Looking through the various teams in the prem, it looks as if we're now the second oldest squad with an average age of 28.4 years, behind only QPR at 28.6 years. What I'm concerned about is that we end up with situation where we haven't taken a proper phased approach to squad rejuvenation, leaving heaps of oldies a) starting to wear out and decrease in physical ability b) needing to be replaced all at once and c) having little on-sell value to generate revenue to re-invest. Point B comes with the problem of FFP, we can go splurging huge wads of cash all in one go anymore.
So far we've sold Rodwell (23) and Garcia (27). We're further expecting to sell Nastasic (21), Richards (26), Sinclair (25) and Guidetti (22) - all players younger than our average. This of course is going to increase the age of the squad and without calculating it could become the oldest. Going through the squad in detail showing how old players will be/will be turning at the end of the season.
GK: Hart (28), Caballero (34), Wright (38) - Being a keeper Hart has plenty of years left in him at the top. Caballero we can get 2-3 more out of. Dickie Wright will probably need replacing soon by another English cheapie. Not a great area for concern IMO as Hart is still quite young
Centre Halves: Kompany (29), Mangala (24), Demichelis (35), Boyata (25), Nastasic* (22), Rekik* (21) - Vinnie will likely see out his career here, so there's probably another 3-4 years at least in him. MDM will definitely need replacing soon, unless we can squeeze another year out him. Pressure's on Rekik to be able to step up to the plate next season given Pellers rates him and Nastasic is on the outer - there are doubts about him atm.
Fullbacks: Zabaleta (30), Sagna (32), Clichy (30), Kolarov (30), Richards* (27) - An area for concern IMO as all are 30 or above next year. Like Vin Zaba will probably see his career out here, so he's got another 3-4 at least. Would've prefered someone younger than Sagna to play back up to him given his age. We'll need 1 quality younger player on either side to come in soonish.
Midfield: Fernando (28), Fernandinho (30), Y Toure (32), Milner (29), Navas (30), Sinclair* (26), Lampard (37), Silva (29), Nasri (28), Huws* (22), Zuculini* (22), Lopes* (20) - Another slight area for concern with not one player 25 or under in the current squad. Fernandinho & Navas were good short term buys but weren't designed for longevity. Do we cash in on Yaya while he's still got decent value or do we want him to play out his days here? Lampard won't be here next season of course. 1-2 of Huws, Zuculini and Lopes really need to make it.
Forwards: Aguero (27), Jovetic (26), Dzeko (29), Negredo (30), Guidetti* (23) - Key players in Aguero and Jovetic have plenty left in them. With Dzeko being signed long term I'd make the tough decision of selling The Beast, with either a WC goal scoring winger replacing him or promoting one of our EDS players. Not a huge cause for concern.
To cut it a bit shorter, we really need to have 3-4 of the youth players step up and be able to cement their places in the squad. Majority of short-medium term players purchases from the outside would ideally be with the player 25-26 or younger, as we have would have next to no players in this bracket next year from the current playing squad.
How would you go about it? Who would you sell, keep, promote, buy etc? Do we let players run down their contracts or do we start cashing in? Interested to know how others see the process of squad rejuvenation happening. Without panicking I do thinking planning needs to be well ahead and tough decisions need to be made soon for the continued success of the first team. We really need a young core bunch playing together to maintain that culture, style of play, leadership and "ethos" (wank term I know).
So far we've sold Rodwell (23) and Garcia (27). We're further expecting to sell Nastasic (21), Richards (26), Sinclair (25) and Guidetti (22) - all players younger than our average. This of course is going to increase the age of the squad and without calculating it could become the oldest. Going through the squad in detail showing how old players will be/will be turning at the end of the season.
GK: Hart (28), Caballero (34), Wright (38) - Being a keeper Hart has plenty of years left in him at the top. Caballero we can get 2-3 more out of. Dickie Wright will probably need replacing soon by another English cheapie. Not a great area for concern IMO as Hart is still quite young
Centre Halves: Kompany (29), Mangala (24), Demichelis (35), Boyata (25), Nastasic* (22), Rekik* (21) - Vinnie will likely see out his career here, so there's probably another 3-4 years at least in him. MDM will definitely need replacing soon, unless we can squeeze another year out him. Pressure's on Rekik to be able to step up to the plate next season given Pellers rates him and Nastasic is on the outer - there are doubts about him atm.
Fullbacks: Zabaleta (30), Sagna (32), Clichy (30), Kolarov (30), Richards* (27) - An area for concern IMO as all are 30 or above next year. Like Vin Zaba will probably see his career out here, so he's got another 3-4 at least. Would've prefered someone younger than Sagna to play back up to him given his age. We'll need 1 quality younger player on either side to come in soonish.
Midfield: Fernando (28), Fernandinho (30), Y Toure (32), Milner (29), Navas (30), Sinclair* (26), Lampard (37), Silva (29), Nasri (28), Huws* (22), Zuculini* (22), Lopes* (20) - Another slight area for concern with not one player 25 or under in the current squad. Fernandinho & Navas were good short term buys but weren't designed for longevity. Do we cash in on Yaya while he's still got decent value or do we want him to play out his days here? Lampard won't be here next season of course. 1-2 of Huws, Zuculini and Lopes really need to make it.
Forwards: Aguero (27), Jovetic (26), Dzeko (29), Negredo (30), Guidetti* (23) - Key players in Aguero and Jovetic have plenty left in them. With Dzeko being signed long term I'd make the tough decision of selling The Beast, with either a WC goal scoring winger replacing him or promoting one of our EDS players. Not a huge cause for concern.
To cut it a bit shorter, we really need to have 3-4 of the youth players step up and be able to cement their places in the squad. Majority of short-medium term players purchases from the outside would ideally be with the player 25-26 or younger, as we have would have next to no players in this bracket next year from the current playing squad.
How would you go about it? Who would you sell, keep, promote, buy etc? Do we let players run down their contracts or do we start cashing in? Interested to know how others see the process of squad rejuvenation happening. Without panicking I do thinking planning needs to be well ahead and tough decisions need to be made soon for the continued success of the first team. We really need a young core bunch playing together to maintain that culture, style of play, leadership and "ethos" (wank term I know).
