The Squad planning thread

Hart of the Matter said:
We seem to have deserted the notion of an effective press this season. A front three of Mahrez, Grealish and Erling is not going to push well enough as a unit. Hence our dependency on inverted full back to bulk out the midfield.
Alvarez, Silva and Foden brings the press back as an option but not necessarily our best ball holding set of players (apart from Silva).
I do think we are struggling to find a balance that accommodates Haaland. Hopefully an effective method will emerge sooner rather than later.
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Great post.

I don't think Jesus and Sterling were great possession players but we did get a good press out of them. At the moment, I think it's better for us to win the ball higher up the pitch than have teams play through us because we can't win it higher up the pitch. As good as he is, we probably need more from Haaland in that regard, but certainly the players who make up the front three alongside him need to be good at pressing. Presently that would be Palmer, Alvarez and Foden.

I particularly liked the front three of Foden, Haaland and Alvarez against Forest back in August. If we can ransack the opposition early on with our most energetic and penetrative front players then the game gets a lot easier.

Mahrez has a lovely strike on him and can get goals but lacks a bit of pace. Grealish doesn't have any statistics which would justify his selection currently. His only obvious quality does appear to be ball retention but this often means playing it safely.
 
Out :

Grealish
Kalvin
Bernardo since he wants out

In :

2 wingers that can dribble, pass & finish.
 
Tevez City said:
why 3 ?

KDB, Gundogan, Rodri, Foden & the new Argie boy.
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I guess fair. I assumed you would have included Perrone in your list if he was joining the squad in your scenario.

You also didn't mention Foden moving to midfield.

Not the worst but definitely still one midfielder short IMO.
 
Reckon Bernardo will leave and potentially Gomez out on loan, seems to be out of favour with Pep, not sure if he was ever thought of as more than a backup. I hope we extend Gundo.

Would like Fran Garcia (LB), Frenkie (for Bernardo) and one of Leao/Kvaratskhelia in the summer
 
IN

1) Bellingham
2) Guerreiro (Good fullback and links up well Haaland)
3) Kvaratskheila (If Bernardo sold to Barca)
4) Oyarzabal (If Mahrez is moved on)


**5) Gvardiol (Only if Laporte or Aké sold)

+....a speedy young winger don't think it's necessary to spend £100m+ on Leao
 
Delphinho said:
Reckon Bernardo will leave and potentially Gomez out on loan, seems to be out of favour with Pep, not sure if he was ever thought of as more than a backup. I hope we extend Gundo.

Would like Fran Garcia (LB), Frenkie (for Bernardo) and one of Leao/Kvaratskhelia in the summer
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Mind blowing that we allowed Zinchenko to leave only to replace with Gomez.
 
John Wayne said:
Grealish doesn't have any statistics which would justify his selection currently. His only obvious quality does appear to be ball retention but this often means playing it safely.
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I saw an interesting stat about Grealish which is often overlooked & rarely quoted, but over the last 3 seasons, Jack's had the highest number of assist assists in the PL by far.

Obviously this doesn't register on the goal/assist charts, so only his ability to hold onto the ball, keep possession & draw fouls is mostly what's reported about him.

I still believe Jack & Phil will form our CM pairing in seasons to come. I think our severe lack of wing options & that we're currently stocked in midfield is what's keeping them both out wide.
 
Another factor re Gomez is that he has only been playing left back for 18 months when he went to Belgium. Even more recently for Spain 21s he plays as an attacking midfielder. He clearly needs a loan for 12 months but too soon to write him off.
 
Skrastins said:
Have these Ferland Mendy rumours any merit ?
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I think it would be wise to not sign any LB named Mendy in the near future, and thats without making any kind of judgement on Ferland Mendys ability. Lots of LBs out there, would just be unnecessary to bring one in with the same last name as the one we dont want to be associated with.
 
and have almost the same baggage off the field as the original
 
Real looking at replacing him with Davies (Doubt) Fran Garcia at Rayo Vallecano or Gutiérrez at Girona

prob all better options
 
SterlingSilvas said:
Real looking at replacing him with Davies (Doubt) Fran Garcia at Rayo Vallecano or Gutiérrez at Girona

prob all better options
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Watched some Girona games and Gutierrez is impressive given his age. Looked good for Madrid in the past too when given a chance. I would be all for us going after him.

Only trouble is he is a fan of Madrid, born in Madrid and played there so he'd probably prefer rejoining them if the opportunity arises.
 
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