5 positions and the realistic 5 players to fill them ?

Needing 5 players seems a tad high for me but then thinking about it central defender, central midfielder and a right winger would be nice. Then a striker with Rooney seemingly not able to play that position. Then it depends on who leaves. Should be an interesting sumer... again.

Hopefully, things can be sorted quickly in terms of identifying targets and getting them in so give them the best possible chance to gel as a team.
 
Fer said:
I think Valencia, Darmian and Varela for next season is okay.
I would also like to see Fosu-Mensah in our midfield. Zlatan looks like the best option available. I still have my doubts on Stones, but he has potential to be a good CB.

What about right winger?
Do you think Lingard/Mata is enough?
Click to expand...
I think this season clearly shows that Mata/Lingard for right wing is clearly inadequate though Mata's overall figures are great its pretty clear that we can and should do better. At RB i agree, Valencia is the sort of player that Mourinho will fall in love with looking at his attitude and physical prowess plus he is more likely to make him improve on the iffy aspects of his game at both ends.
In midfield I think we need to do a massive reorganization, to start with if we are going to play 4-2-3-1 we need a deep lying play-maker and a holding player basically two players to replace Carrick. For the #10 I think we can make do with rotating Rooney, Mata and a youth player. So looking at what we have I think there is a case for Carrick and Fosu-Mensa to be alternated as the veteran unwinds and the kid learns his trade so we definitely need to sign a play-maker of sorts.
A striker and a central defender are givens so it should be
- a CB,
-Zlatan,
- a creative CM that operates from deep and
- a right winger.
We obviously need to keep house so in keeping with this club's tradition I would get rid of Jones and promote Tuanzebe and Williams whilst Rojo would just about survive because we can't be having a clearance sale in defense. In midfield we should be looking at clearing house, I love Herrera but is all round game is too bits and pieces for any single position in a top team's midfield - ill disciplined for deeper role and lacking the great technique to operate further up the pitch. Fellaini simply has to go whilst Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger should be on notice.
 
Fer said:
I think Valencia, Darmian and Varela for next season is okay.
I would also like to see Fosu-Mensah in our midfield. Zlatan looks like the best option available. I still have my doubts on Stones, but he has potential to be a good CB.

What about right winger?
Do you think Lingard/Mata is enough?
Click to expand...
No Mata has been sold once by Mourinho and dont think he is physical enough or a hardworker. Lingard has done reasonably well, but is he going to be a regular starter in a title winning team, squad yes, team not sure to be honest - a signing like Willian would improve our team but doubt Chelsea would sell.
 
We have young players, we have Mourinho, so lets bring some experience:

- Manolas: I have only watched his first season at Roma because of Rudi Garcia, he looked like a decent player.
- Lassana Diarra: he will be cheap and he can replace Carrick easily, he has a great positioning, he is quick and his technique is flawless. People underestimate that player.

- James Rodriguez: He obviously is a gamble because he has the talent, he has the measurables but you never know how a player like him will adapt and his wife seems to be a "diva".
-Ibrahimovic: He will score goals, it's possible that he fails to reach his PSG heights but 15-20 goals is doable for someone like him.

I didn't choose a right winger because I believe in Rashford's abilities and Lingard is a decent backup option, now I would love a Willian. Finally the list isn't really expensive and will give Mourinho a lot of room for next summer.
 
I'm not a huge fan of buying half a team. If you do this, there can be no title challenge.
I'd still opt for the tried and tested method of buying 2-3 quality signings and 2-3 squad players, which will allow us to do well in the league.

Ibra seems to be a done deal.
We need a Central Defender and Central Midfielder.
That'll be our: 2-3 quality signings.
 
JPRouve said:
We have young players, we have Mourinho, so lets bring some experience:

- Manolas: I have only watched his first season at Roma because of Rudi Garcia, he looked like a decent player.
- Lassana Diarra: he will be cheap and he can replace Carrick easily, he has a great positioning, he is quick and his technique is flawless. People underestimate that player.

- James Rodriguez: He obviously is a gamble because he has the talent, he has the measurables but you never know how a player like him will adapt and his wife seems to be a "diva".
-Ibrahimovic: He will score goals, it's possible that he fails to reach his PSG heights but 15-20 goals is doable for someone like him.

