Your thoughts on next season?

[bluebell]

We've won the league, can we retain it? If so, how? Should Slot stick with same the formation? Should he introduce something new which opponents have not seen from a Slot squad?
In my view we do need more pace in the squad, and I honestly think with Trent leaving we will see less overload on our right, a defensively better. Slot needs to rotate more and players he doesn't have faith in should be sold. No point keeping players on the bench you don't trust or not good enough. A proper #9 should mean we should convert more of the chances we create.
I think there's more than a 40% chance we retain the league

 

[Modo]

We need to make at least 4 signings. In order of priority:

Striker ( Vital ) to replace Nunez.
LB ( Vital ) to replace Robbo who becomes our backup.
CB ( Important ) to backup Konate and Van Dijk
RB ( Beneficial ) to back up/ compete with Bradley.

If we sell certain players:
DM/CM ( Important ) if Endo leaves and Bajcetic isn't retained.
LW ( important ) if Diaz leaves.

 

[bluebell]

We need to make at least 4 signings. In order of priority:

Striker ( Vital ) to replace Nunez.
LB ( Vital ) to replace Robbo who becomes our backup.
CB ( Important ) to backup Konate and Van Dijk
RB ( Beneficial ) to back up/ compete with Bradley.

If we sell certain players:
DM/CM ( Important ) if Endo leaves and Bajcetic isn't retained.
LW ( important ) if Diaz leaves.

What about formation and style of play. If we get a WB in Frimpong, do we overload the rightside of the play? How do you make sure the defence is tighter and protect Konate?

 

[Modo]

What about formation and style of play. If we get a WB in Frimpong, do we overload the rightside of the play? How do you make sure the defence is tighter and protect Konate?

Salah himself admitted that Slot relieved him of his defensive responsibilities which again would make our right hand side a target for the opposition since Konate and Gravy would need to cover that flank.
Hence why I'd like a defence first fullback, although Bradders gives us both.

 

[mom]

I’m a fan of Bradley. But his injury record is a little worrying.
Ideally, I’d like two full backs, a CM and a striker.

That’s if we keep Joe and Quan. If not, we’re gonna need a CB.

I’ve said this so many times and been disappointed, but, should be an interesting summer.

 

[Fabio]

It's going to be a difficult year, so this summer is as (arguably) an important summer as we've ever had. Regardless of outgoings we need a ST, RB, LB, and arguably for me another dm/cm. If there's outgoings then we need to replace those.

I'm confident if you give slot the tools, then he'll work wonders again. But he needs to be given the tools

 

[Accedalyday]

I'd like to enjoy the rest of this season, and the parade, and then worry about our impending fight for #21, or top 4 or relegation.

 

[Squiggles]

Arsenal are best placed to challenge, IMHO. A decent striker, a LW and if Zubimendi clicks, combined with some luck with injuries, and they go the distance.

Impossible to write City off, but I can't see it, especially if Pep goes. We will know more by the end of the summer. I suspect the top three will be closer and we'll have to go up a gear, although nothing drastic.

 

[Mystic]

I really don't see Arsenal improving next season unless they make some exceptional moves in the market. It feels like Arteta has platoued with them, I could be wrong, but they've been over hyped and under achieved for years now under him.

City's a harder one to predict, you never write them off, and it's impossible for them to be worse than this season, but Pepe does seem to have gone a bit mad, it's like he's lost focus without Klopp here. Still, the most likeliest to win the league for me.

Chelsea are an interesting one too, I don't expect anything from United or Spurs, but Chelsea I could see building on this year's performance.

Us, we are comfortablely top four, probably top two tbh, but I'll see how we plug that huge Trent shaped hole before commenting any further. I'm cautiously optimistic though.

 

[peterhague]

Newcastle are the interesting one imo. They look SO close to having a really quality team. I think they've underachieved this season.

 

[MomoWASright]

They won a cup and look nailed on for top three. That’s definitely not an underachievement.

 

[peterhague]

They won a cup and look nailed on for top three. That’s definitely not an underachievement.

Their points total will be though, imo.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Newcastle are the interesting one imo. They look SO close to having a really quality team. I think they've underachieved this season.

They're not quite at that title challenger level - and I'm not sure what they need to get there - but definitely took a step forward in establishing themselves among the top tier competing for Champions League.

Truthfully, what they need is a relaxation of PSR rules. As do Villa, Forest, Chelsea, United...

 

[Frogfish]

Repost.

I'm not sure that either City or Chelsea will be threat (forget Villa, no chance). Chelsea have a long way to go and are ridiculously inconsistent, they'll also be in the CL or EL next season. No easy-ride Conference.

City, as I've said for the past 2-3 seasons, are on a downward spiral of aging players that they've replaced with, mainly, lower quality mediocrity.

