At the start of last season, many Arsenal fans (including me) were in a state of trepidation. Vieira had left and Hleb was the only signing. The season proved to be quite a roller coaster ride. We reached the depths of 11 league defeats and the heights of the CL final. One year down the line, what exactly has changed?
In terms of squad strength, a close analysis suggests that not much has changed. Bergkamp and Pires have been replaced by Ade and Rosicky. Diaby is injured for most of the season. Walcott is yet to play. So it is difficult to say that this side is better than the last one. Wenger ended up contradicting himself while commenting on this. First, he said that he would bring in one or two players of great calibre. Then, he said that Rosicky is a direct replacement for Pires. Finally, he ended up with - we have already signed one great player in Rosicky; we may not sign any more. It is true that Wenger’s comments cannot be taken at face value, but unless we sign more players, I fail to see how we will improve.
In terms of experience, the side is clearly richer. Senderos, Eboue, Fabregas, Reyes, and Hleb have profitted a lot from long runs in the team, which they got either due to players leaving (Vieira) or getting injured (Campbell, Cole, Lauren, Ljunberg, etc.). The CL run would have also benifitted the side a lot, although I doubt it would help in league games. However, there is a downside too. Some players have clearly underperformed. Campbell, Gilberto and Ljunberg could very well be on their way down. (At the moment of writing this, Ljunberg is doing great at the World Cup and I am thrilled about that). For Reyes and RvP, it could be a case of “just could not make the grade”. We can’t give up yet, but the jury is still out on them.
On the whole, despite the strides we may in the second half of last season, I have enough reason to fear for next season. I can still see Gilberto and Fab being run over by Bolton and Blackburn. I can still see Reyes and RvP struggling to fit into the team. Cole hasn’t recovered yet from the Chelsea saga and Campbell may not recover from the ghosts in his mind. I could be wrong (and I hope I am). But nothing will make me happier than a few good signings.
46 Responses to “What has changed?”
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July 11th, 2006 at 7:17 am
I wrote this after the Swe vs Par game. Since then, Campbell has left, Senderos and Djourou got injured, and Clichy and Lauren’s comeback has been postponed.
The need for two signings - CD and CM - is paramount. Another player might be needed depending on how AW assesses Reyes and RvP for the new season.
July 11th, 2006 at 8:11 am
I agree, we need 2 or 3 signings, but it would be wrong to underestimate how the team has developed and improved following the blooding of many young and emerging players last year.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but at the start of the unbeaten season we only bought Lehmann, and everyone wrote Arsenal off because of it.
Again, psychology is key. By getting to the CL final team confidence will have been immeasurably boosted, and I think Wenger is starting to build something very special again - I’m just not sure if it will be fruition this year or next.
July 11th, 2006 at 8:17 am
Last season our team was very young, and many players only played together the first time. Now they are one year more mature, one year more experienced, and the understanding and communication between them are one year better.
Those elements are just as important as new signings.
July 11th, 2006 at 8:41 am
Pretty soild assessment Nipuna. I think one change from last year is that the team and Wenger learnt it could play another way with 451. As you say experience was gained along the way, but a lot more experience walked out the door with Campbell, Pires and Bergkamp. Flamini undoubtedly saved his place in the squad, but is he really good enough to be much more than a utility player?
Last summer, before Vieira left, I think the majority of people were saying we needed a CB, CM, GK and plan B style CF. One year on and we still have no credible back up for Lehmann. We now have 3 CBs larglely regarded as suspect and only one Kolo Toure. In 2 seasons we’ve gone from Vieira, Edu, Parlour, Silva to Fabregas, Flamini, Diaby (injured), Silva, oh yeah and Song and the only area we’ve improved is CF with Adebayor.
That’s not to say I don’t think this team is decent, we made the CL final after all, but we are definitely weaker in some areas than we should be. Which brings me to this:
Last summer, it was widely reported that we had ?60m which Edelman said was all available to spend on transfers - and that ?60m was before we sold Vieira and used his proceess to finance the Janaury transfers - + we made something like ?20m for the CL, so why on earth do we read that Arsenal have a small transfer budget this year??
July 11th, 2006 at 8:54 am
After the undefeated season, we didn’t improve. We didn’t bring in anyone. We stood pat. You either get better, or get passed by.
We have lost EXPERIENCED PROVEN PLAYERS.
