Not really for the head coach. He just needs to tell the DOF what kind of players he needs after assess the squad. The rest is up to the DOF. If DOF can't provide what is promised before the head coach is hired, he can do what Conte and Jose did in the press and moan about it, then either left on his own or ask to be sack and get the big package. The head coach is not doing the DOF role and job.
What do we still need? Aka The never ending story
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not an obsession and i'm sure there are, but he's a big upgrade and he'd be pretty attainable.
I like Richarlison but worry he's another of those who plays when he feels like it. Calvert-Lewin is another but we need someone to provide him with delivery
Man'o man has he been a breath of fresh air. Put him in charge upstairs and let him rebuild this sinking ship before it's too late.
That's a good looking list. Not so sure about Neves mind.
In this order
DM
RW
CM
Should be able to live without other reinforcements for a season. I'd like another RB too, but it depends on the market. If we can Aaron's for cheap after Norwich go down he could be a shrewd signing.
DM - is more of a deep lying playmaker first, who can spread the ball.
RW - a left footed goal scorer from the left.
CM - one of those ball magnet short arses that Barcelona seem to be full of would be great. I think Barella's my dream CM signing if we can get him off Inter
DM
RW
CM
Should be able to live without other reinforcements for a season. I'd like another RB too, but it depends on the market. If we can Aaron's for cheap after Norwich go down he could be a shrewd signing.
DM - is more of a deep lying playmaker first, who can spread the ball.
RW - a left footed goal scorer from the left.
CM - one of those ball magnet short arses that Barcelona seem to be full of would be great. I think Barella's my dream CM signing if we can get him off Inter
And he's injury prone
Yeah I don’t get it, he has a few flashy games where he attacks well a season ago and everyone wants him
It’s like AWB in reverse
Anthony
Timber
Laimer
Kamara
Eriksen
Abraham
would you be happy with that group coming in or disappointed?
Timber
Laimer
Kamara
Eriksen
Abraham
would you be happy with that group coming in or disappointed?
Would be disappointed with Abraham and not sure we'd need Eriksen if we're also getting Laimer and Kamara. I'd swap both for Nkunku in that list.
Saw a link to Eriksen today, presumably he’d fill the Mata role if he were to come in
Abraham would be a gamble but I’d say he’s a 20 goal a season guy if we need a traditional type
Sometimes, I definitely forget Mata is still here. He would certainly be an upgrade for that squad role.
I think I'm biased on Abraham, I'm not his biggest fan, but I think you're right - he would be a traditional 20 goal a season striker in a good side.
That's six players who at some point could challenge our starting 11 and it would be something. If they were all manager's preferable choice, that's definitely helping in achieving his vision and way of playing.
There will always be doubts about Abraham, but it's still more vital choice than Ighalo & Cavani, but let's say if Cavani, Mata & Pogba are gone along with few others, that should release some serious wage space, perhaps for someone better than Abraham.
the ideal and realistic 433 solutions. Not from top clubs:
Raphinha - Eriksen - Locatelli - Bruno - Sancho + Rashford/Ronaldo .
Those 6 together. Are matching City and Liverpool 6. Bring them on.
If you can take the ball from Raphinha, Eriksen, Locatelli, Bruno, Sancho and Rashford. I can say. You get to be really good. Those 6 will get you chase a lot.
Raphinha - Eriksen - Locatelli - Bruno - Sancho + Rashford/Ronaldo .
Those 6 together. Are matching City and Liverpool 6. Bring them on.
If you can take the ball from Raphinha, Eriksen, Locatelli, Bruno, Sancho and Rashford. I can say. You get to be really good. Those 6 will get you chase a lot.
I see at least 2 there who will either give them the ball with sloppy passes or not be arsed to chase loose passes
your combination doesn’t work for me, get back out there scout
Btw I haven’t been keeping an eye on him since he went to Milan but is Tonali worth a shout? How’s his development going? @Adnan
Sorry for the late response mate, I didn't receive a notification for this post.
Tonali is a interesting player and after a bit of a bedding in period at Milan he is currently their most important player imo.
He's still 21 years of age but the potential/maturity he's showing for a midfielder so young is quite impressive. He can be utilised in multiple roles in midfield and has that craft and guile to thread lines/play-make to a very good level, whilst exhibiting excellent composure.
