With a long term approach in mind, you’ve got to be looking at eventually shifting A LOT of those players.
I genuinely think that the losing mentality is so deeply rooted and embedded in the team that a complete overhaul is needed. Even those that we think “yeah he’s alright” need replacing with players of a stronger mindset and winning mentality.
Below is not a quick-fix one window solution, but we should be looking at doing this over the next couple of years:
GK: Replace Pickford with someone more stable & less erratic; I think a lot of our defensive issues stem from JP’s character. Excellent goalie on his day and tremendous shot stopper (so should get decent money for him), but doesn’t have the right mindset. Begovic is an OK backup, then bin off Lonergan when Virginia comes back from his loan. (Henderson? Leno?)
RB: Huge issue here. Coleman needs putting out to pasture, Kenny not good enough. We need a starting right back with a younger backup / prospect-type option. Would do the club good to have someone new as the Captain too. (Lamptey? Aarons? Dest?)
CB: Keane not good enough, Mina inconsistent and often unavailable, Holgate: poor form or poor player? Not entirely sure. I’d definitely keep Godfrey and Branthwaite, but realistically need a revamp here too.
CM: Allan & Doucoure when fit and playing together are good options here. Defeats and poor play look like they hurt Allan too, so his mindset is something we can take going forward. But we need genuine competition: shift Gbamin, Davies, Gomes, Delph. Throw a load of recouped money at Bissouma and maybe mega-bid for Phillips to sort out our midfield for the next 5 years.
W: Gordon is a good prospect and someone we can rely on as backup. Gray & Townsend also decent & right attitude. Iwobi should be placed in a bin in the middle of the ocean. In a one-striker formation, Richarlison is the LW starter, with a left-footed starter on the opposite flank needed (Raphinha at Leeds?)
ST: Calvert-Lewin is quality. Bin off Rondon & Tosun, use Dobbin as a third-choice backup behind a new signing as second choice backup.
Again, this is not a short term project, but this needs to be the end goal. It’s absurd that we are SO far away from where we need to be in terms of squad, especially given the money spent.