We are two or three signings away from a title winning squad for next year

[Iver]

Our current squad is looking very strong, I think if we add the right players in the Summer, then the drawn games that haunted us this season will be turned into wins next year.

 

I think we need to bring in the following players ;

 

- Another right back to compete with Arbeloa (who has been excellent)

 

- A central midfielder to take the place of Lucas, who has been used a lot, when Mascherano or Alonso have been injured or suspended.

 

- The big money signing this Summer, in my opinion, should be an attack minded "game breaker", a world class player, who can turn a game single handedly, and give us another option, when Torres or Gerrard are injured, suspended, or off form.

 

For those three positions, I suggest the following players, who I consider to be realistic, and affordable targets.

 

- Right back ; Either Glen Johnson or Rafinha - would cost probably 7-8 million.

 

- Central midfield ; Gareth Barry - almost certainly will happen, and for a fraction of what we were quoted last Summer - cannot wait to see the look on Martin O' Neill's face when that finally goes through ; likely to cost around 8 million.

 

- I would also go after either Ribery or Diego from Werder Bremen - both will be sought after, but we will hopefully have 20 million to splash on a player of this calibre.

 

Just imagine our squad with those three additions - it is very difficult to see any weaknesses.

 

Rafa should have a 20-30 million kitty on top of what we generate from sales - Voronin, Dossena, and possibly Lucas and Babel will be offloaded, hence we should have an additional 15-20 million or so to spend.

 

Thoughts?

[carrafan]

We can win the league with this same squad, imo. Of course, there is room for improvement but this current set of players covers us in most situations. A bit away from the tangent but i think we'd have breezed this years league if Torres had been fit for most of it. And i'm not contradicting myself.

[Romario]

We have the squad already. Torres and Gerrard not being fit and starting together for so many games as well as feckin up against so many crap teams like Boro is what could potentially hand the title to a stuttering currently jammy playing like crap manu.

[badtodabone]

cant see the point in buying Barry ,he wont be content warming the bench like lucas and it would be insane to break up Alonso and Mascher

[Farmer's Tan]

if keane had worked out we would have probably won it this year(thats not to say that we wont anyhow)those 0-0 draws when torres was out was when our second main striker/goalscorer really needed to come up with the goods as well as fringe players like babel benni el zhar,only one of which(benny) has risen to the occasion.we need more creativity in the right mid position a solid striker another midfielder like barry who could fill in a do a much better job in big games,could use an attacking right back also,abry is excellent defender but not so hot coming forward,or at least doesn't come forward enough.we have 2 holding mids in masch and alonso and having 2 attacking fullbacks gun forward to support an attack is huge,especially we teams sit and play counter attack with 10man sitting deep.

[Andy @ Allerton]

We've got the players already, Amazing players. Amazing manager.

[anfield]

We've been two or three signings away from the title for 19 years now. The current squad in the current situation is perfectly capable of winning the title.

[Chewie]

if we stand still this summer we'll go back. The other sides will all add something new and different. Simply because we could have won it this year with a fit Torres does not mean we will next year if he is fit. I detect a renaissance at the Bridge that should have us all worried, Arsene's kids will be one year older and United will add to what they have...

 

scum had rooney and they went out to get Tevez - similar players but both have been needed...

they have ronaldo and giggs but saw fit to pay a fortune for nani who may or may not make it but who provides a similar option of lesser quality...

 

I think our squad can win this league but there is no-one who is not replaceable or who will not need protecting at some stage next season... if any player can come in and do a better job than our existing players then so be it... they will have to earn it though and we will be the beneficiaries...

 

This squad with a few additions can deffo win this league

 

Reina Arbeloa Carra Skrtl Agger Aurelio Insua Masch Alonso Gerrard Kuyt Benayoun Reira Torres

 

I would not be in a great hurry to get rid of Lucas, Darby may improve and other youth players - Nemeth, Pacecho, N'Gog need to press on - but the 14 named players - plus three more quality players, augmented by reserves and youth - can do this...

 

I so wanted Babel to be a player but tbh he just looks like an underwhelmed athlete...

