What do we still need? Aka The never ending story

For me the most pressing needs are:

- Another wing back. We only have Amad and Dorgu that are fit for that position. Mazroui and Dalot are full backs. Not wing backs. It’s the most important position in this set up. Switching Amad to RWB changes our team. We need at least one more player specialised to that role, a player with true attacking ability. Quenda is the obvious player. Otherwise we are just playing with 5 defenders. The player needs to be very good technically so they can receive it under pressure and turn and run with it.

- Another CM. Bruno and Ugarte is a good two. Well complimented to each other. Mainoo is the third choice. But after that we have nothing. We need a player who offers energy and legs, and preferably ball carrying ability. I love the look of Ederson from Atalanta.

- A playmaking 10. We need a highly technical 10 that can knit it all together, isn’t afraid of working hard, but is supremely technical. As adept at coming deep as they are making runs to the channels and running at the defence. Wirtz is obviously the dream.

- A striker. A 9 who is adept at running in behind with pace and purpose. Gyokeres and Osimhen seem gettable and well suited. Lautaro Martinez is another.

- A CB who is good with the ball at his feet and has a physical presence. Maguire is better than people give him credit for but he’s getting on. Yoro and De Ligt are the future, but we need a natural left footer who is good at the art of defending but also excellent at progressing the ball. Inacio seems like an obvious candidate.

- A GK. I’m funny in that I need my goalkeeper to be good at the basics. Catching, commanding the area and shot stopping. I get that ball playing it crucial these days but it shouldn’t even matter if they can’t do the fundamentals right. Onana runs too hot and cold and is too prone to stupid, unforgivable mistakes. Happy to sacrifice some ball skills in favour of good old fashioned brilliant goalkeeping.

That’s 6 players right there. Plenty. Ultimately we need even a couple more after that. But you bring those six in, and shift out Casemiro, Eriksen, Sancho, Rashford, Malacia and Antony all permanently and you are much better off. We’d be left with a young XI but a squad that can really push on and do something special.
 
TheNewEra said:
People don't see success until it stares them in the face.

Fergie had 3 years without a trophy. He had to turn the club around kick out the drinking culture, some bad eggs and really build the foundations.

We've had 11 years of rot, and we have new owners. INEOS have already started to talk to the government about regeneration, a new stadium, revamped parts of Carrington and cut costs.

People don't see progress yet, we have a very promising coach that a little like Fergie won't change, that's kicking out the bad eggs with the systemic problems.

Rashford had downed tools completely. We are signing young hungry players, building a good academy and navigating PSR to get the club sustainable to clear debts, build one of the greatest stadiums in the world and compete again.

INEOS have made the hard calls right, judge in the summer but I have faith in Ruben and the board. People wont see it for a while, it'll take time.
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Including the hard call of paying extra to sign Ashworth early?
 
My current guess:

Leave on frees:
Lindelof - Needs a new league
Eriksen - He'll want to play more
Evans - Champo or coaching

Sell:
Rashford - We'll owe him around 51M in wages over the next 3 seasons, so if we give him 25M to leave, he'll make the same amount after his new team pays him 9M a year instead of 17M and we'll get 25M for him in a fee, so basically we shed the wages and that's it and everyone moves on.

Sancho - Deal is done.

Casemiro - Saudi, medium sized fee, a clear win here

Antony - See Rashford, but with less money in all respects.

Mainoo (2 years left, doesn't have an obvious fit in this formation) this summer for a big fee to a Prem team and we need the money. Everyone is mad.

One of Hojlund/Zirkzee - Maybe a loan so the sell looks better on PSR and maybe they can play better in a slightly easier league like Serie A.

