Country: Sweden
GK
With Leno seemingly wanting out it'd make sense to get someone in, but I don't really see the need of it. If it comes to it Maignan and Onana (pending ban lift) would be the frontrunners. Get Ryan in on a permanent as backup.
CB
We're defensively sound and are only in real need of a good right back and backup left back. Imo ideally we'd keep Luiz for a year while easing in Saliba and move on Holding and Chambers. Extend and loan Mavro and then have him and Saliba from 22/23 and onwards. With Holding's new contract it doesn't seem likely that he'll leave though and that's fine imo.
FB
Backup left back I think the most important thing is to get someone in with as little effort as possible. From that perspective I'm fine with Bertrand, even though he'll probably only come on a 3-4 years contract which isn't ideal. My first choice would be Buchanan though. Right back Hakimi is the dream I think, other candidates would be Zeki Celik, Baku, Mazraoui, Mukiele.
CM
For central midfield it comes down to how many games we'll play, but we should be able to go quality over quantity here. Ceballos, Guendouzi, AMN, Elneny all need to go imo. If we're not in any European competition I think getting one high quality player with at least some experience (upgrade on Xhaka) along with a prospect that have broken through senior football but at a lower level would be good. Alternatively we could go for two high quality players with a bit different profiles and then we could keep either Elneny or Xhaka. Loan out Willock a full year and assess after that. Azeez as fifth player and blood him during the campaign. Bissouma is the prime candidate and then I personally really like Sabitzer. Dasilva also in the mix if available.
AM/W
With attacking midfield and wings the biggest issue is the lack of output. Lack of goals and assists but also general chance creation and creativity. I actually believe that chance creation and creativity is very much a function of how we set up to play and would see much improvement if we're able to transition faster. Both in terms of defence to attack but also shifting play from one side to the other. Upgrading on Xhaka/Elneny/Ceballos, who are all a bit slow and cowardly, is key here. We're also too reliant on Saka and ESR beig the creative forces right now, imo. Not that they're not good enough but rather that they shouldn't have to carry that amount of pressure at their age. Ödegaard is not the solution and I'd look for a player like Grealish or Buendia, that's more "powerful" and can break through lines on their own while still being excellent on the pass. Pepe is in the mix but more as a goalscoring winger - something he has the potential to be, but still haven't showed, or been given room to show. Martinelli on loan to develop properly with plenty of game time. We're stuck with Willian and he's fine as a backup. Nelson needs a fresh start and it's best for everyone to part ways at this point.
CF
I'd extend Laca one year, or at least keep him and let him leave for free. He's been our best attacker this year and with his link up game we're much better off than with Auba (although this probably changes with faster transition and a Grealish/Buendia like playmaker). Having both Auba and Laca with Balogun or TJJ (the other loaned out) behind them takes away the pressure of getting someone in this year and also facilitates Martinelli's loan. Next year we'll rid ourselves of Laca as well as potentially Auba and can go big for one of the up and coming forwards in Europe (Daka, Vlahovic, Isak, Edouard, David etc). If Laca or Auba leaves this year I'd try for Depay on a free or even consider trying Pépé there. We should probably try to cash in on Nketiah this summer.
With Leno seemingly wanting out it'd make sense to get someone in, but I don't really see the need of it. If it comes to it Maignan and Onana (pending ban lift) would be the frontrunners. Get Ryan in on a permanent as backup.
CB
We're defensively sound and are only in real need of a good right back and backup left back. Imo ideally we'd keep Luiz for a year while easing in Saliba and move on Holding and Chambers. Extend and loan Mavro and then have him and Saliba from 22/23 and onwards. With Holding's new contract it doesn't seem likely that he'll leave though and that's fine imo.
FB
Backup left back I think the most important thing is to get someone in with as little effort as possible. From that perspective I'm fine with Bertrand, even though he'll probably only come on a 3-4 years contract which isn't ideal. My first choice would be Buchanan though. Right back Hakimi is the dream I think, other candidates would be Zeki Celik, Baku, Mazraoui, Mukiele.
CM
For central midfield it comes down to how many games we'll play, but we should be able to go quality over quantity here. Ceballos, Guendouzi, AMN, Elneny all need to go imo. If we're not in any European competition I think getting one high quality player with at least some experience (upgrade on Xhaka) along with a prospect that have broken through senior football but at a lower level would be good. Alternatively we could go for two high quality players with a bit different profiles and then we could keep either Elneny or Xhaka. Loan out Willock a full year and assess after that. Azeez as fifth player and blood him during the campaign. Bissouma is the prime candidate and then I personally really like Sabitzer. Dasilva also in the mix if available.
AM/W
With attacking midfield and wings the biggest issue is the lack of output. Lack of goals and assists but also general chance creation and creativity. I actually believe that chance creation and creativity is very much a function of how we set up to play and would see much improvement if we're able to transition faster. Both in terms of defence to attack but also shifting play from one side to the other. Upgrading on Xhaka/Elneny/Ceballos, who are all a bit slow and cowardly, is key here. We're also too reliant on Saka and ESR beig the creative forces right now, imo. Not that they're not good enough but rather that they shouldn't have to carry that amount of pressure at their age. Ödegaard is not the solution and I'd look for a player like Grealish or Buendia, that's more "powerful" and can break through lines on their own while still being excellent on the pass. Pepe is in the mix but more as a goalscoring winger - something he has the potential to be, but still haven't showed, or been given room to show. Martinelli on loan to develop properly with plenty of game time. We're stuck with Willian and he's fine as a backup. Nelson needs a fresh start and it's best for everyone to part ways at this point.
CF
I'd extend Laca one year, or at least keep him and let him leave for free. He's been our best attacker this year and with his link up game we're much better off than with Auba (although this probably changes with faster transition and a Grealish/Buendia like playmaker). Having both Auba and Laca with Balogun or TJJ (the other loaned out) behind them takes away the pressure of getting someone in this year and also facilitates Martinelli's loan. Next year we'll rid ourselves of Laca as well as potentially Auba and can go big for one of the up and coming forwards in Europe (Daka, Vlahovic, Isak, Edouard, David etc). If Laca or Auba leaves this year I'd try for Depay on a free or even consider trying Pépé there. We should probably try to cash in on Nketiah this summer.