What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

[Murder on Zidane's Floor]

Spends £300m on transfers, and still the forwards, look poor. Martial can’t continue as a LW. His Midfield and defence, whilst they look stronger, we need more up top and out wide.

Obviously, we won’t make wholesale changes, in one window.

His squad, wouldn't make us champions imo.

Chiesa as a right winger was underwhelming. Also with you on Martial. Not a LW of a title winning side.

 

[wolvored]

We need a lot of players to come in, but one position that stands out over the last few games is we need a goalscorer. Martial, Rashford and Lukaku individually aint going to score 20+ premier goals a season as they are woefully inconsistant. If we have only got 200 million plus what we sell, well I would let at least one go, and maybe even 2 out of the 3 to get the bucks to cover other positions as well.

 

[Ahsan_6386]

I do believe that Ole has worked out an elaborate transfer plan for getting in 5 players in by 2019 winter transfer window . From the looks of it and the rumours swirling around . I believe he wants more goals from our midfielders to ease the pressure on our inexperienced attackers hence the constant rumours linking us to Bruno Fernandes and Christian Erikssen . I think we will end up spending more than 200 this summer window .

Centre Back : Alderwerield / Manolas . I think he won't spend a lot on a centre back instead look for a good deal like in case of these 2 experienced players with economical transfer release clause . Also Tuanzebe will be back so he will most probably be integrated in the squad too .

Right Back : Bissaka/ Meunier . Right back position is quite crucial and has been quite a let down for us this season and I can see Ole getting in a right back to ease pressure on Dalot .

Attacking Midfielder : Bruno Fernandes/ Christian Erikssen . I think he wants more goals from midfield and wants either one of them to help out Pogba . I think it will be Bruno Fernandes considering his goal scoring record .

Defensive Midfielder : Declan Rice . He will want a destroyer who will sit in front of the defense and Rice seems perfect for the role .

Right Winger : Sancho/ Hudson Odoi / Pepe . This is a no brainer really . Our attack on the right side is mostly non existent and we need a right winger urgently .

Special Mention : Joao Felix . I think he is a very talented younger player whom we are tracking and will make a bid for him at some point . I don't see him as a necessity since we already have players in his natural position and we will probably try for him in 2020 . We might go in big for him this summer in a scenario where Pogba leaves . He is not exactly a like to like replacement for Pogba but more a case of getting in another super talent in the squad .

The outgoings I can see are Valencia, Mata , Darmian , Rojo, Baily, Herrera and Matic / Perreira . I think we can recoup some money for couple of them .

In :

• Alderwerield/ Manolas (25-36 million Pounds )
• Bruno / Erikssen ( 45-65 million Pounds)
• Bissaka / Meunier ( 30-40 million Pounds)
• Declan Rice (50 million Pounds)
• Sancho / Pepe / Hudson Odoi ( 40 -100 Pounds)

Out :

• Valencia ( Free)
• Herrera (Free)
• Rojo (15 Million Pounds)
• Bailly, (20-30 Million Pounds )
• Matic/Perreira (20 Million Pounds )
• Darmian (8 Million Pounds )

 

[AgentP]

I do believe that Ole has worked out an elaborate transfer plan for getting in 5 players in by 2019 winter transfer window . From the looks of it and the rumours swirling around . I believe he wants more goals from our midfielders to ease the pressure on our inexperienced attackers hence the constant rumours linking us to Bruno Fernandes and Christian Erikssen . I think we will end up spending more than 200 this summer window .

Centre Back : Alderwerield / Manolas . I think he won't spend a lot on a centre back instead look for a good deal like in case of these 2 experienced players with economical transfer release clause . Also Tuanzebe will be back so he will most probably be integrated in the squad too .

Right Back : Bissaka/ Meunier . Right back position is quite crucial and has been quite a let down for us this season and I can see Ole getting in a right back to ease pressure on Dalot .

Attacking Midfielder : Bruno Fernandes/ Christian Erikssen . I think he wants more goals from midfield and wants either one of them to help out Pogba . I think it will be Bruno Fernandes considering his goal scoring record .

Defensive Midfielder : Declan Rice . He will want a destroyer who will sit in front of the defense and Rice seems perfect for the role .

Right Winger : Sancho/ Hudson Odoi / Pepe . This is a no brainer really . Our attack on the right side is mostly non existent and we need a right winger urgently .

