13 Nov 2018 20:30:45
Over the years we've often either missed or squandered opportunities to really kick on as a club. For me, the season we finished 5th under Martinez was really the time to invest heavily in the squad as it was the closest we had been in a long time to breaking that top 4. That didn't happen and we just signed the players we had on loan as a permanent. Then came Koeman's horrific summer spending spree where a lot of money was wasted on players that we simply didn't need. Fast forward to now and it seems like we have made some cracking signings and have a really good squad. Yet we still need to improve in certain areas which is why the January and Summer transfer window could prove pivotal in breaching the gap. I think these areas have most likely been identified by Brands and Silva already despite our early days of development as a squad. For me, the areas that need attention are RB, CM/ CAM, RW and ST. Sort out these positions and we will be a force to be reckoned with.

Just off the top of my head I had a little think of a few names that I've had the time to watch and think would fit into Silva's style while also adding quality to the team, just waiting now for Ed to say we have no chance with any of them ;) .

RB: Wan Bissaka - Shown great pedigree already at such a young age, may be a risk as it is a lottery in regards to how he progresses. bigger teams more likely sniffing around him.

CM/ CAM: Gomes - Sign the lad on a permanent, shown he's a good footballer already and get's what it means to play for Everton. Also our yearly calendar sales will be through the roof.

CM/ CAM: RLC - Not getting a sniff at Chelsea but I think he will likely be part of their future plans. If he was made available we wouldn't be the only suitors.

CM/ CAM: Phil Foden - Ambitious I know but it would only be on loan as there is no chance at all City would sell. The kid's only 18 and looks like he'll set the world on fire, would probably be good for him to get a year under his belt as a starter under an attacking manager like Silva. Would make sense for City as well because it's not like we're a rival and he would potentially be helping in taking points off their closest rivals whilst being ineligible to play against them.

RW: Lozano - Potential problem with Brands cherry picking PSV players as Ed has previously mentioned. Amazing talent though.

RW: David Neres - The more brazilians in our team the better. Think he's a bag of tricks and has pace to burn, also scores a fair amount of goals too.

St: Bertrand Traore - Tore us apart in the Europa last year. Can perhaps be tempted by a move back to the Prem.

{Ed025's Note - some good names there bitter with the best one being gomes, we really do need him to sign on the dotted line mate, january is a very difficult window to buy in though and to be honest i cant see us doing much business if any..

1.) 13 Nov 2018
13 Nov 2018 20:46:09
I agree Ed, he’s a huge part of our team already. Would be great if he was made permanent in Jan. like you said though, I also think it’ll be a quiet January for us.

{Ed025's Note - i suspect it will bitter, but we are on the way up mate and its a great time to be a blue..

2.) 14 Nov 2018
13 Nov 2018 23:19:29
Another name for RW is Dominic Beradi. Plays for Sassulo in Italy. Left footed RW who can play as striker. Scores a few too.

3.) 14 Nov 2018
14 Nov 2018 08:20:42
Best post for ages the one that started this thread. I agree 100% with it all mate!

4.) 14 Nov 2018
14 Nov 2018 08:25:48
I think it is equally important to get the squad trimmed. End up with a poor dressing room if too many. Signingva striker may be all well and good but what does that say tobTosin, DCL and Naisse. Similarly signing attacking midfielder like Foden - why develop city players when we have Dowell chomping at the bit - after the years loan - city are better off. Signing a fight back would mean Kenny would need to be sold.
I’m not against getting a few players in but I think we first need to sort out what’s happening with people like Hollgate, Baines, Kenny, jags, Dowell, jmac, schniderlin, beni, Tosin, Lookman and Naisse.
I think get Gomez only player in Jan. Look to offload some of the above and look again in the summer. - if we are in Europe may need a few more - if not in Europe then only 1 or 2 needed which could be bought with the money from selling 7 or 8 fringe players which don’t look to have much of a future.

5.) 14 Nov 2018
14 Nov 2018 10:17:24
If we are to make the step up then Niasse, Touson are not good enough in my opinion, dcl is worth keeping as a squad player, see if he develops further, but plenty better strikers out there over the above three mentioned.

Seem well balanced throughout the team, but an out and out goal scorer is a must, if we are to step up to the next level, hopefully Zouma and Gomes signed as well.

6.) 14 Nov 2018
14 Nov 2018 12:39:53
Agree with that. Especially getting Gomez and Zouma. Playing one up front though - it’s going to be hard getting anyone of quality who effectively is going to be playing back up to Richarlison.
One name springs to mind - Sanchez at Utd - if we could get him playing anywhere near what he was like at Arsenal he would be a steal - but I think Gomez and Zouma - sell some fringe players - I think they would pay for both those transfers - I reckon 40-50 million for them both?

7.) 14 Nov 2018
14 Nov 2018 16:01:40
I see where you’re coming from with the Foden/ Dowell shout Sobs but that Foden is different gravy. With all due respect to Dowell, it’s not like he hasn’t had opportunities to stake a claim in the squad but every manager we’ve had hasn’t fancied him. Perhaps an attitude and commitment problem? If we got Foden in on a loan for just a year he could propel us onto better things therefore leaving us in a position once he did leave to go out and get another player of his quality. This is all hypothetical of course.

8.) 14 Nov 2018
14 Nov 2018 16:03:49
Also agree on the offloading players point you made mate. There’s still a lot there that needs shifting.