Posted January 21, 201213 yr Not rumour-related post, but it's transfer-related, so thought this was the best section. Anyway: Since it's looking unlikely now that we'll make a move for anyone else in the Jan window, what would you like to see happen in the summer? I know every year people say they want a clear out and lots of new players coming in, but it never really happens. I think next year we probably will still have quite a lot of the players we have now, maybe with just 2 or 3 changes. So, whilst ideally I'd like to see something like: OUT: Hilario Ferreria Bosingwa Malouda Kalou Drogba Merieles Benayoun Torres (If he is still not scoring by the end of the season) And IN: Courtois (Back from loan) M.C. Eachran (Back from loan) New RB Hazard Robben Another Winger (Maybe this William person?) New Striker (Perhaps a Cavani or someone like that) New CM (A creative player, not Modric, but someone similar, perhaps Sneijder if Man Utd don't buy him) Realisically, I'd settle for: OUT: Benayoun Bosingwa Malouda IN: Loanees coming back De Bruyne New CM The most important things we need to do are: - Get rid of Bosingwa and get Ivan back in the team - And either buy a striker who can score, or buy AT LEAST one winger/creative player who can take the burden off of Mata and create more chances for Torres if we stick with him. Because at the moment we have midfielders who rarely even find him with their passes, and since he's struggling so much to score, he needs the best service he can get. Anyway, ramblings over.
January 21, 201213 yr I think McEachran will need another loan before he's ready to come back, watching him today he seems quite far away from what he was doing for the youth team. What he did for us in the first team is what they already have plenty of at Swansea, he'll get some games... but not enough to barge down the door like Sturridge did. I think Lukaku will be on loan next year as well, unless he can have some more cameos like today. If he does more like he did in the first few minutes today he may well not need it, but that could be too big an ask. I'd also expect Courtois to stay on loan next year. With this in mind, my ideal situation would be that before the end of the month, we sign Hazard or Willian, possibly letting Kalou go seeing as he's been used so rarely it seems pointless in holding on to him. He's not even making the bench. In the summer, we let Malouda, Drogba and Bosingwa go, thanking them each for their service, especially Drogba, maybe even a charity match in his honour. Bringing in Azpilicueta, De Bruyne for depth on the wings and hopefully one day improving enough to be a starter, but not a massive problem if he doesn't considering his price. Also possibly bringing in either a striker to be a backup to Torres until Lukaku is ready, or if we move Sturridge into the centre (where I personally don't see him being as effective), we'd need someone to play out wide so possibly a Krasic/Hazard/Willian or (seeing as we've signed 2 wide players already) we could stick to the 4-3-3 and we bring in a creative centre mid on the lines of Moutinho, Banega (I will shut up about him eventually) or god forbid another Modric summer. More realistically? We sign Willian on January 31st and everyone moans that we should have got this deal done sooner. We finish second in the league and everyone moans that we should have won it. Then in the summer, we take our time over who we sign, doing lots of homework on every player, which takes a long time. We sign 3 players who turn out to be stars and everyone moans that the deals should have been done faster. Drogba leaves on a free and everyone moans that we didn't offer him a new contract. We end up winning the league and finally, finally I can relax because people stop moaning for a bit until The Daily Mail run a story about how AVB is secretly a member of the iluminati and everyone moans that he hasn't used his connections well enough.
January 21, 201213 yr I think Benayoun is a major handicap to our side at the moment. He's poor defensively and he's poor at delivering the ball, there must be better players available . Aside from that, We need a wide player who can deliver crosses, a strong striker who makes defences panic like Drogba did and a Lampard replacement. 4 players, 1-2 of which could come from some of the younger players we have.
