Would Cavani and Falcao do better than Sturridge in the premier league? I doubt it.
Seriously I'm not taking the p**s. Cavani isn't a better finisher than Sturridge - although is overall game is a notch above - but he is older. Falcao is a better finisher but overall his game is way below Sturridge.
Plus both would be on £200,000 p/w plus for us and would cost above £35m in transfer fee alone. So basically as package deal of £60m plus for either of them.
I agree Martin we do need an additional forward but where we differ in thinking is that you think we need that another top, top player up front.
I think we need another top, top player that can player in one of the three main attacking role behind/besides the striker.
Someone with pace and dribbling ability imo that would complement the rest of the forward line.
I do think we need another striker though but I'd be thinking like Rodgers is thinking in this regard. WE MUST remember that Rodgers original plan was to play one up front with the mobility, speed etc of the 3 behind. But he was handed the cards dealt to him with Sturridge and Suarez and played both up front together - but usually his plans usually are around one main striker up front.
So yes someone in the ilk of Eto'o who can do a job for us for a year whilst we have another search for a striker to compete/back up Sturridge is what I see happening.
Whether we get that other player who I'd like to see come in to compete for the 3 behind/besides Sturridge is something that I don't know.
Players on the striker front I'd like to see us target in the winter or next summer though are Lacazette, Kruse, Destro, Kokorin, Roux, Rondon, Immobile, Seferovic and players of that ilk who would fit the Rodgers mould of young, hungry, motivated players that are on an upward curve and can come into our squad and integrate with the rest of the attack.
Not bloated, unmotivated, cash hungry players like Falcao, Cavani etc who'd be on £200,000 p/w plus and may not fit the system. No I am not a hypocrite and yes Eto'o would also fit into that category as well. Big difference is we will not pay £35m plus for him and offer him £200,000 p/w.
Plus remember we have Origi who is coming back next year so any plans have to include him in the long term.
I think as a squad and what we've added so far depth wise in certain areas we've done well. Once we get a left back - hopefully anyway
then our defence improves tremendously. Lovren looks a very good signing, Sakho has another year under his belt, Manquillo looks an exciting prospect. Concerns are obviously Johnson, Skrtel and Agger.
Can looks to have lots of energy and has good pressing skills. Gerrard with no england duty should have enough time to deal with injuries/tiredness. Lucas may or may not go but as cover for Gerrard/Can he is fine.
Lallana and Markovic are exciting signings. Sterling and Coutinho will keep on improving. Henderson and Allen will be the lynchpins for the midfield.
Sturridge can and will improve also. Lambert can be hopefully an effective signing. Borini back too so lets see how he does - if he stays.
So I am surprisingly quite optimistic but realistic at the same time
For me Chelsea have the best defence and best defensive mids so have that solidity to build around. Plus their attacking talent and Costa up front, for me they are the favourites.
However the top 6/7 teams will all compete hard for a top 4 place so it won't be easy to remain in the top 4 but we do have the quality to have another season challenging for the league and top 4.
