We currently have 21 senior outfield players and two keepers. This includes Solanke, who played enough last season to be considered as such, even if his quality is debatable. Origi too for similar reasons.
You wouldn't want your senior squad to go much shallower than this, ideally you'd have a 25 man squad including two keepers, but 20 senior outfield players plus three young outfield players, who wouldn't let you down if they found themselves on the bench and came on, is probably enough.
In Jan and next summer, there could be a need for some like for like replacements to the back ups in goal and defence. Two or three of Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren and Moreno could leave and will need replacing. You can't have a defensive squad of less than eight, or an unproven kid as backup keeper.
In terms of planning central midfield personnel, for me the players you consider as central midfielders need to be able to play in a two man department. Hendo, Gini, Milner and Fabinho are the four players we have who you see us using as a two. I see Keita more as an attacking midfielder who can play as a third central midfielder, but maybe not in a two.
So that leaves eight squad positions for attacking midfield and attack. Currently we have Keita, Lallana, Shaqiri, Bobby, Salah, Mane, Sturridge, plus Origi and Solanke.
Presuming all our best players stay, and Mane's contract situation is starting to be a concern, whilst Bobby and Salah have been rumoured to be targets for the Spanish giants, and assuming Oxlade returns next season, I see a few issues to consider in respect of attacking midfield and attack.
Firstly, we need more genuine rotation options in attacking midfield/attack, as we clearly suffered in the intense run recently from limited rotation. City's depth in this area of the pitch is the difference between them and us.
Secondly, we are clearly better as a 4231 with two central midfielders and a more attack minded one. The system worked against lesser sides, the question is whether we have the attacking midfielder to make it work against the better sides.
Shaqiri has shown promise as an attacking midfielder, we have yet to see his ceiling in that position. He does offer a similar style forward alternative to Salah though. Lallana's not a first choice attacking midfielder at our new level and Oxlade probably won't be what he was, when actually we were expecting him to develop further before his injury, into a world class attacking midfielder. Keita may become that man.
Also, it's clear from recent matches that our performances suffer when Mane is out or tired. We have no similar style player to him. I have high hopes for Wilson, but expect he'll need another season on loan, or will come back as a usable young player beyond the 20 senior outfield players, at least at first.
Finally, we don't have a similar style alternative to Bobby. Maybe Solanke could be that player, but he'll not get the game time to prove it. Sturridge is quality, if he stays fit, but not like for like.
So, in terms of taking the nine attacking midfielders/forwards we have this season, plus Oxlade, and turning it into the right mix of eight players next season, a radical plan would be to sell Lallana and Origi, let Sturridge go, loan out Solanke and sign two players.
This could include a player who can deputise for Bobby and hopefully do another job too, plus a winger of Mane's type.
Next season's squad - Bobby, Mane and Salah as the first choice forwards, Fekir type/Shaqiri/Keita/Oxlade as the attacking midfield options, plus a Mane style winger.
The Fekir type would be able to cover Bobby at 9 like for like and Shaqiri able to cover Salah. Oxlade would replace Lallana in the squad as a minimum (hopefully more).
So I see a need to sign two quality forwards, a back up keeper if Migs goes, however many defenders are required to replace departures, and then to let three or four squad forwards go.
We've a chance this season, but those changes would increase our chances on all fronts.
