What we need is a midfield. The main problem today was that we had the defence beginning possession, and then Vlahovic to score the goals. There was zero anything between the back and the front.
Thing is we do have some good players in the midfield, but two of the best ones are either injured (Pogba) or being used out of position (Locatelli). We can't fix the former besides simply waiting (and tbh you can bet Mr Ego is sitting watching all of this knowing he is the hero we need. He's going to properly explode when he comes back, and a powerful, confident pogba is going to boost morale beyond recognition) but if we sign a starter-quality DM it will make a HUGE difference to our setup because it will effectively be two additional players in the MF, because Locatelli will cease to be invisible due to being freed to be a mezzala, and we will swap one of the jabronis out for the new DM.
We already have players who can create but they are currently being limited mostly by a lack of service (ie no midfield) or continuity of possession from the defence to midfield to wide areas or through the centre (ie no midfield). It's either midfielders out of position and therefore underperforming or the knock on effects from the impact of those out of position players is having on the midfield itself.
Meanwhile we have no backup for Dusan, meaning he's gonna have to play every single minute in three competitions. A backup CF is unfortunately a priority for us.
So for my money, DM and CF are actually the most pressing positions to fill atm. Paredes on a loan with option and Depay (who also offers additional emergency LWF cover until Chiesa is back) on a free are the two smartest moves to make this window. Not necessarily because of who they are but because of what they will allow other players in the team to do (or not do if they get some rest). There just aren't other options for a club as cash-strapped as us.
Thing is we do have some good players in the midfield, but two of the best ones are either injured (Pogba) or being used out of position (Locatelli). We can't fix the former besides simply waiting (and tbh you can bet Mr Ego is sitting watching all of this knowing he is the hero we need. He's going to properly explode when he comes back, and a powerful, confident pogba is going to boost morale beyond recognition) but if we sign a starter-quality DM it will make a HUGE difference to our setup because it will effectively be two additional players in the MF, because Locatelli will cease to be invisible due to being freed to be a mezzala, and we will swap one of the jabronis out for the new DM.
We already have players who can create but they are currently being limited mostly by a lack of service (ie no midfield) or continuity of possession from the defence to midfield to wide areas or through the centre (ie no midfield). It's either midfielders out of position and therefore underperforming or the knock on effects from the impact of those out of position players is having on the midfield itself.
Meanwhile we have no backup for Dusan, meaning he's gonna have to play every single minute in three competitions. A backup CF is unfortunately a priority for us.
So for my money, DM and CF are actually the most pressing positions to fill atm. Paredes on a loan with option and Depay (who also offers additional emergency LWF cover until Chiesa is back) on a free are the two smartest moves to make this window. Not necessarily because of who they are but because of what they will allow other players in the team to do (or not do if they get some rest). There just aren't other options for a club as cash-strapped as us.
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