Special Mention : Joao Felix . I think he is a very talented younger player whom we are tracking and will make a bid for him at some point . I don't see him as a necessity since we already have players in his natural position and we will probably try for him in 2020 . We might go in big for him this summer in a scenario where Pogba leaves . He is not exactly a like to like replacement for Pogba but more a case of getting in another super talent in the squad .

The outgoings I can see are Valencia, Mata , Darmian , Rojo, Baily, Herrera and Matic / Perreira . I think we can recoup some money for couple of them .

In :

• Alderwerield/ Manolas (25-36 million Pounds )
• Bruno / Erikssen ( 45-65 million Pounds)
• Bissaka / Meunier ( 30-40 million Pounds)
• Declan Rice (50 million Pounds)
• Sancho / Pepe / Hudson Odoi ( 40 -100 Pounds)

Out :

• Valencia ( Free)
• Herrera (Free)
• Rojo (15 Million Pounds)
• Bailly, (20-30 Million Pounds )
• Matic/Perreira (20 Million Pounds )
• Darmian (8 Million Pounds )

I hope we can pull this off. Won't be easy with the competition out there.

 

[The Nani]

Out £100mish

Lukaku and few other misfits

In £300mish

Sancho £110m
Felix £80m
Bruno £60m
Alderweireld £25m
Meunier £25m

Against lesser sides...

——Martial———Sancho
———-——-Felix
———Pogba——Bruno
——————Fred
Shaw—-Toby—-Lind—-Meun
———-——-Dave

Counter attacking...

———--—Rashford
Sancho——-Felix——-Bruno
——-—Pogba——Fred
Shaw—-Toby—-Lind—-Meun
——————Dave

Dalot, Smalling, McTom, Pereira & Greenwood as our main reserves with Martial and Rashford rotating.

Dream big, muppets.

 

[JJ12]

Rashford Jovic Sancho

Could see this working really well but probably too expensive given we need a CM and CB too.

 

[An Irish Red]

We need massive changes over the next few windows as our squad isn't good enough. We need a striker (Griezmann, Piatek or Jovic), a right winger (Sancho) and a fullback (Rafael or Wan Bissaka).

We also need a centre-back (De Ligt, Koulibaly or Alderweireld) and a revamped midfield; DM (Rodri, Rice, Neves) and CM (Saul, N'Dombele or Rabiot). It will take a few windows to get it right.

 

[Saf94]

The way I see this now is that we have spent tons of money since Fergie left and hardly any of the players signed have worked out long term. Apart from Pogba, possibly Lindelof and Shaw, none of the guys signed seem to have convinced fully that they belong on a title challenging team.

Therefore in my opinion we should change our transfer strategy and ONLY sign players if they are top players in a position we need or will genuinely be a huge improvement on what we have now.

If we can’t get a centre back to the level of a Koulibaliy what’s the point in signing another 50m guy who won’t solve our problems?

So for me I’d rather see 1/2 really really good players then 4/5 guys who in a year well feel didn’t solve our problems. If Koulibaliy costs 150m just pay it, we’d spend that much on centre backs anyway none of whom would add up to one Koulibaliy

 

[sideshow_bob]

There's really no reason to use the 'no value in the market' line this summer.

These guys and their clubs are good to go!:
- Rabiot (contractless)
- Pepe (Lille wanna sell)
- Werner (Leipzig wanna sell)
- Fernandes (Sporting broke af)
- Partey (reasonable clause)
- Rodrigo (reasonable clause)
- Brandt (low clause)
- Pellegrini (low clause)

I'm not saying we have to go for all these players of course.

Just saying there's no excuse to not bring in a few players quickly before getting stuck in long protracted sagas for the likes of Sancho, Koulibaly, Varane, Meunier etc..

 

[beingshe7don]

There's really no reason to use the 'no value in the market' line this summer.

These guys and their clubs are good to go!:
- Rabiot (contractless) - Yes, but I can see him going to Real or Bayern.
- Pepe (Lille wanna sell) - Definitely Yes, but I think PSG or Bayern have a contract in place to get him.
- Werner (Leipzig wanna sell) - Unsure about this one. I would assume he would replace Lukaku. However, having two young strikers of approx. same age does not bode well for the team. I would rather have someone more experienced.
- Fernandes (Sporting broke af) - Definite Yes.
- Partey (reasonable clause) - Definite Yes, but with Fred and Mctominay impressing Ole, I don't see him coming.
- Rodrigo (reasonable clause) - Good player, but City are after him. The asking price could increase.
- Brandt (low clause) - Don't think he's what we need.
- Pellegrini (low clause) - I think he's mediocre at best.

