Technically we have a good number of defenders on the roster (albeit some injured) and only Holding is out long term. Other than Holding, we currently have 4 Sr CB (2-3 others that can cover there), 3 Sr RBs (1-2 others that can cover), 2 Sr LB (1-2 others that can cover). You could definitely argue that the quality is not there but honestly the numbers aren't bad as long as we don't have another long term injury or 2. There are rumors that we made an offer for Bailly, kicked the tires on Cahill and atleast inquired about 2-3 other versatile DF from France & Italy. My best guess is that the right deals to help rebuild the quality weren't there so we opted to hold off until summer.
Looking at the summer...
GK - gotta replace Cech and I don't think Martinez is gonna be the guy. Unless they opt to retain Ospina (highly doubt it) they will need atleast a capable backup if not someone to push Leno. My $0.02... I'd first try to sign a FA. If no good ones available, id look for young guys that can be had on the cheap. Between #2 & #3 you need atleast 1 HG.
CB - decisions to make. Think we need to building towards a 4 man back line. Sokratis can/should be retained. He is atleast a strong backup if he continues having little injuries. Kos has looked good but assuming he is open, we need to decide if we think he is good enough to stick around or if we should go ahead and cash out. If Holding comes back strong that helps. Mustafi should be sold and replaced. Mav is the wildcard. He is still young and hopefully gets some minutes the rest of the year. If he isn't gonna play much next season I'd like to see him on loan and see one of the other U21s get 4th/5th CB duty. In my mind we need 1-2 CBs in the summer.
LB - more decisions. Nacho still looks solid but he is no spring chicken. They picked up his option so he can't walk away this summer. My guess is we sell him to a Spanish club. Kola has some defensive deficiencies but i'd guess he is on the roster next season. That leaves us with replacing Nacho. Question is do we look for a starting caliber or do we go young and hope they can take the starting spot from Kola?
RB - Licht is a FA and Jenks is crap. Really need a solid backup for Bellerin. I'd be inclined to find someone that can play multiple positions (CB/RB or DM/RB) since Bellerin likely gets the majority of starts when healthy.
CM/DM - Would like to see us sign a starting caliber player and/or a true DM. I think we are gonna sell ElNeny and then stand pat until the following summer. Between Torreira, Xhaka, Duezy, AMN and Chambers (has been doing very well as a DM at Fulham) the rotation is gonna be too crowded without a bunch of sales/loans.
CAM/W - Ozil likely gets sold. Ramsey gone. Think there is a good chance that Miki is sold as well. That leaves us with Suarez (assuming we pick up the option), Iwobi, Nelson & Smith-Rowe. Bare minimum you need 1 starting quality player here. Maybe 2 if we opt to go back to Emery's 4-2-3-1 (id personally stick with a 4-2-2-2).
ST - Playing with 2 ST up top has been a positive for the offense. I'd like to see it continue. The problem, Welbeck will be gone and we only have 2 other Sr ST on the roster with one being 30 next season. Desperately need a younger guy that is good enough to rotate with PAE/Laca. Could also use Nelson in this role but it wouldn't hurt to also get another W capable of playing ST for versatility.
Recap...
Out (FA or probably should / likely will Sell) - 4 definite, 8 additional possible.
Cech
Martinez (possible)
Kos (possible)
Mustafi (possible)
Nacho (possible)
Licht
Jenks (possible)
ElNeny (possible)
Ramsey
Ozil (likely)
Miki (possible)
Welbeck
Not likely we end up with turnover of 12 players but everyone on that list is a very possible change in our roster next season.
Looking at the summer...
GK - gotta replace Cech and I don't think Martinez is gonna be the guy. Unless they opt to retain Ospina (highly doubt it) they will need atleast a capable backup if not someone to push Leno. My $0.02... I'd first try to sign a FA. If no good ones available, id look for young guys that can be had on the cheap. Between #2 & #3 you need atleast 1 HG.
CB - decisions to make. Think we need to building towards a 4 man back line. Sokratis can/should be retained. He is atleast a strong backup if he continues having little injuries. Kos has looked good but assuming he is open, we need to decide if we think he is good enough to stick around or if we should go ahead and cash out. If Holding comes back strong that helps. Mustafi should be sold and replaced. Mav is the wildcard. He is still young and hopefully gets some minutes the rest of the year. If he isn't gonna play much next season I'd like to see him on loan and see one of the other U21s get 4th/5th CB duty. In my mind we need 1-2 CBs in the summer.
LB - more decisions. Nacho still looks solid but he is no spring chicken. They picked up his option so he can't walk away this summer. My guess is we sell him to a Spanish club. Kola has some defensive deficiencies but i'd guess he is on the roster next season. That leaves us with replacing Nacho. Question is do we look for a starting caliber or do we go young and hope they can take the starting spot from Kola?
RB - Licht is a FA and Jenks is crap. Really need a solid backup for Bellerin. I'd be inclined to find someone that can play multiple positions (CB/RB or DM/RB) since Bellerin likely gets the majority of starts when healthy.
CM/DM - Would like to see us sign a starting caliber player and/or a true DM. I think we are gonna sell ElNeny and then stand pat until the following summer. Between Torreira, Xhaka, Duezy, AMN and Chambers (has been doing very well as a DM at Fulham) the rotation is gonna be too crowded without a bunch of sales/loans.
CAM/W - Ozil likely gets sold. Ramsey gone. Think there is a good chance that Miki is sold as well. That leaves us with Suarez (assuming we pick up the option), Iwobi, Nelson & Smith-Rowe. Bare minimum you need 1 starting quality player here. Maybe 2 if we opt to go back to Emery's 4-2-3-1 (id personally stick with a 4-2-2-2).
ST - Playing with 2 ST up top has been a positive for the offense. I'd like to see it continue. The problem, Welbeck will be gone and we only have 2 other Sr ST on the roster with one being 30 next season. Desperately need a younger guy that is good enough to rotate with PAE/Laca. Could also use Nelson in this role but it wouldn't hurt to also get another W capable of playing ST for versatility.
Recap...
Out (FA or probably should / likely will Sell) - 4 definite, 8 additional possible.
Cech
Martinez (possible)
Kos (possible)
Mustafi (possible)
Nacho (possible)
Licht
Jenks (possible)
ElNeny (possible)
Ramsey
Ozil (likely)
Miki (possible)
Welbeck
Not likely we end up with turnover of 12 players but everyone on that list is a very possible change in our roster next season.
