29 Jun 2026 23:04:57
We will rotate a lot next season. I wouldn’t get too hung up on who starts where or when. We need about 8-10 forwards/attackers to rotate for the 4 positions Iraola typically plays with; CF, LM, AM, RM.
We currently have Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Munoz, Gakpo, Chiesa, Frimpong, Elliott, Koumas, Danns, Rio, Morrison and Wright. We’re not short on numbers but I think a lot of those players will leave and some lack ability or availability. 14 players for 4 positions is where we’re at right now though, so some thinning out is required.
Isak - can play CF, injury prone.
Ekitike - can play AM or CF, badly injured.
Wirtz - can play LM or AM.
Szoboszlai - can play AM or RM.
Munoz - can play LM or CF.
Gakpo - can play LM or CF.
Chiesa - can play all 4 positions, injury prone.
Frimpong - can cover RM.
Elliott - can play AM or RM.
Koumas - can play all 4 positions.
Danns - can play CF, injury prone.
Rio - can play LM or RM.
Morrison - can play AM or RM.
Wright - can play CF.
I personally think we’ll end with something along the lines of Isak, Barcola, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Munoz, Ekitike, Elliott, Rio, Frimpong and Morrison.
10 players to rotate for 4 positions. There will be a lot of strain on the attacking department to press hard so they will all need to be managed across the 4 competitions. 10 players is even more necessary as Ekitike probably won’t be starting any games until at least January/February in my opinion, and Isak has to be carefully managed.
Wright needs another year with the U21’s in my view. Gakpo, Koumas, Chiesa and Danns will probably leave (sale/loan).
Barcola, Isak, Wirtz and Szoboszlai I’d see as the 4 main starters but as I said at the top, the likes of Rio, Elliott, Munoz, Frimpong and Morrison will be getting plenty of minutes in my opinion to keep legs fresh (Ekitike also when he eventually returns). We do have to ensure a pathway for the likes of Rio, Morrison and Munoz though. They might not be ready to start every week, but they’ll never progress if we bury them down the pecking order. Elliott and Frimpong I just see as good squad options who are positive influences on the dressing room.
29 Jun 2026 23:27:38
Barcola plays for PSG. Hopefully he stays there.
30 Jun 2026 01:40:56
Couldn't have said it better. We don't need a Barcola or 100m winger at all.
We need a midfielder.
We have Macca, Gravy and Jones only, with a few kids. Jones might go, and hence we need a destroyer that can free Gravy.
30 Jun 2026 04:13:21
I disagree, Harry, I think we do need a RW. I'm just not sure if Barcola is the answer or not. After that, I think RB would be the next priority for me, followed by CDM.
We definitely need a hardman in midfield. We were extremely soft last season, and teams cut through us with so much ease. Not sure who is out there that can solve this issue for us, but someone who sits and focuses on breaking up play is much needed for us.
We only have Endo who can do that for us, and while I like him, I don't think he is the answer.
Grav doesn't need freeing imo. He is abysmal when he gets forward and is best when he sits in front of the defence. Not a hardman by any means, but he has shown that his best position is at CDM as well.
30 Jun 2026 04:33:23
We are crying for Lamine Camara-type player. I stand by what I said, I don't think rw or attackers are the issue. Buy any you like. But first solve the bigger problem.
29 Jun 2026 23:36:21
Areola, troll someone else please kiddo. A quick check shows you created an account tonight and in your 4 posts so far, 3 of them are slating Barcola and the other is slating Hughes because we're interested in Barcola. You've got School in the morning, go to bed.
30 Jun 2026 06:31:25
For me, MK Scouser, I would use Szob as an 8. He has the engine for it. I would sign a midfielder who is able to play as a 6 or 8.
I think we do need another winger, Barcola has a lot of quality and can play all across the front 3, which is what we need for the rotation.
We need pace, movement up top to get the best out of Wirtz and to help with pressing.
I would also sign a RB, ideally one who can also play cb in case Jacquet and Leoni are struggling to bed in.
30 Jun 2026 06:38:21
Todd, Szoboszlai can definitely do an 8 role, but Iraola typically hasn't played with one. He's used two no.6s and a no.10 ahead of them. I'd much rather see Dom in the attacking quartet than shackled in a deeper role.
Agree, Re the right back situation. We definitely need to sign one.
30 Jun 2026 06:41:00
Harry, I actually agree about Lamine Camara. I'd be going all out to sign him.
I do disagree about a winger though. Replacing Salah's presence and goals in the final 3rd is vital and I think we need a direct and fast winger. Barcola is perfect for us in my opinion. I also don't think he'll cost £100m.
30 Jun 2026 07:44:56
I don't think we'll see ten players rotating for those four positions. And I don't think we'll see much of some of those names mentioned.
I don't know much about Iraola though.
30 Jun 2026 09:33:36
Sangare rather than Camara? More a 6 for me. But, I'd be looking at higher quality and, hopefully, Prem proven.
30 Jun 2026 09:55:27
Camara is the boss.
I think Salah goals will be replaced by Isak. And both Wirtz and Szobo can ship 10 goals each easy.
I don't mind a winger, MK, but a destroyer in midfield first, then everything else.
We have sort of displayed our cards with Diamonde so we won't be getting Barcola cheap. And PSG don't have any money problems, they can have Barcola sit.
Also, we are just not the right fit for Barcola at the monent - no Frenchmen, bad weather, new coach and bad taxation.
Not to mention all London clubs will be all over him. It will be very hard to get him unless the desire comes from the player himself, of which there is very little.
30 Jun 2026 10:16:42
MK Scouser, if there is a midfielder I would sign right now (even tho, WC fever is not my thing), it would be Chris Inua from the Cote d'Ivoire national team at the WC. Absolutely awesome player.
Now, as for Szobo, the 8 is his role and where he thrives the most. Doni may not play with one, but that doesn't mean he can't.
Managers are free to evolve their system depending on the players they have.
Klopp did it when he arrived here from Dortmund and completely ditched his Dortmund system and created a system, based on the players we had and the rest is history.