 

Chewie

[Paisley]

I'm not bothered who we sign this summer as long as it isn't Diouf, Diao and Cheyrou.

[_00_deathscar]

if we stand still this summer we'll go back. The other sides will all add something new and different. Simply because we could have won it this year with a fit Torres does not mean we will next year if he is fit. I detect a renaissance at the Bridge that should have us all worried, Arsene's kids will be one year older and United will add to what they have...

 

:lol:

 

Oh...you were being serious...?

[New York Red]

I still think Diego wouldn't be a bad purchase for us. He's versatile and would be able to spell Stevie right behind Torres, but could work well on the right too.

 

I also think that him AND Stevie would play well behind Torres with Marscherano behind them protecting the back four.

[harpoon]

Aguero. Plus, I recall him saying he was a Red before Atletico signed him up, Atletico need the money too.

[madaboutlfc]

so you will change our best formation to accomadate a player who has failed to shine at the highest level.

[Chili Palmer]

so you will change our best formation to accomadate a player who has failed to shine at the highest level.

 

 

Isn't that what we did with Torres?

[Magic8Ball]

Aguero. Plus, I recall him saying he was a Red before Atletico signed him up, Atletico need the money too.

Where would this guy play? He's not a winger and I'm sure he and Torres played together at Atletico and well.... didn't set the world alight

[surf]

Keep Alonso and Masch in the centre and keep Gerrad and Torres up front.

 

I want a game changer that won't break the Torres-Gerrard Continuum. Someone wide left that can do what Riera and Babel aren't doing, or someone wide right that can challenge Kuyt for a place.

 

Ribery would be ideal as would Robben. Don't think they're particularly realistic and i don't know who's available that is.

 

Of those mentioned on this thread, Aguero and Diego are good players, but i'm not sure how they're going to fit into the team without breaking up the Gerrard and Torres partnership.

[Magic8Ball]

Keep Alonso and Masch in the centre and keep Gerrad and Torres up front.

 

I want a game changer that won't break the Torres-Gerrard Continuum. Someone wide left that can do what Riera and Babel aren't doing, or someone wide right that can challenge Kuyt for a place.

Ribery would be ideal as would Robben. Don't think they're particularly realistic and i don't know who's available that is.

 

Of those mentioned on this thread, Aguero and Diego are good players, but i'm not sure how they're going to fit into the team without breaking up the Gerrard and Torres partnership.

Don't think Robben would be a game changer for us, and while Ribery looks the part I just don't know if he could reproduce that performance at Liverpool. What we need are players that can play in ANY of the 3 positions behind Torres and still score/change games.

[surf]

Don't think Robben would be a game changer for us, and while Ribery looks the part I just don't know if he could reproduce that performance at Liverpool. What we need are players that can play in ANY of the 3 positions behind Torres and still score/change games.

 

you've lost me there.

first of all, there are 10 positions behind torres, i assume you're referring to the riera/gerrard/kuyt ones?

and you dont think robben and ribery are good enough.... what do you want to do, bring maradona back?

 

i dont have the answers, i know we won't get robben or ribery, but those are the type of players i'd like to see us stregthened with this summer. it's up to rafa and the scouting team to come up with someone available, yet good enough

[Raj]

If Henry was available, I would take him.

Can play left of the 3 or up top.

[surf]

if he can play in riera's position hell yeah, though i dont know if he'd give u playing with eto'o, messi, iniesta & xavi

[Maldini]

I wouldn't touch Henry with a barge pole. He's 31, would cost £10m+ and wages close to £100k a week. That and the fact that he doesn't play in midfield which is what we need. He'd have to track back and work defensively for us, that's not his game.

[surfaris]

if not because torres injuries, keane saga, too many draw - we should have cruise with the title already.

[goodrobotusses]

One of Ribery or David Silva. Robben - as brilliant as he can be - is a gutless coward and a little w*****.

[Sion]

I'd rather give Pennant a new contract than sign Robben

Edited April 12, 2009 by Sion

[New York Red]

I think Henry would be a great signing. He'd be a great replacement for Torres when he's banged up, plus he could do the job on the left.