Will we spend big in Summer 2020?

[catcherintherye]

I would prefer to spend our money on guaranteed first team starters ,even it means only signing 3 players for 100 m
Holgate ,Mina ,Keane and Gibson if rated should do as CBs
We need to improve the first 11 as a priority and put our present starters to the bench.
If we want Europe we need a stronger first 11 and not intentionally buy squad players

I think we are really at a quality not quantity stage. Look we may fall away, but if we can maintain the performance level we have shown over the last 7-10 games (or ensure any drop off in not major) we are showing top 5 form in the current league as things stand. It may even be good enough form to finish 3rd. Even if that drops off a touch, you'd imagine this squad is good enough to show top 6 form from the moment Ancelotti arrived until the end of the season.

That is without Iwobi (for the most part) Gomes, Gbamin, Sigurdsson, Richarlinson (partly) and players such as Mina, Digne not at 100%. You start adding those players back in, particularly the 2 lads in central midfield and the team has a very different feel to it.

If we have a spell of showing that form, I do not forecast us ripping up our squad to start again. It will be slower evolution with adding 1 or 2 as you say. I think the club need to decide what position they see Holgate playing and probably buy someone for the other. I suspect they will view him as a centre back, so another midfielder will be good, personally I'd like to see another centre back with him shunted forward.

It's probably not what people want to hear, but players such as Bernard, Iwobi, Gbamin etc are going to be given more time to start to make a first team place their own, and I think they will do ok when that opportunities comes.

 

[Rooney_Tunes]

GK: Pickford / ??? / Virginia
RB: ??? / Kenny
CB: Mina / ???
CB: Holgate / Gibson
LB: Digne /???
CM: ??? / Gomes / ??? / Gbamin / Davies
LM: Iwobi / Bernard / Gordon
RM: ??? / ???
CF: Richarlison / DCL / Kean

Weird thing is we have 3 LM players. Perhaps Gordon to go on loan or one of them to switch over to the right...or one to be sold?

I wouldnt be shocked to see Sidibe and Walcott retained.

That would leave us needing

Centre mid + Right mid starters
Keeper + Centre back + Left back + Centre mid rotations

Even then Gibson may well also be a left back option.

In short, perhaps as little as 2 starters and 2 or 3 rotation players.

A proper CB, and CM, a CF/RW, and a goalkeeper for me are the priorities.

Sell Pickford and Sigurdson...

 

[Zatara]

I don't see us going mad in the summer window. It seems there's a clear plan in place that they are working towards and that will continue. In terms of first teams signings I sense we will prioritise. Before outgoings I think a central midfield player and central defender will be seen as key signings. I would assume we keep Sidibe on. After that I don't foresee major changes. It may also be, the central midfield player will be dependant on people going out of the door.

I hope alongside that we can make some "smart" signings, younger players from across Europe (a bit like what Wolves have done) and we did with Braithwaite.

I would prefer to spend our money on guaranteed first team starters ,even it means only signing 3 players for 100 m
Holgate ,Mina ,Keane and Gibson if rated should do as CBs
We need to improve the first 11 as a priority and put our present starters to the bench.
If we want Europe we need a stronger first 11 and not intentionally buy squad players

Top 3 priorities
Right back
Right midfield
Centre midfield

We lose/draw games mainly to not having a star centre midfielder...also because Walcott misses so many opportunities and so these 2 positions need to have big money spent on them OR just phenomenal scouting and analysis done on incomings.

Right back weve got Coleman, Sidibe has overtaken him + Kenny to return.

I could see us retaining Sidibe and going big on those 2 starting positions.

Outgoings would then determine any replacements in the squad.

 

[ToffeeDevil]

we won't be spending big if we don't get wages off the books, i'm sure of that

 

[Neiler]

we won't be spending big if we don't get wages off the books, i'm sure of that

We will be hoping to increase our turnover next year though mate.

 

[catcherintherye]

Top 3 priorities
Right back
Right midfield
Centre midfield

We lose/draw games mainly to not having a star centre midfielder...also because Walcott misses so many opportunities and so these 2 positions need to have big money spent on them OR just phenomenal scouting and analysis done on incomings.

Right back weve got Coleman, Sidibe has overtaken him + Kenny to return.

I could see us retaining Sidibe and going big on those 2 starting positions.

Outgoings would then determine any replacements in the squad.

I probably agree with this. I know it's not popular but I really like Sidibe. I think he's one of the best fullbacks in the league. Outside of Arnold I haven't really seen anyone I would swap him for. I know he's 27, but I think he's top draw and given his price we'd be mad not to keep him. If we do, it makes sense to sell Kenny for what we can get and keep Coleman in the background.

The other two positions are important. However we do currently have 6 central midfield players. I do think we would need to move players on to be able to bring one in. At present we haven't seen any of Gbamin and while it's a somewhat erstwhile cliche he is a bit of a "new signing". I also don't think we will be looking to move lots of players out at once. In truth I'm probably coming round to the idea maybe Davies has to be moved on? He is probably the lowest paid in terms of wages though. My hope is, Ancelotti can get Schneiderlin back close to his early Koeman form.

As for right wing this is certainly a priority. Unger is a possibility. It would be really good if we can get someone in that position.

I would add though, depending on what happens with Keane we need another centre back. Everything seems to suggest Gibson will be out on loan to a European side next season (which makes a lot of sense) so even a loan at centre back would be good.

As we say though, that is 2 or 3 signings (one of them being a back up). So it would be good to get quality in certain positions.

