I'm not convinced we need to add to the defence. Best defence in the league for the last few seasons and we have versatile players. Rekik is coming through and will surely get a few cup games under his belt. Not to mention having cover with Y. Toure, Rodwell and Garcia who all can play CB if we absolutely required.
LB: Clichy/Kolarov/Lescott
LCB: Nastasic/Lescott
RCB: Kompany/Richards
RB: Zabba/Richards
CB cover: Rodwell, Garcia, Y. Toure
The midfield is very busy with the two new additions and I can't see how we would be in a position to add to it without first selling. Garcia will almost certainly be much improved next season after a full pre-season under his belt. Fernandinho, Toure and Silva are guaranteed starters leaving Milner, Nasri, Navas, Barry and Rodwell fighting for the remaining 1/2 positions.
I suspect Rodwell will be heavily involved and is clearly highly regarded (see Khaldoons end of season interview) so that leaves 0/1 places left for the remaining four.
With the amount of midfielders you would have to think we are going with one up top with a major emphasis on the midfield supporting. If this is the case having more than two top class strikers is unmanageable. Aguero, Dzeko and the emerging Guidetti is fine.
I believe the club are thinking the same and realises the squad possessed too many 'first team profiles'. It is not manageable and causes friction. In my opinion you need a 15 first team profiles with the rest being dependable back ups. A smaller harmonious squad (Barcelona, Dortmund) is better than a large friction riddled squad (Real Madrid). It creates a strong unity with players understanding their role within the team, the club and gives them the confidence to play to the top of their ability.
Let’s not forget that we had a very good squad under Mancini however there seemed to be a real lack of a unified team with players not understanding their role or place in the team. It pains me to say but you only need to look at United to see how creating a team can work well. The team that won the league last season had very few world class profiles yet won it at a canter. Valencia, Cleverly, Jones, Evra, Rio, Smalling are all very average yet started many of the games.
The squad has had the fat trimmed and is now (after the sale of Tevez) manageable. If anyone else is to leave they will be replaced but I do not foresee us adding further 2/3 first team players to what is already there.
If Pelle can create a team with the existing squad I genuinely have no concerns going in to the season as we are.
LB: Clichy/Kolarov/Lescott
LCB: Nastasic/Lescott
RCB: Kompany/Richards
RB: Zabba/Richards
CB cover: Rodwell, Garcia, Y. Toure
The midfield is very busy with the two new additions and I can't see how we would be in a position to add to it without first selling. Garcia will almost certainly be much improved next season after a full pre-season under his belt. Fernandinho, Toure and Silva are guaranteed starters leaving Milner, Nasri, Navas, Barry and Rodwell fighting for the remaining 1/2 positions.
I suspect Rodwell will be heavily involved and is clearly highly regarded (see Khaldoons end of season interview) so that leaves 0/1 places left for the remaining four.
With the amount of midfielders you would have to think we are going with one up top with a major emphasis on the midfield supporting. If this is the case having more than two top class strikers is unmanageable. Aguero, Dzeko and the emerging Guidetti is fine.
I believe the club are thinking the same and realises the squad possessed too many 'first team profiles'. It is not manageable and causes friction. In my opinion you need a 15 first team profiles with the rest being dependable back ups. A smaller harmonious squad (Barcelona, Dortmund) is better than a large friction riddled squad (Real Madrid). It creates a strong unity with players understanding their role within the team, the club and gives them the confidence to play to the top of their ability.
Let’s not forget that we had a very good squad under Mancini however there seemed to be a real lack of a unified team with players not understanding their role or place in the team. It pains me to say but you only need to look at United to see how creating a team can work well. The team that won the league last season had very few world class profiles yet won it at a canter. Valencia, Cleverly, Jones, Evra, Rio, Smalling are all very average yet started many of the games.
The squad has had the fat trimmed and is now (after the sale of Tevez) manageable. If anyone else is to leave they will be replaced but I do not foresee us adding further 2/3 first team players to what is already there.
If Pelle can create a team with the existing squad I genuinely have no concerns going in to the season as we are.