• Sell Sancho back to Dortmund (40m at least) and probably subsidize 100k per week wages or find some deal, promote Amad and Pellistri to bigger roles
• Sell Elanga (could get 25m at least I'd think?)
• Sell Van de Beek for 15m
• Sign a younger CB with potential and DM with potential on much lower wages than McTominay and Maguire, possibly from a relegated side like Lavia for DM. Take punt on someone like Ahmedhodzic at CB or Bella kotchap from possibly relegated Southampon (net spend 0 from Maguire and McTominay but lower wages)

Striker is the hardest one to do from a penny pinching POV to be honest. Going to be a big transfer either way. Spend it all on Osimhen I guess...

Don't think we're going to get 25m for Elanga...

 

[croadyman]

Putting on a penny pinching mindset if we need to drop costs while still improving, I'd say we should:

• Release de Gea, replace with Raya for cheap and relatively low wages (probably save 250k per week if we give him even 100k for example)
• Get Tielemans in on a free
• Sell Maguire and McTominay (could get 40m combined at least?)
• Sell Sancho back to Dortmund (40m at least) and probably subsidize 100k per week wages or find some deal, promote Amad and Pellistri to bigger roles
• Sell Elanga (could get 25m at least I'd think?)
• Sell Van de Beek for 15m
• Sign a younger CB with potential and DM with potential on much lower wages than McTominay and Maguire, possibly from a relegated side like Lavia for DM. Take punt on someone like Ahmedhodzic at CB or Bella kotchap from possibly relegated Southampon (net spend 0 from Maguire and McTominay but lower wages)

Striker is the hardest one to do from a penny pinching POV to be honest. Going to be a big transfer either way. Spend it all on Osimhen I guess...

Would only sell Sancho if he fails to prove himself in this second half of the season. I like the other ideas you have put forward though

 

[mitchmouse]

Looks like we are going to do no business on deadline day. have a feeling we might regret that - not the glazers give a stuff

 

[Name Changed]

We have been relatively lucky with injuries. A couple more and we will really struggle. We need to strengthen but we won't.

 

[Olecurls99]

Squad for 2023-2026
De Gea/Butland/Heaton

Dalot/Bissaka Varane/Lindelof Martinez/Young CB Shaw/Malacia

Casemiro/Mainoo Eriksen/Fred/Iqbal
Bruno/Amad

Antony/Sancho/Pellistri CF/Weghorst Rashford/Garnacho

Selling Maguire, Bailly, Telles, Mctominay, Donny, Elanga and Martial will fund the signing of a top striker and young CB.

 

[Lux Thunder]

Gk: Costa/Vandervoordt
RB: Vanderson
CM: Caicedo
CM: Kokcu
Striker: Osimhen, Ferguson or Sesko.

Kokcu is a 22 year old midfielder who plays for Feyenoord. And there's always going to be question marks over his potential to step up to EPL level. But as far as profiles go, he's a high volume passer, comfortable on either foot and can operate in all three phases of play centrally. Very creative player and plays with a real intensity.

His stats below are also very interesting for anyone that is interested in observing statistics.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

And a midfield three of Casemiro, Caicedo and Kokcu looks very balanced with a good mix of technical, physical and athletic capabilities. All three players are potentially very good on the ball aswell. And if people haven't noticed whilst watching Caicedo, he's very very good at making passes whilst under extreme pressure and the stats below back that up.

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Kokcu is a great shout, a very talented and creative midfielder who is also comfortable in deeper areas and is someone ETH is surely aware of.

He shares some similar qualities to Eriksen: adept with both feet, dead ball specialist and provides danger with his long shots. Also, I like the fact that he is Feyenoord's captain at a young age which shows a bit of his mentality and character.

 

[Adnan]

Kokcu is a great shout, a very talented and creative midfielder who is also comfortable in deeper areas and is someone ETH is surely aware of.

He shares some similar qualities to Eriksen: adept with both feet, dead ball specialist and provides danger with his long shots. Also, I like the fact that he is Feyenoord's captain at a young age which shows a bit of his mentality and character.

I'm glad someone agrees. I've been watching him sporadically for the last few years and he looks a excellent player with a high level of technical skill on the ball.

There's always going to be doubts surrounding him due to the league he plays in. But he's definitely a player who I feel we should take a chance on and he plays at a club who likely won't ask for a ridiculous sum.

By all accounts, he will leave at the end of this season.

 

[Lux Thunder]

I'm glad someone agrees. I've been watching him sporadically for the last few years and he looks a excellent player with a high level of technical skill on the ball.

There's always going to be doubts surrounding him due to the league he plays in. But he's definitely a player who I feel we should take a chance on and he plays at a club who likely won't ask for a ridiculous sum.

