- Aug 27, 2013
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As we are unlikely to do any business in this transfer window, lets look ahead to the summer.
Who, or what positions, are on your wish list to upgrade, or improve depth?
For me, I think our summer business will depend largely on what Poch and the coaching staff determine is our preferred formation. We have to get that somewhat settled before we can address any holes in the roster. This is not to say, we should only buy players who fit a specific formation, but we should make sure that players are going to fit somewhere - i.e. if we are not going to stick with the 4231, we don't need to stockpile inverted wingers.
I prefer the 343 (3421) formation, as it appears to be a better fit for our existing personnel. I think Dier needs to be on the pitch (as does Wanyama, but not as Dier's partner), and I think Eriksen and Dele excel centrally. So, with that in mind, here is how I see things:
GK
Lloris, Vorm, Pau - Lloris is number 1, I think we will move one of Vorm or Pau this summer. Since Pau is on loan, he is easiest to shift by simply not purchasing (I don't even know if we have a purchase option). But, I imagine that we took Pau on loan to see if he could be the long-term replacement to Lloris - if he is, we will purchase, and I think we will sell Vorm. Either way, one will leave this summer, no incomings.
CBs
Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Dier, Wimmer, Carter-Vickers - This is one of those positions where formation matters. If we stick with a 3-man back line, I think we will see some changes here. I am not yet convinced with Wimmer in a back-3 - he played well in a back-4, and that may be his better position - rather than at LCB. That is something Poch has to figure out this spring. If we were to sell Wimmer, I think we have a couple of options. We could move Davies to the LCB role (backing up Vertonghen). Or, we could look for a younger player more suitable to that role than Wimmer. I think Dier is the natural back-up to Alderweireld in the middle, and CCV looks like he should be ready next season to be the primary back-up to Dier.
WingBacks
Walker, Trippier, Rose, Davies, Walker-Peters - If we stay in the 343, I think we will want to upgrade Rose's deputy. I don't know if that can be KWP, or if he is better suited to the Right Wing-Back role. Davies could be shifted to LCB, or sold. I think Walker and Trippier are both happy with their roles here - I don't see Trippier agitating for a move to a lower club for playing time.
CMs
Wanyama, Dembele, Winks, Onomah(?) - Winks has been a fine deputy for Dembele. I would be worried if China came in for Dembele - who, at his age, may be looking to cash in on a big pay day. But, assuming we can hold onto Dembele, we should be comfortable here. I think we need a DM backup for Wanyama. Right now that is Dier, and he can certainly play the role, but that then leaves us vulnerable in the back. So, between DM and CB we need to bring in a deputy.
AMs
Eriksen, Dele, Son, Sissoko, Lamlela, N'Koudou, Edwards - 6 players for 2 positions. This is an area that needs sorting. I expect that we would move Sissoko, if we can, and if we are going to stay in the 343. If we bring anyone in - i.e. Isco - it would have to be 1 in, 1 out (in addition to Sissoko). For me, Lamela, Son, and N'Koudou are not ideal fits playing more centrally, but I think they are adaptable enough, and give us the flexibility to put wide attacking player on when needed that we do not need to shift anyone here - unless we get an Isco-calibre player in.
S
Kane, Janssen - I know many will talk about upgrading Janssen, but I don't know how. feasible that is. I will note that one of his strengths - holding the ball - is less important in the 343, as we utilize the wingbacks more often to move the ball out of the defense. If we brought in a new striker to back up Kane, I think it needs to be someone who can also play in the AM role. But, I am not expecting any changes here.
My expectations:
Outs: Bentaleb, Fazio, Carroll*, Sissoko, (Wimmer or Davies)
Ins: LCB or LWB, DM/CM or RCB
I would not be shocked to see Son or Lamela leave, but I would expect a similar class player in if either is sold. Dembele is the only current starter that I think could leave - if he got a big offer from China. That would leave a big hole, but we would have the funds to fill it.
If we decide to stay with a 4231 as our primary formation, I think that changes the thinking - Wimmer is still an ideal deputy for Vertonghen, Dier is adequate cover for both Alderweiereld and Wanyama.
