Where do we think we should strengthen

The way I see the squad next season is:

Tevez considering we have already paid money 37 million is too much (and I really like him). However he seems to be enjoying himself with us and may have something to say to the people who hold his contract so I'd like to think he will stay. We also have Manucho coming who everyone raves about. I think Campbell and Wellbeck will probably go on loan next season or as soon as we exit the Carling Cup anyway. I can see Saha and *** Fangzhou (unless he earns us more than he costs) leaving. So I'd like to see us bring in another striker. My first choice (I'm being realistic so I am not saying Messi, Pato and Bojan) is Mario Gomes. He plays for Stuttgart and is likely or already is the Germans player of the season. His goal record is:

games goals

2003–2005
2003– VfB Stuttgart II


VfB Stuttgart 43 (21)
83 (35)
National team2
2007– Germany 09 (6)




Before someone pipes up that Huntelaar's record is much better I know but I think the German league is stronger than the Dutch league. Any league in which Kuyt & Kezman can score freely has got to have you worried. To illustrate this Boro's Alfonso Alves has a better goals to games than Huntelaar and he has not precisely set the Prem alight yet. Personally I think Huntelaar would make the grade but he would be my second choice behind Mario Gomez. Mario Gomez is a tank of a player at about 1.89 m (6 ft 21⁄2 in) and would offer us an aerial threat and a target man upfront with an eye for goal that some say is equal to that of Torres. Oh just briefly Benzema is not worth 40 million maybe 20 million. He has already said he does not want to join us or play in the Prem (what a wuss) who needs him he should of been privalidged to be linked with us and doesn't anyone think it starnge that as soon as we knocked them out of Europe no more has been said?



In terms of midfield Hargreaves he offers a great engine to our midfield and in my books is better than Gattuso. His passing has improved and I think he will be a vital part of our squad next season. I honestly do not think we need much in midfield and would be happy seeing it stay exactly as it is. However, when an opportunity arises you have to grab it Dos Santos according to a friend (City supporter sadly) who works in the fair city of Barcelona said reports are that he is available but does not want a move to City (good lad) but his brother and father have been quoted as saying he would love a move to us. I am slightly suspect of the quoted 7 million pounds as this seems ridiculously low he's got to be worth 20 million. On top of his vast potential he is also second only to Beckham in populartiy in the far east so would pay for himself. I know we don't need him but I have a feeling we will regret it if we don't do everything to get him now. At present our squad is probably in midfield terms one of if not the strongest in the world but if you take out Giggs and Scholes (how many years left?) throw in a couple of injuries we may struggle. If we get him and Sir Alex & Quieroz work their magic as they did with Ronaldo and are in the process of doing with Nani and Anderson the sky would be the limit for both us and him. For those people who have been bandying the name of Ben Arfa (the French Aaron Lennon in my book ie no end product) firstly we don't need another out and out winger we have Ronaldo, Nani, Giggs and Park as wel as Eagles who is developing well. Secondly Arfa is good but nowhere near great he's worth about 10 million not the quoted 20-30 million. If you want to see a winger with potential catch a match when Angel De Maria is playing. If we could get him on a five year contract and then loan him back to Benfica for 2 seasons it would be worth it and then in Dos Santos and De Maria we'd have the post Scholes and Giggs era sorted.



I actually think despite our excellent record defense is where we are lightest this season. We have been very lucky with injuries but have looked our most vunerable when Evra (please offer a decent new contract and get him to sign asap) was injured. At cb we are fine Pique will make the grade (I'd like to see him given a few more games) if was not Barca would not want him. I also like the way Evans is progressing at Sunderland and hope we don't let him leave we will only have to spend more to buy him back later. My concern is right back and cover for left. At right back I'd love Micah Richards ( a young Thuram ) but its soooo unlikely unless the player forces the move that its probably not worth discussing only dreaming. Despite Brown improving at right back I still think he lacks something going forward and is a bit slow to get back in defense (even Beckham was quicker in France) along with the lack of signing a new contract we need to make a signing. Lets make something clear if anyone say waht about the Brasilian twins please think about it they are very slight of build, new to the country, young and have never even experienced European football let alone the Premiership. They are likely to need at least a year to adjust and are likely to go on loan (hopefully to Sporting a great club for young players). So we do need to make some signings ok. I'm surprised we did not try for Hutton as he looks like a great prospect. However there are other options out there. Just a quick note on Lahm please please remember he is a left back all be it a right footed one. He has said several times he does not want to and does not perform to the top of his game as a right back. He is not as good as Evra but will not want to sit on the bench so although he would be superb cover at left back (despite right footed left backs being a bit predictable) as a right back no as you can't have a player playing in a position he does not want to play. I honestly think at right back we will sign Bosingwa as he has to play behind Ronaldo and Ronaldo has already played a fair few games infront of him for Portugal Ronaldo would probably have a say in his signing and if it works for him it works for me. So Bosingwa it is. Alves is a good player yes but is to attack minded and would detract from Ronaldo's game which we don't want he is alos well over priced and pretty average defensively. At left back I think O'Shea does a decent job but not on a long term basis. My choice would be Veloso as his versatility ie anywhere across the back four or ain midfield would guaruntee him games he's also a decent freekick ***. If not him then Shorey as he's got Prem experience and sets up a surprising amount of goals (the most for any fullback in the prem this season).



As for Goal keepers again we just don't need any. Forget what you now from FM2008 Foster is better than Akinfeev and Ustari. Kusczack is improving rapidly and Vds if he excepts he will have to play less games due to age has a year or two left. Oh and Heaton did very well for England U21's when he came on. So none needed.



So for me (Its fairly realistic although I agree its propbaly pushing it alot)



Outs:



Saha

Brown (that contract still is not signed)

Silvestre (ageing and injury prone)

Fangzhou (unless he brings in more cash than he costs)

J Evans (only if he wants to I'd rather keep him but if he desperately wants to go we have to have a buy back clause as we do with Rossi)



Ins:



Mario Gomez

Dos Santos

Angel De Marie (not desperate but if we can get him on five years and loan him back for a season or two)

Bosingwa

Veloso (if the price is right if not Shorey)



First team Squad:



Kusczack

VDS

Foster



O'Shea

Bosingwa Pique Evans Veloso/Shorey

Neville Rio Vidic Evra



Park Carrick Scholes Giggs

Ronaldo Hargreaves Anderson Nani



Manucho Tevez

Gomez Rooney



Loans Out:

Silva x 2 (Sporting if possible. They need to be eased into European football. The loan could be part of the Veloso deal if we agreed to pay their wages.

Di Maria (Sporting if possible or back to Benfica. Get him on a five year deal loan him out for a season or two then when Giggs retires we don't loose any of the perfect squad depth we have now. If to Sporting again as part of the Veloso deal.)

Eagles (he needs Prem experience and first team football and I think Keane would play him a lot)

Campbell (preferably a Prem team if not then back to Hull for another season or to a club like Southamopton who have a good record developing young forwards. Deffinately no sale as he's a little lightweight but seems to be coming on well.)

Foster (just for half a season to a season so he gets back in his stride. As I have already mentioned twice I think those who say we need to sign a keeper are mad we have the best English keeper and natural shot stopper since Schmeical. We'd be mad to sell him unless he plays poorly on loan for a season in which case he could then be sold. Ok we'd loose maybe 1 mill from his value but if we sell him now we will loose Englands new Shilton and have to shell out for a keeper who may not be as good.

Wellbeck (he may go out on loan I'm not sure what would be best but I'm temted to say a season inthe reserves would be best for the young lad)