Since Ahamada is a box-to-box midfielder I'd presume we'll adopt last season's approach and use him in the Gallagher role. Alternatively, we'd play him and Doucoure sitting behind a three (Lokonga central, and then Olise and take-your-pick wide) with Edouard up top.

As I see it, broadly Ahamada replaces Schlupp/Hughes, and Lokonga is probably competition for Ebs who, frankly, needs to up his game at the moment. Ideally, the arrival of Ahamada ends the ridiculous (and failed) Schupp midfield experiment and Schlupp reverts to being a full-time utility player/cover at full-back. He's a brilliant Swiss army knife to have in the squad but he's nowhere near able to play the role he's been given so far this season.

I suspect if Conor becomes available and we actually do pay £40 million for him in the summer, part of that deal may be funded by selling Ebs who, if we have Ahamada and Gallagher (and even Lokonga, if we keep him) would become less necessary but who might bring in a substantial transfer fee on the market.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

**************Guaita**************
Richards/clyne**Andersen**Guehi**Michell
****Doucoure**Ahamada**Hughes*********
**Ayew*********************Olise**
*************Eduoard**************

Given the nature of the oppo I can see this. If Adderson is still out then Richards will be in. Also swapped Michelle and richards positions.

Edited by The groover (01 Feb 2023 7.23pm)

Your a penny richer than me then

Guiata

Clyne - Richards - Guehi - Mitchell

Doucoure - Hughes

Ahmada

Olise - Eduoard - Schlupp

Absolutely! As I've said elsewhere. Of the two new arrivals, it's Sambi Lokonga who should be PL ready for us and is the more likely to feature in some way on Saturday.

Also we only have 18 games to make use of the lad. We can take our time with Ahamada, though, to ensure we bring him in when he's deemed to be ready for the fray.

Yeah, even the hapless and hopeless Sanogo got game time...