So the Keepers & Defence are looking ssss-weeet.. Barring a signing or two.. After losing 5 midfielders to free transfers, a loan and a loan return you'd have thought the outgoings were done..
Nope.. Fabs looks set for Saudi.. Hendo may follow & Thiago might fancy a return to Barca.. So for this post we will leave these three out the equation.. If any stay then bonus..
Many are freaking out but believe it or not we are still looking not too bad in this department.. Although two strong, pacy, young holding midfielders could set us up here for years to come.. So lets get into it..
MIDFIELDERS - Trent AA
I started this concept about 2 or 3 years ago now when asked who we should sign I said a right back and push Trent into midfield.. The shock of it..! Well here we are and it's long overdue. This lad has it all. He has mastered his craft at right back. Like Stevie G (kind of), Kimmich & Lahm from Bayern also. I'm sure there are more..
So what can we expect.. De Bruyne on acid..! He dominated the youth and reserves in this position running games for fun. Like he did in the second half of last season.. The inverted right back concept is ok but why bother.
He has goals and assists in abundance and should be allowed to play wherever he feels he needs to be. He is everything and more that we have been lacking in midfield for years.. Also with Hendo & Milner almost gone.. Trent has to be the captain. Its his destiny so lets start how we mean to go on..
If Bellingham is worth £100million then what is Trent worth..
Alexis Mac Allister
Once again the rumours were rife.. We are getting x player or x player.. The one that kept popping up Mac Allister was the one I was praying got over the line. The price was a proper steal and we have one hell of a player on our hands.
Strong with a low sense of gravity. He is extremely confident on and off the ball. He wins tackles has an engine that covers every blade of grass. His brain is quick, he assists and scores goals from open play as well as free kicks and penalties..
Once again everything and more we have been lacking in midfield for years..
Dominik Szoboszlai
Now then this lad came out of nowhere in transfer discussions.. Just the way we like it.. I do now actually remember him from the RB Salzburg game at Anfield but other than that I know not a lot else.. Well other than YouTube vids..
You don't tend to read too much into them obviously but there was a lot to like.. Strong, comfortable on the ball. Can see a pass and has a really cool but different shot on him that seems to hit the back of the net with ease..
He is 23 in October so is still very young which of course the previous two are too.. So lets not hype him up too much.. Well.. Because I can't.. If and indeed when we sign that holding mid you feel he will be allowed to evolve slowly a bit like Nunez last season..
Then again he could hit the ground running.. Cos if that lactate test is anything to go by he could run all day long..
Stefan Bajcetic
Yet another exciting youth prospect who made the grade last pre season.. Sadly for him and us he suffered a season ending injury in March just as he was building up a strong head of steam.
He can play any position in the midfield three and has all the attributes of the above. Like Szobos there is no rush and he could feature regularly in the UEFA Cup etc or stake a regular first team claim..
In the early training videos he looks extremely focused and ready to push on. He is most certainly ready..
Harvey Elliot
How could we possibly overlook Harvey. He is red through and through and has progressed really well over the past couple of seasons. That injury derailed him a little but he is a little fighter and has the potential to be whatever he wants to be in the game.
He is comfortable in midfield and has linked up really well with Trent & Mo down that right hand side. You could argue he hasn't found his position yet cos he could easily play right or left wing.
He really does have a wand of a left foot that can unlock any defence. His brain is extremely quick and has a rocket of a shot.
Curtis Jones
Curtis has taken time to nail down a first team slot but grabbed it with both hands last season in the run in. Similar to Harvey its hard to lockdown his position.
He's very comfortable in midfield but can play wide left like he did in the reserves where he smashed it up.. I actually like him for that Bobby false 9 role. Which he hasn't actually played yet.. and probably never will..
He is just really comfortable on the ball, has an eye for a pass and eye for goal. He is growing in confidence and can easily back up last seasons form this time around.
ACADEMY BACK UP - Tyler Morton
Tyler came to prominence in the Youth Cup run in 2021 and has been at the club forever.. He made his first team breakthrough the following season featuring in quite a few Premier League, Champions League & other cup competitions.
He never looked out of place either.. The highlight being two excellent games against AC Milan. He spent last season out on loan at Blackburn and could feature heavily in cup games this season for us. Although a loan could still be an option..
The Others
Bobby Clark is certainly one to look out for and has once again travelled out to the pre season training camp with the first team.. A loan may suit him too this season..
James Balagizi has looked great in the academy games. As have Dominic Corness, Tom Hill, Isaac Mabaya & Melkamu Frauendorf
Are more defensive signings required..
Most definitely.. We are stacked nicely and have a little bit of back up but losing 7 or 8 midfielders is pretty brutal.. The experience they take with them too is a big loss also.
You do kind of get why its happened mind you. They were all becoming really injury prone. They are on a good wage and without Champions League football the transition came at the right time.
There is no reason why Diaz or Gakpo couldn't play behind the striker either. Well any of the forwards could to be honest in a 4231 which makes things look even better.
But still two holding midfielders are needed. One definitely this summer who is established and a younger understudy would be ideal. If the deals go through for the old 3 then thats a hefty transfer budget on the hip to get the squad set for the next 5 years minimum.
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