Renato? He's got some potential but it's way too soon IMO, especially for the fees mentioned. I don't mind buying younger players but we are loaded with kids already, I think we could use a couple of experienced talents added to the mix.
What do we still need? Post Summer 2015 edition.
- Thread starter Yorkeontop
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Renato? He's got some potential but it's way too soon IMO, especially for the fees mentioned. I don't mind buying younger players but we are loaded with kids already, I think we could use a couple of experienced talents added to the mix.
Yeah the fee quoted is huge but I don't think that will be the actual cost.
Like you said, it'll be difficult to attract experienced talents without CL. Maybe we can find a pre-Madrid Griezmann like talents somewhere? Mahrez should definitely be considered, maybe Zlatan for striker as well. Can't think of many though.
Thing is no matter what the fee is I don't think he's near ready for the PL, he's one to keep monitoring IMO but not to buy yet. I definitely think we should try for Mahrez, even though I expect Leicester to make the CL places we can probably double his money and one big sale would make sense for Leicester this summer to build a deeper squad.
If we can't get a younger top #9 in then Ibra on a free has to be considered IMO.
Muppet mode engaged.
I would love to bring in Pogba and Griezmann, throw in Laporte and we would have some of France's best players.
I would love to bring in Pogba and Griezmann, throw in Laporte and we would have some of France's best players.
That would be really good. France has a really good team. However, I cannot see any of them coming if we don't have Champions league football next season. Also, I think Pogba will go to Spain, Griezmann will stay and Laporte could stay or go to Barcelona (Puyol is his agent).
Players like Stones, Renato Sanchez and Mahrez would be more realistic. But if we are able to sign at least one of the players that you mentioned, it would be awesome.
It will be such a shame if we don't qualify for the champions league, Hopefully we could tempt one of them to come still. Then like you said, bringing in players like Stones and Mahrez would be really good too.
2 midfielders, 2 for the forward line, 1 for the back four. Out of those 5, 2 need to be of proven superstar quality and the rest youngsters with potential. Also, a goalie if De Gea leaves.
Take Zlatan on free transfer+massive wages, and ship Rooney to China for massive fee (I imagine Chinese clubs would be willing to spend 35-40 mil on him).
Get Aubameyang with that cash+more.
Take Sofiane Feghouli for free.
Meet Laporte's release clause or spend big on Stones.
Spend on a midfielder... seems like we're hot for Sanches. Otherwise, Gundogan or a B2B would do.
This won't cost more than 100 mil in transfer fees.
Fluid front 3 with Zlatan dropping deep, as a false #9 leaving Martial and Aubameyang burning the opponent's CBs with their speed and tricks.
GK: De Gea, Romero
LB: Shaw, CBJ, Rojo
RB: Darmian, Varela, Valencia
CB: Laporte, Smalling, Jones, Blind, McNair
CM: Sanches, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Mata (if Mourinho comes in, he will be sold... just saw a rumor for a swap that would get us Griezmann?
), Schweinsteiger, Pereira, Carrick, Fellaini??, Powell??
Wingers: Feghouli, Depay, Januzaj, Lingard, Young
ST: Ibrahimovic, Aubameyang, Martial, Wilson, Keane
Something like that
Get Aubameyang with that cash+more.
Take Sofiane Feghouli for free.
Meet Laporte's release clause or spend big on Stones.
Spend on a midfielder... seems like we're hot for Sanches. Otherwise, Gundogan or a B2B would do.
This won't cost more than 100 mil in transfer fees.
Fluid front 3 with Zlatan dropping deep, as a false #9 leaving Martial and Aubameyang burning the opponent's CBs with their speed and tricks.
GK: De Gea, Romero
LB: Shaw, CBJ, Rojo
RB: Darmian, Varela, Valencia
CB: Laporte, Smalling, Jones, Blind, McNair
CM: Sanches, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Mata (if Mourinho comes in, he will be sold... just saw a rumor for a swap that would get us Griezmann?
), Schweinsteiger, Pereira, Carrick, Fellaini??, Powell??Wingers: Feghouli, Depay, Januzaj, Lingard, Young
ST: Ibrahimovic, Aubameyang, Martial, Wilson, Keane
Something like that
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We need a MASSIVE clear out.
