22 Jul 2025 18:57:37
Think our next requirement is a CDM, think with the 2 signings we now have good options up top. Midfield is still very poor, it's strange really with the 3 -4 -3 system you would think the wing backs would help the central 2 in midfield and then the 2 players in the 10 role should help too, if anything our midfield should be packed and not have huge gaps for teams to run through us.
22 Jul 2025 19:07:24
100% agree.
22 Jul 2025 20:09:47
It SHOULD be. But with Casemiro, Ugarte, Bruno and Mainoo and only one game per week, I just cannot see us signing a midfielder.
22 Jul 2025 20:52:46
If we’re patient and he’s not rushed in too quickly, we could have our own Baleba/ Wharton on our hands with Kone. He looks a very good prospect and is only 2 years younger than those 2.
If we don’t shift Casemiro on, I can’t see a midfielder coming in.
22 Jul 2025 20:56:52
Think RA would agree with you. He was complaining about a lack of pace in midfield after the recent friendly.
You can’t teach someone to suddenly have pace. So I’m assuming it was a word to the board to get somebody else in there.
22 Jul 2025 21:57:53
Couldn't disagree more.
We need a new goalkeeper. Onana cannot be relied on, cannot pass (statistically speaking) and had eight errors leading to goals last year in all competitions. Worse than any other keeper in the league.
I would take all of our midfielders over Onana.
22 Jul 2025 23:39:05
Kurtis I agree.
Keeper is our biggest defencive issue bar none.
That is in no way to belittle our cm issue. No power and no pace.
We have pace outvwide now.
We have pace technique, power and explosiveness in the 10 roles.
We have no pace and power in cm imo. City rhodri pool gravenbach Chelsea caicdo Newcastle bruno . We lose midfield because we don't have that pace and power and will to win backed up with great tekkers.
23 Jul 2025 07:17:48
If only we received a £100m offer from saudi arabia for one of those central midfielders who isn't a central midfielder if we are being homest.
We could have got a keeper and a centre mid and at a push maybe even a half decent striker.
23 Jul 2025 08:05:50
We didn't get an offer for bruno no offer was made to the club at all as far as I know. They wanted agreement from him before making an offer and he told them no.
23 Jul 2025 10:15:46
While midfield is definitely an area that needs attention I disagree that it's the most important position we now need to improve.
For me the absolute most important position we strength is the same one since the window opened and that's a striker.
We just don't have options there. Højlund has regressed badly and in fairness isn't the style of striker that Amorim needs. The fact that against Leeds he was behind Chido Obi just highlights how far he's dropped.
Chido Obi is a good prospect, but is nowhere near good enough to be first choice. Maybe in 3 or 4 years time, but not yet.
That leaves Zirkzee who I like as a player, but he isn't the right fit for how Amorim usually plays his strikers. Part of me is interested to see how he would work dropping deep and creating space for players like Cunha and Mbeumo to run in behind. But I also think that could be problematic with both Cunha and Mbeumo also liking to drop deeper to get on the ball. In theory we could have Zirkzee, Cunha, Mbeumo and Bruno all trying to play in the same space which would severely blunt our attack. I'd like to see Zirkzee tried as the striker for some games, but he has typically played best in one of the inside forward/ wide 10 roles for us.
Beyond those three (one too young and the others not the right type of striker) we have no one who is a special-ist, we could try playing Bruno, Cunha or Mbeumo there, but it's not the best position for any of them. They can play there in a pinch, but should not be our go to option.
Without a striker capable of playing on the shoulder of the defense, who can link play with those around him and can occupy the central defenders then we lack the space for other attackers to play in. Opposition defenders know they can push up and restrict the space in front of them.
Even a half decent striker would massively improve us just by doing the basics to a reasonable level and in doing so would create space for players like Cunha, Mbeumo, Amad and Bruno. If those guys get more time and space on the ball then we become a much more dangerous team.
For me the striker position is easily the biggest and most important area to strengthen this summer. It's great getting creative, EPL proven players who also score at a good rate in Cunha and Mbeumo, but for those guys to work they need a striker who'll make the space and draw defenders away from them.
Yes we also need a goalkeeper, I'm pretty sure that one will be done without much trouble.
We also need a more athletic, physically strong, and quick midfielder. However, I also think that this position will be the trickiest for us to strengthen due to a combination of a lack of funds and us having quite a few options in midfield already. Unless we can sell a player in midfield and raise some funds I don't think we will see another midfielder join this summer.
23 Jul 2025 20:47:28
We will not be able to compete with the current midfielders. We need an imposing figure with presence, passing ability, and last, but not least, a brain.
23 Jul 2025 21:46:14
Kone has shown enough to be given minutes this season, he will dislodge someone with enough minutes under his belt.
Shappy - Zirkz dropped slightly deeper is exactly how he should be played - feed him and he will create space for the 2 x 10's.
23 Jul 2025 21:58:40
Lamine Camara from Monaco, that's who would sort our CM out and is perfect for Amorims system. And also gets to learn from Casemiro for a year, his legs have gone his mind hasnt.