I was thinking about what our squad could look like next season, and of course a lot could depend on what division we are in. Will we keep the likes of Jesus Navas and Ivan Rakitic about in La Liga? Would they stay to be experienced heads in a young rebuilt team in Segunda? We’ve got a fair few players who won’t stay if we go down, so who would stay do I think if the worst did happen…
Dmitrovic
Gattoni
Pedrosa
Sergio Ramos (genuinely think he would!)
Gudelj
Suso (point to prove?)
Joan Jordan (see above)
Rafa Mir
Ivan Rakitic
Lukebakio (unless we get silly offers)
Nyland
Nianzou
Jesus Navas
Sow (again unless we get silly offers)
Marcão (I think he owes us)
Juanlu (unless RM interest is firm)
Kike Salas
So that would leave potentially 8 spaces to fill, some probably with other youth players, and some with new signings after we sell off the others.
Obviously the above is without new signings, which I expect we will make once we sell the likes of Montiel, Ocampos, YEN, Lamela, Acuña, Oliver Torres and Bade and Soumare probably returns to Leicester.
Although having now looked Lamela and Oliver are out of contract anyway come the Summer.
There can not be a way in hell Rafa Mir stays, I just don’t see it. Unmanageable situation. This window he will be out already, or we failed miserably in providing am exit just like last window.
But he is wishing to leave for a while had offers from Milan, Valencia and probably more, you think if we demote that suddenly he is like ah well, at least I get to play at shit level and suddenly he likes it here.
You are right, he could, because he has a contract. But realistically I think he’s done, from his side and from our side. There has to be more behind it than just scoring goals.
You think they are just looking for adding a striker now, to fill the En-Nesyri gap? Maybe. But I think they look for permanent substitutes for both.
Holding onto Pedrosa, Sow and Lukebakio will be difficult too I imagine. Demoting hurts a ton, let’s not underestimate that.