How are we looking so far

[PeterParker]

So, after we got Sterling and Pogba seems a long way, what do we need now?

Let's look a bit at our squad:

GK: Joe and Willy

RB: Zaba and Sagna (the frenchman signed a new contract so he is staying).
LB: Gael and Kola - no reports of any of them leaving, even if at the end of the season, the serbian was linked with Juventus and Inter.
CB: Vinnie, Mangala, Demichelis ... Denayer? We are going to promote the kid or sign someone else?
Mid: Fernando, Fernandinho, Yaya ... Zuculini? We were linked with Pogba and with the lad that Inter got. No new names, nothing. It will be interesting to see how we sort this out.
Attacking Mids and Wingers: Dave, Samir, Jesus, Raheem. We are linked with De Bruyne, but no one else. There is likely for another chap to come here.
Forwards; Sergio, Bony. Weird one, we had absolutly no rumour here, so we will need someone after Edin and Jovetic will go.

So, this is how we look at this point: We need 3 players. Maybe 4 if we do not want to give Denayer a chance.

What do you think?

[iwasthere2012]

So, after we got Sterling and Pogba seems a long way, what do we need now?

Let's look a bit at our squad:

GK: Joe and Willy

RB: Zaba and Sagna (the frenchman signed a new contract so he is staying).
LB: Gael and Kola - no reports of any of them leaving, even if at the end of the season, the serbian was linked with Juventus and Inter.
CB: Vinnie, Mangala, Demichelis ... Denayer? We are going to promote the kid or sign someone else?
Mid: Fernando, Fernandinho, Yaya ... Zuculini? We were linked with Pogba and with the lad that Inter got. No new names, nothing. It will be interesting to see how we sort this out.
Attacking Mids and Wingers: Dave, Samir, Jesus, Raheem. We are linked with De Bruyne, but no one else. There is likely for another chap to come here.
Forwards; Sergio, Bony. Weird one, we had absolutly no rumour here, so we will need someone after Edin and Jovetic will go.

So, this is how we look at this point: We need 3 players. Maybe 4 if we do not want to give Denayer a chance.

What do you think?

Rumour is that Iheanacho and Lopes have been promoted to the first team as well as Denayer.

[I Just Blue Myself]

We were linked with McCarthy yesterday. If we land both Pogba & KDB, we'll need to ship Dzeko, Jovetic + another foreign sub. Fernando could be replaced by McCarthy. This is not including Zucchini who should be a goner regardless.



Absolutely ridiculous midfield which would be overrun by every half-decent european team, but the numbers would add up.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

With a set of binoculars

[Cocacolajojo1]

I've lost a bit of weight this summer. Will report back in the end of august!

[PrezIke]

We were linked to Higuian, but that seems doubtful, and my guess is Raheem could be considered our 3rd striker. That's partially why he's so valuable to us.

[Wonderwall]

We were linked to Higuian, but that seems doubtful, and my guess is Raheem could be considered our 3rd striker. That's partially why he's so valuable to us.

Aguero, Bony, Dzeko, Jovetic, Iheanachho, Cole & Ambrose :-)
then
Sterling

[nottsblue]

We were linked to Higuian, but that seems doubtful, and my guess is Raheem could be considered our 3rd striker. That's partially why he's so valuable to us.

Aguero, Bony, Dzeko, Jovetic, Iheanachho, Cole & Ambrose :-)
then
Sterling

Failing that, there is the 4-6-0 which served us so well in December. A further out and out striker is not our priority now I would think

[Dubciteh]

I dont think Pogba is happening so a centre midfielder is priority we only have 3 as things stand.

We are ok out wide and we are ok up front until we sell jovetic/or big ed.

Defence not to be touched, we have our 8 inc Denayer.

[PeterParker]

Sergio is world class, but also we all know his injury rate and Bony was injured a lot since he came here too. So, if we cash in for Edin and Jovetic, we should look for someone to cover our front.

[sheblue]

We need a central midfielder, just hope we have someone else in mind if the Pogba thing goes tits up. There is a big question mark about Yaya and how he will get on this season, if he is shot were relying on the two ferns. That is a worry. Central midfield should be priority now and dont think Mc Carthy is the answer, decent player but not sure is he good enough.

[MaineRoadblue]

Sergio is world class, but also we all know his injury rate and Bony was injured a lot since he came here too. So, if we cash in for Edin and Jovetic, we should look for someone to cover our front.

Not a chance we are going to be signing a striker

Aguero, bony, kelechi is more than a enough to cover one position

Personally I think Navas will leave with de bruyne coming in. And a another midfilder hopefully Aranguiz as I just cant see Pogba joining.

My starting 11 next season

..............................Hart..................

Zaba,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Komp...........Deanyer.................Kolarov

.......................Yaya............Fernandinho................

Sterling.....................Silva...........................De bruyne

...............................Aguero.........................

[PeterParker]

. And a another midfilder hopefully Aranguiz as I just cant see Pogba joining.

The lad from Chile? Was he linked with us?

