We haven't had an obvious "best midfield trio" for a while: the Phillips-Klich-Pablo or Phillips-Dallas-Klich combinations were good, in particular with hard-working pairs Raphinha/Ayling and Harrison/Alioski next to them. And these trios had goals in them (not mentioning the War, but we hardly had any goals from midfield last season).
Putting together an efficient midfield trio obviously is important. So, in a typical Farke system, i.e. 4-2-3-1, Ethan Ampadu and Tyler Adams could be the 2. But the midfield trio is less obvious - does it include two wingers, for example a Harrison-Greenwood-Sinisterra constellation?
And, with some expected and needed additions to our squad, where does that leave talents like Gyabi, Bate and others?
We do have a couple young CM to watch out for.
17 year old Charlie Crewe who is a DCM and looked outstanding at the recent U17's Tournament where he Captain Wales.
18-year-old Cian Coleman, who is a DCM. Look good in his game time in the u21's last year. He has had 47 games for our u18.
16-year-old Harvey Vincent, who debut at 15 in the u18s last year and played about 14 matches scoring 3 goals.
18yearold Attacking midfield player Conner Douglas who got a eye for goal.
Last but not least is Charlie Allen who stood out in the u21s as a CM.
Are we not looking at Michu from PSG the one that was on loan from Sunderland?
With that 5hinking you could see Adams and Ampadu with Dallis.
Adams and Ampadu with Gyabi.
Adams and Ampadu with Gray.
Adams and Ampadu with Bates
Adams and Ampadu with a new Attacking midfield specialist/ true number 10.
Current starting side:
Side A
Klasson
Dremah, Cresswell, Wober, Hjelda
Ampadu, Adams
Gyabi
Summerville, Gnonto, Sinisterra
Side B
Mesilier
Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Firpo
Ampadu, Adams
Dallas
James, Bamford, Harrison
I'm interested that two of you think Bate is anywhere near the first team - I woudn't have even had him on the bench by the time we play Cardiff - I have Wober, Gyabi, Adams (if he stays), Ampadu, Gray and even Shackleton ahead of him - let alone a new deal for Forshaw or signing Kamara.
Will be interesting to see how it pans out - will be happy to be wrong if he takes the Championship by storm.
If Adams stays I would expect one of Gyabi or Bates to go out on loan,Bates looks more ready to play for us in the championship imo.
Farke played with a number 10 Buendia at Norwich with 2 wingers and Pukki as a striker.
I think we will sign a number 10 and a new striker.
2 of Sini,Harrison,Gnonto, Summerville or James will fill the wing positions,whoever doesn't get sold.
It's a make or break pre season for Gelhardt and Greenwood,both have potential but neither are currently good enough to be a starting number 10,could see one of them being sold/loaned out.
Gelhardt best position is 2nd striker but less and less teams are playing with 2 up top so it's time for him to learn to play as main striker or number 10 or on the wing or waste his potential
Archie Gray is coming through as well,sounds like he can play anywhere in the midfield or front line,hopefully he can hit the ground running and stay fit. ..
I think Bate is probably nailed on to one of those two CM positions, and increasingly the noises are that Adams might be staying. The two of them sopportwd from the bench by Gyabi and Woder/Ampadu should be plenty. As for the middle three, I would expect Sinisterra and James to pick themselves. Then it's just a matter of who else is left - Gnonto, Harrison, Summerville, maybe even Gnonto (were he to stay) but most likely it will be an incoming player to fill the hole behind the striker. Looking back, we were a bit too quick to offload Klich who would have been perfect for 60 mins.
For me we have a depth of options either side of the 3 - the real issue is the middle slot (old style No10). We have not had a proper player there since Pablo.
Aarondsen I thought might be an answer, but he ended up being wide of the 3, fighting for a place with Sinisterra, Harrison, Summerville, Gnonto etc.
Gelhardt isn't the answer, he's a second striker. Greenwood has much to do to own that role. I am hoping a Gustavo Hamer type player comes in from somewhere this summer
The back 2 midfield will look after itself without Adams, we have enough options there especially if/when kamara signs.
We'll need some creativity, perhaps either Sinisterra or Harrison could be part of the midfield trio you mention (if one of those 2 stay at ER).
It's going to be a long hard season and even when Adams doesn't go, we'll need players like Gyabi and perhaps even the very young Gray.
The same goes for Joseph, Joffy, Drameh.