I would have added Bednarek to that list as well. I lam assuming that Vestergaard will be off. To be honest, the players listed above are the basis of a really good team. The squad is weakest in respect of the defence where I feel that we need another central defender plus cover for KWP , a replacement for Bertrand and cover for him too. Assuming we left Shane Long leave, I feel he needs to be replaced too albeit I would have to say that I would have preferred that we kept him and let Walcott go. A new forward is essential if we assume Obafemi is not going to make the grade. The goalkeeping situation is difficult. I have not been impressed by either McCarthy or Forster of late yet they have done well enough in the past to be retained. This is a difficult one to call and I understand why some fans are not happy. In addition, I feel that we need cover for Romeu and maybe we should be looking for an older player than the typical route of "one for the future." This would possibly mean we need at least 7 new players although if the academy cannot step up to the plate, then the number of recruits will have to increase.
This is just my opinion but the players have been bang average for to long now and many have not reached the expected levels when they were signed. Therefore for Ralph and the club to move forward I would be willing to sell all except KWP, Salisu, Tella and Diallo, as they’ve only really had a COVID hit season so far. You’re never going to be able to sell 9 / 10 players but we must listen to all decent offers. For example JWP gets in the England squad and would then easily be a £30 to £40 million pound player, you then bring in Delaney for £8 million. Is that any worse? I think it’s time to roll the dice really shake things up a bit. Going into this season, most would say we had a better squad than, Palace, Newcastle, Brighton, Burnley, Leeds, Fulham, Sheffield Utd and West Brom, and probably fairly close to West Ham, Wolves and Villa. Managers get blamed season on season, but this squad of players are just not good enough and flatter to deceive to many times.
We wouldn't even consider 20mill for Armstrong. He's got plenty of time left on his contract and is a key player. What you bought a player for shouldn't dictate the fee you would consider selling a player for. Look at VVD, bought for 10mill, sold for 75. Admittedly he's one of the best players we've ever seen in a Saints shirt but I think my point still stands. Also look at Carrillo on the other side. Bought for 19 mill, let go on a free.
I was using a ball park figure as nobody knows what the transfer values will post COVID until mid to lower premier league clubs start selling and buying. But as Ralph has already said in not so many words, if we stay with this group of players a massive struggle is on the cards again next season.
hmm...of those squads, I'd say ours is better than Fulham, Sheff Utd, West Brom and about equal to Brighton and Burnley. Which is funnily enough, pretty much where we ended up. Newcastle have a better squad than we do, for sure.
Dont think many would have thought that at the start of the season? Would have said KWP and Bertrand were better full backs, with Vest, Bednarek and Salisu more promising at CB, JWP over Shelvey etc and ings over Wilson. Any way, changes needed I think we’d all agree.
What Newcastle players would get into our first team? ASM of course. Wilson up front with Ings. Any others?
ASM, Wilson, Dubravka/Darlow, Willock, Almiron, Lascelles/Schar, probably Hayden over Diallo. That's seven straight into the first team.