19 Aug 2026 12:37:03
Let's assume the Baleba transfer is happening. Obviously the success of the move depends on which Baleba we're getting. If it's the Baleba of the season before last, then I think we would all agree it's a great signing.
Along with Santos, Tielemans and Mainoo, I think we're beginning to see the post-Bruno evolution. People ask, how could we possibly replace his creativity? But that's not what will necessarily happen. The team will become something different. And, interestingly, Carrick's own transfer to United followed the departure of RVN. Everyone thought SAF was nuts. Who was going to replace all those goals? Well, in Carrick's first season without RVN, I think we actually scored more goals and more players scored.
The playing style evolved to replace a player who was thought to be irreplaceable.
People have been critical of a starting back line that may be the same as it was 4 years ago. That may be so, but the club has invested in 3 other CBs who were pegged as the medium to longer term replacements: Heaven, Yoro and MDL. Will they be good enough? That remains to be seen. Obviously we need to improve the right and left backs. Shaw is aging, I think Mazraoui wants to go off and study to be an imam, and Dalot isn't really good enough. I do think we'll get one L or RB in the coming 11 days.
19 Aug 2026 13:15:19
I think the 3 midfielders brought in give us a rounded group alongside Mainoo. Baleba adds a ball winner that will likely play alongside Tielmans or Mainoo, allowing them to be the passing progressors of the pair.
He will likely rotate with Santos, but could play together if we need to have a strong defensive pair.
Assuming he comes through the small injury he has, and can get back to the form from the previous year, I think we have a top player, and we could be set for the next 5 years with this group.
Now onto the left back and striker positions, hopefully there is quiet work going on behind the scenes like the purchases so far.
19 Aug 2026 13:29:35
People also need to consider this third midfielder signing slot isn't exactly the easiest sell to a top player.
Player and his rep will rightly question, if we have signed Santos/Tielemans and already have Mainoo, how many games am I likely to start?
So Baleba, with his age profile, and the fact the club has tracked him for seasons now, can be allowed time to settle in and regain his 24/25 season form.
The 4 of them together complement each other well, and provide plenty of competition for places.
All in all, in terms of midfield rebuild, pretty good going from Ineos.
19 Aug 2026 14:25:28
It's worth noting that Carrick will really have options with these four, as they all offer different things, and let him tailor the midfield for different opponents.
They are all quite press resistant, but besides that they are all different, with no direct like-for-like swaps.
Tielemans offers phenomenal passing whether he's high up the pitch or deeper, whether it's long crossfield balls or quick short passes. He has a good long shot too.
Mainoo doesn't have the same range of passing, but he's very good at the close combination stuff, and he can drive with the ball, although he doesn't have the raw athleticism to carry the ball over longer distances as well as Baleba.
He is good at pressing too.
Santos is good defensively, and while he doesn't have the passing range of Tielemans, he is good at progressing the play with medium ranged passing.
Baleba adds excellent physicality and athleticism all around, whether he's winning duels, making recovery runs on transition, driving half the length of the pitch with the ball, or just bullying opponents.
I really like the balance between the four. You can pick any two of the four and have a good midfield, with only Mainoo and Tielemans raising some defensive concerns for me, although still fine for some games.
19 Aug 2026 15:13:43
The combination I don't see happening too often is Mainoo and Baleba as both are carriers rather than passers, so I see it as Tielemans/Santos + Baleba/Mainoo. And I do think we'll see games with 3 of them, possibly with a front 3 of Mbeumo, Cunha and Bruno.