Of the potentially available midfielders, Pogba or Vidal are the only I'd want. Not sure any of the other realistic signings would walk into our team an instantly improve it, and we're fine for numbers now. CB, RB and wing are more of a priority
Manchester United Summer Transfer Window 2015: What do we still need?
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
- Status
The improving the team things is the problem. Juve would not sell both of the above and somehow I doubt Pogba will come here. I know people say he might for a couple of years then we sell to Real for even bigger money. Then of course we have the money but have then to replace a Pogba, like we failed to replace a Ronaldo and no Valencia is nowhere near a replacement.
First priority to me is a starting CB, then Rojo, Smalling and Jones should yield us one decent starter and 2 solid enough backups there.
Second priority is a wide attacker with pace. We can't really play 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or even an effective 4-4-2 without it. Di Maria be pushed wide, Januzaj has potential and Nani should come back as an important squad option, but we need a proper Bale/Reus/Robben type to stretch defenses and score goals from a wider starting spot.
Then there's a drop off for me, but the 3rd priority is a right back to play when Rafael can't, which is often.
4th priority is a CM, as I think DiMaria-Herrera-Blind will work and Rooney and Mata are good options as the most attacking CM and Carrick is a good sub. Ideally, Fellaini would be replaced with an 8 like Pogba, but with the other needs being larger and my belief in Herrera, I wonder if we'd be best off buying a young player of great potential here and hoping they come good.
Second priority is a wide attacker with pace. We can't really play 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or even an effective 4-4-2 without it. Di Maria be pushed wide, Januzaj has potential and Nani should come back as an important squad option, but we need a proper Bale/Reus/Robben type to stretch defenses and score goals from a wider starting spot.
Then there's a drop off for me, but the 3rd priority is a right back to play when Rafael can't, which is often.
4th priority is a CM, as I think DiMaria-Herrera-Blind will work and Rooney and Mata are good options as the most attacking CM and Carrick is a good sub. Ideally, Fellaini would be replaced with an 8 like Pogba, but with the other needs being larger and my belief in Herrera, I wonder if we'd be best off buying a young player of great potential here and hoping they come good.
The whole requirements will depend on LVG wants to set up next season.
If he wants to play 352 then wing backs will need to b purchased.
I hope he wants to play with 4 at the back and hopefully 433' for which we will need some pace.
Biggest priority is a leader at the back and I think he wants Hummels, but I'm not sure if that is the answer - not having a great season and will cost heavily.
We need a RB and I'm hoping McNair shows he is capable of being a good squad player in this and the CB position so we can get rid of Rafael.
More pace up front, a winger or forward but we need pace and when he plays DiMaria up front, it's obvious LVG wants pace there too.
I don't think Falcao will stay and I think RvP needs to move on.
If he wants to play 352 then wing backs will need to b purchased.
I hope he wants to play with 4 at the back and hopefully 433' for which we will need some pace.
Biggest priority is a leader at the back and I think he wants Hummels, but I'm not sure if that is the answer - not having a great season and will cost heavily.
We need a RB and I'm hoping McNair shows he is capable of being a good squad player in this and the CB position so we can get rid of Rafael.
More pace up front, a winger or forward but we need pace and when he plays DiMaria up front, it's obvious LVG wants pace there too.
I don't think Falcao will stay and I think RvP needs to move on.
Think you have nailed the positions although I'd say our need for a pacy winger/forward and a midfielder is greater than a centre half (maybe due to my faith in Rojo and Smalling). Looking forward to the window should be a big one and glad we have cleared a lot of deadwood too. We should be back challenging next year I just hope we get top 4 this year so it makes it easier to attract the players we need.
The case for the central midfielder being behind the CB is that, if we sign a wide attacker, than we have Blind and Carrick at DM, Rooney and Mata as 10's and Di Maria and Herrera (and Fellaini) as 8's, which is lots of midfield depth and quite strong in terms of talent.
In a starting 11 for the future I can see Rojo and Smalling as our centre backs. I just don't think any combination of our players work in midfield. I'd like to see one of Blind/Carrick alongside Di Maria and Herrera for a run of games but I do think we need a leader in there.
I'll start from back to front.
