Great article. I would also expect a few to go out on loan. Possibly Yedlin and Dele Alli.

When I look at the squad, as I did for an article the other day, I was surprised that we need so many, especially in defence.

I mean, I knew they were at the club, but seeing them listed as you have done, makes you realise how big the squad is.

Do we need them? Would we be better off having a trimmed squad, but be capable of paying higher wages for marquee signings?

Take the defenders, currently 11 players for 4 positions. That is very nearly three teams of back four. Why do we need so many? And still people are calling for another player to be a "DM".

Surely, if the majority of our squad are on fairly modest wages compared to many of the players in the league, it will lead to resentment that they are not getting the game time they think they deserve.

Perhaps if we had had a smaller squad then players like Stambouli might have been given a better crack of the whip and perhaps we would see what PSG have seen in the past, and what they can benefit from in the future!

Two players for every position, except perhaps GK where we might need three. But I would feel sorry for the third choice, who will hardly ever play!

I would only make 2 more signings...

If possible I'd like to see a player like Berahino or Remy sign because they could do a job through the middle of off of a front 3.

McCarthy would be an interesting signing if Poch decides that he does not rate Mason. I know that Poch is a big fan of his and why not? He gives everything. I'm not sure if McCarthy is any better than Dembele un trust, I've seen games where Dembele owned the midfield against some good teams.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I can see your logic, but don't think we need five more players.

In addition to Trippier, Alli, Wimmer and Toby that would be nine signings, that would be madness!!

I think the only players we need are a Striker and a CM (defensive hopefully), though a wide forward would be very welcome.

That would still be seven in, which is a lot.

I saw an article yesterday that suggested we were in discussions regarding a direct swap with Fiorentina for Ilicic with Chiriches going the other way.

Haven't seen a great deal of Ilicic but it sounds like a reasonable option. Pinch of salt with this one though as it described Vlad as a 'dangerous attacker'

comment by Vertonghen Groove *100% WUM free* (U1546)

Pinch of salt with this one though as it described Vlad as a 'dangerous attacker'
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Brilliant. He is dangerous, but to our own defence!

I can't see the hype around McCarthy, average player at best, inconsistent too, i don't think he is better then our current crop, i would be disappointed if we signed him.

If we shift out Ade, Soldado, Chriches, Lennon then there is still room for a few to move away. I still think Fazio, Townsend are up for grabs and a few of our youngsters are shore to go out on loan. I wouldn't sell Dembele as I could quite easily see him tearing it up at another club.

whats eriksen doing in CM.

we play 4 2 3 1.

why would we use eriksen so deep and take away all his goal threat?


just shows how bloated the squad was.. we have got rid of 4 cms so far (paulinho capoue stambouli holtby), and 1 cb (kaboul)

Keepers(2)
H Lloris
M Vorm

Right backs(3)
K Walker
K Trippier
D Yedlin

left backs(2)
D Rose
B Davies *

Centre Backs(6)
J Vertonghen
T Alderweireld
E Dier*
K Wimmer
F Fazio

Centre Midfield(6)
R Mason
N Bentaleb*
C Eriksen
M Dembele
T Carroll
D Alli*

Wide Midfielders(5)
E Lamela
N Chadli
A Pritchard
A Townsend

Forwards(3)
H Kane
R Soldado

A more realistic squad

Potentially we could also see the likes of Soldado, Dembele, Townsend and Fazio moved on but I think it would be repeating the mistakes of the past to make so many changes. Poch seems to like a more compact group. Our squad was massive last season.

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selling dembele (especially within the prem) for anything other than silly money would be the move of a fool. I trust that Poch isn't a fool.

comment by Thuddo~ (U1029)
posted 3 minutes ago
Keepers(2)
H Lloris
M Vorm

Right backs(3)
K Walker
K Trippier
D Yedlin

left backs(2)
D Rose
B Davies *

Centre Backs(6)
J Vertonghen
T Alderweireld
E Dier*
K Wimmer
F Fazio

Centre Midfield(6)
R Mason
N Bentaleb*
C Eriksen
M Dembele
T Carroll
D Alli*

Wide Midfielders(5)
E Lamela
N Chadli
A Pritchard
A Townsend

Forwards(3)
H Kane
R Soldado

A more realistic squad
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has Maf been giving you counting lessons?

I think Carroll should go out on loan and Alli kept in the squad, Tom has good movement when he wants the ball and is a great passer but he offers nothing else. He's actually quite lazy when it comes to tracking back, him and Pritchard are lightweights but Alex actually gets stuck in!

I Reckon Carroll will be sold

me too

comment by Chronic (U3423)
posted 4 minutes ago
me too
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He looked ok in that end of season tour but the EPL is too hard and fast for his boy-like frame. Modric made it but on top of vision he had a bit of pace over s few yards and a trick, he could make space for himself.

I would like to see Carroll worked on by the coaches, may be Poch & Jesus can do something previous managers have not.

Apparently we're not going to get a third keeper this season, but are instead registering one of the coaches instead as back up........Jesus saves!

I wouldn't be surprised to see Carroll go on loan to Villa to sweeten the deal to take Ade

Out: Chiriches, Lennon, Carroll, Ade, Goaldado

In: DM who is a leader, winger who can also play striker with pace and a back up centre forward to cover or play alongside Kane

Possible loans to BPL opposition for Yedlin, Pritchard and Alli, to prove themselves at the highest level

I think Pritchard will stay and be allowed to prove himself in Europe as Kane did last year. I'm hopeful Alli will be given the chance too, even if it's just until the January window

We still need a cm as we can't hide from the fact that the shield in front of our defence isn't good enough.
Attacking wise we need either a complete CF and a right sided attacker or a player who can play both roles like a Berahino / Remy type.

Regarding outgoings I believe we have 3 must sells and that's Chiriches, Lennon and either Adebayor or Soldado. Fazio maybe and I would be inclined to keep Townsend for one more season. Also loans for Yedlin, Carroll and a few of our promising youngsters like veljcovic, Winks etc

This is the squad I hope to see for the upcoming season. -

GK - Lloris. Vorm, McGhee

RB - Walker, Trippier

CB - Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Dier, Wimmer, (Fazio)

CM - New CM, Bentaleb, Mason, Dembele, Alli

AM - Lamela, Eriksen, Chadli, Townsend, Pritchard

CF - Kane, (CF who can also play attack midfield) Soldado

So that's 2-3 more signings and 3-4 to be sold then loans.

Forgot LB !!!

Rose and Davies

Keep seeing rumours Moutinho may be available, the figure quoted is around £20m. Unfortunately, he 's being linked to l'ars.e in all the rumours

moutinho isn't what we need. we need a dm. moutinho does same job as bentaleb.