The Squad planning thread

Even without Jack and Jimmy, we still have 28 players, so 2 or 3 more will need to go in sales or loans, but who ?
NEW
ORTEGA
EDERSON
LEWIS
NUNES
STONES
AKANJI
REISS
KHUSANOV
DIAS
GVARDIOL
AIT NOURI
AKE
NICO G
KOVACIC
GUNDAGON
BERNARDO
REIJNDERS
RODRI
OREILLY
DOKU
MARMOUSH
CHERKI
FODEN
ECHEVERI
BOBB
SAVINHO
HAALAND
For me Rico on loan, if he gets guaranteed game time to take him up a level and confirm his best position, sadly Johnny Stones, we all know why, and finally Gundo, just don't think we need any more cover in midfield and OReilly and Echeverri need game time.

Our strongest 11, with just a guess at RB,
EDERSON
KHUSANOV
DIAS
GVARDIOL
AIT NOURI
RODRI
REIJNDERS
FODEN
CHERKI
MARMOUSH
HAALAND
 
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unless there are some very unexpected departures from our A list. CL squad now looking like -

Ederson;
Manuel Akanji, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, Rayan Aït-Nouri;
Phil Foden, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders;
Omar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki:

Stefan Ortega,
Rico Lewis, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Nico O'Reilly;
Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzáles, İlkay Gündoğan;
Bernardo Silva, Oscar Bobb, Jérémy Doku.

+ Mateo Kovačić (when fit) & Keeper 3.​
 
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johnny crossan said:
unless there are some very unexpected departures from our A list. CL squad now looking like -

Ederson;
Manuel Akanji, Rúben Dias, Joško Gvardiol, Rayan Aït-Nouri;
Phil Foden, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders;
Oscar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki:

Stefan Ortega,
Rico Lewis, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Nico O'Reilly;
Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzáles, İlkay Gündoğan;
Bernardo Silva, Oscar Bobb, Jérémy Doku.

+ Mateo Kovačić (when fit) & Keeper 3.​
Click to expand...
Sav ?
 
My Take.

PositionA TeamB Team
Goalkeeper (#1)EdersonStefan Ortega
Right Back (#2)Matheus NunesRico Lewis
Center Back (#4)Abdukodir KhusanovRúben Dias
Center Back (#5)Josko GvardiolNathan Aké
Left Back (#3)Rayan Aït-NouriO'Reilly, Nico
Defensive Midfielder (#6)RodriNico González
Central Midfielder (#8)Tijjani ReijndersBernardo Silva
Attacking Midfielder (#10)Rayan CherkiClaudio Echeverri
Right Winger (#7)Phil FodenSavinho
Striker (#9)Erling HaalandOscar Bobb
Left Winger (#11)Omar MarmoushJérémy Doku
Could Stay or Go?Assumed Gone
AkanjiStones
ReisWalker
GundoganGrealish
Kovacic
McAfee

I feel Dias could become backup to Khusonov just because of pace and our weakness on the counter when all defenders push too far up.

I would love to see Akanji being sold but cool if he stays as a backup.

Not sure about Reis. Maybe he stays and he's another backup CB or maybe he'd to be a RB? Could be out on loan though.

Not sure about Lewis as a right back either. Maybe this season it could work but if he was to go with a RB coming in and Nunes being backup I think most would be more optimistic about that position.

I suspect McAtee is gone on loan or sold with a buyback once Cherki arrives.

No idea on Kovacic and Gundogan and I'dd add Bernardo too. On their day they can be very useful and maybe their leadership is key but they are all on the decline and I think there's only space for 1 or 2 of the 3.

I bemoaned the treatment of Grealish but there's no place for him in this new squad in reality.

Everyone who goes permanently I'd thank profusely. Everyone going on loan or with some possibility of return I hope they have a great season ahead.

I have been very critical of Pep this season. I just hope he finds a working model again because it would be a crying shame not to have this squad reach it's glorious potential.
 

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TonyM said:
My Take.

I feel Dias could become backup to Khusonov just because of pace and our weakness on the counter when all defenders push too far up.

I would love to see Akanji being sold but cool if he stays as a backup.

Not sure about Reis. Maybe he stays and he's another backup CB or maybe he'd to be a RB? Could be out on loan though.

I suspect McAtee is gone on loan or sold with a buyback once Cherki arrives.

No idea on Kovacic and Gundogan and I'dd add Bernardo too. On their day they can be very useful and maybe their leadership is key but they are all on the decline and I think there's only space for 1 or 2 of the 3.

I bemoaned the treatment of Grealish but there's no place for him in this new squad in reality.

Everyone who goes permanently I'd thank profusely. Everyone going on loan or with some possibility of return I hope they have a great season ahead.

I have been very critical of Pep this season. I just hope he finds a working model again because it would be a crying shame not to have this squad reach it's glorious potential.
Click to expand...
Dias gets picked because of his leadership abilities.
 
Cobwebcat said:
I think Khusanov might be our RB
Click to expand...
In an emergency, perhaps.

It’s taken nearly seven years, but I’d like to think that the arrival of Ait-Nouri signals that we’re no longer going to be putting square pegs in round holes. We might be able to muddle through again domestically, but against top European teams in knockout situations, it’s too great a risk. Khusanov’s pace and aggression are needed in the middle, but we need more football from both fullbacks.
 
Cobwebcat said:
Dias gets picked because of his leadership abilities.
Click to expand...
Generally I agree but leaders could evolve all over the pitch in his absence. But if he starts that's cool.

My gripe really is having a Dias+Akanji partnership when neither get back in time on a counter and neither really offer anything amazing in terms of starting attacks.

Ideally we'd have a Stones type and a Kompany type as a CB pairing - and even better if either had Walker type speed.

I think Khusonov offers a mix between speed and toughness. But we'll see.
 
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