A complete bit of fun really, but what would be people’s ideal - realistic - line up next year? Can’t see major changes happening. For me: Schmeichel Pereira Maguire Benkovic Chilwell N’didi Tielemans Albrighton Maddison Bowen Vardy Subs: Ward, Soyuncu, Simpson, Mendy, Gray, Barnes, any new striker,
For me, Barnes in for Albrighton. Happy with Bowen if the opportunity to sign someone like Ziyech has passed (which I feel it will have). Only other one would be at CB which would be great to see the partnership you have suggested but I’d also be comfortable with Evans being in there as I think he’s been really good for us.
Yeah - Gray/Barnes/Albrighton on the left is really anyone based on form but someone to come in wide right who can score and create is vital I feel. Also equally happy with Evans/Soyuncu/Benkovic/possibly Morgan next to Maguire really, also based on form. Apart from wide right and CM if Tielemans goes we’re really in pretty outstanding shape.
The potential moves away are Kasper, Maguire, Mendy and Chilwell - Ndidi's name is mentioned a lot but nothing definite there. We have Amartey to come back from injury.
I’ve seen Chilwell to Man City, Mendy to Lille and Maguire to Man Utd. Where have Kasper and N’didi been linked - not seen anything since last summer there?
Peter Schmeichel has said in an interview a couple of months back that Kasper wants to move on - has been nothing refuting that since then. Ndidi has been linked with Arsenal, as he has been for the past couple of years, and Athletico Madrid as a replacement for Partey who is linked away.
Sadly, I can see N’didi really flourishing in a foreign league where the pace is a bit slower. Think how good he is at the fastest paced league in the world!
That was when everyone was miserable before Puel went though. Although unlikely to say otherwise, Kasper was very upbeat in his most recent interviews.
Brendan Rodgers has said he wants a winger who can play inside Albrighton’s strength is crossing the ball Gray’s is his pace and he struggles badly when he comes inside Barnes I think is capable of playing inside or from the wing So im pleased so far that Brendan has seens whats missing and looking to add that to the squad. We need a Mahrez type player. Obviously not going to get that sort of quality though Summer priorities are Tielemans, Winger, Striker
Only a striker if we can’t get Ihenacho firing.... Will be interesting what we do with left back cover
We need a striker or 2 regardless as Okazaki is leaving I like the look of Che Adams. Leicester lad and smashing them in for Birmingham, young pacey striker who can finish. Who knows could be Vardy’s long term replacement Also I think we will go after Daniel Sturridge who Rodgers had at Liverpool. As long as the contract was sensible I wouldnt mind signing both and loaning out Iheanacho. Give him a year in the Championship and work out what to do with him then
I hope that we go after experience - we are linked with a lot of players with potential which is good but someone that knows what they are doing for the youngsters to look up to is always nice to have. Could be the reason why the rumours surrounding King have ceased - we are also rumoured to be interested in Milner who would be ideal.
If we sign Tielemans (and I know that's a big if) then I don't see where someone like Milner fits in. Tielemans playing top league football for what will be his sixth season along with a more experienced Maddison and Ndidi is hard to improve on. Nothing wrong with Ricardo and Chilwell either so it really only leaves the wings and a back up for Vardy. I think Barnes will make it, not so sure about Gray and Albrighton not getting any younger. I know nothing about top talent in Europe so just a winger and striker required for me.
The beauty of Milner though is that he fits in literally everywhere. Defensive mid, attacking mid, left back, winger...