CB: Need a strong leader of top quality, then play one of our decent defenders beside him
RB: Rafael cannot stay fit, and Valencia is ok, so need a consistent right back
CM: Somebody strong, that can defend, break up play. A bonus if he can contribute in other areas of midfield also
W: Somebody with pace, who can get forward
S: Again, somebody with pace, give us a different option up front
Ideally: Hummels, Clyne, Pogba, Reus, Lacazzette
Obviously Pogba and Reus could be a bit far, so switch them for Wanyama and Depay maybe?
Once that is sorted, we then need to look at the manager and hope he plays a more attacking style of football, and use the players more effectively.
Di Maria for example has been wasted this season, simply because our style of play is totally against what he is about. Also, the physicality of the league may hinder is CM role, so I want to see him out on the wing for a while.
If De Gea was to leave, the only keeper I would want is Lloris, although that means dealing with Tottenham unfortunately.
CB: Need a strong leader of top quality, then play one of our decent defenders beside him
RB: Rafael cannot stay fit, and Valencia is ok, so need a consistent right back
CM: Somebody strong, that can defend, break up play. A bonus if he can contribute in other areas of midfield also
W: Somebody with pace, who can get forward
S: Again, somebody with pace, give us a different option up front
Ideally: Hummels, Clyne, Pogba, Reus, Lacazzette
Obviously Pogba and Reus could be a bit far, so switch them for Wanyama and Depay maybe?
Once that is sorted, we then need to look at the manager and hope he plays a more attacking style of football, and use the players more effectively.
Di Maria for example has been wasted this season, simply because our style of play is totally against what he is about. Also, the physicality of the league may hinder is CM role, so I want to see him out on the wing for a while.
If De Gea was to leave, the only keeper I would want is Lloris, although that means dealing with Tottenham unfortunately.
Vidal right now is injury after injury, still being haunted by the knee injury he got before the world cup.
I think we need a young yet experienced CB with good leadership characteristics, a proper RB, a goalscoring winger like Memphis and a proper box to box CM. Make the right signings in those areas and we can go for the title.
Also if available a striker in the mould of Aguero and Suarez would be great, the kind who's able to take on defenders and shoot from impossible angles.
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We need everything, except a fecking goalkeeper... Unless he leaves!
A rightback, winger, centre midfielder and striker.
A rightback, winger, centre midfielder and striker.
I'm a firm CB-WF-CM-FB in the summer advocate, but in terms of long-term thinking and the goal of being a treble candidate level team like Barca, Madrid, Bayern, Chelsea and Atletico are, I think we only have the following clear starters:
-----Rooney------
WF------------WF
-DiMaria--CM----
-----Blind-------
Shaw-----------RB
---CB----CB-----
-----DeGea------
and that's giving Blind and Shaw the benefit of the doubt based on their promising first seasons here. Herrera I believe will get there, but the evidence isn't really there yet. Could be a Forlan type for us who excels elsewhere. Rafael has the talent but not the health, seemingly. Januzaj has the talent to be one of the WF's, but he's not nailed on to make it yet. The 3 CB's who aren't Evans have potential but you wouldn't bet on them getting there, really.
So, really, we might need 3 defenders, a CM and 2 wide attackers. That's going to cost a fortune unless some of the above (or youth like Wilson and Fosu-Mensah come through and are revelations) reach their potential, even if we sell players with some value like Hernandez, Mata, Fellaini and Jones/Smalling to cover some of the costs.
-----Rooney------
WF------------WF
-DiMaria--CM----
-----Blind-------
Shaw-----------RB
---CB----CB-----
-----DeGea------
and that's giving Blind and Shaw the benefit of the doubt based on their promising first seasons here. Herrera I believe will get there, but the evidence isn't really there yet. Could be a Forlan type for us who excels elsewhere. Rafael has the talent but not the health, seemingly. Januzaj has the talent to be one of the WF's, but he's not nailed on to make it yet. The 3 CB's who aren't Evans have potential but you wouldn't bet on them getting there, really.
