You're spot on so don't apologise. If you buy Griezmann, you either go false 9 and use him like Alexis Sanchez is used at Arsenal.. which tbh I really like. Or we go 4-4-2 diamond, with Pogba left of diamond and Griezmann behind two pacey strikers who can drift out wide i.e. Rashford and Martial. Against weak teams at home, we can use him like Mata behind Ibra.
Antoine Griezmann
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You're spot on so don't apologise. If you buy Griezmann, you either go false 9 and use him like Alexis Sanchez is used at Arsenal.. which tbh I really like. Or we go 4-4-2 diamond, with Pogba left of diamond and Griezmann behind two pacey strikers who can drift out wide i.e. Rashford and Martial. Against weak teams at home, we can use him like Mata behind Ibra.
This is an excellent resource for all things Simeone and Arda, mate:
http://spielverlagerung.com/2014/05/16/atletico-madrid-under-diego-simeone-2014/
http://spielverlagerung.com/2016/01...dividuality-based-shift-in-barcelonas-attack/
And Mkhitaryan would be an excellent fit as Turan given their origins as attacking midfielders who would start wide but drifted inwards, and evidenced good workrate for players in their position. As for the players we could sign, there's scope to go in a lot of different directions depending on the exact style you want to implement.
Up front, you ideally need someone who can press high and 'hunt' the defenders (like Vardy for Leicester, or Mandžukić for Bayern ahead of Müller). That definitely rules out Ibrahimović, who can't fulfill that strenuous role at his age. Rashford can, but he's a bit too young and tactically naive, still. Don't need to sign a superstar as such (evidenced by Gameiro's performances for Atlético and the way he links up with Griezmann + Carrasco), but functional coherence is of utmost importance, especially the link up with the SS.
In midfield and on the right, you could maybe add a genuine winger to stretch the flank and provide an aesthetic alternative to Mkhitaryan. Reckon Ander would do just fine as a Gabi type CM/DM hybrid given some of his performances this season, but for the Tiago role, you could again go in a lot of different directions: a Fernandinho type complete holder who's maybe not a Carrick level passer like N'Zonzi or Fabinho (who's playing really well for Monaco in a midfield 2 and offers the option of playing as a fullback), or a more DLP type like Paredes or Weigl who can really pass with greater precision.
Centerback partner for Bailly: Usual suspects. Wrt. Blind, he is a really good footballer, but will likely be a bad fit given the strain the defense will face in that setup on the counter. Rightback: Closest thing to Juanfran in terms of offensive/ defensive balance is probably Mario (Villarreal). Leftback/wingback: Shaw needs to improve be a substantial margin to reach Luís's level as a fullback. But with Pogba's presence on the left channel, the possibility of signings a shifty, Alba-esque attacking back opens up. Alejandro Grimaldo from Benfica would be excellent in any such role, IMO, and is a genuine difference maker from the position in terms of passing, dribbling and link-up technique:
@Invictus The problem is that I only know three managers able to implement that system, Jardim, Jorge Jesus and Simeone.
Yep, it's a niche approach employed by a select few, mate. Though there used to be a time when José was a cocky tactical savant who would would dabble in different setups (like the versatile diamond at Porto, or the Zona Mista regen. 4-2-3-1/3-4-1-2 hybrid at Inter), but he comes across as a conformist these days - with all the advocacy for strict 4-2-3-1, or maybe a 4-3-3. The worst part is that you half get the feeling that he has started to question his own ability as a coach and manager, so fat chance of seeing something exotic at United.
Stoke, Liverpool, Arsenal and now West Ham. Four games where the opponent was for the taking but we failed to capitalise. You really need a special player in the final third to act as the 'can opener' as Fergie would say it. Not necessarily Griezmann only, but he's the one most likely to join because of his past fandom. Go for it.
@Invictus I like Mario Gaspar, he would be a solid addition. Fabinho reminds me of a lot of Yaya in the way he covers ground and is a presence on the field. I prefer him to the likes of Weigl as I like to see us with a powerful sided team. I like the look of Johnathan Tah of Leverkusen, he looks like the next Boateng, have you seen much of him?
Also do you think Martial could play the Gamerio role?
Also do you think Martial could play the Gamerio role?
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Think this will 100% happen this summer.
Yes, he essentially plays as a second striker these days. I haven't seen him play as a No. 9 and I doubt that he can show his best qualities playing in that position.
Haven't seen much of Tah if I'm honest. I've watched a bit of Niklas Sule and like the look of him, and he seems to be highly rated in general. There are a few good centre back prospects out there at the moment including Jose Gimenez, who has been linked to us in recent weeks.
Ibra has a 1 year contract and he might not be there next season. Martial isn't a winger he's a striker, IMO he lost confidence after he was moved to the wings by LVG and JM is doing the same mistake. I hope JM plays Martial as a striker. Mata is too slow to play on the right, I would choose Mkhi anyday over Mata. I don't have that much football knowledge, but I feel Antoine should play on the left, Mkhi on the right and Martial up top (after he gains confidence) . Fellaini doesn't bring anything to the team, everytime JM brings him on at the last few minutes when we are level or trailing Fellaini looks clueless.
Griezmann would be pointless on the left, he needs to be able to cut in and shoot if he's playing wide, so he has to be on the right. Mkhitaryan is two footed so in your prposed system he'd be the better choice on the left.
You are right Mkhi should play on the left and Antione on the right, as I told above I don't have that much knowledge about football.
