Clearly, Man City could field two teams that can effectively compete for the EPL and Cups…

Although, we were close to land the trophy this year, we still fell short and many people point out our limited depth in key areas. In 2022, we missed Saliba so much in the last run-in and this year, we missed some spark off the bench to turn some games around or to finish some games off…

So what are the key areas we need to strengthen?

• We will definitely need to replace Ramsdale at GK
• We will definitely need to add a CB to really challenge the Saliba-Gabriel pair
• Partey is a very good player when fully fit and with rhythm but he has not been fully fit or game ready for many games since he joined us from Spain. We will definitely need to bring in a solid CM/DM that can play 30 games for us easily.
• RN, ESR, Vieira have not been able to contribute to our team’s effectiveness this year so we will definitely need to invest in a FW that can play on the right side, as we cannot keep on over playing Saka.
• G. Jesus and E. Nketiah have not had a stellar season by any means and we may need to offload 1 this summer so we will need to bring in a FW that can play through the center as well.

We need to invest in very strong squad players so as to match City and to a certain extent Liverpool and even Chelsea, Utd and Villa…

So that is a minimum of 5 players: 1 starter (DM/CM), 4 squad players.

Back-Up GK: Sels? Casteels?

Squad CB: Branthwaithe, Scalvini, Tarkowsky, Singo,

Starting DM/CM: D. Luiz, B. Guimares, Palhinha, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Zubimendi, Y.Fofana, Zielinski, Cook, Goretzka, Sabitzer

Squad FWR: N. Williams, I. Williams, M. Olise, L. Bailey, J. Harrison, J. Bowen, Mbeumo, Neto

Squad FWC: Zirkzee, Wind, Sorloth, Guruzeta, Gudmundsson, Solanke, Ben Yedder

The lists are long and I am sure there are plenty of other players on the radar but here are the names that come through my mind for now…

So where do you think we need to strengthen and who should join us?

Who will most likely leave AFC:

• GK: Ramsdale will not stay another season as a Nr.2. Newcastle is interested…

• Defenders: Cedric will leave for sure. Tierney and Tavares touted to leave as well.

• Midfielder: El Neny has confirmed his departure. Lokonga will most likely leave as well. Two big question marks: ESR and Fabio Vieira and one smaller one: Partey.

• Forwards: Marquinhos will also continue his development elsewhere. Two big question marks around: Nelsson and Nketiah and a small question mark around: G. Jesus.

Concerning the big questions marks –

• I won’t mind seeing Vieira leave, even on loan same for Nelson
• I think we need some cash injection so I would reluctantly let Nketiah go
• I am keen to keep ESR

Concerning the small questions marks –

• I would keep Partey but not at all costs. If we receive a very good financial offer, we should let him go. Otherwise, he is a valued squad element so could be kept.
• Same feeling about G. Jesus.

Players that are not linked to an exit but I would not mind seeing them leave: Kiwior.

…Next week, I will put a post up about incoming players and players you would like to see join.

Well the season is nearly over and we are still with a fighting chance to land the elusive EPL title…It will be hard and we have to hope that West Hams: Areola, Mavro, Naguerd, Coufal, Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Kudus, Bowen and Antonio have an epic game to beat City or draw with them…However, chances are low and hope is slim…

So as the season is winding down, let us acknowledge that we had an overall good season, which saw us progress as a defensive and attacking unit OVERALL and that we competed very strongly with arguably the best team in EPL history, and at least of the last 5 years….Yet, we came up short in the Cups and the Champions’ League and we had a bit of a dip in form as well when we needed to be strong…BUT, overall a very good season, building on last year’s already visible progress.

So here are my awards:

Signing of the season: Declan RICE, our engine and key player in midfield. What a signing

Most improved player since last year: Ben WHITE, solid display throughout the season. Amongst the very vest RB in the EPL now.

Most improved player during this season: Kai HAVERTZ, a very difficult start with us and then 2024 started and he has been instrumental in our solidity and in our ability to score as well. What a turn around!

