Wages represent a big chunk of our expenditure and they will not want us dropping out of the Champion's League spots, given that they want us to "self-generate" as it were.
Milner, Keita, Ox all leaving (?) would free up about £18m in terms of annual expenditure. Firmino could leave too - probably brings that figure closer to £26m. Anfield's redevelopment will soon be bringing in an extra £11m annually too.
We need to nail the next round of midfield recruitment. Before we even look at the usual "we should spend more" we could look at our misuse of funds (hindsight is a wonderful thing) and tot it up.
- How many of the other "big" clubs have as many midfielders as we do?
- What have Ox and Keita cost in combined fees, agent fees and wages?
- Had we fitter midfielders, could we have been more harsh/ruthless with Curtis Jones and moved him on, using his fees (and any transfer fee received) on a different youngster with potential or more senior figure?
Extending Ox's contract was certainly an error. Can we learn from this?
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