He was our best attacker by a landslide last season while playing 95% of the time out wide on the left.
Couple of years ago I'd have laughed this off as impossible, but with the last few windows we've had nothing at all would surprise me. Too much smoke for there not to be something in this, quizzing Pogba on what life is like at United is nearly a giveaway.
He's definitely signing for United this summer.
If he'd considered an exit why did he sign a new contract with probably a much higher buy out clause?
Because he doesn't consider an exit at the moment and he probably won't until Simeone leaves Atletico. Most papers are trying to create a transfer buzz, they know that he is friend with Pogba among other players and they know that United among other clubs have the means to purchase Griezmann, so during interviews they ask questions about Pogba's transfer, about his friendship with Pogba, if he is interested by PSG, if Barcelona is a dream, if he compares leagues with his french teammates(who mainly play in the PL), etc...
And from that people invent a narrative were Griezmann is bound to join United, when he could join Bayern, City, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea too. People might have missed it but in the last interview he confirmed that Beckham was his idol but he also said that Cavani and Suarez were players that he admires, it doesn't mean that he is going to sign for PSG or Barcelona even though when asked about joining Barcelona he didn't say no but simply answered that there was no room for him with the MSN.
Tah is also not gettable in the near future. Zero chance in winter and in summer it doesnt look better, as Leverkusen are going to lose Toprak in summer to Dortmund for 12m€ due to a clause. Völler ll be reluctant to consider selling the other important CB. I m pretty sure he wont move clubs before 2018.
I hope it happens, but remember the way Eden Hazard teased us all years ago, saying will it be red, or will it be blue ? etc etc...
Hope Monsieur Griezmann and his brother aren't doing this to us
Hope Monsieur Griezmann and his brother aren't doing this to us
What position does Griezmann play for Atletico?
I always thought he'd be best played through the middle, behind the stiker.
I always thought he'd be best played through the middle, behind the stiker.
He plays second striker and improved his playmaking abilities.
You could say he could join all of those clubs you mentioned and even other clubs, but the point of why the speculation for Griezmann to United is so strong is because given the circumstances and squad make-up of all the clubs, United looks the most likely. Yes he could go to Bayern, but would Bayern spend that much on him when they have Muller and Lewandowski and their wingers? The same goes for City, well yes technically he could go there but you already know it's not likely because of Aguero, Iheanacho, Silva, De Bruyne, Nasri, Sterling, Sane, Navas, Nolito, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno. Arsenal and Liverpool are difficult to imagine because of their relative financial strength in getting such a deal done, and Chelsea might be our closest competitors.
My point is that your posts has a bit too much of "everything's possible" about it. Well, yes, but there are clear reasons why the United story makes more sense than him going to all those other clubs you mentioned and it's not just because United fans want it to happen.
I hope it happens, but remember the way Eden Hazard teased us all years ago, saying will it be red, or will it be blue ? etc etc...
Hope Monsieur Griezmann and his brother aren't doing this to us
His brother wouldn't do that to us, he loves us.
By that logic the Atletico story make more sense and my point is that he isn't bound to join us. We all want it but it's not bound to happen, the same way Pogba to Real Madrid was never bound to happen.
You're right there
I'd say we're definitely favorites to get him but every year we get endlessly linked to about 2 Atletico superstars and we never come close to signing them in the end apart from De Gea years ago.
Where would he play. We are already stacked in the wings and the ten channel, unless its up front.
I think 4-2-3-1 isn't the right formation to get the best from Pogba, but until we see a concerted switch to 4-3-3 I would imagine the idea would be for Griezmann to play behind Ibra.
I actually did hear from a pretty good source that this was done.
Well there we fecking have it! Alec Guinness' will be done, amen.
Have very little desire for us to sign him. Seems due to him being a big name player many want him, but there is no obvious role for him here, unless he plays false 9 I think.
If we are to spend another record fee, the obvious place to do it would be for someone to lead the line I think. A top class 9 (whoever that may be) would complete the team far more than Griezmann would.
For me, good as he is, he's one I'm happy to enjoy from afar. Rather splash on Aubameyang or whoever.
If we are to spend another record fee, the obvious place to do it would be for someone to lead the line I think. A top class 9 (whoever that may be) would complete the team far more than Griezmann would.
For me, good as he is, he's one I'm happy to enjoy from afar. Rather splash on Aubameyang or whoever.
Full disclosure, that source was @Spoony's post which I saw when you quoted it and tagged me.
I agree but I am not sure Aubameyang would suit Jose as he likes his #9 to have more in the way of hold-up play, it's why I think he's reluctant to use Rashford as a #9. I also think Jose is unwilling to accept Pogba not playing as a straight up #8 mst of the time and so he wants Griezmann in that #10/SS role as an upgrade on Rooney and Mata.
What do I get when it happens? I'm not saying I deserved getting my avatar back after the Pogba deal but...
I can promise you now with no hesitation that when it happens I'll write a post to say well done.
If you remind me.
He's just playing hard to get, trust me, I know how much he likes Griezmann, he'll do anything you desire.
Anything.
Great. But seriously Mourinho will be buying a few players cum summer, Greizman is probably the only dead cert at the moment, though. I suspect this place will explode due to the muppetry and excitement.
Oh and I've bought myself a new pair of Gazelles....a burgundy and gum sole pair.
I'm also about to do the dab.
He is reluctant to use Rashford because of ibra. When ibra isn't around, Rashford plays as striker
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