Where next?

[alunevans]

With the squad looking strong at the moment - possibly the strongest squad in prem - where do we strengthen next?

Up front we have 4 different strikers - each with differing qualities.

Midfield (central) we have arguably the strongest quartet anywhere.
Midfield (wide) we now have quality with Babel, Benayoun (I'm being converted from a non-believer), Pennant (see previous statement) and Kewell if he gets anywhere near his best form.

Defensively our 'unit' is very tight and well marshalled by Carra. Sami & Agger complete the centre halves. Finnan & Arbeloa are both quality right backs and then there's Riise and Aurelio for left back......

In goal there's Pepe - who we wouldn't swap for ANYBODY. If he get's injured we're struggling people..........It doesn't bear thinking about.

So when the next xfer window comes around - where should we strengthen? Personally I'd like a new back-up keeper. One that's used to the british game and the rough and tumble that goes with it.
Also - do we need to spend big in a particular area or are we fairly well covered?

I'm pretty sure I know what the response is gonna be - but I'm interested if there are any alternative thoughts on the matter.

The flanks in my view could still do with strengthening. One real top quality "ready to make an impact" winger could make all the difference in my view. Our current wide players have the ability to play left or right so I don't think it matters too much which wing he's more comfortable on.

I'd also like a real quality left back too.

Agree about a backup keeper. Must be hard to get backup keepers of quality though when they know they'll never play. Probably looking at someone at the end of their career wanting one last payday I suppose.

[RPAS]

Left wing as Babel will most likely move in to partner Torres next season. Kewell will be put out to pasture also. Leto won't get enough game time this season to make left-wing his own.

Arbeloa is as good a left back as there is in the league and he can cover at centre back so I'd question spending big money there. People talk about Micah Richards and he is awesome but would you spend £20m on him to then let Stevie Finnan go?

Mascherano must be signed permanently. If it's a straight choice to keep him or Momo its not even a choice in my book. If he's going to cost £20m and be our "big" signing for next Summer then I'm 100% happy with that.

[RPAS]

I would have a worry about right midfield but I think the arrival of Yossi has helped that a lot by giving Pennant a kick up the backside.

[Mattshark]

Lahm or Chiellini for LB though

**** that Arbeloa is going to be better than both of them.

[Parm]

Defo the keeper situation. God forbid, if Reina gets injured/suspended then we are lacking cover. Carson coming back would be ideal, but he wont want to sit about on the bench.

Right back, well Finnan is still looking good, but Arbeloa will cover there.
Clearly at CB we need maybe one more to provide cover. We all shat our loads when Sami and Carra were subbed off in the Sunderland game.

I do think we're ok on the left, but with it looking more and more likley Kewell leaving, Babel could really make that area his with Insua perhaps being brought along as well.

[Los Rojos]

A quality centre back. Hyypia isnt getting any younger and if Agger/Carra get injured we don't have much depth. We should've bought Jorge Andrade. He left Depor for next to nothing.

I would like a winger that can offer depth and unpredictability. Sure Pennant is improving but we can get an improvement on him. Preferably a winger that can play both wings without trouble. One with pace and a good cross.

A good left back/multipurpose left sided player (makes me think of Puerta ) once we've chucked Riise out the squad. Then there'll be one or two other players that will probably leave that we'll need to replace. But overall we're looking very nice.

The squad is far from complete in my book.

First up is masher. He's on loan so our top priority is to keep him and he won't come cheap.

next is some top notch CB cover. Sami can still do a job but this could be his last season. If carra and Agger both got injured we'd really be struggling.

LB is an area we all know needs sorting out. JAR & Aurelio are better going forward than defending whilst Arbeloa is finnans natural replacement.

The reserve keeper slot is a bit of a worry as well. Carson is the obvious choice but he's not going to be a no.2 . He'll end up moving on. The French lad could be anything, but if Reina gets crocked it would be a major blow.

The LM slot is looking much more solid. Babel will improve as the season progresses and I've always liked Aurelio in that position. you can forget Kewell, he's had his day.

Upfront we are well catered for but that doesn't mean we should sit on our laurels.

Overall, our squad is in very good nick, but the minute you think its complete, thats the time to strengthen. Its always better to do so from a strong position than a weak one. Incoming players aren't under so much pressure and they get a bit of time to settle in.

Two good posts there which I pretty much agree with

[anfieldanfield]

Micah Richards to replace Sami next summer.

[CAD]

We need a quality CB.
We need a better LB
We need better wingers. Only Babel/Pennant looks OK.
Finnan/Arbeloa might be good enough but I still have my doubts.

Out: Riise, Kewell, Fabio and probably Yossi next summer.

[carheex]

LB is an area we all know needs sorting out. JAR & Aurelio are better going forward than defending whilst Arbeloa is finnans natural replacement.

I can't think of any attacking fullback that isn't.

[Pablo]

Next summer i would bring in

A striker - Huntalaar or Villa

Winger - Quaresma

Left back - Bale or Heinze or Bridge

I'd agree with that. The squad needs very little strengthening. We need to make now make 1 or 2 big signings each summer in the magnitude of the Torres deal. Villa or Quaresma would fit the bill. Players that have that extra special ability that we perhaps currently lack. I think the three positions mentioned above most need strengthening along with center back, although the squad is extremely strong as it stands.

We are going to have to sell the odd very good player in order to bring any new signings in I think. Hyypia will be gone, Riise could be on the way out, and one of the midfield quintet may well decide to leave if they dont get enough game time.