Our Squad Depth

[Davvo]

It's been brought up in various threads, but I think it's worth analysing what we have, and where we need to add/improve. Without the usual bickering, and whether you're unjustifyably optimistic, or on the verge of a breakdown, or perhaps somewhere in between, it's interesting to look at exactly what the situation is.

 

We need 22 outfield players for our squad, plus a couple of youngsters on the fringes pushing for some game time at some point. Assuming we take it from a starting point of Insua/Benny gone, and Jova in, this is where we are :-

 

LB : *** (CARRA/AGGER/KELLY/JOHNSON)

 

RB : JOHNSON/KELLY/DEGEN/DARBY (CARRA)

 

CB : CARRA/AGGER/SKRTEL/GREEK/AYALA (KELLY)

 

 

CM : MASCH/LUCAS/SHELVEY/SPEARING/PLESSIS (GERRARD/AQUILANI/MAXI)

 

 

AM : GERRARD/AQUILANI/MAXI/KUYT/BABEL/JOVA/REIRA/PACHECO/EL ZHAR

 

CF : TORRES/NGOG (KUYT/BABEL/JOVA)

 

That's 25 outfield players, so in numbers we're fine, infact we need to drop 2 or 3 of those for the 22/23 required for the squad(most likely those who qualify as youngsters, as they can still play from outside of the 25). However, when you get beyond the first XI and subs, the quality is severely lacking. Also, aswell as having noone who's main trade is left back, we have 4 at right back.

 

ESSENTIAL : Add a Left Back, drop/sell Derby/Spearing/Plessis/El Zhar - takes us to 22 outfield players.

 

At that point, I'd say we have a first team and subs more than capable of competing with anyone. The issue is with the inexperience/quality of those filling the last few spots in the squad.

 

Depending on who we believe, the budget stands at anywhere between zero and £20M. It was "reported" at the time of RH appointment, that there was £10M + sales available. Now, apart from the fact this could be a lie, we don't know if this figure included the likely sales of Benny/Insua, the signing on fee for Jova, the compo for RB and/or RH. Thus, anywhere from £0 to £20M.

 

Most would agree it's nearer the zero figure, so it looks like in order to add some quality, we would need to sell a prized asset. It seems possible this could be Masch. In addition, for more than one purchase, we'd need to free up more space in the squad. This can be done by designating Ayala/Kelly/Pacheco as club trained youngsters? and possibly selling Reira/Degen, freeing upto 6 spots in the squad to add quality.

 

Now 6 new arrivals is highly unlikely I'm sure, and with the money likely available, would be spread too thinly. We could however have enough cash to add 3 top quality players to replace Masch and 2 of the kids (better if it was Reira and Degen, but that requires willing buyers).

 

IDEAL : 2 x CM & 1 x CF (If RH intends using Gerrard and/or Aquilani as CM alongside 1 holder, then perhaps 1 x CB/CM/CF)

 

HOPEFUL : If Reira and Degen sold, we could add a second dedicated LB. If there was a buyer for Skrtel, and the budget was currently more than zero, we may just have enough for the top quality CB we really need.

 

Basically, IF we can get all the money from a Masch sale, and particularly if there's actually anything sat in the kitty now, we could have a much healthier looking squad than we finished the season with. If we can't do that, then the squad looks paper thin when you look past the top 16/17 outfield players, and we could very well struggle unless we have spectacular fortune with injuries, or the likes of Pacheco/Shelvey turn out to be world beaters.

 

The next 6 weeks will make or break the season, no doubt about it.

[Flight]

You're right.

 

We can actually afford to sell 2-3 more players and still put out a first 11 and a bench.