Transfer Rumours | Tactics | Who to buy/sell etc

Turok_TTZ wrote:Benzema's purpose was long since served back in 2014.
I would rather keep him if he continues to prove his worth which I have little doubt of.

Though I agree the time has come for a new CF. Benz is not getting any younger and I have doubts in regard to his recent injuries. Benz may be the best before the injuries but injuries can change a person. a backup or someone to rotate with him is ideal. Would love Martial for this. Aubameyang would be fine too. Hernandez is good as well. anyone but Lewandowski, that volume shooting snake needs to stay far away from here. if we are to spend mad money, i rather have it spent on someone who wont be a liability in speed the moment he comes here. we need more speed upfront. CR7 may be El Comandante but time catches up to all eventually.

With us being CL champions, our team is the best already.
We only require modest reinforcement. Casemiro has proven himself at the highest level. I think finding a replacement for him is ill thought. He earned his place. We must find a backup dm for him instead. James can go, not sure about kovacic. isco can stay, we need a lb to cover marcelo. Danilo showed something salvageable in the CL Final so we may not need to sell him off just yet. we may need two cbs should varane decide to leave. Pepe can be kept but be aware of his wages and his age.

and finally, **** the gk, Keylor has earned his place proper and should be shown respect. our current keepers are fine as is.

For the most part, I agree with you, but there are a couple of factors that need to be taken into account when looking for changes this summer.

1. Flo will be Flo and he always wants to have some marketability signing, not sure if it's for his own sense of marketability or if it's just to try to outdo Barca.

2. The possibility of the upcoming transfer ban (and the appeals failing).

3. There was a theory at one point this season that this core of players had run it's course and a rebuild was necessary. That still could be the case.

4. We all have observed that this team is poorly constructed in terms of balance and that should be addressed.

In my personal opinion, I think the following is likely to happen.

a. Navas could be swapped for De Gea or Courtois. Such a move although unpopular would be made based on age, nothing more.

b. I don't think there will be any defense changes, other than Arbeloa retiring and bringing in a new LB to challenge and backup Marcelo. I would love to swap Danilo for a more competent RB, but I doubt that will happen. I also don't think any of Varane, Nacho nor Pepe will leave.

c. We need a DM that can challenge and backup (or reverse) Casemiro.

d. James has to go, he just doesn't fit in. Isco is also a possibility to go. That leaves Modric, Kroos and Kovavcic. If Isco does go, then we need another CM. Asensio is not the answer (yet), but Ceballos could be if they ever manage to complete that signing. However, this is where, Flo can screw things up by signing someone like Pogba. If he does, then IMO Kroos has to go. Hopefully such a signing, does not deter from the big need we have for a DM.

e. I don't see Ronaldo nor Bale leaving, but Benz is still a possibility. There have been just too many rumours about a new CF that I think there is the idea of replacing him. Not to be confused with the biggest need which is a backup CF, no matter whether Benz stays or is replaced. This backup needs to be able to challenge the #1, get a reasonable amount of starts, but also I want the CF regularly subbed (for fresh legs) and thus you want this backup to have an impact late in games. And I think the answer is Morata, however not sure Flo will ignore the money that is being offered for him by EPL teams.

f. Lucas is great as a backup forward, but I'm wondering if Jese is better off out on loan or a sale with buy back clause. Asensio is a possibility for this 2nd forward backup, but it may be better to keep him out on loan for another year and get a more experienced forward that can relieve Ronaldo. (Ronaldo should be reducing his playing time gradually over the next couple of years)

So if we can accept Perez and Sanchez as speaking the truth, then of the 4 points, I said earlier most go out the window.

1. No change in Goal

2. Sure sounds like they are not concerned about any possible transfer ban.

3. Flo will be Flo. Well maybe not! I think there still will be the temptation to go after Pogba, which would mean Kroos or Isco would have to go.

4. Balance issues, this one still seems valid. Primarily we need a DM, backup CF, backup LB and James to be sold. I'm not convinced a change in CF is not in the works (again not to be confused with Morata returning as backup CF).

So in conclusion,

I think

Out - James, Kroos or Isco, Benz, Arbeloa

In - DM, LB, CF, Morata

As far as the transfer ban, I suspect they finally sign Ceballos, but leave him on loan and thus they have most positions covered with talented youngsters on loan, which will allow them to essentially continue for a year of no transfers.

Back to Jese, am I the only one that feels he is no where near the player he was before he got injured?

I agree that he is a talent, but it's now been three years that we have waited for the breakthru. Lucas was a better player than him this year. If he stays and Ronaldo does start to reduce his playing time, then this upcoming season will be a make or break season for him. For his own good, it would be better for him to go somewhere were he can start, but as a loan or sale with a buy back. And for the club, we would be stronger with someone more experienced. The player I would love to have for that position, even though I know there is no way we could ever get him is Nolito!