Yes, those 3 will be expensive but the biggest problem is that Anderson might prefer City.Who on earth is giving us £30m for Zirkzee, also Barca seem to be going cold on signing Rashford too. I would be absolutely staggered if we can afford Anderson, Baleba and Hall in this window, also still not enough noise we will sign 3 midfielders but hoping that changes.
As Whitwell said. Either one of the fletcher boys or thwaites is being promoted for next season to the first team squad so they will be CM no4.Yes, those 3 will be expensive but the biggest problem is that Anderson might prefer City.
Zirkzee is not a bad player and is still young.
Only signing 2 CM's will leave us with 3 CMs next season and playing twice a week.
I’d be taking a look at Stach if I was in charge.
Could be a slightly cheaper alternative to some of names mentioned.
He is a strong midfielder who also has an eye for goal
I’d be taking a look at Stach if I was in charge.
Could be a slightly cheaper alternative to some of names mentioned.
He is a strong midfielder who also has an eye for goal
I was hoping we’d relinquish our interest in buying Angello Stiller, which seems to have gone quiet lately?
He looks like a good signing and could also fill the gap left by Casemiro.
Yeah that worries me, should be called up when needed rather than included instead of a third CMAs Whitwell said. Either one of the fletcher boys or thwaites is being promoted for next season to the first team squad so they will be CM no4.
Why called up? Just training with the first team and being in around players players like Bruno would be massive for their development.Yeah that worries me, should be called up when needed rather than included instead of a third CM
As many have said on here including myself it’s why signing Sensei from Bournemouth on a free makes sense and it’ll also allow us to move Martinez into midfield as he’s looked a liability at the back this season outside of his passing.Really think we should consider a CB. Martinez and MdL cannot be relied upon to stay fit, that'll leave us with Maguire, Yoro and Heaven.
De Ligt and Martinez obviously have injury issues, but if the starting point is De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Heaven and Martinez as pure CBs with Shaw and Mazraoui able to do a job at LCB and RCB respectively, that's still a lot of players for two positions.Really think we should consider a CB. Martinez and MdL cannot be relied upon to stay fit, that'll leave us with Maguire, Yoro and Heaven.
Unfortunately he's agreed a deal with spurs, if they stay up.As many have said on here including myself it’s why signing Sensei from Bournemouth on a free makes sense and it’ll also allow us to move Martinez into midfield as he’s looked a liability at the back this season outside of his passing.
Truth, we have issues with MDL, Martinez and Maguire but we are stuck with them for now. A more ruthless decision would be selling MDL/Martinez but who is buying either, for a reasonable amount too considering their injury records and wages?De Ligt and Martinez obviously have injury issues, but if the starting point is De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Heaven and Martinez as pure CBs with Shaw and Mazraoui able to do a job at LCB and RCB respectively, that's still a lot of players for two positions.
I would not prioritize CB over LB, 2x CM and Striker/Left forward.
De Ligt and Martinez obviously have injury issues, but if the starting point is De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Heaven and Martinez as pure CBs with Shaw and Mazraoui able to do a job at LCB and RCB respectively, that's still a lot of players for two positions.
I would not prioritize CB over LB, 2x CM and Striker/Left forward.
As many have said on here including myself it’s why signing Sensei from Bournemouth on a free makes sense and it’ll also allow us to move Martinez into midfield as he’s looked a liability at the back this season outside of his passing.
Personally i think stiller wouldn’t be able to handle the pace or the physicality of the PLBaleba for DM, Tonali for a box to box and I really want us to sign Stiller as he will offer us control. Stiller won’t cost an awful lot and would be very easy to sign.
Baleba and Scott for me, for the two CMs. That's under the presumption any of Tchaumeni / Anderson / Tonali are out of reach. A third CM would be nice, but that probably depends on how much CM 1 and CM 2 cost this summer.My preferences are slowly becoming clear to me. I'd probably prioritise M. Fernandes, Baleba and Hall.
At that point you're probably making difficult decisions over which areas to prioritise with whatever money is left.
I actually think that if given a choice between yet another midfielder like Scott or a left winger, I'd go for Scott. I'd give Dorgu a chance to be the pacy left winger who comes on and stretches the opposition defence. I don't feel the need for a left winger as much as most others do, and I think I'm just really sick of having lacklustre options in midfield.
If there's a cheap Welbeck type scenario to top it off, I'd take that too. That would make it 5 signings.
Real wouldn’t sell both. Selling Tchouameni makes sense if they sign Rodri, but in that scenario, they probably keep Camavinga as a squad player.For me I’m very much in the camp of Tchouameni, Mateus Fernandes and Camavinga on loan with an option to buy if he were to prove his fitness which alongside Mainoo improves is massively in terms of ability, mobility, control and athletisicm in midfield.
They probably would at the right price. They certainly wouldn't loan us Camavinga though. That makes no sense for them. Even with an option to buy.Real wouldn’t sell both. Selling Tchouameni makes sense if they sign Rodri, but in that scenario, they probably keep Camavinga as a squad player.
Why do you think they wouldn't loan him?They probably would at the right price. They certainly wouldn't loan us Camavinga though. That makes no sense for them. Even with an option to buy.