Saw him a thew times, excelent freekick and pen taker. He is very similar to David Pizarro.

[iwasthere2012]

We need a central midfielder, just hope we have someone else in mind if the Pogba thing goes tits up. There is a big question mark about Yaya and how he will get on this season, if he is shot were relying on the two ferns. That is a worry. Central midfield should be priority now and dont think Mc Carthy is the answer, decent player but not sure is he good enough.

I don't believe McCarthy is up to the standard we should be looking for. He's very mediocre IMO. Have seen him more in an Ireland jersey than an Everton one though.

[MaineRoadblue]

. And a another midfilder hopefully Aranguiz as I just cant see Pogba joining.

The lad from Chile? Was he linked with us?

Saw him a thew times, excelent freekick and pen taker. He is very similar to David Pizarro.

A few small links nothing substantial though. Would be a big upgrade on Fernando if we do get him.

[FA cup winners 2006]

As per a similar thread a few months ago. it seems we are going 433 from next season as a 4231 with yaya as part of the 2 just does not work.

the main player i see changing his role is Silva by dropping deeper into a 3 man midfield. Also i still think Pogba is realistic.

...............................Hart

Zabaleta.....Kompany......Mangala.......Kolorov

.............Pogba.........Yaya.........Silva

.........Sterling.........Aguero..........DeBrunye

With the pace and the directness of that front 3 and a compact midfield 3 we would not need to play such a high defensive line. Silva would still be the main creator but from a much deeper position with 3 options ahead of him

[Mikhail Chigorin]

Sergio is world class, but also we all know his injury rate and Bony was injured a lot since he came here too. So, if we cash in for Edin and Jovetic, we should look for someone to cover our front.

Not a chance we are going to be signing a striker

Aguero, bony, kelechi is more than a enough to cover one position

Personally I think Navas will leave with de bruyne coming in. And a another midfilder hopefully Aranguiz as I just cant see Pogba joining.

My starting 11 next season

..............................Hart..................

Zaba,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Komp...........Deanyer.................Kolarov

.......................Yaya............Fernandinho................

Sterling.....................Silva...........................De bruyne

...............................Aguero.........................

The trouble is, last season when Negredo left, (nearly) everyone said we'd be OK with Dzeko, Aguero and Jovetic up front and just look where that got us, even though we were still the Premier Division's leading scorers.

We still need another good quality striker for this coming campaign and, for my money, we ought to try and pinch Cavani from under Butthead's nose..

[MaineRoadblue]

Sergio is world class, but also we all know his injury rate and Bony was injured a lot since he came here too. So, if we cash in for Edin and Jovetic, we should look for someone to cover our front.

Not a chance we are going to be signing a striker

Aguero, bony, kelechi is more than a enough to cover one position

Personally I think Navas will leave with de bruyne coming in. And a another midfilder hopefully Aranguiz as I just cant see Pogba joining.

My starting 11 next season

..............................Hart..................

Zaba,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Komp...........Deanyer.................Kolarov

.......................Yaya............Fernandinho................

Sterling.....................Silva...........................De bruyne

...............................Aguero.........................

The trouble is, last season when Negredo left, (nearly) everyone said we'd be OK with Dzeko, Aguero and Jovetic up front and just look where that got us, even though we were still the Premier Division's leading scorers.

We still need another good quality striker for this coming campaign and, for my money, we ought to try and pinch Cavani from under Butthead's nose..

How would you fit another striker in though?

It seems almost certain Pellegrini is shifting to a 4-2-3-1 formation (about time) so I cant feasilbly see how he could keep four players happy especially one such as Cavani, even Mancini couldnt keep four srikers happy when playing with two up front. Furthermore unlike last season we actually have a bit of a wild card in Kelechi, so if an injury crisis does happen I would certainly not be anxious to see him given a go especially with the fire power behind him.

[PrezIke]

We were linked to Higuian, but that seems doubtful, and my guess is Raheem could be considered our 3rd striker. That's partially why he's so valuable to us.

Aguero, Bony, Dzeko, Jovetic, Iheanachho, Cole & Ambrose :-)
then
Sterling

Well played.

Iheanacho is the one who should certainly should be included in the "likely to remain with the club" player who could end up as our 3rd striker.

[PrezIke]

Sergio is world class, but also we all know his injury rate and Bony was injured a lot since he came here too. So, if we cash in for Edin and Jovetic, we should look for someone to cover our front.

Bony ended up being injured with us, but it was a sprained ankle. Hardly an injury that's an example of a sick note-type of player.

His injury record is quite good, as that was easily the worst injury he has experienced in his career (20 days) by a good margin:

http://www.transfermarkt.com/wilfried-b ... eler/81808

Yes, we see an increase in length of time hurt, but none are repeat injuries. This contrasts to our current list of "injury prone" players who are often getting repeated muscle problems, knee injuries and hamstring injuries that keep them out regularly or for long periods. With Bony's strength he doesn't strike me as someone that will end up being hurt so much.