RW and CF are not an issue for us this season no matter how much we feel we need an upgrade. We have Ibra, Giroud and Pellegri, and Messias and Saelemaekers. We will replace Pellegri if he leaves and we might replace Castillejo although I’m not sure about that.
The CF and RW upgrades are a problem for next season. Right now we just need to fix the CB issue. That’s the only priority. It’s not worth it getting a new AM since Adli is on his way, and getting someone on loan seems unnecessary. Brahim will get back to playing better and I thought he did good against Spezia.
100%
people are conflating their feelings with what is needed... these "old farts" have been scoring. vs big teams and crucial goals too. we're 2nd in goals score but 5-6 th in goals conceded....it's clear striker is not our problem. while in defence, even without the stats, we lost our best defender. our 3rd defender is unreliable (at least not suited for our game)...Kalulu and Gabbia will come with time.
for RW. Messias came to replace Samu. unfortunately, we could not offload him. so he (& Conti) was surplus to requirement. sure he did win us a game this season...but, as you said, he won't need to be replaced.
for CF, i also don't think Pellegri will be replaced. as i thought and said months earlier, that Pellegri would be redeemed at the end of the season. i did not expect to happen in january, but i knew that was the plan. regarless of "performance". he is 3rd striker in a 1 striker formation. won't have have nearly enough time on the field to "perform"... this was a 100% opportunity move. a wonderkid (or former, who has not exploded because of injuries but is still only 20) available for 7M (now 3-4M?) ... you just can't pass that. low risk -SUPER high reward... if we did not take him someone else would.
how many times did we NEED him to play? and that was when we had a busier schedule with CL .... we def won't NEED him so can send him on loan to get that gametime and continuity he so needs... Rebic is the 3rd striker ... which is actually essential for his game time too. If he had to share only LW minutes with this current Leao, we would have a pretty unhappy Ante.