The Squad planning thread

[Dubciteh]

I don’t think it is harsh. Players like Doku, savinho and others aren’t as good as the previous players we had in my opinion. Fair - haaland is at one end of that rating.

Maybe a few more years and they will develop, but I’m not seeing it as quickly as I did with others. Player for player I don’t think we are as good

Gvardiol has been a great signing.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Gvardiol has been a great signing.

I somehow forgot about him! He’s been excellent at times

 

[eyalluvitt]

Seems now that Napoli were negotiating for Ederson last week as well so a new goalkeeper is highly likely this summer it seems. Napoli seem interested in our players, the KDB effect? Maybe Stones ends up there as KDB loves and rates him?

You feel we will draw them in the CL, two warm balls pulled out together

 

[WesthoughtonJohn]

You say that, but when you actually look at our squad compared to say the treble season or previous, it’s not as good. That’s one of the main reasons why we were poor last season. Players such as Rodri, KDB and stones are almost impossible to replace.

I’d argue our signings probably since Haaland haven’t been as good.

There may be an argument that those levels of player aren't there currently.
Can't remember too many stellar performances from players at tournaments recently - but might just my burn out with the game

 

[richards30]

You feel we will draw them in the CL, two warm balls pulled out together

There is no doubt we get Napoli mate, just hope it’s at home!

 

[eastmanc]

I don’t think it is harsh. Players like Doku, savinho and others aren’t as good as the previous players we had in my opinion. Fair - haaland is at one end of that rating.

Maybe a few more years and they will develop, but I’m not seeing it as quickly as I did with others. Player for player I don’t think we are as good

But nobody knows how good these players are going to be but I would bet that the three players we have just bought are going to be good uns.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Similarly, those bought by arse and dippers may flop

 

[VOOMER]

We still need to strengthen. If we don't further strengthen the squad it will be another average transfer window.

 

[eyalluvitt]

There is no doubt we get Napoli mate, just hope it’s at home!

Franny Lee playing against us for Derby vibes

 

[blinkblue]

If the rumoured players (Akanji & Gundo) do go to Turkey and we sign Trafford + sell one of Ortega/Ederson as a result of that then it would leave us in a very healthy position in terms of the HG quota. We could even buy another foreign player in this case for RB if we aren't able to convince Newcastle to sell Livramento.

This is assuming loans for Reis and Echieverri + Grealish leaving.

1 Trafford **
2 Ederson/Ortega
3 Bettinelli *

4 Dias
5 Khusanov
6 Stones *
7 Ake *
8 Gvardiol

9 Ait-Nouri
10 O'Reilly **
11 Nunes
12 Lewis **

13 Kovacic
14 Rodri
15 Gonzalez
16 Bernardo
17 Rejnders
18 Cherki
19 Foden **
20 Bobb **

21 Marmoush
22 Doku
23 Savinho
24 Haaland

5 club trained, 3 home grown, 16 foreign spots.

With Kovacic, Bernardo, Stones and possibly Ake and a GK leaving next leaving next summer we'd have a lot of room to continue the rebuild next summer too.

 

[Mad_fer_it]

If the rumoured players (Akanji & Gundo) do go to Turkey and we sign Trafford + sell one of Ortega/Ederson as a result of that then it would leave us in a very healthy position in terms of the HG quota. We could even buy another foreign player in this case for RB if we aren't able to convince Newcastle to sell Livramento.

This is assuming loans for Reis and Echieverri + Grealish leaving.

1 Trafford **
2 Ederson/Ortega
3 Bettinelli *

4 Dias
5 Khusanov
6 Stones *
7 Ake *
8 Gvardiol

9 Ait-Nouri
10 O'Reilly **
11 Nunes
12 Lewis **

13 Kovacic
14 Rodri
15 Gonzalez
16 Bernardo
17 Rejnders
18 Cherki
19 Foden **
20 Bobb **

21 Marmoush
22 Doku
23 Savinho
24 Haaland

5 club trained, 3 home grown, 16 foreign spots.

With Kovacic, Bernardo, Stones and possibly Ake and a GK leaving next leaving next summer we'd have a lot of room to continue the rebuild next summer too.

If we add a decent RB we have a chance a the title. Still very much put us as outsiders. The rebuild might not be complete until next season. Gotta be patient with this new look squad.

 

[Centurions]

If the rumoured players (Akanji & Gundo) do go to Turkey and we sign Trafford + sell one of Ortega/Ederson as a result of that then it would leave us in a very healthy position in terms of the HG quota. We could even buy another foreign player in this case for RB if we aren't able to convince Newcastle to sell Livramento.

This is assuming loans for Reis and Echieverri + Grealish leaving.