But what has really impressed me about him is that he's developing into a complete midfielder and as well as being good on the ball he's very good off the ball. He's quick, tenacious and has real bite about him in defensive transitions, which is something that I think is very important in the EPL right now. But I can't see him moving from Serie A anytime soon due to what i've read about him. He's also a boyhood Milan fan.
But having said that, Tonali is the correct profile of player that we require if we're to go on 'profile of player' criteria (play making CM with industry) next to a more defensive midfielder, especially if we appoint ten Hag. Because as mentioned above, his ability on the ball in conjunction with his defensive ability off the ball would make him the correct profile of player to play next to a Rice or Tchouameni with a attacking midfielder just in-front of them.
DM-Rice/Tchouameni
CM-Tonali/Bellingham/Garner
AM-Hannibal/Bruno/Nkunku
Hannibal could also be utilised in CM.
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Yeah I had a feeling it would be positive. There’s a lot of people opting for Locatelli but I would have thought that Tonali would be better in the PL.
Love the team options above. If only
If the Ten Hag news is true, then I'd be very confident that we'll get Antony in at least. Clear talent, clear hole in our squad, and loads of rumors already and Ten Hag likes him.
Past that? Hard to say of course. Ten Hag will like ball players as you'd expect, but also will need dynamic players. We of course have a whole list of players who will likely leave. No idea how much budget we'll have, but a window like this would be a very smart summer:
Past that? Hard to say of course. Ten Hag will like ball players as you'd expect, but also will need dynamic players. We of course have a whole list of players who will likely leave. No idea how much budget we'll have, but a window like this would be a very smart summer:
- Darwin Nunez
- Antony
- Timber
- Kamara
- Johnstone
Darwin
Sancho Bruno Antony
Fred Kamara
Shaw Varane Maguire Dalot
De Gea
Martial
Rashford Donny Elanga
Matic McTominay
Telles Lindelof Timber Wan Bissaka
Johnstone
Basically can see these 2 being our main 11 and backup 11. And then the following year, signing a starting goalkeeper to replace De Gea, signing 2 new fullbacks, and then likely some midfield depth.Sancho Bruno Antony
Fred Kamara
Shaw Varane Maguire Dalot
De Gea
Martial
Rashford Donny Elanga
Matic McTominay
Telles Lindelof Timber Wan Bissaka
Johnstone
Is Darwin Nunez a good footballer though?
Tbh he actually looked quite good against Liverpool imo. He's not a Lewandowski or Benzema, but right now, we don't have too many options and still need a striker. Darwin is fast and strong, aggressive, a good goalscorer and from the little I've seen, good enough with his all round play to be a good signing. I'd say he also looks much better analytically than on tape anyway. There is no clear choice, but it's clear we need a striker, and I think he'd be available. And we tend to do well with signings from that league.
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I’m not too happy about Neves but I think he’s cheap and would provide the playmaking we’d want. I can’t find many realistic alternatives that slot right in.
I don’t think Abraham would come but he’s a good option. I just think his price would be huge and I can’t see him wanting to move from Serie A right now.
Tonsil has developed really well this season but as Adnan said he won’t leave Milan. I don’t see him ever in the PL if I’m honest so he’s a non option.
I would hope for a window of
Garner being integrated into the squad
A defensive midfielder
A striker if Ronaldo leaves
A centre-half
I would hope for a right-back and a right winger too but I feel like it's too much to ask for from this club. Antony is supposed to be good and plays for Ajax.
Garner being integrated into the squad
A defensive midfielder
A striker if Ronaldo leaves
A centre-half
I would hope for a right-back and a right winger too but I feel like it's too much to ask for from this club. Antony is supposed to be good and plays for Ajax.
Any chance we would be in for Mazraoui ? Free agent. I dont think Dalot is any good and we should get rid of him
In this point it seems like we need 8-9 players. All of them are shit. But in healthy environment things can change. But some players like Rashy, Pogba and Maguire who should be our pillars have not hunger and passion to fight for the club. Others like Wan Bissaka, McFred are not good enough. And last Matic, Mata, Cavani, Ronaldo are old.
I hope for at least five signings this summer and five summer of 2023.
I hope for at least five signings this summer and five summer of 2023.
Actually I always forget about him but Gerard Moreno is who we should go for. Turning 30 but is class and would be class for a couple of years with the way he plays, and suit playing with guys like Bruno/Sancho/Rashford when on etc.
