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Right.
So, no cutting their heads, but in the summer we need to address some things with the squad, players that won us a shit load of things.

Who do you reckon needs to go, who stays and who we need?

We don’t need wholesale changes. We’ve just got within a minute of the CL final and we’re top of the league. Just a few tweaks.

Laporte can get his dream move. Won’t miss him one bit.
Stones can’t be relied on when needed so Ake can replace his position and we get in another top CB.
Sterling can go if we find someone stupid enough to take him.

My worry is Bern will go - how do we replace that energy?

I’d bring in Haaland and a proper LB and then start giving the kids some game time. We’ve got a brilliant bunch coming through Delap, McAtee, Palmer to name a few. Bring back the GK at Portsmouth and fuck Steffan off.

We don’t need to spunk a load of cash for the sake of it.

I don't think it is as simple as that. I know who I would like gone so would go with the following to be got rid of:

Steffen - never impressed as the second choice and probably the best for him if he is transferred.
Laporte - can't put it politely other than he bottles it in the biggest games. If Barcelona come calling with a big money offer I would snatch their hands off.
Cancelo - when "fake fullback" was first mentioned this could well be the prototype. Fake as in can't defend at all which surely is what he is there to do.
Sterling - Offers the square root of fuck all up front and again really for the best if he is made available for transfer in the summer as his time is done with us
Mahrez - Only because he has a year left on his contract and can see that he will get pissed off with squad rotation.

We clearly need Haaland and I quite look forward to seeing Julian Alvarez. I would hope that we go balls out for Declan Rice as well for midfield and as for a quality left back, I can't think of any. Tagliafico at Ajax was mentioned a couple of seasons ago but he is 30 in August and hardly one for the future. Tierney at Arsenal would be my shout or Saka to be converted as he has a decent left foot and is young.

LB - that lad from AC Milan. He’s just signed a new contract but if they want Sterling then try and use him as part of the deal.

Mase wrote:LB - that lad from AC Milan. He’s just signed a new contract but if they want Sterling then try and use him as part of the deal.

Good shout mate. Theo Hernandez and using Sterling as a bargaining chip - nice!

Blue In Bolton wrote:

Mase wrote:LB - that lad from AC Milan. He’s just signed a new contract but if they want Sterling then try and use him as part of the deal.

Good shout mate. Theo Hernandez and using Sterling as a bargaining chip - nice!

Saying that, are we buying time to bring Wilson-Esbrand through? He looked good against Wycombe and a “Pep type” fullback. Wouldn’t be surprised if we use Cancelo and Zinch again for another season until W-E is ready.

Mase wrote:

Blue In Bolton wrote:

Mase wrote:LB - that lad from AC Milan. He’s just signed a new contract but if they want Sterling then try and use him as part of the deal.

Good shout mate. Theo Hernandez and using Sterling as a bargaining chip - nice!

Saying that, are we buying time to bring Wilson-Esbrand through? He looked good against Wycombe and a “Pep type” fullback. Wouldn’t be surprised if we use Cancelo and Zinch again for another season until W-E is ready.

He did indeed but the thought of the two mentioned above (particularly Cancelo) makes my blood boil thinking that they will be here next season.

Bottom line is there are a few names we just can’t rely on in big games
Sterling, Laporte, (pep?) and cancelo

The three I would like out are Laporte, Sterling and Cancelo.

In....a striker, two fullbacks and a defensive midfielder.

The thought of Cancelo playing right back these last four league games brings shivers. Worst defender in the league but best at giving the ball away with stupid little flicks!

Not a case of who stays and goes it's more who comes.
Top quality striker, said by most a million times you need a top finisher for that one chance in difficult games. Hopefully we will sort it this summer.
We have needed a left back for years, no change there.

So for me its not wholesale changes at all.

I think the question is: Can the same squad, can the same players do it again for the what? Forth, fifth time?

Bringing players usually give teams an extra. Scouse bringing the mutant was an excellent addition.
That's why I keep on saying not bringing Alvarez in January was a mistake.

Less than two months since your previous thread on the subject and what have we learnt?
Cannot rely on Zack
Zinch and Cancelo are not full-backs


Out
Zack
Sterling
Gabby
Fern
Laporte saleable asset to Farca so no doubt he will go on catalogue terms or for next to nothing

In
A fucking left back. I would go as far as to say that not filling this position unless we are waiting on the academy is approaching gross negligence.
Another striker. I have a niggling feeling that we will leave the left back slot in pursuit of the striker - a mistake for me
Both Palmer and McAtee to get game time in place of Sterling and Gabby

Id be tempted to get Rice and push Rodders forward

Reality is that Haaland or similar puts those chances away and we continue to wing it without a left back until next summer

Reece James from Chelsea while they're in dire, he'll easily replace Walker when we move him on, I think he can play left back, not sure. He's got pace, can defend and cross.

Laporte can go to Barca if the fee is right. There is talk we're after Torres, don't know much about him.

Sterling, he's time is up and should seek a new challenge.

Haaland, after yesterday, I think we'll go in hard and pay whatever to get him.

Midfielder to replace Fern - I don't concur spunking a huge fee on Rice, just not worth it. We're after that lad from Monaco, Tchouameni, apparently a que of big clubs are after him.

I thinks it's a given we're getting a striker, a midfielder and possibly a LB.

The anti Laporte brigade need to face the fact that Ruben had a poor match last night. Our best centre back this season has been Stones. Losing Walker and John cost us a place in the final. I think we need Haaland Alvarez and a replacement for Fernandinho. We could do with a proper left back which means blocking the progress of Wilson Esbrand though.

blues2win wrote:The anti Laporte brigade need to face the fact that Ruben had a poor match last night. Our best centre back this season has been Stones. Losing Walker and John cost us a place in the final. I think we need Haaland Alvarez and a replacement for Fernandinho. We could do with a proper left back which means blocking the progress of Wilson Esbrand though.

You genuinely think we’re not in the final because we lost Walker and Stones mate?! I think the rest of the team deserve a bit more credit!

Forget about Rice, way over priced.

sheblue wrote:Forget about Rice, way over priced.

Yes, but a quality player.
Pay something and you know what you get, no gamble.

Ake in for Laporte, Palmer needs game time, Mcattee needs carabao experience

Out
laporte
zinch
cancelo
fern
sterling
jesus

IN
haaland
alvarez
left back
centre mid

Just a reminder that Cancelo signed a new contract 3 months ago. He’s not going anywhere.

Interesting that Cancelo is now being called out by more people. It's taken a while for many to see that he is fucking horrendous in defence. I mean, truly useless.