So, really, we might need 3 defenders, a CM and 2 wide attackers. That's going to cost a fortune unless some of the above (or youth like Wilson and Fosu-Mensah come through and are revelations) reach their potential, even if we sell players with some value like Hernandez, Mata, Fellaini and Jones/Smalling to cover some of the costs.
.If it is not working sell the team. And buy another one.With RVP and Falcao in decline, Wilson not being ready and Rooney stuck in midfield.
I think we will be getting Cavani
I think we will be getting Cavani
That would be out of the frying pan and into the fire, he can't hit a barn door with a rocket launcher.
I really do think Woodward is going to throw a lot of money at the squad again this summer. I think we will see a real reshape of the squad with pacey forwards (wide and strikers) coming in. A right back, a centre mid and two centrebacks with about 4/5 current 1stXI players leaving.
I don't know, long range shots are always hit and miss.
I know but Woody seems to like him for some reason.
I agree, I can see 5 or 6 players coming in again and 4 or more going out, the lack of a proper midfield and no pace or power up top need addressing as much as the defensive issues.
Well the media think that, my hope is that they took an expensive striker who seems unsettled at PSG and linked him with us as we were spending big, the story needs to go the same way as the Gaitan stories.
We need:
In
CB: I would like to see us sign a leader like a Diego Godin or Mats Hummels but I think someone like Marquinhos or Aymeric Laporte could be good signings either.
RB: LVG has said McNair could be the United RB for the next 10 years so I would like to see him in that position before the season is out. McNair, Rafael and Valencia could be enough.
CM: A world class box to box midfielder is needed imo. Paul Pogba would be the best option whether it is realistic is another question. A fit Kevin Strootman would be a good signing.
LW: We need a pacy winger to stretch teams and Memphis Depay should be the target here. Looks like a top young talent.
RW: I think the big name attacker signing should be Marco Reus. Pair him and Depay in the same team and our attack would be transformed and will inject much needed pace that all United fans want to see.
Out
Lindegaard
Evans
Powell
Cleverley
Nani
Hernandez
Falcao
In
CB: I would like to see us sign a leader like a Diego Godin or Mats Hummels but I think someone like Marquinhos or Aymeric Laporte could be good signings either.
RB: LVG has said McNair could be the United RB for the next 10 years so I would like to see him in that position before the season is out. McNair, Rafael and Valencia could be enough.
CM: A world class box to box midfielder is needed imo. Paul Pogba would be the best option whether it is realistic is another question. A fit Kevin Strootman would be a good signing.
LW: We need a pacy winger to stretch teams and Memphis Depay should be the target here. Looks like a top young talent.
RW: I think the big name attacker signing should be Marco Reus. Pair him and Depay in the same team and our attack would be transformed and will inject much needed pace that all United fans want to see.
Out
Lindegaard
Evans
Powell
Cleverley
Nani
Hernandez
Falcao
Agree on a lot of these but a pacey striker is a must aswell IMO. Wilson is still unproven at this level.
Everything will depend on our potential qualification for the Champions League.
IF we are in Champions League we’ll go for big improvement thanks to our money, but yet I would like to spend it wisely on 4/5 top players rather than giving 100M for Bale or Pogba. I would add players this summer in order to challenge for the title, knowing that IMO we would need another year to be better than the other with other to players
We have some players to give counterpart and can be interesting also
If I was LVG, I would play straight in 4-3-3 (or even 4-2-3-1) the better expression of his philosophy.
Alves: Free from Barcelona. We have no RB, he’s talented, experienced and can be a good addition to our defense, in terms of technic and experience especially, a bit like Evra did for us from his channel. Sometimes erratic defensively, but LVG loves possession and Alves is great at that.
