Let's assume Guehi and Olise leave. Sounds like we could do with the cash and they're in awkward contract positions (Guehi - length, Olise - clause), both with suitors.

Ideally you have 2 players per position. Best team:

Second team:

Not mentioned:

Ferguson - Leave
Riedewald - Leave?!
Ozoh - should go out on loan

For me, we look particularly desperate at:

- Centre Half - Anderson injury and we look short of quality.
- Mitchell competition - He gets a 6 month injury and we're stuffed.
- Munoz cover - He's class and starts when he's fit, but again a 6 month injury stuffs us.
- CM competition. Perhaps one good CB signing and Lerma can offer that competition.
- Olise replacement - Eze gets injured and that looks toothless. Franca and JRS need to come on a lot to get near that level but should get substantial game time off the bench if they're good enough. Ayew looking a bit bumpy in this new system.

For me, I think we need 4. CB, LWB, RWB can all be depth options. I think we'd need to replace Olise as like for like as we can afford.

Edited by ambrose7 (15 Apr 2024 2.28pm)

26th January 2010 - Enter Administration
2nd May 2010 - D-Day 1 - Survival at Hillsborough
1st June 2010 - D-Day 2 - Survival at Lloyds
7th June 2010 - CPFC2010 exchange contracts.

Now that we are (virtually) assured of PL football next season, I have been giving some thought to the Summer and the squad for the coming season. Here are some thoughts starting with the injuries issue:

1. The extent of injuries has been a common thread for PL teams this season. We rank 3rd in the list of days lost to injuries (1496 days) behind Newcastle (1658 days) and Brentford (1512 days). Even Luton down in 10th place have lost 1160 days to injuries so far this season.

2. The injuries problems seem to be an increasing issue for clubs. It would seem prudent to have as big a squad as we can afford next season.

3. The maximum squad size permitted by the PL is 25 excluding those players who are U21 at the start of the January in which the new season starts (so Jan 2024 for next season).

4. I believe our current squad size is 24.

5. However, I think 7 of those 24 players (plus Ferguson) have contracts expiring at the end of June. Can we afford to let them all go and replace all of them plus bring in players for any of our others who are poached and add another player to maximize and strengthen the squad? I suspect the answer will be “No, we can’t”.

6. How many of those who are classed as U21 are of 1st team or bench quality and by “bench quality” I mean capable of being brought on and doing a job? In my view there are only:
a. Wharton
b. Franca
c. Ozoh and possibly
d. Imray

7. Therefore, how many of the 8 out-of-contract players should we offer new contracts to?

8. I suspect many fans will accept an extension for Hughes and possibly Clyne given how he is responding to Glasner. The others due to leave are: Ferguson, Matthews, Riedewald, Schlupp, Tomkins and Ward.

So fellow posters – any thoughts?

I would look at keeping Hughes and maybe clyne

Hughes Clyne Ward Riedewald Schlupp and Mathews will all be good back up players even occasional necessitated runs in the team.
I am still curious about Ferguson. If there is any light at the end of the long tunnel, on a lowered salary I can see him being kept as well for a while yet.
But it will all depend on the club's transfer plans and finances, of which we are all in the dark.

Edited by dreamwaverider (24 Apr 2024 11.21am)

Just saw this. [Link]

I'd think 60 mill would be the bare minimum to be honest.

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

Archie Griffen

Hating Brighton since 1974