As you say, Gueye is key and a must to resign. I’d want Calvert-Lewin back, as well, because we’re not finding better for the same cost and having him as plan b to Beto may be a better solution to managing his fitness (even tho I think Calvert-Lewin is the more talented player).

I think we only need squad players across the keeper and defence, which is a great foundation to build from. We could, in theory, start Gueye and Garner ahead of them, with a front four of Beto up top and McNeil, Alcaraz and Ndiaye behind him. That team should be good enough for mid table, but it’s the depth behind that’s the issue.

With that said, if money is still in slightly short FFP supply, it might be the summer to focus on signing depth pieces that set us up to then incrementally add to the first eleven in future years - a little like we built in the first Moyes era.

Backup keeper (free veteran)
Backup right back
Backup left back
Keane (new deal)
Backup centre mid (loan?)
Armstrong
Backup left mid (loan?)
Backup right mid (loan?)
Calvert-Lewin (new deal)
Chermiti

Looked at like that, we can make progress without going crazy in the market and set ourselves up for future seasons, with space to add to the team in January if we’re higher up the table and fighting for a European spot.

The unknown is if we lose Branthwaite but, even then, the money we’d recoup would help fund an accelerated version of what we’d want to do next summer.