So you'd be happy with Bissouma, Skipp, Sarr & White as our only CMs available to play behind Maddison at the start of the season, then (if Bentancur is back to match fitness, which is a big IF) only Bentancur, Skipp & White during AFCON?
I’ll probably get shot down for this but would dier work well in that no.6 role of anges system? Might suit him better than being at cb
I really want to see Sarr starting games this season. He's good already and only going to improve.
I'm actually hoping that at least one of the two comes good, but am assuming they won't until I see it happen. However, I'd see both of them having most chance of thriving in the more advanced Maddison role, or us ideally needing a proper CDM (we're unlikely to sign one this window) to sit behind Maddison + Ndombele / Lo Celso.
Even if Sarr hits the ground running this season, we could be left short during AFCON, if we sell Hojbjerg and don't sign another CM.
Palhinha - I'd like this (especially with the injury to Bentancur and two other CMs having AFCON next season), but can't see us signing a deep CM this window. It feels overly optimistic to hope for this on top of Maddison + Vicario + sorting out our defence.
Skipp is for me the one to cash in on aswell or loan out to a PL squad, because he does not have the passing ability to play in a team that are going to dictate the play.
If Palhinha costs £70M (reported figure), then I would rather spend the money on Tapsoba (£50M) and Scott (£20M) instead.
@Huddlebone seemed to be suggesting that we sign Palhinha + Scott, not one or the other. I agree that a LCB should be our top priority.
Being realistic about our finances and ability to keep good players happy as a squad player, given that we don't have any European (let alone CL) football this season:
I've seen plenty of people knocking Hojbjerg but definitely agree with you, although also understand that it's probably the perfect time to sell him given contract length/age/new system. I would point out to the knockers that being ever present under coaches like Conte and Mourinho , then being wanted by Simeone strongly suggests you aren't a bad player ! (while also possibly hinting strongly what 'type' of player you are). He'll be missed if he goes, strong character and presence on and off the pitch - and better technically than people give him credit for, scored some good goals and made a few superb assists but misremembered for the sideways passes and negative play at the end of a shit season, when knackered and no one showing for the ball to pass to.
Yes you've worded that perfectly - he's a non essential, rather than simply not wanted, so if the right offer arrives and we feel we can re invest in a more essential player then win-win.
