Summer Signings: what do we need? who do you want?

[RedReet]

I can see bits of that game from my back window.

As Shanks would say, close the courtains Son.

[Nicey]

Ribery, Clichy and Henry would be sweet.

Yeah I suppose that would do

[memzey]

Glichy is well over rated IMHO.

[bobbyfallon]

for those of you who haven't seen Kuba play, i suggest you watch northen ireland vs. poland today

didnt he only come on as a sub after 60 mins or something??

when he played against ireland a he was class, best player on the pitch that night

[DancingRobot]

What we need the most:
1) An impact player who can score 10-15 goals/season and capable of providing a few assists. With Gerrard and Torres in AM and striker positions, a winger would be ideal.
2) Squad strength at RB, CM and probably a striker also, if Rafa feels Babel or N'gog are not yet good enough to start as the lone striker.

What I want:
Frank Ribery-25-30m
Stephane Mbia- Rennes box-to-box/CM - 8m
Maicon(Not probable though) - Excellent RB and can cover for LB too. Can add some much needed goals through headers from attacking set-pieces. - 10m(?)

Out(for around 13m):
Riera
Voronin
Itanjde
Dossena

[dww]

I think we have to think of this summer of one of tweaking and adding depth.

For me one of Babel and Benayoun have to go and be replaced by a player who offers pace and some level of consistency while being able to cover the 3 positions behind the main striker.

We need a striker capable of covering for Torres.

An attacking right back to compete with Arbeloa.

I'd also like to see a more mobile option added to central midfield.

A couple of those changes could come from improvements in the squad we already have I think. However we have a fairly large number of players who we are hoping to develop and I can't see all of them doing so. I really hope that we don't sell any of our current first XI. Stability is the key and I think that the first team has a really good balance and forms a solid foundation to build from.

[RedReet]

What we need the most:
1) An impact player who can score 10-15 goals/season and capable of providing a few assists. With Gerrard and Torres in AM and striker positions, a winger would be ideal.
2) Squad strength at RB, CM and probably a striker also, if Rafa feels Babel or N'gog are not yet good enough to start as the lone striker.

What I want:
Frank Ribery-25-30m
Stephane Mbia- Rennes box-to-box/CM - 8m
Maicon(Not probable though) - Excellent RB and can cover for LB too. Can add some much needed goals through headers from attacking set-pieces. - 10m(?)

Out(for around 13m):
Riera
Voronin
Itanjde
Dossena

I think people are quite harsh on Riera and he’s become a victim of his own early success.

Players need time to adapt and although Riera made an immediate impact, he still needs time to adjust to the rigours of the Premiership (and playing European football regularly). Rafa also puts his players through a very demanding training schedule that some struggle with, and Riera to me doesn’t look like the most naturally fit of footballers.

Although poor of late (excluding Villa), Riera has had a very steady season and encouraging debut year. I’d be happy to se him stay for at least another year and am confident we should see an improved and probably more consistent player.

[Craig_H]

I dont think new fullbacks are a priority. Would be useful, but there's more pressing issues.

Barry, one of Silva or Ribery and one of Henry, Villa or Aguero - and it'd be job very well done.

Unlikely though.

[the rev leeroy brown]

out and out right winger ( lennon, joaquin etc... )

new striker ( villa, etoo etc... )

right back ( just some reliable backup for arbeloa )

we dont need anyone else as the core unit is strong enough. we especially dont need another centre mid but no doubt we'll ****ing buy one ( dear god plaese let barry stay at villa )

[Craig_H]

Barry would be able to play LB, LM or CM.

If we could get him for the suggested £8m, i think it'd be good business.

[Fierce]

I dont think new fullbacks are a priority. Would be useful, but there's more pressing issues.

Barry, one of Silva or Ribery and one of Henry, Villa or Aguero - and it'd be job very well done.

Unlikely though.

[DancingRobot]

I think people are quite harsh on Riera and he’s become a victim of his own early success.

Players need time to adapt and although Riera made an immediate impact, he still needs time to adjust to the rigours of the Premiership (and playing European football regularly). Rafa also puts his players through a very demanding training schedule that some struggle with, and Riera to me doesn’t look like the most naturally fit of footballers.

Although poor of late (excluding Villa), Riera has had a very steady season and encouraging debut year. I’d be happy to se him stay for at least another year and am confident we should see an improved and probably more consistent player.

Well, we definitely need a winger for the first team next season which means one of Riera or Kuyt should sacrifice their position in the starting line-up and one of our wingers in the squad should make a way out. I'd pick Kuyt over Riera for a spot in the starting line-up for the vital goals he provides and the space he makes for others with his incredible work-rate and I'm sure Rafa would do the same.