I'm not saying we have to go for all these players of course.

Just saying there's no excuse to not bring in a few players quickly before getting stuck in long protracted sagas for the likes of Sancho, Koulibaly, Varane, Meunier etc..

 

[Canagel]

Out £100mish

Lukaku and few other misfits

In £300mish

Sancho £110m
Felix £80m
Bruno £60m
Alderweireld £25m
Meunier £25m

Against lesser sides...

——Martial———Sancho
———-——-Felix
———Pogba——Bruno
——————Fred
Shaw—-Toby—-Lind—-Meun
———-——-Dave

Counter attacking...

———--—Rashford
Sancho——-Felix——-Bruno
——-—Pogba——Fred
Shaw—-Toby—-Lind—-Meun
——————Dave

Dalot, Smalling, McTom, Pereira & Greenwood as our main reserves with Martial and Rashford rotating.

Dream big, muppets.

Looks very good.

 

[deadrevelz]

There's really no reason to use the 'no value in the market' line this summer.

These guys and their clubs are good to go!:
- Rabiot (contractless)
- Pepe (Lille wanna sell)
- Werner (Leipzig wanna sell)
- Fernandes (Sporting broke af)
- Partey (reasonable clause)
- Rodrigo (reasonable clause)
- Brandt (low clause)
- Pellegrini (low clause)

I'm not saying we have to go for all these players of course.

Just saying there's no excuse to not bring in a few players quickly before getting stuck in long protracted sagas for the likes of Sancho, Koulibaly, Varane, Meunier etc..

Meunier is on last year of contract and he's a United fan. PSG will be cnuts to deal with I'm sure, but if we're in for him, I don't see it being a saga.

Partey I've read doesn't want to leave Atletico.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

This time every year it’s OBVIOUS which positions we need to strengthen.

Every Summer we don’t.

By every October it’s OBVIOUS we should have.

CB, RB, CM, RW who are all PL winning quality starters.

We’ll probably just spend all Summer chasing Bale, and still not even get him.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

We’ll probably just spend all Summer chasing Bale, and still not even get him.

We will try all summer avoid getting Bale, then end up with him.

 

[ravi2]

This time every year it’s OBVIOUS which positions we need to strengthen.

Every Summer we don’t.

By every October it’s OBVIOUS we should have.

CB, RB, CM, RW who are all PL winning quality starters.

We’ll probably just spend all Summer chasing Bale, and still not even get him.

We will try all summer avoid getting Bale, then end up with him.

To be fair, whoever wants Bale this summer has got him, I get the sense Madrid cannot wait to sell him to fund their next transfer spree. They would probably sell him for 40-50M as his wages are astronomical.

 

[Sea-Cow]

6th.



5th.


4th on GD.


5th or tight squeeze for 4th.


5th

Hahaha its harsh, but spot on

 

[friendlytramp]

Martial——Rashford——Sancho
———Fernandes—McT
Shaw————Rice————Meunier
——Skriniar——Lindelöf
————-—-Romero

 

[charlenefan]

Martial——Rashford——Sancho
———Fernandes—McT
Shaw————Rice————Meunier
——Koulibaly——Lindelöf
————-—-Romero

I don't get it? We're selling Martial, Rashford, McTominay, Shaw, Lindelof and Romero to West Ham?

 

[Ole’s Wheel]

With the growth of McSauce and Fred, is it fair to say United only need to get 1 CM this summer even if Herrera leaves?

Pogba / New CM / McTominay / Fred / Matic.

That’s 5 solid CMs and quality depth. Don’t you think getting another CM would be overkill? Especially since Lingard and Pereira also drop into a midfield every now and then. And more so, it’ll allow Ole to promote a player from within the academy such as Garner.

...I’d much rather prefer it that way instead of going overkill. It’s an excuse to get a starting mid3 nailed down versus having so many options that nothing really materializes in terms of knowing who the go to guys are. 1 big CB+RW signings are expected and a “cheap” (£50m range, modern football lol) CM+RB.

 

[The Nani]

With the growth of McSauce and Fred, is it fair to say United only need to get 1 CM this summer even if Herrera leaves?

Pogba / New CM / McTominay / Fred / Matic.