January 22, 201213 yr We've bought Cahill this window and I think another signing might happen, probably Willian. Hopefully we can find Alex a new club, he's just collecting checks at the moment (think he'll leave for QPR at deadline day). If we sign a winger, we might as well sell Kalou given how little he's featured this season. But he's in Africa, so I don't think he'll move this winter. Now on to the subject, next summer. I'll start with saying that I believe Villas-Boas will stay and be given the funds to put his stamp on the team even further this summer. Abramovich isn't stupid, and I do think he has learned a lesson or two since firing Mourinho. He's hired to take us through a period of transition, and for once I think RA is patient. Now on to the squad and I'll work my way from the back and up. Cech will remain our first choice next season, the question is who will be back-ups? Turnbull has done well when called upon and Hilario is a decent 3rd option. We could do better, but a new keeper isn't a necessity. Courtois is a very exciting prospect but I think he should stay in Atletico for one season more at least. He's playing well there and to bring him back and play him in the occasional cup-tie would be stupid, although Cech could benefit from more competition. Nothing needed to be done this summer. In defence I'd sign a new right back and sell Bosingwa. We've been linked to Azpilicueta which might indicate that we are looking for one, and if we could bring him in and keep Hutchinson fit we would have three solid choices. In the center of defence we're sorted for now, and have some good prospects in our ranks. I really like Bertrand and think he's a good back-up at left back, but he needs to get more chances. Cole's looking tired of playing so much. Other than Bosingwa, Ferreira might be sold to free up a foreigner spot. A great professional that does a good job though, so I don't mind having him around. Assuming we're continuing to play the 4-3-3, AVB has found his man in Romeu as the sitting midfielder and hopefully he'll be able to convince him to stay. Mikel's a good enough 2nd choice and we have Essien who can step in and do a job. We have enough hardworking midfielders, what we need is at least one player with better passing and technical ability, capable of playing key passes and boss games in midfield. Modric's my ideal candidate, but I think he'll stay where he is. I mentioned Sahin in another thread, he would be an incredible signing. If we could get Essien playing like he used to, a midfield of Romeu/Essien/Sahin could really challenge for the title. If McEachran can blossom like Sturridge during his loan spell in Swansea, Sahin (or someone in that mould) would be the only transfer needed in midfield. In my opinion it's the attack that needs the most work. I'd sell Kalou, Malouda and let Drogba go. Torres isn't a proper first choice right now, but hopefully he'll be given the rest of the season to turn things around. If he doesn't I think we might sell him if an acceptable offer comes along, and sign a striker that AVB fancies more. Don't think Lukaku is quite ready to be 2nd choice, so we might buy a replacement for Drogba and Lukaku spends the season on loan. If we sign a left-winger that could improve the team instantly and free up Mata in the middle, like Hazard (don't know if Willian fits into this category), we could afford to take a gamble on someone like de Bruyne, who can grow into being a good player for us in the future. So then we end up with.. In: right-back (Azpilicueta), central midfielder (Sahin), winger (Willian/Hazard and de Bruyne), striker (not sure who) Out: Bosingwa, Ferreira*, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba *possible departures That gives us a younger team with more creativity, technical ability and depth. Cech/Turnbull Ivanovic/Azpilicueta - Luiz/Cahill - Terry/Ivanovic - Cole/Bertrand Romeu/Mikel Ramires/Essien - Sahin/Lampard/Meireles/McEachran Sturridge/de Bruyne - Torres/new - Mata/new Or with someone like Hazard we could play a 4-2-3-1.. Essien - Sahin Sturridge - Mata - Hazard Torres
January 22, 201213 yr in: hazard 35, eriksen 25, azpilicueta 8, de bruyne 8, possibly a striker if lukaku is loaned out out: ferreira, bosingwa, malouda, kalou, drogba, mereiles, bertrand should be starting way more games. mereiles has done ok but we should have saved the money and played mceachran. cech ivanovic terry luiz bertrand essien ramires hazard eriksen mata sturridge. Edited January 22, 201213 yr by big blue
January 22, 201213 yr in: hazard 35, eriksen 25, azpilicueta 8, de bruyne 8, possibly a striker if lukaku is loaned outout: ferreira, bosingwa, malouda, kalou, drogba, mereiles, bertrand should be starting way more games. mereiles has done ok but we should have saved the money and played mceachran. cech ivanovic terry luiz bertrand essien ramires hazard eriksen mata sturridge. Its Meireles, not Mereiles and he's absolutely terrible, and he doesn't do sh*t. All of his passes are backwards and even those are tend to fail.