Bergkamp, Sol, & Pires.
Sol and Pires weren’t exactly ancient… and Bergy brought that swagger thats often needed.
In… Rosicky.
Well… sorry, but I don’t think thats going to cut it.
I do NOT think we are done with moves IN and OUT by a long shot… so a bit early to worry & complain.
I’d say its possible we could bring in players in any position still… and we could let go/lose them too.
Reyes? Cole? Lehmann? Cygan? Lauren? Cesc? Silva?
There have been rumors, as there always are.
Do we bring in Buffon, if so… that leaves Lehmann where?
Is Ash staying / going?
Why is Cygan still here?
Lauren to Spain?
Cesc to Spain?
Silva to France?
With change often comes a transition period for those coming to the EPL. So it might take time for the incoming to gel. Thats what its not a bad thing to have some continuity in the team… but you DO have to improve, season to season.
I’d still like to see Yaya or Appiah or Baptista… someone with some muscle in the middle of the pitch. I think this will happen.
I think we have little choice but to bring in a central defender. Davies? Thats my choice. But the answer can’t be Cygan is the 4th central defeneder. NO.
The rest of the areas on the pitch will have to wait and see… if we sold Reyes, Ribery. OK… that makes sense.
If we sell Cole… or if he leaves, he has to be replaced with QUALITY. Trabelsi? OK… that makes sense.
I’d love to see one of those Italian Central defenders come in… but I don’t see any Italian players leaving Italy. I’d LOVE Buffon, but I don’t think we need Lehmann moaning on the bench. He’d have to go…
And Thuram would be a great addition as well… but we have to wait and see what occurs in Serie A with their scandal and the fall out.
Wait and see… and hope Wenger buys. He usually buys wisely, but we NEED to bring in some additions to make up for the GREAT players that have departed, and the wealth of experience and confidence that they had, and brought to this team.
Pires and Bergy exuded confidence and swagger, and teams need that belief in their ability. You can’t always buy/replace that… as always, should be interesting…
Until then… I’ll check the BBC and Sky every hour to see if we brought anyone in!
July 11th, 2006 at 9:11 am
I agree and our form at the latter end of the season was fantastic. I think we can expect more of the same carrying over into next year.
July 11th, 2006 at 9:25 am
How can you replace Cole, left back, with Trabelsi, right back? If Ashley leaves, I would like Wenger to give Clichy some playing time to show his class. He was our best player against Spurs, and played really well every time he got a chance. So I want him to be a starting left back if Cole leaves. And some names for a replacement for Cole: Lahm, Zambrotta, Taiwo, Gardner(but he is injured now), Gilberto(the Brazilian), Heinze, Abidal…
Thuram? No. He is used to play in Kolo’s position, right sided CB. Just sign Davies and we will be fine.
For the midfield, Yaya, Appiah or Baptista? Well, I want Appiah, maybe “the Beast”, but I think that he is better as a striker, so we can get him and pair him with Titi. He finished the season strong only because he played as a striker. Before that he was playing left winger, DM, CM, AM, but when they moved him up front, he showed his real worth. So Bap, but only for a striker. For midfield is Appiah.
Buffon? He is the best. No question if we should sign him or not.
So, Buffon, Davies, Appiah and Torres or Baptista.
July 11th, 2006 at 9:36 am
I say Trebelsi as an example because he is PROVEN. I like Clichy, but he’s been injured, and if you lose Cole, you better bring in a proven player.
July 11th, 2006 at 10:13 am
I would like to see Davis and Ribery … and we need 2 CB not just one. Dijouro and Sendy are injured and Sol left.
So ..I think we need a CB first … then we can think about what we have.
July 11th, 2006 at 10:25 am
Fabregas is the new Vieira. For however long he is here Real Madrid will consistently be linked to him. Let’s hope the cat doesn’t get his tongue, like Vieira, and he publicly states his intentions.
We need more players, but there is a dearth of quality ones available. Ribery will not join us. Appiah, Saviola, Toure? No thanks. Curtis Davies is a good player.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Wenger bought no one. The more the summer progresses without further additions, the more chances of Wenger falling irreversibly into his late July, early August trance of nothingness, when all he can think about is Austria.
I think the one player Wenger really wanted was Johan Gourcuff, but he has gone to Milan and as usual it’s taking the Wenger ship a long time to turn his attentions elsewhere.
