03 Jul 2014 02:10:33
Whilst I agree Vidal would be the ideal target I hate to say it but I simply don't see him leaving juventus, especially if Sanchez is to be part of any Suarez deal. The same can be said withsignings, why leave Dortmund when he has already turned down moves to big clubs like barca in the past?
No, for me I still maintain we should look to sign calvalho awidthind for midfield. These two players would offer great protection of the back four whilst being tactically very flexible. Probably best used in a three man midfield (433) giving herrera the freedom to play more attacking role, they would also allow shaw and rafael to bomb forward creating extra width.
This formation could easily be modified to a 4231 with either mata, kagawa or Herrera playing behind rvp. Then have januzaj and a new wide player either side of him. My choice for this new player would be depay, as he's the most realistic and attainable whilst still having the technical ability and potential lvg would be looking for.
Signing blind would also add long term cover and competition for Shaw, whilst also giving us the option (although unlikely) to play a 442 system with blind and Valencia acting as defensive wingers.
Having calvalho breaking up a lot of attacks in midfield would take some pressure off the back four, de vrij looks set to join and at only 22 could be a very good signing, cool headed, he would be a solid partner to jones or evans, and in the case of the former, could allow jones's natural leadership ability to come to the fore. However another more experienced cb could be needed just in case with all signs pointing toward vermalean. If this is the case, I would expect de vrijs arrival to be at the expence of smalling who is quickly becoming the forgotton man in defence.

Ins- Herrera, Shaw, Depay, Blind, Calvalho and De Vrij
This should be adequate for next year with no European football to worry about, and to get us in top 4
1- Chelsea
2- City
3- Liverpool
4- Man Utd

Dags

1.) 03 Jul 2014
4th isn't good enough. We're in it to win it. That's why we aren't just going for 'attainable' players we want the best

2.) 03 Jul 2014
03 Jul 2014 09:29:27
dags,

If the signings we make this summer do not make us better than Liverpool without Suarez then I think we have failed massively. We have to finish above them this season in my opinion, remember Arsenal always finish in the top 4, and Chelsea and City should be top 2, it is an absolute must we finish above Liverpool!

I think the link with Dirk Kuyt proves without doubt that the press are just making up half of the players we are linked with because they are Dutch. So I wouldn't hold your breath on Depay, Blind and De Vrij, just lazy journalism.

3.) 03 Jul 2014
Agree we should be trying to win the league but 3rd is realistic and imo attainable. Man City and Chelsea have strong squads and depth a plenty, even if we got all our players in 1 window they need time to gel.
Liverpool have a very good team losing Suarez will hurt but I don't expect them to go away. let's be honest we'd all like Sterling here for his potential and I'm sure the 60/70m they get for Suarez will be re-invested. Arsenal will be thereabouts if they get their targets. Lastly Everton will still be a force.

GDS2 your probably right lazy journalism but I expect we may get 1 of the 3 you mention.

4.) 03 Jul 2014
Liverpool won't finish 3rd with Europe and no Suarez I honestly don't think they finish top 4

Top 4 will be man utd, Chelsea, City and arsenal but what order who knows until we know who each sign then will have more idea

5.) 03 Jul 2014
We have a better manager than City or Liverpool and even possibly Chelsea, so that will be a major factor. A couple more excellent players in the right positions and I can easily see us possibly attaining 2nd, and that's if City, Chelsea and Liverpool have good seasons! The likes of Vidal and Sanchez or James would make us a very good team. BELIEVE!

6.) 03 Jul 2014
Remember that the squad exlcuding Mata and Fellaini won the title. Nothing has really changed. With a better manager and then players like Mata, Shaw, Herrera, W. Carvalho, maybe Vermaelen etc we should be pushing for the title again.

7.) 03 Jul 2014
City are looking like an unsettled camp and I see them being less effective this year. Chelsea have got a cart horse upfront major error buying him for their system, but Fabregas is a big signing for me. They will be better but weak at the back. Liverpool going backwards as they won't be able to juggle Europe. Arsenal same as always, Spurs a bit better.

We will win the league by 5+ points - no Europe, galvanised team and people playing for their future. I'm excited and confident, especially if we add a CB of quality to the team.

8.) 03 Jul 2014
I think we could finish second next season but will more than likely end up third or fourth (depending on who Arsenal sign).

9.) 03 Jul 2014
03 Jul 2014 13:41:50
while I would love us to finish above liverpool I think that the fact we need to bring in 5-6 players means we will need time to gel so won't be right up there challenging for the title, even with our relatively easy start
i fully expect chelsea and city to top the table, but 3rd - 5th is a lot harder to predict, liverpool even without suarez have bought quite well and will be better equipped to beat the lower teams whom they can sometimes struggle against, and with rogers they are always capable of an upset with the likes of city so will be amoung the european places come may
spurs and arsenal will also be a threat but I still don't think they have the legs to last the full season, that is unless they buy very well.
so for these reasons, 3rd would be a good result for us, but realistically I think we will end up 4th particularly as I can see liverpool going out of champs league very early on

dags

10.) 03 Jul 2014
03 Jul 2014 13:52:09
Grund,

I agree we may go for one of the 3 and they are probably the most likely 3 (not counting Strootman as it stands).

11.) 03 Jul 2014
Chelsea fan here in peace. The Beast, How can you say we will be weak in the back next season? We had the best defence in the League

12.) 03 Jul 2014
We haven't turned into a mid table side just because of one year, we will be back doing what we always do next year, challenging for the league title. van gall isn't coming over here to play second best to anybody.