January 22, 201213 yr I think Benayoun is a major handicap to our side at the moment. He's poor defensively and he's poor at delivering the ball, there must be better players available . Almost bit!
January 22, 201213 yr signing willian now and in the sumer signing hazard and de bruyne would be have me in dreamland willian mata and hazard all interchanging behind torres would be fantastic to watch maybe sign james rodriguez as well for cover. Id keep torres he looks hungry at least and sturridge as competition would have us a great back up. That spanish right right back at om is very good and id be happy if hes our right back. If Terry looks unable to cope in the summer I wouldnt mind chelsea having a look at vertonghen for the lcb role. If AVB still reckons cm is a problem im inclined to think its the deep lying playmaker role and Koke looks a very good prospect so in conclusion my dream summer and january is this: January: In: Willian Out: Alex Summer: Out: Hilario and ferreira retiring taking coaching roles, Malouda Kalou Mikel (apparently LA Galaxy are interested, and if he wants a key role) Lamps Drog (an emotional goodbye) yossi benayoun (not meireles as i think hes a usefull back up as he can play every midfield role and a decent backup) In: Hazard James Rodriguez De Bruyne Azpilicueta Koke (possibly) vertonghen again this is my oppinion of my realistic dream although were bringing 6 players in theres only one marquee signing and Rodriguez and de bruyne shouldnt cost much more than 15 mil between them and koke shouldnt be to pricy its the outs which are very unlikley imo Edited January 22, 201213 yr by zolawannabe25
January 23, 201213 yr First and foremost AVB would need to sort out a plan about how he wants us to play. He did try to stamp his authority at the beginning of the season but realized in time that we haven't the personnel to carry his ideology forward so he rightly went back to the formation everyone is familiar with. (Well, everyone who's been here for a few seasons) If he wants to play high line and quick passing game then we need players in the midfield who are extremely comfortable on the ball and have the ability to pass quickly and precisely. And that would be none of Lampard, Meireles, Malouda or Mikel. Ramires isnt all that great with respect to those particular attributes but he does have tremendous power and athleticism to keep the ball under pressure and drive forward if he gets even a little bit of space. Romeu is ideal as the holding midfielder for this kind of formation, provided he's still with us next season. Moving Mata in a free role in the midfield would make for a pretty awesome midfield three. And we already have the spare parts to do so. What that would nessecitate, however, is finding someone to play on the left forward instead of Mata. With Josh coming back from loan, provided he has a good season at Swansea, we have a perfect understudy for Mata. If not then we must buy a creative midfielder. Ess could be the understudy to Ramires. Lampard/Miereles just another outside option in case of injuries or suspensions. There are a few candidates for the role of the left forward out there. The most important skill for this player again is close control, a good footballing brain and plenty of pace. Obviously young. I dont know who that player could be but anyone that fits those criteria would do. We need another winger, right footed, who could be an understudy to Studge. Hopefully Kakuta could be that guy but it looks less likely. We need another young striker to challenge Torres if Lukaku doesnt improve immensely to be trusted with the role of Torres' understudy. We also need a right back understudy to Ivanovic and the defense is sorted. Buzzinga can buzz off. My squad for next season would be as follows: Cech/Turnbull/Another keeper?(Courtois to continue his loan. Hilario out.) Ivanovic/New RB/Hutch Luiz/JT/Cahill Ash/Bertrand Ramires/Essien/Meireles/Lampard Romeu Mata/Josh(or another CM if Josh needs another loan) Sturridge/Kakuta(or another RF if Kakuta needs another loan or isnt good enough) Torres/Lukaku(or another striker if Lukaku needs a loan) New LF/another new LF(or Kakuta) Introducing a few more youngsters from the academy (Lalkovic, Piazon etc) into the first team would be ideal but they would require loans themselves to be ready
January 23, 201213 yr If Courtois stayed in Atletico why would you kick out Hilairo who has been good for us every time he has featured. Mistakes here and there but no need to change him for anyone. Turnbull is good for the english player quota.