Buy:
-Gyokeres, I don't really see another great option unless Duran doesn't like Saudi Arabia.
-Long-term Bruno replacement as a #8, Collyer has done okay as an Ugarte backup but we need another passer. Someone in their prime. Expensive.
-Left-footed CB, no idea. Not hugely expensive.
-WB who can play either side, I guess Quenda so expensive.
-Young #10, bit of a punt, not crazy expensive, like the best 20 year old Croat or Nypan or something like that

ST: Gyokeres, Hojlund OR Zirkzee
10s: Amad, Garnacho, Mount, #10

CMs: Bruno, Ugarte, Collyer, #8

WB: Dorgu, Dalot, Quenda

LCB: Lisandro, LCB, (Shaw)
CCB: Maguire, De Ligt
RCB: Yoro, Mazraoui

GK: Onana, Bayindir

and add 1 player per group the youth teams getting some minutes in the cups or even in the Prem, off the bench when there are injury problems:
-1 attacker (If Zirkzee stays, it can be one of Biancheri or Obi-Martin, if Hojlund stays, maybe it's more likely it's whoever Amorim likes most from the #10/W group)-
-1 wingback (Amass? Mandato?)
-1 central midfielder (
-1 centre back (Heaven I assume is in the lead)

2026:
-Dalot, Onana and Maguire leave. A wingback, the best passing CB we can find, and a new keeper come in.
 
Cunha for left 10- New Wolves deal has £62.5m buyout clause.

Gyokores- Similar price to Cunha

Wesley or Vanderson at RWB- I see us getting linked with Quenda but he's only 17 and I don't want us following a policy of only signing players the manager knows.
Wesley is the #1 RB in Brazil and at 21 he's been superb all season. Would likely be cheaper than the prices quoted for Quenda too.

I view the above 3 positions as essential. The rest of these transfers will depend on sales and if we have money available.

Centre Backs:

Murillo or Huijsen, both will cost Yoro level money.
Gabriel Xavier is another CB whose been excellent and we could pick up for a decent fee if neither of the above 2 are available.
Oliver Boscagli- out of contract this summer and one of the best CBs in Holland- been very good for them in the CL too. With Evans/Lindelof gone and Martinex injured he could be an option.

Centre Mids:

Elliot Anderson,- I see so many people talking about Ederson/Baleba etc but Anderson has been Nottingham Forrests best player this season, statistically his numbers are incredible both offensiely and defensively. If we had money available he's the type of player I'd actually like to see us spend Anthony/Rasmus level money on.
Frank Anguissa- Also out of contract this summer and was a very solid CM for Fulham in the Premier League, ranked as a top 5 CM in Serie A this season, with Eriksen/Casemiro and Mount all likely gone he'd be a decent pick up.
Angel Gomes- United academy grad and available on a free.

Other:

Kevin Lopes- Brazilian left winger who plays for Shaktar, was one of the best young players in Brazil when they signed him for 12m ish and been superb for them including in the champions league this season. The type of signing we should have been making a year or two ago.


Sell:
Hojlund- Take 40m from West Ham or anyone and run as fast as you can.
Rashford- See above
Anthony- Sell to Shaktar in exchange for an actual brazilian winger. Otherwise take whatever you can get.
Mount- Don't care just off the wages/everything is sunk cost.
Casemiro- See above

Evans/Lindelof/Eriksen out of contract.
 
Maybe it's me but feels like we would need to get at least Europa League to get Gyokeres/Osimhen, if we miss out on that then I feel we will need to look for PL striker instead. Same for some of our other priority positions as well.
 
DannyCAFC said:
I would be surprised if his long-term position under Amorim is anywhere but LWB, but he could cover the right-hand side as well I'm sure (especially as Amorim has shown a propensity to use left-footed players here like Amad and Quenda.
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Remember the geese said:
Fairly sure that Dorgu is viewed as a left sided player. It's a bonus if he can cover on the right too. I'm assuming that Leon will be his deputy/competition.
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bb8 said:
Don't think there's any way we're going for a LWB this summer. I think Dorgu was brought in specifically to solve that

Nah, he's our LWB solution at the moment. Let's buy young players and build the team up.
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Seems like I was right. Dorgu played on the right, and Amorim suggests he is seen as a versatile option like Dalot. In that case, I would go for a LWB, because Amad has the right side on lockdown.
 
Highfather_24 said:
Seems like I was right. Dorgu played on the right, and Amorim suggests he is seen as a versatile option like Dalot. In that case, I would go for a LWB, because Amad has the right side on lockdown.
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Depends if we sign Quenda. I very much hope we do. That would push Dorgu to the left, where he should be. Though having said that, Quenda is so good that he could play on the left or even in a more attacking role.
 
