burchy

I’d like us to go for something like the new Welsh badge, obviously swapping out their dragon for our lion.

His first touch is good and he sees intricate little passes, has masses of potential, oozes confidence too. Future star I think

I thought he played ok, seemed nervous 1v1 but there were opportunities for him to get in behind and he seemed to hesitate, so was a yard or too back after McGinn played him in a few times. I like him, there’s potential there I think

Hope we give me a good reception

Going by his media day gif that’s his go to moves, do we know if he has kids as that’s a dad dance if ever I saw one

Almada had a good game last night, scored one, assisted two. Would fit the LM/LW role well and be good competition for J. Ramsey

I think we could sort our squad out relatively cheaply and effectively. We don’t have to Chelsea it! ST/IF we could get someone like Iglesias or Gouiri. For RB we could get someone like Foyth or Geertruida (if we’re after a defensive minded RB). If not then Anau Martinez or Fresneda perhaps. Personally I’d like an attacking midfielder that can cover both flanks and provide competition mainly for Ramsey, perhaps someone like Goncalves but a cheaper alternative, perhaps Cherki, Almada or Lindstrom. Need someone like Zaniolo but more left side focussed. I liked Schelderup before he went to Benfica, perhaps a cheeky loan offer with a buy option? Mike Tresor at Genk had a good season at LW last year (8g & 21a) and would be cheap as chips.

Don’t Barca have like a 50% sell on clause for Coutinho?

How are we looking with regards to HG players though? If we include Mings, we’ve got Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Chambers, Watkins, J Ramsey (is he still classed as an U21?)

Would support them if we signed them but in my opinion they’ve both never really lived up to their hype. Personally I’d rather we went for someone like Goncalves and/or Gouiri out on the left and someone like Kudus for the AM role, although it looks like that’s going to be Zaniolo now. As direct competition for Watkins I’d like us to get Jonathan David but that’s wishful thinking on my part.

I’m not convinced by Fati, Felix or Torres. They’re all on shedloads and I think if we shopped a bit smarter there’s equal talent out there for less outlay.

We’ve got to be in for a RB surely

Has there been any movement shares wise recently that would imply a big lay at the end of the window? If we’re looking to ship out Archer and Bidace there’s got to be a striker and a wide player coming in, surely

Terrier’s a no go as he’s recovery from an ACL injury still, didn’t realise when I posted his name as a suggestion.

Out of all of them I’d argue only the highlighted three make us any stronger and Gonzalez tends to operate more on the right and Oyarzabal isnt that prolific. Gouiri, yes all day long as I think he’d be good as our LW but can also be equally effective up top and more importantly he’s a consistent scorer. We’d lose him to the African Nations though as I think he’s swapped to Algeria but he’d be a good fit for us. As I’ve said before I’d like to get two left side attackers, one competition spot for Ramsey and a LW/IF that can also cover for Watkins. If we got Terrier and Gouiri (unlikely as they both play for Rennes) we’d have the same options on the left as we do on the right, which would give us a bit more balance in attack.

Someone like Martin Terrier at Rennes might suit us if we can’t get the likes of Chiesa or Goncalves. LW pickings are a bit thin on the ground as most, if not all, are at big clubs already or just moved.

I personally think Zaniolo was brought to provide cover for Buendia so we might see a right sided attacker come in (Cherki or Kudus perhaps?) I’d like to see 4 new signings a LW/IF, a LW/LM/AM, a RB/CB and a RW/AM in that order. Not a lot to ask for

If and it’s a big if, we got Chiesa, we’d either play a 433 or 4141 surely with Chiesa and Diaby the wide options, supported by JJ, Bailey, McGinn, Zaniolo and Bidace. Midfield if we were playing with a 4141 we’d have Kamara as the Dm and then any 2 from Luiz, Tielemans, McGinn and Zaniolo. We could play a more offensive version with a LW and RW or a more conservative version with Ramsey as a LM and McGinn/Zaniolo as RM with Luiz and Tielemans in the middle. A World class LW would give so many tactical options. We’d be able to take it to the low block teams but then also change things up tactically against the up end of the table. If it’s not Chiesa I can see us going for a LW though, perhaps Goncalves instead

He plays predominantly RW/SS for Ajax so not sure it’ll happen based on Zaniolo coming in. Good player though and would fit the mould pre Zaniolo. We need a LW version of him more than anything else. Perhaps we’re calling Sportings bluff and we’ll go in for Goncalves in the coming weeks.

I’ve mentioned him loads as I think he’s a real handful, similar to Madueke in style. He’s a RW though and I think we’re well stacked there, it’s LW we need more than anything else. Good player though

I’d be happy with £15-£20m and his wages off the books

For me there are some options at LM/LW/IF position, it all depends how much we have to spend. Everyone was saying we’d go large this summer and I guess we have to some degree with Torres and Diaby coming in but a combined 80m (give or take) is a drop in the ocean compared to other teams spending. I really think, if the wry Monchi smile is to be believed, that we still have some big irons in the fire, or at least I hope we do. I thought we’d be spending 150m net and we’re some way from that at present. If the earlier rumours about Goncalves are true I think he’d fix our left side. If Sporting want too much someone like him but cheaper might be an option. Jack Clarke at Sunderland perhaps? Martin Terrier? Thiago Almada? I think right side were well covered with the likes of Diaby, McGinn, Tielemans, Bailey and Bidace. We need that depth on the left. I personally would like to see us sign a LW/IF/CF, and a LM/AM, giving us Ramsey, LM/CAM and LW. Bidace I think can cover both but he’s played more on the right I think. If we had (for example) Gouiri, Goncalves and Ramsey as the left options we’d be cooking. It would give us some tactical flexibility as well. As for further back, I think I’d rotate the 3 CBs a bit rather than buy another one.

Geertruida would give us cover at RB/CB and DM. Allow us Konsa/Geertruida as RCB and then Torres/Carlos as LCB as well as playing him at RB or DM. Covers three positions with one signing. I’d also look to beat Brighton to Gourna-Douarth from Salzburg (pick up Karim Konate whilst we’re there) Bring in Zanioli to cover for Buendia and then get Gouiri for that LW/IF position. Gouiri can cover for Watkins too. Two major signings, a loan and two possible youth prospects and we’d be good to go.

Also, what’s this about Carlos, have I missed something, is he linked away?

Burnley linked to PSVs Johan Bakayoko. Hoped we’d looked at him as he’ll be a star in the future. Plays on the wrong side for us though I guess (RW).