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Rodrigo Bentancur

The partnership with Biss seems to be working (think Bentancur makes Biss a better player)

Another one who did his part, congrats, not his first trophy though
 
Seems there’s lots of desire for a new no. 6; personally I’m happy with Bentancur there as the starter. Am I in the minority?
 
Seems there’s lots of desire for a new no. 6; personally I’m happy with Bentancur there as the starter. Am I in the minority?
Him and Biss (or Bergvall, Gray or Sarr) as a double pivot works great. Its the tactics, not the personnel that are the problem
 
Seems there’s lots of desire for a new no. 6; personally I’m happy with Bentancur there as the starter. Am I in the minority?

I think we've been lucky this season. I don't think the midfield were hit as bad with injuries as other areas. In fact, last season was probably worse with AFCON and the injuries. Biss even had malaria. Obviously, next season is AFCON again.

Cardoso is always a conversation. I guess we find out first week in July.

The other interesting area is the UEFA squad rules. We can only have 17 overseas quota, but we've only got one or two club trained. That might see us retain Devine and/or Abbott to pad out the squad as U21s.

The player I think is the best fit is Joao Gomes. Just been announced as Wolves supporters player of the season. He'd be immense for us.
 
Seems there’s lots of desire for a new no. 6; personally I’m happy with Bentancur there as the starter. Am I in the minority?

Given our defensive frailties, it's more that a double pivot with Lolo and someone new holding seems like a pretty solid proposition.

I personally think we trigger the option on Cardoso when the window opens - it's too much of a good deal to pass up, and that gives us a 'pure' defensive 6 to pair with him. Depending on how good Cardoso is at holding, it allows Bentancur to intercept higher up the field as well, which was what he was extremely good at doing at his peak in early 2022.


The other interesting area is the UEFA squad rules. We can only have 17 overseas quota, but we've only got one or two club trained. That might see us retain Devine and/or Abbott to pad out the squad as U21s.

I just have a feeling we're going to bring Dennis Cirkin back. Which, if you include Moore and the third goalie (Whiteman or Brandon Austin, maybe), brings us to 3 club-grown against the 4 UEFA require. We'd still need to leave a non-club-grown player out of the CL list, but that's okay - probably will be Vuskovic in any case.

As for why I think Cirkin will come back, call it a hunch. One year left on his deal at Sunderland, was in pretty good form before an injury in Jan, still only 23, has publicly talked about missing London. As a backup LB (which is also a role Djed can cover), it's not the worst move from a squad strength perspective.
 
I just have a feeling we're going to bring Dennis Cirkin back. Which, if you include Moore and the third goalie (Whiteman or Brandon Austin, maybe), brings us to 3 club-grown against the 4 UEFA require. We'd still need to leave a non-club-grown player out of the CL list, but that's okay - probably will be Vuskovic in any case.

As for why I think Cirkin will come back, call it a hunch. One year left on his deal at Sunderland, was in pretty good form before an injury in Jan, still only 23, has publicly talked about missing London. As a backup LB (which is also a role Djed can cover), it's not the worst move from a squad strength perspective.

It sort of makes sense IF he is good enough. I'm not well enough informed to know to be fair, as I haven't watched Sunderland. He would at least be a club trained player along with Austin. Surely Whiteman walks away as he's out of contract. Problem is, Keeley joined us too late to plug the gap.

Most likely we'll only have 23 senior players named. The B list is so strong though that we can easily make the squad look sizeable.
 
Bentacur did one outrageous piece of skill on Sunday, can't describe it but sheer wizardry. We forget he had what - 7 games out with a ban?
At his best he is a superb footballer, and if he isn't out with injury, his inclusion in the midfield will surely give us more wins next season.
 
For me Bentancur has done well there [ better then anyone else has], however i truly believe he is wasted there as his strengths suit him being further forward. A DM is a priorty for me this window.

Exactly, it was obvious going into the final without Maddison, Deki or Bergvall, we were going to be short a 8, or just a player that could help the transition.

Obvious answer would have been push Bentancur up and leave Sarr & Biss in the pivot, issue is, Biss looks his best next to Bentancur, so the choice was defensive stability or better transitions, Ange chose right, but highlighted the need for a DM that can free up Bentancur (who is starting to look back to the player he was before injury)
 
Interesting. Trouble is we then have Sarr, Bentancur and Bergvall as 8s. Not sure we have enough room for all of them in the squad.
 
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