With Jonjo Shelvey now ruled out of action until at least December, our recruitment team have a fresh dilemma on their hands.
They were already working to bring in a right winger and striker to boost our attacking options, however I’d be highly surprised if we aren’t now in the market for a new midfielder.
We’d already been linked with a host of defensive midfielders this summer, with Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick’s leaving for the Championship and it widely accepted that Bruno Guimaraes is slightly wasted in such a deep role.
If the Brazilian does play higher up in a midfield three, we’re left with Sean Longstaff as the only real option who can fill in for Shelvey – and even he is not always at his best just in front of a back four.
I’m not expecting us to spend big in this department – we are finding it tough enough as it is to spend the remainder of our budget on two attackers – but a loan move for a midfielder may be back on the agenda?
It’s a real shame for Shelvey, who was finding consistency under Howe and in the shape of his life after a summer of hard work, however I’d be worried to see us spend half of a season knowing we’re one injury away from a potentially unbalanced engine room.
Harry Winks at Spurs is said to be available on loan, while a recent report linking us with an enquiry for Connor Gallagher also makes sense in light of Shelvey’s injury.
With two domestic loan slots still available to us, along with options in this market abroad, I’d be surprised if we didn’t widen our focus. After all, the margins are small when pursuing a potential European slot and it seems a midfield was on the agenda – albeit as a lower priority – before this injury blow.
Who knows, maybe a move for an attacking midfielder who can also play wide – like a James Maddison or Lucas Paqueta – would appeal even more now Shelvey’s set to sit out half of the season? I know Elliot Anderson is here to stay and was used in a midfield three over pre-season, but I don’t see us pinning our hopes on the 19-year-old.
Two new attackers will remain the priority, I’m sure, however I expect to see plenty of midfielder linked with late loan moves if we can get the main deals done over the next fortnight.
