Ironically he was more of a fit to fill in at RB than what Slot wanted from midfield, but we largely ignored that option as well even with a midfield crying out for Jones and Dom to help it out.
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As I said, we have botched this decade by trying and failing to get Bellingham (Szobo was the second choice) instead of going for Rice, who was IMO a better fit for us than Bell.
Like it or not, Rice has been the overall best midfielder in the PL over the past 3 seasons.
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Gravenberch was the choice to Bellingham, who at a Ā£130 million was not what we needed and ended up being a right arrogant cunt ā¦so he fits in well at Madrid.
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I donāt know about that. The environment in that club is toxic and as far as I know he didnāt display similar traits at Dortmund.
From a talent perspective, I would have him at Liverpool without a second thought.
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We opted to sign a few players for the price (more or less) of Bellingham. And even then, big question whether he wouldāve rejected Real to join us. Iād say probably not.
Though we did want Caicedo for a lot of money before we went for Endo.
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Caicedo is the one we really needed, real shithouse in the engine room who can put a foot in, control play and is available game in game out.
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We need someone like Rice even more, and should have gone for him in summer 2022, you know, when we bought Nunez. That alone would have saved our 2022/2023 campaign.
He is the natural Hendo successor that we never had, and has never been a Spice Boy diva like Szobo in recent months.
Caicedo has that Sadio single-bloody-midedness to him except he is also outwardly a bit nasty.
Heās one that hates to lose and would pull up anyone not carrying their weight.
Really could have done with him
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Just a bunch of McDonalds scoffers
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In my view we need a Thiago and a Fabinho.
Those two players would set us up perfectly. Ball player and a protective player.
Butā¦butā¦butā¦.I thought these were all good players and Slot was holding them back. Now weāre selling all the bastards? 
As always with predictions of summer business, itās easy to overstate both the amount of business we can do, and the willingness of other teams to pay for the lads we donāt want.
I would be looking to move on Endo, Chiesa, and wouldnāt expect to get much for them. I would hope to get a decent fee for Mac Allister, probably close to what we paid, and then a few of the kids who are past the point where they are likely to make it. Iām thinking Ramsay, Nallo, maybe McConnell.
Of the lads that get mentioned a lot
Tsimikas - Whatās the point? We arenāt going the get better in someone who would be a clear second choice behind Kerkez, and Iām not sure weād get much of a fee. Might as well keep him and spend the money elsewhere.
Gomez - Quality player whoās only issue is fitness. No chance I would move him on in a summer where we are losing a lot of experience and bedding in two, possibly three, new centre backs.
Gakpo - we already need two, and possibly three, wide players. I would not sell the only senior one we have on our books. But I would be throwing down a gauntlet to Ngumoha that he is expected to take that shirt by the end of the season with a view to selling Gakpo summer 2027.
Alisson - Iāve gone back and forth on him, mainly because he is far more injured than a keeper should be. But Mamardashvili hasnāt impressed that much, and I donāt think losing his leadership is the best thing at this time.
Jones - I would not be selling him if it were up to me (although I think he will end up going)
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We need to be adding more players for a more robust and stronger squad not selling them all as some seem to want.
Unfortunately in the real world weĀ“re not made of money and we spent a lot of money last year.
Realistically we need to be selling to buy the sheer volume of players we need.
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I feel we might sign a RB or a player who can play RB (not that I like the Dumfries links, having Frimpong and Dumfries doesnāt make enough sense for me), also because it seems Bradleyās recovery might take longer than initially expected or hoped. Frimpong might turn more into a RW backup or competitor and then it might really be the end for Gomez. All things come to an end.
In terms of LB, I actually donāt like too much this āTsimi backup for a season because heāll be clearly behind Kerkez and all will be fineā stance. I mean, I hope it will all be fine at least for a season, that itās a position where we can be calm. But Kerkez himself still doesnāt impress me that much although mid-season he did show some improvement.
Obviously Iād like a new coach because I think some players will leave if he stays. Iād also like to see how players who have dropped off look under someone else. I just dont want loads coming in and out like last summer.
Iād be fine with just selling fringe players like Endo, Chiesa, Elliott, Ramsey, Bajcetic and maybe Gomez if he wants to leave. Bit left field but Iād maybe move Frimpong on if he isnāt deemed good enough to play RW or RB. Get a couple of wingers, a DM and a versatile player who can play in defence and maybe midfield. Wharton, Diomande, Archie Gray and Gordon. I only chose Gordon as heās played with Isak and Iād like to think as heās a boyhood red heād show a bit of fight and desire. Hopefully Konate signs a new contract.
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Iād like to buy back Quansah (replacing Konate) and Morton (replacing Endo) plus reintegrating Elliott. Replacing Macca with Wharton is also a top priority. I also think that if we sell Gomez, then Archie Gray should be an ideal replacement. Another option is Alex Scott, as we can get him for a cheaper price tag since Wharton/Anderson have taken all the spotlights.
As for Kerkez, Iād like to buy someone better than him and push him to the bench, preferably Lewis Hall.
Regarding Gakpo, if we can buy 2-3 new wide players we should sell him ASAP. Among 3 new wide players, one of them should be Harry Wilson as he will be available for free.
Finally, Chiesa must go.
Iād leave Morton in Lyon, he has evidently found somewhere he enjoys his football and is suited.
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I donāt think anyone wouldāve predicted having both Elliott and Wilson back here.
A full back like Arbeloa would be great - solid and decent enough on the ball and can cover both rb and lb
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AurƩlio is available.
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