Good post but for me because of injury records and also age ( Walker) we need another defender. Probably a FB, meaning Gvaridol/Ake or Akanji are going to be used predominantly at CB.Glad you asked :D
I will try to keep it very real, no fantasy football stuff, etc. Basically, I am operating under the assumption we are not going to lose any players (such as Nunes) and if we are, their limited squad role will be allocated to the likes of Perrone, or maybe Lewis can have more minutes. If we lose some key player (Julian, KDB) then I would look at the likes of Xavi Simmons. I don't think we need a KDB replacement per se; that's Phil (and apparently we want Oscar centrally long-term as well). I know I mentioned Wirtz and Musiala, but these would be luxury signings, so fantastic that we should always look to add these sort of players when/if they become available, but we are good nonetheless.
IN; Bruno G (or Neves), Savio - 2 players, ability (Bruno) and youth (Savio)
OUT; Cancelo, Gomez, Phillips (they essentially didn't participate anyway)
IF POSSIBLE (3rd signing if we have a space/means/were to lose Kyle); Frimpong
Starting 11 (we obviously rotate, and a lot of our players are versatile, so this is just an example):
Ederson (Ortega) - Akanji (Walker) Dias (Stones) Ake, Gvardiol - Rodri (Kova), Bruno (Lewis, Nunes), Foden (KDB), Bernardo (Savio, Bobb), Doku (Grealish), Haaland (Alvarez)
That's 6 defenders for 4 spots. If needed, we can use Rico (7th player) there as well. One way ore another, we seem alright at the back, although I wouldn't be against someone like Frimpong because Kyle is getting older, Rico is more of a midfielder IMO, Manu is necessary across the back 4, and Stonesy has fitness issues. With Frimpong in, we would be well covered here. Even without, as long as Kyle is sticking around we should be alright. I would start Manu at RB, though.
In terms of central midfield areas, we would have 7 players competing for 3 spots - Rodri, Bruno, Foden, KDB, Kova, Nunes and Rico. Bernardo (8th) plays in the middle occasionally as well, so we have more than enough here, IMO.
Moving on to the wide players, we Jack, Jeremy, Bernardo, Oscar and Savio. That's 5 players. I am sure we would sometimes see Phil (6th) on the left as well (although we all prefer him in the middle) to accommodate KDB in the starting 11. Even Nunes played on the right for us. Again, lots of options.
Strikers: Erling and Julian. No further explanation needed.
Anyway, that's 23 players (including Scott). I am not counting Perrone or Echeverri as well.
Summer 2025: See what Kevin does, see what Bernardo does. Then we can reevaluate, see who is available etc.
He has a smooth close range style that suggests he'll be very good in tight spaces.How good he is vs compact defenses?
i think the main issue for everyone is that he has relatively small window of being good and i have the same with Savio, who had one good season with others being quite bad in EuropeHe has a smooth close range style that suggests he'll be very good in tight spaces.
I didn't think he was on our radar and I never tend to consider him. But I won't be disappointed with him.
Some think he is a class below our level.
i read somewhere that he could play in as a striker if Haaland is not playing.He'd instantly be our best left winger.
But do we need another?
Not sure about that with the way Doku finished the season. If that lad just improves a little more and at his age he should. He’ll be up there with any left winger in the world.He'd instantly be our best left winger.
But do we need another?
No really paid much attention to Eze but when I have he has not blown me away. Accept that those who have watched him a lot more than me seem to really rate him but not sure thats where we are most desperate for an upgrade given Doku looked like he was an a significant upward trajectory.He'd instantly be our best left winger.
But do we need another?
Eze and Doku are actually two very different players. Eze is a playmakerNo really paid much attention to Eze but when I have he has not blown me away. Accept that those who have watched him a lot more than me seem to really rate him but not sure thats where we are most desperate for an upgrade given Doku looked like he was an a significant upward trajectory.
Nobody knows,doubt he's ever played against one.How good he is vs compact defenses?
sorry not the savio thread but when he went to girona he was 19 I think you only have to look at how he's played this season and the comments of the girona manager when he arrived and watched him in training I think this young man can be a special player for us .As a 18 year old he didn't play as well or as much at psv but they where desperate to buy him they knew what they had and where just trying to pull the wool over city's eyesi think the main issue for everyone is that he has relatively small window of being good and i have the same with Savio, who had one good season with others being quite bad in Europe
Also the issue for many is the 'eye test' with him being played in Hodgson system, who is true brexit manager and mostly they are playing defending football. The one positive is that Eze tracks back and defends.
Not sure about that with the way Doku finished the season. If that lad just improves a little more and at his age he should. He’ll be up there with any left winger in the world.
I wouldn't bother with Palace players, they just don't seem to have the mentality to fit in with our type of player. Ghuei or whatever he's called got hit in the face by a ball the other night, England were behind and he spent about 3 minutes on the deck getting medical treatment then got up and was smiling. What a soft arse.No really paid much attention to Eze but when I have he has not blown me away. Accept that those who have watched him a lot more than me seem to really rate him but not sure thats where we are most desperate for an upgrade given Doku looked like he was an a significant upward trajectory.
I presume this is tongue in cheek?I wouldn't bother with Palace players, they just don't seem to have the mentality to fit in with our type of player. Ghuei or whatever he's called got hit in the face by a ball the other night, England were behind and he spent about 3 minutes on the deck getting medical treatment then got up and was smiling. What a soft arse.
Na, they just seem to have a mentality that suits Palace, there's been others that leave the club and don't progress, I'm not saying he's not a good player, just not for me and I suspect not for Pep and the club as well.I presume this is tongue in cheek?
Was that his injury ?I presume this is tongue in cheek?
both have release clauses in their contractWill Palace let him go If Olise goes too, just read somewhere that Chelsea have agreed personnel terms with Olise and have just got to sort out the payment terms with Palace.
Ouch, could be a painful summer for Palace, just as they were starting to look a team.both have release clauses in their contract
Agreed tends to make all the wrong decisions. Massive season for him next seasonDoku's phenomenally gifted but still a diamond in the rough. If he can work on his consistency and decision making in the final third then he'll be an absolute monster.
But he's not there yet and there's no guarantee he'll get to that point.