Unsung heroes of our team: Gabriel and Trossard. While Saliba is having another good season, Gabriel has been a rock at the back and Saliba could not have done as well without Gabriel next to him. Trossard has been a very good signing for us – he is cool, he is calm, he is lethal and he is very intelligence in his runs as well and a hard worker, his contributions have been massive this year.

Player of the year: Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice. Our captain has been playing consistantly at a high standard this year, creating chances and working hard for the team. Declan Rice has given the team a stability and a drive/edge that were not hear before…hard to choose, so I will give them both the POTY award.

Disappointments of the year:

• Zinchenko and G. Jesus. While they really elevated our game and level last year, they have had a slump in form. They are not starters anymore and worse, the club may even be considering selling them…
• Martinelli. After two very good seasons, we were all looking forward to a third accomplished season but he has lost his way a bit this year – he is playing with less confidence and is always looking rushed. He lost his starting spot to Trossard but I am sure he can get it back!
• ESR, Nelson, Nketiah – our academy graduates have not played a key part in our season, due to injuries and others. They may get playing time elsewhere but it will be hard to see them leave. I hope we keep ESR, at least.
• Vieira – no improvement whatsoever and hardly any contributions.
• Partey – back to the injury room and looking sluggish at time, in possession but also out of possession….shame because last year, he was great!

Reliable player of the year: Saliba and Saka. These two young players have played like senior players throughout the season. Saliba has improved as well but is still far from being a complete defender whereas Saka is just the full package now – great skills, decision-making and good physicality. He just needs to improve his game with his right foot, and also maybe work on his aerial game but overall, a what a player…

Coach of the year: Arteta and his whole staff, including set-piece and GK coach.

So that leaves us with the following team for next year:

Raya – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber? – Partey?, Rice – Saka, Ode, Trossard – Havertz

? – Tomyasu, ?, Kiwior, Zinchenko – Jorginho, Partey? – ?, ESR, Martinelli – ?

So we definitely another back-up GK (Sels?), a CB that can challenge Gabriel (Branthwaithe?), a DM that can challenge Partey (Douglas Luiz, Fofana?), a back-up to Saka (Olise?) and a back-up to Havertz in case Jesus leaves (Sorloth? Wind? Sesko?)…

Raya – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber – Douglas Luiz, Rice – Saka, Ode, Trossard – Havertz

Sels – Tomy, BRANTHWAITHE, Kiwior (:-(), Zinchenko – Jorginho, Partey – OLISE, ESR, Martinelli – SESKO

Sad but we will part ways with Ramsdale and maybe other fan favourites like Eddie and ESR…

David Moyes and Unai Emery have dented our hopes and dreams…Guardiola and his troops will win an unprecedented 4th consecutive title…well done to them, and let us learn from this season again…

We are not far away from winning the league but City is just a formidable machine…We need a fully fit Timber next year, a better DM (shielding/holding), a solid back-up to Saka and also a better FW/CF. I am also in favour of challenging Gabriel and having a back-up to Saliba too. We will also need to replace Ramsdale.

Raya – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber – ?, Rice – Saka, Ode, Trossard – Havertz

Recruit – Tomyasu, Recruit?, Kiwior, Zinchenko – Jorgi, Partey – Recruit, ESR, Martinelli – Recruit

Some names are emerging like

• GK: Sels, Snescesny, Bulka, Guaita
• CB: Branthwaithe, Van den Bergh, Buongiorcano
• DM: Douglas Luiz/Fofana
• FWR: Olise, N. Williams
• CF: Zirkzee, I. Williams

Raya – White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber – FOFANA, Rice – Saka, Ode, Trossard – Havertz

PiG – Tomy, Branthwaithe, Kiwior, Zinchenko – Jorgi, Partey – N.Williams, ESR, Martinelli – ZIRKZEE

And even then, we are still not as strong as Man City