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Next seasons squad

Players Out

Sold

Vicario, Dragusin, Romero, Richarlison, Phillips, Devine, Solomon, Veliz
Release/Loan End
Davies, Bissouma, K.Muani, Dorrington, Hall
Loan
Gunter, Rowswell, Souza, Abbot, Olusesi, Donely, Ajayi, Lankshear, Melia

I conservatiey estimate this brings us in £200M in transfer fees and £600k PW in wages.

Based on an average net spend over the last 5 years of £115M, I will set a conservative spend £100 + £115M incoming for £215M total. Plus a wage bill increase of £400k with £600k per week coming off the books from players leaving.

I am going to assume the Robertson, Senesi & Palhinha signings get done. £15M in transfer fees and £325k per week in wages. That leaves us with £200M to spend and £675k on wages on the 4 remaining players we need at GK, CM, WF, CF which it seems we all agree would be the remaining key needs. From that players who we have been linked with;

Goalkeepers
Verburggen - £60M (£150k PW)
Trafford - £45M (£75k PW)
Trubin - £45M (£75k PW)
Risser - £30M (£50k PW)
Atubolu - £15M (£50k PW)
ter Stegen - Loan/£5M (£200k PW)

Kinskys form puts us in a tricky position because to attract a top level keeper means they need to be guarenteed the #1 jersey. His form is why I would lean towards a short term deal with an experienced keeper like ter Stegan who Kinsky can learn from over the next year while playing cup games and take over from in 27/28.

Centre Midfielders
Wharton - £90M (£150k PW)

Scott - £60M (£75k PW)
Locatelli - £45M (£200k PW)
Jones - £30M (£100k PW)
Forfana - £30M (£100k PW)
Hackney - £25M (£50m PW)

This is where I think we go all out. Wharton would be a game changing signing and a real statement of intent from ENIC. Give us the ability to control the game and play line breaking passes from the midfield.

Wingers
Yildiz - £75M (£200k PW)
Savinho - £50M (£150k PW)
Ndiaye - £50M (£125k PW)
Akliouche - £40M (£100k PW)
Rashford - £25M (£200k PW)
Gnabry - £25M (£200k PW)

Ndiaye would be my pick over Savinho here just for his ability to play LW, RW & AM. This means he can cover for Kudus/Kulusevski/Maddison/Xavi while they get back to 100%. But would be happy with either. Prem proven and will be ready to make an immediate impact.

Centre Forwards
Thiago - £75M (£150k PW)
Aghehowa - £75M (£100k PW)
Torres - £60M (£150k PW)
Marmoush - £50M (£200k PW)
Ramos £35M (£125k PW)
Mateta £30M (£100k PW)

Marmoush my choice here. Once again Prem proven, ready to come in. Also has the flexibility to play LW & AM if needed.

Incoming
Marc Andre ter Stegan - £5M (£200k PW)
Marcos Senesi - Free (£100k PW)
Andy Robertson - Free (£150k PW)
Joao Palhinha - £15M (£75k PW)
Adam Wharton - £90M (£150k PW)
Iliman Ndiaye - £50M (£125k PW)
Omar Marmoush - £50M (£200k PW)
Total Spence - £215M (£1.0M PW)

Squad 2026/27

Goalkeepers
1st XI: ter Stegen
, Kinsky
Backup: Austin

Full Backs
1st XI:
Porro, Spence, Udogie, Robertson

Centre Backs
1st XI:
Vuskovic, van de Ven, Danso, Senesi
Youth:
Byfield, Takei

Centre Midfielders
1st XI: Wharton
, Bentancur, Palinhia,
Youth: Bergvall, Gray

Attacking Midfielders
1st Team:
Maddison, Gallagher, Xavi
Youth: W.Barnett

Wingers
1st Team: Ndiaye
, Kudus, Kulusevski, Odobert
Youth: Moore, Yang

Centre Forwards
1st Team: Marmoush
, Solanke
Youth: Tel
 
Also adding quality rather than quantity another reason is how far are we off? We got 11 points from 7 under RDZ. Extrapolate that over 38 games that’s 59 points this season that would have been 6th. Previous seasons you’d be a couple of wins from 5/6th. So add a bit of quality and you could bridge that gap. Is 5/6th what we want to aim for, no. But it’s a good step back in the right direction.

Even if we don’t sign anyone he will be adding Vuskovic, Maddison, Kudus, Solanke as well.
 
Don’t think it will be a massive overhaul but 4/5 signing including making Paulinha permanent.

