I'd like to see a more offensive option at right back. Walker has been tremendous for us, providing great defensive cover - even if he's caught out by a deft pass or by being out-of-position - Walker's pace is such that he's nearly always back in position to make a great defensive play, which he almost nearly does do.Attack
Attacking midfield
Full backs
Central defenders
Goalkeeper
All of the above are set
Central midfield is the only one moderately deficient (especially if Fernandinho form falls off)
I agree, and beauty of a release clause is no fannying around.Nzonzi at £35mil (apparently his release clause) sounds like a steal to me. 29 y/o which is not too old and would probably accept not starting every single game of the season.
I'd like to see a more offensive option at right back. Walker has been tremendous for us, providing great defensive cover - even if he's caught out by a deft pass or by being out-of-position - Walker's pace is such that he's nearly always back in position to make a great defensive play, which he almost nearly does do.
But going forward, Walker's passing and especially crossing isn't nearly as good as - for example - Mendy's.
===
To be clear - Walker is a huge asset in our side - but his offensive output isn't as good as we might hope for and a more attacking RB in our side would afford us the option to play more aggressively overall if circumstances warrant.
I suspect that they are planning on Foden replacing Silva but that should probably be in 2 seasons time. Fern is a little easier as creativity of Silva is much harder to replaceWe are going to have a job next season finding two more replacements (Fern and Silva)
Not in the knock out stages of Europe he won't and indeed Ferno struggles at times here as well. We are most certainly one top class midfield lynchpin short to go to the next level. But as I have said before lets wait if we have to and get it right not panic buy.Attack wise Mahrez will firm us right up. He looks for the pass as much as the shot and is rather fast. I imagine Bernado will benefit a few goals from this let alone Sergio and Jesus. For Fernandinho i think Delph is more than good enough, he is very intelligent and marshals his area of the pitch very well so we are fine there also for my money.
That's the reason he played in the back three (reasonably successfully) at the WC the better attacking option and crosser was used wide right. Anyway don't see us spending any more on this position for a couple of years at least.I'd like to see a more offensive option at right back. Walker has been tremendous for us, providing great defensive cover - even if he's caught out by a deft pass or by being out-of-position - Walker's pace is such that he's nearly always back in position to make a great defensive play, which he almost nearly does do.
But going forward, Walker's passing and especially crossing isn't nearly as good as - for example - Mendy's.
===
To be clear - Walker is a huge asset in our side - but his offensive output isn't as good as we might hope for and a more attacking RB in our side would afford us the option to play more aggressively overall if circumstances warrant.
Think we should have a look at Claudio Gomes in pre season before giving a final opinion, but in my opinion we have not stengthened as much as I wanted to (yet). With Fernandinho being 33, and the fact that he hasn't really had a rest for a very long time, makes me a little bit nervous about the DM position. I like Gundogan, but too often he seems to be afraid of tackling, probably because of earlier injuries. Delph was fantastic as LB last season, and I honestly believe Mendy will struggle to retain the LB spot on a regular basis. Heard people who suggest trying to try Danilo or Stones (even I have suggested him), but since Pep haven't played any of them in that position, there's probably a good reason for that. That leaves us with Fernandinho (33, tired after a long season and WC?) and Gundogan (big step down defensively, might be used more offensively as cover for Merlin or KDB). Mahrez is our only first team signing, and even though he will do great here, I still don't think we have strengthened enough. I'm hoping for a new defensive midfielder, but I trust Pep, and if he believes we have enough, we probably have