My plan to build our team to take the league in the next two years is two-fold based on each year we build. The first year will focus on bringing high potential younger players to build our base. The current team is pretty good but needs some work to go the extra mile, the players I'm bringing in will focus on development and teamwork in the first year to reach title winning potential by year two. Year two will focus on filling any other gaps with some veteran players, they may or may not start but will undoubtedly add value to the team.
Year One
Now is the time to get the most out of our older players and trim some of the low potential players from our squad. My plan is to play a 4-2-1-3 and I want to have at least two players for each position.
GK - M. Stekelenburg - £1.8m: His value isn't rising and, with Robles and Pickford ahead of him in depth, it makes sense for both the team and player to move him on.
CB - A. Williams - £7.2m: He's a good player and I would have kept him if I needed more depth in defence. It was between him and Jagielka and since he has the higher sell value, we're going to move him.
RB - C. Martina - £1.8m: I don't really rate him and believe there are better options out there at RB that can really challenge Coleman for his spot.
CM - G. Barry - £1.35m: Barry has been a great player in the past, but we need to move him to focus on the future. At this stage in his career, I'd endorse him for a youth squad management role if he were to retire.
CM - I. Gueye - £16.2m: We're brging in a couple of players who would likely be ahead of him in depth, at his value it makes sense to move him now rather than hold on.
LW - Y. Bolasie - £18m: He's a good player, but we're looking to the future and I have a plan to heavily upgrade his position in the next two years.
RW - K. Mirallas - £11.7m: At this point in his career it's time to move him, he's not going to get more valuable and will likely sit on the bench with the other players we bring in.
CF - W. Rooney - £13.5m: As much as I love Rooney he is on the downside of his career. If I needed extra depth at CF I would keep him, but I don't.
CF - O. Niasse - £8.1m: Along the same lines as others listed above, it's time to sell now before his value drops any more.
CF - D. Calvert-Lewin - £3.15m: I really don't rate him that highly and think we'll have much better options going forward.
Total Transfer Budget: £82.8m + £50m = £132.8
LB - B. Mendy - £11.7m: He's young with plenty of upside. He will really challenge Baines in year one and likely take the starting spot quickly, undoubtedly becoming starter in year two.
RB - A. Conti - £9m: A major upgrade compared to Martina and, like Mendy, will likely displace our current starter, Coleman, very early on.
DM - E. Dier - £22.5m: An amazing player, he will provide great cover for our defence and can work well in either a pivot role or a midfield partnership with Schneiderlin.
CM - A. Rabiot - £16.2m: Rabiot has plenty of upside, he has played in a title winning side as well as gaining experience in the Champions League. At 22 years old, he has plenty of room to grow.
LW - A. Ljajic - £9.9m: Another player with plenty of promise, Ljajic would step in as our starting LW ahead of Lookman. He's been rated as a top 10 forward in Serie A by Squawka and, due to his time at Torino, has good chemistry with Belotti, who will be joining us at CF.
RW - N. Redmond - £13.5m: Redmond has been a bright star for smaller teams and despite his young age already has a reputation in the leage as a player who can create and score. He will prove stiff competition for the other RW we're bringing in, Suso.
RW - Suso - £13.5m: It will be tough to choose who will start at RW with as much quality and upside that Redmond and Suso both bring with them. Last season Suso created 62 chances, scoring 6 goals, in 34 appearances with Milan and he's only improving.
CF - Belotti - £27m: Belotti has been one of the most coveted striking prospects across Europe. His 26 goals in 35 appearances for Tornio shows the amount of talent he brings with him. As noted, his history with Ljajic will definitely help us in year one.
Total Spend: £123.3m
Total Remaining: £132.8m - £123.3m = £9.5m
As noted, I intend to play a 4-2-1-3 which could also transition to a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 depending on situation and player form. Here is how the squad will look:
GK: Pickford / Robles
LB: Baines / Mendy / Garbutt
CB: Keane / Holgate
CB: Funes Mori / Jagielka
RB: Coleman / Conti
CM: Schneiderlin / Rabiot / Besic
CM: Dier / McCarthy / Davies
AM: Barkley / Klaassen
LW: Ljajic / Lookman
RW: Suso / Redmond
CF: Belotti / Ramirez
This squad has a lot of potential and could put in a good fight for the top 4 right off the bat. However, I think this season will be big in getting the younger players out there and into a rhythm as a team and that should be our focus. The last two champions didn't fight for Europe and I think that was a major factor in winning the league, but won't be upset if we do go for a run.
Year Two
Now that our foundation is built it's time to bring in a few world class players to bring the team across the line in terms of winning the league. The key part to this transfer window is to not disrupt what we built last season.
CB - L. Garbutt - £990k: We're moving him on to make room for Thiago Silva in the squad, he could get more time elsewhere.
CM - T. Davies - £9.36m: Time to move him on to bring Ake in, we have plenty of depth at CM but could use more at CB.
CM - M. Besic - £4.95m: Drinkwater makes a better choice for depth at his position.
CM - J. McCarthy - £14.85m: This was a tough choice, but I was looking to bring in proven winners to the squad and David Silva fits the bill as an upgrade.
AM - D. Klaassen - £17.82m: Two words: Cristiano Ronaldo
Total Transfer Budget: £47.97m + £59.5 = £107.47m
CB - Nathan Ake - £9.36m: One of the most promising defenders in the league, Ake is booming with potential and is part of the future of our defence. The added bonus is his versatility, able to play in the middle or as a fullback, a wing back, or defensive midfielder.
CB - Thiago Silva - £7.56m: Despite his age, he is still one of the best defenders in the world. He would make a world of difference both on and off the pitch, his experience and teamwork can really help bring both Keane and Funes Mori to the next level.
CM - Danny Drinkwater - £5.67m: A veteran Premier League winner, Drinkwater will be a great choice off the bench to keep our midfield fit.
AM - David Silva - £18.9m: A better option at attacking midfield compared to Klaassen. Not only does he have loads of quality, but he will really push Barkley to bring his best form to the team to keep playing weekly.
LW - Cristiano Ronaldo - £63m: Our marquee signing across these two seasons he will slot right into our side and be the difference maker between fighting for Europe and winning the League. His leadership will be paramount this season, his play with the quality players on our team will make the difference and bring us the Premiership.
Total Spend: £104.49m
Total Remaining: £106.12m - £107.47m = £2.98m
My plan is to roll the remaining over into next season to add to our allotted spend and bring in more youth players with potential.
This year we're going to take the league head on. We have skill, a good mix of high potential youth and title winning veterans, depth, and a year building the foundation toward this. Time to become the champions!!
GK: Pickford / Robles
LB: Mendy / Baines
CB: Keane / Ake / Holgate
CB: T. Silva / Funes Mori / Jagielka
RB: Conti / Coleman
CM: Schneiderlin / Rabiot
CM: Dier / Drinkwater
AM: Barkley / D. Silva
LW: C. Ronaldo / Ljajic / Lookman
RW: Suso / Redmond
CF: Belotti / Ramirez
Keeping with the same formation as last year, we'll be running the 4-2-1-3 that can transition to a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1. This year's addition will help us go that extra mile and win the league. I also like the versatility in the squad, the two prime examples being Ronaldo able to play across the front three and Ake being able to play along the back line. We have plenty of depth at each position and a good mix of world class veterans, up and coming stars, and high potential youth. Look out Premier League, Everton are here!