As The Clash famously sang back in the 80s The current squad has a lot of talent in it but is not, IMHO, going to be enough to keep us in the top flight without some considerable strengthening ... so - who would you keep and who would you sell? Feel free to add anyone I've left out. Goalkeepers Mads Hermandsen - was excellent in his first season - but is also a very marketable asset, and if we are forced to sell players I think this is one position that we have good cover in. Jacob Stolarcyk - think this lad is a fabulous prospect and been very impressed every time I've seen him play - hence my comments on MH Daniel Iversen - always been a fan but needs to leave for his own career advancement Defenders Victor Kristiansen - for me worth another shout in the right formation Luke Thomas - just short of PL level - needs to leave for own career advancement Harry Souttar - seems to be transformed at International level playing against top players - needs to be given a chance IMHO Janik Vestergaard - think he'll be exposed back in the Prem - cash in while we still can Connor Coady - same as Vestergaard Wout Faes - proven International - paired with right partner, think he can do a job - perhaps even as a defensive midfielder James Justin - slowly getting back to his old self - could see his future being at centre-back - keep Ricardo Pereira - still a class act - keep Midfield Hamza Choudhry - strength is his versatility - if he's content to be a floating back-up - keep - but probably needs to move on for his own career Harry Winks - good all round - keep Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - still emerging and improving - genuine class - keep Boubakary Soumare - had an excellent season on loan - worth another look - especially as Ndidi is off Wilfrid Ndidi - thanks Wilf - all the best Sammy Braybrooke - time to step up - talent with potential Will Alves - same as SB - perhaps even more potential Kasey McAteer - good prospect - keep Forwards Kelechi Iheanacho - as per Wilf - cheers and bye Abdul Fatawu - cracking prospect - keep Stephy Mavididi - real talent - keep Tom Cannon - looks a prospect - keep Jamie Vardy - Talisman - but if Saudi league offer some daft money would cash in now, given our financials Wanya Marcal-Madivadua - can't see him displacing anyone - probably time to move on
Thought Kristiansen had an option to buy, so we may not have the choice. Soumare has struggled with the intensity of the Prem. We desperately need somebody in the middle who is creative - Callum O'Hare is worth a shot as he is out of contract at Cov. Completely agree about Alves and Braybrooke - they have been classifed as potential for too long and they need to be offered a chance.
I'd agreed with all of those. The absolute shame for Alves and Baybrooke is that this season would've been perfect for them to get the opportunity to show themselves making the step up, see McAteer. Awful timing for both to have serious injuries. Usually, it's far more difficult to have that chance in the PL, although we might not have a choice if we haven't the funds to buy players. I see both have been called up for England Under 20 or 21 squad.
Not quite the subject of the post but I really hope both Braybrooke and Alves get a shot this season. We have no money so the academy becomes even more important. But for serious injuries they both could have played last season and then snapped up by other clubs. Hopefully both are on long contracts.
