When I typed that I was convinced he was out of contract in the summer
What do we still need? Aka The never ending story
- Thread starter Devil may care
- Start date
Ahh so they wouldn't be able to prevent him from joining us? But have you since learned that he is not in fact out of contract in the summer?
The thing we should be desperately looking for is players that fit a certain athletic profile. Our squad lacks athleticism at every single position. Yoro is the one signing we've actually got right because of it
I’d go all out for Shlotterbeck, he genuinely looks world class. Cunha, Ederson, Osimhen in summer. Nuno mendes and rashford swap in jan.
You could make a case we need an entirely new squad, but this is where I see things at the moment.
GK - NEED (Onana can be a temporary solution if they want to prioritize other areas, I personally wouldn't)
RCB - Yoro (Maz as depth)
CB - NEED (De Ligt Squad player, temporary solution)
LCB - NEED (Shaw would fit but too injury prone, Martinez needs replacing)
RWB - NEED
CM - Mainoo
CM - Ugarte/Bruno (I think in the long-term he's someone we can look to replace for someone with more athleticism)
LWB - NEED
RW - Amad
ST - NEED (Hojlund gets one more chance next season but not as a definite first choice, needs competition)
LW - NEED (Bruno perhaps can stay here but I think we need someone that can actually carry the ball in the forward three positions)
So that's: GK, two centre backs, two wing backs, two forwards, potentially depth needed in midfield as well. That is dire after the money we have spent.
GK - NEED (Onana can be a temporary solution if they want to prioritize other areas, I personally wouldn't)
RCB - Yoro (Maz as depth)
CB - NEED (De Ligt Squad player, temporary solution)
LCB - NEED (Shaw would fit but too injury prone, Martinez needs replacing)
RWB - NEED
CM - Mainoo
CM - Ugarte/Bruno (I think in the long-term he's someone we can look to replace for someone with more athleticism)
LWB - NEED
RW - Amad
ST - NEED (Hojlund gets one more chance next season but not as a definite first choice, needs competition)
LW - NEED (Bruno perhaps can stay here but I think we need someone that can actually carry the ball in the forward three positions)
So that's: GK, two centre backs, two wing backs, two forwards, potentially depth needed in midfield as well. That is dire after the money we have spent.
I'd approve. You think a quarter billion would be sufficient? Peanuts.
I think we are pretty much lacking these profiles/positions in Amorims system. I’d take any one of these for each position
Left 10 - Felix, Cunha, Semenyo, Simons, Rodrygo, Leao, Baena, Tillman, Lookman, Joao Pedro, Yildiz, Gittens
Right 10 - Cherki, Dibling, Mbeumo, Millot, Kudus, Guler
Experienced Striker - Osimhen, Gyokeres, Watkins
LCB - Hancko, Lucumi, Schlotterbeck, Lukeba, Inacio, Hincapie
LWB - Ait Nouri, Mendes, Gutierrez, Kerkez
Left 10 - Felix, Cunha, Semenyo, Simons, Rodrygo, Leao, Baena, Tillman, Lookman, Joao Pedro, Yildiz, Gittens
Right 10 - Cherki, Dibling, Mbeumo, Millot, Kudus, Guler
Experienced Striker - Osimhen, Gyokeres, Watkins
LCB - Hancko, Lucumi, Schlotterbeck, Lukeba, Inacio, Hincapie
LWB - Ait Nouri, Mendes, Gutierrez, Kerkez
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What’s the use of winning set pieces? We’re just going to waste them as usual.
We have slow & weak duel midfielder including Mainoo (Slow & Weak), Eriksen (Slow & Weak) , Casemiro (Slow), Ugarte (Weak on Aerial),.
We also have below standard center backs including Mgguire (Slow), De Ligt (Slow), Martinez (Slow & Weak on Aerial).
All attackers can't hold ball and weak on duel.
Left & Right wingbacks can't go to final third area and put decent crossing.
How do we compete any other teams in the league?
Manager is less important than the whole squad. If Amorim is not good enough, INEOS can change new manager every 2 years if they want but
problem will exist as long as the poor recruitment continues, and retain all below standard players who's earning top wage ever.
You can laugh at what Chelsea did but they really recruit best talent and clear lot of players out of the team.