Maybe 5 or 6 players are worth keeping.
Maybe 5 or 6 players are worth keeping.
I think the title of the thread should be changed to 'What DON'T we need?'
As long as we actually bloody sign someone to replace them!
But there would only be one item on the list?
A Goalkeeper.
Unless he fecks off to Madrid.
How about we start with:
Mourinho
Ibrahimovic
Griezmann
Stones
Gundogan
Mahrez
And about 3-4 others.
Mourinho
Ibrahimovic
Griezmann
Stones
Gundogan
Mahrez
And about 3-4 others.
Just buy Tottenham.
Divine intervention
Nights like this always lead to throwing the baby out with the bathwater, I'm as disillusioned with things as most here, but I have to think a better manager will get more out of the players in this team, you can't underestimate the effect of good man management, I mean look at Leicester, they aren't a team of world class players but they are well managed and have good spirit, LvG has slowly drained any spirit from this team.
That's not to say we don't need an injection of quality but I think it needs to be more surgical and less scattershot. To me it's still 4 players in this summer, 3 for the spine, and see where things go from there.
Defense - Once we get everyone fit, and as long as De Gea stays, I think we need one in at the back in the form of a CB, beyond that I think we have to hope the next manager gets more from Darmian, Rojo and of course the returning Shaw.
Midfield - This is still a big worry IMO, we just lack enough mobility and athleticism in there, Carrick is on his last legs and neither Fellaini or Herrera are actual CM's for a full midfield role. That leaves the massively under performing Schneiderlin and the aging Schweinsteiger, with possibly Blind added to the rotation in midfield. That means one top CM at least needs to be brought in, no use paying £50M for kids with half a season under their belt.
Forward Line - I want to believe that players like Januzaj, Keane and Pereira have a future here, and that Memphis and Lingard will at least be good squad players. So first continuing with the spine we need a striker, and we also need a RWF, those 2 are a must IMO.
That's not to say we don't need an injection of quality but I think it needs to be more surgical and less scattershot. To me it's still 4 players in this summer, 3 for the spine, and see where things go from there.
Defense - Once we get everyone fit, and as long as De Gea stays, I think we need one in at the back in the form of a CB, beyond that I think we have to hope the next manager gets more from Darmian, Rojo and of course the returning Shaw.
Midfield - This is still a big worry IMO, we just lack enough mobility and athleticism in there, Carrick is on his last legs and neither Fellaini or Herrera are actual CM's for a full midfield role. That leaves the massively under performing Schneiderlin and the aging Schweinsteiger, with possibly Blind added to the rotation in midfield. That means one top CM at least needs to be brought in, no use paying £50M for kids with half a season under their belt.
Forward Line - I want to believe that players like Januzaj, Keane and Pereira have a future here, and that Memphis and Lingard will at least be good squad players. So first continuing with the spine we need a striker, and we also need a RWF, those 2 are a must IMO.
Such is the enormous challenge for us to rebuild this squad, if you consider even how difficult and expensive it will be sign just one of these targets, it is hard to fathom us being able to get 6-8 of them.
For example, John Stones.
His club will want at the absolutely rock bottom £50m. Most likely £60m.
That is going to be the going rate for a player of his talent, age and profile this summer.
They rejected £42m last summer and have no need or desire to sell. I don't think they would want to at £60m but it is difficult to block a player if he pushes for two season in a row.
That's before you factor in that Man City and/or others may well be in for him too.
There is no way we are going to spend the sort of sums required to build a genuine PL contending team from scratch - which is our starting point.
For example, John Stones.
His club will want at the absolutely rock bottom £50m. Most likely £60m.
That is going to be the going rate for a player of his talent, age and profile this summer.
They rejected £42m last summer and have no need or desire to sell. I don't think they would want to at £60m but it is difficult to block a player if he pushes for two season in a row.
That's before you factor in that Man City and/or others may well be in for him too.
There is no way we are going to spend the sort of sums required to build a genuine PL contending team from scratch - which is our starting point.
I don't see anyone matching that kind of fee for Stones unless he puts in amazing performances every week between now and the end of the season.