By all accounts, he will leave at the end of this season.

Yes, there is always a little bit of doubt with players who technically dominate lower quality leagues but I think for about £30m he can be a low risk purchase who can turn out as a bargain in the future.

 

[mitchmouse]

I hope ETH has made it clear to the twits above him that we need to do a lot of business (and quickly) in the summer if we are to be anywhere close to having a squad to match Chelsea's, City's and now even Arsenal's... not much point striving hard to close the gap at the top if you are just going to allow it to widen again

 

[Olecurls99]

I hope ETH has made it clear to the twits above him that we need to do a lot of business (and quickly) in the summer if we are to be anywhere close to having a squad to match Chelsea's, City's and now even Arsenal's... not much point striving hard to close the gap at the top if you are just going to allow it to widen again

Eh. A top striker should have us pretty much on a par with all of them. Chelsea have 29 points.

 

[croadyman]

I hope ETH has made it clear to the twits above him that we need to do a lot of business (and quickly) in the summer if we are to be anywhere close to having a squad to match Chelsea's, City's and now even Arsenal's... not much point striving hard to close the gap at the top if you are just going to allow it to widen again

Yeah we need for first XI

ST
CM (progressive)
GK

Squad depth (ideally two of)

CDM
ST
CB
RB

Which two would you prioritise?

Definitely need to be looking at the free agent market there to see if we can pick up one of Tielemans/Aouar and N'dicka. I know Benzema is available but can't see that one and RB is tricky now Gusto off table. Maybe we look at more of a hybrid option who can play CB & RB like Timber.

 

[MrSingh2002]

To improve the first 11 we still need a complete GK, top level CM unless Sabitzer becomes the GOAT during the loan, and the ST that fits a profile like Oshimen (Young enough, fast, powerful, goal scoring with an aerial ability.

3 starters are needed.

GK - Raya, Diogo Costa
CM - Bellingham, De Jong, Pedri (Got to aim high to improve on Eriksen/Sabitzer
ST - Oshimen/Vlahovic/Schick

 

[Murder on Zidane's Floor]

Can we make a move for a miserable Guardiola player?

Reports that Silva and Laporte are looking to leave.

 

[Messier1994]

To improve the first 11 we still need a complete GK, top level CM unless Sabitzer becomes the GOAT during the loan, and the ST that fits a profile like Oshimen (Young enough, fast, powerful, goal scoring with an aerial ability.

3 starters are needed.

GK - Raya, Diogo Costa
CM - Bellingham, De Jong, Pedri (Got to aim high to improve on Eriksen/Sabitzer
ST - Oshimen/Vlahovic/Schick

I like the Pedri mention. We should aim as high as it gets, and money can’t be an issue.

Bellingham and FDJ will get a lot of press, but one guy that also would fit tremendously well in ETHs system is Nicolo Barella.

Inter has financial problems. Would they hang on to Barella if we offered 125m? He is definitely better now than Bellingham, Enzo F and co. But also of course at the peak of his career.

 

[Messier1994]

Can we make a move for a miserable Guardiola player?

Reports that Silva and Laporte are looking to leave.

Am I getting ahead of myself/this team if I answer ‘the only City players I would consider are Diaz, Haaland and Rodri’?

Thing is, there is a little little bit of seriousness there.

 

[Njord]

How ETH handle our options in the front three will be interesting for next season.

With what Garnacho and Amad is showing this season, I don't think either will be happy as third choice next year.

But if we sign a new striker I can see Rashford and Anthony as starters and Sancho as first back-up for both wings.

If Martial and Weghorst stay on there will be few games where Rashford rotate as a striker too.

 

[croadyman]

I like the Pedri mention. We should aim as high as it gets, and money can’t be an issue.

Bellingham and FDJ will get a lot of press, but one guy that also would fit tremendously well in ETHs system is Nicolo Barella.

Inter has financial problems. Would they hang on to Barella if we offered 125m? He is definitely better now than Bellingham, Enzo F and co. But also of course at the peak of his career.

Interesting to hear you rate him better than Bellingham and Fernandez,would imagine Pedri has an eye watering release clause or am I mixing him up with Gavi.

 

[croadyman]

Can we make a move for a miserable Guardiola player?

Reports that Silva and Laporte are looking to leave.

City wouldn't let Bernardo leave and IF by some miracle they did only see him wanting Barca

 

[mitchmouse]

Yeah we need for first XI

ST
CM (progressive)
GK

Squad depth (ideally two of)

CDM
ST
CB
RB

Which two would you prioritise?

