My question to you is actually where would you improve the squad?
We will be needing a replacement for Brad, but who would you look at. All the youngsters want to be playing (which means they need to be loaned out or getting first team action).
Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon) would be a good signing, but he is 24 (plus would a Lisbon player go to the ex Porto manager)? Bernd Leno (Leverkusen) at the age of 20 would be a great addition. He is the youngest German keeper to play in the Champions League and given that there is an abundance of great German keepers (at the moment) so it shows his worth. He is consistently playing for Leverkusen and receiving good reviews. Jack Butland would be great, but he wants first team action!
Benni is in need of backup, Naughton as much as I like the guy, he plays better at right back (his stats against Fulham alone show it). Surprise suprise we are being linked today with a young star who is a left back. Luke Shaw from Southampton who has received rave reviews is being "linked" with an early move to be agreed by Tottenham. I don't think that Southampton will be willing to sell on another potential left back star to us.... look how the Bale deal turned out for them. Either way I don’t want anyone else so I will leave the search there.
Defensive Midfield is a position I really cannot ignore. Whilst Sandro has been out it has been notable, so we need to recruit there. Asier Illarramendi is a name not known to many people, but if you watch enough La Liga you would know Real Sociedad's biggest star. Forget the comparisons he is seen as one of the major factors for Sociedad's top four contention. He is already looking to be in contention for a place in the Spanish side. Ideally we would like someone that is known to the English game so Cheick Tiote is likely the best candidate, but I do not think that he would come to be Sandro's understudy.
Right Midfield is another key area now and there has not been a suitable understudy to Lennon. When Lennon has been out we have struggled. Last season VDV was great to fill in there. James Rodríguez (Porto) come on down! This 21 yr old Columbian genius has received rave reviews! 8 goals in 11 league appearances is a good return (but he has played 21 games in total including cups and Europe, but has failed to score in those). I am not going to put another name's forward for midfield as Rodriguez can play anywhere across the midfield and his versatility shines through.
Finally the weakest part of our team; up front. Damiao forget him, Edinson Cavani too, Higuain is a possibility, but let's look at the achievable targets that can change the side.
Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina) 11 goals and 4 assists in 22 Serie A games. He is not known to many people due to the clubs lack of European presence, but the Italian clubs are circling around him. At 23 yrs old he can lead a line well, issue is whether he will adapt to the English game.
Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund) is a record breaker. He has just scored in his eighth consecutive match and has come under much attention. Would you move from the German Champions to a team pushing for the top 4? With Pep at Bayern the tides will be turning so it may be a good time.With 26 goals in 35 appearances you cannot ignore him. He will be cheaper of the likes of Higuain, Damiao, Cavani, but in my opinion he is more consistent and will not come with the “circus” issues that the other strikers will.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Shakhtar) another 24 yr old that is not well known to the footballing world was 20 goals in 26 appearances this season. If you fail on Lewandowski this is a player to look as a backup. This Armenian is no joke and can play in either the support role or as a striker. Given his versatility it’s another one not to be ignored, however our relationship with the club may not be at its best after the Willian fiasco!
So what do you think about who we should look at. April is a perfect time to negotiate a deal, Shaw, Illarramendi, Rodriguez and Lewandowski is a massive shopping list and is highly likely to demand deals north of £65million collectively, but if we want to challenge I can't think of any better players that are achievable and aren't going to break our wage structure.
Let me know your thoughts it would be interesting to hear who the fans think we can get, forget a wish list!
Another mention on our competition in conjunction with ICONS.com. With Bale playing so well this prize is not only something to hang on your wall but it’s also an investment. We have had hundreds of entrances and the competition will be running until 29th March so make sure that if you haven't entered that you do below;
Bale Competition Entrance click HERE.
COYS!!!!!
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