If I were a current striker, I'd be pretty pissed if Benteke was picked over me. I was wondering how bad Édouard must be? I'm pretty sure Benteke's leaving anyway.
Luka - leaving - ok plus a fee, bonus.
Get a fee for Benteke - bonus.
Will almost pay for a midfielder and free up wages. Personally, Don't want to lose Kouyate - has some good games and is versatile.
Our squad is good - we're getting a goalie - we needed that. Get a fee for Butland too - useful.
I'm hoping we can afford maybe one or two additions - presumably midfield most pressing.
Can imagine the Chelsea lad on loan at the back.
Maybe Ferguson will play - who knows?
There are rumours of a left back playing in France. But we have the young lad too - he's looked fine.

What I can't see is any decent striker coming but there's often something left field from Palace so fingers crossed.

Overall, one of our best first elevens but we will have to see how we do without Gallagher. He fitted in so well - who will step up? Plus, up front we have to make do.
Maybe a youngster will make a mark this season? Again, hard to know. I've been impressed with Street when I've seen him. Plays like an old fashioned 9. But, as has been shown numerous times, what would I know?
I suppose I want to say something like:

Goalies: average.

Central Defence - good/ very good Full backs - average to good.

Central midfield - average - needs additions.
Wingers/Inside Forwards - good.

Strikers - below average/ fair - needs improvement.

Red and Blue Army!

Not the case at all, actually. I just genuinely don't believe Mateta has the quality required for a premier league striker. Can you honestly tell me you do?

The main thing is getting rid of Luka, Jairo, Benteke and possibly Kouyate, Saving over 300k a week, then make sure our key players, Guehi, Olise and Eze get new watertight contracts.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

Vieira said a couple of months ago that he felt Kouyate had a few more seasons left in him.
He attributed this to his body shape, fitness levels and attitude.
It sounded as if he wants him to stay.
He seems to be a popular member of the squad, rarely gets injured and can play in midfield, a back four or back three.
If the dispute relates to offering one instead of two years it would seem to be a case of cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face if we let him leave.
I hope he stays because his strengths far outweigh his weaknesses even if he’s not a guaranteed starter.
If Doucoure joins it may be that he could be a replacement for Luka.
It doesn’t appear that Gallagher is coming back and ,while he was excellent for us , this may be no bad thing is that he could have hindered Eze’s reintegration into the team if he was to be signed again.
Mcarthur has signed another contract and apparently Schlupp has been offered an extension so it’s likely that they will continue to be midfield options.
It’s gone quiet on Nketiah and also on Zaha who has only one year remaining on his contract.
No doubt this will have a bearing on what we do in the forward positions once the position is clearer.
Overall, and with the four players who have recently re-signed, the squad is in decent shape.
Kelly has left and if Luka and Benteke depart too, we should have flexibility for a few more additions.

Lanzo it seem you have pure hatred for this player I wonder when he leaves who you will turn onto next

Basically, yes I do.
Let's consider his qualities as I see them (matter of opinion of course):
1) His pressing and movement cause the opposition CBs problems and creates space for other players.
2) He regularly makes timely runs into the box to be where the ball will be when delivered. Yes often, a defender will get there first or challenge him sufficiently to cause his shot to be saved or diverted wide, but he gets there time and time again. With more practice he'll start getting there first or get a shot away before the defender can get to him.
3) He can score ugly goals (think Wolves away).
4) He is good with his head
He is improving all the time and IMO shows that he has what it takes to succeed in the PL as a striker. The next two seasons will determine whether he proves that to be the case.

Also, when compared to the rest of our strike force last season, his minutes per goal is only bettered by Zaha and if you exclude Zaha's penalties and focus just on goals in open play/other set pieces, it is the best.

Finally, if we look at central strikers in the other PL teams (excluding the Big Six because we don't have their kind of money to splash out on strikers) the only three central strikers that would interest me from the the rest are Vardy (who won't go on much longer), Watkins who is too expensive, and Toney who we were stupid not to pick up when we had the chance when he was playing for Peterborough.

Edited by doombear (10 Jun 2022 1.42pm)