The problem with a squad that's larger is, as we're all aware, keeping people happy.20 men for a typical 25 man squad seems pretty small.
I know we don't always fill the full squad but we usually go with at least 22 including CT players and excluding kids. As we did last season too, at least started that way.
Open to the idea of us going with a smaller squad. Argue quality over quantity too, but lets please stop pretending it is anything other than a small squad. Particularly when including multiple players that are down for 2 positions.
Pep and the club used to openly say '2 players for every position', not sure when it became 1 player for 2 positions myself, but in a couple areas that is currently the case.
All that said, FB is the only one that I see as a bit of biggie, personally. If we had kids with the promise (and it IS just promise) of Palmer or McAtee, might feel different.
Pep will probably be more concerned that 4 players couldn’t go on tour.That is a huge credit to the club imo.
Secured all our main targets. Sold players on quickly for decent value. Extended a few key contracts. Sold on a bunch of academy players. Leaves only 1 player going into the season with only 1 year left on contract. Plenty of money in, room in the squad, just any surprise outgoings to deal with now (don't think zinch is a surprise as such).
So naturally, fuck all for us punters to argue about other than how many FBs do we 'need', is Palmer better than Messi, what do ItKs K, and what would we do with a problem like Neymar.
Happy days, all said.
It’s a balancing act too far one way and you have moaning players too far the other and you win nothing.The problem with a squad that's larger is, as we're all aware, keeping people happy.
Of course, next year we can use 5 subs, but its not like Pep uses them all even with 3 as I suspect that he doesnt like to over-disrupt the dynamic.
The problem with a squad that's larger is, as we're all aware, keeping people happy.
Of course, next year we can use 5 subs, but its not like Pep uses them all even with 3 as I suspect that he doesnt like to over-disrupt the dynamic.
Gut feeling he will stay and we will not buy any left-back
I’m the opposite but I hope he stays and we get Cuc. If the clubs have agreed,and he wants to go, Arsenal will not be offering him less than City It will just be a case of getting as good a deal as he can. Strange though as personal stuff usually comes first.
Absolute bollocks.At the start of 21-22 season? And consistently right up until then.
Gut feeling he will stay and we will not buy any left-back
I’m the opposite but I hope he stays and we get Cuc. If the clubs have agreed,and he wants to go, Arsenal will not be offering him less than City It will just be a case of getting as good a deal as he can. Strange though as personal stuff usually comes first.
Absolute bollocks.
2017-19: Walker, Mendy, Danilo (Delph and Zinchenko emergency)
2019-21: Walker, Cancelo, (non-functional) Mendy, Zinchenko (still makeshift)
So, 4 in both those years, yes. Thanks for confirming.
He's the most likely guy to replace Zinchenko...Peps taken a couple of the EDS full backs on the preseason tour. JWE & Rico Lewis. JWE probably the most likely but has had his injury issues last couple of seasons.
Be interesting to see how he gets on in the games coming up.He's the most likely guy to replace Zinchenko...
I think original poster probably meant 4 *specialist* full backs rather than 4 *functioning* full backs.
Agree with you that Delph, Zinchenko, Ake have been able to fill in acceptably. Would be great to have Walker, Cancelo, Cucurella and A N Other attack minded full back mind, rather than a sort of stand in / slightly out of position person. That said, that's part of the squad management to give everyone minutes.
I absolutely did not confirm your misinformation.So, 4 in both those years, yes. Thanks for confirming.
Managed in the prem and in domestic cups...not so much in the CL...has this situation been a factor...its at the very least debatable...Managed, good word. And that wasn't through choice either, we didn't go into every season expecting to deal with only 3, would have sold or sent one out on loan if we did.
I understand what you're saying but how could they have known Zinchenko would be leaving back then especially since he's always been resistant to leaving the club and willing to stay and fight for his spot...also, how would they know someone would meet their valuation of him? One doesn't have to look past what just happened with Ake to know that's not a sure thing...While I agree myself, in fairness, we can't possibly know that. There is just as much chance the club knew Zinchenko would leave and looked at Cucurella in case that happened, as there is they identified Cucurella as an additional targeted player. We can read into it how we want to, but there is nothing clear cut.
I absolutely did not confirm your misinformation.
Zinchenko was not a fullback in 2017 and anyone claiming he was is just lying, stupid or has an awful memory. Neither was Delph - everyone knows this. Same goes for the following season.
Once Zinchenko had been established as a left back we technically had 4. Mendy, though, was not functional. Which is what you said. Zinchenko was still a makeshift so we really only had 2 natural and functional fullbacks.
It’s also 4 years. Not 2. Read the numbers.