 

[catcherintherye]

we won't be spending big if we don't get wages off the books, i'm sure of that

Thats true but we are fortunate that we have 5 or 6 first teasers out of contract. Hopefully we can move a couple more on as well.

 

[Goat]

I probably agree with this. I know it's not popular but I really like Sidibe. I think he's one of the best fullbacks in the league. Outside of Arnold I haven't really seen anyone I would swap him for. I know he's 27, but I think he's top draw and given his price we'd be mad not to keep him. If we do, it makes sense to sell Kenny for what we can get and keep Coleman in the background.

The other two positions are important. However we do currently have 6 central midfield players. I do think we would need to move players on to be able to bring one in. At present we haven't seen any of Gbamin and while it's a somewhat erstwhile cliche he is a bit of a "new signing". I also don't think we will be looking to move lots of players out at once. In truth I'm probably coming round to the idea maybe Davies has to be moved on? He is probably the lowest paid in terms of wages though. My hope is, Ancelotti can get Schneiderlin back close to his early Koeman form.

As for right wing this is certainly a priority. Unger is a possibility. It would be really good if we can get someone in that position.

I would add though, depending on what happens with Keane we need another centre back. Everything seems to suggest Gibson will be out on loan to a European side next season (which makes a lot of sense) so even a loan at centre back would be good.

As we say though, that is 2 or 3 signings (one of them being a back up). So it would be good to get quality in certain positions.

Agree about Sidney, as you say bar "Sign your name"(Ask your Dad) over the park theres not many in the league I would rather have, now that either highlights the lack of good fullbacks in the league or highlights his quality.

For 13m its an utter no brainer.

 

[catcherintherye]

Agree about Sidney, as you say bar "Sign your name"(Ask your Dad) over the park theres not many in the league I would rather have, now that either highlights the lack of good fullbacks in the league or highlights his quality.

For 13m its an utter no brainer.

I think there's probably a comment in whats expected from full backs in the modern game. He's no world beater, but in truth the league is very ordinary. If we had a team of Sidibe's we'd be comfortably top 6 and probably top 4. At the price we have agreed again it's a no brainer for me. I look at that Wan Bissaka at United and wonder quite how he is that expensive. I also worry someone is going to do an absolute bundle on Max Aarons from Norwich. To me he's ok, and there's no doubt he could improve (he's fantastic given his age) but the prices being quotes are enormous.

 

[Goat]

I think there's probably a comment in whats expected from full backs in the modern game. He's no world beater, but in truth the league is very ordinary. If we had a team of Sidibe's we'd be comfortably top 6 and probably top 4. At the price we have agreed again it's a no brainer for me. I look at that Wan Bissaka at United and wonder quite how he is that expensive. I also worry someone is going to do an absolute bundle on Max Aarons from Norwich. To me he's ok, and there's no doubt he could improve (he's fantastic given his age) but the prices being quotes are enormous.

Havent seen the boy Aarons at all this season or rather if I have, he defo hasnt caught the eye.

Wan Bissaka is a superb defender, but he gets a nose bleed going forward, for 50m I would be wanting somebody who at least knew what a forward run was.

I really like Sidney, I can see his faults, but as an attacking tool hes 10/10, modern fullbacks are just wingers these days.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

Need: 1x RB (starter), 1x CB (reserve), 1x LB (reserve), 1-2x CM (reserve), 1x RM (starter)

I disagree. While holgate has done well and Mina has had a good season. I can see Ancelotti wanting a first choice CB coming in and a midfielder to.

I think he will be wanting to build a strong spine.

 

[Nymzee]

I disagree. While holgate has done well and Mina has had a good season. I can see Ancelotti wanting a first choice CB coming in and a midfielder to.

I think he will be wanting to build a strong spine.

Ancelotti hasn't played with our strongest CM pair yet so think it's a little early to assume what he wants in that department.

Plus I'm trying to be as realistic as possible in terms of how much we'll have to spend. Like I reckon he'd maybe want a new keeper but it aint happening this Summer.

 

[Goat]

I disagree. While holgate has done well and Mina has had a good season. I can see Ancelotti wanting a first choice CB coming in and a midfielder to.

I think he will be wanting to build a strong spine.

Yeah I think BRANDS will have his eye on a CB, CM and RW of the highest possible quality, everything else will just be filler.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

I don't see us going mad in the summer window. It seems there's a clear plan in place that they are working towards and that will continue. In terms of first teams signings I sense we will prioritise. Before outgoings I think a central midfield player and central defender will be seen as key signings. I would assume we keep Sidibe on. After that I don't foresee major changes. It may also be, the central midfield player will be dependant on people going out of the door.

I hope alongside that we can make some "smart" signings, younger players from across Europe (a bit like what Wolves have done) and we did with Braithwaite.

I agree about CB & CM and have just posted about this. But there’s no way Walcott starts down the right next season. Ancelotti will definitely want a signing for that position

 

[catcherintherye]

Havent seen the boy Aarons at all this season or rather if I have, he defo hasnt caught the eye.

Wan Bissaka is a superb defender, but he gets a nose bleed going forward, for 50m I would be wanting somebody who at least knew what a forward run was.

I really like Sidney, I can see his faults, but as an attacking tool hes 10/10, modern fullbacks are just wingers these days.

I thought that with Wan Bissaka, and I doubt I watch them as much as most people, but I did watch him at Anfield and in truth I was really underwhelmed. He got the absolute run around. He looked completely out of his depth. There's no shame in that in the abstract, but for a lad who has had 50 million paid for him, primarily for his defensive abilities I was underwhelmed.

There is probably a bit of the Jordan Pickford in there. He looked great in a poor team that had to do a lot of defending.