Since our season is over for all intents and purposes (although I will still inflict hot pokers into my eyes for the rest of the year by watching this dross), I figure I might as well start back at FM dreaming.
Out:
Ospina - go get a #1 and let Cech ride off into the sunset with a final year as elder statesman, kind of like how Mert was for us this year.
Xhaka - in Stan Lee’s immortal words, 'nuff said
Mustafi - put this guy out of his misery… maybe there is a good player in there, but he looks a complete idiot atm and while a new manager may help him out, I say we get out now and rebuild
Chambers/Holding - figure out if one of these guys has a chance and either loan the other out or cut our losses and sell - they are both in that sweet spot of not quite ready and it doesn’t make a lot of sense to have 2 of these and have them sit as much as they do.
Welbeck - yeah, just needs to go
El Neny - tougher call - could be useful in his current role - and he is one reason why I want to see more of AMN - if AMN can elevate, we sell El Neny… if he can’t, we probably need to hold onto this guy for another year.
Santi and Per - either retire or fade… in Santi’s case, this is another tragic end to a brilliant footballer playing for our club.
IN:
GK - need a #1 again… this is probably the position I have least knowledge of, so I will defer to others here… plenty of people mention options like Oblak and one of the German keepers. Just need this sorted.
CB - with Koss aging, Chambers/Holding, Mavro (?), we are super light (which is why I think we see Moose stay with us)… need 2 signings here probably. I’d go with one of the young studs from Italy or a Sule, Gimenez, Van Beek (?), and probably an opportunistic veteran purchase… ideal solution is Chambers/Holding/Mavro (one of these) plus the new boy turn into our next solid partnership.
CM/DM - ok this needs so much work - go get Ndombele (or someone in that profile/age) and probably another depending on how deep we cut. Again, probably one young star plus an opportunistic veteran.
Wing - another big area to address… go get Bailey and/or Brandt… hope Iwobi and the Nelson can be useful on the other side.
Striker - well you can’t have it all - we don’t have unlimited funds… Hope that Auba, Laca, and Nketiah is enough… maybe look for another youngster to add to our youth ranks… can’t really see us splashing here after Laca and Auba investments.