That’s 5 solid CMs and quality depth. Don’t you think getting another CM would be overkill? Especially since Lingard and Pereira also drop into a midfield every now and then. And more so, it’ll allow Ole to promote a player from within the academy such as Garner.

...I’d much rather prefer it that way instead of going overkill. It’s an excuse to get a starting mid3 nailed down versus having so many options that nothing really materializes in terms of knowing who the go to guys are. 1 big CB+RW signings are expected and a “cheap” (£50m range, modern football lol) CM+RB.

Yeah, definitely only need the one CM. And while a month ago I would’ve said that player needs to be a holder, the form of Fred and McTominay has changed my mind of late. I think Bruno Fernandes is the guy. Would add much needed creativity and goal threat and can also play on the right.

Furthermore, I think we should bin Matic while we can still get any kind of fee for him. Pereira plays predominantly in midfield anyway. So that would still be five first team options with Garner waiting in the wings.

Looks solid enough if not really good on paper. Spend the rest of the budget on attack and defense.

 

[Andersonson]

I've seen many Palace games this season, for a reason I dont know, but I have.. And Milivojevic has impressed me alot every time. He has very good passing and actually pretty neat technique. I really like the look of him. And he's exellent on free kicks and penalties.

Anyone else who has the same opinion? Not sure he would be good enough for a top 6 Club, but I would like to see it. He just turned 28 a couple of days ago

 

[AndyJ1985]

We need about 6 players for the first team, and double that to strengthen the squad.

 

[Infestissumam]

I've seen many Palace games this season, for a reason I dont know, but I have.. And Milivojevic has impressed me alot every time. He has very good passing and actually pretty neat technique. I really like the look of him. And he's exellent on free kicks and penalties.

Anyone else who has the same opinion? Not sure he would be good enough for a top 6 Club, but I would like to see it. He just turned 28 a couple of days ago

I like him for Palace, but I think it'd end like with Schneiderlin. Impressive for a midtable club but probably not enough for a top 6 team.

Declan Rice would be my DM choice. Really like Arne Maier too.

 

[Zoo]

Koulibaly, Rice, Wan Bissaka and a right winger for sure. Then it depends on what happens with the likes of Herrera, Mata and Lukaku.

 

[Ahsan_6386]

Well one thing that keeps showing up is that we need a proper striker very urgently. We keep missing so many crucial chances. Rashford is just not elite level striker and Lukaku misses a lot of chances . Ole has been saying a lot about being ruthless but being a striker himself he should know the importance of putting away the chances. So will he be ruthless enough to bring in a new forward and stop his loyalty program to Rashford and Lingard . We need a proper striker who decreases our problems by atleast 30 percent . Timo Werner, Icardi, Jovic and Griezmann will possibly be available this summer . I feel we should go out and get one of them while getting rid of Lukaku if possible . Sometimes one player makes those differences and we need to find him.

 

[Isotope]

Two wingers and a right back. All of our players who play on the wings are awful as winger.

Would be nice to get a Fernandinho type of DM also.

 

[Chuckazulu]

two wingers, two midfielders, a CB and a right back.

 

[MancunianAngels]

The necessity is

We need about 6 players for the first team, and double that to strengthen the squad.

I’ve said this a million times this season but a mass overhaul won’t work. The players will take time to settle in and half of them will be gone in 2 years.

Before we do anything this summer, we need to sort things out off the pitch. Put a Director of Football in place and start putting short/medium/long term plans in.

1. Where do we want to be in 12 months.
2. Where do we want to be in 3 years.
3. Where do we want to be in 5-10 years.

Not just in terms of trophies and success but in terms of identity. Start looking at the Academy (again not just the under 23s but also the under 18s and younger)

The immediate concerns for me on the pitch are:
1. Right Back
2. Cover in midfield if Herrera leaves.

Sort those 2 out straight away.

Then make a decision on the future of Sanchez. As already said, I believe he deserves another year and not the priority.

Then onto centre back. Who’s our 1st choice partnership? For me that’s Lindelof and there’s debate over the other. Bring someone in that can compliment and bring the best out of Lindelof. 2 from 3 out of Jones/Smalling/Bailly are capable rotation options when needed. Sell one and bring in an additional younger centre back.

Finally there’s the strikers. Again, a wider discussion needs to be had on tactics/style of play. If Ole wants to persist with a quick front 3 then Lukaku will only ever be a better Fellaini esque plan B. If he’s happy to play that role, keep him. He’s proved to be more than capable against PSG etc. There then needs to be further chat on Lingard/Martial/Rashford...

