Depth Chart

[robpalmer135]

If we do sign Skriniar...


GK: Lloris, Hart

RB: Doherty, Aurier
CB: Dier, Sanchez
CB: Skriniar, Alderweireld
LB: Reguilon, Davies

DM: Hojbjerg, Sissoko
CM(8): Ndombele, Winks
CM(10): Lo Celso, Dele

RW: Bale, Lamela
CF: Kane, Vinicius
LW: Son, Bergwijn

Squad: Whiteman/Austin, Tanganga, Cirkin, White, Gedson, Lucas.


One of Lucas/Lamela could theoretically leave by Monday, as we do have one too many players for those front three positions. I’d be tempted to loan out Cirkin and White, but Tanganga is too versatile to let leave on loan. I can see Aurier staying now, and he’ll know that he’ll have to improve if he wants to usurp Doherty. Gazzaniga has to move on as we need a HG option as third choice. Sessegnon and Foyth look like they’ll be leaving on loan, and one of the third choice GKs should be moved on.

Dele is still the odd one out. I put him as Lo Celso’s backup, but he’s a very different player to the Argentinian. Arguably, his best role is just off the striker, potentially as an inside forward cutting in from the left, but Son is impossible to shift from that position.

Also, in an ideal world, we sign a genuine defensive midfielder to compete with Hojbjerg in that holding role. Sissoko is a useful player but doesn’t really fit into any of those midfield roles. He does a job for sure, but we need a specialist.

Overall though, this is one of the strongest squads we’ve had in a long time, with competition in most positions.

Where I would like to see this squad in a years time is;

GK: Lloris, New Young GK, Hart

RB: Doherty, Young HG RB
CB: Dier, Tanganga
CB: Sanchez, Alderwireld
LCB: Skriniar, Davies
LB: Reguilon, Sessegnon/Cirkin

DM: Hojbjerg, Skipp
CM: Big 2021 Signing, Winks
CM: Lo Celso, Ndombele

RW: Bale, Moura
CF: Kane, Vinicius/Parrot
LW: Son, Bergwijn

We would be going in to the 2021 only really needing to add one big time player. A marquee signing like a Ruben Neves and then a well priced young new backup keeper and right back.

 

[ItsBoris]

Our squad depth if we sign Skriniar and Vinicius is pretty amazing. I'd definitely rate our squad as 3rd best in the league if we pull those off and Bale gets fit.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I think we need to get the idea of an A & B team out of our minds with 2 players in each position. We need to have the ability to flex between different formations depending on our own availability and the opponent. This can essentially be achieved by having a left back that can play as a left Centre back, which we have.

Sure, I'm with that. It's just a nightmare to format that in the way I did above if you have players eligible for 5 different positions.

 

[hellava_tough]

What a great squad! And we have the manager to utilise it!

If I were really fussy, I'd say we need the following:

Bale and Reggie need to sort their longer term contracts. Will Bale be here for 3 or 4 years? And will RM activate Reggie's buy back clause? We may need to address these areas in the future.

I still think we're 1 CM short, to replace Sissoko. A number 8 who can slot in and control games when GLC and NDombele are being rested.

It may be that Winks could do this if he had the freedom; which basically means a solid DCM playing next to him. Signing Partey for the first XI and having PEH as back up next to Winks would be something special.

Finally, if we have £££ burning a hole in our pocket over the next 2 seasons, then any of our CBs could be upgraded. Not that they're bad, but it's all about squeezing the last drop of quality out of our side. Plus there's always future planning to do.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

It is surprising how the rebuild didn't need to be painful, but actually quite enjoyable. We are signing player after player who hit the ground running and joins the line up from day one. Also some huge prospects and some seasoned professionals to add balance. I have to ask, why didn't we have a window like this in say 2018? I mean this summer (and Bergwijn from earlier) makes it seem like transfers aren't that tricky.

 

[hellava_tough]

It is surprising how the rebuild didn't need to be painful, but actually quite enjoyable. We are signing player after player who hit the ground running and joins the line up from day one. Also some huge prospects and some seasoned professionals to add balance. I have to ask, why didn't we have a window like this in say 2018? I mean this summer (and Bergwijn from earlier) makes it seem like transfers aren't that tricky.

Jose is the big difference tbh.

He's an incredibly experienced manager, who knows the off field and agent shenanigans better than anyone else.

He'll also have a massive database of player and agent contacts, so when Levy asks for realistic targets, he'll be able to provide an abundance of them.

Players want to play for him too.