Now, What're their position?
Clear all poor players out is as important as recruit the best talent.
Chelsea and Forest are good role model.
We also have below standard center backs including Mgguire (Slow), De Ligt (Slow), Martinez (Slow & Weak on Aerial).
All attackers can't hold ball and weak on duel.
Left & Right wingbacks can't go to final third area and put decent crossing.
How do we compete any other teams in the league?
Manager is less important than the whole squad. If Amorim is not good enough, INEOS can change new manager every 2 years if they want but
problem will exist as long as the poor recruitment continues, and retain all below standard players who's earning top wage ever.
You can laugh at what Chelsea did but they really recruit best talent and clear lot of players out of the team.
Now, What're their position?
Clear all poor players out is as important as recruit the best talent.
Chelsea and Forest are good role model.
Probably correct but there's no way to get all those players needed in one or two windows. You'll have to prioritize and build a team step by step.
If sticking with 3-4-3, I'd go for Frimpong and Cunha to start with. Also probably a LWB. The other positions you have enough players in the squad to do a job there imo.
I would be very afraid that three of these would be massive flops if we signed them. Gyokeres is just a massive risk at the money Sporting would look for, Ederson doesn't to me seem like he does anything to a really high level and Frimpong looked like a child when Leverkusen played Atalanta. He's fast but is very small and lightweight.
The more you watch this the more you see how badly Dalot and Maz screw up the tactics.
Maz has been one of if not the best player for me this season but too often he and Dalot are miles behind the play, meaning the two 10’s have moved out to the wing to where they are supposed to be or they are just outnumbered.
If it does come to the 10’s then they turn out to feed the wingbacks only to see them not there meaning the only option is to recycle or try a difficult ball in to Rasmus which he then has no hope of doing anything with as there is no other threat from wide so the back line can stay compact.
With two proper wingbacks however it creates space for the two 10’s and for the striker to actually do something and be higher up the pitch.
Rasmus for example is not a guy to be fighting to hold things up. He should be playing off the shoulder making runs inbehind. Which he does but at the moment we don’t have anyone to service those runs. Frimpong, Mendes, Kerkez would significantly improve that.
Maz has been one of if not the best player for me this season but too often he and Dalot are miles behind the play, meaning the two 10’s have moved out to the wing to where they are supposed to be or they are just outnumbered.
If it does come to the 10’s then they turn out to feed the wingbacks only to see them not there meaning the only option is to recycle or try a difficult ball in to Rasmus which he then has no hope of doing anything with as there is no other threat from wide so the back line can stay compact.
With two proper wingbacks however it creates space for the two 10’s and for the striker to actually do something and be higher up the pitch.
Rasmus for example is not a guy to be fighting to hold things up. He should be playing off the shoulder making runs inbehind. Which he does but at the moment we don’t have anyone to service those runs. Frimpong, Mendes, Kerkez would significantly improve that.
I really agree with this. I agree with the consensus that Maz has been a really great player this season and also brings a great character, but in the long run, I think he doesn't suit this system at all. The only role I could imagine is that of a utility backup, especially for the RCB position. But we really gotta upgrade both wing back positions (or get a new no.10 to use Diallo back there).
That seems a bit extreme…..the reality is that once a couple of key areas are fixed - the wing backs for starters and a decent striker then the rest all up the levels as they are able to play proactively in the system rather than reactively as now. Our current play is too slow and no end product.
Once the wing backs have us more on the front foot with quicker and more incisive forward play the overall playing style will improve significantly.
It’s easy to say everyone is shite but they are not. They are just playing shite right now.
Quite often subtle changes can have a big difference. We are currently rock bottom but it won’t stay like that. Changes are needed but they have to be gradual as PSR dictates.
I think we need 6/7 over the next 2 windows.
1 LWB
1 ST
2 CAM
1 RWB
1 CM
1 LCB
I don't think that is unattainable, obviously if we can't do any business in Jan it might be a step to far.
We have a lot that could go, I just don't know how we sell them for a decent value, particularly with the ludicrous contracts we have given out over the years.
We need to be after young hungry players between 18-25 who are ready to make the step up, or can be nurtured under RA for the next 2 seasons.
