Agreed mate, very unlikely Varane would join us with no CL... though I doubt he's too happy at Madrid atm so could be a surprise departure from Real this summer. If he leaves he'll go to United or PSG... can't see us signing Manolas/Rodriguez either tbh

That's true, they do sometimes make some strange decisions like letting Makelele go for example.

Anyone know how well Christensen has been doing? He certainly has potential but always thought he looked a bit lightweight. I think it's obvious though we need to get that solid defence again as we have conceded so many ridiculous goals this season. CDM should be a priority too far too much pressure has been on the 2 CB's.

Brana/Dave - - zouma/cahill--hector/papy--baba/ake

Next seasons back 4 options for conte.

Anyone know how well Christensen has been doing? He certainly has potential but always thought he looked a bit lightweight. I think it's obvious though we need to get that solid defence again as we have conceded so many ridiculous goals this season. CDM should be a priority too far too much pressure has been on the 2 CB's.

 

He's been doing really well in Germany. There were rumours that we were trying to end his two year loan and bring him back to our line-up next year, but he requested to finish to get more game time. I think he might be a solution for us in our CB woes, him and Zouma would be a really mobile CB pairing. However, we still don't have an answer for next year. Zouma is going to be out for the start of the season and using Cahill and Ivanovic will be a disaster.

Edited May 9, 201610 yr by Plavi26

Brana/Dave - - zouma/cahill--hector/papy--baba/ake

Next seasons back 4 options for conte.

 

Something to look forward to, then 

Brana/Dave - - zouma/cahill--hector/papy--baba/ake

Next seasons back 4 options for conte.

  scary stuff

Need abit of an overhaul in defence really, as that is what has let us down all season, under hiddink we have scored alot more than under mourinho but the back 4 has been porous all season

 

azpi  zouma  christensen  ake

 

the above could be a good defence once everyone is back and fit, but I think realistically the back 4 isnt changing much from this year except we will probably shift the liability at fullback over from ivanovic at rightback to rahman at leftback with a new centreback to replace terry that may or may not be good enough.

 

could actually see us doing as the papers suggest and bring hector in as a centreback for next year which im not sure is anything more than a sidestep compared to djillibodji/miazaga to be honest, the recent years transfer activity is pointing towards books being balanced and stopgaps being brought.

I think it's important we make two signings in defence. One in the centre and one at left back. Baba is hopeless and we need to stabilise there to allow Dave to play on the right.

For me:

RB: Dave, Ivan

CB: New Singing, Zouma, Cahill (to be replaced by Christiansen in 2017), Ivan, Clarke-Salter

LB: Jonas Hector from Koln, Ake (Baba to join loan army and learn to defend)

In terms of who we sign at Centre-back I'd love it to be Hummels or Bonucci but that's unlikely. We should honestly break the budget for Hummels in wage terms. He'd make a massive difference to us in defending and leadership terms. Still unlikely when the competitor is Bayern.

For mine they need to be natural on the left-side of a centre-back pairing and have pace enough to play a higher line than we do now. It would also help greatly if they have excellent leadership characteristics, because we desperately need those right now.

------------------------------Courtois (Begovic)

 

---Azpi (Ivanovic)-----Zouma (Cahill)----Benatia (Terry)------Ake (Rahman)

Need abit of an overhaul in defence really, as that is what has let us down all season, under hiddink we have scored alot more than under mourinho but the back 4 has been porous all season

 

azpi  zouma  christensen  ake

 

the above could be a good defence once everyone is back and fit, but I think realistically the back 4 isnt changing much from this year except we will probably shift the liability at fullback over from ivanovic at rightback to rahman at leftback with a new centreback to replace terry that may or may not be good enough.

 

could actually see us doing as the papers suggest and bring hector in as a centreback for next year which im not sure is anything more than a sidestep compared to djillibodji/miazaga to be honest, the recent years transfer activity is pointing towards books being balanced and stopgaps being brought.

Another reason has been our mid. Matic's form has been nothing short of horrendous. And while Mikel has done a "decent" job, he lacks the pace to cover 40 yards that we generally leave between costa, willian, pedro, cesc's high press and our defensive line's low block. The number of holes in our midfield and how easily opposition players get into those spaces and have time to receive the ball is nothing short of criminal. 

 

Yes, the defence has been poor, but for me, the main reason would be midfield. 

Another reason has been our mid. Matic's form has been nothing short of horrendous. And while Mikel has done a "decent" job, he lacks the pace to cover 40 yards that we generally leave between costa, willian, pedro, cesc's high press and our defensive line's low block. The number of holes in our midfield and how easily opposition players get into those spaces and have time to receive the ball is nothing short of criminal.

Yes, the defence has been poor, but for me, the main reason would be midfield.

Agreed 100%

A lot of people seem to be saying Dave at RB but every time he's played there he's been a fraction of the player he is at LB. 

Agreed 100%

Second. We desperately need more energy in midfield. Nainggolan would be a welcome addition. Also watch Krychowiak from Sevilla take care of the Dippers in a couple of weeks from defensive midfield. He'd be a handy addition also. I'd actually leave out attack as is and make 3-4 signings to strengthen our defence.