Oh, sure I can agree. If someone offered me the possibility of choosing between Pogba and Rabiot, I'd have shitcanned the first since I never really wanted him back here. He's totally useless, while Rabiot actually adds a lot (even if I don't believe he'd continue to do so after the renewal).
Worst case scenario for me is that both Pogba and Rabiot are on 10M net which would make them both #1 in the league. Imagine Pogba continues to be injured next year too and Rabiot reverts back to his old self. That while both would occupy #1 spot for highest salaries in the league. NIGHTMARE. Tici level of management. This scenario we can't afford IMO.
I agree there are other priorities when it comes to offloading players but we need to be realistic, it doesn't look so bright on the sales side:
- Arthur will remain on our payroll no matter what and this is a fact that needs to be remembered - even if we loan him out again, we'll be very lucky to find someone who (again) covers his full wages, let alone pay us something for the loan. All of that while his transfer fee still needs to be amortized and paid for. A lot of money
- McKennie (hopefully) is as good as gone. He plays at Leeds a lot and they have a chance to stay up
- Zakaria will be another loan just like Arthur, remaining on our books. No money from this one unfortunately.
- Paredes is the easiest one to get rid of, lucky us. I never wanted that washed up bum here. If it was up to me, Rovella would be with JJ this season instead of him.
The way I see it is that midfield doesn't need as urgent investments as other departments... but it requires cuts and that's why I'd be fine with big cuts here, while the money would be directed to other areas:
- If we stick to 352, we absolutely need at least a pair of wingbacks. Currently, the only reliable one is Kostic.
- If we move to 433 we need wingers: assuming that Di Maria is not sure of staying, we only have Chiesa.
In either case I'd love the club to push out Tek and Bonbon, as both are unreliable, old and make too much monies here. Buying a CB is a good idea regardless of everything tbh. Only Bremer and Danilo truly pull their weight here. A leftback is urgently needed too.