July 11th, 2006 at 10:33 am
The burning question is, why do we allow ‘Alzheimers Stag’ to say anything at all? Although I must admit his comments are becoming funny now - Trabelsi for Cole indeed - you have to laugh don’t you? How about swapping Zigic for Cole? Just think about all those tackles he could do with his great big long legs, nevermind that he’s played up front all his life.
Maybe Thuram could play with Toure, they could stand behind eachother, tied together by elasticated string - that way they’d be able to play in the same position but one could stretch over to his left and just rebound back again!
July 11th, 2006 at 11:07 am
Two facts are undeniable
- we have lost experience in the form of Bergkamp, Pires and Campbell
- the young team is bonding and gelling well
However, the burning question is - can we win the league/CL with the current team? The simple answer is no. Chelsea are too strong over one whole season and it is unlikely we will repeat our fairy tale success in the CL.
So it begs the question - what do we want? I want the following
- atleast 2nd place in the league
- a good run in the CL
- maybe win the FA Cup
- mould the team so that we can definitely challenge for the league/CL in 2007-08
To that end, I cannot see it happening without more signings.
July 11th, 2006 at 11:10 am
Your point is valid. But we didn’t lose anyone either except Seaman (correct me if I’m wrong). Another important point is that between 2001-2003, we had won the double, lost the league title in only the last few games and won the FA Cup. In the last two years (2004-2006), we have only won the FA Cup and reached the CL final. So I think the circumstances are different. It all depends on what we want to achieve (see my comment below).
July 11th, 2006 at 11:26 am
At this point I think it is unrealistic to rely on Clichy. He is a fantastic player, but he can’t string together two games without getting injured. At this point he can’t be relied on for anything more than squad depth until he can prove consistent fitness.
July 11th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
I tend to agree Nipuna.
I think 2nd place is achievable and expect us to be much stronger in the league, as long as Wenger buys a decent centre-back at the very least - he simply has to.
I think Man Utd are in crisis with Ronaldo going, possible followed by Horse Face. But I also think it will be difficult for Chelsea to win the league as emphatically as last year - I can see them going all out for the Champions League and possibly slipping up a little more in the Premiership.
The gap will close, but whether Arsenal can make up 30 pts in one season is questionable. I think Liverpool might provide a strong challenge, Benitez seems to know what he’s doing.
July 11th, 2006 at 12:56 pm
I agree too nipuna. Your goals for the season is very realistic.
The last thing we want is to get sucked into playing the money game like Chelsea do. No club in the world could beat them that way (spending the way to buy success).
One or two more decent signings, + the current young Arsenal side, that’ll ensure us to challenge them in the long run. Roman A. will not be getting tired of his new toy in the near future, but i can’t see them spending 30, 50 mil EVERY season. Note: the stars they bought like Ballack, Schenvko basically got no selling value (both of them are heading towards 30).
A second place finish in the league, a decent CL run, and hopefully a trophy to show (FA Cup), I’d consider it a good season comes the end of the season.
July 11th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Amen.
July 11th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
I like nipuna’s goals, too. But does anyone really think that we’ll feel Bergy’s and Sol’s absence for the first time? Neither played large roles last season. Bobby’s loss without a doubt will cause pain, but that’s what Rosicky is for. Its all shaping up like Wenger only replacing for depth. If he adds a strong tackling defensive midfielder to keep Gilberto honest and another CB, I think we make a good run of we stay healthy.
And of course there’s Walcott, who had a better World Cup than Rooney.
Add a new stadium in the mix, and increased form in squad players like Flamini, Hleb, Djourou, Gilbert, Eboue (without the diving, hopefully), Ade, Song for the 4-5-1, and an inevitable bump in form of the likes of RvP, Cesc and hopefully Reyes (can’t get worse for a player of his supposed caliber, can it?) and we’re MUCH better off than we were last season already.
Roll on to the Grove already!
July 11th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
For me, scoring goals is the main worry.
Defensively it’s not looking too bad. In all competitions Arsenal conceded 43 goals last year, the previous 4 years were 51, 48, 58, 63. Yes, that’s 5 less than in the unbeaten season!
Something isn’t quite clicking up front, so I don’t feel we’ll miss Campbell, and we’ll certainly not miss Bergkamp. But Pires goals will be a miss, and Hleb is a goal provider, not a goalscorer and Adebayor - who knows?! Rosicky will need time to settle in as well.
