The Squad planning thread

I think one of our main issues, actually over the last few years, is that we are losing so many proven winners and experienced players and we aren’t really replacing that. I still think we’ve not replaced Walker, for example, and he’s been a massive miss.

The players we are bringing in look decent, but quite a few of them are from mid table sides or teams that haven’t won anything. Ghuei, Semenyo and linked with Anderson. Others like Doku, Nico, savinho and Khusanov similar.
yeah ,some class and experience is needed.
 
Yeah I don't get at all why we insist on playing almost full first team in matches like Exeter, while saying players are exhausted? Then give them a rest? Pep wants a small squad but then seems surprised when we suffer injuries like last season. It will happen next season as well unless something changes. If it was me i would play reserves and youth in league cup until the semis if we make it, if not then we don't.
Yep it also sends a message to the FA, fuck off we are playing too many games
 
Just a thought on centre halves, aside from Guehi, Gvardiol and Dias, the rest of our options next season are very inexperienced, Reis, Bah, Khus, Alleyne.

We’ve never once brought through a centre half into the first team under Pep from the academy, and buying young centre halves is the same idea. I honestly think it just won’t work because the club want instant success.

We’re not Brighton, we can’t wait 3 years for all these young centre halves to go on a trajectory like Van Hecke. You’re not at the top of your game in that position till you’re mid 20’s ordinarily. Even Gvardiol isn’t the finished product.

Big change in tact by the club, maybe a lack of foresight. Pep just wont play them as often as they need to play.
 
Can't remember this being discussed before, but given Chelsea are looking at potentially loaning Douglas Luiz ( allegedly ) should we consider this? Someone we could ditch at the end of the season for DM cover.
It would be difficult to get someone of the required level ( it feels like anyone would do at the moment), but in his case, he was trained to play in our way. He couldn't get games at Juve or Forrest (or Villa) so maybe not him, but is there anyone else out there to cover that position on a loan basis?

(Obviously, they would probably get injured on the debut)
 
Just a thought on centre halves, aside from Guehi, Gvardiol and Dias, the rest of our options next season are very inexperienced, Reis, Bah, Khus, Alleyne.

We’ve never once brought through a centre half into the first team under Pep from the academy, and buying young centre halves is the same idea. I honestly think it just won’t work because the club want instant success.

We’re not Brighton, we can’t wait 3 years for all these young centre halves to go on a trajectory like Van Hecke. You’re not at the top of your game in that position till you’re mid 20’s ordinarily. Even Gvardiol isn’t the finished product.

Big change in tact by the club, maybe a lack of foresight. Pep just wont play them as often as they need to play.
IMG_0420.jpeg
 
Another Pep project, then allowed to go to Barca for free.
Tbf he was poor and was never gonna make it in the PL. I remember when Cancelo got sent off against Brighton when we were 2-0 up, Garcia came on and we lost 3-2 with all three goals on him.
 
Tbf he was poor and was never gonna make it in the PL. I remember when Cancelo got sent off against Brighton when we were 2-0 up, Garcia came on and we lost 3-2 with all three goals on him.
He is still pretty poor in Barcelonas shirt.
 
Whilst we have brought in a lot of quality players, I'm surprised that we haven't spent a few quid on a bit more pace and mobility. Our midfield, for as technically savvy as they are they lack recovery pace.
 


I don’t buy the link and don’t think Madrid would let him leave this summer but he would 100% take us to the next level. Yes, he can’t defend well but neither can Nunes or Lewis. We didn’t have a left back who could defend under Pep for 5/6 years until he stuck Ake there. What he would bring to us going forward would be insane. Massively underestimated how much the scousers decline has coincided with him leaving. He gave them so much offensively, him and Salah their biggest weapons going forward for years. Someone else above said nearing the end of his career… he’s 27. Didn’t we sign Walker at 28?

If he was available only thing to consider would be his injury record. Then again, would fit right in here with that…

He’s absolutely perfect for Haaland and would give him what we lost with Cancelo and De Bruyne.
 
I don’t buy the link and don’t think Madrid would let him leave this summer but he would 100% take us to the next level. Yes, he can’t defend well but neither can Nunes or Lewis. We didn’t have a left back who could defend under Pep for 5/6 years until he stuck Ake there. What he would bring to us going forward would be insane. Massively underestimated how much the scousers decline has coincided with him leaving. He gave them so much offensively, him and Salah their biggest weapons going forward for years. Someone else above said nearing the end of his career… he’s 27. Didn’t we sign Walker at 28?

If he was available only thing to consider would be his injury record. Then again, would fit right in here with that…

He’s absolutely perfect for Haaland and would give him what we lost with Cancelo and De Bruyne.
Madrid might sell if they don’t see him as part of their team and he’s on huge wages.

The transfer fee could be quite low too.
 
Rumours surrounding Trent-Arnold will inevitably become intertwined with Rodri’s contract situation. Can see both players remaining at their respective clubs, however.
 

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