I know that but at the samev time we haven't managed to get rid of some of them since being promoted eg Gayle, Saivet and Colback
It goes without saying that Colback (what were they thinking?) and Saivet need clearing out asap. Carroll's career appears to be over, so he'll be released too. Atsu just doesn't have enough quality for the Premier League. Hopefully we'll have a new manager/coach within months and I'd like to think he'd be able to fashion a player from the likes of Yedlin. A good coach will make conclusions quickly.
I would be keeping Shelvey short term as backup. We need a striker/goal scorer first. Then we need an attacking midfielder and a dominant defensive midfielder. That should do on main incomings in the first window. One or two youngsters and one or two squad players but improving the general quality. Shift out...where do you start? Not sure whose contract expires and who has what left but in no particular order it should include Colback, Saivet, Atsu as amongst the first.
For results and probably trophies: Allegri/Rafa For entertainment and a team on the front foot: Poch Best way to put it, all depends on personal opinion.
Apparently we are in advanced talks with Coutinhos agent. So that makes Koulibaly and Coutinho, 2 former Rafa Benitez players. If you add Mertens as well then 3 Rafa players.
I see no reason to clear the decks immediately. We have some good players at our club, all of whom I'm convinced will find another level under a different manager as well as having a few choice additions to the squad of real top drawer quality. I'd keep the following I reckon and replace as and when required :- Wasn't quite sure on Danny Rose, could do a job i suppose but only if we can get him for a reasonable fee/wages. Dummy for cover but they are both pushing 30 so we need to look at bringing another top LB in really, in which case we **** Rose off and keep Dummy. We need a striker badly but other than those two positions I think we'll be fine for a season or two with as I said a few choice additions here and there along the way.
Rumours that we're making a move for Allan from Napoli. Rafa tried to sign him a couple of seasons ago for us.
Spine of the team first and foremost. Aspire to improve. Go all out for Henderson, top English keeper by a country mile. Only behind Allison and Eddison in the PL this season. He won't be content sitting on the bench at Man U. Set the tone going forward and show them we can compete, stealing one of their future stars. If it's not us, it'll be another club. Dubravka will make a decent enough backup.
If we're just talking next season... GK- keep Dubrav, won't shift anyone so would like Woodman having chance to go for his position unless a PL team wants to loan. RB- Keep Manq as starter, some young gun as back-up. Probably wouldn't shift yedders AND Krafth though so would keep the former LB- Buy Willems, Keep Dummett CBs speak for themselves, no real need to buy. Koulibaly is a ****ing pipe dream and I think we need to be more realistic in terms of costs and who will actually want to come. CMs- Shelvey not going, Hayden not goin g, 2 longstaffs. If we could nick a Ghendouzi-type-risk, take that. If there's some I've missed **** em off. CAM- Stick Almiron in here and go all out for Ezi of QPR for competition Rm- Bowen would have been the man but I'm going to say somebody who can cross the ****ing ball, end product over speed/tricks. Ritchie back up. LM- Saint-Maximin, could get one of Benfica's many solid left wingers. Otherwise a young un, won't get much game time as Almiron can switch in. Bye bye Atsu ST- Just buy an actual one FFS. Bin Carroll, sell Gayle, will have to keep Joelinton, just buy a goalscorer capable of dealing with the league. Put most our money in to a Striker, everything else a bonus. Team mostly runs itself, better football as well with a different manager. I want to see us build and will he happy with a top 10 finish next season. Reassess after that, give time for a new set of heirarchal changes to settle in.
The rumor mill is rife this morning. Apparently we are after Coutinho, Jovic and Lingaard today. Lol. The journos are just sticking our name on every potential move. It'll be Bale next
