Posted February 24, 20205 yr After revisiting the 'What would be a good season' thread from the summer, it did lead me to wonder what our starting XI for next season is likely to be, and even what our best XI now is (I'm not really sure). I'm interested in seeing a) what you would like to see and b) what you think it will be. I think it's interesting to look at the current squad as there is quite a lot of uncertainty around a large proportion of it - how many of the players can we say will definitely be here next season? I reckon something like this:  100% part of the squad without a shadow of a doubt Rüdiger Abraham Loftus-Cheek Zouma Kova?i? Mount Hudson-Odoi Puliši? James Azpilicueta Tomori Ziyech  Up in the air Christensen Jorginho Kanté Willian Kepa Alonso Barkley Batshuayi Caballero  Almost certainly leaving Giroud Pedro Emerson  That is almost half the squad whose futures are unclear, and some key players among them. It also did lead me to think - who should unquestionably be a part of the starting XI next season? What formation do we play? Who are we building the team around?
February 24, 20205 yr Need to keep hold of Alonso so we call wheel him out against North London clubs.Â
February 24, 20205 yr My only slightly controversial view is Christensen should be in the first category. Bats the only ‘must go’ in the second category for me.
February 24, 20205 yr Not sure about Tomori, he's not really playing any more for what reason I don't know, Frank might be thinking of sending him on loan next season. Jorginho will be here for sure, Kante is subject to how much money we can get for him and if he wants to go, but Frank loves him so chances are he'll stay too. Willian is probably 60/40 in favour of staying, he wants to be here but is waiting for the summer so he can negotiate a 2 year deal.
March 2, 20205 yr It's kinda tricky so I will word it slightly differently:  Players I 100% want us to retain and form nucleus of squad Abraham Loftus-Cheek Kova?i? Mount Hudson-Odoi Puliši? James Kanté Ziyech Gilmour Ampadu  Likely to be retained but won't be too concerned if they leave Rüdiger Christensen Jorginho Kepa Alonso (has shown in recent weeks the benefits of keeping him as an option) Caballero Azpilicueta Tomori  Time to say goodbye - MUST leave Pedro Willian Barkley Giroud Batshuayi Emerson Zouma I am so disillusioned with all of our centre backs that I'd be happy if we got 4 new ones. Of course that won't happen and the chances are we will retain Rudiger and Tomori, maybe even Christensen but I expect at least one to depart - favourite being Zouma. Chances are Kepa will stay and have to battle it out with whichever keeper we sign but I would be happier for a new No.1 and an experienced older keeper (but not as old as Willy) as back up. As for strikers, we all know we need two signings to add to Tammy. Despite the fact we should have plenty of funds available, it will be hard to get a marquee name as Munich, Barca and Madrid will be favourites for players like Halland, Martinez and Werner. But if we can't get one of them, I would look closer to home and if we finish top 4 and can give players CL football next season, we could look at both Aubameyang and Calvert-Lewin. That would be a massive improvement on this season, esepcially if we can get Sancho to play out wide too!  Edited March 2, 20205 yr by Nibs
March 2, 20205 yr IMO, something like this, don't think we will get all the players we want and think we will get some fudges.                Pope James Rudiger  Zouma  White (ex-Leeds)      Pulisic     Ndidi     Ziyech                   Mount      Giroud       Zaha  Gone: Jorgy, Kante, Arrizablalaga, Willian, Pedro, Emerson, Azpi Extra Loanees: Tomori, Bats, CHO, Gilmour Squad : Christensen, Barkley, Gallagher, Broja, Abraham, Alonso, Zappacosta, , Willy C, RLC (subject to recovery) another CB from Dev Squad, other positions from the Dev squad. I don't think we will be able to get all the players we want in one window and some like Zaha will be last minute, just as they are available and offer the chance to freshen up the attack when other player approaches fail. Edited March 2, 20205 yr by Strider6003
March 3, 20205 yr 9 hours ago, Strider6003 said: IMO, something like this, don't think we will get all the players we want and think we will get some fudges.                Pope James Rudiger  Zouma  White (ex-Leeds)      Pulisic     Ndidi     Ziyech                   Mount      Giroud       Zaha  Gone: Jorgy, Kante, Arrizablalaga, Willian, Pedro, Emerson, Azpi Extra Loanees: Tomori, Bats, CHO, Gilmour Squad : Christensen, Barkley, Gallagher, Broja, Abraham, Alonso, Zappacosta, , Willy C, RLC (subject to recovery) another CB from Dev Squad, other positions from the Dev squad. I don't think we will be able to get all the players we want in one window and some like Zaha will be last minute, just as they are available and offer the chance to freshen up the attack when other player approaches fail. I really hope that isn't our team next season, if it is, then we are in trouble. I'm hopeful that the squad will look a lot better than this though. Edited March 3, 20205 yr by Scott Harris
March 3, 20205 yr Kepa James Koulibaly Tomori Telles Mount Jorginho Kovacic Pulisic Abraham Ziyech I’d like us to sign a striker but I can’t think of who. Couldn’t think of anyone else other than Koulibaly too.
