next year's squad?

Season practically over and what a season it has been.

But as we learnt last season, if your squad stands still you go backwards. With the Mancs likely to try and buy their way out of mediocrity and the other top 6/7 clubs likely to spend a fair bit as well, it will be important to make sure our squad is re-invigorated again.

My 2 pence worth: -

Goal keeper - I see Courtois is being offered a new contract. No brainer. Bergovic has been a big disappointment for me and he will probably go to a Bournemouth type club in the summer to get games anyway, so a back up is vital. Hart would be a great addition but can't see him wanting to come and probably sit on the bench. Ditto someone like like Pickford. Decent back up goalie always tricky to find but will probably be required this summer.

Defence - I think the back 5 may well stay together. Cahill divides opinion and I'm sure we could improve on Moses (despite a real surprising break out season for him - I'd be worried in the later stages of the C.L) but there is room for improvement. Ake and Dave will probably provide cover for the wing backs so if we bring anyone in, it may well be in the central 3, especially with Terry going. I'd like to see Christensen come back and maybe send Zouma the other way on loan. He hasn't been the same since the injury and needs games. Not sure whether he is going to be suited to a back 5 either. But basically, if we sign anyone in Defence, they need to be of a top quality to challenge the existing guys. Van Dyke is an obvious possibility.

Midfield - It'll be hard to improve on 2 from the 3 of Kante, Fabregas and Matic (plus Chalobah as further back up). It would have to be a pretty special signing. Veratti or someone of that ilk. If Fabregas wants to leave, he'd need replacing of course but I actually think he will stay. He seems to be really enjoying his football despite being in and out of the team.

Wide forwards - Hazard, Willian, Pedro. Again difficult to improve on that. May need an extra option for squad depth. Sanchez would be a great as he can play wide or up top and gives us options therefore. Can't see Arsenal selling to us but you never know. Maybe someone like Isco if Real go and buy some other big names.

Forwards - Assuming Costa goes then obviously he will have to be replaced. Griezmann would be my first choice and then Moratta. After that, I like the guy at Dortmund as well. All will cost a fortune but probably not a lot more than we'd get for Costa from China and are semi-realistic targets. Batshuayi probably can't afford to just sit on the bench for another year so may be best served with a P.L loan. Likewise, Tammy Abraham probably needs a P.L loan. Too early for him to come back but needs the step up now.

Therefore we are probably looking at around 3 new players around the pitch, a new back up goal keeper and a lot more loan deals.

 

Yeah, Back up keeper, one midfielder (if Cesc leaves), one striker (if Costa leaves) and Virgil

 

I think we need a Left footed Centre Back, specialist wing backs and a striker. Quality of the striker depends on if Costa stays or not. If he leaves i'd try and get Morata as a direct replacement.

Not sure who i'd get as a Centre Back but i'd try and get Florenzi from Roma as a wing back.

 

I certainly wouldn't be replacing Alonso personally. I think he looks ideal as a wing back and has had a great season, carries a goal threat and should get even better with age and P.L experience. Moses I think has also done really well but I'm not quite as sold. But even then, it's a new position for him so he should get even better as well.

Agree re left footed centre back in an ideal world. I think Christensen is right sided which is a shame.

 

Be interesting to see what youngsters make next seasons squad as well. I think Ake and Chalobah look certain to, probably Christensen as well, But what about the likes of Kenedy, RLC, Abraham, Troure, Aina and the many others. RLC looks to have talent but I'm really not sure what his best position is. Reminds me a bit of Ballack and is probably neither a 10 or holding mid. Might be hard for him to fit into a Conte system.

 

We need a striker, as it looks as if Costa will go and Michy go or be loaned. Actually we need 2 strikers ! Griezman is the best, and I like Moratta too, but a real poacher wouldn't go astray. Not convinced about Lukaku, a year too early for Tammy?
I hope Chalobah makes the cut in midfield, Cesc I believe will go, . So we need a midfield distributer, who is crucial to our ability to break down teams who come to defend.Bloody hard to find.
With Hazard and Pedro firing again, we need to keep Willian, he's a great player who had a difficult personal year, but is absolute class.One of the kids, like Kenedy or Aina needs to come into the playing squad. Forget Kenedys' recent shocker, he's been excellent when played more often.
Van Dyke would be a masterstroke, and Christensen back a no brainer. Zouma will surely get back to top form with us rather than another PL Loan team. Ryan Bertrand would be another good call.
Goalkeeper? Probably , and a good young un for a change thinking long term.

 

Griezmann or Morata or Lukaku would be fine for me.
Tammy will never be a Chelsea regular.
He will be loaned out again next season to a PL team, do okay, then be sold to West Brom for £12m.
Unless he becomes awesome in that time and we then have to pay £50m to buy him back
Cant see it though.

 

We don't need to replace Alonso but we need some cover with the added games. Wing Back is probably the hardest position on the pitch so he'll soon tire after playing twice a week. Bertrand is a good shout.

 

VVD and Bertrand! Unlike other clubs such as Arsenal andd Liverpool that have a lot of mediocrity as back-up, you guys seem to have quality. Now if I were the Southampton manager and wanted the trade with you, who conceivably would we want. I'd go Ake, RLC and Abraham plus about £40m. That should be good business for both clubs.

PS: Years ago, clubs did swop + cash deals. I don't think it is really done these days, unless anyone knows any different.

 

Last big one I remember was Ibrahimovic from Inter to Barca for Eto'o plus cash.
This confounds the Scouser "net spend" theory if you ask them what the net spend was for Ibrah

 

Thanks Diego!!

 

Bod the Guv'ness wants to know who the new tart is that I keep looking at ?

 

Called it this season, no Mikel no Ivan.

On that line, would say Alonso, Cahill & Cescy to start less than 40 games for us to challenge for top 4.

 

Alexandra Daddario.

 

She looks a bit like the misses from the knee down.