I didn't choose a right winger because I believe in Rashford's abilities and Lingard is a decent backup option, now I would love a Willian. Finally the list isn't really expensive and will give Mourinho a lot of room for next summer.
Click to expand...

Yeah Rashford is a good shout for the right wing especially if we spend all the money on Rodriguez and as we don't seem to be anywhere near the Sane signing.
 
I don't think there's any chance of Mourinho playing Rooney in central midfield; although he'll probably play further forward as a number ten.

That makes us signing James Rodriguez quite unlikely imo. It would be pointless paying that sort of money only to shunt him out to the wing anyway.
 
An Irish Red said:
I don't think there's any chance of Mourinho playing Rooney in central midfield; although he'll probably play further forward as a number ten.

That makes us signing James Rodriguez quite unlikely imo. It would be pointless paying that sort of money only to shunt him out to the wing anyway.
Click to expand...
I can live with that and for a player like Rooney we need to have a young player acting as his back up, someone like Pereira/Lingard/Januzaj and only look to sign a permanent replacement if he fails and the kids do not take their chances when he gets injured or dropped.
 
Mike09 said:
DDG
Valencia Smalling Stones Shaw
Mensah Schweinsteiger
Willian Rashford Martial
Ibrahimovic

Stones was Jose's target last season so I'm guessing we will go for him this summer.
Willian was the only shine player from Jose team last season and with Chelsea isn't in European cups anymore I guess he is still attainable.
Ibrahimovic - great connection and free as well.
Click to expand...
I like Willian but the price is too high for the quality you're getting, could get Kante & Mahrez for that price I know what I would choose
 
If we must bring in a winger, let him be a wide forward a la Messi, Robben, Alexis or Martial style-wise. Not a #10 turned winger like Ozil,James Rodriguez, Mata etc. We need fast dribblers who can score the majority of our goals in a season. Not a player who doesn't score much & is a creator primarily
 
An Irish Red said:
I don't think there's any chance of Mourinho playing Rooney in central midfield; although he'll probably play further forward as a number ten.

That makes us signing James Rodriguez quite unlikely imo. It would be pointless paying that sort of money only to shunt him out to the wing anyway.
Click to expand...
So I guess the same applies for Griezmann.

I agree with you about Mourinho using Rooney as #10. I think he wants a stronger midfield of 2.
 
paulscholes18 said:
Mahrez is on 55k per week we/ he could easily double that signing for us, can't see Leicester turning down 30-35 mil for him
Click to expand...

30-35 mil for a player of the year? They are not that stupid alright. Mahrez will cost minimum 50-65 mil. And so many players out there want to have taste playing in their first Champion League and I am sure Mahrez is one of them.
 
sunama said:
I'm not a huge fan of buying half a team. If you do this, there can be no title challenge.
I'd still opt for the tried and tested method of buying 2-3 quality signings and 2-3 squad players, which will allow us to do well in the league.

Ibra seems to be a done deal.
We need a Central Defender and Central Midfielder.
That'll be our: 2-3 quality signings.
Click to expand...

You cannot win a league with the calibre of players we have now though.

We need a solid 5 additions. I would argue more, but it will be tough to get the quality we need.

Ibra - free
Stones - £40m
Pogba - £85m
Mahrez - £55m

And another pacy, skillful attacker that can score goals.

That's the sort of window we need.
 
paulscholes18 said:
Mahrez is on 55k per week we/ he could easily double that signing for us, can't see Leicester turning down 30-35 mil for him
Click to expand...
Would love to see him here. RW sorted with Lingard as cover.

Smalling/Stones will be marginally better than Smalling Blind. We need a CB but if we're only buying one, please don't make it Stones. Sell Jones.

If Shaw comes back strong, Blind will be sufficient cover at LB. Sell Rojo.

Not ready to cast Darmian aside yet. Sign a competing RB. Sell Valencia. We also have Verala and TFM who can fill in. Question is, will Jose play them.

