With the news today that Lanzini is out of the World Cup and probably out until the new year the recent positivity will take a dive.
So sad for Lanzini who i believe could have been one of the best players at the tournament.
For me, Lanzini was so key to a new start under Pellegrini as a central attacking Midfielder.
How can he be replaced? No one from the current squad can fill his role so we will need to purchase a replacement as most of the season will probably be gone by the time he is back and match fit.
Return of Joao Mario? – if so then we would need to ensure we have 2 other players in front of him that can bag goals as i’m unsure whether he would get the 10+ goals that Lanzini could with a full season.
Add to this that the interest in Arnautovic is real from Man Utd meaning if he wants to leave then it will be engineered regardless of whether he is for sale or not.
Yes, we have a very positive Manager and hopefully a Director of Football, but the only history of transfer windows we have with our owners has been poor.
The Window closes early for purchases and if what we have heard this week on Rice’s contract renewal is correct – the owners can’t even sort out the easy ones.
Even last season when they started well with Arnautovic & Chicharito, it then petered out and they left us with a slim squad not suitable for the Premier League and our injury record.
If the transfer kitty and players budget are passed to the Manager and DOF then I would have more faith that we wont be panic buying on the last day of the window with anyone that can lace their boots still.
Our current squad as of today with Ryan Fredericks added is not good reading.
I have heard some say we only need a couple of players, just look down the list.
Goal Keeper
Adrian Probably wants to leave unless no1
Defenders
Aaaron Cresswell
Arthur Masuaku
Winston Reid Injury worry
Angelo Ogbonna
Declan Rice New contract?
Reece Oxford Wants to leave
Pablo Zabaleta Last season of contract and may be career
Ryan Fredericks
Sam Byram Needs to leave, 3rd RB
Midfielders
Cheikhou Kouyate 2 poor seasons
Mark Noble
Pedro Obiang Squad Player
Manual Lanzini Serious Injury, out to Xmas?
Emimson Fernandes Squad player
Josh Cullen Not premier League
Domingos Quina Youth – Not ready
Sead Haksabanovic Youth – Not seen so probably not ready
Robert Snodgrass Why would he want to play for us after board comments
Forwards
Marko Arnautovic Man Utd interest, will leave if he wants to
Michaul Antonio Injury Worry based on last season
Andy Carroll Injury worry based on year after year
Chicharito Not committed to club after last season
Jordan Hugill Championship at best
How many of the above players are fully committed, motivated, the right quality and no injury issues.
And how many would you put in your starting line up without any fears?
Like I say, if the transfer budget and decisions are left to the Manager & DOF then I have more faith that our poor squad could be re-built for the start of the season.
And hopefully some of the players we are being linked with is correct.
But the worry is that we need so many players in, within a short time period.
We don’t want to get to October and start blaming injuries again when we know we have 4 or 5 players with ongoing Injury issues.
The next few weeks are key to next season.
By DazP@Kirtonhammer