Speculative thread for 2022/23 squad

We’ve all heard the rumours of free signings in coming months of Mbappe, Rudiger and possibly Pogba, plus we know at least Bale, Isco, Marcelo will depart.

Here’s how i believe squad will be.

Portero - for sure Courtois. Lunin likely as the reserve (Although he will need to play well in copa games to determine how ready he is or will club be better served to loan him out again for more experience and sign a more experienced backup.

RB - Carvajal, but they need to sign a competent backup. I would suggest Azpilicueta, but recent speculation is that he will resign with Chelsea, plus Barca are after him! Lucas will likely remain on squad, particularly since he signed a new contract last summer, but IMO only a emergency replacement for several positions. Any ideas of who they could go after?

CBs- rumours are hot that Rudiger is coming meaning there will be three very capable CBs. How do they solve that dilemma! Likely by playing Alaba as LB plus means good coverage in event of injuries. Nacho remains as a reliable backup. Vallejo gone!

LB - sounds like Alaba, backed up with Mendy. Nacho can also backup this spot. Marcelo gone.

Midfield - all of Modric, Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde and Camavinga return. Definitely need rotations here, particularly with Modric. The other two have established themselves as competent. If Pogba does come, the midfield squad is set. Isco gone!

Forwards - Benzema, Vinicius and Mbappe. That’s as good as it gets, although they have to manage Benzema’s minutes with his age. Backups will be Jovic, Asensio and Rodrygo, plus Lucas in emergencies. Bale, Hazard, Mariano gone.

Don’t think they will go after Haaland once Mbappe is confirmed. I think he goes to City, however today there is tak he may stay at Dortmund for another year! This is nothing but speculation, but perhaps he really does like Madrid (the choice was narrowed down to just RMad, City and Barca and Barca can’t afford him for next season). That would pave way for Benz retiring and Haaland coming in for 2023!

I don’t think any of the loanees return.

This makes a squad list of 22, leaving room for a couple of Castilla players if desired!

The rumours of Rudiger are hot. Don’t think this all on Rudiger side! We will know in next month re both Mbappe and Rudiger. (Actually re Mbappe, i hope they don’t announce until week of Feb 7th!)

With all the dead weight departing, plus the remaining top earners are nearing retirement, our wage structure is wide open for new signings, with Mbappe likely to be at top of ladder.

I don’t foresee that as an issue except Pogba. He quite frankly isn’t worth his current salary yet alone where it would be in comparison to other midfielders yet alone if his demand exceeds the starting forwards. If I had a vote on him, I’d say no. Question then, who will be the 6th midfielder, Alaba or a new signing?

As to Haaland, I don’t believe he will come this summer because of Mbappe and Benz. But year after as earlier speculated, as long as salary demand is lower than Mbappe, no issue.

Perucho21 wrote:The only way I see mendy being droppped is that if his allegations against him hold any water so that will remain to be seen, but until then Mendy LB Alaba LCB and Rudiger back up and thats it if Rudiger doesn't like that then its not like we're missing out a top player

What allegations? They have already said misidentification (to actually 2 Mendys) for the one Mendy in England that has all the problems. You may be right about Rudiger and Hala as well as his supposed price tag.

What I have heard is that RMad is in the lead to sign him. Given that where does he fit in? I don’t see Militao or Alaba being pushed from starter status, so the question, at least in my mind was who can play another position? Hala also mentioned Alaba can play DM, which I had forgotten about. I don’t have anything against Mendy! The way I look at it is we need another CB (replacing Vallejo), another RB (replacing Lucas, in his role at RB) and another LB (replacing Marcelo). Plus for that matter, team could also use another DM. None of the other MFs, other than Castiila’s Blanco, offer what Casemiro does.

If they sign competent players at each of these positions, capable of starting, it reduces impact of injuries and creates internal competition which is all good, but at same time it would be difficult to keep everyone happy.

I say he is as good as gone to City!

There are lots of stories that Madrid is his likely destination, but at same time there are new stories out of Paris that Mbappe may resign! I still think it’s a play for both hoping to get one of them. If they make a deal for Mbappe in January, I expect the interest in Haaland will fall off and he ends up at City.

And after year both Vinicius and Benzema are having, no way both aren’t starters next year. I can see some role reversals between Haaland and Benz if he ends up being the one signed.

Well, winter signing season is over and as keeping with past seasons, no new signings. Club policy is winter is not a valid opportunity to rebuild (need a preseason to make substancial changes) and thus this signing opportunity is only used in case of injuries or shedding players not part of coaches plans if there are valid offers.

However it does seem like they have signed Mbappe aka Alaba and won’t be formally announced until June (shame as it would be great to have it announced before next CL game!). And club has passed on the Rudiger opportunity formally stating that they see Militao - Alaba as their starters for foreseeable future. And it looks like they are passing on Pogba!

The real significant news is the recent signing of a deal with ‘Legends’, an American company to use stadium for other purposes for which the new stadium is equipped for other configurations. This deal will generate 400M per year. Plus there still remains a stadium sponsorship  deal to be worked out. This added revenue together with regular income streams - post covid and shedding of significant salary loads from Bale, Hazard, Isco, Marcelo and several others, makes for a healthly financial opportunity for new signings.

First and foremost seems to be the pursuit of Haaland. It seems it will be a battle between RMad and City! If they are successful, then club will be set for another decade!

The way I see it,

The retained players will be Benzema, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Asensio, Modric, Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde, Camavinga, Alaba, Militao, Nacho, Mendy, Carvajal, Lucas, Courtois

Outgoing players will be Jovic, Mariano, Hazard, Bale, Isco, Ceballos, Vallejo, Marcelo and possibly Lunin (as I understand it, they want to loan Lunin out to have more experience and sign a proven backup with more experience).

Incoming- Mbappe, Haaland, plus a MF, RB, LB, CB and a backup portero.

The need for the fullbacks is the most urgent, after the front line signings. Dani cannot be counted on and Lucas  should be a last resort option so they need to acquire someone that legit competes with Carvajal for starter role. Similarly, Mendy has too many injuries so a true competitor is needed. I feel Lucas will be retained but as as a squad player.

They will want an additional Cb, to take Vallejo spot, but it should be someone better than Nacho, not just a bench role plus keeping in mind Nacho’s and Alaba’ advancing ages.

And finally, it seems certain they will continue with Casemiro, Kroos and Modric as the core of midfield for at least one more season. They do seem comfortable with the two current backups. They should bring in a new MF that has the ability to push one of the three to a declining role! However it seems a revamping of midfield will be put off at least another year!