CPM I agree we need two players, and you're right we'll need a bit of flexibility in the market.
But I think a more ideal set of profiles would be something like Zubimendi and Bruno – the former a classic Spanish 6, taking the lead in early phases of possession, and just fast/strong enough to handle 'DM' responsibilities in the Prem (not unlike Arteta himself as a player here, before he got too old), and the latter very much an 8, an all-rounder who is physically robust but also comfortable being a creative force in our attacking play. That would give us a 6, a 6/8 in Rice, an 8, and an 8/10 in Ødegaard, and that's a proper and versatile midfield.
But it doesn't look like there are any obvious and easy solutions in the market right now, so maybe we'll have to be resourceful. Still, I don't like the idea of buying a very similar (and not necessarily outstanding) player for £50m and putting him on big wages.
Sounds like Zubimendi has been head hunted by Xabi Alonso and his most likely move is probably to Real Madrid if/when Alonso joins them. Sounds like the player would much rather stay in Spain which is fair enough.
Bruno has a £100m clause but I don't think he is a £100m player. He's a good player but also a proper cunt as well.
Someone like Onana imo wouldn't be our first XI player and I don't think we should be paying £50m for him either. I think we need someone like Frenkie De Jong and in addition we need a physical player who can cover the pitch. Rice has given us the defensive stability we need in midfield that has been missing for too long. We don't have anyone like him in the squad and last season especially around the time of the games against Bayern he was burned out. We need other options. Next summer we should then replace Jorginho with another more creative player.
