Do you think we'll stick with 4-4-2 with Isak and a new striker coming into the picture? Or do you think we'll go back to 4-3-3 or something similar? Personally, I think we'll go back to 4-3-3, but I'm hoping what 4-4-2 recently means is that eddie is becoming more flexible and is willing to change to meet the demands of a particular game. If we go 4-4-2 long term it means joelinton, tonali or Bruno will end up getting bench with only 2 CM spots. We could consider 4-2-3-1 but that involves a CAM which we don't really have, and we don't really have an out and out Central attacking mid or defensive mid. Our CM's are a bit more box to box based on energy. 4-4-2 can work at times but I believe our squad is made for 4-3-3 with 3 energetic CM's that are both attacking and defensive in nature. 4-4-2 next season - ------------Isak-------------New ST------------ Gordon-----Tonali/Joe----Bruno---------New RW Hall---------Tosin/Botman---Schar/Tosin---Trippier ----------------------Pope------------------------------- 4-3-3 Gordon-------------Isak---------------New RW ------Joelinton-----Bruno-----Tonali-------- Hall---------Tosin-----Schar--------------Trippier ----------------------Pope------------------------ 4-2-3-1 -------------------------Isak-------------------------- Gordon------------Barnes?-----------------New RW ----------Tonali----------------Bruno---------------- Hall-----------Tosin----------Schar-------------Trippier -------------------------Pope------------------------------ 4-2-3-1 is something we could switch to if needed, but I don't think it's optimal with the players we have. 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 are optimal when we are simply short on CM options, so therefore we play 4-4-2 and just another striker on to compensate, and become more defensively open more offensively threatening and hope to score more rather than hope to not concede.
5 at the back is possible. A lot is possible, to be fair. I suspect we'll go again with the 4-3-3. Upgrading Burn with Kelly gives Howe an option there, Hall's coming on nicely. RB is really strong, with two of them being RWB's (potentially). Midfield is already strong, Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton is right up there, with Miley, Willock and (shudder) Longstaff behind. I think we could still do with a more dedicated CDM for tougher fixtures. Up front again we have options for a front three, or two. Still clearly, desperately need productivity from the right, which has been woeful this season. Olise has a £60m clause, so assuming we're getting Dougie Freeman could be a shout and would be absolute perfection. We'd still really need a decent striker, though, as Wilson probably needs to be sold. Also think we need to change the keeper, shoulder injuries are always going to hamper. GK: Ramsdale/Pope RB: Tino/Trippier CB: Tosin/Schar CB: Botman/Burn LB: Kelly/Hall CDM: Bruno/Ndidi RCM: Tonali/Anderson LCM: Joelinton/Willock RW: Olise/Murphy** CF: Isak/Sesko LW: Gordon/Barnes Squad + youth players: Gillespie, Krafth, Miley, White, Lascelles, A. Murphy. Sold/let go: WIlson, Dubravka, Longstaff, Targett, Ritchie, Dummett, Almiron** **don't mind which one goes, as long as one of them does. Leaves 28 players in and around the first team squad. Not bothered about Ramsdale, but Tosin, Kelly and Ndidi are all free which surely leaves us able to buy three decent first team players and a backup striker of note.
I've not seen us play 4-4-2 yet. We've had some hybrid thing with Isak out wide to allow Wilson to play in the middle.
Olise no chance. Why would we buy an error prone keeper and an injury prone attacking mid. I'd want no part in eze or olise.
Olise had an injury this season. He played 37 premier league games last season, how is that injury prone?
I don't think we'll get Ramsdale, as I think arsenal would try it on with the fee... Just like we will if they try for Isak That Mamardashvili keeper from Valencia though - that's an interesting link that we've had recently.
Olise would be a cracking signing. And very unlikely because all the big clubs are also aware of his sky high potential.
Because he's been in and out of the palace side all season. Plenty of players are fine until they start getting injured. He's been repeatedly in and out of the team all season. Don't risk it. And also he's cost a fortune. Probably looking at asking price of 70m+
I wouldn't pay it. But I'll trust howe. If howe likes him then fine, I just hope we don't end up with another Barnes type of issue
I’ve seen £60m mentioned but not sure that it’s a release clause. Other ones we’ve been linked with is Nico Williams but he’s on £200k a week
I've read somewhere that it was a release clause of 'around' £60m. Would expect a few clubs to be all over that if it's true.
Barnes wasn't really an "issue", had a freak injury that was obviously quite bad. Livra had a career threatening injury but has come back strong, although probably wise of Howe not to overuse him in his first season back. With Gordon, Barnes etc, we wouldn't need Olise to play every minute of every game
I never said anything about every minute of every game. But he's literally missed half of the season due to injury. I never meant Barnes is injury prone, but he has been injured a lot. Olise is a good player but there may be plenty of other players around his calibre we could look at. Players aren't always injury prone right from the beginning, it may develop that way. I just wouldn't feel comfortable paying 60+m for a player that's missed half of this season. BUT if Howe wants him, I'll trust Howe because most of his signings have been great.
The point is he wouldn't need to be overworked, so with other options like Gordon and Barnes, we have a very good space to introduce him. And especially work up fitness like Livra has been doing. He would add a lot of skill, would be a great signing.
https://www.givemesport.com/manches...ts that,appearances for his current employers. Dunno how honest it is though, obvs
He may be, but like I said, it's a huge risk paying that much for a player who's been in and out of the time due to injury problems. What I'm saying is there's surely other options out there that are less of a risk.
