Sarr is still 19 so won't count as a foreigner I think. I would keep him with the squad until Jan. Gil, I have no idea where he fits in...

Still think he'll be loaned and Gil too unless an offer close to what we signed him for comes in

Emerson as 6th CB? We probably do need someone else for ccb position and if Dier and Romero are both out its a bit awkward

Shame about rodon

Yeah shame about him but now would be the right time to sell Dier. He is 28 with two years left and he counts as a foreigner. After this summer his stock goes down unless we give him a new contract.

At least with Rodon he is HG in the Prem. I would keep him and sell Dier but that's just me.

Yes I think in conversations like this you have to be realistic and see Dier is clearly a staple in the side at the moment.

I would buy two new CB's. Romero takes Dier spot as the main man, then the two new lads either side with Davies, Sanchez and Rodon as the subs.

Midfield Bentancur, PEH, New Mid, Skipp and Sarr.

Forwards Kane, Son, Kulu, New, Eriksen, Etete or Parrot. Or Bale lol

I'm really not bothered about signing a new striker as I reckon Kulu could step into Kane's shoes if needed to.

He has the build and skillset to hold the ball up and score goals. Would love to see him lead the attack in pre season to see how he does.

comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
comment by Ioavirgo (U10470)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 6 minutes ago
3 Keepers - Lloris, Forster, Austin

5 Wingbacks - Spence, Doherty, Emerson, Sessegnon, Reguilon/New

5 CBs - Romero, Dier, Davies, Sanchez, New

5 CMs - Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Skipps, New, Eriksen

5 Forwards - Kulu, Kane, Son, Lucas, New
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I don't think it'll be a case of adding to what we have. I think Conte wants to rip up the wingback positions and start again. Spence is a great shout as he's young enough to understand that he'll be on the bench a lot to start with but I think Emerson and Reggy might be told to leave. We can't let two semi decent games cloud our judgement regarding Emerson. He's not a wingback so we should cut our losses where we can on that front. I like Reggy, always have but I'm not sure Conte likes him. He does leave himself exposed at times. I think the only safe ones are Sess and Doherty, which I wouldn't have predicted at the start of the season.

Same applies at centre back. Dier, Romero and Davies are going nowhere. Dier and Romero because they're good and Davies because he can cover two positions reasonably well. Sanchez will be bombed out though, I'm certain of it.

The rest looks good. I see Winks doesn't even get a mentionReally hoping you're right about Eriksen. We might have to adjust the way we play to bring him in but it would be a no brainer for free. The trouble is, if we do bring him in and start him, he would naturally sit in a position directly behind Son and Kane in a 5-2-1-2 formation but what does that mean for Kulu? We cannot afford to move him to wingback or bomb him out. He's too good.
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I'm not so sure Conte would rate Spence. Based on what??

I think we will need to go with quality with at least 2 season at the top end on their respective domestic leagues. Not a championship player.

The same attitude will apply to all summer signings I think. They must all have track records of performing well at the highest level.
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You might be right but whilst Conte may want his older trusted heads, you can't ignore the fact that our best right back of the premier league era, Walker, was signed from a championship club in much the same way. I think Rose was too. Some of the best players in the Premier League have started lower down. I don't think we should be ignoring that, particularly when you're signing someone considered to be second choice for a position. They have to be happy to sit on the bench and work for their place. If you sign someone 28-29, they're just not gonna wanna do that, not anyone of worth at least.

To ignore championship players because they're championship players is frankly stupid.
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Both those players you mentioned took more than 2 years to develop. Conte won't be here when they hit this hypothetical peak.

i think we should throw whatever at Bastoni to get him if we can

comment by LukaBrasi COYS (U22178)
posted 42 minutes ago
Sarr is still 19 so won't count as a foreigner I think. I would keep him with the squad until Jan. Gil, I have no idea where he fits in...
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I think / hope that keeping Gil allows us to sell Lucas and have him as that option. Bergwijn goes anyway and we get in a proper attacking option, Gil as 5th choice across a front 3.

5 CBs should be fine

RCB - Romero/Sanchez
CCB - Dier/Romero/Bastoni
LCB - Bastoni/Davies

doubt we'd ever have 3 CBs injured at one time, any side in the world would struggle with that situation

Keep seeing Bastoni's name, can see the obvious Italian link - how good is he? Romero level? (but obvs LCB rather than RCB)

never seen him play but he profiles perfectly, i like his name and looks like someone who is good at footy

comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 10 minutes ago
5 CBs should be fine

RCB - Romero/Sanchez
CCB - Dier/Romero/Bastoni
LCB - Bastoni/Davies

doubt we'd ever have 3 CBs injured at one time, any side in the world would struggle with that situation
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool last season had VVD, Matip and Gomez all injured at one point. Man City recently had Dias, Stones and Laporte all out. It can happen and with Romero has exactly covered himself in glory when it comes to being available.