What do we still need? on current showing about 15 players in and at least 15 out
Ducker saying we're prioritising a striker and two high energy midfielders.
Ducker reported the below 4 days ago.
Ducker reported the below 4 days ago.
I'm concerned there is no talk of full backs, especially for the right back position.
RB : Mazraoui(free)
DM : Kamara(free)
CM : A mobile creative midfielder in the Kovacic/Pedri mould. Dunno who that is.
RW : Antony
CF : Nunez
DM : Kamara(free)
CM : A mobile creative midfielder in the Kovacic/Pedri mould. Dunno who that is.
RW : Antony
CF : Nunez
Ten Hag cannot possibly have AWB as his RB.
Maybe he's thinking of bringing Laird back
So looking very much like the order is
ST
DM
CM
I wouldn't worry about a lack of talk regarding RW & RB, we will sell to raise funds so strong chance we will get one I reckon.
Right sided forward position must surely be a priority? Unless they have designs for Greenwood somehow coming back into the fold, I don't see how we can move forward positively with our current options. Are Diallo, Pellistri, and Elanga really sufficient? I know Sancho is more than capable of performing there, but he is fulfilling a role on the left.
You need 2 new central midfielders. One brutal shithouse to protect the back four and one dynamic all-rounder. to run all day.
Only with that foundation can you work out how to prioritize upgrading the rest of the team. (Eg perhaps Maguire can be salvaged, - or at least protected properly he can be pig-lipsticked up for sale to Newcastle.)
Only with that foundation can you work out how to prioritize upgrading the rest of the team. (Eg perhaps Maguire can be salvaged, - or at least protected properly he can be pig-lipsticked up for sale to Newcastle.)
Probably due to the scale of work we have to do. Dalot is a decent right back, very good with his passing though his end product sucks. Hopefully he can be improved with some coaching. Wan Bissaka is essentially the backup RB right now ... It's still a decent duo to have and there are bigger problems. Needs upgrading of course. Timber who has been mentioned can go RB or CB, so maybe he'd be a squad option for both?
In terms of starters, we will need a ST, a RW, a DM without a doubt. The other positions at least have players playing in their natural positions with recent history of a good level. Depth wise it'll depend on who leaves, but we very well could be in a situation where we only have Varane, Maguire and Lindelof as CBs, Rashford or Martial our closest thing to a striker if either stay, or De Gea our only goalkeeper.
I'd be shocked if Sancho, Fred, Bruno, Maguire and Varane weren't pretty much automatic starters next season. Probably Shaw as well. Past them, we have other pieces who I'm sure Ten Hag will be ok with to start, like Dalot, like Dr Gea, probably a lot of our depth and I'm sure he'll try to get Rashford going again. This summer should be fully focused on addressing literal holes. No DM apart from Matic. No striker apart from Cavani or a 37 year old Ronaldo who is still better when not being a striker and both probably (hopefully) leaving. Our constant right wing shit show and Sancho being our only performing winger.
We have Fred to be the 2nd, and I have no doubt that Ten Hag will really like him. He's been class as an 8 for Ralf. Definitely need the 6 though, and then depending on what happens in the summer, depth? But 1 DM is honestly fine for this summer. Bruno, Fred and the new DM to start, while McTominay, Matic and Van de Beek are the depth guys. Uninspiring but Ten Hag knows VdB well so you assume he would get a tune out of him (still don't rate him much mind you), while Matic can still do a job as depth. Mctominay as a backup for Fred is fine too, Fred's got a pretty good fitness record.
James Ducker is basically saying that a striker and two high energy midfielders are a priority. And then further signings are likely to be dependent on sales.
So I'm expecting us to sign at least 4 players.
Unless all charges are dropped it’s gonna take a while for greenwood’s case to go through due process. Forget about counting him
Most of the players leaving this summer will leave on a free. Donny might be one of a few players who might generate some cash if we sell him. Garner and Hannibal can add depth. At least ten Hag is in a great position to decide to cash in on Donny or not.
CDM, RW, and striker are absolutely essential. Our options at fullback are miles behind City and Pool but maybe that is for 2023, and maybe Dalot can improve and Shaw rediscover his form.
Response to the bold part: Tielmens?
He might not want to come here though without Champions League possibilities.