I know we were all worried about this season, new manager and all (me included), but I think next season might be really tough.
If we lose all 3 for nothing, then we are going to have to spend the saved up budget replacing, rather than addressing the issues from this season. And whilst we may recoup some in sales (a GK, Nunez?) everyone is going to know we need to replace some big players.
Plus I expect City to bounce back and Chelsea will become more consistent, along with the rise in quality in the mid-table clubs we've seen this season.
It's fairly obvious to see.
We have I think a good coach there.
Do we have a good recruitment team? Nobody knows. We can't know except by their results. One terrible buy (chiesa) and 0/6 on contracts.
Salah
Vvd
Trent
Jaros
Konate
Diaz
No progress anywhere.
So if you are looking to next season
Alisson, marmadashvile, Davies
Bradley, ??
Konate (last year) gomez
Quansah
Robertson, tsimikas (problem area)
Gravenberch endo (not rated)
Macallister Jones (no good here)
Szoboszlai, Elliott (not rated)
Gakpo Diaz (contract running down)
Rw ???
Nunez, Jota (not rated or injury prone.)
What i see here is a real make do year coming.
One rw needs to arrive and then gets covered off by Elliott and cheisa if he stays.
Some reserve rb needs to be found or a couple cbs bought and gomez shunted.
Lfc need to see that we had a great stsrt under slot then dropped off around Christmas to top 4 form and have now run around in terms of stamina.
Psg absolutely schooled us for 75% of the tie so the bench mark has to be seen there.
Senior men and leaders like vvd and salah can have the side fight and dig in but we are going to strip thst leadership as well.
We will have a great year and I hope 2 trophies to celebrate but certainly 1 big one but next year I'd be looking to securing 4th
The 5 teams into the cl need to be good ones to make top 5 into cl the following season.
My nightmare is seeing forest go out in 26th, have someone like Newcastle in 5th as well.
Purely selfishly I think we will be needing 5th place to be cl next season as well for us to keep our place.