Obviously it's not done yet but I am really surprised at the teams going down this year. Not been a good year for any of the squads involved at the bottom end but there are some fantastic players at West Brom, Southampton, Stoke and Swansea (the only team realistically to get dragged in to it now) although throw in Palace if you like as well. Are there any players at these 4/5 clubs you would have a look at for next year? Stoke - Shaquiri will go to a big club this summer and is well worth a look, Berahino and Butland also. West Brom have Gibbs who would provide decent competetion at LB Southampton - plethora of talent there, how they could go I'll never know for me I'd be looking at Redman, Long, Bertrand, Ward-Prowse and the youth team there Swansea - Carroll and Clucas in CM have a bit of talent as upgrades on Hayden for example. Thoughts?
It's especially surprising which teams are going down when you consider that between them they finished 8th, 10th and 13th last season (assuming the bottom three go down). Shows how important it is to strengthen every summer whoever we get them from.
Berahino? No thank you! Just buy people from Southampton - Bertrand, Ward-Prowse. Josh Sims and Hoedt. Possibly Joe Allen as back up to Shelvey from Stoke. Possibly Hegazi from West Brom. Possibly Ayew (of the Jordan variety) from Swansea.
Out of all those names, the only one I'd be really tempted to go for would be Ryan Bertrand to give competition/backup to Dummett.
Shane Long has to be an upgrade on Gayle and Joselu if we want a striker who'll get 7-10 goals and run themselves into the ground week in week out?
He would be an upgrade on Joselu for sure and probably on Gayle, though Gayle does do a lot of work that seem to fit Rafa's system - even if he can't score to save himself. However, I'd hope there are better upgrades available than Long.
You know someone will feel the need to trawl out the old line "why sign from relegated teams, there is a reason they got relegated". Its a traditional nonsense that must be said every time. Beharino? I'd rather put a bullet in my head than put up with that moody little ****. Southampton - Tadic, Bertrand, Redmond, Soares, Gabbiadini, Ward-Prowse, Lemina, Jack Stephens - Southampton have a decent squad. They've just had two **** managers. Give these players to Benitez and he'd get a lot more out of them. Some of those mentioned would be ideal. Soares and Bertrand are high quality. Sadly I don't think they'd be an option for us. Stoke - Shaqiri, Butland, Allen West Brom - Jonny Evans, Burke, Phillips, Chadli Swansea - Mawson, Naughton, Clucas
If we could be really focused I’d like Bertrand, Soares, Shaqiri, Gabbiadini Lemina. That would be both full backs, a number 10, a striker and a holding midfielder. All tactically estute players I think would thrive under Benitez. I have a funny feeling Gabbiadini would do really well under Rafa and bag an absolute hatful. Great finisher and very clever off the ball.
Cedric Soares in particular for me. I think he's a really decent player and would be an upgrade on Yedlin. Bertrand would just cost too much for me; another year in the PL and we might be able to have Dummett/Bertrand type level, but as it stands I'd be happy to just see us find a younger backup LB. Dummett deserves to be first choice. There'll be vultures over So'ton, though, I suspect. They may encourage the local lads to see it through, but the likes of Tadic, Gabbiadini, et al will be looking to get out. Matt Philips is a weird one - always getting relegated, but looks like a better version of Townsend whenever I watch him. Nathan Redmond the same. Then there's Mawson, Pieters....quite a few all in. Absolute no from me - Shaqiri, Berahino, Gibbs.
You are the only one that’s done it up to now! Agree though that Gabbiadini and Tadic would be excellent. They have both had poor seasons this year but were outstanding the year before.
you boys are all mugs. Only ones good for you guys are: Rondon absolute beast will fit perfectly in with rafa. Hell i'd take him to chelsea Bertrands good. I'd have him back
Howay Bobby we shop in different places to you lot... please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
I'd take the Stoke RB Moritz Bauer as he's looked a quality player when I've watched them play, he's also possibly faster than Yedlin. Tadic is an awesome player when he can be bothered. I'd take Burke from West Brom if he's reasonably priced as he's still an unproven raw talent.
Mcclean at West Brom was putting some excellent balls into the box against Manchester utd on Sunday. Don't know how he usually stacks up though
Wouldn't mind seeing us try for Redmond, but I still see an Everton after him despite the pretty crap season he's had. I'm secretly hoping Hammers go down and we try sign Arnautovic. Would be perfect to lead this line in the reality we won't have Slimani next year. We don't buy 31 year-olds on what he's on.