Think we’ll try and sign 4/5 good additions again this summer. These positions would be:
RCB - Engels will go I reckon. I would look to the Championship here and Nathan Collins. Good age to sit behind Konsa and play several cup games or step up if/when Konsa gets injured. Otherwise, if we went for experience, then John Egan would be a useful pick up, however not sure he’d be happy being on the bench or not being first choice.
LB - Taylor will go this summer. Henry is the obvious choice here but would be expensive. Lee Buchanan at Derby could be one to look at. Otherwise Aaron Hickey again or Greg Taylor? Targett certainly needs competition and shouldn’t be guaranteed every game.
Mid - Barkley to return and Hourihane possibly to Swansea. Nakamba has shown us how limited he is. Ramsey may benefit playing a full season on loan in the Championship perhaps? An addition here in the number 10 role and possibly a defensive minded player? Don’t think we’ll pursue Barkley but could be wrong as we may have dedicated a lot of money on him already? Dele Alli on loan for next season anyone? Olise from Reading is an obvious one but Josh Dasilva is someone that could be considered as an alternative from the Championship. Sander Berge has been mentioned already and not to everyone’s liking but Guendouzi could be an option also.
Wide Forward/Winger - Trez or El G or both may go. Brooks, Mbeumo, Sarr, Buendia, Cantwell are obvious thoughts and improvements from the Championship. Lookman has looked good this season, as has Peraira in patches. Marcus Edwards is easily forgotten in Portugal and comes to mind here. Have mentioned either of the Sessegnon brothers previously. Ryan has lost his way a little but is still young and a very good player. Steven isn’t pulling up any trees but both boys are very talented and seem like Smith signings. The jewel for this position though would be Pablo Neto. Probably a £40m-50m plus player already but would push us to the next level and would show our ambitions as a serious top ten club. If he went to someone like United, then perhaps Daniel James is an option?
Centre Forward/Striker - Woefully lacking in this area after Watkins. Imagine if Watkins missed ten plus games for us? I do worry about Wes but not for here. Davis I don’t mind but we can’t have him as our only main option from the bench next season. Josh Maja is an option. Armstrong or Toney others? Daryl Dike looks to be a very good young player. Joao Pedro at Watford has impressed this season also. Simply put, we need an addition or two in this area.
I do struggle with suggesting any European based players purely because my knowledge in this area is so poor. I see and hear names but know generally nothing about them, perhaps someone could do a similar European list? However, I do think that Smith likes a home grown/based player anyway and think he’ll again concentrate his recruitment from here. Looking forward to an exciting summer.