If we brought Savio, it would take a season for him to settle into the country/league/role, and I’m less convinced that we need another someone ‘unorthodox’ on the right/left. A combination of Doku/Savio would certainly be exciting, but it would see the ball turned over and a whole lot of basketball/football. That’s not our forte.
We couldn’t have foreseen Grealish having such problems, but his absence and return should make us appreciate the importance of having someone on either wing who can protect the ball and pause the game. They don’t need to play together, of course, but there should always be the option for such a player. Without such this season, Foden and Bernardo have had to play out there when perhaps their abilities could have been better utilised more centrally.
People have been critical of the club for allowing Palmer to leave, but I would suggest that the bigger mistake was allowing both he and McAtee to leave at the same time. One should have been retained for such a role, but then again hindsight is a marvellous thing. Will McAtee be kept? I don’t know. I’d hate to see him sold for a comparatively low fee, however, especially if that money is then used to fund just another squad filler. If we can keep him for a season, we’ll be able to determine whether he can cut the mustard, or at the very least add more to his valuation.