He hasn't covered himself in glory*.

comment by Ioavirgo (U10470)
posted 17 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
comment by Ioavirgo (U10470)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 6 minutes ago
3 Keepers - Lloris, Forster, Austin

5 Wingbacks - Spence, Doherty, Emerson, Sessegnon, Reguilon/New

5 CBs - Romero, Dier, Davies, Sanchez, New

5 CMs - Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Skipps, New, Eriksen

5 Forwards - Kulu, Kane, Son, Lucas, New
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I don't think it'll be a case of adding to what we have. I think Conte wants to rip up the wingback positions and start again. Spence is a great shout as he's young enough to understand that he'll be on the bench a lot to start with but I think Emerson and Reggy might be told to leave. We can't let two semi decent games cloud our judgement regarding Emerson. He's not a wingback so we should cut our losses where we can on that front. I like Reggy, always have but I'm not sure Conte likes him. He does leave himself exposed at times. I think the only safe ones are Sess and Doherty, which I wouldn't have predicted at the start of the season.

Same applies at centre back. Dier, Romero and Davies are going nowhere. Dier and Romero because they're good and Davies because he can cover two positions reasonably well. Sanchez will be bombed out though, I'm certain of it.

The rest looks good. I see Winks doesn't even get a mentionReally hoping you're right about Eriksen. We might have to adjust the way we play to bring him in but it would be a no brainer for free. The trouble is, if we do bring him in and start him, he would naturally sit in a position directly behind Son and Kane in a 5-2-1-2 formation but what does that mean for Kulu? We cannot afford to move him to wingback or bomb him out. He's too good.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not so sure Conte would rate Spence. Based on what??

I think we will need to go with quality with at least 2 season at the top end on their respective domestic leagues. Not a championship player.

The same attitude will apply to all summer signings I think. They must all have track records of performing well at the highest level.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You might be right but whilst Conte may want his older trusted heads, you can't ignore the fact that our best right back of the premier league era, Walker, was signed from a championship club in much the same way. I think Rose was too. Some of the best players in the Premier League have started lower down. I don't think we should be ignoring that, particularly when you're signing someone considered to be second choice for a position. They have to be happy to sit on the bench and work for their place. If you sign someone 28-29, they're just not gonna wanna do that, not anyone of worth at least.

To ignore championship players because they're championship players is frankly stupid.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Both those players you mentioned took more than 2 years to develop. Conte won't be here when they hit this hypothetical peak.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe not, but Paratici probably will. His job is not the same as Conte's. Conte will want the players in the short term to challenge, which is fine but signing players like Spence and installing scouting systems is the long term legacy of the club. Both will be required. You can't go all in on experience. The best sides have a blend of both. If we spent £40m on Lamptey or someone established, for example, it's not daft to sign Spence as their back up. It's logical. Even the richest clubs in the world have inexperienced cover. You've also got to juggle squad harmony. If you have really experienced, expensive cover, how happy are they going to be? You need players that will be happy to sit tight and wait, that's usually younger players with potential and drive.

I want to see Conte get what he wants but I also don't want the club to take it's eye off the ball regarding 5-10 years down the line. They won't anyway. The fact that Paratici has already lowered the age of the group and revamped the scouting system suggests that they are making moves for tomorrow rather than today, and I'm glad of it.

have they? if so they would have only had one CB to play and would have had to adapt to work around it

We will regret not signing two more CB's. We cannot go into next season with Dier in the starting 11. He needs competiton or to be sold. Davies and Sanchez I can live with being on the bench and rotated for lesser teams.

we will have to see if we regret it then

comment by LukaBrasi COYS (U22178)
posted 25 minutes ago
comment by Phenom (U20037)
posted 10 minutes ago
5 CBs should be fine

RCB - Romero/Sanchez
CCB - Dier/Romero/Bastoni
LCB - Bastoni/Davies

doubt we'd ever have 3 CBs injured at one time, any side in the world would struggle with that situation
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Liverpool last season had VVD, Matip and Gomez all injured at one point. Man City recently had Dias, Stones and Laporte all out. It can happen and with Romero has exactly covered himself in glory when it comes to being available.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
🤔 not sure what mean? Romero is quality and also has an air of calm and confidence about him.
He has settled into the PL extremely well and is eventually going to be a World class player, he does come close to that at times with his play.

Isiah Jones ,Middlesbrough much better option than Spence

As in he has only played for us 24 times this season. 22 in the league and twice in the cup.

He was injured alot.

not linked to him though

comment by Dave&Danny (U4428)
posted 8 minutes ago
Isiah Jones ,Middlesbrough much better option than Spence
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There is not much between the both of them. Spence is a year younger and has less time to run on his contract.

and paul okeefe said so