If anything he has regressed since last season, so I don't see why his value would appreciate further. Mourinho seemed absolutely desperate to bring him in too, I don't think there would be that level of interest this summer.
Anything close to £50/60m would be extortionate, if Everton want that much they can get fecked. Laporte looks the better player anyway.
If anything he has regressed since last season, so I don't see why his value would appreciate further. Mourinho seemed absolutely desperate to bring him in too, I don't think there would be that level of interest this summer.
Anything close to £50/60m would be extortionate, if Everton want that much they can get fecked. Laporte looks the better player anyway.
We have a problem in our midfield of 2.
Carrick is 35 and he could go
Schweinsteiger is 32 with injuries
Herrera doesn't adapt to that position
Schneiderlin is not as good as he used to be
Fellaini is not United material and he should be sold.
I think Schneiderlin, Herrera, Blind and Schweinsteiger can have a future there but we need a new midfielder.
Gundogan is the obvious choice, but he is also the obvious choice for Juventus, City, PSG and maybe the top 3 teams. So if we don't have Champions League to offer will be more difficult to sign him.
If we can't sign Gundogan...
Which other midfielder do you think we should sign?
Carrick is 35 and he could go
Schweinsteiger is 32 with injuries
Herrera doesn't adapt to that position
Schneiderlin is not as good as he used to be
Fellaini is not United material and he should be sold.
I think Schneiderlin, Herrera, Blind and Schweinsteiger can have a future there but we need a new midfielder.
Gundogan is the obvious choice, but he is also the obvious choice for Juventus, City, PSG and maybe the top 3 teams. So if we don't have Champions League to offer will be more difficult to sign him.
If we can't sign Gundogan...
Which other midfielder do you think we should sign?
I agree that we will struggle to attract the top players. Gündogan can probably earn a lot of money elsewhere and unless we offer him ridiculous money compared to the competition, he could opt to play in a better team. I'm not too bothered though. Especially in central midfield, we should be able to make a good signing. I wouldn't be fussed about missing out on Laporte or Stones either. I like them both, but Koulibaly from Napoli could be a better signing than both. Another player from Napoli who is really impressive, especially in terms of passing, is Jorginho. He could replace Carrick. Tolisso from Lyon is IMO more suitable to a transfer than Ruben Neves, Renato Sanches and Bazoer. He's just further ahead in his development.
If I had to name players, I'd like us to sign, considering we'll struggle to get the more proven players like Griezmann and Gündogan, I'd go with this currently:
RB: Arias
CB: Koulibaly
CM Jorginho, Tolisso (both if Carrick retires and we decide to sell either Fellaini or Herrera)
RW: Sane
FW: Embolo or Lukaku
Still way too much money needed to do that probably. I'm having difficulties thinking of more proven attacking players, who could improve us. Maybe Nolito, Ibrahimovic or Franco Vazquez.
If I had to name players, I'd like us to sign, considering we'll struggle to get the more proven players like Griezmann and Gündogan, I'd go with this currently:
RB: Arias
CB: Koulibaly
CM Jorginho, Tolisso (both if Carrick retires and we decide to sell either Fellaini or Herrera)
RW: Sane
FW: Embolo or Lukaku
Still way too much money needed to do that probably. I'm having difficulties thinking of more proven attacking players, who could improve us. Maybe Nolito, Ibrahimovic or Franco Vazquez.
Apparently we tried to get Koulibaly in January - http://www.calciomercato.com/en/new...nted-koulibaly-at-all-costs-in-january-662473
That's good to hear! I can understand Napoli not wanting to sell though, they have chance to win the title and he's one of their key players.
Yeah, I think any approaches we made in January would realistically be to get the ball rolling for the summer. Is he likely to make the French squad for the Euros? It says in the article that Napoli want to sign him to a new deal on double his wages which would be €1.6M which I imagine we could double yet again,
I know you dislike losing players to the AFCON, but he's worth it. Wages shouldn't be a problem, which is why I think this make more sense than Stones, especially financially.
Edit: Not long ago I thought he would play for France at the Euros, guess France missed a chance.
