Rafael Benitez _460

Assuming there will be the usual loose change raised by the annual cull of striplings emerging from the Academy battery farm, coffers will need to be boosted by the departure of a few of those who might be conspicuously avoiding the skip in the Main Stand car park for fear of being thrown in.

Not many fans would spill their beer should Dossena, Degen (who?), Pennant, Voronin and Leto find themselves otherwise employed come next August; we should raise about £10m for that lot.

With a reasonable donation from the States, that could leave £30m burning a hole in Rafa’s pocket, a sum he’ll probably have to supplement by losing one or more of Riera, Babel or Lucas.

Each will have their sponsors, but in truth any could be sacrificed to pay for just two high-quality replacements: Gareth Barry to strengthen the left side, plus a top-class withdrawn striker/winger to add penetration and enable some variation with or without Torres.

But no more £6-8m ‘bargains’ please; and, for the love of God, no more hopeless full-backs.