Vicario sell

Kinsky keep

Austin Keep



Porro keep

Spence keep

VDV keep

Danso keep

Romero sell

Dragusin sell

Vuskovic keep

Davies End of contract

Udogie keep

Souza loan if we bring in another left back



Paulinha sign(rdz seems to like him)

Bentancur keep

Bergvall keep

Gallagher keep

Gray keep

Sarr sell

Bissouma End of contract



Maddison keep

Kudos keep

Simons keep

Kulu keep

Odobert keep



Tel keep

Solanke we will keep him due to book value

Richarlison It’s a keep him or Solanke situation. I think I’d rather keep him but because of above Richi would go

Muani end of loan



So that’s 19 players staying

A CB looks to be Senasi

We then need to sign a goalkeeper

A striker

Another wide/attacking creator



We are not in Europe so we won’t need the biggest squad. Better to spend good money on 3/4 this summer and then 3/4 next summer when hopefully we are back in Europe.
We won't get back into Europe with that squad.
 
Think you need to break it up

Released/out of contract - Davies, Bissouma, RKM
To sell - Dragusin, Sarr, Richi (1 year left on contract, older and on paper Solanke is more a RDZ striker), Vic (Italy agreed?), Romero (think he will push for it)

That's already 8 changes, and leaves

Will still be injured during 1st half of next season - Odobert, Xavi
Remaining squad - Kinsky, Udogie, VDV, Danso, Spence, Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha (seems RDZ wants him), Gallagher, Gray, Bergvall, Maddison, Tel, Deki, Kudus, Solanke

That is a squad of 18 already with no Europe

You then have

To evaluate - Vuskovic, Moore, Lankshear, Phillips, Takai, Yang, Scarlett, Devine, Williams- Barnett
For me, Vuskovic is only one we should be considering for immediate 1st team integration, Lankshear and Moore could be half season cover depending on how light we want to keep squad.

Smart thing to do
- Keep squad light, focus on quality incoming, continue to correct HG problems (would allow a "bigger" squad when we return to Europe)

Have to buy
CF - Richi replacement, need a consistent goalscorer, my profile would be someone with pace (we have a hold up man in Solanke), if they can play off RW would give us more options and them more chances of playing. Think we might have to go to Europe to find the player. One of two positions we need to be willing to spend club record fee on.
GK - Vic replacement to battle Kinsky for #1, would be really good to go HG here, Trafford?
CM- Technical player, can help us both control the game and get the ball forward, expect to play alongside Bentancur most days. Second position to spend cash on.

Those 3 would push the squad to 21 players already.

Highly recommended
RW - neither Kudus or Deki are ready now (hopefully RDZ has a date), neither will have played competitive football in >6 months, seems risky to have no other option
LW - Odobert & Xavi out till 2nd half of season, if we sell Richi we become very light here with only Tel. Moore could be used as cover until Odobert back. A Perisic type signing would be ideal,

That would push squad up to 23 with everyone fit. It's the reason I don't see us buying more than 5 first team players in any scenario.
I agree mostly with what you say, but Solanke has to go. We need a striker holding the ball up near the box, not the half way line. I also don't think he is the best at linking play, his touch, passing and vision isn't good enough. Richy literally beats him on scoring goals. Everything else, they could both do better
 
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I am very concerned by the fact that we are seriously linked to Robertson who has just left Liverpool. He spent most of the season on the bench, so why the heck are we interested in him? He is simply not good enough for us.
We are obviously looking for some experience. On a free its a no brainer for me. The guy is a class player . Look at Kane. He is still at the top of his game at nearly 33. Robertson could do a job for another 2 seasons easily, and would be a model pro for the youngsters to learn from.
 
I agree mostly with what you say, but Solanke has to go. We need a striker holding the ball up near the box, not the half way line. I also don't think he is the best at linking play, his touch, passing and vision isn't good enough. Richy literally beats him on scoring goals. Everything else, they could both do better
We need a striker who shoots and scores, attacks the box. If all a striker does is hold it up thats just not good enough for me.
 
We need some serious clear out.

championship manager anyone?

Out:
Vicario £35m
Romero £50m
Dragusin £25m
Richarilson £30m
Solanke £30m
Bissouma Free
Davies Coaching role if he wants it

In:
Kroupi (£40m plus Solanke)
Senesi (Free)
Robertson (Free, just replaces Davies for experience)
Wharton £80m
Fernandez from Wham £65m
Paulinha £25m
Defender & GK

Would like to see Lankshear, and other academy players bled in.
Agree with most of your picks, but we need a top striker. Id go for Thiago from Brentford.
 
