I think AS will be looking to provide crosses from the by-line from our TWO new full-backs… MO floating in the box when this happens to tap them home
I actually learnt they baked some of the first bread.
I don’t think Slot wants that and I don’t think Mo wants that.
As for formations, we did our build up a lot in a 3-2-5 shape this season.
Gonna be interesting to follow pre-season now with us bringing two very wild players on the sides.
Why can’t they just do things right for once and just ‘lap’? It’s always over or under. We expect more from highly paid professionals.
That’s why they never made it to the strip club…
Yeah I expect he’ll be booed next weekend. Roma really ripped us off on that transfer.
Wirtz > Jones
Thats it ?
Last couple of games have been a 3-5-2 with Grav being used as the middle CB against Brighton
We’re a CF and a CB away from a perfect squad which is able to go all the way in all competitions.
No new CM needed because Szoboszlai will be a serious option there.
Wasnt the additional midfielder we were considered to be in need of was cover for Grav?
Depending on how we see guys like Bajcetic , McConnell.
We might not need an extra defensive midfielder.
I assume you’re saying that counting Frimpong as already being signed? In that case, I’d definitely add a left back (it seems there’s been no real progress on that front, be it Kerkez or anyone else).
I really want to see if Slot decides to change Szoboszlai’s role. He definitely adds more dynamic to midfield, which is something our current midfield selection is lacking.
Maybe, but there is a knock on effect of having more players further forward in that it allows Mac to be used more often in a deeper role.
I assumed that Frimpong, Wirtz and Kerkez are all coming in

Maybe, but there is a knock on effect of having more players further forward in that it allows Mac to be used more often in a deeper role.
If that’s the case, and it’s simply a numbers game now, why couldn’t we have found a midfielder to cover further forward last summer to allow Mac to drop deeper then - all the noise seemed to be about bringing in a midfielder that filled a gap that no one in the club at the time could cover properly (or at least in the way Arne wanted it covered)?
Is it a case of Arne having greater faith in the team now, or a willingness to adapt his approach to allow him to bring in a player he really wants at the club?
Last summer we wanted that player at the base. A controller rather than a battler. We found we had one in Gravenberch and he played pretty much every minute so no need to rotate heavily and Mac could play further up mainly.
If we bring in Wirtz I think that lessens the need for another controller type. Mac can fill in, Endo is about if we need to see a game out and we’ll see how Bajcetic goes in pre-season.
Or we go nuts, bring in Wirtz and Lamine Camara (I’m still banging that drum) and out go Elliott, Endo, Bajcetic and Morton. Would give us Grav as your primary deep option, Mac and Camara as 8’s who could drop deeper if needs be, Jones and Szobo as 8’s who could also push forward if needs be and Wirtz as your primary option at 10.
A beautifully balanced midfield half dozen all of whom Slot would trust to start games.
You have to remember that Bournemouth could still get Europe. Leverkusen are done for the season. The discussions with Wirtz seem to have been taking place at the time of Frimpong.
Bournemouth may have just said no discussion pre Sunday.
I haven’t seen enough of him but from the little I have seen I would go for Ekitike, would finish off our forward line with his height, dribbling and reasonable pace.

In that case, I’d definitely add a left back (it seems there’s been no real progress on that front, be it Kerkez or anyone else).
I thought that over the last week or so the links to Kerkez appeared to be stronger than they have been. I would expect @mattyhurst is right and we’re just waiting until after the last league match is played, out of courtesy, before making a formal approach.
Bayer’s position seems to be much different in that they appear to be open to approaches already.