Can't see us letting all three of Johnson, Agger and Skrtel go but I can certainly see one going, possibly two. IMO, it should be Johnson first with Agger and Skrtel being determined by the highest bidder. However, I suspect Johnson would be third in that list for Brod
If Sakho and Toure were extremely settled and performing then I'd agree. However, Skrtel has been our best CB bar none with ease. I seriously can't see us having that much upheaval, especially after whats looking like such a good season for us.
Skrtel has been the best out of a bad bunch IMO. It's the same whenever Johnson and Enrique are out injured - we overhype players because their replacements are even worse. Thankfully in this case, Flanno and Cissokho (to some extent ) have done a decent enough job so we don't miss them as much this time round.
One of Agger or Skrtel will be sold I'm near enough 100% sure of that. Think it'll be whoever we get a decent offer from. Wonder who we'd have lined up though as we need another top quality CB to go alongside Sakho as which ever one stays isn't getting any younger and are still making mistakes.
Being the best of a bad bunch doesn't make selling him a reasonable action. Also, I judge players on what they do during a game. Whoever else is available or what they have or haven't done as zero baring on my opinion. Lastly, how can you rate Cissokho so highly yet Flano so low?
If we get into the CL, I would like a budget of around £50m for Rodgers to use. He could buy around 3-4 good players with the money and be enough to handle CL and PL together If no CL, than around £15-20m.
If we get CL we need to target a top CL quality CM. If Gundogan really is for sale at around £25m then we should be looking at him if he wants to stay in the CL. Also need another top quality CB to partner Sakho along with a RB and possibly back up LB. Say that could cost around £40m? Raise some of that through player sales (Johnson, Agger/Skrtel, Aspas/Borini)
I'd keep Borini, possibly sell Assaidi. Sell Aspas and Johnson though. Undecided on Agger and Skrtel atm though.
Forgot Assaidi. Yeah get rid of him. I'd wouldn't mind keeping Borini and would rather sell Aspas as Borini is younger and at least shown glimpses. Would only get rid of 1 of Agger/Skrtel not both. Can't create a whole new defence in one summer, too much upheaval isn't good.
Priorities for me are LB and CM. LB - Some real top quality ho can attack and defend and give us the width and balance we lack with our current available options. CM - Some one who will give us some drive and aggression in midfield. But not defensively, all over. With creativity and nice passing in to. Like a young Gerrard or Yaya Toure. Again, real top quality. After that I like the idea of Konoplyanka. A tricky winger who likes to drop in to the AM positions and creates and scores. It will expand our options and depth in attack and again, real quality. If we get the right quality in those positions and no one significant leaves I think I'd accept that as it will cost a fair bit. In a dream world we could bring in a RB, CB and second GK. But Flanagan has been doing really well, Skrtel I feel is able to hold his own along side Sakho and Jones managed ok during Reina's injury last season.
Dede or Hoewdes would be great options to partner Sakho. I don't think it's a coincidence that the only times we LFC fans have rated Skrtel was when the team/defence was a shambles. He won Player of the Year in a sh*t year where we achieved f all, and he's now being hyped up during such a sh*t season defensively. Sell him, get £10m, free up those big wages and get a player who can build a long lasting partnership with Sakho. Also, someone who isn't afraid of a physical striker nor make many mistakes would be nice. And there isn't much difference between Flanno and Cissokho - Flanno is solid but still very raw. Cissokho is solid. Either way, neither should be our starting full back next season.
Ilori still need a few years to develop but he is a top prospect. He's one of those players that Porto, Sporting etc get on the cheap (he came through academy) and sell for big bucks. Thankfully, we got in at the right time ...
I would keep both Agger and Skrtel (unless we get a very nice offer for either) and just get 1 more CB to replace Toure (I mean a good CB not a like for like replacement)
Spoke to my mate earlier. Agger was taken off because Rodgers required more 'steel' at the back. #endoftheline?
Yep, I mentioned this before and I thought the same. Doesn't look good for Agger - as well as the fact that Sakho will be the starting LCB in future. And we can't have him sitting on the bench with his high wages - plus he is a good defender and has been very loyal to us. I hope Barca make a bid for him because he deserves it.
Vertonghen said he might have to leave Spurs if they don't make champs league. http://www1.skysports.com/football/...ottenham-fail-to-qualify-for-champions-league