I'm not judging Riera as a flop, he has had a decent season so far, but he is too inconsistent to start regularly for us. He has been distinctly average since the start of this calendar year and I'm astonished to see many people suggest that he is right to start ahead of Yossi or Babel because he is one of the best crossers we have..really? Correct me if I'm wrong, if he really is such a good crosser atleast one of those crosses should have been converted by now, but none have turned into goals!

Now coming to his role as a squad player next season. I'd much rather prefer to see Yossi or Babel with more flair come in as an impact sub or to start a match against lower oppositions in the domestic cups than Riera. So, if we have to make way for one of our widemen, it has to be Riera imo, which leaves us with Kuyt, Yossi, Babel, Silva/Ribery/SnoogyDoogy and El Zhar for the two wide positions. Also, if he stays as a squad player next season, he will lose his place in the Spanish squad and his price would surely come down.

[ElRobbie]

Why do people name players who are just fantasy buys, whats the point, you need to be realistic.

I will take a £20 bet on with anyone who would like to bet that we don't sign any one of Henry, Villa, Ribery or Aguero. Any takers? Thought not! So stop dreaming.

[Mattshark]

Well, we definitely need a winger for the first team next season which means one of Riera or Kuyt should sacrifice their position in the starting line-up and one of our wingers in the squad should make a way out. I'd pick Kuyt over Riera for a spot in the starting line-up for the vital goals he provides and the space he makes for others with his incredible work-rate and I'm sure Rafa would do the same.

I'm not judging Riera as a flop, he has had a decent season so far, but he is too inconsistent to start regularly for us. He has been distinctly average since the start of this calendar year and I'm astonished to see many people suggest that he is right to start ahead of Yossi or Babel because he is one of the best crossers we have..really? Correct me if I'm wrong, if he really is such a good crosser atleast one of those crosses should have been converted by now, but none have turned into goals!

Now coming to his role as a squad player next season. I'd much rather prefer to see Yossi or Babel with more flair come in as an impact sub or to start a match against lower oppositions in the domestic cups than Riera. So, if we have to make way for one of our widemen, it has to be Riera imo, which leaves us with Kuyt, Yossi, Babel, Silva/Ribery/SnoogyDoogy and El Zhar for the two wide positions. Also, if he stays as a squad player next season, he will lose his place in the Spanish squad and his price would surely come down.

It is a general trait of wingers to be inconsistent though, even the best ones. His cross against Sunderland turned into a goal didn't it.

[RedReet]

Well, we definitely need a winger for the first team next season which means one of Riera or Kuyt should sacrifice their position in the starting line-up and one of our wingers in the squad should make a way out. I'd pick Kuyt over Riera for a spot in the starting line-up for the vital goals he provides and the space he makes for others with his incredible work-rate and I'm sure Rafa would do the same.

I'm not judging Riera as a flop, he has had a decent season so far, but he is too inconsistent to start regularly for us. He has been distinctly average since the start of this calendar year and I'm astonished to see many people suggest that he is right to start ahead of Yossi or Babel because he is one of the best crossers we have..really? Correct me if I'm wrong, if he really is such a good crosser atleast one of those crosses should have been converted by now, but none have turned into goals!

Now coming to his role as a squad player next season. I'd much rather prefer to see Yossi or Babel with more flair come in as an impact sub or to start a match against lower oppositions in the domestic cups than Riera. So, if we have to make way for one of our widemen, it has to be Riera imo, which leaves us with Kuyt, Yossi, Babel, Silva/Ribery/SnoogyDoogy and El Zhar for the two wide positions. Also, if he stays as a squad player next season, he will lose his place in the Spanish squad and his price would surely come down.

To be fair, for the first few months Riera was pretty consistent and rarely had a bad game. Inconsistency is a common trait amongst most wingers, brilliant one week, awful the next, however I don’t really think Riera falls into this bracket. His dip in form I am hoping is down to fatigue. Lets not forget, excluding the extra games, Riera didn’t have a proper pre-season, plus he’s used to having a winter break (and when played he can’t last more than 60 mins ). Until recently I thought Kuyt was also suffering as a result of playing more or less every game. He’s played very well the past few games though, so hopefully the Villa game is an indication that Riera might now do the same. May is the time to Judge.

Against strong opposition I think an in form Riera is worth a starting place as his ball retention is invaluable for tightly contested matches. Ideally I would like to add a pacey, skilful winger that could cover both wings similar to Simao or Ribery. That would give us good balance plus plenty of options depending on the opposition.

With Kuyt and Babel possibly required to play the odd game up front, I don’t think we necessarily need to sell to accommodate a new winger, although we probably could do with the money raised.