We have such good attacking players, but they don’t grab enough goals - it’s all left to Henry, in my opinion he dominates the attacking focus too much. Ade is a good foil for him, but I still feel we need a goal machine to play alongside Henry - although it’s very hard finding someone to complement the Frenchman, you might take something away from his game.
July 11th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
“But does anyone really think that we’ll feel Bergy’s and Sol’s absence for the first time? Neither played large roles last season”
It’s a simple point, but right on target. Excellent point scotty.
July 11th, 2006 at 3:48 pm
Danny, an interesting point u brought up for Henry. Yes, how our attack will eventually become it’s all up to him.
By that i mean, how much he wants to bring the other attacking players together into an attacking force.
Last season i spotted, and not my imagination, if u watched it carefully, whenever Reyes had the ball, Henry just stood still and didn’t bother to run into space to either open up space for Reyes to explore, or to receive the pass from Reyes.
It’s an entirely different attitude when he’s playing with Pires / Berkgamp / Ljungberg.
Reyes is a player without much football intelligence IMO, always choose to run with the ball when he should pass, or simply pass the ball to the wrong people. But henry surely didn’t help neither. I saw it many times that when Reyes passed the ball into a path for Henry to chase, Titi just stood still. Therefore making it like another mis-passing from Reyes.
Previously i thought the so-called problem between the pair was only paper talks. But now i’m not so sure. On the pitch at least, the two were clearly not in a same wave length.
July 11th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
Not to mention Bergy, for all his skill & experience, was only a “half” presence in Europe anyway, IMO, what with his fear of flying for away CL fixtures.
July 11th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Not to mention Bergy, for all his skill & experience, was only a “half” presence in Europe anyway, IMO, what with his fear of flying for away CL fixtures.
July 11th, 2006 at 5:02 pm
If we want more goals, Ribery isn’t the answer, IMO. He strikes me as a French Reyes- lots of tricks & skill with no end product or solid finish. Honestly, I don’t really see the need to bring him in here & wouldn’t be at all that thrilled if we brought him in. I’d rather give Walcott a run in his possible spot not to mention the return from loan of Ryan Smith & Aliadiere.
I believe Wenger is going to give Walcott a good run/opportunity in the squad & spot start him throughout the upcoming season.
Personally, I’d like us to bring in Davies & Appiah. I know most people on this site would rather bring in the big names & that’s fine such as Torres & the like but I am more than willing to take a shot with all our youngsters that gained experience last year (possibly can count as 2 seasons’ experience in 1, counting the CL run) plus all the youngsters returning from on loan (Smith, Aliadiere, Hoyte).
The way I see it (currently):
GK: Lehmann, Almunia, Mannone?
RB: Eboue, Lauren, Hoyte, (Trabelsi?), Gilbert, Garry
LB: Cole, Clichy, (Trabelsi?), Flamini
CD: Senderos, (Davies?), Cygan, Connolly
CD: Toure, Djourou, Traore’, Song
CM: Cesc, Hleb, Rosicky, Flamini, Larsson, Muamba
CM: Gilberto, (Appiah?/Yaya?), Diaby, Song, (Lauren)
LM: Rosicky, Reyes, Clichy, Stokes
RM: Ljungberg, Walcott, Smith, Lauren
ST: Adebayor, Van Persie, Bendtner
ST: Henry, Reyes, Aliadiere, Lupoli
July 11th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
Yes, scoring is a worry for me, too. I’m counting on Cesc, Eboue, Ade, RvP (when Titi is resting), Freddie (couldn’t have gone bad overnight), and, hopefully, Reyes.
Again, for the caliber of players we have, it HAS to get better than last season.
July 11th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
totally agree Curt. Ribery looks exactly a player what we already had in plenty - Reyes, Rosicky, Hleb, Ljungberg. He’s skillful, but not THAT skillful. As u said, lot of tricks with no end product to show for it. To me, he’s just yet another player get hyped up by the World Cup. He looked like he had a good World Cup, yet let’s face it, part of the reason is most of the other STARS had a relatively disappointing World Cup. With top class talents at their prime such as Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adraino, Henry, Rooney, Lampard, Ballack, Gerrard, C.Ronaldo etc all and all involved in the World Cup, yet in the end it was the old veteran Zidane won the Golden Ball, that speaks it all.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
I’m excited by Walcott - by all accounts he’s an outrageous talent. There is no better manager for an attacking speed merchant like Walcott to learn his trade from than Arsene Wenger.