March 3, 20205 yr                                            Kepa/New Keeper                   James/Azpi   Upamecano   Koulibaly   Telles                                Kante      Kovacic                     Ziyech             RLC            Sancho                                      Werner In all honestly the backline could be anyone desperately in need of some quality and power there though, left back is clear we have problems and a new striker is a must.
March 4, 20205 yr On 02/03/2020 at 15:51, Strider6003 said: IMO, something like this, don't think we will get all the players we want and think we will get some fudges.                Pope James Rudiger  Zouma  White (ex-Leeds)      Pulisic     Ndidi     Ziyech                   Mount      Giroud       Zaha  Gone: Jorgy, Kante, Arrizablalaga, Willian, Pedro, Emerson, Azpi Extra Loanees: Tomori, Bats, CHO, Gilmour Squad : Christensen, Barkley, Gallagher, Broja, Abraham, Alonso, Zappacosta, , Willy C, RLC (subject to recovery) another CB from Dev Squad, other positions from the Dev squad. I don't think we will be able to get all the players we want in one window and some like Zaha will be last minute, just as they are available and offer the chance to freshen up the attack when other player approaches fail. Not sure this will be the case, that is a rough looking squad. But I think Ndidi would be a great signing and Leicester has been willing to do business with us in the past.
March 4, 20205 yr The Players we MUST keep Abraham Loftus-Cheek Kova?i? Mount Hudson-Odoi PuliÅ¡i? James Kanté Ziyech Gilmour Ampadu Giroud Gallagher Tomori  On the Fringe Jorginho Kepa Barkley Rudiger  We ALL know the ones that have got to go, provided there are willing buyers.  But we need fresh blood and my choices would be; GK - Oblak or Donurumma LB - Telles, Alaba or Grimaldo 2 x CB - Koulibaly, Alderweireld Striker - one or two of Werner, Dembele, Aubameyang, or Edouard  Â
March 5, 20205 yr On 02/03/2020 at 21:51, Strider6003 said: IMO, something like this, don't think we will get all the players we want and think we will get some fudges.                Pope James Rudiger  Zouma  White (ex-Leeds)      Pulisic     Ndidi     Ziyech                   Mount      Giroud       Zaha  Gone: Jorgy, Kante, Arrizablalaga, Willian, Pedro, Emerson, Azpi Extra Loanees: Tomori, Bats, CHO, Gilmour Squad : Christensen, Barkley, Gallagher, Broja, Abraham, Alonso, Zappacosta, , Willy C, RLC (subject to recovery) another CB from Dev Squad, other positions from the Dev squad. I don't think we will be able to get all the players we want in one window and some like Zaha will be last minute, just as they are available and offer the chance to freshen up the attack when other player approaches fail. Why would we have a CB playing LB, two wingers at CM, a CM on the wing and Giroud still starting for us?Â
March 5, 20205 yr Kepa James   Zouma   Tomori   Telles  Kovacic   RLC Odoi     Ziyech    Pulisic  Tammy  Bench: Areola / Azpi / Rudiger / B.White / Gilmour / Chukwueze / Werner  The keeper situation depends massively on how Kepa does for the rest of the year. Ideally i'd like to replace Rudiger with a strong leader and then put Zouma on the bench but i can't see any viable options that would improve us instantly and be good value for money.Â
March 5, 20205 yr 5 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said: Why would we have a CB playing LB, two wingers at CM, a CM on the wing and Giroud still starting for us? Ah if White is a CB then I meant Leeds Left back. The wingers and midfielders are interchangeable to an extent, just as illustration and I should have included Kovacic ? I think Giroud because we will look at the market and get gazumped and the decision at the last minute will be to use Giroud with Tammy as back up.  Â
March 5, 20205 yr 2 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said: Kepa James   Zouma   Tomori   Telles  Kovacic   RLC Odoi     Ziyech    Pulisic  Tammy  Bench: Areola / Azpi / Rudiger / B.White / Gilmour / Chukwueze / Werner  The keeper situation depends massively on how Kepa does for the rest of the year. Ideally i'd like to replace Rudiger with a strong leader and then put Zouma on the bench but i can't see any viable options that would improve us instantly and be good value for money. I agree it is all still to play for though expect in a couple of positions we are already negotiating. The good value for money statement is probably Marina's motto too and another reason why we won't' strengthen all the positions we want.
March 5, 20205 yr Assuming no injuries:  Kepa James-Skriniar-Christensen-Telles Kovacic-Jorginho-RLC Ziyech-Tammy-Pulisic  Not entirely sure on the formation, but it seems like the best team on paper  This seems quite reasonable and likely to happen. by the 2021 season would like to see another good striker and Sancho added. Edited March 5, 20205 yr by driller97
March 5, 20205 yr We definitely should sell players and build a new squad. We do have experience and quality, we just need more world class players. We have to bring: A new goalkeeper, CB, LB, ST. ----------- Kepa ------------ Reece James - Koulibaly - Rudiger - Telles ------------ NGolo Kante --------------- ----- Loftus-Cheek -- Kovacic --------- Ziyech ---- Abraham -------- Pulisic  Mount, Azpilicueta, Tomori, Zouma, Jorginho, Alonso, CHO, Ampadu, Gilmour, New striker, new goalkeeper and few more. Would be good enough in my opinion, maybe also think about a WC winger, someone like Jadon Sancho, but I'd rather stick with our current wingers. Willian, Pedro, Christensen, Emerson, Caballero, Giroud, Batshuayi, Barkley to be sold.  That's my opinion, I think one of the best things we must do is put Kante where he was at his best, he was running the world as a CDM, let Kovacic and other midfielder build possession games.
