Getting a tad nervous. Other teams competing for Europe may strengthen where as we may not. Joelinton out, Bruno close to a suspension...
With Anderson and Joelinton out, Willock only in the gym atm, Tonali suspended and as you say Bruno looking like he'll pick up a 2 game suspension shortly we need another CM in ASAP. Hopefully Manquillo will bring in a few bob up front to allow us to go and get some cover.
I think the biggest issue is wages, so if we can shift a few, even if we dont get huge transfer fees, it gives us room to manoeuvre
Think it was @Magdadlorian who posted the other day our profit and loss for the last 3 seasons has us at the limit of £105m losses allowed so can't see any incomings unless some go. Manquillo - £1m and Hayden - £0 are the only non squad members I can see leaving this window at present. Seen talk of Lascelles to Turkey and this morning talk of Trippier to Bayern - neither would be preferable but depending on the fee I could live with both of those, certainly not Isak or Bruno. If Joelinton is demanding ridiculous wages I could see him off in the summer as well but would need replacing but I'd hope he would stay.
Maybe in the summer but not fit yet so unless someone is going to take a chance on him I think he'll be sticking around.
Trippier wouldn't be worth selling now. We'd get maybe 10-15m and he's worth far more than that. I do genuinely believe this squad is mostly ok as it is from next season so long as there's no severe fixture congestion. A weaker version of this squad made it into the top 4.
Lascelles out of contract in the summer, so there's a possible opportunity to cash in, but would likely leave us short at CB Currently valued at £7m on Transfermarkt
We might get a loan again, we’ve got room for one more. Only departures will be peripheral. All business will be loaded in the summer. The big test for Eddie is can he navigate us into Europe with players coming back.
We have desperately missed willock this season. Willock and Tonali being out has been a nightmare for us.
Positive is we're 2 games into the second half of the season now and we've played 1st and 2nd place already with 3rd place up next in the league, so in theory we should have a nice run in to the year. If we get a few of the bodies back (Wilson, Barnes, Willock) we should be able to put together a decent run of form somewhere in 2024.
Our fixture run for the rest of the season from Feb is fantastic. Only Arsenal away and maybe Manure away is that difficult, rest are very very winnable.
We seem to have a habit of finishing like a steam train in the league under Eddie! Games lost after January: Last season Liverpool, City, Villa and Arsenal (4/19 games) Season before City, Liverpool, Spurs Everton and Chelsea (5/17)
