We all know this is a huge problem for us. It's also one of the hardest (and most expensive) problems to solve in the transfer market.
But what tactic should we try? Do we go for a Jimenez replacement in the hope they'll score fifteen a season? That seems the obvious answer, but unless we spend £50m+, which we won't, that quality can't be guaranteed.
So do we instead go more with the Arsenal/pre-Haaland Man City tactic of spreading goals around? We'd need three players to get 8+, plus another few who get 5+. Is this feasible?
Neto: if fit, should target double figures. Let's say 10.
Jimenez: double figures would be an improvement on last year, but not beyond bounds of possibility. Let's go with 10.
Hwang: Sneaky feeling he could get a few this season. 8?
Podence/MGW/Silva/Neves/Dendocker: Should all target 5 min, though Neves aside they may not have enough mins to get them. Let's say 18 between them.
That'd be 46 goals. Add in half as many from elsewhere and that's enough to be challenging for Europe if the defence is strong. And there's the advantage of not putting all eggs in one expensive striker basket.
I'd still like to see us sign another striker, but I think it should be someone in the £20m range to support/eventually replace Jimenez, rather than someone £40m+ to take on the goalscoring burden.
But what tactic should we try? Do we go for a Jimenez replacement in the hope they'll score fifteen a season? That seems the obvious answer, but unless we spend £50m+, which we won't, that quality can't be guaranteed.
So do we instead go more with the Arsenal/pre-Haaland Man City tactic of spreading goals around? We'd need three players to get 8+, plus another few who get 5+. Is this feasible?
Neto: if fit, should target double figures. Let's say 10.
Jimenez: double figures would be an improvement on last year, but not beyond bounds of possibility. Let's go with 10.
Hwang: Sneaky feeling he could get a few this season. 8?
Podence/MGW/Silva/Neves/Dendocker: Should all target 5 min, though Neves aside they may not have enough mins to get them. Let's say 18 between them.
That'd be 46 goals. Add in half as many from elsewhere and that's enough to be challenging for Europe if the defence is strong. And there's the advantage of not putting all eggs in one expensive striker basket.
I'd still like to see us sign another striker, but I think it should be someone in the £20m range to support/eventually replace Jimenez, rather than someone £40m+ to take on the goalscoring burden.