I read two articles today. the first was about the winners and losers at palace under FDB and one of the big losers was Connor Wickham as FDB only likes playing with one striker and the second was about us being in for Iheanacho as FDB would like to pair him up with Benteke

They can't both be right

There are already 2 creative players behind the striker: Puncheon and Cabaye, playing the "David Silva" part.
I think they'r good enough for the PL.
Who would you suggest as an upgrade?

Or suspended which is a big possibility

Those two should free up some salary resource between them as I imagine we were paying Flamini a fair whack to come straight out of the Arsenal squad to us on a free. He was supposed to be the Jedi upgrade we needed, but I think was probably the biggest disappointment of the season.

The problem with the defensive mid position is that you only ever really need one on the pitch, so whoever we get will come knowing the only likelihood of playing is if Milivojevic gets injured or suspended.

For that reason I think the options are either hunt out one of the best younger players in that position from the Championship or go for another solid performer from the Prem or one of the other top leagues, but in the twilight of their careers. (Or a combination of both and we'd then get the Jedi back).

Given how disappointing Flamini was, I think I'd be trawling the Championship for potential.

Edited by antipodeagle (27 Jun 2017 12.37pm)

Well Milivojevic is going to get suspended at some point because he doesn't f*** about and seems to get yellow cards at a reasonable rate on the basis that certain things that are acceptable if you're Rojo or Smalling or Walker or that bin dipper thug that kicked Tomkins are not OK if you're wearing a red and blue shirt. I don't think you drop either Cabaye or McArthur in as a straight replacement for Milivojevic.

Flamini was out of condition when he came, then he was injured, then he was upgraded with Milivojevic. I think he's past it at this level now. Pardew said he was "like having another coach", which sounded good until you realised that Pardew was winging it himself.

Yes, then I think we do need someone else in this area but I also think that de Boer will use that player. Milivojevic (and Jedinak before him) have shown how fundamental a role this is for us.

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The Ferret
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Was speaking with a West Ham fan at work and he was saying City were insisting on a circa £30mn buy back clause which basically made it win-win for City. I suppose it depends how you look at it - could be a £10mn profit and a load of goals. £20mn seems ok in today's market and he's definitely a good player.