We need a back-up striker, since Kane's unimpeachable at present. We also need a back-up RB if Yedlin's off on loan. But most importantly, we need a) a starting DM with enough discipline and skill at long passing to allow Bentaleb/Mason to get further forward, and b) a starting/rotation LW with enough pace and directness to offer a different option to Chadli.
Ergo -
1) Lars Bender, 26 - furious presser, physical presence, good passing abilities (based on what little I've seen of him), plays in a league similar to the PL in terms of intensity, captain of his side, and probably won't be on impossibly high wages. Plays for a club in the CL (Bayer Leverkusen), though.
- 17,500,000 - 20,000,000
(Alternatively - Ignacio Camacho, 25 - furiously hard worker, captain of his side (leads by example, according to this report:
http://www.football-espana.net/46724/camacho-worthy-la-roja-call) relentless presser and a physical presence at DM, largely ideal (although his long passing probably isn't spectacular), plays for a team not in the CL (Malaga) - 15,000,000 - 17,500,000)
2) Julian Draxler, 21 - physical unit, but with exceptional ball skills and a keen eye for goal when cutting in off the left. He's been injured all season and has looked off the pace when he has played, but that's exactly what makes him a possible target for a club like us: the big clubs aren't looking at him as keenly as they were last summer (and likely won't need him, in any case), but he's clearly still enormously skilled and definitely a target worth pursuing. Also plays for a club not in the CL (Schalke).
- 20,000,000 - 22,500,000
(Alternatively - Vitolo, 25 - furiously hard worker, looked like a more mobile, active version of Chadli when I did manage to catch Sevilla's games this year. Doesn't have anywhere near the talent Draxler likely does, but a good player nonetheless, and worth pursuing. However, he
does play for a team in the CL, and a team not wholly enamoured by Levy's bargaining tactics. - 12,500,000 - 15,000,000)
3) Maxim Choupo-Moting - 25 - big guy, pacy, direct. Had a stop-start season for Schalke this year, didn't score many, but that will likely make him cheaper to acquire. Could do a good job as a back-up/rotation CF. Plays for the aforementioned non-CL club Schalke.
- 7,500,000 - 10,000,000
(Alternatively - Ciro Immobile, 25 - big unit, not very pacy, but good in the air. Disappointing season at Borussia, but had a storming one for Torino in 2013-2014, and wouldn't cost the world. Down to earth fella, and also plays for a club not in the CL (Dortmund). - 10,000,000 - 12,500,000)
Domestic options for the same three positions above include James McCarthy and Kevin Mirallas for the CDM/LW positions (although I believe Mirallas plays more on the right), and one of Austin/Ings/Callum Wilson or another Championship forward as backup - however, for what it's worth I don't think Austin or Ings would fancy competing with another England forward for just the lone CF spot, and I don't think Mirallas is particularly well-suited to Poch's pressing philosophy (although I firmly believe McCarthy is, whatever the naysayers may argue
). That whole bunch, however, would likely cost as much as the three aforementioned foreign players given the PL premiums we'd end up paying, so that is worth bearing in mind.
Finally, we could go the youth route, stick Veljkovic, Azzaoui and Coulthirst in there and pray we don't get relegated. 0 pounds spent, 50,000,000 for the stadium, hooray!
(And as for the back-up RB, I'm assuming it's either Tripper or KWP, either is okay with me)
