If we'd bought a DM, Gordon, and a CM/LB, and then bought Chiesa (or even without Gordon), I'd have been saying it was a great window and the signing of Chiesa on that fee and wages was a masterstroke. As it is, we're expecting Gravenberch to develop into some sort of hybrid DM/AM on the basis of a couple of decentish performances, and really have no injuries whilst competing on four fronts. And I still say that the only reason Gravenberch has looked okay so far is that Szobbo has started the season in full, high-energy mode (apart from the first half against Ipswich), and that gives everyone, most of all Macca, so much more room and time to do their stuff - remember thought that he fell off a ****ing cliff energy-wise from around late October bar a handful of performances in between an injury-hit 2nd half of the season. We're putting a lot of eggs in that basket, IMO.
Let's be totally honest, this team will NOT make it through until next March/April while still being in the hunt for the league - and FSG know that. Maybe it would have been too much to ask Slot to do that in his first season anyway, but I get the feeling FSG are happy to consolidate top four and a CL place as a sort of Mike Ashley at Newcastle with go-faster stripes model for the club. And I'll say this now - the way Chelsea, United, Spurs and Villa have developed and bought we are being complacent and/or arrogant to think that any other than City and Arsenal are guaranteed top four. This could be going back to two seasons ago without a doubt.
