Who would you buy? (Part 2)

Responding from Part 1…

I think it’s just a question of where you think you can add most value with a new player, with the evaluation made now after a season of familiarity with the players and their adaptation under Slot, or lack of it.

A ball playing 6 was the obvious priority last summer because of the lack of an established one in the squad. I think the key to how this played out is to remember that Grav didn’t come back until late into pre-season because of his post-Euros extended break so he didn’t have an opportunity to influence our thinking until late in the window. By that time we were already deep into the negotiations, but had done enough to impress Slot that by the time the move broke down that we were able to make the decision we ultimately did.

Now we look at the squad after a year and at least based on Slot’s selections it seems he feels there is more room for improvement further forward in midfield than for going back in for another 6 who will at best be a marginal improvement over Gravy. Slot and Mac have both spoken about him being able to play as a single 6 but it not being the best way to use him, but also recognizing that him being able to drop in deep as needed is valuable. So I think what we’re looking for is someone to bring the same sort of control Mac does as an 8, which either allows us to play them together, or allows us to drop him back deeper as needed without losing all of his influence close to the box as maybe Slot thinks happens when he only had Dom, Jones or Harvey to call upon.

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