If the tide is running in our favor, I've no doubt we'll be the last to know or failing that, to acknowledge it on this forum. Who knew that we'd be this wedded to Digne and the bearded dreamboat at this point twelve months ago? And Bernard - what's the degree of difference in the January Bernard and the Bernard of April and May?
Before we ever drill down on sexy new transfers, what if:
1/ Pickford gets sorted. Really sorted.
2/ We nab Zouma for reals.
3/ The Big Mick Kegger (boss footballer on, actual mensch off - may be turning into my fav blue) stays healthy and maintains consistency. He can get even better, y'know.
4/ Richarlison comes back from serious international action for a year that gets him the attention he warrants. How old is he, again?
5/ Lookman decides that assists are nice, too.
6/ Bernard is healthy all year and gets the occasional rest that he needs to maintain his consistency. He's kind of like the ball in a pinball machine out there, don't forget. Wear. Tear. That's where we need reliable depth. Then we see el mago do his magic like Pienaar to Baines to Pienaar to Baines to goal. Bernard to Digne to Bernard to Digne to Richarlison to goal. How's that sound? *those who can't handle this level of positivity can just check out here, btw...*
7/ Silva and Brands grow in their jobs and build on the positives both bring to this club. How old is Silva, again?
8/ Gomes keeps being Gomes.
That's going to influence the future of blue footy as much or more than the promise of the next crop of transfers will in 2019-20. Down the road, the transfers will bloom or wilt, but the factors listed above are going to determine what happens in 2019-20.