25 May 2026 09:27:43
We currently have too many players who are just not up to the quality required. From the current squad, 9 players should be moved on for me.
Cairns, Perri, Meslier, Bornauw
Byram, Gruev, Bounette, Ngoto, Piroe

We would be left with 16 players.
So, to have a 27 man squad we would require the following:

With 11 new players to come in:
2 Keepers
Left/ Wing Back
2x CB
2x CM
2x Wingers
No 10
Striker

6 or 7 of these would need to be up to first choice starter quality while the remainder would be very good squad players.



While some of our best players will undoubtedly be subject to transfer, we should over the following windows be looking at upgrading the 5 or 6 weakest players in the squad every season. Every 4 or 5 season you should have a new squad.

1.) 25 May 2026
25 May 2026 10:15:02
Leeds agree with that, mate.

2.) 25 May 2026
25 May 2026 10:54:43
Bornauw has done ok when he's played, so if he's happy as a squad player, I'd keep him. Same goes for Gruev.

3.) 25 May 2026
25 May 2026 11:52:09
Yep, likewise, probably keep Bornauw and Gruev.

Of the other players on the list above, Cairns, Mes and Byram's contracts end this summer. Buononotte is a loan.

4.) 25 May 2026
25 May 2026 12:29:12
Agree, Corkey. But I'd dump James before Gnonto.

5.) 25 May 2026
25 May 2026 13:58:39
Problem with getting rid of James and Harrison is the length of their contracts, and the big increase in salary when they signed. Nobody will give them what they currently have, so we'll probably end up paying off at least part of their contracts if we decide to move them on.

6.) 25 May 2026
25 May 2026 14:23:29
Bingo Dune re both DJ and Jackie.

7.) 25 May 2026
25 May 2026 15:06:26
I think this window the priority has to be out:

Meslier (frees nice wages) .
Gelhardt (allegedly on 60k a week when we're in Prem - not sure I believe that) .
Piroe.
Byram.
Wober.
James / Harrison (we may have to eat some wages) .
Buononotte loan end.
If 49ers back Farke, Ramazani has to go too, as Farke doesn't fancy him. If they go for someone new, let the new coach check him out.
Perri if we can recoup most of the fee, otherwise give it another look or backup.
One from Tanaka/Gruev, probably the former if we are backing Farke.

Middle ground - decide to stick or twist with Aaronson. Either sell now or new contract to protect the value. If the USA have a decent World Cup, there'll be some interest stateside, so at the right price send him home.

Ins - new terms for Darlow - 2 yrs.
New terms for Ampadu - 5 yrs.


A 10. Zian Flemming maybe, I have mentioned him before. And he can lead the line too.
Openda perhaps as a wide forward to replace Harrison/James/Ramazani, our terms not Juve's.
A rotating left back. Someone to challenge Gabby, but also understand current form, Gabby is first choice.
Another cm to replace Tanaka or Gruev. Depends on market. Another winger (as my outs have us losing three, maybe) .
Replace any true starter who also leaves, e.g. Aaronson.

That's only actually 5 signings and a net lower squad. But the point is, with one or two exceptions most of the out list haven't contributed much. It would be a smaller squad overall but more impactful if they got it right. A lot of the team chemistry we have is built that everyone feels like they have a role. Too big a squad can hurt that.