Yeah if we want to play a higher line then that probably explains looking at someone like Van Der Ven. Would love to see us sign Hall at LB, however we know that Newcastle will want big money. Still can't get away from wanting one year of Lewandowski as an experienced striker for Sesko to learn from, however obviously no chance due to wages and his age. Would be great if we could unearth someone for that third CM. Obviously ideally we could upgrade on Dalot, however wouldn't put it above any on those priorities.3 CMs
1 CB only if we sell one
1 LB
1 CF
We can't go into a CL campaign with only 3 CMs. So its going to need to be 3 signings in that position. A 5th choice academy player should get plenty of minutes so I'm not worried about blocking their progress.
CB is a problem position. I actually think the 5 we have are almost a perfect set in terms of ages and profiles. But the injuries to MDL and Martinez means we might need to take the hit and let one of them go for cheap. As good as Maguire can be, he limits the way we can play and should ideally not be starting often.
We need a new LB for long term, who's good enough to play most games next year if Shaw gets injured, so a fairly significant price should be expected here.
Although a new LW is tempting, I'd go for a CF instead. Whoever we can get for a decent price really as we need to maximise the signings in other positions.
5/6 is the minimum. Only Casemiro and Ugarte need to leave from our current squad to justify this. If we can also get rid of Mount and Zirkzee then an extra winger would be worthwhile.
I also have a feeling Mazraoui might go. This would be a mistake imo, but it would clearly necessitate the signing of another RB. But we'd then be looking at potentially 8 signings which is too many to expect instant improvement next year.
Given a choice would you prefer proven experienced ST like the two mentioned or someone who has that capability to cover LW and ST instead like Leao?Before going through areas on the pitch, have to say it'd be great if we can agree one deal as early as late May. We did it last year with Cunha and it was a statement of intent. Maybe this summer will be more challenging because of World Cup but that can't be excuse. We'll regress next season if they don't do proper job over the summer, no doubt about that.
For starters, we'll need a GK as Bayindir is reportedly looking to leave and we need a better option there anyway. Not sure Vitek won't be sent on another loan but would be great if we keep him with first team.
CB area: Maguire, de Ligt, Martinez, Heaven, Yoro. Five players for two positions, even if Martinez and de Ligt are injury-prone. Heaven has been good lately and would hope for a better season from Yoro, he was better in 24/25 than in this one. I don't think we'll be signing anyone for this area unless it's someone on free like Senesi.
Fullback area: I actually feel like RB is more of a priority than LB. I rate both Dalot and Mazraoui but we need a better starting RB, those two can be backups for both sides. Won't be surprised if we combine Shaw/Dorgu/Mazraoui/Dalot as starting LBs. Not ideal, but would not be surprised.
Midfield: obviously most important. We need a top starting defensive midfielder and a backup in that position. We also need another CM to have next to Mainoo. So need three midfielders. All that + Bruno and Mount as more advanced. We're screwed if we don't improve midfield. Feel like we could have a good season if we get right signings for midfield and don't reinforce in other areas, but not other way round. Also I'd add another midfield from academy. Like bring back Collyer as option - not sure how he's played since loans at West Brom and Hull. Someone like him.
Wings: we have Mbeumo and Amad for RW so don't think much will be done about that side. Good thing about Amorim's formation was we were able to have Amad at RWB and Mbeumo at right 10. Now we need a different solution. For other side we have Cunha. Dorgu could be more advanced and play there, Mount could play there sometimes (again far from ideal). Amad has played there.
Striker position: there's Šeško and I'd either add an experienced ST (like Lewandowski or Welbeck) or kind of striker that can play as LW as well which would kinda solve both LW and ST position.
We could play 55-60 games next season. We'll need depth and quality.
You'd also hope we earn decent money from sales. Bayindir will be gone for peanuts; Malacia, Casemiro, Sancho all for free, could get decent fee for Ugarte and Zirkzee. Rashford too, unless there's yet another loan. Hojlund deal is probably done. We'll need luck to sell Onana. I think only surprising sales could be Martinez or Mount but only if there's a solid offer because of their troubles with injuries.
Why not have Sommer as number 2?Heaton is out of contract this summer and as he’s already 40, I suspect he won’t get a new playing contract. Meaning that if we sell Bayindir as rumoured, we will be looking to replace number 2 and 3rd choice keeper
I’d target Sam Johnstone as number 2. 33 years old, home grown. 2 years left on his contract with wolves
Yann Sommer, 37 years old is out of contract this summer. Could he be our 3rd choice?
Well you could swap them aroundWhy not have Sommer as number 2?
Yeah that's very trueWell you could swap them around
Where does Vitek come in?Heaton is out of contract this summer and as he’s already 40, I suspect he won’t get a new playing contract. Meaning that if we sell Bayindir as rumoured, we will be looking to replace number 2 and 3rd choice keeper
I’d target Sam Johnstone as number 2. 33 years old, home grown. 2 years left on his contract with wolves
Yann Sommer, 37 years old is out of contract this summer. Could he be our 3rd choice?
