Pretty sure we have had these type of threads before, so thought I'd start one for this window. I like Butland, but Guaita has done well so it is not a position we need someone for. Similarly I'd like a young, pacy centre back but I don't think we need one because Sakho and Tomkins are excellent when fit, plus we also have Dann and Kelly who are more than capable, Kouyate in an emergency, Sam Woods from the academy and the most promising back-up of the lot: Joel Ward. For me Joel Ward should be the next one in after MS and JT. He is not quick enough to be a top class full back in the Premier League, although he is just about fast enough to be adequate. But as a centre back he's very mobile, and as this is not the Championship with lots of big target men his lack of aerial dominance doesn't matter. He can also pass it out ok. We will surely look to trim the squad of the deadwood again so I expect Speroni, Souare, Puncheon, Riedewald, Sorloth and Sako to depart. None of them have contributed much in terms of playing time, and so I don't think they need to even be replaced. Should save approximately £200k a week on wages. I'd also send back Ayew and Batshuayi, and look to sign just 3 quality players. Hopefully Dreher can have a good pre-season, and be added to the periphery of the first team squad as well.
So what do we need?
For me, we still need the Cabaye replacement: someone who can slot in next to Luka to act as a defensive shield, and also be comfortable enough in possession to take on the responsibility of passing it out. Kouyate is not good enough in possession to be the right partner for Luka, and Meyer is currently too lightweight and not trusted by Hodgson there. McArthur has been brilliant for us but is weak positionally, desn't win enough ball and is better using his energy as a right sided midfielder. I don't think we will get anyone as classy as Cabaye, so we need to look for someone who has other attributes which would contribute to the team. Someone left footed would be good. Delph would be excellent but he is 29 so he wouldn't be a long-term signing. I'd prefer to go for someone younger as apart from Meyer and AWB we have quite an old squad. I'd like to see us go for Philip Billing. We were linked to him in 2017. He was voted the players' player of the year and their young player of the year. He wins a lot of tackles and interceptions. he's physical and decent in the air, has a long throw (which would be a major asset as Benteke is the best in the air in the entire league) can pass ok and has a decent shot on him. Huddersfield are relegated and he will be available for transfer. £20m would surely do it.
For me, we also still need the RLC replacement. Schlupp has had a reasonable season but switches off defensively and is poor in possession. Meyer is improving, but lacks the pace and skill to go past his man. Good squad players, but we need a first choice left midfielder. I'd like to see us go for Ademola Lookman. He's not the quickest but he has good feet and a lot of skill. Plus I feel he will score goals on a regular basis and is quite clever. He looks to me to be almost two footed and can put a good cross in, something we desperately require. Another youngster, he's apparently available for £20m. Sign him up.
The final transfer I'd look to make would be Danny Welbeck. The wages would be big, and it would be a bit of a gamble because of a poor injury record. But he has done incredibly well with Hodgson, works hard, would allow us to press from the front, would be a threat in behind to give others like Zaha more space and would score 10-15 goals if remaining fit. Plus he'd be an additional aerial threat from set pieces and a help when defending them as well. On a free transfer he'd be worth the risk.
New Signings
1) Philip Billing
2) Ademola Lookman
3) Danny Welbeck
Approximately £40m outlay, and the wage bill would actually go down if we got rid of the 8 players suggested above (either permanently or on loan). Plus we'd have 3 new first XI players, and still have cover in every position which just goes to show how bloated our squad currently is. We need to invest in quality not quantity, and that what I'd do. Would be interested to hear other people's thoughts.
So what do we need?
For me, we still need the Cabaye replacement: someone who can slot in next to Luka to act as a defensive shield, and also be comfortable enough in possession to take on the responsibility of passing it out. Kouyate is not good enough in possession to be the right partner for Luka, and Meyer is currently too lightweight and not trusted by Hodgson there. McArthur has been brilliant for us but is weak positionally, desn't win enough ball and is better using his energy as a right sided midfielder. I don't think we will get anyone as classy as Cabaye, so we need to look for someone who has other attributes which would contribute to the team. Someone left footed would be good. Delph would be excellent but he is 29 so he wouldn't be a long-term signing. I'd prefer to go for someone younger as apart from Meyer and AWB we have quite an old squad. I'd like to see us go for Philip Billing. We were linked to him in 2017. He was voted the players' player of the year and their young player of the year. He wins a lot of tackles and interceptions. he's physical and decent in the air, has a long throw (which would be a major asset as Benteke is the best in the air in the entire league) can pass ok and has a decent shot on him. Huddersfield are relegated and he will be available for transfer. £20m would surely do it.
For me, we also still need the RLC replacement. Schlupp has had a reasonable season but switches off defensively and is poor in possession. Meyer is improving, but lacks the pace and skill to go past his man. Good squad players, but we need a first choice left midfielder. I'd like to see us go for Ademola Lookman. He's not the quickest but he has good feet and a lot of skill. Plus I feel he will score goals on a regular basis and is quite clever. He looks to me to be almost two footed and can put a good cross in, something we desperately require. Another youngster, he's apparently available for £20m. Sign him up.
The final transfer I'd look to make would be Danny Welbeck. The wages would be big, and it would be a bit of a gamble because of a poor injury record. But he has done incredibly well with Hodgson, works hard, would allow us to press from the front, would be a threat in behind to give others like Zaha more space and would score 10-15 goals if remaining fit. Plus he'd be an additional aerial threat from set pieces and a help when defending them as well. On a free transfer he'd be worth the risk.
New Signings
1) Philip Billing
2) Ademola Lookman
3) Danny Welbeck
Approximately £40m outlay, and the wage bill would actually go down if we got rid of the 8 players suggested above (either permanently or on loan). Plus we'd have 3 new first XI players, and still have cover in every position which just goes to show how bloated our squad currently is. We need to invest in quality not quantity, and that what I'd do. Would be interested to hear other people's thoughts.
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