Hummels: I think that for “Philosophy”, we need more a player who is capable of giving good balls to our midfield. We need more a Ferdinand than Vidic as he can be a good partnership with the rash Rojo or Jones. 40M
Vidal / Modric / Koke : One will add verticality and muscles to our game and with 20M + Hernandez he would go. Modric will add calm and huge technic to our midfield, able to retain the ball and control the tempo, depending on Pogba to Madrid in fact, and Koke would do the same job as Modric, but younger, and economically Atletico can’t refuse a 35M or 40M offer for him. 40M
Reus: No minder that he’s the player we need the most for our attack this summer. It’s going to be a tough fight for him, but with LVG speaking German, better wages than Arsenal and probably a bigger fee, we can convince him to come. 30M
??????? : Here I left blank because we can few surprises or few solutions. I would like to go for Pedro from Barcelona. He would add insane speed and technic in this area and he doesn’t always plays now for Barcelona. Vales and Alves can convince him. Or we can go for Gareth Bale, if Pogba leaves for Madrid and plays in midfield, Madrid will let go either Modric (same position) or Bale (playing James higher), and knowing that LVG/Woody like him… Or the solution with Di Maria playing wide and having Herrera or Mata there.
----------------------------------------------De Gea------------------------------------------
Dani Alves-------------------Hummels-----------Rojo------------------------------Shaw
-----------------------------------------------Blind-------------------------------------------
-----------------Vidal/Modric/Koke----------------Di Maria-----------------------------
??????????----------------------------Rooney/RVP-----------------------------------Reus
Young---------------------------------------Wilson------------------------------------Januzaj
-------------------Herrera/Mata--------------------------Fellaini-----------------------------
-----------------------------------------------Carrick------------------------------------------
Mc Nair----------------------Smalling------------------Jones----------------------Valencia
------------------------------------------------Valdes-----------------------------------------
And last thing, in terms of wages for (FFP), just make sure that we make substitutions between new comers and leavers.
Alves: Rafael + Lindegaard + Ando wages
Hummels: Evans + Chicha wages
Vidal/Modric/Koke: Fletch + Zaha
Reus: Nani wages
Bale? : Falcao wages
IF we are in Champions League we’ll go for big improvement thanks to our money, but yet I would like to spend it wisely on 4/5 top players rather than giving 100M for Bale or Pogba. I would add players this summer in order to challenge for the title, knowing that IMO we would need another year to be better than the other with other to players
We have some players to give counterpart and can be interesting also
If I was LVG, I would play straight in 4-3-3 (or even 4-2-3-1) the better expression of his philosophy.
Alves: Free from Barcelona. We have no RB, he’s talented, experienced and can be a good addition to our defense, in terms of technic and experience especially, a bit like Evra did for us from his channel. Sometimes erratic defensively, but LVG loves possession and Alves is great at that.
Hummels: I think that for “Philosophy”, we need more a player who is capable of giving good balls to our midfield. We need more a Ferdinand than Vidic as he can be a good partnership with the rash Rojo or Jones. 40M
Vidal / Modric / Koke : One will add verticality and muscles to our game and with 20M + Hernandez he would go. Modric will add calm and huge technic to our midfield, able to retain the ball and control the tempo, depending on Pogba to Madrid in fact, and Koke would do the same job as Modric, but younger, and economically Atletico can’t refuse a 35M or 40M offer for him. 40M
Reus: No minder that he’s the player we need the most for our attack this summer. It’s going to be a tough fight for him, but with LVG speaking German, better wages than Arsenal and probably a bigger fee, we can convince him to come. 30M
??????? : Here I left blank because we can few surprises or few solutions. I would like to go for Pedro from Barcelona. He would add insane speed and technic in this area and he doesn’t always plays now for Barcelona. Vales and Alves can convince him. Or we can go for Gareth Bale, if Pogba leaves for Madrid and plays in midfield, Madrid will let go either Modric (same position) or Bale (playing James higher), and knowing that LVG/Woody like him… Or the solution with Di Maria playing wide and having Herrera or Mata there.
----------------------------------------------De Gea------------------------------------------
Dani Alves-------------------Hummels-----------Rojo------------------------------Shaw
-----------------------------------------------Blind-------------------------------------------
-----------------Vidal/Modric/Koke----------------Di Maria-----------------------------
??????????----------------------------Rooney/RVP-----------------------------------Reus
Young---------------------------------------Wilson------------------------------------Januzaj
-------------------Herrera/Mata--------------------------Fellaini-----------------------------
-----------------------------------------------Carrick------------------------------------------
Mc Nair----------------------Smalling------------------Jones----------------------Valencia
------------------------------------------------Valdes-----------------------------------------
And last thing, in terms of wages for (FFP), just make sure that we make substitutions between new comers and leavers.