March 5, 20205 yr 4 hours ago, IliyaKrostin said: That's my opinion, I think one of the best things we must do is put Kante where he was at his best, he was running the world as a CDM, let Kovacic and other midfielder build possession games. When has Kante been a CDM in you opinion, Kante's reputation at Leicester and Chelsea was built as a box to box midfielder. It is a myth that he is a defensive midfielder.
March 5, 20205 yr 17 minutes ago, kiwi1691 said: When has Kante been a CDM in you opinion, Kante's reputation at Leicester and Chelsea was built as a box to box midfielder. It is a myth that he is a defensive midfielder. For me, Kante was at his best for us during Conte's period. Kante wasn't 100% DM, but he was played in a much deeper role than he has been in recent seasons and I would prefer to have him play that way for us again. I don't want Kante mixed in with our attacking players because to be honest, I think he's pretty sh*t at it. He can pop up with the odd goal here and there, but over the 90 minutes, I think he hurts the attack more than he helps it. I also think that because he is given more of a free roam role, he ends up leaving holes in the midfield and gets in the way of other players by taking up positions he shouldn't be in. I actually like @IliyaKrostin's team, I think that could work. I'm still unsure on Abraham as number 1 striker, I'm not sure he will ever be world class, but that team looks pretty strong. Edited March 5, 20205 yr by Scott Harris
March 5, 20205 yr 3 minutes ago, Scott Harris said: For me, Kante was at his best for us during Conte's period. Kante wasn't 100% DM, but he was played in a much deeper role than he has been in recent seasons and I would prefer to have him play that way for us again. I don't want Kante mixed in with our attacking players because to be honest, I think he's pretty sh*t at it. He can pop up with the odd goal here and there, but over the 90 minutes, I think he hurts the attack more than he helps it. I also think that because he is giving more of a free roam role, he ends up leaving holes in the midfield and gets in the way of other players by taking up positions he shouldn't be in. I actually like @IliyaKrostin's team, I think that could work. I'm still unsure on Abraham as number 1 striker, I'm not sure he will ever be world class, but that team looks pretty strong. Agree on being unsure on Abraham as our no.1 Also putting in RLC... I was reading a chap on another forum saying when RLC can have a sequence of 10 games unbroken we can start to believe he will really be a stalwart for a role. I don't think we can pigeon-hole him into a team until he can play a sequence without interruptions.
March 5, 20205 yr On 03/03/2020 at 03:40, dansubrosa said: Kepa James Koulibaly Tomori Telles Mount Jorginho Kovacic Pulisic Abraham Ziyech I’d like us to sign a striker but I can’t think of who. Couldn’t think of anyone else other than Koulibaly too. I would be okay with this line up tbh and it seems like something that would be realistic since I dont expect us to solve all our problems this summer. It would mean we still probably need one more transfer window to challenge for the title, but it will at least shore up our defence which has been our biggest issue this season. If we fix our defence I think we can make top four much more of a certainty next season and probably progress past the Round of 16 in the UCL. Edited March 5, 20205 yr by Frankie8Lampard
March 5, 20205 yr               Henderson James   Rudiger     Tomori   Telles        Kante  Kovacic Gilmour Sancho                      Ziyech               Abraham Squad Kepa/Replacement, Christensen, Ampadu, Azpilicuetta, Alonso, RLC, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic, Raul Jimenez Buy: Henderson, Telles, Sancho and Raul Jimenez Sell: Kepa, Zouma, Emerson, Jorgino, Barkley, Batshuyi Release: Pedro, Giroud, Willian Promote: Guehi, Gallagher, Anjorin and Redan  Edited March 5, 20205 yr by Juan Nil
March 5, 20205 yr 1st                 onana James     Christiansen Upamecano     Telles                    Kante               Ziyech         RLC      Kovacic    Sancho                   Abraham  2nd           Cumming/Tie Azpilicueta     Zouma  Tomori        Alonso                  Soumare Hudson-odoi    Mount  Gilmour        Pulisic                  Dembele
March 6, 20205 yr First XI                                   Rajkovic             Azpi - Marquinhos - Dunk - Chilwell                                   Aranguiz              Ziyech - Kovacic - Grealish - Pulisic                                   Abraham Second XI                                  Button/Baxter                James - Zouma - Tomori - Alonso                                     Gilmour Gerard/Brown - L Cook/Mount - RLC/Mount - Grealish/Mount                                      Gerard Incoming: Marquinhos, Aranguiz, Chilwell, Grealish, Gerard, L Cook, Dunk, Brown, Rajkovic, Button Outgoing: Christensen, Kante, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi, Rudiger, Barkley, Pedro, Willian, Batshuayi, Giroud, Emerson, Caballero
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