What needs to be done in January

[manpe 10,861]

If we get a right winger, where will it leave Sturridge? He must play, but in this case we will either buy a benchie or Drogba and Torres need to be dropped in order for Studge to play CF... I can't see Danny being benched, he's been too good and it would be injustice to drop him. At the moment our wings are covered (true, Mata isn't a winger, but he is listed on the team sheet on the LWF spot).. but we have no backup for them. With Anelka and Kalou leaving and Malouda soon following their footsteps, we will have to sign at least 2 wingers... Either way I'm afraid one of them will push Daniel aside.. and with a 50Million non-striker ahead of him, he would struggle to get into the team. Although maybe having more competition wouldn't be so bad..

[DYC. 7,542]

A quality left winger (preferably left-footed), a quality CB, bring back Kakuta from the useless loan (to use as a back-up) and switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation would be enough to secure us a spot in the top four I think.

And then go on rebuilding the squad in the summer.

[Sheva. 5,373]

A quality left winger (preferably left-footed)

I'd prefer someone right-footed to play on the left.

[Amblève. 4,995]

What about signing Dzagoev in winter and keeping him in Russia till summer, so we wouldn't need to pay anything for him?

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

I'd prefer someone right-footed to play on the left.

Yeah that's it. Mata should be allowed to move to a number 10 position and to have a lot of freedom.

[DYC. 7,542]

I'd prefer someone right-footed to play on the left.

Nahh I'm not a big fan of having both wingers in the side cut in. I'd like one to stay out wide, stretching play and play in crosses, curling away (the crosses I mean) from the GK. We already have a inside forward in Sturridge.

Though of course buying a winger who's very comfortable using both feet, able to cut in and go around the fullback would be even better, but they are rare.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

Well this is what Daily Fail say, the article isn't actually what we should do but it has alot of what could be done potentially: (It has some facepalm moments):

http://www.dailymail...B-axe-more.html

[The Big Drog 1,110]

The main thing is to either get a quality starting left winger which would allow us to move Mata into a central position or buy a CAM with Mata staying in his current position. A centre back is also pretty important. Though we have to remember it is January, the heavy duty squad rebuilding should be done in the Summer. I would be more than content with just a winger/CAM and a centre back.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Nahh I'm not a big fan of having both wingers in the side cut in. I'd like one to stay out wide, stretching play and play in crosses, curling away (the crosses I mean) from the GK. We already have a inside forward in Sturridge.

Though of course buying a winger who's very comfortable using both feet, able to cut in and go around the fullback would be even better, but they are rare.

You have a good point.

A faster version of Mata on the left...

[teignman 441]

Since we are going to sell Alex, I think it is imperative we get at least 1 CB. I know I'm stating the obvious.

[themightyblue 443]

Out- Alex, Anelka, Kalou

In- Cahill, De Bruyne, Vargas (loaned back out, then return in summer) Ilicic/Krasic, Llorente/Pato.

[Joker10 946]

I actually like Mata on the wings, he gives us a lot of creativity from the wings. Our midfield already struggles with a three man midfield, it would be disaster with two a man midfield.

Mata already struggles with tracking back and helping Cole with defensive duties. He would be asked to do a lot more in a CAM role, he would have to play deeper and work for our midfield. It might make him less effective tbh.

Mata is playing great currently, lets not try to change sometime that is already working great.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Mata already struggles with tracking back and helping Cole with defensive duties.

He's getting better at this though, saw him make a slide tackle against Newcastle i think... when he just came he wouldn't even try lol.

[BLionheart 516]

I have to agree with Joker10 , Mata is incredible on the left wing because he has more freedom , less defending duties and a lot of spaces between the lines to drop into . he will be restricted from all that if moved to CAM , if you have read the last superb analysis of carefree-chronic you will see that Mata gave us an advantage when dropping into midfield because we already had three midfielders , I know it worked wonders with valencia last season but let's face it this is not the Spanish league.

But i still think we need a winger in January but with different qualities like pace and trickery , rotating sturridge , Mata and the new winger will keep our wingers (the only spark we have now) always fresh , and it will give us more options and will add more unpredictability to our game , Remember Joe Cole , Duff and Robben ....

[gary gordon 1,777]

We don't need new players. We need our players to believe!