I'd rather keep Muto tbh. I think he has something to offer he just hasn't had a look in really. If Perez or Rondon (or dare I say it both) get injured we're very short in that area (insert height related joke here). I'd take Muto over Hoss any day of the week. Having a front two of Hoss and Muto would be like watching that Richard Prior and Gene Wilder film, See No Evil, Hear No Evil...hardly a worry for the opposition is it?
Along with the majority of senior loan's (Gayle, Saviet, Lazaar, Colback) who are away from the club atm I'd get rid of Manquillo, Atsu, Joselu, Elliot, Darlow, and Clark. That's 10 players needing shot of! Keep Aarons and/or Murphy as back up to Miggy and Perez but apart from that bring in: Rondon (loan or £10-12m max) CF to replace Joselu RB to replace Manquillo LB to provide cover/competition for Dummett GK 1) Dubravka 2) Woodman 3) GK 4) Yedlin 5) RB 6)Dummett 7) LB 8) Lacselles 9) Schar 10) Fernandez 11) Lejuene 12) Longstaff 13) Hayden 14) Diame 15) Shelvey 16) Ki 17) Perez 18) Murphy 19) Miggy 20) Aarons 21) Ritchie 23) Muto 24) CF 25) Rondon
I honestly think this Josef Martinez is the right guy along with Rondon. I think that would give us a terrific set of attacking options. We have to keep the faith that Muto will improve and gain a foothold soon. If we are just gonna give up on players so quickly, there is no point in signing from abroad.The reason for being keen on Martinez is the already established partnership with Almiron and him being an international colleague of Rondon. If we were sat with Perez, Almiron, Rondon, Martinez, Muto I don't think its too bad. Obviously we badly need wing backs. Its pretty desperate now if we are going that way because Ritchie is just ok there and Dummett is more full back and centre half. Maybe look at Joe Bryan or Ryan Sessegnon at Fulham on the left. I know people don't like signing from relegated teams (and they may not go down) but its a rubbish outlook. By that reckoning Liverpool wouldn't have signed Robertson. Must admit though coming up with wing backs was pretty hard. In midfield I'd want a holding midfielder badly. They would be my first choice with Longstaff. I'd keep Diame and Ki for back up. I'd sell Shelvey just because I think you'd end up with a problem if he is asked to be Longstaff's understudy. I've previously said I'd target Thiao Maia of Lille or Ascaibar of Stuttgart. Jean Michael Serri at Fulham is another I'd look at. Keepers Dubravka Woodman Darlow Centre Halfs Schar Fernandez Lascelles Lejeune Clark Dummett Wing backs First choice right wing back Yedlin First choice left wing back Ritchie Central Midfielders Longstaff Maia or Ascaibar or Serri? Diame Ki Attacking Roles Rondon Martinez? Perez Muto Almiron Aarons? Squad of 23 - I'd probably add a couple of wingers to give us options. I'd ship out Hayden, Atsu, Joselu, Manquillo, Colback, Elliot, Saivet, Gayle, Lazaar, Murphy, Shelvey. I'd try to purchase wing backs first, striker and a holding midfielder. Maybe a couple of winger loans. Mind signing Rondon may be out of the question if the press reports are to be believed that Ashley wants to return to the signing of young players and Rafa has no choice but to get on board. If so we won't be signing Rondon and may be looking for a new manager too. In which case its pointless speculating because a new guy could come in and want to set us up completely differently. I mean I can't see a Joe Kinnear type playing 352.
I think rondon has 3 solid years left as he doesnt rely on pace whatsoever. I'd like to take schurrle on loan next season to replace Kennedy. Also, I noticed yesterday Nathaniel Cline is on bournemouth? Why were we not in for him.
Tony Cascarino says he the best signing in the Prem: https://talksport.com/football/513477/tony-cascarino-salomon-rondon-newcastle-best-season-signing/ I'm amazed they turned down £38m for him if true, and the talk about him becoming a £50m striker is mad, but trade for Gayle and it's a steal imo.
If we move him on we will not get anyone better at this point. Compare him to Gayle, Joselu, Cisse (after his first 6 months), etc and it's clear he's a step up. I'd say under £20m we buy, over £20m it depends on options. We wont get anyone better for under £20m but we may get someone comparable and younger. Not convinced though.
Gotta say this lad is probably out of our reach but he's a cracking player. Him and Robertson have a real ding dong going for that left back slot for Scotland. They've ended up using them in tandem. He is rumoured to be likely to join Brendan Rodgers at Leicester with Chilwell moving to Man C. Who knows but he's a very good player - cost us 30m though even if we had any hope.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...tml?ns_mchannel=rss&ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490 Personally agree with this I wouldn't want to pay more than £12 for him regardless of his release clause, one year left with Albion and 30 next year.
