GK - Courtois, Cech, Blackman (HG) RB - Azpi, Ivanovic LB - Azpi CB - Terry (HG), Cahill (HG), Ivanovic, Zouma Midfield - Matic, van Ginkel, Ramires Front 3 - Oscar, Hazard, Willian, Schurrle, Salah Strikers - Schurrle I think it's safe to say all the above will be staying put. That leaves question marks over Luiz, Mikel, Lamps, Cole, Ba and Torres and the multitude of loanees we have. Eto'o contract is up and I don't see him renewing. Luiz always inspires debate but if an offer comes I can see him going. Lamps and Cole would have been offered contracts by now if Jose was going to keep them. The other big problem we have is the number of players who are HG. Just 3 which we need to rectify or face a long season with a small squad or use more u21's. I think that may be a reason to keep Bertrand, that and he's never really let us down. Our best loanees imo are Piazon but we don't need another attacking midfielder, Traore who had a great preseason with us but again isn't going to get ahead of Oscar, Hazard and Co and Omereu who probably needs a season on loan in the Prem. So we need 2 strikers. I'd like one to be Lukaku and then a top buy. My choice for striker would be Mandzukic but I can see it being Costa. We need another midfielder and depending on Bertrand a left back. Some HG qualified players for certain. The obvious candidate for LB is Shaw. Midfield is harder because we desperately need someone with a strong character and a potential candidate to take the captaincy from JT. Someone to compliment Matic. It will be interesting to see where Jose goes this summer especially in the striker department.
Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Matic, Ramires, Oscar, Hazard, Schurrle, Luiz. I'm not fussed about the rest but I'd like to see Courtois starting next season. Changes this summer or battle for top 4.
I'd like to see Bertrand, Eto'o, Lukaku added to that squad in the OP. Then a centre forward, ball playing midfielder and Left Back. Although that actually seems like quite a lot we could get decent money on Mikel, Ba and Torres. Azpilicueta is so, so good it just really irritates me more than anything seeing right footed players on the left side of the pitch, especially at Full Back. A striker is an obvious need and i'm sure Jose will pick the right man and as the OP says somebody who compliments Matic, can play the ball from deep and create more chances for us when we play against sides who come for a draw. No idea who that could be though. Edit: After reading again it seems everything you've posted I pretty much agree on haha.
Starting from the back, we need at least 1 CD. JT is only going to become more like Lamps next season, and play in less games. We need a left back and for the life of me Bertrand back as well. We need 2 midfielders or 1 if Van Ginkel makes the grade. Most difficult player too find but absolutely crucial as Palace showed how hopeless we are breaking sides down. Attacking mids were overstocked. Costa looks likely, and 1 other striker. Think we can assume Luiz, Cole, Lamps, Ba and Torres/Eto'o will be gone. That will give us a pretty good squad, but good enough?? Just not sure.
Best player and I mean best football player in the prem at the moment is Lalana. Born in StAlbans. Has skill to spare and is box to box. Runs out of steam at the end of games because of his total devotion and willingness to get forward and back whenever he can. We could do with a player like that, as it showed yesterday. I would add him and Costa, maybe a central defender. Job done.
Why is it a **** thread? And why do you seek to derail every thread on this board, having promised not to post on here?
Despite Terry having a fantastic season, you think he will play less games next season. Also, where have you heard that Lamps and Cole will be gone? Not saying they won't be, but why are you assuming they will
Some tweeks needed only really as we should have won this league with our performances and results v the big boys. So it is attitude and application more than ability that has cost us this year. The last 4 games are case in point really v Villa, Palace, Spurs and the goons. Our best performance this year have been with Luiz and Matic in the middle so id be happy to start with them in midfield next year with Ramires and Van Ginkel as back up. Defence is fine but may need to replace Cole if he goes. Shaw is the obvious one to buy or Bertrand / dutch lad back from loan. Main issue to address is the need for a consistent world class forward; not having one has cost us too many points this year, especially on the road. Costa is the one.
I'd be happy if we ditched all three of our current striker, bought Costa, kept Lukaku and then used Schurrle and Salah as our third choice. Moses (8m), Marin (8m), Bertrand (6m) (wants first team football) and Romeu(7m) should be sold on. Torres (8m), Ba (10m), Mikel (10m) to be sold with Cole, Lampard, Hilario let go. Thats 57m at the least with a lot saved on wages of Cole, Lampard and Torres. Courtois and Lukaku brought back in Transfer business - Luke Shaw (22m), Diego Costa (32m), a central midfielder (20m) that can break up play and set up counter attacks and for me I would also sign Adam Lallana (22m), guy looks seriously unreal and does all the tracking, defensive side of the game that Jose loves. That is about 96m give or take. So an outlay of about 40m, which for a club of our stature and revenue is acceptable. SQUAD GK - Courtois, Cech, Blackman HG DF - Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Kalas HG, Terry HG, Cahill HG, Zouma, Shaw HG CM - Luiz, Matic, Ramires, Van Ginkel, ?????? AM - Salah, Willian, Hazard, Oscar, Lallana HG FW - Costa, Lukaku HG, Schurrle That's 23 players with 7 homegrown, don't think I have missed anyone out
Well, JT has been excellent this season, but the clock is ticking away, and therefore likely that he will need to be used more sparingly with proper rest periods. That is not a bad thing, as we saw how long it took him to get up to speed after injury. He hasn't had a day off for weeks, and looks leg weary, like the rest of the back 4. I expect him to be our dominant defender next season, just played a little less. JT next year is likely to become more like Lamps this year. Lamps has not been offered an extension and I don't think he will be. He is at the stage where his contribution is below his past efforts, and he is not getting nearly as much game time. He could play on in the same manner, or head off to probably the US and extend his career maybe 3 years. That I think is likely. Cole is allegedly being offered 8mill by Real for 2 years , that's a no brainer, especially considering he is toxic to Jose now, who has probably cost him his last World Cup place. These are just my thoughts, not cast iron facts, like to hear yours and others.
I guess JM may see FL as a good role model and want to keep him at the club. He has already said he will offer Ash a new contract. His choice to stay or go: http://www.theguardian.com/football...ole-contract-thierry-henry-new-york-red-bulls
Yeah I agree, with Cole and Luiz not getting much time on the pitch, we look like we need reinforcements at the back. Can't understand why Bertrand is seemingly on the outer, I think he's very reliable and has scope to improve heaps.
