02 May 2015 08:46:57
Just a quick question, what would our squad look like if we replaced out going players with our youth team players/players on loan?
It looks like Mikel will leave, replace with Baker and RLC
Drogba/Remy might be leaving, replace with Bertrand Traore (has been played as a striker this year, and has played unbelievably well by most accounts) and possibly Bamford/Brown.
Luis looks to be leaving, replace with Ake/Jay Dasilva/Kalas.
And just in general Boga/Christensen both look to be supremely talented players, and I would love to see both get more senior football.
Because it looks like we will mostly be losing squad players I am hopeful that at least a couple of these players will be brought in rather than spending big on overseas players. I certainly think that RLC, Ake and Bertrand Traore should be a part of the squad rather than bringing in players from outside.
Who would you like to see brought in/ who of our younger players have really impressed you?
02 May 2015 09:26:08
I want to see our youth blooded in as much as the next guy (maybe not as much as welshchels who would play our youth team as our first 11) *thats a joke sir love you* but let's be serious we want to be a dominate force in football that means having a top squad. Most of these players are 5 years away from getting a proper chance at the first 11 with a lot of loans and learning in between. Most won't make it but we will make us money. I would like to see 1 or 2 players getting some minutes and cup games each year to see if they can cut the mustard. This season has shown a need for more trusted squad players to keep us fresh and yes that means spending and selling players who the club don't feel will make it or who simply want to move on xxx
02 May 2015 10:15:22
Haha sorry BIGPHIL but I've never seen you on this site before. I just think once Terry leaves we won't have an academy player being blooded into the side. RLC and Solanke have been with the club since they were young. I don't want to see a team full of academy players but I do think the likes of RLC and Ake offer more than Ramires and Mikel. Boga's extremely talented but I think Brown would be a better 5th choice rotation option because he's more developed.
02 May 2015 11:20:04
Well said Big Phil, my sentiments exactly. We have a very small squad compared with our main rivals in England and Europe and need 3 or 4 top quality additions to push on next season. RLC and Zouma should see more game time and I would like to see Traore get his work permit and compete for a place. Bamford and Ake will benefit more from regular football on loan as opposed to a few minutes here and there. The younger players like Solanke, Boga, Musunda and Brown will probably stay at the club next season and train with the first team while playing predominantly with the development squads. More interesting will be what happens to Piazon, Baker and Kalas. I suspect the likes of McCreaken, Moses, Romeu and Kakuta will leave.
02 May 2015 12:05:07
I'd like to see Traore, RLC and Chalobah/Ake in the team playing quality minutes. Traore provides quality depth and competition for the wing positions and striker. RLC should play minutes next year, if Jose's words are anything to go by. And Chalobah has again proven at Reading that he's good enough to play for us. He could definitely replace Mikel or Ramires in the team. You only have to talk to Reading supporters to hear how well he's done there. Apparently he was very good against Arsenal as well, so that's against quality opposition.
That would be 3 young players in our squad, and I'd be extremely happy with it :-)