*Obviously out in this winter window
Who, or what positions, are on your wish list to upgrade, or improve depth?
For me, I think our summer business will depend largely on what Poch and the coaching staff determine is our preferred formation. We have to get that somewhat settled before we can address any holes in the roster. This is not to say, we should only buy players who fit a specific formation, but we should make sure that players are going to fit somewhere - i.e. if we are not going to stick with the 4231, we don't need to stockpile inverted wingers.
I prefer the 343 (3421) formation, as it appears to be a better fit for our existing personnel. I think Dier needs to be on the pitch (as does Wanyama, but not as Dier's partner), and I think Eriksen and Dele excel centrally. So, with that in mind, here is how I see things:
GK
Lloris, Vorm, Pau - Lloris is number 1, I think we will move one of Vorm or Pau this summer. Since Pau is on loan, he is easiest to shift by simply not purchasing (I don't even know if we have a purchase option). But, I imagine that we took Pau on loan to see if he could be the long-term replacement to Lloris - if he is, we will purchase, and I think we will sell Vorm. Either way, one will leave this summer, no incomings.
CBs
Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Dier, Wimmer, Carter-Vickers - This is one of those positions where formation matters. If we stick with a 3-man back line, I think we will see some changes here. I am not yet convinced with Wimmer in a back-3 - he played well in a back-4, and that may be his better position - rather than at LCB. That is something Poch has to figure out this spring. If we were to sell Wimmer, I think we have a couple of options. We could move Davies to the LCB role (backing up Vertonghen). Or, we could look for a younger player more suitable to that role than Wimmer. I think Dier is the natural back-up to Alderweireld in the middle, and CCV looks like he should be ready next season to be the primary back-up to Dier.
WingBacks
Walker, Trippier, Rose, Davies, Walker-Peters - If we stay in the 343, I think we will want to upgrade Rose's deputy. I don't know if that can be KWP, or if he is better suited to the Right Wing-Back role. Davies could be shifted to LCB, or sold. I think Walker and Trippier are both happy with their roles here - I don't see Trippier agitating for a move to a lower club for playing time.
CMs
Wanyama, Dembele, Winks, Onomah(?) - Winks has been a fine deputy for Dembele. I would be worried if China came in for Dembele - who, at his age, may be looking to cash in on a big pay day. But, assuming we can hold onto Dembele, we should be comfortable here. I think we need a DM backup for Wanyama. Right now that is Dier, and he can certainly play the role, but that then leaves us vulnerable in the back. So, between DM and CB we need to bring in a deputy.
AMs
Eriksen, Dele, Son, Sissoko, Lamlela, N'Koudou, Edwards - 6 players for 2 positions. This is an area that needs sorting. I expect that we would move Sissoko, if we can, and if we are going to stay in the 343. If we bring anyone in - i.e. Isco - it would have to be 1 in, 1 out (in addition to Sissoko). For me, Lamela, Son, and N'Koudou are not ideal fits playing more centrally, but I think they are adaptable enough, and give us the flexibility to put wide attacking player on when needed that we do not need to shift anyone here - unless we get an Isco-calibre player in.
S
Kane, Janssen - I know many will talk about upgrading Janssen, but I don't know how. feasible that is. I will note that one of his strengths - holding the ball - is less important in the 343, as we utilize the wingbacks more often to move the ball out of the defense. If we brought in a new striker to back up Kane, I think it needs to be someone who can also play in the AM role. But, I am not expecting any changes here.
My expectations:
Outs: Bentaleb, Fazio, Carroll*, Sissoko, (Wimmer or Davies)
Ins: LCB or LWB, DM/CM or RCB
I would not be shocked to see Son or Lamela leave, but I would expect a similar class player in if either is sold. Dembele is the only current starter that I think could leave - if he got a big offer from China. That would leave a big hole, but we would have the funds to fill it.
If we decide to stay with a 4231 as our primary formation, I think that changes the thinking - Wimmer is still an ideal deputy for Vertonghen, Dier is adequate cover for both Alderweiereld and Wanyama.
*Obviously out in this winter window