04 Jul 2019 11:14:50
Hi Everyone, 1st post from me.

Just been looking at our squad for next season with respect to registration rules. Was wondering how much space we have / how many players we need to move on.

We can register 25 players, and use an unlimited amount of U21 players.

Dan James, Dean Henderson, Fosu-Mensah and Tuanzebe would have to be registered as they just miss the U21 age threshold.

As I see it the 25 should be made up of 3 keepers, roughly 2 players for each outfield position + 2 Other players.

Assumed *current* squad for next season:
GK1 De Gea
GK2 Romero
GK3 Grant
(Pereira and Henderson miss out)
RB1 Wan-Bissaka
RB2 Dalot
RCB1 Smalling
RCB2 Bailly
LCB1 Lindelof
LCB2 Jones
LB1 Shaw
LB2 Young
(Rojo, Darmian, Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah miss out)
RCM1 Fred
RCM2 Pereira
CDM1 Matic
CDM2 McTominay
LCM1 Pogba
LCM2 ***GAP***
(Gomes, Garner can play as U21)
RW1 Mata
RW2 ***GAP***
LW1 Martial
LW2 James
ST1 Lukaku
ST2 Rashford
(Chong, Greenwood can play as U21)
EXTRA1 Lingard
EXTRA2 Sanchez

(Don't THINK I missed anyone haha)

As you can see above I reckon there are 2 GAPs in the squad; a CM and a specialised RW. Sounds like we are out looking for a CM, and Sanchez/ Lingard/ Chong CAN play RW at a push.

As I see it Rojo Darmian can leave on permanent deals. Joel Pereira, Henderson, Tuanzebe and Fosu Mensah can go on loan.

I would say ideally the 2 extra slots should be taken up by a CB and a ST, as this would give the most flexibility with formations.

Forgetting peoples opinions on player quality for a minute, I think its important we start the season with a well balanced squad, due to the amount of games we may (hopefully) have this year.

With this in mind I think we should be prioritising a RW.

People are desperate for the club to buy a CB (which I agree could improve the team) . But I see the urgent needs to be at RW (and CM) . If we could sustain effective attacks then the defence would not be so exposed.

What you think guys?


1.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 11:47:29
Welcome mate.
Im much more of let's wait and see type of guy.


2.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 11:47:40
I'd actually peg CM as top priority. With Herrera leaving, we are desparately short of quality at CM. Fred and McTominay are fine rotation options, but not good enough to be first choice. Matic is great, but he's ageing and already past his best.

We could really use a RW, but James, Lingard, Sanchez can all fill in, so not quite as urgent as CM IMO.

CB is the lowest priority of the three IMO, as I think Bailly could do well if he stays uninjured, and I really can't see who we are going to get in to improve there. Maguire would improve us, but not by that much, certainly not enough to justify a massive fee, and there aren't many other realistic targets available. Better to put faith in Bailly than spend absurd amounts on Maguire (although if he were available for a more reasonable price I'd take him.


3.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 11:55:16
At the moment, a forward has to leave the club because for the front 3 position we have Rash, Lukaku, Sanchez, Mata, James, Lingard, Martial.
Add to that Chong, Gomez or Greenwood may slowly be integrated.

A ball playing CB and a top CM is what we need right now.


4.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 12:06:41
It's hard to pick which area of the squad has priority as each area is in clear need.

Personally I have RW as lowest priority with midfield as top priority. We lose too many games because we don't control the midfield. If we did we would create more goalscoring chances and concede less goals.

Centre back would be my second priority as although we have many CB's the quality is questionable for a team aiming to win things.

We have Lingard, Mata, Sanchez, Rashford, James, Dalot and Chong who could play RW if needed. Plus looking slightly further ahead I would like us to move for Jadon Sancho next summer, so see little point in spending huge amounts on someone this year if Sancho is to be a priority next summer.


5.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 12:07:26
we need a cb at least 2 cm a rw and a striker in a perfect world

but we will have to wait and see,


seems the window is becoming more lively.


6.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 12:31:18
I think RW, CM and CB are all of equal priority.

We need to move Lukaku on to free up space for a RW.

We already have space for a new CM.

We need to move on at least one, maybe two of Rojo, Bailly, Smalling and Jones to bring in a new CB. Ideal would be to lose two of the above and bring in two CB's, one experienced and one young.

Plenty to do and it will probably take more than 1 window.


7.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 13:58:30
Welcome mate - When you list the team like that it doesn't half look awful.

We have been crying out for a RW for eons, desperate for a CM and we need to cut loose a CB to bring in a leader back there. I also don't rate Rashford or Lukaku as strikers for our club.

A lot of work to be done over the next few weeks, but as always it relies on other clubs being willing to take some of the lads off our hands. I keep reading about new contracts being given to players that we should really be moving on if we aim to be competing with the likes of Liverpool and City. Scary times.


8.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 14:04:54
Some good points.

I do agree it won't all be done in one window, I guess every club would hope to be actively improving their squad in every window.

I just think from a balance point of view we need someone who can play RW to a good level, for most of the season.

Sanchez, Lingard, Mata, James, Dalot, Martial, Chong, Rashford, even Lukaku could perceivably be played there. I would not expect any one of them to play it well for one game - let alone most of a season. Its just not their best position.
In fact out of all the above I would rather see Chong given a spell than the others.

I agree our CMs struggle to control games. We practically concede possession against good sides and try to counter. A big part of this is having options to pass to (as well as the technical ability to execute obvs) .

Having played CM at an amateur level myself, its makes life so much easier having options to pass to in all areas of the pitch. Martial isn't the most active off the ball, and hardly comes begging for it. Lukaku often asked to lead the line so the passing lane is easily cut off by a CDM (also his touch can be atrocious) and we have had every possible player play RW for us last season (all the above + young) .
It means the CMs look to pass to each other too often, or play backwards (we all know the issues there) .

Rashford must be the easiest to play with, as he constantly wants the ball. To feet, through ball, over the top. He's not world class but its the energy levels, movement and work ethic that we need. (hoping D. James will be similar in that respect) . Its also reflected when we lose possession - Rashford and Lingard sprint after defenders. They want it back. Its good to see but to be truly effective it has to be a coordinated press.

The foundation of Liverpool and City's form over the last season (and further back) is work rate and mobility. Obviously they have technically class players, but have you seen how Bernardo Silva or Salah react when possession is lost? They instantly switch into press mode, and the whole side follows behind them.


9.) 04 Jul 2019
04 Jul 2019 14:38:35
beast and wazza. spot on.


10.) 05 Jul 2019
05 Jul 2019 06:10:18
Well put 01jamham. Nice post.