Declan Rice

[JewelZee]

It would be a mistake.

Don't underestimate the mental fatigue and ability to go again next season.

Huge task for some players at the wrong end of the age scale.

I agree we act now and keep improving the squad, but in reality who is on the wrong end of the age scale currently? Walker, who is an elite athlete and no longer required to be a full time player. Mahrez, who while still capable didn't feature in either Cup final and that was even with Foden not in the first 11. Neither are crucial as far as winning this coming season.

The elephant in the room is KDB and that's a big one. Moreso than even his age is the fact that he is slowing but surely breaking down and Holland aside he is still the "star" player and one of the best players on the planet when fit and on it. Add to that his long time running mate, Gundo, being gone and there's no doubt we should be adding at least 2 dynamic young players, one an AM and the other a wide player who is comfortable on either side. Foden can move inside but who backs up Grealish if he goes down with any type of injury. Bernardo is not a full time winger (if he stays) and Mahrez at 33 is what he is. I'd love to see us move for someone like Chiesa who can play on either side and would come cheaper now and has a lot to prove in getting back to an elite level. And we could take our time in returning him to full fitness due to our squad depth. Just a thought.

 

[LesBleuMiserable]

Is it real that we legally, and because of the treble money, have around 1 billion to spend?
That seems a LOT and we can do wonders.

About Rice, I'm too pleased we retracted on him, he is good but no way 100 million. This stupidity with the over-overpriced players has to stop and it's good we don't follow it.

We can do much better with 100 million.

We ain’t getting muller[Rice]d!

 

[WestGorton]

He is a good player but we just got Kovacic for pocket money in comparison and I think he is as good albeit older. He looks buzzing to have signed for us too.

 

[KingGeorge]

He played when needed (and was nowhere near as poor as many make out), trained well by all accounts, and I am sure contributed to team chemistry and hunger to achieve greatness, which we did.

Can’t really fault him or his signing, especially not in retrospect.

“and I am sure contributed to team chemistry and hunger to achieve greatness, which we did.”

In essence his contribution was extremely limited.

 

[Dax777]

Regardless, in the eyes of the media we'd have paid an excessive amou

100% this.

Doesn't matter what they think. Albeit I have to admit Sky pointed out our penchant for not going over our valuation.

 

[SWP's back]

Is it real that we legally, and because of the treble money, have around 1 billion to spend?

no. not even close.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Got a feeling this ain't over

I hope it is.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

I'm relieved we're not signing him to be honest, especially if it means we keep Bernardo. When you look at the standard of midfielders we've had under Pep (David Silva, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Bernardo, Rodri, Fernandinho) it tells you the level he expects in that position and Rice is nowhere near the level of these players.

Zinchenko and Delph are midfielders by trade but could only get in the team at full-back and we've all seen how badly Phillips has struggled. Unless you are the creme de la creme then it's very hard to get in to a Pep midfield. It's the one area of the field that can't have a weak link otherwise the whole system falls apart.

Kovacic is a quality player and whilst not like-for-like, he is a very good replacement for Gundogan. We have KDB to come back, Foden is apparently going to be playing more central and hopefully we keep Bernardo who can move back in to midfield if we need him to. In terms of numbers, we are arguably in a better position than last season when you factor in Foden's change of role in the team.

We will undoubtedly need to sign a midfielder soon with Kevin potentially coming towards the end and we'll need to replace Bernardo when he leaves but I would say a winger is probably a more pressing need right now.

 

[urban genie]

We have done tgis loada before and nearly always been right, Arsenal offering to pay an extra 15 million and us saying nah is smart by the club as west ham could easil reject both and go we want £120.

Let arse have him, doubt it will make much difference to us, we will find someone esle as always

 

[Semper aggressus]

The concern I have is it’s Gvardiol and done. We need to build from the treble win rather than relax after it. Refresh and inject hunger and make sure we have a good mix of ages in the squad. Our midfield (with or without Bernardo) needs more than just Kovacic.

100% this.