Big Willie

Didn't we sack them all?

Riot against the Kroenkes or just fold the club if Chelsea and Liverpool are strongly in for Kvarat and we are not.

daredevil Didn't we sack them all?

Yup, back during covid.

HomeSteak Jorginho wants to leave.

Of course he does, he hardly plays. Anyway his contract is up in June, just like Partey. We're going to need a big midfield signing as well as attacking signings this summer.

Qwiss we still make some very odd decisions on contracts. I think it would have been fine to let him go but when we kept him you presume their is a plan but then we don't seem to use them. It does worry be with how we approach transfers and squad building. Sterling another, nothing we've seen about him is a surprise from his time at Chelsea. It's why I didn't get the deal but you assume Arteta must have an idea of what he had in mind. But then he's never used and it makes you think did they really not have a clue?

Qwiss Of course he does, he hardly plays. Anyway his contract is up in June, just like Partey. We're going to need a big midfield signing as well as attacking signings this summer.

Yup, also why I wasn't that against the Merino signing. We are gonna need at least one if not two player in those positions in the summer.

There's no way we are getting close to £20m for Jorginho. I'd be surprised if we get close to breaking even on what we paid for him (_£10m if I recall) at this point. I don't think we have the depth to allow him to leave even if he is looking even more washed these days.

I will be very upset if we end up with Rashford at the end of this window unless it's for a short term loan. I have no confidence he will be anything more than dead weight moving forward and these reclamation projects like Sterling are not helping the squad whatsoever.

I'd rather us bring in a youth prospect like Nypan this window with eyes on developing for the future. Even if that means letting him stay at his club for the rest of the year.

If we don't get the Jorginho/Partey replacement right, we'll be screwed.

The only guy that looks good enough is Zubimendi. Everyone else that I know of will be a downgrade.

samthegooner we can't loan Rashford. We are maxed out for PL loans.

Qwiss also would he just stay on the bench like Rashford?

daredevil I don't know if I agree with this. Squads evolve and I think our next evolution has to be to a midfield setup with Rice at the 6. Of course we will hear complaints about his progressive passing but whenever he's had a chance to show it off, he's been solid iMO. I also think you can adapt to that by moving to a structure that I am a fan of which is pushing Odegaard deeper as a buildup specialist and bringing in a more output focused CAM to play where Odegaard plays now. Merino is versatile enough to provide depth at both of those positions and hopefully MLS can also provide depth at the 6 next year (as well as LB). There are far more options out there for advanced midfield roles - can go from the top of the market with Wirtz and Musiala to other good signings like Reijnders, Eze, Gibbs-White, Sudakov, Moleiro) and I want Rice in a more defensive role with two midfielders ahead of him that are better technicians, playmakers and ideally, can provide some goals).

With inverting outside backs like Timber/White and Calafiori/MLS, ball progression shouldn't be an issue and I think we struggle more with playmaking in the final third. I haven't seen Partey or Jorginho help much in that, nor has Rice in an advanced 8 role provided a ton of value there. A midfield like the following would be my (realistic) dream:
----- Rice (Merino/MLS) -----
Reijnders (Nwaneri) -- Odegaard (Merino)

samthegooner agree with the majority of this. Thoughtful post.