Alves: Rafael + Lindegaard + Ando wages
Hummels: Evans + Chicha wages
Vidal/Modric/Koke: Fletch + Zaha
Reus: Nani wages
Bale? : Falcao wages
CB - Garay
CM: Modric or Koke or Pogba (probably Koke since RM will no doubt sign Pogba)
WM: Bale or Reus
FW: Depay
De Gea
Rafael Garay Rojo Shaw
Blind
Modric/Pogba/Koke Di Maria
Depay Rooney Bale
Rooney needs to be moved back up front again
CM: Modric or Koke or Pogba (probably Koke since RM will no doubt sign Pogba)
WM: Bale or Reus
FW: Depay
De Gea
Rafael Garay Rojo Shaw
Blind
Modric/Pogba/Koke Di Maria
Depay Rooney Bale
Rooney needs to be moved back up front again
Love the way all these fantasy teams miss out Carrick our best midfielder by a mile.
Blind was awful yesterday goal aside, not that I blame him that much, always going to happen in the tougher games in that formation.
Blind was awful yesterday goal aside, not that I blame him that much, always going to happen in the tougher games in that formation.
Yes Carrick hasn't had any awful games this season.
Not many, in fact our decent run when we actually started to play abit was when he came back into the side.
Carrick is around 32 though isn't he? Those injuries are becoming more and more frequent too.
If he isn't declining already then he soon will be. Best not to have him as a key part of our long term plans.
Fair point.
Personally would like to see Blind and Carrick paired together in a 4-2-3-1 against the tough opponents, using Herrera alongside either of them for the "easy" games.
He definitely struggled against a side that pressed well, but I wouldn't call his performance awful and I'm not sure how much of it is down to having to do lots of Rooney's defensive work. But yeah, his rather bad performance was overshadowed by his goal.
I'm still not sure whether Blind can be Carrick's successor in the long-term.
Priorities: RB, CB, number 10/attacking mid, Wing forwards, Striker
Players I consider a priority: Clyne, Varane, Eriksen, (quick, pacey striker)
Players I consider a priority: Clyne, Varane, Eriksen, (quick, pacey striker)
- GK. Lloris (£20m) or keep De Gea
- RB. Clyne (£20m) & sell Valencia/Rafael (£10m combined) (Promote McNair)
- CB: I like Rojo and I like Smalling.. so one top right footed centre back is needed, with a solid left footed defender as backup. I think the defence could do with some experience and a proper leader.. Hummels is definitely gettable and at a knockdown price too. We could get someone like Stones in a few years too.. so this season Hummels (£30m) or Varane (why would Madrid sell him??)
- Midfield: I like Blind and Herrera, I would be willing to give them another season to settle into role of first team regulars but if a Modric (£30m)/Koke (£50m) /Verratti (£30m)/Niguez (£25m)/Kovacic (£35m) Eriksen - love him (£40m)..possibly Tielemans was available.. I would take it. I wouldn't sell anyone in our midfield aside from Mata (£25m), but I would promote Perreira.
- Wingers: I think we definitely need to bring in two wing wizards... going through the United statistics thread, god.. so many of our assists came from out wide and what I'd give to see a Giggsy or a Ronaldo on the flanks. I would keep Januzaj as a backup but we need more pacier players on the wings with proper bite/excellent decision-making... Bale and Reus seem the obvious pairing but I feel we can find more hungrier and more technically gifted players on the cheap. Depay would be a decent alternative. (seems to be a gap in the market here in terms of talent.. no one strikes me as a must get - we missed out on Neymar/Hazard et al which is bitterly disappointing)
- Forwards - I don't like any of our attackers. I'd sell them all and keep Wilson as the sole backup. I would like to see electric centre forwards with dribbling, skill and flair in abundance.. Falcao, RVP and Rooney bore the hell out of me, they're so cumbersome and do not scare defenders. We need a young Dwight Yorke to put a smile on our face. I am still not convinced by Harry Kane, Berahinho looks a decent talent but major question marks about his attitude (he could be a Andy Cole/Yorke type player though, he is electric). I do like Jackson Martinez from what I have seen, if he was a few years younger.. he'd be a good buy.