1 Trafford **
2 Ederson/Ortega
3 Bettinelli *

4 Dias
5 Khusanov
6 Stones *
7 Ake *
8 Gvardiol

9 Ait-Nouri
10 O'Reilly **
11 Nunes
12 Lewis **

13 Kovacic
14 Rodri
15 Gonzalez
16 Bernardo
17 Rejnders
18 Cherki
19 Foden **
20 Bobb **

21 Marmoush
22 Doku
23 Savinho
24 Haaland

5 club trained, 3 home grown, 16 foreign spots.

With Kovacic, Bernardo, Stones and possibly Ake and a GK leaving next leaving next summer we'd have a lot of room to continue the rebuild next summer too.

I've not been keeping up with this thread but can't O'Reilly & Lewis still go on the B list being under 21 at season start?

As an aside, what's not to like about 5 CT players.

 

[blinkblue]

I've not been keeping up with this thread but can't O'Reilly & Lewis still go on the B list being under 21 at season start?

As an aside, what's not to like about 5 CT players.

Not sure but think will want the squad trimming anyway.

 

[Alexia_Ko]

If the rumoured players (Akanji & Gundo) do go to Turkey and we sign Trafford + sell one of Ortega/Ederson as a result of that then it would leave us in a very healthy position in terms of the HG quota. We could even buy another foreign player in this case for RB if we aren't able to convince Newcastle to sell Livramento.

This is assuming loans for Reis and Echieverri + Grealish leaving.

1 Trafford **
2 Ederson/Ortega
3 Bettinelli *

4 Dias
5 Khusanov
6 Stones *
7 Ake *
8 Gvardiol

9 Ait-Nouri
10 O'Reilly **
11 Nunes
12 Lewis **

13 Kovacic
14 Rodri
15 Gonzalez
16 Bernardo
17 Rejnders
18 Cherki
19 Foden **
20 Bobb **

21 Marmoush
22 Doku
23 Savinho
24 Haaland

5 club trained, 3 home grown, 16 foreign spots.

With Kovacic, Bernardo, Stones and possibly Ake and a GK leaving next leaving next summer we'd have a lot of room to continue the rebuild next summer too.

I think we have left ourselves short on ready made CBs. Stones and Ake should count as one player since they’re never available. We’ve only really got three CB options there

 

[Berti No Show]

But when you do look at the squad say from 3 years ago it just doesn’t feel right? Unfortunately now though there is no patience from players and agents make it worse? Remember the days we had Silva, De Bruyne feeding goal scoring wingers in Sterling and Sane who also set up Aguero and we had Jesus as a back up but also could play instead of Sergio as well? Savio for me isn’t strong enough for the premier league and doesn’t offer enough end product and I don’t see that changing unfortunately so I’d look for a new winger. We aren’t getting shut of Bernardo either are we? We’ve not kicked on from the treble season and are not spending a fortune on the hopefully next generation of top players but is Pep the manager to trust them?

It's easier said than done. While I'm confident the club understands what needs to be done, the challenge lies in navigating the constraints of PSR/FFP regulations and squad registration rules. Offloading players has become increasingly difficult — especially those we've rewarded with lucrative contracts for their contributions during our title winning years. Now, as some of them begin to decline, their high wages make it incredibly hard to find buyers.

Take a look at the contrast: Luis Díaz earns just £55k per week at Liverpool, while we have Kalvin Phillips on £150k, Grealish on £300k, and Stones on £250k. We've spent heavily, and as much as Liverpool in recent years — but the key difference lies in integration. We must now embed these younger, long term project players into the squad. Prospects like Reis, Nico G and Khusanov need to be trusted. If not, their signings risk becoming nothing more than wasted investments.

 

[Berti No Show]

I don’t think it is harsh. Players like Doku, savinho and others aren’t as good as the previous players we had in my opinion. Fair - haaland is at one end of that rating.

Maybe a few more years and they will develop, but I’m not seeing it as quickly as I did with others. Player for player I don’t think we are as good

One could argue that the players currently available in the market simply don’t match the quality of those we’ve recently parted ways with. And those who do come close in ability are commanding astronomical fees — some north of £100 million such as Wirtz. Realistically, can we afford to invest that kind of money in a single player under the current financial climate? I don't think so. Liverpool are in a different position to us right now, but that's just because our world class record breaking players have just grown old together. It's difficult telling proven winners who've won 4 in a row - "your time is up now, you're not wanted". The sentimentality is completely understandable.

In that context, I believe our recruitment this summer has been nothing short of outstanding. We've brought in genuine top quality players at remarkably sensible prices, especially when you consider the inflated fees we’re seeing elsewhere — with players like Elanga and Mbuemo reportedly going for £55 million and £72 million respectively. By comparison, our approach looks to both shrewd and forward thinking IMO.

I have full confidence in Hugo Viana and his ability to identify and bring in the right profiles to strengthen the key areas of the squad. You just have to look at the changes to the backroom staff to show that club don't plan on standing still or falling behind.

