Mid season player assessments

This season has been projected as survival with what we have, because of covid, lack of investment funds and prior youth investments. No new players were brought in, costly players not fitting in were sold as well as youth in system that weren’t likely to make it with first team. And a small handful of promising players that wouldn’t get playing time were put out on loan.

The theory was the promising youth could get enough playing time and yet be eased into roles with veterans providing guidance and reduce their playing time. Then at end of season, we would know, by their demonstrations who belonged and who didn’t and then sign a few star players for missing holes in squad.

Well a few things have gone wrong with that theory. The kids generally, have not stepped up, the veterans got off to a slow start. Maybe this is normal, but it’s even worse this year given there was no preseason and literally no break between seasons. Now after appearing to be on the brink of being out of all competitions, there has been a resurgence with all trophies now in the realm of possibilities. However it is because of the veterans on the squad. If this trend continues, how will we know what holes need replacing? How will we know how much longer the vets can perform at the level needed?

So I thought it might be worthwhile as we near the midseason point, to take a look at entire squad as to how likely is it that they should be here next season.

Courtois - solid performances, he definitely is a keeper for next few seasons. (Although I suspect Hala will still want him out and bring Navas back!)
Lunin - no assessment. We will have to wait until copa games to get any read on him.

Ramos - solid, true leader, will be difficult to replace and questionable as to how to replace him, as he will always start if he is on squad which makes getting a solid replacement much more difficult. For sure, Ramos will be here for at least another season.
Varane - looks like he has lost confidence with several critical errors. A year ago, we would have said, he would be solid for several years, but now we know he isn’t Ramos’ replacement, certainly not in terms of leadership plus if he doesn’t regain confidence, he too may need to be replaced.
Militao - playing time has not been a lot, mainly due to injury and covid positivity, but so far not impressive. He still needs to earn his spot for next season. Assessment at this point would be no.
Nacho - had a couple of rocky starts, but has come through as the reliable squad player. Assessment should be he stays, but he will soon reach the age when he has to be replaced.

Bottom line re CBs, we may need 4 new CBs over next few years!

Carvajal - has been injured a lot but his performance yesterday demonstrated he sill has it. He definitely stays.
Lucas - once again this squad player has demonstrated he can be counted on. He, like Navas at Sevilla, has earned a new role as a RB. He is the clear backup to Carvajal as well as available on wing when needed.
Mendy - he is fitting in well and has earned the starting spot over Marcelo.
Marcelo - he has slid into the role that we expected, a veteran  easing the youngster into starting role and accepting a backup role. However, he should go this summer paving road for return of Reguilion.
Odriozola - hasn’t played due to injury, however he has lost out to Lucas and should be sold. I write this one off as a poor signing.

Casemiro - his usual contributions, a few careless moments and some ball handling difficulties, however there is no denying he is an essential piece of team. His spot on team is unquestionable.
Kroos - lots of criticism of his play, yet he is a solid part of midfield. No question he should be replaced, but plan of him helping ease someone into his role can’t happen with current squad. He is likely here for another season, but they need to make Valverde his understudy.
Modric - right when it was looking like he was finished, he raises him game. At the moment, if assessments had to be made, Modric and Kroos would still be here next season.
Valverde - IMO, he is demonstrating what he needs to and should be designated Kroos understudy and both should share that starting spot.
Odegaard - season is getting hampered with injuries. He has not demonstrated the form he showed at La Real. I still believe in him and believe he should be Modric’s understudy with both sharing that starting spot. Of course the issue with set understudies is the no proper backup for Casemiro.
Isco - he has done nothing to earn the right to stay and is likely leaving in January! However good news is this opens a clear opening, if Modric, Casemiro, Kroos return to bring in someone like Camavinga.

Benzema - has been solid. Issue will be will his play stop Perez from going after both Mbappe and Haaland (as many of us hope he does). If it was me, I would go for both, sell off Hazard and play those two plus Benz!
Jovic - he had to show he could get back to form before he signed, but so far - nope!
Mariano - wasn’t supposed to be here, but thank goodness he was as he was only CF for a few weeks. But bottom line is he doesn’t have the talent to stay.
Hazard - like Jovic, he has something to show and so far - nope. His contract likely means he’s back, but I don’t agree.
Vinicius, Asensio, Rodrygo - I put them all together as I have the same view on all three. Developing, have had some promising play, but not demonstrating starter material. Unless they accept a backup role, they all could be gone.

Good to see you back Chad.

I’m not assessing Kroos as bad, i only stated there has been criticism of him (not by me). The FACT is his age, that club needs to find, develop or buy a replacement for him. I think they have one in Valverde and they should groom him for that role. But I don’t see Kroos gone for at least another year.

As to Rodrygo making it, possibly! But we are taking about potential rather than proven capability. These 3 still have half a season to demonstrate their capability before club moves to bring in some proven scorers.

What are your assessments?

Timmy, i agree with you. One thing seems to be clear. At least one proven scorer will come for next season, so that means at minimum, one of Jovic, Hazard, Asensio, Vinicius or Rodrygo has to go. Then you have Brahim possibly pushing for a return role. Doubt if Kubo will be ready.

So they are not only fighting to be starters, they are also in a battle for the bench roles.

Personally, i would like the purchase of Haaland and Mbappe and play Benz with them, leaving all these guys to fight for 3 remaining bench roles. Only issue with this, means Flo had to admit more poor purchases.

I expect the whole CB situation for next season comes down to do they stick with Militao for another season or not. I expect the other three to return.

Midfield comes down to hopefully signing Camavinga.

The bigger issue is the forwards; signing one or two proven scorers plus who remains as backups.

There is still a half season for Hazard, Jovic, Vinicius, Asensio, Rodrygo, Odegaard, Militao to prove themselves.

DoC,  do you not realize Flo has stated publically, at least to socios that there will be funds for purchases next summer? Plus the club has yet to agree or announce a stadium sponsorship deal. This season is the one that they tighten belts and went with what we have and thus the season long evaluations.

Btw, I agree re Hazard, that part was just my wishful thinking.

The issue in my mind is how well Benz has been playing and likely result is acquiring only one of Mbappe or Haaland. You are right that there will be competition for both of them.

A front line of Hazard, Benz, Haaland or Mbappe is still a significant improvement. The issue with the kids becomes their playing time will reduce significantly (except for Vini with Hazard’s frequent absenses!). My bet would be Asensio will be the odd man out, which would put team at minimum required Spanish content.

He just put off any sponsorship deal until stadium was finished. Deal will likely be set before next season.

The lost revenue from covid was projected to be 150M and they recouped over 100M in sales. They are getting over covid this season. Don’t know where you are getting your numbers from.

If we really look at this objectively, there are a lot of positives.

First off, with recent form, and the resurgence of veterans, means the prospects for this season are positive, a huge improvement from just 2 weeks ago.

It should shake the kids up that they have just a half season left to prove they deserve to stay.

The play of several veterans tells us we don’t have to solve all problems next season.

And the play of Benz in particular plus the fact mentioned in this thread several times that Hazard will be back next season means they will sign only one proven goal scorer. I believe if it’s Haaland, Benz could shift to RW, if it’s Mbappe, he would continue his RW play. Either way, I suspect Asensio’s days are numbered.

And it is good that there are two viable options. So Flo can go after both Mbappe and Haaland knowing we need only to catch one! Not a bad bargaining position to be in.