The Squad planning thread

The 'Squad Planning Thread' is great.
Cos since the CWC I don't see that we've planned our transfer business that well.

We're overstocked with CBs.
Short of a right back.
Short in midfield, have a goalkeeper we don't need and one who doesn't appear to want to be here!
We’ve had fairly poor planning for a couple of seasons now, so trying to resolve that all within two windows inevitably feels rather rushed. Not all the players we’ve signed will work out, of course, but we can start to see the formation of a younger and more balanced squad. This season may well prove one of transition, with us having to field players out of position until suitable alternatives are identified, and what with so many new players, it will take time for them to gel. However, if it is to be a year of transition, then I’d much rather we keep identifying the next generational talents rather than overspending on players that have already plateaued.
 
what are the chances of us poaching Kobbie Mainoo from Manure? he would be good addition as HG midfielder imho

Amorim clearly does not rate him
 
what are the chances of us poaching Kobbie Mainoo from Manure? he would be good addition as HG midfielder imho

Amorim clearly does not rate him
It’s not an entirely silly suggestion, as we were reportedly interested in November 2023, yet his injury and failure to develop consistently have probably served to cool our interest. When a player’s most redeeming feature is his home-grown status, then we should be considering alternatives.
 
Can see a lot of action this week
Time to be brutal with some players
Reckon there may be at least one surprise incoming
 
We’ve had fairly poor planning for a couple of seasons now, so trying to resolve that all within two windows inevitably feels rather rushed. Not all the players we’ve signed will work out, of course, but we can start to see the formation of a younger and more balanced squad. This season may well prove one of transition, with us having to field players out of position until suitable alternatives are identified, and what with so many new players, it will take time for them to gel. However, if it is to be a year of transition, then I’d much rather we keep identifying the next generational talents rather than overspending on players that have already plateaued.
Whilst agreeing with most of your post I question one point. How long does it take to find a full-back? Yes we've signed one but he's been under our nose for a couple of seasons. Surely with our profile and connections we should be able to find another
 
It’s not an entirely silly suggestion, as we were reportedly interested in November 2023, yet his injury and failure to develop consistently have probably served to cool our interest. When a player’s most redeeming feature is his home-grown status, then we should be considering alternatives.
in all honesty he falls into the workforce category.. not a creative
 
Whilst agreeing with most of your post I question one point. How long does it take to find a full-back? Yes we've signed one but he's been under our nose for a couple of seasons. Surely with our profile and connections we should be able to find another
Whilst we had Walker, we also had Porro, Couto, and Kabore, all in the system, probably others. However, part of our problem was that we were always operating in the ‘here and now’ and not contemplating succession, which meant all three players were deemed inferior to Walker and thus expendable. There appear to be no suitable right-backs available so all we can do is wait.
 
Whilst we had Walker, we also had Porro, Couto, and Kabore, all in the system, probably others. However, part of our problem was that we were always operating in the ‘here and now’ and not contemplating succession, which meant all three players were deemed inferior to Walker and thus expendable. There appear to be no suitable right-backs available so all we can do is wait.
When you say wait do you mean for our academy to produce one? Has to be one somewhere else in world football
 
When you say wait do you mean for our academy to produce one? Has to be one somewhere else in world football
I suspect we’ll currently have to look outside. There will be right-backs, of course, but they’re not necessarily better than what we have, and our squad size also doesn’t allow us much leeway.
 
I cant help thinking we see a biggy surprise signing? Midfielder maybe and i still think if Savinho stays now then a RB comes in alongside Donnarumma.
 
I think sometimes, stuff just creeps up on people. Not wilful, malicious or ‘not doing their job’ and I think that’s what’s happened with the squad.

When the press do their fatuous combined XI’s I always had 8/9 City players in, whoever we were playing.

If I do the same now, with Liverpool and Arsenal and everyone is fit, I’m only thinking Rodri, Stones and Haaland have a chance of getting in, which sort of sums up what’s crept up on us.
More worryingly, it’s not only Liverpool and Arsenal either…
 
I suspect we’ll currently have to look outside. There will be right-backs, of course, but they’re not necessarily better than what we have, and our squad size also doesn’t allow us much leeway.
Think the fact madrid went for Arnold and liverpool replaced him with Frimpong, nieither of which are better defenders than Nunes tells us a lot about the right back market.
 

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