I think we’ll get some second rate striker. As it’s the last minute and because he’s available I’d go for Giroud but they’d never sell him to us.
Interesting video interview with Lukaku on Sky - rather than Ole getting rid of him, it transpires Lukaku wanted out, he didn't have the 'energy' - "Ole wanted me to stay, but I told him I was over. I didn't have the energy. All credit to him because he's been a man and he helped me make the move away."
This is exactly why we should have got rid of Pogba last summer. Or worse, this past window. He must feel extremely stupid right now knowing that he is no longer needed in the squad.
Inter Milan are close to agreeing a new deal for Alexis Sanchez, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The report says Inter are confident of keeping the Chilean beyond the current season, although it is not clear if the deal is a permanent one or not. Let's hope so!
From the various media reports it seems that Sancho is now a nailed-on certainty and it looks like Sanchez and Smalling might be sold and off the wage books. Who else do we need, not generalisations like 'a CB', but names that we can ferret around on google and nose around.
I reckon we get rid of Pogba, he just isn't all that good. Not interested 90% of the time either. Buy Grealish instead? Someone who'll put effort in.
I'd be happy with that. I keep telling myself he's been injured for a long time and coming back with a condensed set of games has inevitably taken its toll. But in the back of my mind I'm thinking it's just making excuses. If Sancho comes then we really have got a lot of options going forward and now's the time to bring in Grealish or someone like him.
Front three of Rashford, Martial and Sancho and three behind in Grealish, Fernandes and Matic would be superb. McTominay and Fred back up for midfield, Greenwood and James back up's for the front three. Do we need a No.9 maybe? Not 100% sure we do. No real right back back up for Wan Bissaka though. I'd say a centre half but are Tuanzebe & Fosu Mesah that bad as support for Lindelof and Maguire? I'd actually just as soon bring Smalling back than buy someone but looks like he's leaving for definite.
Are we keeping Ighalo? He's delivered pretty much every game and he comes across as a player who genuinely wants to do his best here. Fosu Mensah can back up Wan Bissaka if he's good enough? I'm disappointed Dalot appears to have his days numbered, I always saw potential in him, even if it was in a more forward role. I actually feel like we need someone at least as good as Maguire or better. This may sound like I'm undermining Maguire but that's not it. I just want a stalwart CB partnership.
He needs a footballer alongside him really. A Pallister to him being Bruce. A Rio to his Vidic. I'd have said Koulibaly otherwise but he's in the same mould as Maguire. John Stones, if he wasn't so ****!
Goalkeeper: I would bring in Henderson. Schmeichel rumoured to be brought in too and I think he is a good one although his mistake against Bournemouth was key to Leicester missing a previously nailed on CL place. Defenders: I am happy with Maguire and Lindelof partnership. Koulibaly would be a good addition. AWB and LS at FBs have had good seasons and I think we should keep that defence as stable as possible. Midfield: Build the midfield around Fernandes who is now our key play maker. Pogba could be released but no one seems to be able to afford him. OGS should bench him as soon as his performances drop off. Grealish could be good but like Zaha I'm not sure that he'll be as good for us he was for Villa. Big fish in a small pond syndrome. Defensive midfield is a key position and we should get another one: Is Ndidi better than McTominay or Fred? Attack/Strikers Sancho should be a great addition to our attack. Jimenez looks like just planted rumour but I'd love to get Kane. Aubameyang may or may not extend his contract but if available could be a great addition. As they say never say never. Who thought that Arsenal would sell Robin Van Persie to us? For the first time in ages, we are not reliant on one player to be fit to make the team tick and we should build the team around this principle.
I feel i have missed something about Grealish, a couple of the Spurs lads rave about him and now i see him being revered on here. I always put him in the same bracket as Wilshere and Walcot, promising young English players that are still treated that way but never actually made it. A bit **** to be blunt.