1 LWB
1 ST
2 CAM
1 RWB
1 CM
1 LCB
I don't think that is unattainable, obviously if we can't do any business in Jan it might be a step to far.
We have a lot that could go, I just don't know how we sell them for a decent value, particularly with the ludicrous contracts we have given out over the years.
We need to be after young hungry players between 18-25 who are ready to make the step up, or can be nurtured under RA for the next 2 seasons.
We don't often take advantage of relegated teams and maybe there is a reason for that, I don't know. But, I think Southampton is almost guaranteed to go down this year so I think we could possibly take advantage of their situation.
I know most of the chatter has been around Tyler Dibling, and he does appear to be a decent young player, but I think we should try to grab Mateus Fernandes and Aaron Ramsdale.
Mateus Fernandes is only 20 and he signed for only 15M from Sporting, so he might have some connections with Ruben already, I'm not sure. But he is a quality CM that could add youthful energy alongside Ugarte. I would bring him for direct competition with Kobbie, and possibly Ugarte as well. I don't know if he is as skillful as Kobbie in getting out of tight spaces etc, and I love Kobbie as a youth making a huge impact, but Fernandes can play a full 90 minutes which Kobbie can't manage. My dream signing is Carlos Baleba, but he would probably be around 100M based off recent history of Brighton selling CMs. I imagine we could get Fernandes for much cheaper and he is a quality young player.
And Ramsdale is simply a better keeper than Onana, and he could come in at the age when he should be entering his prime and immediately be our number one keeper without having to wait for him to get used to the league etc.
That doesn't address the gaping holes at wing back and striker of course, but these two would immediately improve us and could possibly be available for relatively cheap due to their relegation.
I know most of the chatter has been around Tyler Dibling, and he does appear to be a decent young player, but I think we should try to grab Mateus Fernandes and Aaron Ramsdale.
Mateus Fernandes is only 20 and he signed for only 15M from Sporting, so he might have some connections with Ruben already, I'm not sure. But he is a quality CM that could add youthful energy alongside Ugarte. I would bring him for direct competition with Kobbie, and possibly Ugarte as well. I don't know if he is as skillful as Kobbie in getting out of tight spaces etc, and I love Kobbie as a youth making a huge impact, but Fernandes can play a full 90 minutes which Kobbie can't manage. My dream signing is Carlos Baleba, but he would probably be around 100M based off recent history of Brighton selling CMs. I imagine we could get Fernandes for much cheaper and he is a quality young player.
And Ramsdale is simply a better keeper than Onana, and he could come in at the age when he should be entering his prime and immediately be our number one keeper without having to wait for him to get used to the league etc.
That doesn't address the gaping holes at wing back and striker of course, but these two would immediately improve us and could possibly be available for relatively cheap due to their relegation.
I mean so does Amad but he's really done well in the wing back role but I get you. Must be the muppet in me that wants these players haha
Assuming that Amorim does persist with 343 and it's the long-term plan for the club regardless of whether the manager doesn't last 2-3 years to execute it himself, then it's clear that specialist wing backs will be the primary purchases.
When you look at who we definitely can move on, we've got the following contracts ending:
Heaton (£50k~)
Lindelof (£120k~)
Evans (£50k~)
Eriksen (£150k~)
We will probably sell Rashford, and then there's a list of players we'll be trying to shift but I wouldn't be surprised if we only manage to get rid of another couple.
I don't know who are the realistic wing back targets, but my expectation for Amorim's defence moving forward is:
RCB: Mazraoui, Yoro
CB: De Ligt, Maguire
LCB: Martinez, Shaw
RWB: New Signing, Dalot
LWB: New Signing, Malacia
Now, Mazraoui is flexible and could be used as WB in some games, but I think his main role will be as part of the back three. Shaw can do the same on the left, but he's obviously too injury prone to be a reliable part of the squad. I will just be surprised if we manage to sell him in the Summer. Dalot again has flexibility which Amorim likes, but I really don't think he's that good and should definitely be more like our John O'Shea who is generally on the bench but can play a couple of positions. Amad has also shown he can play as a WB, but I think this is something that Amorim is more likely to use sparingly and within games rather than from the start. If we need a goal, he might shift Amad to RWB and bring on a different no.10 or an extra striker etc.
