Aslong as these few adjustments are QUALITY players then I'd agree with Comolli.
When you look at our team:
Goalkeeper- Sorted
Back 4 - Sorted
Centre Midfield - Pretty much sorted with Lucas and Gerrard returning but ideally another playmaker would be nice
Wingers - Really need one top class winger
Striker - Our main problem area - one great finisher please.
So potentially we're looking at a top class striker and winger, and if we're being greedy then a creative midfielder.
Then we'll really be in the mix next season. The problem is identifying these 3 players.
Is that really where we're at, though?
I posted this the other day (and I don't even go into the fact that Lucas might not return on all cylinders):
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=287373.msg9976932#msg9976932Something I've felt over many years is that with Rafa we were very good at improving the team but, due to budgetary restrictions, such improvements were done by replacing departing 'team-members' (I differentiate, here, from 'squad-members') rather than replacing the covering squad member and bumping the previous season's 'team-member' down the pecking order due to new signings.
I'll be so frustrated if we don't go into next season with a new, quality central midfielder - it seems that the thinking was that we'd play Lucas and Gerrard in the middle, with Henderson replacing the inside-right Meireles, and Downing being signed to play wide of our lopsided midfield. Charlie Adam was signed as cover but, as it happens, had ended up being first pick usually due to Gerrard's absence.
Now, I don't want this post to be perceieved as a criticism of Adam - he's absolutely ideal for the role he was signed up for. I do, however, feel that we need to be looking at signing a central midfielder who we can have confidence to play week in week out and take us forward - I just don't think that Steven Gerrard is that player any more (for reasons outlined via the link above).
We've recently been treated to a top-class centre forward in Fernando Torres - but, whilst it'd be lovely to enjoy that kind of attacking talent once again, he had the support of Gerrard who, in turn, had the support of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso in a 4-2-3-1 system. The core of that side was outstanding and it's unlikely that we'll be able to buy into that sort of quality in the short-term.
Instead of spunking big on a player and hoping it works, we need to consider the contingency plan - what if that striker we sign breaks his leg on August 11th? If we're stuck in a position whereby we have as meagre goalscoring contribution from elsewhere as we have had this season, then we're likely to find ourselves in the same scenario.
Personally, I'd be looking at making a shrewd acquisition of proven quality to replace Maxi and Kuyt - somebody who is comfortable playing wide (but in a side with a supporting full/wing-back...we don't necessarily need a chalk-on-the-boots wingman) and with a forward, is a proven goalscorer, has a good fitness record, won't break the bank, and, if they can bring additional marketing perks, too - great! I don't think we'll haggle too hard over Maxi and Kuyt - if we could bring somebody in for around £12m then we'd be looking steady. I don't really want to get all Football Manager and throw names about but if the money were sent Fulham's way, I don't think we'd be disappointed. Long-term proven quality who would sell shirts.
If we can trust that man to improve upon the combined contributions, this season, of Kuyt (who has had a poor season) and Maxi (who's barely featured) then we've started the summer well. I think we've all got faith in Craig Bellamy hitting the net on a reasonably regular basis and, though his finishing is erratic, Suarez has never struggled to score goals with his previous clubs (or internationally) and I've every confidence in he and Andy Carroll having much better seasons than 2011-12.
It's the midfield man that I'd be throwing the cash at - somebody who can partner Lucas and provide a solid foundation for the team, but who can also work in tandem with Lucas so that one is always ready and able to support the attack and maintain pressure by defending on the edge of the opposition third. We all still look around and struggle to come up with a better alternative to Steven Gerrard but I just don't know how often he'll be available and how soon he'll be up to speed when he is - if we're to move forward we need to accept that we're not going to find a like-for-like replacement and that there's no point resting on our laurels and including him in our pre-season Best XI fantasy plans.
I think we can upgrade the forward/right option at potentially no additional cost, need to look hard at the central midfield issue, and should get those sorted before considering a true wide-man. I never want to throw in the towel, but if the table barely shows any improvements in the 'race for fourth' in three games time, then I think we should also take the opportunity to have an extended look at one or both of Flanagan and Robinson.