It will take time, but in 2 years we could have another Anelka on our hands - but without the brain damage.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Ribery is no better than Reyes.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Exactly. Signing Ribery would be a lateral move at best.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Actually I see Ribery differently from u. He runs well with the ball and does not fall all over easily like Reyes. He is prepared to shoot from distance something which Helb never does. In fact Ribery reminds me alot of of Overmarrs. If he is available, I say lets get him.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
Ribery gives us nothing that Rosicky can’t provide. I know I was talking him up before the World Cup but it was also before we signed Rosicky. His signing would be a waste of money.
Appiah before Yaya because he’s simply a better player. We could have had him last year but we chased Baptista like assclowns and Appiah went to Turkey. Shameful, as he would have given us a presence. Shameful!
We need a CB and Davis looks good. He’s got confidence, he’s quick, and he’s good in the air. Potential. 8 million’s too much; maybe 5 mil.
We still need a holding midfielder. I’ve been screaming Vogel for about 1 1/2 months now and he’s sitting on the bench at Milan. It’s not because he sucks, it’s because he’s behind Pirlo. 3 million could probably bring him here.
Kehl is a tall lad thats good in the air and has nice feet but would cost more than Vogel. Lehmann and Rosicky could help him settle as they’re old team mates. Kehl could help us.
That’s all we need boys, a CB and a holding mid. Appiah would also be nice as there’s no one in the team that can do what he does. Appiah could provide a bit of mentorship for Diaby. Three players would cost us but I think we’d see Arsenal as a championship contender with no necessary changes for each of the next 5 years (except for Lehmann). This would set Wenger up to develop young players and be as picky as he wants with transfers.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Boy, what a career wasted… Henry is what Anelka could’ve been if he didn’t go chasing that green monster.
And as far as Walcott… I totally agree. Having an alleged phenom w/o the head case (like Anelka, Rooney)? Sky’s the limit for that kid (Walcott) if he even reaches half his potential.
I know you don’t care completely for Wenger’s tactical shortcomings, Danny, & I admit your thoughts on that subject are more than valid even if I don’t completely agree, but I personally think Wenger’s people-management skills is an incalcuable asset for Arsenal to have. After all, the vast majority of the youths that were let go by Arsenal it was b/c of 2 reasons & 2 reasons only: 1. They just weren’t good enough or 2. Wenger had enough respect for the players to let them go seek 1st team football or more playing time somewhere else.
But anyhow, I totally agree with you that Walcott is in the best environment for Wenger to bring him to his full potential, especially as Wenger is also minful of the extraneous variables that go into being a professional athlete (nutrition, avoiding the party lifestyle, etc. etc.)
July 11th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
Vogel is an interesting idea, joshuad & like you said could probably be acquired for not too much.
I liked what I saw from Appiah in the World Cup. He reminded me a bit of young Vieira with his busy nature in midfield but seemed to also incorporate upfield runs (w/o neglecting defensive duties) more often than Paddy did. That’s one reason why I was disappointed when Diaby got hurt- he seemed to like to bomb forward as well although Diaby definitely needs to work on his shooting when he gets healthy!
Kehl is an interesting idea too. Can’t really comment on him, b/c I haven’t really seen him play before. The only match I saw him play in the World Cup I think he was a late substitute & onply played 15 min. or so.
I also agree with your long term assessment. I think with the younger players coming of age, we’re going to be set outside of finding a #1 keeper next year & a direct replacement for Henry in about 3 years to groom for when he retires.
July 11th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
but gunner4life, what we saw from him was on the World Cup. To me, World Cup is like CL, they don’t get as physical as the Premiership.
July 11th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
“…Walcott, who had a better World Cup than Rooney. ;)”
Look what getting a Red got Beckham, they’ll make Rooney captain of the next squad.
July 11th, 2006 at 10:34 pm
I think Freddie’s hip & foot bothered him all last season more than what was let on. If I remember correctly he hurt that hip about 2 years ago, so that may have been a nagging injury that he played through all of last year.
July 11th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
I don’t even think he (Ribery) had that good of a World Cup, IMO. France didn’t score a goal from open play since Spain in the 2nd round. Their last 3 goals were from a FK & 2 PKs. They were never going to score against Italy with a lone striker & even if it was Henry.