With CB's it's a bit different as I'd be fine with Blind covering for the month, it's more in the forward areas where I feel it's a bigger issue with the current make-up of the squad. Personally I'd take him, Stones, Gimenez or Laporte, I jyst think being English adds to Stones appeal as pretty soon Smalling and Shaw could be the only 2 British regulars in our starting 11.
France have a good crop of CB's right now but he'd have been a big upgrade on Sahko and could compete with Varane and Laporte for starts..
Will be tough to fight him off Klopp/Pep but he is what we need.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10171673/xhaka-dreams-of-premier-league
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10171673/xhaka-dreams-of-premier-league
GK if De Gea stays
LB is Shaw is healthy, and we have good backup depth too in Blind, Rojo and CBJ
More than 2 star attackers since we have Martial
More than 2 box to box CMs since we have Herrera
A DM since we have Schneiderlin and Blind and an aging Schweinsteiger might have to move there
A starting RCB since Smalling is good enough even though he's no good technically.
I guess some of those aren't really tangible things
The players I would sign are Laporte, Gundogan, Mahrez and Griezmann (plus Ibrahimovic for free). But the top teams could sign them also.
So what do you think of signing these players:
Defense. Koulibaly and Aurier.
Midfield. Kante and Barkley
Attack. Sane and Embolo.
Remember that some players are versatile and they can play different positions.
So what do you think of signing these players:
Defense. Koulibaly and Aurier.
Midfield. Kante and Barkley
Attack. Sane and Embolo.
Remember that some players are versatile and they can play different positions.
De Gea(Romero)
Aurier(Darmian) - Smalling(Jones) - Koulibaly(Blind) - Shaw(Rojo)
Kante(Schneiderlin)
Herrera(Schweinsteiger) - Barkley(Pereira)
Sane(Januzaj) - Rooney(Embolo) - Martial(Memphis)
Aurier(Darmian) - Smalling(Jones) - Koulibaly(Blind) - Shaw(Rojo)
Kante(Schneiderlin)
Herrera(Schweinsteiger) - Barkley(Pereira)
Sane(Januzaj) - Rooney(Embolo) - Martial(Memphis)
We need to be saved by France:
-------------De Gea
Aurier-Smalling-Laporte-Shaw
----Schneiderlin-Rabiot
---Lemar----Pogba---Martial---
----------Griezmann
-------------De Gea
Aurier-Smalling-Laporte-Shaw
----Schneiderlin-Rabiot
---Lemar----Pogba---Martial---
----------Griezmann
Why do people persist in putting Hererra in line-ups when he's been shocking this season.
Really interesting player IMO. What do you think of him?
I'd prefer this, if we are being silly:
De Gea
Aurier - Smalling - Laporte - Shaw
Schneiderlin - Tolisso
O. Dembele - Fekir - Griezmann
Martial
Aurier - Smalling - Laporte - Shaw
Schneiderlin - Tolisso
O. Dembele - Fekir - Griezmann
Martial
@Fer I don't think what you are suggesting is financially possible, even for us. Also Herrera hasn't done enough to be in your starting XI and Kante isn't a holding midfielder. Relying on Barkley to dictate our game is asking a bit much of him. I like the players you've chosen though and your defence looks good on paper.
@bucky I like Lemar like Martial I don't know why but I feel that he can do great things. Now, Ousmane Dembele is something else, I only see Rennes in Canal football club, but it seems that he does something exceptional every weeks, his dribbling abilities are from an other world.
I like the three different players that you proposed, they are affordable and very talented but Rabiot and Lemar are readier
I like the three different players that you proposed, they are affordable and very talented but Rabiot and Lemar are readier
Thanks!
Who will be the 'worldie' Woodie goes for this summer?
Laporte - or similar young CB with great potential ~30m
Gundogan - midfielder who will be an instant upgrade ~25m
Tielemans/Neves - young promising midfielder for the long term ~25m
Griezmann/Sane - right winger/inside forward who can make an instant impact ~40-60m
Ibra - experienced & established goal scorer - ~4-6m in wages
A RB - I don't know many, Aurier? doubt PSG will keep him now - ~15m
Jones, Blind, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Mata, Memphis, Lingard, Memphis, Pereira, Januzaj, Wilson as squad players.