Definitely need to be looking at the free agent market there to see if we can pick up one of Tielemans/Aouar and N'dicka. I know Benzema is available but can't see that one and RB is tricky now Gusto off table. Maybe we look at more of a hybrid option who can play CB & RB like Timber.

Absolute top priority is a centre forward, a proven goal scorer. not a huge number of them available but the obvious one for me, despite his "age" is Kane. not sure he'll join another english club and we might well end up with Dušan Vlahović.

Despite the abuse I'll get (already get) for saying this, I still don't think DDG is a good enough all-round keeper; there are certainly better ones. We might go for Emiliano Martinez despite his antics, which, frankly don't worry me much. After the, it must be two differing midfielders...

 

[mitchmouse]

Eh. A top striker should have us pretty much on a par with all of them. Chelsea have 29 points.

chelsea have 29 points - and now have eight (or is it nine, with the youngster?) new players. that's more than half a team! If they strengthen again in the summer, what then?

 

[Olecurls99]

chelsea have 29 points - and now have eight (or is it nine, with the youngster?) new players. that's more than half a team! If they strengthen again in the summer, what then?

They can only play 11

 

[Messier1994]

Interesting to hear you rate him better than Bellingham and Fernandez,would imagine Pedri has an eye watering release clause or am I mixing him up with Gavi.

Or at least, more experienced, stronger, more consistent etc.

I think it goes for all of these guys — Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouameni and co — regardless what potential they have, they are not quite there yet.

 

[NoPace]

My current guess:

-----------------------------Ramos(Martial)
Rashford(Garnacho)------------------------Antony(Sancho)
-----------------Eriksen(Sabitzer)-Bruno(Fred)
------------------------------Casemiro(DM)-------------------------
Shaw(Malacia)--Lisandro(Lindelof)-Varane(CB)-Dalot(RB)
---------------------------------GK(Heaton)--------------------------

with Elanga, Amad or Pellistri as a 7th attacker and the others on loan (or maybe Pellistri is just sold), Mainoo or Iqbal as the 7th midfielder (other on loan) and at least one, maybe 2 defenders, so let's say Alvaro and a right-footer, maybe a young signing who goes straight into the U-21s or Tuanzebe if he does okay at Stoke and in pre-season, or a random free transfer like Amartey or Pontus Jansson who has Prem experience and is happy to be 5th or 6th really (Shaw) choice CB here. 3rd keeper maybe Butland stays, dunno.

6 players seems like a lot, but Sabitzer is already here, we need a #9 and a passing GK and it seems like Maguire will leave, and literally all 3 of our RW options (Antony, Sancho, Amad, i'm assuming Pellistri will be sold) seem to be best at creating great opportunities for their surrounding teammates and Wan-Bissaka's final 3rd play isn't going to suddenly become really good, so my guess is we do swap in someone there since Wan-Bissaka will have a year plus an option year left this summer, so can still get a decent price for him but otherwise we have to commit to him for a bunch of years.

Mctominay-DM
Maguire-CB
WanBissaka-RB
DeGea-GK

probably all work out to about even including wages, so you're looking at a huge expenditure on a #9, 20M or so on Sabitzer and that's about it. If there's more than that, maybe we pass on Sabitzer and just sign De Jong or Rice or someone expensive.

 

[mitchmouse]

They can only play 11

and have seven on the bench, isn't it? I did say it was about squad strength. look what happens to us when we get a couple of midfield injuries

 

[TsuWave]

Despite not necessarily being what we need - I really wanted us to get Joao Felix. I just like the way he plays.

 

[Highfather_24]

Sancho, Antony, Bruno, Amad, Rashford, Garnacho, Martial/Weghorst, new CF.

8 players for 4 positions. We can keep Pellistri too, but will prefer to see him loaned to a PL side.

 

[croadyman]

Despite not necessarily being what we need - I really wanted us to get Joao Felix. I just like the way he plays.

Think Erik only wants players who fit in,clearly he felt that we had enough cover in wide areas

 

[croadyman]

and have seven on the bench, isn't it? I did say it was about squad strength. look what happens to us when we get a couple of midfield injuries

Yeah there is too much drop off when we have lost Varane to injury and Casa to suspension

 

[DutchSerb]

What about Paqueta? Doesn't he already play next to Casemiro in the NT? He also said his favorite position is left centre mid, what a coincidence..

(Yes, I'm typing this after he scored)

 

[Escobar]

We need midfielders. Get some midfielders in in summer the rest is ok, with the exception of a striker

 

[croadyman]

We need midfielders. Get some midfielders in in summer the rest is ok, with the exception of a striker

Make Sabitzer permanent,De Jong/Barella and maybe Tielemans on a free