I think we have to be real about what an appointment of Carlo Ancelotti would mean. I suspect it means the attempt to create far faster movement up the league table, with the potential to spend greater sums of money than previously in order to do so.
It's break with what went before, in terms of trying to put a certain structure in with a young coach. There hasn't really been much effort to find another young coach.
The links to Usmanov in terms of the press are now more brazen, it's very open in reports he is a central part of the process.
Plan A was always to get a Hollywood Manager which has now been done. Ancelotti spent in todays money around 600 million quid at PSG in 2 years. Lets see if a comparable level of funding may be made available.
I am not entirely sure where it leaves Brands. In fairness we haven't bought that many young players. The hope would be that he has identified top European players that we would be able to finalise. I think the intake will be slightly older though. Ancelotti is a manager who has a pulling power none of our previous managers have had. He's probably the most decorated manager we've ever employed.
I don't rule Koulibaly out. Napoli are really struggling and could well be in a position where they are happy to take a view and flip on some players if a reasonable offer comes in. Another alternative mentioned here is Davinson Sanchez to go next to Mina. In a different way I'd be happy with either of those.
I do understand where Brands is coming from, but I think we will be targeting real quality now. I don't think it will be lots and lots of players, but the ones we buy need to be real quality.
I don't think we will blitz it in January. Maybe one CB and Zlatan could be a good chancefor 6-18 months to help Kean/DCL/Richarlinson. Kean will be utilised more I am sure. We may well play more 4-4-2 which will probably preclude too many more coming in midfield.
It's been a pretty woeful season thus far, but 5th remains very gettable. The Leicester game remains massive as well. If we can get through that game on.
As for Liverpool in the cup, lets not be too defeatist. They will not want that game anymore than we do. They players are starting to pick up knocks. Our run before them, Arsenal, Burnley and Newcastle can herald points too and hopefully we are on a run.
It's a real long shot, but 2-3 big signings (one in defence and say Zlatan), league cup semi final against potentially Aston Villa, hopefully finding a way to get through the FA Cup, plus Gbamin to return and things start to look very different.
