06 Feb 2016 00:07:58
I've read that the club will be preparing offers for new contracts over the next few months to Ross Barkley, Muhamed Besic and Bryan Oviedo. Sounds good to me.
I guess that Hibbert, Osman and Pienaar won't get contract extensions and will therefore leave at the end of their contracts this summer. Gibson, Junior and Mattioni are also out of contract this summer, so they might leave as well. Add the likes of Howard, McGeady and McAleny to the departures list - let alone want-away talent like Lukaku and Stones - plus the U-21/ U-18 youngsters we don't decide to retain and we could be in for a big turnover in the playing staff this summer.
06 Feb 2016 01:35:17
I see that turnover as a positive. RM has done a decent job of buying youngsters so far but we are still carrying a lot of aged deadwood. Releasing those mentioned more than covers improved contracts for those we consider important to the team/ squad. I have a feeling that most will be offered 1 year deals even though they will offer very little.
06 Feb 2016 08:41:00
Pod: I guess it's partly a question of whether or not the youngsters are deemed good enough by RM to replace the aging players in the first-team squad. If not, you may well be right about the aging players getting one-year contract extensions. Otherwise, we'll have to recruit players for the squad - especially if we've qualified for Europe and need a full squad of ready players.
06 Feb 2016 12:49:05
For me I'd give Gibson a contract. He's a good player. We need a squad of 20 players and Gibson would be a good player to have in a squad of 20.
He'd get into most squad's in the premiership of 20. Hope his antics outside the club doesn't affect him getting a contract offer. There was talk at the beginning of the season of him getting offered one. Then he had that incident.
The eight others you mention I'm not gone on staying. Maybe Pienaar and Osman on a one year contract. Could be glad of them next season if we get plagued by injuries or somehow get into Europe.
It's good to have experienced players in the squad. We have a lot of youth. A balance can only benefit the squad.