DDG
Clyne Varane Rojo Shaw
Verratti
Modric Di Maria
Eriksen
Reus J.Martinez
Cheapskate summerClyne Varane Rojo Shaw
Verratti
Modric Di Maria
Eriksen
Reus J.Martinez
Lloris
McNair Hummels Rojo Shaw
Blind
Niguez Di Maria
Kovacic
Martinez Dybala
McNair Hummels Rojo Shaw
Blind
Niguez Di Maria
Kovacic
Martinez Dybala
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We didn't play any good football, the best football we played we pre his return (aka Vs Chelsea, Everton, Westham etc) even though we were poor defensivly, we played good football going forward.
The only decent football we played when Carrick came back was vs Hull, Newcastle and Spurs (first half)
Palace, Arsenal, Southampton (both games), Stoke, Villa although we got results we were dire both in an attacking sense and defensively too.
EDIT: Thats not saying Carrick was poor, but his arrival is overplayed
- Get rid of Falcao, Persie they ain't the same players they used to be anymore. On high wages and that somewhat force us to play them every time.
- Either sell Rooney(doubt many club can afford him though) or play him in his best position. Might sound weird but I honestly think Rooney is the bane of our problem, despite of being our best player. When he's on form that's good, when he's not that cause us a lot of trouble because we can't just simply replace him because "he's the captain and captain always play"
- Buy a fecking real mid fielder just this time. Our midfield vs WHU perfectly summed up our transfer policy in recent years. Clueless.
- Either sell Rooney(doubt many club can afford him though) or play him in his best position. Might sound weird but I honestly think Rooney is the bane of our problem, despite of being our best player. When he's on form that's good, when he's not that cause us a lot of trouble because we can't just simply replace him because "he's the captain and captain always play"
- Buy a fecking real mid fielder just this time. Our midfield vs WHU perfectly summed up our transfer policy in recent years. Clueless.
GK: DDG, Valdez
RB: Coleman and Clyne
CB: Hummels, Howedes, Smalling and Jones
LB: Rojo and Shaw
DM: Khedira and Blind
BBM: Fellaini, Carrick, Schneiderlin.
AMC: Herrera, Di Maria, Mata
AMR: Valencia, Januzaj
AML: Reus, Nani, Young
STK: Rooney, Hernandez, Wilson, RVP (1 yr contract)
Sell: Rafael and Evans
RB: Coleman and Clyne
CB: Hummels, Howedes, Smalling and Jones
LB: Rojo and Shaw
DM: Khedira and Blind
BBM: Fellaini, Carrick, Schneiderlin.
AMC: Herrera, Di Maria, Mata
AMR: Valencia, Januzaj
AML: Reus, Nani, Young
STK: Rooney, Hernandez, Wilson, RVP (1 yr contract)
Sell: Rafael and Evans
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My ideal summer would be...
Sell
Di Maria- £50million(Only on the basis that I don't think he wants to be here)
Falcao- Free
Herrera- £20million (Never going to play, so might as well cash in)
Cleverley- Free
Evans- £5million
Hernandez- £15million
Young- £8million
De Gea- £25million (Obviously wouldn't sell him, but if he doesn't sign by then, he's surely as good as gone)
Lindegaard- £4million
Mata- £25million
Buy
Hummels- £35million
Coleman- £20million
Schniederlin- £25million
Cech- £15million
Depay- £18million
Javi Martinez- £35million
Bale- £70million
---------------------------------------------Cech------------------------------------------
------Coleman------------Smalling-----------------------Hummels--------------Shaw------
----------------------------------Schnielderlin----Javi Martinez-------------------------------------
------------------Bale--------------------Rooney---------------------Depay-------------------
----------------------------------------------Van Persie-----------------------------------------------
Sell
Di Maria- £50million(Only on the basis that I don't think he wants to be here)
Falcao- Free
Herrera- £20million (Never going to play, so might as well cash in)
Cleverley- Free
Evans- £5million
Hernandez- £15million
Young- £8million
De Gea- £25million (Obviously wouldn't sell him, but if he doesn't sign by then, he's surely as good as gone)
Lindegaard- £4million
Mata- £25million
Buy
Hummels- £35million
Coleman- £20million
Schniederlin- £25million
Cech- £15million
Depay- £18million
Javi Martinez- £35million
Bale- £70million
---------------------------------------------Cech------------------------------------------
------Coleman------------Smalling-----------------------Hummels--------------Shaw------
----------------------------------Schnielderlin----Javi Martinez-------------------------------------
------------------Bale--------------------Rooney---------------------Depay-------------------
----------------------------------------------Van Persie-----------------------------------------------
Two Centre backs.
