I think they will and as Roland says above it's very tough as an elite team to get star players in on a backup/reserve basis. Shelvey will do as a back up, Lascelles may do - he seems to have accepted his place as back up and captain motivator. So assuming Schar and Burn are the next two in line we'll only sign one CB in the summer. Would I sell them both, probably yes but can they do jobs for 12 months, again, probably yes. There are others who will certainly be off like Clark and Fernandez in CB and Hayden, Hendrick, maybe the Longstaff's in CM so spaces will be freed up to get 1st teamers in and then look to replace the other deadwood. Think we're all agreed though they'd be on our lists to go if we have unlimited funds etc. but then probably 18-20 of the first team would be leaving in the summer.
4-6 is exactly what I thought. They KNOW they need 5. 6 is a bonus (and hence the loan option). 22/23 squad: GK: Dubravka, Darlow, Woodman RB: Trippier, Krafth CB: Ndicka, Schar, Burn, Lascelles LB: Targett, Dummett CDM: Kamara, Shelvey CM: Bruno, Paqueta, Joelinton, Willock, Longstaff LW: ASM, Fraser RW: Doku, Almiron CF: Schick/David, Ekitike, Wilson Squad of 25. Anderson, White, Turner-Cooke, Savage all added to the roster. 6 players signed. Might grab a loan to buy if the right elite player comes available. Gone - Wood, Hayden, M. Longstaff, Hendrick, Gayle, Murphy, Clark, Fede.
Good point on both counts, a better GK would be good. Is Henderson better? What about Nick Pope? How's his season gone? Ndicka then instead of Schlotterberg. Or some other lad. Just not Phil Jones.
