Think there's bigger issues. Not seen loads of Laporte, but anyone but Stones for me.
Our issues are quite straight forward. I think.
Here are my thoughts:
Defense: Weaknesses in possession. Weaknesses in positioning, decent at support and decent at tackling
Solution:
Fullback: Sagna and Clichy are good defensively. But both limited in support of the offense. They are also good at keeping possession, but average at creating progressive possession: I'll keep both. Albeit Sagna is a risk at his age. He like Zaba may breakdown next season.
Move Kolarov and Zaba on: Especially Kolarov, and this will improve our team greatly. He is a poor team player in every department. Offensively, Defensively, and at keeping possession. Zaba can be replaced by a younger more sthletic fullback with offensive talents.
Getting a fullback who can play both left and right positions is probably the best way to go. I like Cancelo or Peirrera. Guys who can play at both full back spots. Get one and Denayer can contend as the other fullback.
Personally, Id go with Perreirra. Only seen him a few times. He looked good, but I trust the stats more than my eyes. Good in possession, good dribbler, overlaps well, strong tackler, good in the air, good concentration, seldom loses possession. No glaring weaknesses. And this is a guy playing in the French ligue where possession is often not a premium
CB: it's a problematic position. Kompany is injury prone, not to mention, he is not as good as he used to be. He has become jittery in possession, slower overall, less athletic and more foul prone. Great heart and leadership, but the negatives are piling up. Mangala is not a possession football defender, and Ota is the poorest version of a possession football defender. All 3 are good in the tackle, and all three are positionaly suspect. Ota being the worst of the 3. Albeit his marauding errors probably saves more goals and chances than it causes. A better organized midfield ahead of them favors Komp and Mangala, but Otamendi's marauding can and will be quickly curtailed by Pep. Which probably leaves him as our best cebtral defender. Potentially 1 of those 3 will join Demi off the team. Recruit 2 possession CBs
Stones/Laporte, 2 actual possession CBs. This makes us hard to press. Coz everyone is a valid option on the ball. Increased possession potential. These 2 have the ability to start offenses from deep, and they'll grow to be a great tandem I believe. There are other possible options (some might even say Denayer) Perhaps. Either way, it should be 2 possession CBs able to challenge for starting spots. Not backups. I have to admit, I'm personally excited about this, been crying for it since Lescott was purchased. :-) Waited a long time, I think I'm just might get my wish now :-)
Midfield:Weaknesses in organization, weaknesses in hustle, weaknesses in creating positive possession.
Pep's philosophies will greatly improve our organizational weaknesses. Strick positional play in and out of possession, and strict adherence to area responsibilities ( and other type of shit I don't even know) will greatly improve us.
Personel wise: Acquiring players who are young, energetic and can cope with the demands of the pressing, but equally while equally possesing the ball well and positively. To that effect 2 of the following: Gundogan, Isco, Pogba, Koke, Andre Gomez, Dele Alli. Will be appropriate. The named players arent as important, rather it's the type of player they are that is key: Well rounded.
Specifics
1. Pep has high regards for th DM position, so perhaps Gundogan is the key guy to play that role. On an organized team, he can be backed up by Dihno or Nando. Most will prefer Dihno, but Nando is probably the better choice. Younger, never was dependent on speed, has better experience at the position and better positional sense. Less likely to see a serious drop in form due to age or less game time and more likely to show an uptick in improvement under an organized system.
Neither will probably last more than 2 years to be fair, so Dihno's versatility is also a good consideration. The point here is that the choice of who stays as the DM BTW the 2 is not as easy as fans think it is.
2. A more defensively hardworking player to replace Yaya. Koke (not my taste) Isco, Ali, Gomez or Pogba all have the capacity to do this. I see Isco as the best fit wise. Pogba the best splash wise, and Koke if you want unbridled effort. That said, I think some of his effort is Athletico dependent. Isco will be my choice. But any of the others will do. Alli beong English gives him an added edge.
I lassume the 3rd CM spot will be DeBryune's. But it will all be practice and competence dependent. His possesion and effort out of possession both have to catch up with his explosiveness.
For the 2 CM posirions, backups should be 2Nasri/Silva and Dihno. Unless you want to go with no true DM and hope Dihno doesn't lose Athletism by next season and get rid of Fernando. Thats an option.
The key is detwrminingif Dihno has another athletically superior year in him. If you watch closes, the signs are there he is slowing down. Or perhaps he is just overused. Either way, it should be monitored and the decision should be made without emotion.
DeBryune and The othe new CM as the presumptive starting CMs. Gundogan as the presumptive starting DM. Fernando, And 2 of Nasri/Silva/Dihno.
Attack: Our biggest need is probably Winger. We currently have 1 backup in Navas, and a potential starter in Sterling who is currently faltering. Assuming Sterling comes good, we still need a Starter on the other flank. A scoring Winger with possession skills. There are lots of players who can play this role and I'll leave it up to the coach to decide. But we want players like (not necessarily actually him) Douglas Costa. Speed, good close control and ability to blow by defenders. I think the Sterling malaise can be somewhat solved by moving him to the right side. Where he can more comfortablly beat his marker outside. A backup in Navas, and a starter needed on the left. A goalscoring one (Reus, Griezmann Sanchez, Dybala) are the ready made names. Dembele and a few other younger less popular players may be the route to go. End up with a Martial type talent.
If it were up to me, these will be my 6 targets:
Fullback
Ricardo Perreirra
CB
Laporte/Stones
CM
Gundogan/ Isco
Wide forward
Dybala
Other options being
Fullback
Cancelo or Fabihno
CM
Pogba, Koke, Alli, Gomez
WF
Sanchez, Griezmann, Dembele
That will be my basic blueprint.