MF: Ugarte, Mainoo, Casemiro, New Signing*
Pretty clear this will be our midfield unless Casemiro is sold. I'm sure we all hope the rumours of Saudi are true but I'm not holding my breath. Bruno & Mount will probably sometimes have to play deeper to cover injury/suspension, especially if we did sell Casemiro and only have two true CM's. A youth player like Collyer might be asked to step in and be a much bigger part of the squad.
AM: Bruno, Mount, Amad, Garnacho, Antony
ST: Hojlund, Zirkzee, New Signing
I'll just pool all this together as it depends who we can sell. We need to sign an attacking player but I'd say we really need to be looking at moving Antony & Zirkzee, I just can't see them ever doing anything. I think Amorim will be looking for a player who can score goals whether they're more of a no.10, wide player, or central striker more-so than a CM, unless we were to sell Casemiro on top of releasing Eriksen.
Trying to be realistic here, but given financial concerns I think we'll do very well to have the above squad for next season. I think Amorim can look at our youth squad more-so from next season as while it might sound corny, I think there are 'bad eggs' to remove from the first squad and get that culture change and mentality before you can allow youth to develop. Plus, we already have Yoro, Mainoo, Garnacho, Hojlund, and even Amad who are very young and could be swayed into some bad habits too. It'll be far from perfect, but I think that's a good enough squad to hope for next season, then work on selling another 4-5 over the following two windows.
When you look at who we definitely can move on, we've got the following contracts ending:
Heaton (£50k~)
Lindelof (£120k~)
Evans (£50k~)
Eriksen (£150k~)
We will probably sell Rashford, and then there's a list of players we'll be trying to shift but I wouldn't be surprised if we only manage to get rid of another couple.
I don't know who are the realistic wing back targets, but my expectation for Amorim's defence moving forward is:
RCB: Mazraoui, Yoro
CB: De Ligt, Maguire
LCB: Martinez, Shaw
RWB: New Signing, Dalot
LWB: New Signing, Malacia
Now, Mazraoui is flexible and could be used as WB in some games, but I think his main role will be as part of the back three. Shaw can do the same on the left, but he's obviously too injury prone to be a reliable part of the squad. I will just be surprised if we manage to sell him in the Summer. Dalot again has flexibility which Amorim likes, but I really don't think he's that good and should definitely be more like our John O'Shea who is generally on the bench but can play a couple of positions. Amad has also shown he can play as a WB, but I think this is something that Amorim is more likely to use sparingly and within games rather than from the start. If we need a goal, he might shift Amad to RWB and bring on a different no.10 or an extra striker etc.
MF: Ugarte, Mainoo, Casemiro, New Signing*
Pretty clear this will be our midfield unless Casemiro is sold. I'm sure we all hope the rumours of Saudi are true but I'm not holding my breath. Bruno & Mount will probably sometimes have to play deeper to cover injury/suspension, especially if we did sell Casemiro and only have two true CM's. A youth player like Collyer might be asked to step in and be a much bigger part of the squad.
AM: Bruno, Mount, Amad, Garnacho, Antony
ST: Hojlund, Zirkzee, New Signing
I'll just pool all this together as it depends who we can sell. We need to sign an attacking player but I'd say we really need to be looking at moving Antony & Zirkzee, I just can't see them ever doing anything. I think Amorim will be looking for a player who can score goals whether they're more of a no.10, wide player, or central striker more-so than a CM, unless we were to sell Casemiro on top of releasing Eriksen.
Trying to be realistic here, but given financial concerns I think we'll do very well to have the above squad for next season. I think Amorim can look at our youth squad more-so from next season as while it might sound corny, I think there are 'bad eggs' to remove from the first squad and get that culture change and mentality before you can allow youth to develop. Plus, we already have Yoro, Mainoo, Garnacho, Hojlund, and even Amad who are very young and could be swayed into some bad habits too. It'll be far from perfect, but I think that's a good enough squad to hope for next season, then work on selling another 4-5 over the following two windows.
Start with that useless GK . He can go or be no 2.
Strikers needed at least 2. CM 1 decent one and Amorin needs wing backs so there's 2 more . It's loads realy isn't it . 2 summer windows?
Strikers needed at least 2. CM 1 decent one and Amorin needs wing backs so there's 2 more . It's loads realy isn't it . 2 summer windows?
