TBH atm I do not like the signs regards to our activity or lack thereof in this transfer window. At this point it feels very deja vu much like last summer.
EDIT - IMO we are skint and KSE is not going to provide additional funds post the collapse of the ESL, and the talk is more likely to be they will 'allow' us to spend what we can generate, and may enable us to do so as seen re Partey last summer when they allowed us to redirect extant funds towards paying out his release clause.
As such then IMO possibly the single most important transfer decision to be made, with the greatest potential impact to improve our play and address most of our issues in regards to bang for bucks, is the decision at CB. Not just DO we get another CB but more importantly IF we do then we simply cannot compromise based on cost within whatever our available funds are.
As mentioned elsewhere the required CB profile is about athleticism, pace and ball playing ability as opposed to tackling or height/ability in the air. The intent is to play a high Defensive line with pace for recovery, as well as ball playing ability to both beat the press and pass through the lines short or long. This enables us to press high which will increase opposition turnovers and improve our creativity/chance creation & the intent to play the game in the opposition half. It also addresses the issues in terms of our transitions and the need for the CF or CAM to drop deep the get the ball, and allows the attack to play more on the front foot/off the last defender and less need for a linking role.
IMO this was the same impact the VVD signing had at LFC, except in their scenario he was the final piece to their puzzle when they had everything else in place, whereas for us it needs to be the first piece we put into place because of our financial situation to improve our capability with current/reduced resources. IMO this is why MC signed Ake and why we are being linked to Konate despite his lack of height.
IF we do this then the 2nd most important signing will be at RB, as Chambers does not have the recovery pace required for a high line in defence. Attacking capability akin to Tierney will be a bonus rather than a need, as would defensive capability in terms of tackling. Positioning and recovery pace will be primary requirements.
IMO those 2 transfers if done right would transform our playing style, capability and effectiveness even without any further changes to our current starting options or formation, including retaining Xhaka alongside Partey as our twin pivots in midfield. IMO it would almost be so important as to be our only 2 starting signings, and and remainder of any funds used to provide squad depth/cover.
