[Butter]

Roster
Goalkeepers
Depth chart (Age, salary - signed through, value):
1. Libis Andres Arenas (24, $600k - 2014, $13.5M)
2. Lee Grant (28, $650k - 2012, $1.7M)
3. Michel Boumann (22, $56k - 2014, $1.8M)
4. Sindri Tor Hilmarsson (19, $36k - 2015, $3M)
5. Jon Masalin (23, $28k - 2013, $1.25M)
6. Marcus Eskilsson (23, $20k - 2013, $340k)

Arenas will continue to be our #1 keeper... he is currently showing up as being wanted by Sheffield Wednesday, but there's no way I'm selling him, especially not at this salary, and with the performance he's given us. Lee Grant is a more than serviceable #2, actually starting for us some of last year, and allowing 12 goals in 13 starts. The others are all reserves, with Boumann being a bit more senior ready than Hilmarsson... but both are very interesting prospects. Masalin and Eskilsson are just dead weight.

Defense
Depth chart:
Left side:
1. Carlos Bocanegra (32, $1.5M - 2012, $1.95M)
2. Emil Jensen (31, $200k - 2012, $1.25M)
3. Ibrahim Kargbo (29, $650k - 2013, $4M)

Center:
1. Alex (28, $2M - 2014, $13M)
2. John Heitinga (27, $2.2M - 2014, $8.6M)
3. Marcos (23, $1.2M - 2014, $4.6M)
4. Karl Svensson (27, $600k - 2014, $3.4M)
5. Sarr (27, $500k - 2014, $3.4M)
6. Ibrahim Kargbo

Right side:
1. Cristian Zaccardo (29, $1.5M - 2014, $5.4M)
2. Sarr
3. Emil Jensen
4. Diego Gavilan (31, $1.35M - 2013, $4.6M)

Our weakest side is on the left. We have no real help available to us on the reserve level, so that is our top need entering the summer signing period... signing a successor to Carlos Bocanegra at left back. Heitinga was not a great performer last season, we'll be looking to him for additional help this year. Marcos and Alex grew into their own, both playing very well last year. Zaccardo has been very steady at right back, and will continue to be the starter there for the foreseeable future. Jensen, Sarr, Svensson, and Kargbo are all more than capable backups, even though Kargbo is not a natural left back.

Midfield
Depth chart:
Defensive midfielder:
1. Javier Mascherano (26, $3.2M - 2013, $46M)
2. Ibrahim Kargbo

That's pretty much it at defensive midfield, with the departure of Fabio Rochemback, who never did very well with us. Mascherano is currently valued at $46 million, which would be very hard to turn down if we were approached. I would have to say that signing another quality defensive middie is right at the top of our shopping list along with left back.

Left wing:
1. Thando Mngomeni (28, $260k - 2012, $9.4M)
2. Wesley Sneijder (26, $3.2M - 2014, $29M)
3. Kenny Lunt (31, $800k - 2012, $3.6M)
4. Tobias Eriksson (25, $700k - 2013, $4.2M)
5. Carlos Eduardo (20, $32k - 2015, $4.6M)

None of these players, except the reserve Eduardo, are what you'd call true left wingers. All can play in the middle of attack, and Mngomeni and Eriksson can even play forward. Eriksson will likely move up to the big squad with the departure of Viana and Fernandes to provide depth, but Eduardo is a reserve. Mngomeni is very dangerous on the left wing, but is not a crossing machine like Fabrice Fernandes was. Mngomeni's game is more to get in the box and either shoot himself or try to create on the run... Sneijder is dangerous all over the park, with blazing pace and strong power on both feet. Kenny Lunt is just a trusty old veteran.

Right wing:
1. Bosko Balaban (32, $2.6M - 2012, $2.2M)
2. Wesley Sneijder
3. Diego Gavilan
4. Kenny Lunt
5. Milciades Omar Bellomo (21, $700k - 2014, $8.6M)
6. Nicolai Graesdal (22, $60k - 2015, $2.8M)

Balaban is more a striker than a winger, much like Mngomeni. But with all of these potential scorers coming at them, defenses don't know who to cover. We were very effective in mid-season last year playing Balaban and Mngomeni on the wings, and sending them into the box to support Cole and Wallner. Balaban is very similar to Mngomeni, as he often looks to score first and pass later. Diego Gavilan scored 5 goals last year, including scoring the winning UEFA Cup PK. He seems to be as at home crossing the ball as he is shooting it. A top notch player. Bellomo was a reserve last year, who'll be promoted this year in the interest of depth. He appears to have the skill to compete at the top level, but we shall see. He is unhappy being at the reserves anyway, and has the potential to be a top notch player with a bit of work on his passing and aggression. Graesdal is a reserve.

Attacking midfielder:
1. Gerard (32, $1.6M - 2012, $2.8M)
2. Wesley Sneijder
3. Lebohang Mokoena (24, $1.55M - 2014, $7M)
4. Bosko Balaban
5. Milciades Omar Bellomo
6. Tobias Eriksson

Gerard proved himself more than capable as the point man in our attack last year... he is a superb connector between our backline, wings, and strike force. He didn't have flashy stats last year, but his average rating near 7.4 speaks for itself. His age is a concern, as is his speed. He also tends to miss open chances more than is desirable. Mokoena is more of a striker, but can play here as well. It probably would be a good idea to sign another dedicated AM-C just for depth purposes... as we have a lot of people committed to multiple positions, and losing one or more of them to injury could prove disasterous.

Striker
1. Carlton Cole (27, $2.4M - 2013, $19.5M)
2. Roman Wallner (29, $2.6M - 2013, $17M)
3. Lebohang Mokoena
4. Bosko Balaban
5. Thando Mngomeni

Cole's running mate has still not been determined... both Wallner and Mokoena are unhappy right now... Wallner because he thinks he's been demoted to a sub role mostly, Mokoena because he wants a new contract. Mokoena proved more than adept at scoring, but Wallner possesses a power and finishing skill that Mokoena does not.... he is dangerous from 30 yards on in, whereas Mokoena's skill is finishing with time and space. Both are effective, but Wallner complements Cole, whose skills are best suited to running past the back line. Plus, Mokoena is one of the fastest men on the team, and is more effective as a striker off the bench, running past the tired defense. Balaban is ol' dependable when he gets time up front... and Mngomeni is just on here in case of injury. He won't be playing up front much if we can help it. Our reserve striker corps is being depleted, but Elvis Hammond and Jim Johansen are still on the roster, over 3 years after they helped us win the Championship.