July 11th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
I question Adebayor presence in Arsenal squad. True we need height but man, unless he improves BIG TIME, he is just a surplus in the team.
We need an experience CB, a very powerful one who can teach Senderos and Djourou to defend. Thuram seems a good candidate. Though he may be in 30s, at least he can come into the game well incase we need him.
Cygan should go. I dont know why, but theres something about him that i dont like. I can still remember when he plays, the D was kinda shaky.
July 12th, 2006 at 1:36 am
In response to a previous post, I had mentioned two big concerns for the new season - scoring goals and physical presence.
We have no dearth of attacking talent - Henry, Ade, RvP, Walcott, Reyes, Hleb, Ljunberg, Rosicky and Cesc. It’s upto the players to step up and start scoring. It’s upto AW to figure out the combinations which will produce goals.
In terms of physical presence, I think there is a clear lack of numbers. How many do we have - Toure, Senderos, Gilberto, Cygan? This area can be strengthened only by signing new players. Otherwise, I fear a repeat of last season.
July 12th, 2006 at 4:01 am
deffo like the idea of Vogel. He passes the ball quickly and accurately with the minimum of fuss - at very least his presence in the squad would keep Gilberto honest.
July 12th, 2006 at 4:47 am
When signing an attacking player, it is very important that AW ensures he will gel with Henry. Henry is a unique player who doesn’t click with all and sundry. Reyes is a very good example. The French national team is another.
In that sense, Saviola (who is being linked with us) will be a good signing. He is unselfish and works very hard, both offensively and defensively. But someone will have to go because we will end up with too many attacking players.
July 12th, 2006 at 7:07 am
Dont forget Diaby and Lauren for squad players with a presence.
I am guessing TH14 is carrying an injury and wont start the season.
I think this is a good thing as it will allow the other strikers time to make a claim for a position.
It will also allow the midfield to contribute a bit more.
I agree with two CB’s required.
I think Trabelsi, on a free is a must with Davies for 8 mill a good bit of business. However if there is an Italian on the market in the fire sale we should consider them.
For DM, I would have Haregreaves as my number 1 choice with Yaya Toure and Appiah second and third.
July 12th, 2006 at 7:47 am
I just read on Fox that Ashley Cole is contemplating a move from Arsenal to Chelsea. The way I see it is that the Arsenal board have been planning this one since that “tapping-up” affair. It’s why they only gave him a one-year contract extension. It’s not like he’s Bergkamp’s age. It’s so he would have two years on his contract after this world cup.
If Cole wants to leave Wenger won’t make him stay so what would you prefer; Ash for Cash or Ash for Gallas+Cash?
Personally, I prefer Zambrotta to Cole as he’s a better player. If we sell Cole we could afford Zambrotta but does Zambrotta want to come to Arsenal?
July 12th, 2006 at 8:02 am
Ash for Cash, no doubt. Gallas is a great player, but I think we should go for Davies. Young, but really good CB, in my opinion he is better than Senderos. And with the money from Cole we should sign Lahm, Taiwo or Zambrotta.
And what about this; Ash for Gallas and SWP
July 12th, 2006 at 9:48 am
If we were given the option of Gallas plus cash we should bite the russians hand off. Gallas is one of the best centre backs in world football and has plenty of experience - something which walked out the door with Campbell. Not only that, but Gallas can also play at LB and he has about as much pace as Toure. Sadly we’ll never get Gallas, he wants to leave chelsea to play abroad not to swap west for north london.
Zambrotta 29
Cole 25
July 13th, 2006 at 2:59 am
yeah, i agree with the above posts. main areas we need to strengthen is CB, DM and CF. I’d love for our squad to look like this.
Defence
GK: Lehmann, Almunia, Mannone
LB: Cole, Clichy, Flamini
CB: Senderos, *Davies*, Cygan
CB: Toure, Djourou
RB: Eboue, Gilbert, Lauren
Midfield
LM: Reyes, Ljungberg
DM: Gilberto, *Y.Toure*, Song
CM: Fabregas, Rosicky, Diaby
RM: Hleb, Walcott
Strikers
LCF: Henry, *Saviola*
RCF: Adebayor, VanPersie
** means we still got to buy them, but they are probable buys.
The players in there all will have a chance and i think have the quality to represent the 1st team in those positions.