05 Jun 2026 13:10:52
Some of the players Iraola will probably be able to work with straight away in pre-season.
Goalkeepers:
Mamardashvili, Pecsi, Mrozek, Davies
Defenders:
Frimpong, Ramsay, Mabaya, Ndiaye, Ndukwe, Gomez, Jacquet, Leoni, Nallo, Kerkez, Beck, Chambers, Tsimikas
Midfielders:
Szoboszlai, Jones, Elliott, McConnell, Bajcetic, Nyoni, Koumas, Morrison
Forwards:
Chiesa, Wright, Abe, Rio, Gordon, Danns, Figueroa
Injured:
Jaros, Bradley, Ekitike
It's a pretty decent number of players. Might allay any fears people have about a delayed start. If we were to sign Wharton, you could add him to the list of midfielders as well, because he's not in the England squad. There's a chance Woodman might re-sign and be added as well.
Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Jacquet, Leoni, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Jones, Nyoni, Elliott, Chiesa and Rio in particular should all have their sights on catching Iraola's eye and earning regular minutes going into next season. That's a full starting eleven.
05 Jun 2026 15:36:12
Frimpong, Elliott and Chiesa simply aren't good enough, and Nyoni's not ready.
05 Jun 2026 15:55:34
Add Rio to your list too, Rome.
05 Jun 2026 16:09:53
Agree with you on Frimpong, Rome, but would be willing to give Elliot & Chiesa a chance.
05 Jun 2026 16:42:33
So Rome, do you not believe players can improve under a better coach?
I do, I'm not writing any of our players off under this new coach.
05 Jun 2026 16:46:43
MK,
At least 12 of those players probably won't be there to see pre-season. Definitely won't be there by the end of the window.
05 Jun 2026 16:51:14
Rome, Klopp said at the end of his final season that his biggest regret was not giving Elliott more game time. He's also still only 23. He may not have suited Slot's style, but Elliott is actually a number 10 who is best playing ahead of 2 DM's. Exactly how Iraola plays, and nobody can convince me that Kluivert is a better footballer than Elliott. I think Iraola joining gives Elliott a slim lifeline. Still only slim because Szoboszlai is also best as a 10, and Wirtz can cover there.
Frimpong looked very good when he had a license to go forward at speed. Chiesa has also looked best throughout his career in similar fast attacking sides. This is something Slot curbed, though, especially in his second season. It is a clean slate for players like this.
Nyoni and Rio, I just totally disagree. They are ready to play senior football and will not continue to develop if they're reduced to playing u21 football, which they're far too good for.
They should be getting more minutes off the bench next as part of their development.
Every single one of those players I listed has a fresh chance to fight for their place. The most exciting thing about a new manager for me, is how the squad will get re-assessed. I remember when Klopp came in and everybody thought Firmino was no good and we'd wasted £35m. Then Klopp built a whole system around him in the false 9. Mainoo looked like a bum under Amorim, then Carrick turned it around for him to such an extent he's now in the England squad and nominated for YPOTY.
I'm not saying these players will all of a sudden all come good, but many of them will get a chance to prove themselves in Iraola's first few weeks on the training ground. That is only a good thing and we certainly shouldn't totally write anyone off, from my experience of managerial changes.
05 Jun 2026 18:36:03
Some right negative blends on here despite Arne leaving.
05 Jun 2026 18:43:29
MK, I hope you're right and I'm wrong. Regards to Frimpong, I just think it was a mistake to buy him, which is obviously on Hughes. He's a wing-back in a side that doesn't play wing-backs. Regards to Chiesa, I just can't see it happening with us. Again, hope you're right. Regards to Elliott, prior to his injury he looked like he had a future with us.
Like it's been said on here, many times, I'm not sure what his best position is. As you say, he's got Wirtz and Szoboszlai ahead of him, and he certainly doesn't have the pace to play wide.
Ron, you are right regards to coaches being able to improve players. However, silk purse and sow's ears come to mind. Again, I hope you're right and I'm wrong.
05 Jun 2026 19:36:20
Chiesa is outta here, mate.
05 Jun 2026 19:52:01
I'd imagine Lucky will also be in that list, seeing as he made the bench a fair few times.