Cancel is more of a dribler than a passer or team oriented player. But he is a bit like Dani Alves with less end product. So I can see it. But for my money I'll rather have Semedo or Perreira. Think they are both more complete and fit better.I think we have to be cautious in summer with the way we go about the signings, e.g with a back line of Ederson, Semedo, Stones, Laporte, Bernat...or anything similar, we'd be devoid of top game experience and leadership. This is why I think someone like Bonucci would do more good to our side than a Laporte, but only if we could manage to get him at a decent price. He would bring experience and most importantly a voice in that defence, exactly what we have been missing since Vinny. Plus I think Stones would develop quicker with him by his side.
For no 6., I would like Nzonzi or Fabinho, the latter can cover various positions and I'm sure he could do a pivot like job that Yaya's been doing but with a better defensive cover to our backline. Gundogan and Fabinho for that Pivot position while Silva to slowly pass on the torch to Isco.
For rb, I initially was impressed by Sidibe but his performance the other night left me underwhelmed. I think we have been recently linked with Cancelo who I think I read is also on Barca's radar. I have seen few of his games recently and have been impressed with what I saw. So Cancelo as a main Rb with Fabinho to cover in when needed.
Ederson/Willy at GK
Cancelo/Fabinho for rb
Stones/Bonucci/Nico/Kolarov for CB
Bernat/young LB or Kolarov ?
Fabinho/Gundogan/Dinho/Silva/Isco/De Bruyne to cover the midfield, and Fabinho as a utility player to cover various positions.
Aguero/Jesus/Sane/Raz to cover front 3 with Isco as a backup Wing option.
I don't think we'll be allowed to do a double by Monaco, they are not short of money and they are excellent negotiators. So I don't think Mbappe would be doable. Also considering we have already invested in Jesus and Sane, I don't believe we need another project any time soon.
That makes it a squad of 20 with enough room for youngsters like Garcia/Roberts/Maffeo or maybe even Mooy.
Even after all that I think we'll be short of a backup LB as I don't think we have anyone suitable in the academy to fill up that role.
Looking at the players I've put up, we are looking at an investment of around 180m , make it to 200 at a stretch.
35m for Ederson
25m for Cancelo
30m for Fabinho
25m for Bernat
35m for Bonucci
35m for Isco
If we are only going to take 1 player of Monaco, Mbappe gets my vote. He is the one most likely to become a superstar. Sure he may tank too. But I'd rather take that risk rather than get a solid but low ceiling good player like Fabihno.
Bonnuci we simply wouldn't get. And I'm happy about it. I think it would be a disastrous signing. Its a lot easier to defend in the Italian league and his co-defenders Chielini and Barzagli are equally as tactically aware. So take him out of the slower league and the luxury of being flanked by 2 tactically sound teammates, and I don't think he will be half the player folks think we are getting. Not to mention. He is old.
I feel your pain. I'm not sure who to get at CB either or who to let go for that matter. But I'm pretty confident Bonnucci is a bad call. I could be wrong, in not a tarrot reader. But the projection simply doesn't compute for me.
I like your Ederson, Bernat and Isco picks though. If we add Mbappe and Semedo to that, we might just have something. :)