Issue is, you also need that defensive midfielder to be really fucking good on the ball and thats a really shallow market right now.
We're honestly best off hoping Bentancur can get back to his pre injury best with a pre season under his belt and Bissouma refinds his confidence and consistency that we saw at the beginning of last season.
Protecting the back four becomes much less of an issue when your offence can protect the ball.
I trust Vic will be even better next season...bet he's bulking up as we speak and he's clever enough to find a way with them set pieces. Just needs to be a bit cuter, shithouse even. Backup goalie options do worry me, though.
Personally, I'm playing Micky at LB. I trust him to produce as much as Udo going forward, but defensively it's night & day between the two, mainly as VdV never ever gives up. And imagine Udo coming on against tired legs dor the last 30 or so mins.
Meaning we'd need a new starting LCB. If he's Italian, gotta say I'm liking that Buongiorno more than I do Calafiori. But the one I'd like is the Everton kid...he's already good, but Cuti would make him a true beast. Big Ben as cover is plenty fine.
Romero the obvious starter at RCB, but Radu should still get plenty minutes, especially if we go 3 at the back some games.
A new RB who's better defensively than Porro is key. English, please.
CDM? Maybe Bergvall is that guy. Kid's got a great physique for his age and technically he's very good. But yeah the PL ain't Sweden. Would be good to see that Tyrese kid a few times too, apparently Ange is a big fan. But yeah a proper new Dembele remains the dream.