Said it on a different thread
If we had of kept Stones Lukaku and to a lesser extent Barkley and add Coleman and 4/5 signings that worked out ( Gana Siggy Pickford Etc) then we would have been in the mix for top 4
But we will have to start from scratch again hopefully in a brand new stadium
I feel that this moves beyond conjecture and into the realms of fantasy though. Players move to clubs that offer them a more immediate chance of trophies, more money (both in wages and potential endorsements), a better chance to play for their national team, etc. I'm sure there are RS supporters out there saying that "if we'd only kept Suarez, Mascherano and Coutinho we'd be winning the league", etc.
Of course we would still prefer to have Lukaku and Stones, but in this day and age, players move on more than ever before and for the most part can dictate where they go and when. Lukaku and Stones had no history or emotional connection with the club before they arrived and I really don't think Stones can be faulted for the way in which he departed. We all knew what Lukaku was about - he was here to up his profile and move on. He was the girl using you to make that big bloke in the year above jealous. You still got plenty of....goals...from him though.
Nobody forced any of Lukaku, Stones and Barkley out of the club. The club were never going to be able to keep Lukaku or Stones. Barkley's behaviour has been snide, cowardly and underhand and this was from the "true blue". The funny thing though is that because of his shortcomings and attitude even during his time with us, this doesn't sting anything like the Rooney departure - it feels more like the Rodwell departure only done like a snake.
