Quote Originally Posted by WES View Post
It's hard to imagine who we could buy that would significantly upgrade the team without compromising the development of a very talented player like ESR or Vieira (who has looked much better the last two games).

Partey is 29 and injury prone and Jorginho is 30(?) so Rice would make a lot of sense. Maybe a RB, maybe a wide player but in each case they would have to be young enough to not expect first 11 football immediately.

Really unbelievable how quickly Edu/Arteta have built this team. I expect Barca have noticed.
Unless we sell I see no reason to actually buy anybody. I don't see where Rice fits in when we have Partey, Jorginho, Elneny and a few wonder kids that need game time in that position. Far more improtant for me is tying down Saliba and Saka to new contracts. Both are at least the best young players for their positions. I'd say they're a hell of a lot better than that. As far as I'm concerned only Vinicious Jr is close to Saka in World football on the flank. Both these players have at least 10 years at the top to play yet while still improving. That's scary potential. They simply must be signed long term at all costs.

Unfortunately Tierney could leave who would need replaced. Far too good not to be starting. Although I feel the Polish chap was already signed to cover that position in advance of Tierney leaving.

You have to feel a bit for young Eddie. Did a good job covering with Jesus out but now will struggle to make the bench. Trossard down the middle has completely unlocked Martineli. So him and Jesus are now first and second choice down the middle the way i see it. Martineli and Eddie in the same team was good but not at this current level. Too similar. Both are at their best attacking space. They're not really there to link it up. With Balogun putting down a serious marker in France, matching Mbappe stride for stride no less that's going to put real pressure on Eddie next season. One will have to leave you'd think. Ideally you'd get Balogun signed to a longer contract and then loaned to a prem team and see what he can do. You'd easily get £5m for a loan fee next year too. Balogun looks more versatile too. Would be a good dribbler on the flanks. A big risk selling him on when he could well explode into another World level talent. He's shown a glimpse of it already.