Immediate needs are a striker, a wingback and two midfielders. We can’t compete in the Premier League with our current midfield options, Collyer is fine as some depth but really we only have Ugarte.

Even Leicester are able to overpower and outrun us in midfield, I think them taking off Ndidi for Winks changed the game last night as Winks was a lot less mobile and our midfielders were finally able to get in the game.

I’d spend the money on those 4 positions, maybe a cheaper option at number ten like Nypan or Rigg. Ideally we’d need a CB but may have to make do for another season.
 
Highfather_24 said:
Not playing Dalot at LWB is reason enough why we should go for another LWB.
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We’ve already solved that problem with the signing of Diego Leon. We also have Amass who is highly rated.

I’m pretty sure we will sign Quenda for rwb, a CM, AM, and a striker. I’m actually hoping our new set up identify players that aren’t immediately obvious but will suit Amorim’s system. Whoever we buy needs to be a big character and have leadership skills as we are severely lacking those at the moment
 
Over the next few years, I would love to see us sign some players in the 10-20m range that become top 4 level players. Like for Instance, Huijsen or Baleba (more like 30m). We have done it in the past with Amad, Garnacho, and maybe Dalot.
 
Rasmus_9 said:
We’ve already solved that problem with the signing of Diego Leon. We also have Amass who is highly rated.

I’m pretty sure we will sign Quenda for rwb, a CM, AM, and a striker. I’m actually hoping our new set up identify players that aren’t immediately obvious but will suit Amorim’s system. Whoever we buy needs to be a big character and have leadership skills as we are severely lacking those at the moment
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Leon is 17 and from the all-touch videos posted of the recent U-20 international games he's played in he looks like he needs a lot of work before he's ready for senior PL football. I wouldn't consider that problem 'solved' at all to be honest.
 
DannyCAFC said:
Leon is 17 and from the all-touch videos posted of the recent U-20 international games he's played in he looks like he needs a lot of work before he's ready for senior PL football. I wouldn't consider that problem 'solved' at all to be honest.
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It won't be solved if we keep playing inverted that's for sure
 
Highfather_24 said:
Seems like I was right. Dorgu played on the right, and Amorim suggests he is seen as a versatile option like Dalot. In that case, I would go for a LWB, because Amad has the right side on lockdown.
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Very odd decision from Amorim - especially if reports are true about him being after Quenda in the summer, who I would think would play RWB. So not sure where that leaves Dorgu.

I still expect him to be the LWB eventually, but I'm at odds to explain why he started them inverted last night... it's quite clear to every man and his dog that Dalot on the left offers no penetration in the final third at all.
 
Highfather_24 said:
Seems like I was right. Dorgu played on the right, and Amorim suggests he is seen as a versatile option like Dalot. In that case, I would go for a LWB, because Amad has the right side on lockdown.
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He might have played him on the right, to look at the relationship as we are clearly after Quenda, to see how their profiles match and if this could be developed early and then move Dorgu to the left once he is signed.

Or it could be a 1 off until he’s played 3/4 games we won’t know.
 
I recall seeing a few people turning their nose at Kolo Muani when we were linked to him. Seems to have been an inspired get for Juve. Started very brightly

5 goals in 3 appearances
 
TsuWave said:
I recall seeing a few people turning their nose at Kolo Muani when we were linked to him. Seems to have been an inspired get for Juve. Started very brightly

5 goals in 3 appearances
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Yes but taking it with a grain of salt since a lot of mediocre forwards scored a lot in that league (Immobile, Scammaca, Lukaku, seasoned Arnautovic/Dzeko, etc.).
 
Roboc7 said:
Immediate needs are a striker, a wingback and two midfielders. We can’t compete in the Premier League with our current midfield options, Collyer is fine as some depth but really we only have Ugarte.

Even Leicester are able to overpower and outrun us in midfield, I think them taking off Ndidi for Winks changed the game last night as Winks was a lot less mobile and our midfielders were finally able to get in the game.