I hope Jose does not build the midfield or attack around Rooney. We need a younger, faster, decisive attacking #10 and another defensive MF unless Blind can compete with Schneiderlin there. We need better than those two unless Schneiderlin can return to his pre-LVG form. I see Mata being sold if not in the summer, he will go in the winter. Herrera could play a part in Jose's midfield this season but won't be long term. That leaves senior midfield players Carrick, Scheiderlin, and Schweisteiger to be dealt with.

Martial played on the wing under LVG but will he play there under Jose? Memphis has to start over again.

We need an experienced striker, goal scorer, poacher, target man, or whatever you want to call it. Jose won't go into the season with Rashford and Rooney as the only options.

Players I see being sold by Jose are Rojo, Young, Jones, Mata, Valencia and Possibly Carrick and Schweisteiger depending on obtainable replacements in this window or the next.

We need a RB, CB , 2x MF, a winger, and a striker to compete at the top of the league next season.
 
KingMinger22 said:
You cannot win a league with the calibre of players we have now though.

We need a solid 5 additions. I would argue more, but it will be tough to get the quality we need.

Ibra - free
Stones - £40m
Pogba - £85m
Mahrez - £55m

And another pacy, skillful attacker that can score goals.

That's the sort of window we need.
Click to expand...

I agree, this is the kind of infusion of quality we need for the first 11.
 
In: Stones, Pogba, Ibra, Mane

Martial----------Ibra---------Mane
----------Rooney---Pogba---------
------------Schneiderlin------------
Shaw--Stones--Smalling--Valencia

Subs: Romero, Jones, CBJ, BFS, Herrera, TFM, Januzaj, Rashford, Memphis
 
KingMinger22 said:
You cannot win a league with the calibre of players we have now though.

We need a solid 5 additions. I would argue more, but it will be tough to get the quality we need.

Ibra - free
Stones - £40m
Pogba - £85m
Mahrez - £55m

And another pacy, skillful attacker that can score goals.

That's the sort of window we need.
Click to expand...


Ridiculous price for a defensive midfielder.
 
CassiusClaymore said:
Don't know how people can still make these kind of statements after a season where Leicester won the league.
Click to expand...

Leicester are the exception to the rule in the most bizarre season in PL history. I don't expect we'll be seeing a repeat any time soon.
 
Do people think we'll do any transfer business before the Euros?
 
032Devil said:
Ridiculous price for a defensive midfielder.
Click to expand...

Actually, that is a very reasonable fee for a complete midfielder of his quality and age in this market.

The Renato Sanches and Martial deals are a benchmark.

Compared to them, at the moment in time they were closed, £85m for Pogba looks a snipm.
 
Mahrez for £55m, really? No doubting he has had a great season as have all the Leicester players as the title and individual awards show. But Mahrez is 27 or so and has had one fantastic season. He has been a breath of fresh air, but being THE signing for us on the right wing after one year, Drinkwater has possibly been the best central midfielder this season in the premiership and Wes Morgan one of the best centre backs, why dont we sign them on the same basis as Mahrez? For me Vardy has been the star player th elast couple of seasons for Leicester followed closely by Mahrez and Kante......would I want us to sign any of them though, no. They have been great players in what for 2/3 years has been a piss poor premiership. I think with all the tv money and great managers that is about to change. Players such as Douglas Costa, Ibrahimovic, Pogba are on a completely different level. I am not saying they are the players we should sign but it shows how far we have fallen some of the players people are suggesting we should sign that are either just good or dont fit. That is where we have gone wrong the last 2/3 years signing the likes of Fellaini and Schneiderlin. We actually have a decent squad with quite a few promising youngsters and 3/4 good first teamers. What we need is 3-5 real quality additions to the side through the spine and one wide player and then we can challenge again.
 
Mike09 said:
DDG
Valencia Smalling Stones Shaw
Mensah Schweinsteiger
Willian Rashford Martial
Ibrahimovic

Stones was Jose's target last season so I'm guessing we will go for him this summer.
Willian was the only shine player from Jose team last season and with Chelsea isn't in European cups anymore I guess he is still attainable.
Ibrahimovic - great connection and free as well.
Click to expand...

