With Frank de Boer most likely being our next entrance into the managerial lion's den it looks like we are going to be playing the 'Ajax' way.

I would be interested to know your thoughts on how this is likely to affect our squad.

Who do we have that can play 'total football' and who is likely to be heading for the exit?

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

So this is all my opinion based on the ball playing abilities of the players I have seen in my time watching them play. You may disagree but people like Macca I think are great players but I'm not sold on their ability to play the ball on the deck. There are other players like Papa who I love but a calm head playing out from the back is not how I would describe him, he bombs forward but is rash and is prone to poor control in my opinion. So here is the list. I have forgotten loads I'm sure.

CAN

Cabaye
Benteke
Tompkins
Wilf
Andros
Van aanholt
Mandanda
Joniesta
Lee
Punch
Millovoivic

CANT

Damo
Dann
Hennessy
Kelly
Souare
Ward
Sako

MAYBE

Wickham
Schlupp
MacArthur
Kaikai

I think it's really important that whoever we bring in in defence has to be able to play out from the back. RB is even more of a priority now and I think it is vital we get someone like Davide Santon who is classy on the ball to replace Ward.

Those capable, starting from the back:

Hennessey, Mandanda are both comfortable with their feet, Speroni isn't too bad either
Dann, good passer, may struggle if we play a high defensive line but I don't think De Boer plays that.
Van Aanholt, was at PSV as a kid and Vitesse in his 20's, you can tell he's Dutch by the positions he takes up when going forward.
Milivojevic, no frills DM that knows the role, good first touch and passing.
Cabaye, he likes to press even if he gets tired, takes up intelligent positions in the half spaces, definitely works in a 4-3-3.
The likes of Townsend, Zaha should be capable, they'll still be wingers you'd assume but will have to add more intelligence off the balls with their positioning. Benteke should be ok unless De Boer wants him to chase every ball and play everything to his feet, he struggled at Liverpool but he was totally wrong for the way Klopp played.

Cheers guys some informative stuff.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Benteke has always been tidy with his feet. Look at his goal against Chelsea as an example. He has way more to his game than being a lump.

Hennessy has got terrible distribution he can't play it short and his long kicks and throws are not great either. Dann isn't a ball playing cb. He is better than Damo but he isn't great. Kelly is another one I can't see any evidence of either of them having any ball playing ability.

Anyway all opinion at the end of the day.

Although it sounds like Sakho will not join, if he does I would say he is deffo a can player.