I’d spend the money on those 4 positions, maybe a cheaper option at number ten like Nypan or Rigg. Ideally we’d need a CB but may have to make do for another season.
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Rigg will not be cheap - trust me. There are 3-4 topclubs wanting him - if Sunderland sell him, we are talking a minimum of £40 million
 
aeh1991 said:
Yes but taking it with a grain of salt since a lot of mediocre forwards scored a lot in that league (Immobile, Scammaca, Lukaku, seasoned Arnautovic/Dzeko, etc.).
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I think everybody on the list you’ve made is better than what we currently have

And Dzeko and Lukaku aren’t “mediocre”
 
lysglimt said:
Rigg will not be cheap - trust me. There are 3-4 topclubs wanting him - if Sunderland sell him, we are talking a minimum of £40 million
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He’s not going to cost over 40m but by cheaper I meant not 60-70m like some players would cost. And if Sunderland go up I doubt he leaves anyway.
 
Reynoldo said:
Ederson
Cunha
Quenda
Gyokeres
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Unless we get Champions League football we won't be able to afford or attract most of these players.

I think Ederson will end up at City or Liverpool and Gyokeres at Chelsea or Arsenal.

Cunha is a good player but there are question marks around his off field behaviour.
 
Roboc7 said:
He’s not going to cost over 40m but by cheaper I meant not 60-70m like some players would cost. And if Sunderland go up I doubt he leaves anyway.
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Dewsbury-Hall cost £30 million - he was 25 and had 1 or 2 years left on his contract. And he is nowhere near the talent Rigg is - nor was he in the same demand. Rigg will cost over £40 million if Sunderland sell him this summer
 
lysglimt said:
Dewsbury-Hall cost £30 million - he was 25 and had 1 or 2 years left on his contract. And he is nowhere near the talent Rigg is - nor was he in the same demand. Rigg will cost over £40 million if Sunderland sell him this summer
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I wouldn’t read too much into that fee as it was part of all the PSR work arounds. Archie Gray is a better comparison, 40m would make Rigg 2nd most expensive Championship player of all time, Sunderland aren’t getting that if they don’t go up.
 
Roboc7 said:
I wouldn’t read too much into that fee as it was part of all the PSR work arounds. Archie Gray is a better comparison, 40m would make Rigg 2nd most expensive Championship player of all time, Sunderland aren’t getting that if they don’t go up.
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Archie Gray is not a good comparison because Leeds were desperate to sell because of financial troubles
 
What do we need is a question that hurts to hear as when you start listing it out you realise just how far off we are. Truthfully I'd happily overhaul the entire squad 25 man squad except a few players but just looking at the minimum upgrades to turn us from a lower half team to a top 4 side.

Onana is a walking calamity and needs replacing.
We have zero pace at centre back other than an 18 year old kid who's not ready.
Dalot is just not it and Mazraoui is not a wing back and he'll have to play RCB in this system going forward
Need a top class partner for Ugarte in midfield
Left sided 10 is a weak spot
We need 2 strikers as Zirkzee and Hojlund aren't even good enough to be back up options

1 keeper, 1 wingback, 1 centre back, 1 midfielder, 1 attacker and 2 strikers is 7 players. Not doable in one summer, unfortunately.

And I still don't trust us to get recruitment right, it's been 12 years of bad signings and I won't trust the new regime until they actually deliver some results.
 
TsuWave said:
I think everybody on the list you’ve made is better than what we currently have

And Dzeko and Lukaku aren’t “mediocre”
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I didn't intend to say that. I meant that a 36 year old Dzeko would never be competitive enough in the Premier league.
 
When I look at our current team:

Onana
Mazraoui/Yoro - de Ligt/Maguire - Licha/Heaven/Shaw
Ugarte - Bruno
Amad/Dorgu - Mainoo/Amad/Zirkzee - Garnacho/Mount/Bruno - Dalot/Dorgu
Hojlund/Zirkzee​

Currently, we have Ugarte who tends to pick yellow card every match, Bruno who is no 10 playing in deeper role, Casemiro who barely play anymore, and young raw Collyer. IMO, we are very short in our DM/CM and no top striker to score goals. The two priorities we need to sort out in the summer, then if we have some more cash then I’ll go with the wingback.
 
