BWoolley wrote:
I think our young talent is a big blessing at this time. Having 4-5 first teamers coming through the ranks (or from inexpensive youth purchases like Martinelli) reduces the holes that need to be filled. If we can add to that some proper developmental work on Pepe and Torreira, that should leave us with 2-3 gaps in the team that need to get filled, primarily in midfield.
It's certainly a huge stroke of luck. I would say at the moment Nketiah and Willock look like the two who most likely wouldn't make it here. I think Saka and Martinelli are in front of them longer term, but even so, Nketiah and Willock are deservedly first team squad players on current showing - they're not just kids pissing about on the fringes. They're playing an important part in the first team just now, they aren't being shunted in just to fill out numbers. If they don't make it they'll have given us a couple of good years allowing us to focus on more pressing issues, not need to look to replace the likes of Elneny and Mhktarian with signings, and ultimately give us a bit of a payday at the end.