Rashford as our playmaker... :lol:

Its funny, a month or two ago i'd have said lukaku, but i'm not convinced anymore

Greizmann
A central defender... not sure who.
Kante
Pjanic
Ibrahimovic
 
John Stones ~ 45m
Paul Pogba ~ 70m
Leroy Sane ~ 35m
Zlatan Ibrahimovic ~ Free

Martial Zlatan L.Sane
Pogba Ander
Carrick
Shaw Stones Smalling Vale
DDG​
 
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Jippy said:
Do people think we'll do any transfer business before the Euros?
Click to expand...

Nice to think we would but I'd doubt it.

I just hope we don't do what we did last season and leave alot of the business really late. With Jose in though I don't think we will.
 
C'est Moi Cantona said:
Nice to think we would but I'd doubt it.

I just hope we don't do what we did last season and leave alot of the business really late. With Jose in though I don't think we will.
Click to expand...
Yeah, agreed on both counts. I remember we bought Hernandez before the WC and he went on to bang in a couple of decent goals there, so that probably saved us a few million.
Will be interesting to see if we do the same before the EC.
 
nokillingmoths said:
Rashford as our playmaker... :lol:

Its funny, a month or two ago i'd have said lukaku, but i'm not convinced anymore

Greizmann
A central defender... not sure who.
Kante
Pjanic
Ibrahimovic
Click to expand...

He played as a number 10 in U18. Play like Muller's role. Behind striker.
 
Centre Back - Marquinhos, Varane, Stones, Manolas the obvious links
Box to box midfielder - Delle Ali, Kondogbia, Pogba type of players
Attack minded central midfielder - Saul, Gomes, Mario type player
Right Winger - Someone that van beat a player, a Douglas Costa, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman type

Also Ibrahimovic would be a great signing being free. If we dont get him I would like us to sign a left winger too and move Martial up front.

There are quite a few really good players out there, I have some preferences but I just want us to sign real quality in these positions. If you add these to DeGea, Shaw, Smalling, Darmian, Martial and Rooney we would have a quality first eleven and squad players of Jones, Blind, Rjoo, Valencia, Young, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Fellaini, Mata though I would expect 2-4 of these players to leave. Then you can add in youngsters like Bothwick Jackson, Varela, Mensah, Januzaj, Perreira, Lindgaard, Depay, Rashford (again one or two of these to leave).

Point I am making is though we have been piss poor to watch and we dont have a stong first eleven, we do have a pretty good squad. If he gets the right 4-6 in and the right 4-6 out (for me Rojo, Young, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini and Mata) we can fight for the title and another 2-3 next summer, we could compete in Europe again too whic in all honesty we havent done for quite a while.
 
I think these 5 players wouldn't cost too much:

CB. Manolas
CM. Joao Mario
RW. Mahrez
CAM. Gotze
ST. Zlatan
 
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nokillingmoths said:
Rashford as our playmaker... :lol:

Its funny, a month or two ago i'd have said lukaku, but i'm not convinced anymore

Greizmann
A central defender... not sure who.
Kante
Pjanic
Ibrahimovic
Click to expand...


It is funny what a month can do. A month ago people on RC and in this topic wanted players like Sanchez, Neves and Bazoer. Now Mourinho has come in and no one is talking about upcoming players anymore.
 
Sjaakmeoff said:
It is funny what a month can do. A month ago people on RC and in this topic wanted players like Sanchez, Neves and Bazoer. Now Mourinho has come in and no one is talking about upcoming players anymore.
Click to expand...

In fairness sanchez aside i've not heard of those players..
 
Sounds like Mourinho isn't looking to make big changes, and, oddly, not looking for a RW. Presumably, he thinks one of Lingard, Memphis or Januzaj will do the job?

Personally, I'd avoid wholesale changes too, but I would go for a RW player who can take on a man and provide some flair. Imagine Mahrez, Sane or similar, on the right, with Martial on the left :)

I'd also go for a CB. Stones would be good, but will be in demand, so perhaps someone like Dragovic?

I think we need a forward who can guarantee us a good amount of goals, and can contribute to the team. My ideal striker is Lewandowski or Zlatan, but I think they'll be in demand (or staying put) and we may have to look at a tier or two below this summer with no CL. I'd go for Lukaku, as he can, if motivated, be world class and may not be quite as sought after by the CL clubs.
 
What about Henrikh Mkhitaryan?

He apparently wants to leave Dortmund?
 
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