We all know we need reinforcement's at right back, centre back, and a new goalkeeper — that much is obvious. Will it all get done this summer? Honestly, I’m not so sure tbh. But if it means waiting a little longer to bring in the right player instead of settling for a Plan C or D, I’m okay with that. I'd rather we take our time and get it right than waste money on someone who doesn’t truly fit what we’re building at this Club.

 

[blueparrot]

If the rumoured players (Akanji & Gundo) do go to Turkey and we sign Trafford + sell one of Ortega/Ederson as a result of that then it would leave us in a very healthy position in terms of the HG quota. We could even buy another foreign player in this case for RB if we aren't able to convince Newcastle to sell Livramento.

This is assuming loans for Reis and Echieverri + Grealish leaving.

1 Trafford **
2 Ederson/Ortega
3 Bettinelli *

4 Dias
5 Khusanov
6 Stones *
7 Ake *
8 Gvardiol

9 Ait-Nouri
10 O'Reilly **
11 Nunes
12 Lewis **

13 Kovacic
14 Rodri
15 Gonzalez
16 Bernardo
17 Rejnders
18 Cherki
19 Foden **
20 Bobb **

21 Marmoush
22 Doku
23 Savinho
24 Haaland

5 club trained, 3 home grown, 16 foreign spots.

With Kovacic, Bernardo, Stones and possibly Ake and a GK leaving next leaving next summer we'd have a lot of room to continue the rebuild next summer too.

A very new and much younger squad, I'm really looking forward to seeing how it develops over the next 2 years.Some of those players have the potential to become the legends that those just leaving became. They might they might not but that for me is the excitement of it.

 

[JimmyGrimble10]

If the rumoured players (Akanji & Gundo) do go to Turkey and we sign Trafford + sell one of Ortega/Ederson as a result of that then it would leave us in a very healthy position in terms of the HG quota. We could even buy another foreign player in this case for RB if we aren't able to convince Newcastle to sell Livramento.

This is assuming loans for Reis and Echieverri + Grealish leaving.

1 Trafford **
2 Ederson/Ortega
3 Bettinelli *

4 Dias
5 Khusanov
6 Stones *
7 Ake *
8 Gvardiol

9 Ait-Nouri
10 O'Reilly **
11 Nunes
12 Lewis **

13 Kovacic
14 Rodri
15 Gonzalez
16 Bernardo
17 Rejnders
18 Cherki
19 Foden **
20 Bobb **

21 Marmoush
22 Doku
23 Savinho
24 Haaland

5 club trained, 3 home grown, 16 foreign spots.

With Kovacic, Bernardo, Stones and possibly Ake and a GK leaving next leaving next summer we'd have a lot of room to continue the rebuild next summer too.

Reis is rumoured to stay as the 5th CB which is very healthy options.

So that would leave us with no foreign spots, meaning Kova would need to go too and we have ample room for a 5th choice CM with O Reilly and Lewis needing minutes also.

Not sure where he could go with Gala wanting Gundo and Calcanolgu to Fenerbache.

But if we shift Kova we can sign a foreign RB player and keep Reis.

Wouldn’t be shocked to see Ortega go and maybe Ramsdale or someone come in behind Trafford.

 

[johnny crossan]

If the rumoured players (Akanji & Gundo) do go to Turkey and we sign Trafford + sell one of Ortega/Ederson as a result of that then it would leave us in a very healthy position in terms of the HG quota. We could even buy another foreign player in this case for RB if we aren't able to convince Newcastle to sell Livramento.

This is assuming loans for Reis and Echieverri + Grealish leaving.

1 Trafford **
2 Ederson/Ortega
3 Bettinelli *

4 Dias
5 Khusanov
6 Stones *
7 Ake *
8 Gvardiol

9 Ait-Nouri
10 O'Reilly **
11 Nunes
12 Lewis **

13 Kovacic
14 Rodri
15 Gonzalez
16 Bernardo
17 Rejnders
18 Cherki
19 Foden **
20 Bobb **

21 Marmoush
22 Doku
23 Savinho
24 Haaland

5 club trained, 3 home grown, 16 foreign spots.

With Kovacic, Bernardo, Stones and possibly Ake and a GK leaving next leaving next summer we'd have a lot of room to continue the rebuild next summer too.

O'Reilly & Lewis are still under 21 so don't count in the senior club trained quota yet - Foden, Bobb and Trafford (if he comes) do. So we have a CT vacancy - unless one of McAtee or JWE etc stay - an AT vacancy and a Free List vacancy. Cue Vanderson, Wharton and room for at least one of the U21s to progress next season even if nobody else leaves.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

O'Reilly & Lewis are still under 21 so don't count in the senior club trained quota yet - Foden, Bobb and Trafford (if he comes) do. So we have a CT vacancy - unless one of McAtee or JWE etc stay - an AT vacancy and a Free List vacancy. Cue Vanderson, Wharton and room for at least one of the U21s to progress next season even if nobody else leaves.

No matter how many times this is mentioned it just won't sink in to many on here.