But are they really? Let's analyze our strongest starting 11:
Robles- OK there's room for improvement but a decent/average keeper
Baines- One of the best full backs in the world
Jags/Stones- England internationals, one of them touted to be the best English defender since Ferdinand
Coleman- A good right back, best in the prem attacking wise
Barry- seasoned veteran who still dictates the midfield
McCarthy- a bit over rated in my opinion but a decent midfielder
Barkley- touted to be one of the best midfielders since Gazza- really a unique player
Mirallas- brilliant player, ruined by Martinez
Rom- wanted by Bayern, Juve
Del- great player, seems to have gotten lazy and doesn't give a crap anymore
That to me is a top 5 squad on paper. That's not including Lennon, Besic, Mori and the youth coming up.
Based on this season and the last -
Robles - Decent keeper capable of top class moments but also looks unconvincing from time to time.
Baines - Doesn't have anywhere near the impact he once had and has regressed over the past two seasons. 32 this year pretty much means he wont be getting his big money move to a top side.
Jags/Stones - Jags solid if unspectacular, he's 34 this year though and Martinez having us so wide open at the back isn't going to help Jags when he's got to deal with pacey attackers with space to run at him. Stones despite having dips in form this season still has the world at his feet, you get the feeling he would flourish under somebody like Simeone and go on to be a world class centre back.
Coleman - Like Baines he doesn't impact games the way he used to. Whether this is down to a system failure or just a loss of form will be interesting to see but at 28 he should be at his peak in terms of consistency.
Barry - Still capable of having a good game and dictating the tempo but a lot of the time he's chasing shadows, should be given more of a squad role these days were he comes on to protect a lead or link the defense and midfield.
McCarthy - Very good on his day but he struggles to impact games when things aren't going our way. We should be getting the lad a proper partner in the summer in the mould of Kante (Leicester).
Barkley - 23 this year. Needs to stop living behind the tag of a prospect and start being one of our key influential players. He's shown it at times this year with some cracking performances but in other matches he's been slow to release the ball or consistently running down blind alleys. Not sure if Barkley would be best linking up with a quality play maker rather than trying to be one himself.
Mirallas - If there was one world you would use to describe Mirallas it would be inconsistent. Has bags of talent but seems to lack the mentality to make the most of it.
Lukaku - Arguably the finest young striker in Europe. We'll do well to keep hold of him much longer especially with Mino Raiola as his agent.
Deulofeu - Had a spell were every time he put the ball in the box it seemed to find Lukaku who found the back of the net. Lost a bit of form and he became a little bit predictable but he strikes me as a player who thrives when confidence is put in him rather than giving him a spell on the bench.
The above might seem a bit harsh to some but it's the level Martinez has us playing at. We need a top class motivator who knows how to organise a defence, somebody who can get an extra level from the players. We need to broaden our horizons as a club and recruit an up and coming hungry young manager who's going to grow with the club somebody like Andre Schubert or Eduardo Berizzo.