January 23, 201213 yr If Courtois stayed in Atletico why would you kick out Hilairo who has been good for us every time he has featured. Mistakes here and there but no need to change him for anyone. Turnbull is good for the english player quota. Hilario has been a good third choice keeper for us but its been a while since he's played and next season he'd be another year older. I was hinting at promoting one of our own as the third choice, someone like Blackman.
January 23, 201213 yr Author If Courtois stayed in Atletico why would you kick out Hilairo who has been good for us every time he has featured. Mistakes here and there but no need to change him for anyone. Turnbull is good for the english player quota. Just seems to be a waste of a foreign space in the squad, especially since Turnbull is 2nd choice now anyway.
January 23, 201213 yr so you keep saying! You must have a very poor memory, is all I'd say (That was in reply to you don't got no sense, BTW!) Edited January 23, 201213 yr by yorkleyblue
January 23, 201213 yr Bale… Bale…. Bale… Please Roman Are you kidding? Spurs would want £50m+. We could get Hazard AND Gotze for that.
January 23, 201213 yr Author Are you kidding? Spurs would want £50m+. We could get Hazard AND Gotze for that. "150m" is the quote in the papers, Plus, why would Bale want to come here?
January 23, 201213 yr Are you kidding? Spurs would want £50m+. We could get Hazard AND Gotze for that. surely you jest
January 23, 201213 yr Why wouldn't Bale come? We could finish above them in the league and no doubt we'll strengthen in the summer which hopefully will mean we will compete for the league next season. Redknapp to England - let face it that tax dodger is the only reason Modric and Bale are still there today.
January 23, 201213 yr "150m" is the quote in the papers, Plus, why would Bale want to come here? When the seasons over and we're above Spurs, I'm going to compile a post listing every negative, doomsaying comment you've come up with. surely you jest I reckon we could get both for 50m at the most (probably less). Dortmund sold Sahin for something ridiculous like 10m didn't they? Spurs would totally shaft us as we found out with Modric. I'm not sure if Hazard would go for ridiculous money though. Why wouldn't Bale come? We could finish above them in the league and no doubt we'll strengthen in the summer which hopefully will mean we will compete for the league next season. Redknapp to England - let face it that tax dodger is the only reason Modric and Bale are still there today. The question isn't about what Bale would want, its that Spurs would completely shaft us. He isn't worth the kind of money they'd want when there are frankly more talented players in Europe available for much less. Edited January 23, 201213 yr by Castiel
January 23, 201213 yr When the seasons over and we're above Spurs, I'm going to compile a post listing every negative, doomsaying comment you've come up with. It will be a bloody big list.
January 23, 201213 yr I reckon we could get both for 50m at the most (probably less). Dortmund sold Sahin for something ridiculous like 10m didn't they? Spurs would totally shaft us as we found out with Modric. I'm not sure if Hazard would go for ridiculous money though. aside the fact that gotze stated he doesnt want to go to england . . . hes twice as good as sahin, and about 4 years younger. if you think we can get gotze for 15+ million then i just . . . i dont even . . .
January 23, 201213 yr Gotze doesnt want to come England Hazard wants to stay in Lille till summer because he knows Barca and Madrid will come sniffing, I can see him signing for Barca with them getting rid of Afellay make their squad ever better. Modric would still be a target for me because lets face it, hes not going to Spain leaves Italy or Manchester other destinations. Hes said before he wanted to leave and for him to go silent about the whole thing would suggest they have agreed him something hopefully like Fabregas last season by saying give us one season - champs league footy and you can go. Bale is Bale for me put him in a better side higher expectations and that will take him to the next level, soon as he becomes aware of that he'll be off. I predict Redknapp to England new manager sells Bale and Modric (not necessarily to us) give their new manager 100m to build a squad only replacing two players.