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We didn’t need this massive squad rebuild.

Our first 11

GK - Pickford
RB - O’Brien
LB - Myko
CB - Branthwaite
CB - Tarks
CM - Gana
CM - Garner
LW - Ndiaye
RW - McNeil
AM - Alcaraz
CF - Beto

The only position there that really needs an upgrade is RW. We needed a LB, RB, DM and CF. But we desperately need a RW, ideally 2, to avoid playing players out of position to the detriment of the whole team.

Fofana seems like our first choice, but he wants champions league. Kubo seems like our second choice. There’s issues regarding his ownership, so you can understand Sociedads unwillingness to sell for less than his release clause of £51 million. But given our need, and if we really rate the lad we should’ve paid the release clause for him. At the very least you’d make some money back on him on shirts and merchandise in Japan. Which would also increase our exposure in a market we currently have none.

I quite like the business we’ve done. But we haven’t addressed the position that’s been our most urgent priority. It was obvious to everyone who watched us last season that if we add even just a half decent RW that can carry a ball and has a bit of pace, it changes the dynamic of our attack and we become a much bigger threat, especially in transition.

For me whether this window is a success or failure completely depends on us signing a RW. Not just because we need a RW, but it’s the knock on effect of not having one. We essentially weaken two positions by playing someone out of position there and impacts our structure and effectiveness with and without the ball.