GK: New / Kinsky
RB: Porro / Spence
LB: Udogie / Souza / Roberston
CBs: Danso / VDV / Senesi / Phillips / New
DMs: Palhinha / Gallagher / Bentancur / Gray
CMs: Maddison / New / Simons in 2027
RM: Kudus / Kulu (assuming he recovers) / New
LM: Tel / Odobert / New
CF: Solanke / New / Lankshire

Premiership loans for Bergvall, Mikey and extension + Hamburg loan for Vuskovic....
Swap out Solanke for Thiago
 
Think you need to break it up

Released/out of contract - Davies, Bissouma, RKM
To sell - Dragusin, Sarr, Richi (1 year left on contract, older and on paper Solanke is more a RDZ striker), Vic (Italy agreed?), Romero (think he will push for it)

That's already 8 changes, and leaves

Will still be injured during 1st half of next season - Odobert, Xavi
Remaining squad - Kinsky, Udogie, VDV, Danso, Spence, Porro, Bentancur, Palhinha (seems RDZ wants him), Gallagher, Gray, Bergvall, Maddison, Tel, Deki, Kudus, Solanke

That is a squad of 18 already with no Europe

You then have

To evaluate - Vuskovic, Moore, Lankshear, Phillips, Takai, Yang, Scarlett, Devine, Williams- Barnett
For me, Vuskovic is only one we should be considering for immediate 1st team integration, Lankshear and Moore could be half season cover depending on how light we want to keep squad.

Smart thing to do
- Keep squad light, focus on quality incoming, continue to correct HG problems (would allow a "bigger" squad when we return to Europe)

Have to buy
CF - Richi replacement, need a consistent goalscorer, my profile would be someone with pace (we have a hold up man in Solanke), if they can play off RW would give us more options and them more chances of playing. Think we might have to go to Europe to find the player. One of two positions we need to be willing to spend club record fee on.
GK - Vic replacement to battle Kinsky for #1, would be really good to go HG here, Trafford?
CM- Technical player, can help us both control the game and get the ball forward, expect to play alongside Bentancur most days. Second position to spend cash on.

Those 3 would push the squad to 21 players already.

Highly recommended
RW - neither Kudus or Deki are ready now (hopefully RDZ has a date), neither will have played competitive football in >6 months, seems risky to have no other option
LW - Odobert & Xavi out till 2nd half of season, if we sell Richi we become very light here with only Tel. Moore could be used as cover until Odobert back. A Perisic type signing would be ideal,

That would push squad up to 23 with everyone fit. It's the reason I don't see us buying more than 5 first team players in any scenario.
Nicely done.
 
We are obviously looking for some experience. On a free its a no brainer for me. The guy is a class player . Look at Kane. He is still at the top of his game at nearly 33. Robertson could do a job for another 2 seasons easily, and would be a model pro for the youngsters to learn from.
Kane scored 61 goals.
Robertson was a backup left back for an underperforming liverpool because his legs have gone.
 
Sell the following as a priority:

Vicario
Romero
Richarlison
Solanke
Udogie
RKM

Need to go but not as urgent:

Tel
Odobert

On the fence:

Porro
Kulu - mainly for fitness issues
VDV
Bentancur

Keep:

Bergvall
Maddison
Kinsky (backup)
Danso
We don't own Muani, so selling him is somewhat challenging.

I would say the player who has always failed to impress me is Dragusin, he's not at the pace of our league and will recoup £25-30m in Italy or Spain.

Selling Solanke is a crazy idea because if fit he's the best we have by a mile. By all means have a succession plan, but we can't sell him, we need depth up top, not to strip out the numbers.

Romero has to stay too, for all the furore that surrounds him and his off field decisions at times, the guy is a world class footballer, our only one, and no coach is going to want to lose that.

Udogie hasn't been fit this season, and every time we have him back we have had to rush him back into the side. Buy another lb and give him a proper pre season and he will be far better.

Tel is one of the best prospects in Europe, if you can't see that I won't try to explain it. Think Bale when he was breaking through - raw but the talent is there to see.

I'd say the issue I have with your approach is that you're chucking out the squad, while actually we need to add players above them.

This summer has an absolute wealth of free transfer players so don't be surprised to see us pick up someone like Dusan Vlahovic to compliment the forward line.
 
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