Grant85
Head Pro
I didn't say about the squad depth, but in terms of putting 11 or 13 players out every week, it's better than 9th in the league. Obviously shouldn't be losing to Olympiakos and Brighton etc.
It's well away from challenging, but on paper should have been a lot closer to the champions league spots with 7 games to go.
Unfortunately the only genuine quality player is Aubameyang. However 3 games post lockdown he has been out wide and we have not gotten enough out of him. Lacazette should be more productive, but seems out of favour.
Torriera is a strange one. Looked like he could be the Defensive midfielder we were craving, but kept getting pushed forward by Emery.
Xhaka - I don't share your view he's been much better or should be at the club next season.
Only players I'd keep are;
GK - Leno.
no issue with Martinez as reserve keeper. Done well so far.
CD - Holding. Not seen enough of Soares or Mari... but they are obviously staying now.
Saliba will join from Saint Etienne.
I assume they will give Mavropanos another run before deciding on him.
FB - Bellerin and Tierney - potentially both very good in the correct set up, but maybe both are injury prone. Don't disagree about Bellerin and perhaps he has to be a wing back 3-5-2 or a wide player of a front 3. It seems no one is going to play 4-4-2 with traditional wingers.
Midfield - Gueondozi, Willock, Saka.
Maitland-Niles could come good playing centrally.
Maybe Smith-Rowe will come back in.
And I wouldn't give up on Torriera if he is played defensively, protecting the central defenders.
Forwards - Aubameyang, Pepe, Martinelli, Nketia.
I assume they'll keep Nelson, but not sure where his opportunities will be.
Should require the least amount of surgery, but need to find personnel that allows Aubameyang to play centrally, especially if they are going to give him a big contract.
Offload; Sokratis, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasniac, Chambers, Xhaka, Ozil, Mkhitaryan.
If Aubameyang and Lacazette both leave, then I'd say it's a rebuild. Give the young forwards game time and hopefully Pepe can get more goals.
Is there much point in spending all the budget on a forward for a team who is heavily reliant on youngsters coming good, and probably another season away from knowing if they will or not? Would be better off buying a few more Martinellis and Guondozis rather than a trying to bring in a finished article from another league.
Definitely need more bodies in midfield. A really robust, one dimensional defensive midfielder should be a priority (if they can't make Torriera that). Someone who can win the ball and offload right or left won't cost a lot and probably win several points just by being there.
And 2 more full backs required if Kolasniac goes.