A right back.
A conventional central midfielder.
Two wingers.
4-3-3.
A right back.
A conventional central midfielder.
Two wingers.
4-3-3.
Starting to think we'll need a minimum of one CB and one RB. We need a dedicated LB backup as well. This is if we stick with 4-4-2 diamond.
If we move to 4-3-3 then we also need a CM and probably a winger/inside forward.
If Hummels does become available then he is an option. His pace is an issue that will need to be mitigated by Rojo as the fullbacks bomb on, but his ability to play from the back is sorely missing. He could be our marquee signing, depending on whether we need another CM or not.
We should sign Memphis for our winger needs then either play AdM in midfield permanently, or rotate those two and Adnan as wingers/IFs.
I don't know who would be available for the fullback positions. But they need to be dependable!
If we move to 4-3-3 then we also need a CM and probably a winger/inside forward.
If Hummels does become available then he is an option. His pace is an issue that will need to be mitigated by Rojo as the fullbacks bomb on, but his ability to play from the back is sorely missing. He could be our marquee signing, depending on whether we need another CM or not.
We should sign Memphis for our winger needs then either play AdM in midfield permanently, or rotate those two and Adnan as wingers/IFs.
I don't know who would be available for the fullback positions. But they need to be dependable!
CB: Absolute top priority, Smalling is good, but not world class. Jones didn't progress, I might say that he even made backward steps. That leaves Evans and Rojo. Both are good enough to stay, but not good enough to form the spine of the team. Verane would be a dream signing but unlikely, Hummels would be great, but I wouldn't complain if we got Laporte and Kongolo It would be a risk, since they are young, but worth it if you ask me. Sergio Ramos will not renew contract, but I don't rate him really.
CM: Carrick is not getting younger, and Blind is showing that he can be a great player. But I still think Strootman is a class above Blind. Alternatives would be probably Vidal, or Pogba. But personally I would skip Pogba, not worth that much money. Maybe Schnederlin.
RB: I think Rafael is great player, but he's more injured than not. Honestly I have no idea who could be slotted here. I don't rate Coleman, and i wonder is Clyne good enough. Honestly haven't seen enough of them playing to know.
R/LW: Memphis Depay. Not that we are in desperate need of a Winger, having Di Maria, Januzaj, Mata, Valencia.. but I think he's a tremendous talent, and having Di Maria, Depay and Januzaj to rotate on wings or play all 3 with Januzaj / Di Maria as #10 would be fantastic.
ST: RVP is getting older, Falcao is out of form. I would play Rooney and Wilson, but they also need cover. Rumors said we are interested in Cavani, Dybala, Barahino... It's the question of buying and experienced proven striker, or going for youth like Berahino or Dybala. I'm leaning towards going for a younger one, given the hefty price of Cavanni, and that we still have Rooney who can play as striker.
GK: De Gea, Valdes. If De Gea leaves, then get Ter Stegen.
RB: Rafael and one more player, and Valencia as cover.
LB: Shaw, Blackett and Rojo and Blind as cover.
CB: McNair, Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Evans plus Hummels, Laporte.
CM: Blind, Carrick, Fellaini plus Strootman / Schneiderlin.
AM: Herrera, Mata, Di Maria, Januzaj plus Depay. Maybe Young.
ST: Rooney, Wilson, RvP plus either Cavani, Dybala or Berahino.
Giving more playing time for Wilson, McNair and Januzaj plus maybe Perreira and Pearson should get a couple of games.
CM: Carrick is not getting younger, and Blind is showing that he can be a great player. But I still think Strootman is a class above Blind. Alternatives would be probably Vidal, or Pogba. But personally I would skip Pogba, not worth that much money. Maybe Schnederlin.
