[chochochang2]

Personally, I feel that

Wide areas needs to be strengthened and a creative midfielder is needed. A left sided central midfielder should also be signed to give balance to the team if Charlie Adam is sold.

Downing has been unconvincing, not sure if Bellamy is still as reliable on the wings. Anyone watched him play for Team GB in the Olympics so far? He was asked to play on the right wing and his displays were quite erratic. Joe Cole should be able to play on the right as he did in the pre-season friendlies so far.

Nicolás Gaitán, he was mentioned in the news recently. I quite like him and watched him a few times when he signed for Benfica a couple of years ago. He reminds me of Maxi Rodríguez. Similarly, he is quite versatile and can play left, right or centre. Comfortable with both feet, I feel that he will excel in a 4-3-3 formation. He is young and able to score goals too. Probably the stumbling block would be the transfer fee and wages.

Spearing should be loaned out, don't think he is/will become a quality first team player. Fringe player at most, hope he will prove me wrong just like what Lucas did. He is neither a holding nor attacking midfielder. Can't seem to pass the ball well either.

Very tempted to categorise Henderson and Charlie Adam as surplus to requirements too, however Henderson was played at right wing for majority of last season, if not all, and Charlie Adam was injured towards the end of last season.