Season 2. Pre-Season and transfers recap.

Following the success of our first season and the challenge of the Europa League on its way to Sellhurst Park,  we face the difficult task of upgrading the squad. 
We also had to remove some dead wood and them 30 year olds. 

The transfers.
As previously mentioned we activated the loan clause for Archie Gray from Leeds for 23m as soon as the season ended. Which did leave our midfield bloated. So I was looking to move on Jefferson Lerma and or will Hughes. As it happend Leeds just had some money and went in for Lerma for 18m. I smashed accept on that bad boy and essentially I've got Archie Gray for 5m. 
So other than that the transfers look quiet with us only bringing Emre Tezgel in straight away. 

However the future transfers I've made look exceptional. I think these boys have next level potential. Not to mention I've got Moscardo and Gonzalez arriving in January. 

Now I've been tracking Bastien Meupiyou, Vrbancic, and Kroupi since last season. With the french boys not being interested then and Vrbancic was out on loan. This meant they were possible until this summer, and I made them the priority. To my delight I agreed cheap deals for all of them.
 Kroupi looks like he's going to be a Star. 

Then the scouts brought up Bitshiabu another Ball playing centre back who looks glorious. Now I've 100% overpaid on the contract but I know that I've got 3 good future Centre backs now. Guehi won't sign a new deal at the moment and Holding on the chopping block in the summer as he's old and not good enough. I think it's a really smart move.

Now I had two more foreign signing spots left and I had two boys on my shortlist with release clauses. So I had to wait for the window to close before activating. The window snapped shut. 
To my delight. The plan worked and I still couldn't believe Bardghi made it though but we got our man. I will have to change tactics to accommodate but it'll be worth it. He's already first team ready and this good at 18.
 At this point my transfer funds were done. So this last one isn't on the future transfers list but remember when I sold Anderson to Newcastle last January? 45m +10m in add ons after so many games? Well he's bloody played them games and the transfer funds got a wonderful little top up.  This meant I hopped over to Germany and got the deal done. 

Welcome Max Moerstedt. And he's a beast. 6.4 with pace, finishing, composure and off the ball of 14. I really hope we can develop him. Bargain price of 3.4m  
Tactics
 We are still rocking the same 4-3-2-1 Xmas tree from last season at present. But I've changed the middle DM to a DLP with Adam Wharton starting there. I am also training a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond and a 4-3-3 narrow using three actual strikers as I think that could be our strongest position next season. Even if I sell Eduoard.

Fixtures
I think we've got good chance in the Europa League after what I consider a favourable draw. The hardest games being away against Wolfsburg and a home tie against Sporting but we should go through. 

We started the League off with a home London derby against West Ham. Which we came out easy winners with a 2-0 win. Next up is put first Europa League game against Sk Sturm Graz. Can't wait to hear that beautiful little song at Sellhurst Park. 

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