The 25 player limit is a serious issue here. I think we'll end up getting an experienced HG for the 3rd keeper spot.
With Buffon, Neto and HG 3rd, we'd have 22 spots for non-GKs. It means 19 players apart from Marchisio + Marrone - I don't think the 4th HG quota will be used, but we could use youngsters like Mandragora unlimitedly. So, I'm considering Mandragora is the 25th guy, even though he doesn't count officially.
If 352 is our main scheme - and it still is - we need the 5 CBs. It means 3 GKs + 5CBs + 4 FBs, with 13 spots left including Marchisio, Marrone and Mandragora.
Guaranteed CMs: 6 - Marchisio, Pjanic, Khedira, Pogba's replacement, Marrone (HG), Mandragora (youth)
Guaranteed forwards: 3 - Dybala, Higuain, Pjaca.
This would make 4 spots left for 2CMs + 2 forwards or 3CMs + 1 forward.
My impression is that if Gabigol comes, it's 2 forwards. If he doesn't, I don't think we'll necessarily look for another forward - we might just keep another CM. And I don't think he's coming. So I'll bet on 3 + 1, specially considering Marchisio is injured and his recovery doesn't seem flawless, Khedira is Khedira, Marrone is more to fill the squad in and Mandragora is a long bet due to age and the main reason he stays till december is probably his injury.
So, we'd have 3 CMs spots for 5 guys: Lemina, Pereyra, Hernanes, Sturaro, Asamoah.
And 1 forward spot for either Zaza or Mandzukic.
- - - Updated - - -
How good is the guy?