What do we still need? Post Summer 2017 edition

This is the way I see our 2018/2019 squad looking

GK: De Gea, Pereira/Romero - either Romero let go assuming he wants to if not Pereira loaned out to get further experience

RB: Valencia, Fosu Mensah
CB: Smalling, Jones, Lindelof, Bailly, Rojo
LB: Shaw, Young - potentially an area for improving depending on how Shaw does between now and May

CM: Pogba, Matic, Herrera, Fellaini + ??? - we know Carrick will be replaced and based on a couple of quotes we may even look to add to the numbers
CAM: Mata, Lingard, Pereira

CF: Lukaku, Rashford, Martial, Sanchez

Squad of 23 with Darmian, Blind, Carrick and maybe Romero all sold. McTominay & Tuanzebe loaned out for the season
 
deafepl said:
This is one of the reasons why I don't want to sell Mata and Herrera which mean Ge Dea will be leaving for Spain, I hope we can add another Spanish player to keep De Gea company in crappy weather Manchester.
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I think we should look at adding some small spanish restaurants around the training ground, perhaps a really big conservatory so the lad can get some sun.
 
We need players who can combine these two features: a) a brain b) technical skills

I lost count on how many fouls we needlessly gave away against Spurs and other teams. We can't cope with pressure, we can't hold the ball.
 
according to the caf after a defeat we need
a LB, a brand new world class ball playing CB, a RB(as Valencia is getting older ) a B2B midfielder, another midfielder to replace Matic as he is slow and old, a proper right winger, a specialist number 10 and a brand new technical world class striker.

That's 8 players.

Let the revolution begin.
 
IronCroos37 said:
according to the caf after a defeat we need
a LB, a brand new world class ball playing CB, a RB(as Valencia is getting older ) a B2B midfielder, another midfielder to replace Matic as he is slow and old, a proper right winger, a specialist number 10 and a brand new technical world class striker.

That's 8 players.

Let the revolution begin.
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Nah, the bolded aren't nessicary, the CB's had a mare but the lack of copntrol and protection in front of them with the midfield was where the game was lost. Valencia was actually our best outfield player and will have one more season in him at least as a regular starter, this team shouldn't use a #10 and we can start giving Martial games as a striker rather than buy a more technically talented one than Lukaku.

What we need is to add a top class #8 and a DM to compete/rotate with Matic, and a LB, those 3 additions will make a world of difference.
 
We need an experienced CB someone who we could play Bailly, Jones, Tuanzebe with.

I don't know what's happening with Luke Shaw it's perplexing. He's been playing well yet Jose drops him so I guess he doesn't really trust him. So probably a LB.

Definitely, at least, 2 midfielders. Carrick retiring, Fellaini probably leaving and cover for Matic and someone to slot in with him along side Pogba.

A right winger.
 
Aside from the obvious ones, I think we need to replace one of our CBs. We have a pretty good set, but almost all of them are prone to momentarily becoming braindead every now and then. I think we need a real top-class, experienced partner for Bailly (if Rojo doesn't return to his form of last season). As much as I rate Smalling's defence, he's so useless on the ball.
 
Another defender because I just hate Jones and Smalling, 2 central mids as well. Good ones.
 
SS said:
Aside from the obvious ones, I think we need to replace one of our CBs. We have a pretty good set, but almost all of them are prone to momentarily becoming braindead every now and then. I think we need a real top-class, experienced partner for Bailly (if Rojo doesn't return to his form of last season). As much as I rate Smalling's defence, he's so useless on the ball.
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This is one of our major problems, they all have times of great form but are all prone to massive mistakes. We need so much more from our central defensive leader, in fact we don’t really have a leader at the back.
 
Devil may care said:
Maybe there's something in the talk about De Vrij, isn't he free in the summer?
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Sorry we need to be aiming higher than that. Maybe Tunazebe(sp?) can come back in?

We certainly can’t rely on either Smalling or Jones, too prone against quality players. Kane owned them both today, I can’t stand seeing that.
 
BluesJr said:
Sorry we need to be aiming higher than that. Maybe Tunazebe(sp?) can come back in?

We certainly can’t rely on either Smalling or Jones, too prone against quality players. Kane owned them both today, I can’t stand seeing that.
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I like Tuanzebe and think he has a bright future, but next season is likely too soon to expect him to become the composed CB to boss the back 4 in high pressure big games.
 
Devil may care said:
Nah, the bolded aren't nessicary, the CB's had a mare but the lack of copntrol and protection in front of them with the midfield was where the game was lost. Valencia was actually our best outfield player and will have one more season in him at least as a regular starter, this team shouldn't use a #10 and we can start giving Martial games as a striker rather than buy a more technically talented one than Lukaku.

What we need is to add a top class #8 and a DM to compete/rotate with Matic, and a LB, those 3 additions will make a world of difference.
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Agree. If we have a balanced midfield, the story could have been different. We definitely need a top No.8.

To be honest, I'm happy with Matic, but I think we need a young CDM so Matic can rest some games. We don't need a No.10 at the moment, I would prefer to sign a right winger.