When are we ever going to learn? We have to take our medicine and realise where we are. We need to start playing it safe instead of twisting at every turn. Amorim was the fashionable appointment but Frank, Silva or Iraola would have been safer ones. On that note, we also need to start playing it safer in the transfer market and just sign some good quality premier league players at decent ages who aren't prone to injury. I hear talk of Omishen and Ederson but there's only one reason those pair would contemplate our club this moment in time and that is money because champions league clubs will be after them too. We can't even offer them Europa league football FFS. Realistic targets for us are players like Semenyo, Ait Nouri, Delap, Huijsen, Murillo, Branthwaite, Ferguson, Gibbs White and Kerkez. If we're going to splash serious cash then we should be looking at Mbuemo, Kudus and Cunha. Players that are physical, competitive, quick, hungry for success, space to develop, have proven they are capable at prem level and who want to take the next step in their careers. Dare I say it, players who when asked wouldn't even blink before saying yes and wouldn't want any more money than they are currently on.
Osimhen I don't see happening as he is to expensive and we are nowhere near what he would want, i expect Chelsea.
Ederson I could see as Atalanta to MU is still a huge jump, unless others come in with more attractive offers, he is only on €50,000 apparently which wouldn't cost the earth.
I agree with all your PL players, in particular Delap & Huijsen, I would see them as stalwarts for 10 years +.
The problem with Kudus is unless WHU go down we will priced out of a move as quality as he is.
Mbuemo & Kudus would be good moves in the summer, I also like Hutchinson if Ipswich go down, tore us apart and always looked fast and technical similar to Morgan Rogers.
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You can sign Osimhen, Salah or Haaland but even they won't do shit if we have the likes of Dalot, Maz, Antony and Malacia trying to service them. Signing quality wide players must be the priority.
So Amorim says we need more leadership. It's not the best metric to search from but I searched on Transfermarkt for some players who are captains at their club and are under 28. Slim pickings but some interesting candidates are Hjulmand, Quentin Timber, Bowen, Sangante, Spertsyan and, at a push, Lewis Ferguson.
Watching the highlights of the Brentford game and again so impressed with Bryan Mbeumo - think he would be a brilliant signing to play as one of the 10s.
Constantly looks threatening, so quick, scores and assists. I dont watch enough Brentford to know what his out of possession game is really like but suspect Frank doesn’t carry passengers on that side of things. PL proven player, but not sure what price he’d fetch
Constantly looks threatening, so quick, scores and assists. I dont watch enough Brentford to know what his out of possession game is really like but suspect Frank doesn’t carry passengers on that side of things. PL proven player, but not sure what price he’d fetch
To get back to challenging for the top 4 again then it is going to mean a big overhaul with 10 or so players coming in and going out. Not going to happen in one window but we should be looking at doing it in a max of three.
For me we need a GK, LWB, RWB, 2 x CD, 2 x CM, ST, 2 x AM.
Realistic targets in the 'smaller' PL clubs that I would go for are:
Rogers
Kirkez
Hujsen
Semenyo
Christie
Mbeumo
Baleba
Pedro
Eze
Robinson
Hutchinson
Delap
Milenkovic
Murillo
Gibbs-White
Anderson
Ait Nouri
Cunha
Oversees players
Samu
Gyokeres (prob would cost too much but is quality!)
Olmo (if Barca can't register him)
Davies
J David
Gomes
Schlotterbeck
For me we need a GK, LWB, RWB, 2 x CD, 2 x CM, ST, 2 x AM.
Realistic targets in the 'smaller' PL clubs that I would go for are:
Rogers
Kirkez
Hujsen
Semenyo
Christie
Mbeumo
Baleba
Pedro
Eze
Robinson
Hutchinson
Delap
Milenkovic
Murillo
Gibbs-White
Anderson
Ait Nouri
Cunha
Oversees players
Samu
Gyokeres (prob would cost too much but is quality!)
Olmo (if Barca can't register him)
Davies
J David
Gomes
Schlotterbeck
If we looking at Mendes, we may as well get Porro in the summer and complete the sporting wing backs. Porro is exceptional going forwards. Great crosser, scores goals.