 

[Frank Grimes]

We need a Saudi prince at this stage.

 

[Patrick08]

We need a Saudi prince at this stage.

No, we need football brains.

 

[Frank Grimes]

No, we need football brains.

You trust the Glazers to supply that?

 

[Patrick08]

You trust the Glazers to supply that?

They are wasting their own money, it's only logical they learn it the hard way.

 

[spaceboyRSA]

We need some good quality gel . It seems the team only gels every fourth game or so- need to figure out a way to get them all to gel together over the long term. Im sure woodward can find a sponsor for that.

Also, a better defence, better midfield and better attack is needed.

 

[Dan_F]

No, we need football brains.

This. Obviously we will have to spend a lot of money because clubs know we’re struggling and will charge us a premium. But if we haven’t identified the types of players we want to fill positions then it’s just going round in circles.

Are we looking for the best DM possible, or are we looking for a specific type of DM. Does Ole want a destroyer who’s not great on the ball, or does he want someone less mobile but with a better range of passing.

Does he want a right winger who cuts inside like Martial or does he want one that will take his man on, get to the line and put in crosses. Because we seem to be putting in a lot of crosses at the moment. Is that because we have no idea what else to do, or is that a genuine tactic? If we want to continue that way we will need a centre forward who’s better in the air than Rashford.

At right back do we believe in Dalot long term, in which case why spend 50 million on AWB when you can get solid back ups for both full back positions for the same price.

I really hope Ole has a set way of playing in mind, rather than the scatter gun approach to tactics we’re seeing. Hopefully it’s just because he doesn’t have the right players. All the best teams know their tactics and stick to them for 95% of their matches.

 

[golden_blunder]

Whatever we needed before + a striker who can doesn’t need a shed load of chances to score

Someone like Kane

 

[Lash]

Whatever we needed before + a striker who can doesn’t need a shed load of chances to score

Someone like Kane

Jovic would be good for that, the lack of a good touch to create a clear cut chance was painful to watch last night. It's not like we didn't have the opportunities.

 

[Rooney24]

Its clear we need to overhaul the defence. Its a complete shambles but Im not very optimistic much will change given Young and Jones signed new contracts.

That aside I would get rid of them, plus Valencia Bailly and Darmian. Smalling potentially as well but I guess he offers some continuity instead of an absolute clear out.

Break the bank for De Ligt, it would be big money but we would potentially have him for more than a decade and it would look cheap in the end even if we may need to be patient with him.

Bring back Fosu Mensah and Tunazebe. Pick up Alderweireld relatively cheap now, plus one other top top centre half and go from there.

It honesty its a better option than what we have at the moment.

 

[golden_blunder]

Jovic would be good for that, the lack of a good touch to create a clear cut chance was painful to watch last night. It's not like we didn't have the opportunities.

He’s only played 1 season himself?

I think we need experience

 

[golden_blunder]

Its clear we need to overhaul the defence. Its a complete shambles but Im not very optimistic much will change given Young and Jones signed new contracts.

That aside I would get rid of them, plus Valencia Bailly and Darmian. Smalling potentially as well but I guess he offers some continuity instead of an absolute clear out.

Break the bank for De Ligt, it would be big money but we would potentially have him for more than a decade and it would look cheap in the end even if we may need to be patient with him.

Bring back Fosu Mensah and Tunazebe. Pick up Alderweireld relatively cheap now, plus one other top top centre half and go from there.

It honesty its a better option than what we have at the moment.

Overrated youngster, at the moment anyway

 

[Stacks]

Its clear we need to overhaul the defence. Its a complete shambles but Im not very optimistic much will change given Young and Jones signed new contracts.

That aside I would get rid of them, plus Valencia Bailly and Darmian. Smalling potentially as well but I guess he offers some continuity instead of an absolute clear out.

Break the bank for De Ligt, it would be big money but we would potentially have him for more than a decade and it would look cheap in the end even if we may need to be patient with him.

Bring back Fosu Mensah and Tunazebe. Pick up Alderweireld relatively cheap now, plus one other top top centre half and go from there.

It honesty its a better option than what we have at the moment.

attack first. best form of defence is attack. Liverpool got CL final by blowing teams away. Our attack is ordinary and teams are not fearful enough of playing us. 2 quality attackers, a RB and CM. defence can wait