Potential and our transitioning squad

[chriswho]

I love our current crop of blues, but the sale of Arteta forced me to recognize/embrace the reality that the squad will always change and we have places where we need to get younger.

In 2-3 years, I expect Cahill, Neville, Osman, Distin, Saha, McFadden, Bily, Anichibe, Heitinga, and Hibbert to all either be squad players, moved on/sold, or retired. While I'm sad at the thought of losing some of our stalwarts, my mood quickly rose as I am VERY excited about the upcoming crop of blues that we will be transitioning over to in the coming years.

Assuming IDEAL scenarios where each player meets or exceeds their potential (specifically Rodwell, Barkley, Coleman, Vellios, etc) - our team could be monstrous in a couple years.

(and yes, I know this is a 4-4-2)

Howard
TBD -- Jags -- Rodwell -- Baines
Coleman -- Barkley -- Felliani -- Drenthe
Vellios -- TBD​

Howard will likely still have a few years of holding off real competition. I think Coleman is more a winger than a RB, so I'm not willing to give him that spot yet.

I don't know what to think of Gueye yet. Same goes for Garbutt, Dier, Stracq, Bidwell, Duffy, Femi, and the rest of the reserves/loans. As I see it, RB and striker could still be real needs to fill either with reserves or buys.

Even without new investment, the future has all the potential of looking very bright.

What do you think?

 

[DualityNSNO]

McAleny has looked good I think, as has Baxter. Both small guys who can form a good partnership with the big Greek!

Optimistic & positive post though, top stuff and rarely seen nowadays!

 

[icburns]

I love our current crop of blues, but the sale of Arteta forced me to recognize/embrace the reality that the squad will always change and we have places where we need to get younger.

In 2-3 years, I expect Cahill, Neville, Osman, Distin, Saha, McFadden, Bily, Anichibe, Heitinga, and Hibbert to all either be squad players, moved on/sold, or retired. While I'm sad at the thought of losing some of our stalwarts, my mood quickly rose as I am VERY excited about the upcoming crop of blues that we will be transitioning over to in the coming years.

Assuming IDEAL scenarios where each player meets or exceeds their potential (specifically Rodwell, Barkley, Coleman, Vellios, etc) - our team could be monstrous in a couple years.

(and yes, I know this is a 4-4-2)

Howard
TBD -- Jags -- Rodwell -- Baines
Coleman -- Barkley -- Felliani -- Drenthe
Vellios -- TBD​

Howard will likely still have a few years of holding off real competition. I think Coleman is more a winger than a RB, so I'm not willing to give him that spot yet.

I don't know what to think of Gueye yet. Same goes for Garbutt, Dier, Stracq, Bidwell, Duffy, Femi, and the rest of the reserves/loans. As I see it, RB and striker could still be real needs to fill either with reserves or buys.

Even without new investment, the future has all the potential of looking very bright.

What do you think?

Duffy, McAleny and Nsiala?

EDIT: you've got Duffy.

Good work, and nice to see someone with some faith out there.

 

[sanctioned]

I dont think Rodwell is a center back and has been doing well in center mid so far and has been reaching the potential we expect from him.

 

[paulbefc]

Vellios won't make it. People will disagree but I really don't think he'll amount to any more than a mildly useful squad player. I share in the optimism though. With the right loan signings and use of incoming transfer fees we could keep ourselves in the top 8 for years yet.

 

[andrewkgsmith]

Colemans definitely a RB imo, and lets face it it'll be 4-5-1, dunno who the other centre half will be but Rodwell will be where you've put Barkley and Barkley will be doing a Cahill

 

[chriswho]

Thanks for the comments. Yeah, I'm trying to be optimistic. It's unlikely to work out quite so straightforward, but it really isn't beyond realism to envision a bright future...

 

[BLUES1]

Vellios won't make it. People will disagree but I really don't think he'll amount to any more than a mildly useful squad player. I share in the optimism though. With the right loan signings and use of incoming transfer fees we could keep ourselves in the top 8 for years yet.

I only agree with you when it comes to Vellios if we play a 4-5-1 he is not capable of being a lone forward. I think he will be fine as a poacher with the right strike partner.

 

[chriswho]

I only agree with you when it comes to Vellios if we play a 4-5-1 he is not capable of being a lone forward. I think he will be fine as a poacher with the right strike partner.

Agreed, that's why I had 2up front. In this dream future, I could envision Vellios and guaye pairing up front. Each bring something different to the game. Just haven't seen enough of either yet. Who knows, maybe mcaleny will do it.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It's a toughie because we're fortune telling on the prospects of the young lads. I reckon predicting how youngsters will develop must be one of the toughest things in the sport. Be nice if they did all reach their potential though.

 

[Greek Fisherman]

(and yes, I know this is a 4-4-2)

Howard
TBD -- Jags -- Rodwell -- Baines
Coleman -- Barkley -- Felliani -- Drenthe
Vellios -- TBD​

What do you think?

I think this is the team we should be playing today!!

with;

Coleman moving to right back
Bilyletdinov coming in and swaping with Barkley.

I refuse to give up on Bily until Moyes plays him central!!!!

Also think Gueye could become a starter. Huge potential for me.

 

[somuchfun]

Where's The Black Messi? He should be right there next to Vellios. I'd sell Jags, Heitinga has his best years still to come, he's 26 or smth? And I'd drop Coleman as a RB and interchange the Black Messi on the right flank and as a striker. Hell, he could also play as an RB if needed.

 

[chriswho]

Where's The Black Messi? He should be right there next to Vellios. I'd sell Jags, Heitinga has his best years still to come, he's 26 or smth? And I'd drop Coleman as a RB and interchange the Black Messi on the right flank and as a striker. Hell, he could also play as an RB if needed.

Forgive me, but who is the black messi? I feel like there is an inside joke there that I'm not aware of.

I'm torn on Jags, but I think the important thing is to find the right CB partnership for the next few years. He hasn't had the best year so far, but we know he's got class and I expect him to return to greatness. I personally like Heitinga, but it doesn't appear that Moyes has him as an integral part of our future plans, so I wasn't penciling him in. I hope he is, but I'll be surprised if he is still a blue in 3 years (mainly because he is still a very sellable asset). Drenthe has made it clear that Heitinga has helped him, so maybe if there is a bond there, it could help both settle in the club.

 

[Zatara]

......................New keeper


Coleman.....Jagielka.....Duffy/Mustafi......Baines/Garbutt

..................Fellaini......Rodwell

Drenthe...............Barkley.............Gueye?

..........................Velios?

 

[grandjoeblue]

Forgive me, but who is the black messi? I feel like there is an inside joke there that I'm not aware of.

I'm torn on Jags, but I think the important thing is to find the right CB partnership for the next few years. He hasn't had the best year so far, but we know he's got class and I expect him to return to greatness. I personally like Heitinga, but it doesn't appear that Moyes has him as an integral part of our future plans, so I wasn't penciling him in. I hope he is, but I'll be surprised if he is still a blue in 3 years (mainly because he is still a very sellable asset). Drenthe has made it clear that Heitinga has helped him, so maybe if there is a bond there, it could help both settle in the club.

Big victor, Nigerian hero, Olympic silver medalist