Add a little clarification on the ST comments...
I would ideally sign one of Eddie/Jesus.
If Eddie re-signs... I wouldn't turn Jesus away but I would tap the breaks and look at a bigger/stronger option first. Thinking someone like Schick, Abraham, Weghorst or Morata. Most are over last summer's age profile but would bring something different than Eddie without necessarily blocking opportunities for him. Schick or Tammy would be signed as starters that may limit Eddie a bit. Weghorts or Morata would be options that Eddie could overtake if he steps up his game. This option (keep Eddie and buy a big #1) is my least favorite because the number of available high end big guys is limited and of the guys I listed above I think only Abraham would be a really good fit. Unfortunately Tammy would cost a good bit. Mourinho supposedly stating that he will not sanction a move unless someone pays the 80m buyback that Chelsea has in the deal.
If Eddie leaves... I would then do what I could to sign Jesus as the #1 and replace Eddie with someone young that is big, strong and ideally mobile. I'm thinking guys like Adam Hlozek, Sasa Kalajdzic, Breel Embolo, Armando Broja, Mohamed Bayo or Hugo Ekitike. This option would be my pick. It overall costs more because we have to buy 2 guys but it allows you to bring in a proven EPL ST that can shift to W if needed as well as a young target man with lots of upside. Of the guys above, Embolo is the real outlier. He isn't as young and has less upside but he fits the big, mobile forward with solid holdup play. The others all bring something (other than height) that provides a different look than Jesus and have potential to develop into our own Vlahovic.
I would ideally sign one of Eddie/Jesus.
If Eddie re-signs... I wouldn't turn Jesus away but I would tap the breaks and look at a bigger/stronger option first. Thinking someone like Schick, Abraham, Weghorst or Morata. Most are over last summer's age profile but would bring something different than Eddie without necessarily blocking opportunities for him. Schick or Tammy would be signed as starters that may limit Eddie a bit. Weghorts or Morata would be options that Eddie could overtake if he steps up his game. This option (keep Eddie and buy a big #1) is my least favorite because the number of available high end big guys is limited and of the guys I listed above I think only Abraham would be a really good fit. Unfortunately Tammy would cost a good bit. Mourinho supposedly stating that he will not sanction a move unless someone pays the 80m buyback that Chelsea has in the deal.
If Eddie leaves... I would then do what I could to sign Jesus as the #1 and replace Eddie with someone young that is big, strong and ideally mobile. I'm thinking guys like Adam Hlozek, Sasa Kalajdzic, Breel Embolo, Armando Broja, Mohamed Bayo or Hugo Ekitike. This option would be my pick. It overall costs more because we have to buy 2 guys but it allows you to bring in a proven EPL ST that can shift to W if needed as well as a young target man with lots of upside. Of the guys above, Embolo is the real outlier. He isn't as young and has less upside but he fits the big, mobile forward with solid holdup play. The others all bring something (other than height) that provides a different look than Jesus and have potential to develop into our own Vlahovic.
