03 Jan 2023 13:14:27
Looking at the squad eth has 6 months in and I wonder where players stand with him.
From the outside looking in I think
Dalot varane shaw martinez casimero malacia ericksen Bruno rashford Antony garnacho all look pretty secure as being part of his plans going forward.
Ddg lindelof Fred mc Tom martial sancho all look to be on the unsure list.
The unwanted appear to be
Awb maguire pellistrini elanga dvdb.
Loanees laird Fernández amad could be in with a chance of getting a squad place next season.
Of what I think appears to be the unsure list I think only ddg is worth keeping the unwanted list I'd be happy to see all go.
Interesting times ahead for our new owners whom ever they turn out to be.

1.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 13:25:55
Agree with this Ken although I think/ hope Sancho will turn the corner. Useful player if he can rediscover his Dortmund form.
If he can bring in more of a battler terrier type midfielder it could easily be the end of either/ both of McFred.

2.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 14:06:48
I'm not a sancho fan never was don't see the hype.
Staggering free we paid for him.
I hope he is in good shape mentally soon enough.
A persons mental health is so important and is hard to function effectively without it.

3.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 14:40:14
Our first 11 if all fit can beat anyone on their day. We have a few positions that can be rotated slightly but the drop off is significant in other areas.

I agree with your view on the squad Ken. Those listed to leave should free up more wages and get some money into the coffers for the summer.

On Sancho, any clip I watched from Germany he was direct with quick feet and skill. Since he joined he has been incredibly underwhelming. But we have a manager who will give him the platform to succeed. If he can come back and improve, we'll be well stocked in our wide positions.

Instresting to see which areas will be priority going forward. Obviously a striker is probably number one. Where would you improve after that?

4.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 15:07:00
Mumbles imo I think we need at least 1 cb a rb at least 1 cm and a striker. If sancho doesn't make it he will need replacing unless amad steps up.
Gk is dependent on what happens with ddg.

5.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 15:29:01
Try and get De Gea to reduce his wages. If he won't, let him go for free at the end of next season with a fond fairwell. I think he'll stay personally.

I know we've probably said this every summer since Fergie left, but a decent Summer window and we could have a side that could challenge for major honours.

6.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 15:31:54
Off at a tangent, but speaking of drop-offs, I was vocal when suggesting Arsenal would crumble if they got a significant injury ie Jesus. Yet their surge continues without him and NKetia is playing well. Team goal of the season contender too I reckon last week.
As you were.

7.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 15:41:30
Spenno, they are playing without fear and now they have belief too. Teams always come close before they eventually win it. Even if they don't get over the line this year, with their young squad and good manager it will hold them in good stead.

8.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 16:57:36
Arsenal remind me a lot of the Liverpool team under Rodgers. Momentum and ability is pushing them over the line.

They seem to score goals in flurries and if they get on top in a game they can suffocate you.

A very good team and the morale seems through the roof.

9.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 17:04:55
There is Manchester City movement all through the arsenal team it's like watching the city team if a couple of seasons ago.
Really enjoying the at the moment. Great job arteta is doing there. To think he was labeled the worst manager in the Premier 12 months ago.
City are formidable but not untouchable.
City play Chelsea utd arsenal and spurs twice before the end of Feb
Arsenal play utd Chelsea spurs and Newcastle in their next 6 so it won't be long until we find out and arsenal and City have not played each other yet at all.

10.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 17:29:23
Pretty much agree with your list in full, the unsure list I think will all go, but we just don't have a better option, as we get them in then these lads will filter out.

11.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 17:30:46
They move very well from side to side. I do think the goals could dry up though. They rely a lot in their striker dropping in and helping overload the center.

It does open up space for Saka and Martinelli to run into but it's a lot to ask to relatively young forwards to keep scoring every game to win it.

12.) 03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023 18:37:51
I agree CTR good to see you mate hope all is well. Happy New year.
Like ourselves they are looking to strengthen but they are willing to splash out and I think they will get a forward in this window. I'm sure the Ukrainian lad will come in.
But city are still favourites for me. They have a mad run of fixtures coming up if they dominate those games I expect them to go on stronger. I can't see them not scoring at least 1 in every game so to get a point you need to score at least twice usually.
26 games in the table will look a lot different I suspect.

13.) 04 Jan 2023
04 Jan 2023 09:12:37
I think we also need another midfielder.
Both Casemiro and Eriksen will be 31 in February and these two are our main midfielders this season.
Agree with you as well Ken, we do also need a RB, CB and a Striker.

14.) 04 Jan 2023
04 Jan 2023 12:05:04
Sim, I agree we need another midfielder who can progress the ball from defence to the forward line.

Along with a striker, and a RB. While a GK is also likely if DDG leaves or not. With the only thing changing is whether its a first choice keeper or a back up keeper. We may also need another CB if one of Maguire or Lindelof leave.

At a guess I'd say Goncalo Ramos is the mostly likely striker with the club keeping tabs on him for a while and EtH had him watched while he was at Ajax which suggests he has a long term interest in the lad.

Lots of names are being thrown around at RB with Dumfries, Frimpong and Gusto the most common names. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see Laird given a shot at being Dalot's back up. Much I think will depend on how big the transfer kitty is under our potential new owners with many positions needing attention.

Goalkeepers linked are Diogo Costa from Porto and Yann Sommer on a free. Beyond that the links are a little thin on the ground or very tenuous at best.

I can see us returning for Jurren Timber if one of Maguire or Lindelof pushes to leave. However, we haven't as yet been linked with any CB's so who knows.

In midfield Enzo Fernandez looks set to join Chelsea this window, which will be a bit of a blow as I think he's an excellent player and ideally suited to EtH's style.

Bellingham is more in the Gravenberch mould and is likely to be considered by the club. His price would be prohibitive given the scale of recruitment likely to be needed next summer. However, that price might come down with other clubs likely to be put off and look elsewhere.
Chelsea already seem to have moved to Fernandez in an attempt to get the jump on others who might miss out on Bellingham.
Liverpool are considering Matheus Nunes from Wolves as they will likely need two maybe even three midfielders next summer and probably can't afford to spend 100m+ on a single transfer (unless they get new owners with very deep pockets) .
Bayern won't spend that much on a player, PSG is unlikely to interest Bellingham.
Real Madrid are making noises that they might move for him, but with Tchouameni, Camavinga and Valverde already at the club midfield isn't an area of immediate concern. They really need to spend their money on their forward line, which is typically expensive. With Benzema being 35 years old and Asensio out of contract in the summer that only leaves Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo as regular forwards for the front three places. They need a striker and a wide player at least.
That really leaves ourselves and Man City, with less competition for his signature his quoted price of 150m might come down to 120m or 100m, or even possibly less.