18 Mar 2026 09:04:18
A question for the Ed's and posters.
If Alonso were to come in next season, how would you feel if he was to bring Xhaka into the club on say a two year deal from Sunderland? He played 50 games for him at Leverkusen, winning the double.
Or do you think we already have a player that can do a job like that and has enough experience (I personally don't).?
Also if not Xhaka who could we bring in to be that experience in the middle of the park that Alonso might like?
Can't actually think of any myself at the moment.
Cheers guys have a nice day Ynwa.
18 Mar 2026 09:14:59
I get what you're saying, and see how he could do a job. But I really think it has to be someone on the up that can make the position their own for years.
The team needs stability in most positions, but also new blood.
There has to be good up-and-coming players about that we can get to make this team gel and start getting the feel-good factor back.
18 Mar 2026 09:58:19
I can see the benefit of Xhaka, and it's always good for a new manager to have someone they can rely on in a key position. Also, for a chap in his mid-30s, he's actually been OK for injuries in the last few years (just one ankle injury this season that kept him out for 5 games).
However, he's under contract until 2028, and I wouldn't want to put much, if any, of the budget on a 35-year-old player.
Personally, I'd go for Wharton or Andersen, or one of the young European midfielders we have been linked with.
With Gravy, Dom (in his proper position), Jones, and Wirtz being the main options in midfield, with players like Nyoni and possibly Elliot as backup, I would be more comfortable having a younger, less league-ready but bright prospect player brought in.
Controversial, but I would also offer Robbo a 1 or 2 year deal to extend, if he was happy sharing the duties with Kerkez. As Kerkez settles in more with the new manager, I can see Robbo having less game time, so if he is happy with that, I would love to keep him. He has shown flashes of the Robbo of old this season, but he can't do it 3 times a week. However, I think he would prefer to play more often, and Celtic may be the location for him on a free.
18 Mar 2026 10:08:12
I like the idea of a Gary Mac-type midfielder. Grav and Slob are good players, but they haven't got that discipline that the Hendos of this world have yet.
18 Mar 2026 10:12:29
I think you begin in the total faith that comes with a new beginning.
If he wants to bring in someone (anyone) who he believes in, so be it. Can you have a new manager bring in a team of 'potentials' when he may not be there long enough to see them develop?
Change comes over time, not overnight.
18 Mar 2026 10:12:34
I'm a bit boring, and would trust the manager, lol, but I do think we need a balance of proven Premier League players. Guys who can lead the group with their professionalism.
18 Mar 2026 10:21:35
The midfield is a real conundrum at the moment. And I think part of that is down to the signing and recent extension of Ryan Gravenberch, and part of that is building around Florian Wirtz.
It looks like Elliott Anderson is a dead cert to go to City, so we can scratch that one off the list. And it seems United will get Baleba after chasing him for a year.
We are being strongly linked with Wharton, and seem to be clear favourites to sign him. If we do that, I would still argue we are missing a defensive midfielder (unless you count Endo and McConnell). Wharton is not going to make recovery runs or be able to help fullbacks defend the channels. He's a deep lying playmaker.
So if we sign Wharton, for me, you would need to rely on one of Gravy or Szobo to be the defensive minded mid, with Wirtz then free to do his magic.
As ridiculous as it sounds, to make the most of Florian Wirtz in a midfield 3, you might need both Wharton/Stiller and a Bouaddi/Baleba/Agoume/Anderson/Mandela Keita type as a two.
I like Lamine Camara, and I think he could potentially do a job alongside a Wharton, Gravy or Szobo in a two, but I am not sure that is the best use of him as he's not a specialist DM either.
As I said, a real conundrum, as Gravy and Szobo are really 8s and Wirtz is a 10. And if it is Wharton, then he's not a DM but a DLP.
Perhaps we try to solve this conundrum with a new right back that can invert into midfield!
18 Mar 2026 10:24:51
Get the point the OP made on Shaka, but gotta aim higher, surely.
18 Mar 2026 11:11:42
I still am of the opinion that Grav is not an 8. He played the best football of his life as a 6 and he got his move to Bayern playing as a 6 in a role that was almost exactly what he does for Liverpool, dropping into the back line and then beating the press, turning and carrying through the lines or passing it quickly to their two 8s or advanced full backs.
Maybe '6' is not the best term for what exactly he does, but he has always functioned best as either a single pivot (the deepest midfielder) or a double pivot with a passer next to him.
18 Mar 2026 11:13:50
Coulred, for me it's about the team, not individual players. So, if a 35yo midfielder is what our new manager thinks will make the team play better as a unit, I can understand that.
FPF, do you not think that Gravy, back in his role from 24-25, is that DM? Anderson is a bit more defensive than Wharton, but if it's Gravy sitting behind, as he did so well last season, and we have 2 intelligent CBs - VVD and 1 of the new ones, whether Leoni or Jacquet or someone new, not Konate! - then I think that could work very well.
18 Mar 2026 11:28:52
PB, you just beat me to it. If indeed Wharton does come, then he and Gravy as a double pivot, or he in front of Gravy, would be a great pairing. We then have the options of Szob or Wirtz in front, and alternatives like Jones or Endo to provide rotation, with academy players providing further depth - Nyoni already has some minutes, as does McConnell, and there's also Bradshaw, who is making a name for himself.
Although I mentioned Elliot in my last post, sadly, I think time is up for him. Hopefully, he can help the Diomande deal, as I know Leipzig were after him last summer.
18 Mar 2026 11:43:02
Go for Sadiki, he's the type we need in the midfield. Wharton is a great player, but he needs someone like Sadiki next to him.
18 Mar 2026 11:43:06
PB, Zed, I am on the fence about Gravy. I fear he is just too nice to be a defensive midfielder. More mentality than ability or physical capacity. The 6 should be the one who rolls their sleeves up and gets stuck in when things are going badly. Instead, Gravy drops into the CB line and hopes for the best.
18 Mar 2026 11:43:49
Zed, it wouldn't surprise me to see Grimaldo arrive if Xabi got the job.
18 Mar 2026 11:50:49
I'd love us to sign both Elliot and Wharton, but I doubt we can get both. Would at least like us to rival City for him, though.
18 Mar 2026 11:52:51
I'd make a big move for someone like Baleba, to be honest, and partner them with Grav in the middle.
18 Mar 2026 12:09:34
If Xabi thinks he can do a job for us, then I don't see why not. Xhaka has improved massively since he left Arsenal, so I wouldn't be against it.
18 Mar 2026 12:55:12
Grav's best position is sitting in front of the defenders. When Klopp had him, he looked like he was one of the players we would sell. Then Slot found his position by chance, because we never got Zubimendi (spelling), and he excelled.
Now, for some reason only known to Slot and his team, he is played further forward and looks exactly the same player under Klopp. He needs to be sitting like last year to be useful.
18 Mar 2026 13:08:04
Stromsgodset, if you watch the last 10 games of Gravy, you will see that when we are in an off-the-ball state he drops back into the CB line between Virg and Konate. This is not helpful, nor where a DM should be.
18 Mar 2026 13:31:14
FPL: I've not really noticed that, but that is not the position I'm on about. He should be sitting in front of the CBs, protecting them, not playing alongside them, like he did last season.