19 Feb 2018 07:28:30
A question for ed01 if I may.

I feel as if we’re about to enter a new phase of our progression under klopp this summer and that is the one of building a squad that has equal (if not almost) quality on the bench as it does on the pitch. What I mean by that is if you look at the top clubs they’ve have 2 excellent players competing for the same position such as Aguero and Jesus or sane/ sterling etc. Whilst at the moment we have unequivocal first choices in our front 3 in particular. We likely need to look to an additional winger or possibly striker depending on what happens to Ings/ Sturridge/ origi.

I guess what I’m asking is do you see that transition as tricky? Will top prospects such as a Brandt, Bailey or Pulisic etc be keen to join knowing how hard it will be to displace our front 3 and if we do sign such players, how our front 3 will feel about not playing pretty much every game they’re fit for?

Hope that makes sense?!

{Ed001's Note - I do not see us as anywhere near that point yet, we have no midfield to speak of yet, we have two right backs who both are intended to have a long term future in different positions. Those positions need attending to before we should even be thinking about squad depth.}

1.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 10:48:23
Here here! We need full backs! The system demands two excellent full backs. I don’t care if we don’t buy another CB in the summer. It’s our full back that’s worse than anything. However I do expect 2 midfielders to arrive in the summer and the total tally will rise up to 6-7 players.
Except the front 3 anyone could move in the summer.

2.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 12:37:31
Spot on Ed001. I know you're a fan of Ndidi and Mendy at Leicester but are there any others you think are viable and a good fit. I like the look of Jorginho, Torreira and Dendoncker but I don't think we've shown any interest in them either. And at right bac apart from Pereira, are there any others we're looking at?

{Ed001's Note - Jorginho is one I particularly like but I think we would be better with the more combative type, such as Doucoure. There have been a few right backs looked at, though most are unlikely to be options this summer, Fredericks of Fulham could well be possible, he is of interest.}

3.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 13:37:07
If I may ask Ed001, why are the right backs unlikely to be options this summer? Is it due to them not being available or because many top clubs are also looking at them?

{Ed001's Note - both.}

4.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 13:41:13
Thanks Ed. Doucoure has really hit the ground running in the PL. I don't know much about his mentality or game intelligence but his ability is there for all to see. Must admit I don't know much about Fredericks apart from he's a former Spurs academy player so will keep an eye out. Thanks again!

{Ed001's Note - Fredericks is very attacking.}

5.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 13:47:30
would like any of those mentioned tbh. not seen much of Jorginho so can't comment but i agree with ed that i would like a real enforcer. Doucoure is a really good player from what i have seen. really hope we target a midfielder of that nature. with Kieta coming in i only expect 1 more midfielder after that a right back and an attacker/ winger then replacements for outgoings.

6.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 14:03:55
Whilst Torreira doesn’t match Doucoure or Dendoncker in height he’s a snarly and tough little chap who loves a tackle and pretty useful passer. Has a bit of Mascherano Medel Veratti about him.

{Ed001's Note - I have not seen him play.}

7.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 14:35:36
The player I would've loved in there was Obiang of West with every game before his horrible injury problems.

What's happened to him do you think Ed? He looks half the player he was before his injuries. Do you think they've just taken too much out of him he'll never get back or do you think it'll just be a matter of time before he's back to his best?

Also, I'm very surprised to see a question about midfielders and you not say you hope we sign Gary Medel!

All the best.

{Ed001's Note - what are you talking about? Obiang was playing well this season until he picked up another injury.}

8.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 14:49:43
Personally I think he looked a off the pace. But granted that may well have been because he was playing in a poor West Ham team.

Do you know if he is seen as being particularly susceptible to injuries, or if its just seen as bad luck on his part? West Ham have plenty of experience of dealing with the perpetually injured Andy Carroll.

Are Liverpool interested in any of this sort of combative midfielder that you know of? We have Keita coming in who people seem to think is like that but I think he's a lot more creative and dynamic than people believe. I've seen him described as a more attacking Kante, which is completely wrong in my view.

{Ed001's Note - no point asking West Ham about this, they do not do enough work on this area. The fact he has suffered a number of injuries means that he will be more susceptible, it is just the way it is. The body will slightly alter its running style to protect damaged joints creating wear and tear where it shouldn't be and so increase risk of another, different injury, as well as the possibility of a weakness where previous injury occurred. So he would be off my list off targets if I was choosing.

We are not really looking for a combative midfielder, more of a pressing, high-energy player, such as Keita, who you rightly point out is not a lot like Kante really.}

9.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 15:01:11
Cheers for the replies Ed.

I'd like us to be looking for someone who can take Hendersons slightly deeper role, when he is injured or rested, but could also be used further up the pitch in the pressing, high energy capacity yoy have described.

The worst thing about all of this is that if I were looking around Europe for such a player I would only really find one that fits the bill.

Young, very fit, high energy, decent on the ball, lots of potential, experience in England.

And that is Emre Can. Which is a shame.

{Ed001's Note - I wouldn't even consider Can for the role personally, he has not got the right mentality and is far too forgetful of his defensive responsibilities. There are many who fit the bill far better, Allan of Napoli, Ndidi of Leicester off the top of my head.}

10.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 14:26:25
Doucoure is perfect and he will end up at spurs as the Long term replacement for Dembele. We are looking outside England. I wouldn’t mind Yuri Tielemans from Monaco, Kovacic from Real,

11.) 19 Feb 2018
19 Feb 2018 15:13:53
Fair enough mate. Cheers for the responses.

I'd like us to take a chance on Nampalys Mendy. He would likely be available quite cheap, and even if he doesn't kick on to become a great player he would be a solid squad player for many years to come.