It's Quiet - a new dawn

[Nige's Tatts]

After the recent flurry of ins & outs has anybody done a head count of our squad? Please?

As strong as the players we have are, if we don't get the CB & CF that we need, we could still be vulnerable if we pick up any injuries heading into the new season imo.

GK Ederson/Bravo
FB Walker/Danilo/Mendy*
CB Kompany/Otamendi/Stones/ ?
DMF Gundögan*/Fernandinho/Touré
CMF Silva/KDB
AMF Sané/Sterling/Bernardo
CF Agüero/Jesus/ ?

*still recovering from injuries

Other players:-
Muric? (3rd GK)
Adarabioyo?
Roberts?
Foden?
Diaz?
Duhaney?
Delph (Stoke?)
Zinchenko (Napoli Loan/Sell?)
Mangala (Sell)
Nasri (Sell)
Bony (Sell)

 

[GRB]

Just some random thought here, we all know wenger has kept on saying "Sanchez is staying" all summer.

At the start of summer, our own board and pep said Aguero is staying.

What if they knew about PSG's intentions from back in July? Is it possible they know that if Neymar went, Barca would come sniffing for Aguero.

Or would Aguero ask leave, to play with his best mate for his final years at the top?

Just a hunch.

If he did leave, the pace at which this Neymar deal has been done shows we could wrap up deals for Mbappe and Sanchez fairly swiftly. We still have 3 weeks left.

 

[johnmc]

Given we have 7 subs nowadays I would hope there is youngster or two on the bench.

 

[meeesh]

As strong as the players we have are, if we don't get the CB & CF that we need, we could still be vulnerable if we pick up any injuries heading into the new season imo.

GK Ederson/Bravo
FB Walker/Danilo/Mendy*
CB Kompany/Otamendi/Stones/ ?
DMF Gundögan*/Fernandinho/Touré
CMF Silva/KDB
AMF Sané/Sterling/Bernardo
CF Agüero/Jesus/ ?

*still recovering from injuries

Other players:-
Muric? (3rd GK)
Adarabioyo?
Roberts?
Foden?
Diaz?
Duhaney?
Delph (Stoke?)
Zinchenko (Napoli Loan/Sell?)
Mangala (Sell)
Nasri (Sell)
Bony (Sell)

Definitely need a couple or 3 more in when you look at that list (on paper) so to speak,without question

 

[Neville Kneville]

I'm having difficulty understanding the constant waves of 'if Mpappe/Sanchez/both come Sergio will go' on here. Are posters saying that for commercial reasons (we can't afford all 3) or footballing reasons? If it footballing reasons, I think thats crazy. Of the four strikers we would have Sergio is still the best out and out goalscorer proven over his career. He struggled a little to come to terms with exactly what Pep wanted from him at first but proved beyond doubt in the last third of the season that he gets it and can do it. Why would we let him go? Why wouldn't he continue to be our first pick, until either Mbappe or Jesus prove themselves consistently better?

If it's for commercial reasons it's also ridiculous.

We wouldn't spend the money first & risk failling ffp on the hope of making a last minute deal to sell a player. What if he decided to stay ? We send one of the signings back ?

 

[Ric]

Its interesting looking at the "Guess the team" thread just how many people are predicting that there'll be at least one youngster on the bench at Brighton. If you assume that we'll always have a couple of injuries (Mendy & Gundogan at present) and that players such as Mangala, Delph, Nasri etc all leave, we look a couple of players light at the moment. I hope we do see a few youngsters on the bench this season, but out of choice rather than necessity.

I thought that too, and wonder if it's a deliberate ploy. More emphasis on quality rather than quantity in the senior squad means more opportunities for youngsters to break through. The squad was far too bloated last season with mediocre senior pros.

 

[Neville Kneville]

I thought that too, and wonder if it's a deliberate ploy. More emphasis on quality rather than quantity in the senior squad means more opportunities for youngsters to break through. The squad was far too bloated last season with mediocre senior pros.

Not just last season, every season.

 

[mosssideblue]

Given we have 7 subs nowadays I would hope there is youngster or two on the bench.

for cup games I would possibly agree

 

[Neville Kneville]

for cup games I would possibly agree

That's the spirit.

Cup games possibly.

We don't want to take any chances.

 

[Ric]

Not just last season, every season.

Well, indeed. Assuming we add a centre half and a forward (and those surplus to requirements leave) then we'll have 20 senior pros this season which should provide greater opportunities for youngsters to break through.