Highfather_24 said:
Seems like I was right. Dorgu played on the right, and Amorim suggests he is seen as a versatile option like Dalot. In that case, I would go for a LWB, because Amad has the right side on lockdown.
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Fair play to you, I was surprised. However, if Amad "has the right side on lockdown" I still don't really get your idea. Dorgu and Dalot are just backups?
 
bb8 said:
Fair play to you, I was surprised. However, if Amad "has the right side on lockdown" I still don't really get your idea. Dorgu and Dalot are just backups?
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Amad/Dalot----CM----CM----Ait-Nouri/Dorgu

Dorgu and Dalot being versatile options who can play both sides.

Getting Quenda and Amad for RWB, while you have Dorgu and Dalot for LWB, is sad.
 
Highfather_24 said:
Amad/Dalot----CM----CM----Ait-Nouri/Dorgu

Dorgu and Dalot being versatile options who can play both sides.

Getting Quenda and Amad for RWB, while you have Dorgu and Dalot for LWB, is sad.
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Quenda can play on the left too btw. The new coach has him playing there.
 
Is there any way we could get rid off Shaw, Mount and Casemiro this summer? Casemiro seems most likely to go because atleast he isn't always injured but the problem are his massive wages. Shaw and Mount are even harder to get rid off considering their big wages and the fact that they basically unavailable the last two seasons because of their injuries. It would be great for our wage budget if we somehow manage to sell those 3 in the summer.
 
Highfather_24 said:
Point still stands. We are stronger on the right with Amad, Dorgu and Dalot, than on the left with just Dorgu and Dalot.
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Yeah I never want to see Dalot play on the left side ever again, agree with you on that. Although I don't think he's any better on the right either. Just so poor in terms of footballing IQ.

I'd be happy with Amad + Quenda on the right, with Dorgu + Carreras (Or another "cheaper" option) on the left. Don't think Amass will be ready to be backup next season.
 
If there's a quality GK for okay fee then I'd replace Onana as well. Know that position isn't as crucial as ST position for example but would like a goalkeeper less error-prone and more dominant in his area. Brighton game and 2nd and 3rd goal were best example of Onana's flaws.

At the back, we may need a LCB. Martinez will be out for a long time, Shaw will just get injured again soon. Evans is veteran (may not extend for another year either) and Heaven surely not ready for first team yet.

Midfield (including wingbacks) is tricky. We got Dorgu and ideally need another LWB (as backup or starter if Dorgu struggles) and a starting RWB. Amorim may get Quenda and then just combine him, Dorgu, Amad and Dalot for RWB + combine Dorgu, Quenda and Dalot for LWB. Then there's 2 CM positions where we've got Ugarte and Collyer (Casemiro and Eriksen obviously leaving) + Bruno although he's more of a 10. Honestly would like to see us get 2 players for those 2 positions, one as a starter and one as a backup.

Number 10 positions are where I feel we've got most depth after 3 CB positions. Amad is a right 10. Bruno, Mainoo, Mount (though we'll see what happens with him), Garnacho. Even Zirkzee possibly. For me there's enough quality and depth there. Would change if we decide to sell 1/2 of Mount/Garnacho/Mainoo.

We need a top striker capable of scoring 20+s goals. Gyokeres, Osimhen first come to mind. Hojlund is 22 and even if he develops significantly by the age of 25/26, not sure club will wait that long given how much we paid for him. So as time passes it seems more and more likely we're going to sell him.
 
I keep reading about not backing RA with just system players.

The below profiles aren’t just for 3-4-3, but could also play 4 at the back.

RWB - Clearly after Quenda, who now RA has left as played as both a LW & RW.

LCB - Fast, Dynamic, Ball Playing.

CM - Fast, Dynamic, Technical and able to dictate the tempo of the game.

CAM - Fast, Dynamic, Technical and Dribbling.

GK - Actual makes a save, doesn’t throw the ball in the net or at a STs feet, ability to actually play out of the back.

ST – Can run in behind, can control a ball and link play, most importantly get on the end of cutbacks and can create chances for himself.

There’s a theme, something this squad clearly lacks is technical and athletic players.
 
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ST: Gyokeres.
AM capable of playing both sides: Cunha.
CM that's a great 2 way player: Ederson.
RWB: Quenda.
Utility player AM/WB : Nene Dorgeles.
That's over £200m right there.

We'll need to generate some sales out of Sancho and Rashford. Casemiro, Eriksen, Evans, Antony and one of Mainoo/ Garnacho.
 
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