PUSB-We_are_going_up
Well-Known Member
Coming into January obviously we (the forum) want a CB and a CM definitely and if possible a RB and LB. This may be a bit early but I think its an interesting topic to discuss. When it comes to the summer and if we fail to go up, this is how the squad will shape up:
(Positions and contracts based on transfermarkt and age as of August 1st 2025)
GK:
Dovin - 23 (cont:2028)
Collins - 28 (cont:2026)
RB:
van Ewijk - 24 (cont:2027)
CB:
Thomas - 24 (cont:2027)
Kitching - 25 (cont:2027)
Latibeaudiere - 25 (cont:2027)
Binks - 23 (cont:2028)
LB:
Dasilva - 27 (cont:2027)
CDM:
Sheaf - 27 (cont:2026)
Eccles - 25 (cont:2028)
CM:
Rudoni - 24 (cont:2028)
Torp - 26 (cont:2028)
Andrews - 19 (cont:2026)
RW:
Sakamoto - 28 (cont:2026)
ST:
Simms - 24 (cont:2027)
Thomas-Asante - 25 (cont:2028)
Bassette - 20 (cont:2028)
LW:
Wright - 27 (cont:2027)
Mason-Clark - 25 (cont:2028)
Rapha - 21 (cont:2028)
This is depending on if no more contracts are renewed, so we’d be losing Allen, Wilson, Tavares, Bidwell, Tyler.
Say we sign a CB, CM and RB in January and dont sell anyone that would give us enough depth at GK, RB, CB, ST, LW.
I think we will end up losing Sheaf and Haji, Milan has been too patchy in form for a team in the PL to want him so I think we can get another year out of him. I think Thomas could attract suitors from the lower PL as on his day he can easily play at that level but off his day he can become a liability but he’s still young at 23 so mistakes will happen to him being inexperienced.
Say we get 25m for Haji which we should easily get if he continues his scoring form this year as 2 good seasons in this tier for a forward makes them worth mega money, and he’s a US international so we could probably squeeze out a bit more. And potentially 10m for Sheaf (out of contract end of 25/26 season so definitely wont be able to demand a higher fee especially as Hamer only went for 15m). Would leave us with 35m to spend again, and with the big wages as Haji is our top earner and Sheaf will be up there and obviously Wilson, Allen and Bidwell will be on good chunks of money.
So from this we need a LB, RB, CDM and a RW guaranteed to have 2 players per position (also reliant on Rapha coming good to operate as EMC’s backup on the left)
Therefore, I’d probably sign:
- Michal Sadílek (26) CDM from Twente (10m/free)*
- Tuur Rommens (22) LB from Westerlo (3.75m)
- Shuto Nakano (25) RB from Hiroshima (1.5m)
- Kayky (22) RW from Man City (5m/loan)**
*dependent on if he signs a new deal
**dependent on if City are willing to let him go
This would leave us with:
2xGK
2xRB
5xCB
2xLB
2xCDM
4xCM
2xRW
3xST
2xLW
(A squad of 25)
14.75m left in the bank
From there it would be 1 in 1 out no need for a massive rebuild I think FL is happy with the squad he has inherited. Players like BTA and Lati are good Utility players to have around and fill in a couple positions if we have injuries. Kai Andrews could have his big break next year but if not then potentially send him out on loan and we’d be left with 1 less CM which means less depth in midfield however I think we should have enough cover there.
If possible I’d probably look at selling Kitching, Collins and Dasilva and obviously replace following the 1in1out rule.
Rest of the funds will probably be used on bonuses, new contracts, agent fees and general maintenance.
This by no means is what will happen just an idealist approach from myself based on only signing a CB and CM in January (I chose Jimmy Dunne and Majeed Ashimeru in the other thread obviously wont be them but again idealist approach)
(Positions and contracts based on transfermarkt and age as of August 1st 2025)
GK:
Dovin - 23 (cont:2028)
Collins - 28 (cont:2026)
RB:
van Ewijk - 24 (cont:2027)
CB:
Thomas - 24 (cont:2027)
Kitching - 25 (cont:2027)
Latibeaudiere - 25 (cont:2027)
Binks - 23 (cont:2028)
LB:
Dasilva - 27 (cont:2027)
CDM:
Sheaf - 27 (cont:2026)
Eccles - 25 (cont:2028)
CM:
Rudoni - 24 (cont:2028)
Torp - 26 (cont:2028)
Andrews - 19 (cont:2026)
RW:
Sakamoto - 28 (cont:2026)
ST:
Simms - 24 (cont:2027)
Thomas-Asante - 25 (cont:2028)
Bassette - 20 (cont:2028)
LW:
Wright - 27 (cont:2027)
Mason-Clark - 25 (cont:2028)
Rapha - 21 (cont:2028)
This is depending on if no more contracts are renewed, so we’d be losing Allen, Wilson, Tavares, Bidwell, Tyler.
Say we sign a CB, CM and RB in January and dont sell anyone that would give us enough depth at GK, RB, CB, ST, LW.
I think we will end up losing Sheaf and Haji, Milan has been too patchy in form for a team in the PL to want him so I think we can get another year out of him. I think Thomas could attract suitors from the lower PL as on his day he can easily play at that level but off his day he can become a liability but he’s still young at 23 so mistakes will happen to him being inexperienced.
Say we get 25m for Haji which we should easily get if he continues his scoring form this year as 2 good seasons in this tier for a forward makes them worth mega money, and he’s a US international so we could probably squeeze out a bit more. And potentially 10m for Sheaf (out of contract end of 25/26 season so definitely wont be able to demand a higher fee especially as Hamer only went for 15m). Would leave us with 35m to spend again, and with the big wages as Haji is our top earner and Sheaf will be up there and obviously Wilson, Allen and Bidwell will be on good chunks of money.
So from this we need a LB, RB, CDM and a RW guaranteed to have 2 players per position (also reliant on Rapha coming good to operate as EMC’s backup on the left)
Therefore, I’d probably sign:
- Michal Sadílek (26) CDM from Twente (10m/free)*
- Tuur Rommens (22) LB from Westerlo (3.75m)
- Shuto Nakano (25) RB from Hiroshima (1.5m)
- Kayky (22) RW from Man City (5m/loan)**
*dependent on if he signs a new deal
**dependent on if City are willing to let him go
This would leave us with:
2xGK
2xRB
5xCB
2xLB
2xCDM
4xCM
2xRW
3xST
2xLW
(A squad of 25)
14.75m left in the bank
From there it would be 1 in 1 out no need for a massive rebuild I think FL is happy with the squad he has inherited. Players like BTA and Lati are good Utility players to have around and fill in a couple positions if we have injuries. Kai Andrews could have his big break next year but if not then potentially send him out on loan and we’d be left with 1 less CM which means less depth in midfield however I think we should have enough cover there.
If possible I’d probably look at selling Kitching, Collins and Dasilva and obviously replace following the 1in1out rule.
Rest of the funds will probably be used on bonuses, new contracts, agent fees and general maintenance.
This by no means is what will happen just an idealist approach from myself based on only signing a CB and CM in January (I chose Jimmy Dunne and Majeed Ashimeru in the other thread obviously wont be them but again idealist approach)