Whilst there are various positions I'd like to see us strengthen in, I'm also aware of Bielsa's loyalty to his players and his preference for a small squad, so I expect that we won't see a lot of new signings. Obviously, Meslier and Harrison will be brought in permanently. I expect a new experienced GK will be brought in, to replace Casilla (maybe the mentioned Scott Harson
). If Douglas leaves for Rangers, where he's been linked, or wherever, then we might see a new LB; albeit with Dallas, Alioski, and Davis there, I think we're alright. I'd like a Phillips backup, but I expect faith will be put into the returning Forshaw. I'd also like a successor to Hernandez, but I expect we'll be content with Shackleton and Roberts for the time being. If Berardi leaves, then we'll obviously need a backup CB. Therefore, I'd say that the two key positions we need to strengthen are CB and CF.
4-1-4-1_____________________ 3-3-1-3___________________
-------------Meslier------------ -------------Meslier----------- S1: Casilla/NEW
---------NEW------Cooper (c)- ---Ayling---NEW---Cooper-- S2: Berardi/NEW
Ayling-------------------Alioski Shackleton-----------Alioski S3: Dallas
-------------Phillips------------ -----------Phillips------------- S4: Forshaw/McCalmont
---Shackleton-----Klich------ -------------Klich-------------- S5: Hernandez
Harrison------------------NEW Harrison-----------------NEW S6: Costa
--------------Bamford---------- -----------Bamford------------ S7: Roberts
NEW GK: Tim Krul, Asmir Begovic, ScottCarson
NEW CB (1): Ben White, Juan Foyth, Robin Koch
NEW CB (2): Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, James Chester, Kyriakos Papadopoulos
NEW LF: Robin Quaison, Denis Bouanga, Ollie Watkins
In terms of outgoings, I expect we'll see all those who were on loan leave permanently or on loan again: De Bock (already sealed move away), Shaughnessy, Grot, Balboa, Mujica, Temenuzkhov.
And possibly Barry Douglas too.
I'd also like to see a couple of the young players go out on loan. One of Struijk and Casey. One of Stevens, Gotts and Poveda. And Bogusz.