By Malcolm Atkins @malatk
Well it’s all going rather well – The manger has been backed, quality signings have been made, money spent and there is a definite surge of optimism around the club.
Like many others, for me this summer was crunch time; the board had to deliver – and so far they have. When I wrote about potential signings previously, I said if Anderson wasn’t signed then it would be acceptable only if the money was spent elsewhere, well the money has been spent and then some. A couple of folk commented at the time of that piece that I had not talked about players we might let go, I am delighted the signings have been made prior to departures, furthermore I hope we do not see too many outgoings. The board gambled in January that we had enough to stay up, the gamble paid off, but it got a bit squeaky with the squad painfully stretched. Since that time Ginger Pele has departed and Lanzini has picked up a long term injury. The new signings have transformed the squad but if we let too many go we will soon be a few injuries away from problems. Let’s face a few injuries is pretty much the norm in recent years. I am delighted the entire back room team has ben revamped and the training ground, on Pelle’s orders is being upgraded because the injury record has been too sustained to put down to co-incidence.
Players out then? Hart has gone, Fabianski in, no room to lose Adrian unless another keeper is signed .Defenders – Reid’s injury means we are not overloaded at centre back, no room for sales there. I hope Reece Oxford stays, I still think there is a player in there and Pellegrini is just the man to bring him through
Full backs we need two for each side, no rooms for outs at left back and if we are going back four I am a bit worried about Masuaku there, but three right backs mean Byram is one I would be happy to see go.
Up top with Carroll injured again we are short of numbers really; Arnie is a fixture surely, Chicarito could be a big part but I wonder if he is set on a move, if he is he will need to be replaced as the only other fit striker is the unproven Hugill who looks destined to move on. If he does then I think we need another forward. If Arnie was injured, we would be stretched up there. Carroll has to be regarded as an extra, supernumerary effectively, so who is there to cover? Unless Pelle decides Hugill is up to it then at least one more forward required, two if Chica can’t be convinced his future is in London.
So the midfield areas? Central we do now have numbers. Noble, Obiang, Kouyate and Rice if used there have been supplemented by Wilshere. While we had problems there last season, a fit again and properly managed Obiang will be a boost, A defence that can defend and some pace around the side will also alleviate the huge burden those guys were picking up. Kouyate has been mentioned as one to leave but for me, once again only if replaced, particularly with Lanzini injured, meaning we are still one short in that area. Felipe Anderson may well be used in a central attacking midfield position as well so we are ok but like I say, we need depth and Kouyate as back up is more the level we need to be than last year.
Wide areas, Yarmalenko, possibly Anderson if not used centrally, possibly Masuaku as he can definitely play that role. Lots of talk about Antonio moving on – not for me, unless again he is going to be replaced, He can play left or right and even cover up top and will not fetch anything near what he could be worth if he regains form. Snodgrass I feel got a rough deal, played out of position and thrown under the proverbial bus, however I am not sure he is where we need to be and if we keep Antonio and with a fit again Nathan Holland, while Lanzini can also play wide when he returns as well as central, I think we could let him go. So for me, I would only really want to see Byram, Snodgrass as well as Cullen to move on without direct replacements.
Of course a couple more signings may change the picture – Ex has mentioned frees and loans now likely. I would love us to take a chance on Ballotelli, hoping Chelsea can be persuaded to loan Loftus Cheek.
Have to say though as it stands I am incredibly excited for the coming season, particularly as we seem to have gone from being the slowest team in the premier league to having loads of pace available.
Good article & I agree.
I Ded wouldn’t over sell don’t that before last summer & it hurt need depth & Competition. Few outgoings & loans ok.
I’d like Ox to stay if he wants to but if he wants to go don’t want to hold him.
Antonio for me is must keep & if sell to A palace he will thrive there imp prob as CF. He plays either wing & CF has wicked pace power. He might not be the most technical but 2 years was great for us & last season he was rushed back before by Bilic end of 16.17 so had to have surgery no preseason then Moyes had to use. Plus it Felipe or others get injured or take while to get running which Felipe might do at Serie A. Never know so good to have player you can rely on that is versatile & competition breeds success. Not like our squad will be huge even if only loan/sell a few. AC been top list but injured. So we will have some youth that don’t count in squad & a fill squad this season instead of 20man squad.
Hope Cullen stays I really rate him huge passion & hungry. Not like takes up a lot of wages either.
Good article & I agree hopefully board won’t over sell
Letting too many players leave last January was a bad decision, However with the new recruits we may be little overloaded now in certain positions.
One thing looks certain there is no rush from elsewhere to sign the players we might let go.
I feel very sorry for Hugill ,why he was brought to the club and by whom is a mystery we can only speculate on. He has been given no opportunity to prove himself and now shamefully looks surplus to requirements. It is not his fault that our business acumen has wasted these funds. The club has to make up their mind about Josh Cullen. He is clearly a useful player who has a future somewhere. I would keep him for this season but after that ?.THe one player I have decided about is Reece Oxford we have invested a lot of money in him but his whole reputation is based on early promise and his debut against Arsenal. Since then he has gone backwards and been overtaken by Declan Rice who is now more experienced. I would therefore let him move on if a respectable offer comes along. Of course he may go on to bigger things but somehow, I doubt it now. Robert Snodgrass is a decent Pro ‘who is on a big wage. Unless he is prepared to move on for less money he may be difficult to sell unless we drop the fee we want for him considerably. I would be in favour of that. I don’t mind if we keep Fernandes even though his opportunities will be limited. What we would get for him is likely to be insignificant. THe big one is Antonio. Is he yesterdays hero ?maybe, but I would be in no rush to sell him unless a really good offer comes in.His repeated hamstring injuries could be a concern to a potential buyer however.
Difficult decisions lie ahead.