I think we need a right sided midfield player and a striker, it could be that we have options to buy them both when we can only afford to buy one and get the other on a loan?
Could be only able to afford both on loans but I doubt that as do not feel CW would have not left sufficient funds in the kitty to get a striker, although the injury to mooooose will clearly have effected things
Unless Lundstram goes, then I'd be surprised if we got another midfielder in.
In fact I'd like to see us find a way for Osborn in the midfield. I think he's been excellent since lockdown.
I love Norwood's raking passes. But if we are without him or opt for more athleticism, then I'd like us to have Berge and Osborn together and Fleck in the Duffy role.
You still have Lundstram, Norwood and Ampadu even before you turn to Rodwell.
Up front though who do we have?
I'm not convinced any are Premier League ten goal quality at this point, realistically.
Mousset has the attributes but is available less than 50% of the time.
McBurnie has some very good games but for every 8/10, there's the same number of 5/10 performances.
Sharp is great in the camp but anything from him this year is a bonus.
To an extent McGoldrick too. It's a continuation of the fairytale, though 3 goals last year tells its own story of a lack of clinical striking and now he's a year further into his 30s.
Burke has components you look for in a striker - pace, power, strength. But he isn't a striker. Or at least he hasn't been in his career to date.
If we put all our forwards on the market at the price we paid for them, which PL team would be in for them with a view to them being first picks?
Not a criticism. This was always the challenge. At the top table, top players cost money. We took Spurs to the wire last season - they have strikers on 150k+ per week. Even the likes of Southampton are paying 70k per week I'd imagine on Ings. How to compete without daft money being spent? Glance at Villa. 33m for Watkins. Never kicked a PL ball in his life. I can't say I was bowled over by him, playing against 10 men either. 33m for an unproven forward. It's just madness. And we either choose to be part of that madness or opt out and hope the skill of our manager allows us to get away with it!