The Missing Ingredients

Now, I know this is relatively similar to a previous post but based on recent results we are lacking something - so I ask the question: What are the missing ingrediens? Well, first of all we need a fully fit squad, the main reason behind our downfall is the loss of Henry, Van Persie etc to injury. So let's start planning for next season.

Ok, let's start by shipping out the 'dead wood'. Unfortunately, Freddie is well past his best and to be fair is of no use to us anymore. Plus if we get rid of him now we may get a fair bit for him (around £3m perhaps). Next, Aliadiere. We all know that he has potential but he hasn't lived up to it. He has had his run in the side and has proved nothing - he simply has to go. Mad Jens' contract runs out in the summer and it doesn't look like he is going to sign a new one, so he will go as well. Also, I think we should not buy Baptista. In my opinion he would be a waste of £10m+ due to his bad touch, bad finishing, bad passing etc. And obviously we should get rid of Reyes, we should get a fair price as well for him (£7-10m)

Ok, now let's look at bringing in some fresh faces. Well, let's not forget about Bendtner coming back from his loan spell. That takes our striker tally up to 5 (Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott, Bendtner). Now in my opinion, we need one more. A young striker who is established but fairly cheap. One that I have in mind is Arouna Kone of PSV. Young, hard-working, a good goalscorer and Ivorian, meaning he will fit in well with Toure and Eboue. One problem though is Chelsea's link with PSV. They own some rights to the players meaning that it will be hard to lure any of them to The Emirates. If not Kone, I suggest Huntelaar of Ajax, the problem being the price (estimate of £15m). Or if not, perhaps Leroy Lita. A great little goal poacher who wouldn't mind being back up to Henry and Van Persie. Plus he is English and would be available at a reasonable price (estimate of £5m). Now we need a goalscoring winger as we have none at the club - Hleb and Rosicky are both more central and cut inside. Ribery springs to mind but I would prefer either Robinho or this Malouda of Lyon. I have seen very little of him but are hearing good things. And finally a goalkeeper. Again I have seen little of this guy, but Igor Akinfeev of CSKA Moscow sounds like a real prospect and apparently we are close to agreeing a deal for the Russian. My number one target would be Buffon but obviously the transfer fee comes in and will put Mr Wenger off the World Cup winner. People are saying we need another defender. I don't think so. We have 2 RB: Hoyte and Eboue - 4 CB: Toure, Gallas, Djourou and Senderos - 2 LB: Clichy and Traore. I think we are covered in all areas of the back line. Plus, we have Kerrea Gilbert coming back from his loan spell.

With a little tactic tweaking we could end up with a dream line-up that will dominate England and Europe. Here is a possible second string team in the future:

-----------------------------------Almunia-----------------------------------
Hoyte-------------------Djourou-----------Senderos------------------Traore
-------------------------Gilberto-----------Denilson-------------------------
Walcott------------------------------------------------------------------Hleb
------------------------Bendtner----------Adebayor-------------------------