Why this feels like a rebuild

This feels less like a summer shuffle and more like a proper rebuild. You can see why — Sterling's availability over a full season is in doubt, Skov's future isn't nailed down and names like Dio, Raskin and Chermiti have been linked away. If even half of those departures happen, we've got glaring holes to fill.

How big could the turnover be?

To be fair, a lot depends on what actually materialises. Loans return, out-of-contract players walk away and a few who were linked last year — Barron for example — could still push on if the right offer comes. If Rohl really wants a 21/22 man squad, that suggests a smaller core with high turnover. Add in the possibility of cashing in on interest for Gassama and the picture gets messier fast.

Where we’d need help

Look at the positions mentioned and it’s not pretty. We need cover at right-back and left-back. Two central halves. Depending on midfield exits, two or three midfield bodies. Up front, if Miovski moves on and Naderi is the only senior option, we could be short two strikers and a couple of wide players. That’s a lot of incoming players for one window, especially if the aim is to blend them with a competitive starting XI.

What that means for next season

The truth is, bedding in a dozen new faces is never straightforward. You lose continuity, relationships on the pitch and the comfortable rhythms that come with settled squads. There’s also the fitness side — Antman has been mentioned as struggling injury-wise — so even recognised names might not be ready to hit the ground running. We could end up with a smaller squad numerically but a bigger rebuild task in terms of integration.

I’m not saying it’s impossible. We’ve coped with turnover before. But this feels like a proper rebuild scenario rather than a tidy refresh, and that brings both risk and opportunity. Fingers crossed the recruitment gets it right and there isn’t too much of a mid-season hangover.

Written by Cooper11-Legend: 17 April 2026