Ramsgate started well at Arsenal but then could definitely see an upgrade in Raya, so would prefer to go all out for Maignan/Costa. Mind you with how many players we need then may have to look at more budget options
Porro is having a mare this season. Defensively at least
Hakimi is accused of rape.
I’ve noticed several people throw his name around.
We have set our precedent with MG.
GK: Kovar / Lammens / Costa
CB: Diomande / Murillo / Senesi
LCB: Hancko / Murillo / Hincapie
LWB: Mendes / Ait Nouri / Kerkez
CM: Baleba / Douglas Luiz / Ederson / Hjulmand / Quentin Timber
RAM: Lee Kang In / Xavi Simons / Kudus
LAM: Kvara / Pedro Goncalves / Xavi Simons / Eze
CF: Osimhen / Gyokeres
Next summer, we gotta do a Chelsea-style cleaning up of the squad.
We obviously cannot solve every position in the next two windows, but here are some suggestions.
I think the priority positions we should solve asap are LWB and CF.
Some of my favorites:
- Lee Kang In: Is somehow not a clear starter at PSG despite good stats. Creates a lot of chances and would suit the inverted RAM perfectly (Diallo could play RWB again). Would be fairly affordable I suppose.
- Hancko: Have been impressed by him since years. Comes from the league where some of us are allergic to, but he's also been strong at the Euros. Is experienced, a leader.
- Pedro Goncalves: Is extremely versatile, knows Amorim's tactics perfectly and has a different profile to Bruno despite their similarities in nationality, club background, etc. They could co-exist, or he could replace him.
CB: Diomande / Murillo / Senesi
LCB: Hancko / Murillo / Hincapie
LWB: Mendes / Ait Nouri / Kerkez
CM: Baleba / Douglas Luiz / Ederson / Hjulmand / Quentin Timber
RAM: Lee Kang In / Xavi Simons / Kudus
LAM: Kvara / Pedro Goncalves / Xavi Simons / Eze
CF: Osimhen / Gyokeres
Next summer, we gotta do a Chelsea-style cleaning up of the squad.
We obviously cannot solve every position in the next two windows, but here are some suggestions.
I think the priority positions we should solve asap are LWB and CF.
Some of my favorites:
- Lee Kang In: Is somehow not a clear starter at PSG despite good stats. Creates a lot of chances and would suit the inverted RAM perfectly (Diallo could play RWB again). Would be fairly affordable I suppose.
- Hancko: Have been impressed by him since years. Comes from the league where some of us are allergic to, but he's also been strong at the Euros. Is experienced, a leader.
- Pedro Goncalves: Is extremely versatile, knows Amorim's tactics perfectly and has a different profile to Bruno despite their similarities in nationality, club background, etc. They could co-exist, or he could replace him.
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Anyone would with AngeBall
A LWB and striker can change this season for us.
We need a complete overhaul of the squad the next two years. There are 12 or 13 players that need to leave, and 11-12 players that need to come in. (A GK, 2 CBs, 2-3 WBs, 2 midfielders, 2 Cams and 2 strikers)
We need a proper striker more than anything else.
Makes you wonder when players put in a shift like they did today. But then they’ll go back to being awful against Southampton. It makes you question whether it’s the players or the manager. The manager as shown he can get a tune out of this squad… we just need to upgrade the players for him to be consistent
Totally agree, an Elite striker this year who is lethal changes all of the following results;
Palace(A) 1 point becomes 3
Brighton(A) 0 point becomes 1
West Ham(A) 0 point becomes 3
Ipswich(A) 1 Point becomes 3
Forrest(H) 0 points becomes 1
Wolves (A) 0 points becomes 1
An Elite number 9 wins the club an additional 10 points this season and 33 points rather than 23 puts a completely different outlook on the season.
If we were to actually do what a Big Club does and get rid of Casemiro, Rashford, Zirkzee, Malacia for £75m and Go get Nuno Mendes and Osimhen or Gykores, I genuinely think we would be massive favourites for the Europa League.
Does anyone know what sort of player Angelo Stiller is?
Would he suit the PL?
Always looks good on the ball and the tackle from clips I’ve seen.
Would he suit the PL?
Always looks good on the ball and the tackle from clips I’ve seen.
Baleba would be an absolute dream. Can partner either Mainoo or Ugarte.