ScottSinclair
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 19 Jun 2015
- Messages
- 7,461
So assuming we are done this window with Nico, what do we still need in the summer?
Cambiaso I think is very likely to come in and I do think he will be the only fullback. The most exciting thing about this transfer window is that in my opinion we have covered enough holes in the squad that it has opened up the possibility of a Wirtz or Musiala in the summer which seemed completely out of the question when you looked at the rebuild needed in december.
No guarantees what so ever that the new players will be good enough of course, but central defence has received good progression planning for relatively cheap because you'd expect both Reis and Khusanov to play big roles already next year alongside Dias and at least one of the Akanji/Stones/Ake trio. Getting clearer by the day that Gvardiol is a left-back that can be a hybrid of a centre-back when we are played low, winger or attacking midfielder when needed and is also class so that position is set. High hopes for Nico, and with Rodri coming back next year we finally have at least cover for him. Marmoush can play across the front-line, in my opinion more effectively than Alvarez did but jury is put whether he is effective as a Haaland understudy in the lone-striker role, but he ticks a lot of boxes.
I think we need to focus on the midfield and and a goalkeeper if Ederson still wants out. Costa seems the obvious target, despite me not personally being a fan. But it could well be we need two if we bring someone in as first-choise because I can see Ortega moving on for first-team football as well. Picking a name out of the hat, I think Benitez at PSV is the type of profile that could ve willing to do the Ortega role for us for a couple of seasons. Maybe Rulli who we have previously owned at one point. In a ideal world our squad looks something like this in August:
-Costa (Benitez/Ortega/Rulli)
-Khusanov (Akanji, Stones/Ake) Dias (Reis)
- Cambiaso (Lewis) Gvardiol (O'Reilly)
-Rodri (Nico) Baleba (Kovacic)
- Foden (Bobb) Wirtz/Musiala/Baena (Marmoush, McAtee/ Millot)
- Doku, Savinho, Marmoush (Bernardo/Dibling)
- Haaland (Marmoush)
So expecting one of Ake/Stones to leave. Gundogan and De Bruyne to move on as legends, and Grealish I'd personally like but seems to be done here under Pep. Bernardo and McAtee depends on a lot of factors but they need to be replaced if they go by an extra player capable of playmaking duties
This would be a very healthy place to be 6 months into a rebuild in my opinion
Edit: Completely forgot about Nunes. Maybe for the better. But I don't think he will leave this summer. But if he stays that negates the urgent need for a Dibling/Millot.
Cambiaso I think is very likely to come in and I do think he will be the only fullback. The most exciting thing about this transfer window is that in my opinion we have covered enough holes in the squad that it has opened up the possibility of a Wirtz or Musiala in the summer which seemed completely out of the question when you looked at the rebuild needed in december.
No guarantees what so ever that the new players will be good enough of course, but central defence has received good progression planning for relatively cheap because you'd expect both Reis and Khusanov to play big roles already next year alongside Dias and at least one of the Akanji/Stones/Ake trio. Getting clearer by the day that Gvardiol is a left-back that can be a hybrid of a centre-back when we are played low, winger or attacking midfielder when needed and is also class so that position is set. High hopes for Nico, and with Rodri coming back next year we finally have at least cover for him. Marmoush can play across the front-line, in my opinion more effectively than Alvarez did but jury is put whether he is effective as a Haaland understudy in the lone-striker role, but he ticks a lot of boxes.
I think we need to focus on the midfield and and a goalkeeper if Ederson still wants out. Costa seems the obvious target, despite me not personally being a fan. But it could well be we need two if we bring someone in as first-choise because I can see Ortega moving on for first-team football as well. Picking a name out of the hat, I think Benitez at PSV is the type of profile that could ve willing to do the Ortega role for us for a couple of seasons. Maybe Rulli who we have previously owned at one point. In a ideal world our squad looks something like this in August:
-Costa (Benitez/Ortega/Rulli)
-Khusanov (Akanji, Stones/Ake) Dias (Reis)
- Cambiaso (Lewis) Gvardiol (O'Reilly)
-Rodri (Nico) Baleba (Kovacic)
- Foden (Bobb) Wirtz/Musiala/Baena (Marmoush, McAtee/ Millot)
- Doku, Savinho, Marmoush (Bernardo/Dibling)
- Haaland (Marmoush)
So expecting one of Ake/Stones to leave. Gundogan and De Bruyne to move on as legends, and Grealish I'd personally like but seems to be done here under Pep. Bernardo and McAtee depends on a lot of factors but they need to be replaced if they go by an extra player capable of playmaking duties
This would be a very healthy place to be 6 months into a rebuild in my opinion
Edit: Completely forgot about Nunes. Maybe for the better. But I don't think he will leave this summer. But if he stays that negates the urgent need for a Dibling/Millot.
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