Which players would you like to sign in the transfer window?
 
We need two CM's and a left back. A right back too if we have the funds.

My picks:
Alex Sandro
Jorginho (DLP, rotating with Matic)
Arturo Vidal/Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Thomas Meunier (if PSG have to sell cheap to abide by FFP)

Unfortunately SMS would take that spending to well over £200m so maybe Vidal is the more likely choice. Still we spent around £150m in the summer and it sounds like we were prepared to add another £80m or so on Griezmann if he wanted to come here so maybe the Glazers will sanction this kind of spending.
 
Summer Targets: - I would also switch to a 4-3-3 system.

LB: Alex Sandro/Kieran Tierney
RB: Thomas Meunier
DM:Jorginho
CM:Jean Seri

I think we need a CB but I wouldn't mind just promoting Axel Tuanzebe. He would do a better job than Jones-Smalling.
 
It's actually incredible. I've been on this forum 10+ years and can't remember a time when we didn't "need 2 midfielders, good ones".

Every fecking year.
 
Fer said:
Agree. If we have a balanced midfield, the story could have been different. We definitely need a top No.8.

To be honest, I'm happy with Matic, but I think we need a young CDM so Matic can rest some games. We don't need a No.10 at the moment, I would prefer to sign a right winger.

Which players would you like to sign in the transfer window?
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I'd go for 3 in personally.

#6 - Weigl/Jorginho
#8 - Kovacic/Barella
LB - Sandro/Ghoulam
 
If we buy Jorginho for the #6 position, i think he needs a good defensive box-to-box beside him, like he has with Allan at Napoli. Ndidi/Gueye/Saul type of players.
 
FreakyJim said:
It's actually incredible. I've been on this forum 10+ years and can't remember a time when we didn't "need 2 midfielders, good ones".

Every fecking year.
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:lol: Yes, ever since I signed up here ten years ago I've been reading this.

The most recent purchases have either been spectacular (Pogba) or average (Fellaini, Schneiderlin). Matic was the first really good signing of a well-rounded and experienced midfielder. You need more signings like him, i.e. players with at least decent technical ability, in their peak years and with plenty of European experience. Barella, Milinkovic-Savic and Weigl are all really interesting, but maybe not as your only midfield signings.

You should have gone for Matuidi or Nainggolan this summer, for instance.
 
YouOnlyLiveTwice said:
If we buy Jorginho for the #6 position, i think he needs a good defensive box-to-box beside him, like he has with Allan at Napoli. Ndidi/Gueye/Saul type of players.
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This would definitely be a concern with Jorginho, I don't think Matic has the engine or mobility to cover him, he operates with Allan at Napoli in the same way Pirlo worked with Gattuso and Vidal at Milan and Juve respectively.
 
Would love a Moussa Dembele type midfielder. Strong, can play, tough, excellent carrier of the ball even when under pressure. That type player is perfect to go in the 8 between Matic and Pogba. Think we'd see the other two really flourish then.. Any young lad around Europe of that ilk???????
 
FreakyJim said:
It's actually incredible. I've been on this forum 10+ years and can't remember a time when we didn't "need 2 midfielders, good ones".

Every fecking year.
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unbelievable
Finally last summer after years of 'finding a replacement for Carrick' we signed Matic as his replacement 6 months down the line this place is looking for his replacement again.
 
A right back. Two midfielders (one a starter and one more of a squad player) and a wide player to play on the right side.

The midfielders are required to replace Carrick and replace/upgrade Fellaini. Move on Darmian and replace with better. Blind can go too. Don't really need to replace Zlatan.
 
GOAL
De Gea will hopefully stay but then Romero will surely leave the club.....J.Pereira should be then the back-up but if Romero will stay then J.Pereira needs a loan move.
We need anyway a new (cheap) signing as 3rd goalkeeper because Johnstone, Henderson and O'Hara wouldn't be at the club next season (Sold/Loan/Free agent).

DEFENCE.
In my opinion we need a new partner for Bailly because Smalling is not even good anymore as squad player, Rojo is only fine as squad option, i have hoped Lindelöf would be the partner of Bailly but so far hmmhh and Jones is good enough to replace Bailly & the new signing if they're out.
Bonucci and Alderweireld would be my favourite choices.......Alderweireld would be my first choice because he has PL experience and is younger than Bonucci but he would probably cost the double price of Bonucci so i go for Bonucci (if he would be interested).
But if West Brom are going down then i would buy back Evans (3m) + Alderweireld (70m) and sell Jones, Smalling & Rojo (We should get 60-70m for all of them).

If Shaw plays in the next months like he has played in the last weeks then we don't need a new Starting XI left-back......but i would still buy one as replacement for Young because he should fight with Valencia and Fosu-Mensah for a place on the other side.
Sessegnon, Tierney or Max would be my favourite choices.....i would go for Sessegnon.

