The Squad planning thread

[blueparrot]

In the next 2 windows I think we will have moved on 9 players, yes it's a big ask and far from ideal but we for me are in a mess and this is long overdue.

We have been very complacent/poor in the market for the last 3-4 windows and it's come back to bite us hard.

Two huge windows on the horizon and we can't afford any more mistakes, otherwise it could be some time before we recover.

1 in January, 3 possibly 4 in Summer, and we'll be good to go next season. Book mark it.

 

[Keeper!]

1 in January, 3 possibly 4 in Summer, and we'll be good to go next season. Book mark it.

All would have to be top class players and all would have to come in and make an instant impact.

Some very big decisions will have to be made by pep and the Execs and a few unpopular ones made and unless this bad run stops quickly the rebuild could take several windows to sort out.

 

[Gabriel]

Bernardo and Stones have contracts through to summer '26, so I cannot see either leaving with a year left. De Bruyne's situation may be dependent on whether we can land Wirtz. If it looks like we cannot and de Bruyne can remain fit and play out the rest of this season, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's offered a new deal.

It will be Viana's first summer at the club, and if he's anything like Begiristain, I think he'll rely on his knowledge of where he comes from and the international Portuguese market (including those in England/elsewhere) to sign players. In his first summer window, I think, Begiristain brought Naves, Negredo, and Demechelis, all of whom had been playing in Spain, along with Fernandinho and Jovetic. Viana appears to be just as quiet and just as patient, so rather than bring in a host of players, and run the risk of making mistakes, I think he'll be shrewd and look for a similar collection of 4 experienced players and 1 youngster. That would help bring the age down and strike a better balance in what may be another transitional season. It may also be that those he brings in are not necessarily the 100 million players everyone wanted (none of that 2013 harvest were really 'box office') but players who turn out to be the parts of the puzzle we are missing. Of course, such a conservative read would also mean there is no mass exodus.

 

[handsofstone]

Jonathan David on a free?

I would rather have to listen to 90 mins of Craig David on loop!

24/25: 7 in 9(3)
23/24: 19 in 30(4)
22/23: 24 in 36(1)
21/22: 15 in 32(6)
20/21: 13 in 29(8)

He's 24, he's quick, he's strong, he knows where the goal is, probably happy to be a bench player for a decent wage

Can't be many or any better strikers who would pay backup to Haaland, Delap won't as he'll fancy himself for gametime elsewhere

 

[Protein Junkie]

Jonathan David on a free?

I would rather have to listen to 90 mins of Craig David on loop!

Tkiki met him on a Monday
Release clause on a Tuesday
Signed him on a wednesday
Scored a hat trick on a Thursday,Friday and Saturday
He was thrilled by Sunday

 

[Keeper!]

Bernardo and Stones have contracts through to summer '26, so I cannot see either leaving with a year left. De Bruyne's situation may be dependent on whether we can land Wirtz. If it looks like we cannot and de Bruyne can remain fit and play out the rest of this season, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's offered a new deal.

It will be Viana's first summer at the club, and if he's anything like Begiristain, I think he'll rely on his knowledge of where he comes from and the international Portuguese market (including those in England/elsewhere) to sign players. In his first summer window, I think, Begiristain brought Naves, Negredo, and Demechelis, all of whom had been playing in Spain, along with Fernandinho and Jovetic. Viana appears to be just as quiet and just as patient, so rather than bring in a host of players, and run the risk of making mistakes, I think he'll be shrewd and look for a similar collection of 4 experienced players and 1 youngster. That would help bring the age down and strike a better balance in what may be another transitional season. It may also be that those he brings in are not necessarily the 100 million players everyone wanted (none of that 2013 harvest were really 'box office') but players who turn out to be the parts of the puzzle we are missing. Of course, such a conservative read would also mean there is no mass exodus.

If Bernardo reps come with any sort of deal I think he will be off, the guy looks shot and way off previous levels and if we are honest he has not been himself for sometime.

Stones would be difficult to move on with his injuries and wage but maybe he could be used in some sort of swop deal, maybe even going back to Everton if their takeover goes through?

 

[Keeper!]

Tkiki met him on a Monday
Release clause on a Tuesday
Signed him on a wednesday
Scored a hat trick on a Thursday,Friday and Saturday
He was thrilled by Sunday

 

[King Jay]

Ederson and Reijnders in January would be a huge boost and would be needed to get top 4.

Winter.. this would probably cost like 100-150M. Atlanta is going for a CL run and maybe even a league title run. Doubt they will sell. I think both are impossible right now.

 

[Keeper!]

Winter.. this would probably cost like 100-150M. Atlanta is going for a CL run and maybe even a league title run. Doubt they will sell. I think both are impossible right now.

How much would missing out on the CL cost?

And I think we are that much in trouble.

We need to rebuild and missing out on a years CL money would be a huge blow to that not only in terms of cash but not having it on the table to offer new players, especially the likes of Wirtz.

 

[Irishblue93]

If Eddy is off in the summer, would Kelleher from Liverpool be a potential replacement? Less then 2 years on contact, good with his feet