Agreed on Bruno G. Have thought a lot about it and my ideal summer based on information to date would be:
In: Bruno G, Rice backup (Manu Kone / Bouaddi), Valdepenas, Lacroix (since he will likely be a started for half the season), Kroupi, Tzolis / Godts / young LW prospect
Out: Odegaard, Trossard, scrubs (Viera, Norgaard, Jesus, Kiwior), Martinelli
Will give us on-the-ball ability with Kroupi, Eze (playing regularly), progression in MF through Bruno (will partly replace Ode’s qualities). What we won’t be able to replace is Martinelli’s option value late in games, Ode - Saka RHS partnership (need to give Zubi / Bruno a freer role to accomplish this) and obviously the backups for Rice and Saliba will be nowhere near as good. If R and S will be out for many months, we may have to pivot away from our defend at all costs mentality to a more balanced setup where we focus on, as Arteta put it, scoring “100 goals” (obviously exaggerating). We would probably setup a staggered MF with Rice / backup at the base, Bruno / Zubi (right biased and focused on progression but also partnering the base MF), Eze / Skelly (left biased and exclusive progression focus and linking / interchanging with Kroupi coming off the left). Front 3 of Kroupi / backup, Gyok / Hav / MM9, Saka / Madueke.