RB: I think Rafael is great player, but he's more injured than not. Honestly I have no idea who could be slotted here. I don't rate Coleman, and i wonder is Clyne good enough. Honestly haven't seen enough of them playing to know.
R/LW: Memphis Depay. Not that we are in desperate need of a Winger, having Di Maria, Januzaj, Mata, Valencia.. but I think he's a tremendous talent, and having Di Maria, Depay and Januzaj to rotate on wings or play all 3 with Januzaj / Di Maria as #10 would be fantastic.
ST: RVP is getting older, Falcao is out of form. I would play Rooney and Wilson, but they also need cover. Rumors said we are interested in Cavani, Dybala, Barahino... It's the question of buying and experienced proven striker, or going for youth like Berahino or Dybala. I'm leaning towards going for a younger one, given the hefty price of Cavanni, and that we still have Rooney who can play as striker.
GK: De Gea, Valdes. If De Gea leaves, then get Ter Stegen.
RB: Rafael and one more player, and Valencia as cover.
LB: Shaw, Blackett and Rojo and Blind as cover.
CB: McNair, Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Evans plus Hummels, Laporte.
CM: Blind, Carrick, Fellaini plus Strootman / Schneiderlin.
AM: Herrera, Mata, Di Maria, Januzaj plus Depay. Maybe Young.
ST: Rooney, Wilson, RvP plus either Cavani, Dybala or Berahino.
Giving more playing time for Wilson, McNair and Januzaj plus maybe Perreira and Pearson should get a couple of games.
Agree with Memphis and Hummels, I would get Clyne or Coleman for the RB, probably Clyne because of the age difference.
We don't need to much really. Something like this (along with a change of formation obviously)
CB: Buy Hummels/Marquinhos/Laporte (30-40m?)
RB: Buy Clyne/Coleman (25m)
Winger: Buy Reus/Depay (20-25m), bring back Nani
Striker: Buy Dybala (20-25m? No idea really), don't buy Falcao, Sell Hernandez (10-15m?)
Total between 90-120m out on 4 players, whatever we get for Hernandez in and saving on Falcao's wages. For striker Lacazette would do really well I think but I doubt we'll go for him or that he'll leave this summer.
Leave us with this lineup:
CB: Buy Hummels/Marquinhos/Laporte (30-40m?)
RB: Buy Clyne/Coleman (25m)
Winger: Buy Reus/Depay (20-25m), bring back Nani
Striker: Buy Dybala (20-25m? No idea really), don't buy Falcao, Sell Hernandez (10-15m?)
Total between 90-120m out on 4 players, whatever we get for Hernandez in and saving on Falcao's wages. For striker Lacazette would do really well I think but I doubt we'll go for him or that he'll leave this summer.
Leave us with this lineup:
De Gea(Valdes)
Coleman(Rafael/Valencia) Hummels(Smalling/McNair) Rojo(Evans/Jones) Shaw (Rojo/Young)
Herrera (Fellaini/Pereira?) Blind (Carrick)
Mata(Januzaj) Di Maria(anyone) Nani(Depay)
Rooney(RvP/Dybala/Wilson)
Kind of confusing to look at maybe but you get the point. Seems well balanced with youth, quality, pace, strength all around. A bit short though but I don't think we'll be making a tall team anyways. If we need more strength physically in games, then RvP in up front, drop Nani and Rooney goes at CAM, and then Fellaini in for Herrera or something. Plenty of variety there. The front 4 is wankworthy as well, if on form. Loads of pace and movement so I think they'd work really well together.Coleman(Rafael/Valencia) Hummels(Smalling/McNair) Rojo(Evans/Jones) Shaw (Rojo/Young)
Herrera (Fellaini/Pereira?) Blind (Carrick)
Mata(Januzaj) Di Maria(anyone) Nani(Depay)
Rooney(RvP/Dybala/Wilson)
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Lindegaard, Valencia, Wilson = 25man squad. Muppets gonna muppet.
Godin = 30m
Clyne = 25m
Gundogan = 15m
Bale = 80m
= 150m
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