KdB gone, B. Silva gone, Gundogan gone, maybe Ederson too & Stones will be 31. Starting players who are not at the level of those of 3-4 seasons ago : Akanji. Ake, Grealish, Savinho, Doku and Marmoush.

So yes they still have some excellent players in Haaland, Gvadiol, Bobb, Ederson (maybe), Rodri and Foden but overall I don't look at their squad and think that it's a PL winning squad. They would have to strengthen considerably this Summer to elevate their potential in my eyes.

If Arsenal spend £200m on a striker or two and a world class DM then they will be the challengers next season. They are the only ones that have a squad of comparable quality (assuming we get 4-5 players of genuine quality to fix the issues we have at LB, RB backup and at CF - otherwise we'll not start favourites at all.

 

[moron]

I think next season is gonna be completely unpredictable. The biggest problem we will have is ensuring our players are gonna be committed in terms of going all out physically...why ? Coz its a fucking WORLD CUP year, and some of them will not want to get injured if they know they are first picks for their national side.

 

[bluebell]

Repost.

I'm not sure that either City or Chelsea will be threat (forget Villa, no chance). Chelsea have a long way to go and are ridiculously inconsistent, they'll also be in the CL or EL next season. No easy-ride Conference.

City, as I've said for the past 2-3 seasons, are on a downward spiral of aging players that they've replaced with, mainly, lower quality mediocrity.

KdB gone, B. Silva gone, Gundogan gone, maybe Ederson too & Stones will be 31. Starting players who are not at the level of those of 3-4 seasons ago : Akanji. Ake, Grealish, Savinho, Doku and Marmoush.

So yes they still have some excellent players in Haaland, Gvadiol, Bobb, Ederson (maybe), Rodri and Foden but overall I don't look at their squad and think that it's a PL winning squad. They would have to strengthen considerably this Summer to elevate their potential in my eyes.

If Arsenal spend £200m on a striker or two and a world class DM then they will be the challengers next season. They are the only ones that have a squad of comparable quality (assuming we get 4-5 players of genuine quality to fix the issues we have at LB, RB backup and at CF - otherwise we'll not start favourites at all.

City dropped off when Rodri got injured, he will be back. They will spend £3-400m in the summer and they will be favourites again. As much as we like to poke fun at Pep, he is the best coach in the world.

The Arse if they buy the right players will be in the mix.

Us, winning it back-to-back is not easy and I put us in 2nd favourites.

4th is a lottery and it could one of 6 teams

 

[StevieM]

City dropped off when Rodri got injured, he will be back. They will spend £3-400m in the summer and they will be favourites again. As much as we like to poke fun at Pep, he is the best coach in the world.

The Arse if they buy the right players will be in the mix.

Us, winning it back-to-back is not easy and I put us in 2nd favourites.

4th is a lottery and it could one of 6 teams

There’s so much that could and could not happen between now and the start of the season to have any clear idea of how we’ll all shape up next season.

 

[Frogfish]

City dropped off when Rodri got injured, he will be back. They will spend £3-400m in the summer and they will be favourites again. As much as we like to poke fun at Pep, he is the best coach in the world.

They are not going to spend 300-400m what are you smoking?! They will more than likely have a massive points deduction or transfer ban.

 

[Fabio]

They are not going to spend 300-400m what are you smoking?! They will more than likely have a massive points deduction or transfer ban.

They'll have a very hefty fine and they'll announce it over the summer when there's no points to deduct.

 

[Modo]

They'll have a very hefty fine and they'll announce it over the summer when there's no points to deduct.

And their transfers are done and dusted.

 

[keniget]

They are not going to spend 300-400m what are you smoking?! They will more than likely have a massive points deduction or transfer ban.

Wasn't there something in the news the other day saying that there is going to be a delay in the verdict and that City plan to spend big?

I don't know what "big" means but they spent 120M or so in Jan and feels like they'll that again, easy, in the summer.

As for next season, I think it's potentially quite open. Arsenal, despite the protestations to the contrary on here (which come from a mostly tribal place if we're honest) are a good team and are probably a great forward away from being incredibly dangerous. City are likely to come back fighting. And then you've got the rest of the challenger teams that are improving year on year it seems. Who knows, even Chelsea might get their shit together.

 

[bluebell]

They are not going to spend 300-400m what are you smoking?! They will more than likely have a massive points deduction or transfer ban.

You are clearly unaware of geo-politics, the UK Government will make sure that any punishment is acceptable to the President of the UAE and his brother the VP of the country and owner of Man City.
Chelsea will probably see a bigger point deduction and fine than Man City

 

[bluebell]

Whats impressed me about this season ans I hope we see it next season too is how well players fitness have been managed. CJ and Konate have had a good number of games under their belt. Jota normally out half the season, this season its been reduced to 1/3.
Is the club looking to get more fit professionals next season, anyone know?