MIDFIELD
We should make offers for this players
80m for Verratti
80m for Kroos
80m for Koke
80m for Thiago
40m for Rakitic
and hopefully one club gives us a "yes" :) ......Verratti/Kroos/Koke/Thiago are probably unlikely so i go for my most realistic transfer wish Rakitic (If Barca are going for Griezmann in the summer then they need surely money from outgoing transfers and in midfield they've now anyway good options with Coutinho/Iniesta/Paulinho).
But if Fellaini signs a new contract then i would use the 40m transfer money for Rakitic and sell Herrera (A english club would surely buy him for 25-30m) to get one of Verratti/Kroos/Koke/Thiago.

As "Carrick replacement" i would like to see Weigl or Jorginho.....i would be happy with both and both will have probably the same price but i go for Weigl because he is younger than Jorginho.

ATTACK
I want Bale :drool:

IN (200m)
3rd goalkeeper (Free agent)
Bonucci (30m)
Sessegnon (20m)
Fosu-Mensah (Back from loan)
Rakitic (40m)
Weigl (40m)
A.Pereira (Back from loan)
Bale (70m)

OUT (100m)
Romero (13m)
Johnstone (8m)
Henderson (Free agent but hopefully he signs a new contract)
Darmian (15m)
Smalling (20m)
Rojo (20m)
Blind (15m)
Borthwick-Jackson (2m)
Poole (1m)
Riley (1m)
Scott (1m)
Carrick (Retired)
Fellaini (Free agent)
Willock (1m)
Redmond (1m)
Ibrahimovic (Free agent)
Wilson (2m)

LOANS
O'Hara
Tuanzebe
Olosunde
Mitchell
Kehinde
McTominay
Gribbin

------------------Bale-----------------Lukaku----------------Sanchez
-----------------Martial---------------Rashford------------------Mata
------------------------------------------------------------------Lingard

-----------------Pogba-----------------------------------------Rakitic
-----------------Herrera---------------------------------------A.Pereira
------------------------------------------------------------------Gomes
-----------------------------------------Matic
-----------------------------------------Weigl

---Shaw---------------Bailly----------------------------Bonucci----------Valencia/Young/Fosu-Mensah
Sessegnon-------------Jones-----------------------------Lindelöf-------------Valencia/Young/Fosu-Mensah
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Valencia/Young/Fosu-Mensah

----------------------------------------De Gea
----------------------------------------J.Pereira
--------------------------------------New Signing
 
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NoLogo said:
I could really get behind this. Also get a young talented right FB in that can take over from Valencia in a couple of years.
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I feel the options I picked are fairly attainable as well, as for a RB, I think we might give TFM next season as understudy and then decide in 2019 if we are going to need a RB.
 
FreakyJim said:
It's actually incredible. I've been on this forum 10+ years and can't remember a time when we didn't "need 2 midfielders, good ones".

Every fecking year.
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Was thinking this recently... Fergie neglected the position for years yet somehow still won, while post Fergie we've spent so much on it and its still our problem position. Problem in that we have a few very good players there who can unfortunately only play in one system to make them balanced, and it's not a system we've used too often for whatever reason.
 
CB, CM, RB.

I'd be happy with really really top quality signings in the first two areas, with young talent in the latter.
 
Freak said:
We need a right back, a playmaking midfielder and an aggressive box to box midfielder. Oh and an attacking coach.
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I admit we look like dinosaurs tactically atm. Very very unimpressive on the ball.
 
I don't really think we need more than 2 or 3 players. Perhaps two midfielders and a fullback.

This team should be capable of better football than they show at the moment and Mourinho has to coach them better. We have a very good team that need a few tweaks still.
 
He'lmurderyah15 said:
Would love a Moussa Dembele type midfielder. Strong, can play, tough, excellent carrier of the ball even when under pressure. That type player is perfect to go in the 8 between Matic and Pogba. Think we'd see the other two really flourish then.. Any young lad around Europe of that ilk???????
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I think Naby Keita would have been perfect for this but he already signed for Liverpool, so that's not an option anymore but he unites the right amount of tanacity with good footballing abilities.
 
Red Katie said:
I don't really think we need more than 2 or 3 players. Perhaps two midfielders and a fullback.

This team should be capable of better football than they show at the moment and Mourinho has to coach them better. We have a very good team that need a few tweaks still.
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A really top quality CM who can pass creatively and hold in the middle defensively (really what McTominay's role was in the last stretch of the game today just at a higher level) to free up Pogba and a top LB to battle with Shaw - who is playing well but we can't really rely on without a proper challenger - would be a fine summer. Martial, Mata, Lingard and Rashford competing for 1-2 spots in attack next to Sanchez and Lukaku is fine, even if would be nice to have a speedy left-footed RW like Bale (who I think makes sense for us because we wouldn't be in much trouble when he was hurt).

There's no reason to think Valencia can't give us one last solid season playing the great majority of games at RB next year with Young and either Fosu-Mensah (one more loan as first choice RB in the Prem - even back at Palace if he's clear first choice by the end of the year and they agree not to buy an RB for one more year - might be the better idea here) or Tuanzebe backing him up.

So yeah, I think we'll buy Bale (who Madrid should be looking to shift to give his wages to Neymar, Kane or Hazard), a CM (no idea, I guess Seri or Fred seems likeliest after January) and either Alex Sandro or Ghoulam.
 
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