Gundogan - midfielder who will be an instant upgrade ~25m
Tielemans/Neves - young promising midfielder for the long term ~25m
Griezmann/Sane - right winger/inside forward who can make an instant impact ~40-60m
Ibra - experienced & established goal scorer - ~4-6m in wages
A RB - I don't know many, Aurier? doubt PSG will keep him now - ~15m
Jones, Blind, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Mata, Memphis, Lingard, Memphis, Pereira, Januzaj, Wilson as squad players.
Week by week the number in the list grows. Some of the current players could improve under new regime but I don't think we should just wait for our luck to change rather we should force it. Improve when there are realistically better options available.
--------De Gea-------
RB--Smalling--CB--Shaw
------CM----CM------
---RF---AM/SS---LF---
--------Martial--------
--------De Gea-------
RB--Smalling--CB--Shaw
------CM----CM------
---RF---AM/SS---LF---
--------Martial--------
I feel we need a RB, CB, CM, winger and striker.
GK: De Gea, Romero
RB: Aurier, Darmian
CB: Smalling, Laporte, Jones, Blind
LB: Shaw, Rojo
CM: Schneiderlin, Gundogan, Herrera, Schweinsteiger
RW: Mahrez, Januzaj
10: Mata, Pereira
LW: Martial, Memphis
ST: Ibrahimovic, Rooney
We could have a team like this next season (hopefully). However, I think Darmian and Valencia will be our main right backs and Aurier could go to City/Bayern.
Mourinho could try to sign Stones and I can see Sanches being more realistic than Gundogan.
There are rumours about Felipe Anderson, so it seems that he could be our winger, but I hope we sign Mahrez/Sane.
Finally, I can see Mourinho going for an experienced striker and even for a No.10 if Mata is sold.
We would have a quality squad:
GK: De Gea, Romero
RB: Aurier, Darmian
CB: Smalling, Laporte, Jones, Blind
LB: Shaw, Rojo
CM: Schneiderlin, Gundogan, Herrera, Schweinsteiger
RW: Mahrez, Januzaj
10: Mata, Pereira
LW: Martial, Memphis
ST: Ibrahimovic, Rooney
We could have a team like this next season (hopefully). However, I think Darmian and Valencia will be our main right backs and Aurier could go to City/Bayern.
Mourinho could try to sign Stones and I can see Sanches being more realistic than Gundogan.
There are rumours about Felipe Anderson, so it seems that he could be our winger, but I hope we sign Mahrez/Sane.
Finally, I can see Mourinho going for an experienced striker and even for a No.10 if Mata is sold.
We would have a quality squad:
De Gea
Aurier - Smalling - Laporte - Shaw
Gundogan - Schneiderlin
Mahrez - Mata - Martial
Ibrahimovic
Romero
Darmian - Jones - Blind - Rojo
Herrera - Schweinsteiger
Januzaj - Pereira - Memphis
Rooney
When Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Mata and Schweinsteiger retire or sign for another club, then I would sign a new striker like Lukaku/Kane/Embolo, I would play Martial more as striker and sign Griezmann. Then I would go for a young midfielder like Tielemans/Sanches/Neves/Bazoer.Aurier - Smalling - Laporte - Shaw
Gundogan - Schneiderlin
Mahrez - Mata - Martial
Ibrahimovic
Romero
Darmian - Jones - Blind - Rojo
Herrera - Schweinsteiger
Januzaj - Pereira - Memphis
Rooney
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Bernardeschi would be really good
I agree in that Koulibaly and Jorginho would certainly improve us. But i'm very skeptical when it comes to signing players from Serie A, Alot of them don't tend to adapt very well to the English game and with the amount of money we will have to spend in Summer, we cannot afford to gamble if that makes sense.
Now if you were to ask me who I would be targeting that is the million pound question really. Because of our situation it will be very hard to attract the likes of Griezmann and Koke etc. Players who would improve us ten-fold pretty much right away. The only way we could possibly attract these 'top tier' types is by having a Mourinho type as manager and throwing a feck load of cash at them. If we have learned one thing from the recent China upsurge it is that most players are mercenaries and would move if the money was right.