06 May 2014 21:59:48
Our success this year has been built on quality, young English players and I think it's fair to say that our expensive foreign imports have not been as successful (with the obvious exception of Lovren and I think Wanyama will prove to be a great signing too).
So with this in mind, my wish list for the summer is as follows.
GK - Ruddy from Norwich or Marshall from Cardiff. However, a cheaper option would be Schmeichel on a free. Although not English, he is very familiar with our game an a class act.
CB - Caulker is the obvious choice. However. This is poch's specialty and no doubt he will strengthen this area. Hopefully with another Lovren!
Mid - an area that doesn't require a great deal if strengthening. I hope that we try for Will Hughes of Derby. Probably one of the most exciting prospects outside of Staplewood and although there will be competition for him. We could offer regular games and a proven track record of developing youth more effectively than most in the league.
Striker - Danny Ings and/or Patrick Bamford. Both prolific, both U21 and both attainable for reasonable money.
You raise a fair point, but I think it would be more realistic to expect the club to rely on its own British youth than have to bring someone in for an inflated price going forward. Ings is a prime example, unless he has a release clause in his contract, Burnley will try very hard to keep hold of him for their own campaign and will only sell for a above value figure I would think.
I think there may be some bargains to be had on the continent this summer and no doubt Poch and Les Reed will already have transfer targets in mind.
Really agree with you there Chilt saint. I really like Ruddy for gk. With Norwich down it won't take much. CB, quite correct in thinking Caulker would be good but also we know MP can get a gem from Europe. Midfield, I think we need more creativity and goal scoring threat. Perhaps Will Hughes would be the answer. Striker, I think most would be happy to see Danny Ings wearing his home clubs colours, although it may cost a lot I think. All in all, they're not really exciting signings, but will certainly greatly improve our strength in depth and they're young British lads. I hope some other youngsters will be pushing next season so probably don't want anything but proven quality to add.
I agree on GK as both Ruddy and Marshal would be quality additions, personally also like Fraser Forster, as for CB one rumour about Mateo Musachio really excited me as he's as good as Lovren and young too, but agree Caulker would be good if we can get him playing better than this season, in midfield I think we need more options out wide, as with J Rod injured we lack pace, I think we have a lot of young players coming through who can play there, I think Ings is the right type of player as he could play in a simular role to J Rod as well as up top on his own, though I can't see him leaving Burnley, Bamford suggested a few weeks back as he seems quality, but think another season in the championship would do him good, Jordan Rhodes anyone? Scores all the time for Blackburn, also with your point about Foreign player I agree but think that it's more finding players that are familiar with the league so don't take to long to adapt, the Italian league is very different to the Prem, but after a year Gaston is showing good signs of improvement so I think he'll be good next year too
{Ed001's Note - to be honest, most of the two squads could be the next up and coming star. Rowe, Isgrove, Targett, Sinclair are the ones that look closest off the top of my head. A lot depends on where gaps appear in the team for them to get a chance though.}