Antoine Griezmann

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Imo we'll sign a midfield destroyer, hence the links to Bagayoko, and go with a midfield two. Which would free up a space in the team, which would go to Griezmann as a support striker or no.10.

So in other words waste Pogba completely? Jose can't be blind to how much Pogba has found consistent form with the switch to 4-3-3, it's no coincidence if you look at his best Juve form as well, it's always in a 3 with a proper holder, not some lug.
 
You simply can't play Pogba and Griezmann in the same side and hope to get the best out of both of them

Pogba needs to play in a midfield 3
Griezmann needs to play as a number 10
 
Imo we'll sign a midfield destroyer, hence the links to Bagayoko, and go with a midfield two. Which would free up a space in the team, which would go to Griezmann as a support striker or no.10.

Sounds awful, at least in terms of getting enough from midfield. Pogba would be wasted.
 
There's really no chance of him adapting to lead the line himself, as an out and out striker? There would be goals around him in Pogba, Martial, Mkhitaryan, etc. He seems to have the necessary skillset on paper, at least.

Otherwise I think he would be a gigantic waste of money.
 
There's really no chance of him adapting to lead the line himself, as an out and out striker? There would be goals around him in Pogba, Martial, Mkhitaryan, etc. He seems to have the necessary skillset on paper, at least.

He could play up top on his own but Jose likes his big target men doesn't he, Drogba, Costa, Zlatan etc etc
 
He could play up top on his own but Jose likes his big target men doesn't he, Drogba, Costa, Zlatan etc etc
Yeah, but he has certainly had success without strikers in that mold. And I don't see anyone currently capable of leading our line in that way bar Ibrahimovic, there is a distinct lack of world class, beastly strikers right now.
 
Can't he play as a wide forward? Pretty sure he got around 15 La Liga goals with Real Sociedad while playing left forward. That way, even Pogba gets to play in a midfield 3.
 
Can't he play as a wide forward? Pretty sure he got around 15 La Liga goals with Real Sociedad while playing left forward. That way, even Pogba gets to play in a midfield 3.
That's not Griezmann's peak position, though - a bit like playing Müller as the wide forward, who's effective no doubt, but at his best as a support striker/pseudo 10. Someone like Carrasco is more suited to playing in the wider role (more direct and faster and overall more threatening) if we're looking at Atlético players:





His goal production has gone up, too - from 5 goals last season to 10 goals in 19 matches in 2016/17 (which edges Griezmann current season tally of 9 goals in 21 games). Still a little rough around the edges, but he turns up in a lot of big games and has the potential to score 20-25 goals as a proper wide attacker/midfielder.
 
You simply can't play Pogba and Griezmann in the same side and hope to get the best out of both of them

Pogba needs to play in a midfield 3
Griezmann needs to play as a number 10

Not saying we are going to switch to another system but what about diamond then? Pogba gets a midfield three, Griez can occupy either one of the strikers' position or the #10. We don't really have any amazing wingers, Valencia's a good attacking fullback, don't think it would be that stupid.
 
Not saying we are going to switch to another system but what about diamond then? Pogba gets a midfield three, Griez can occupy either one of the strikers' position or the #10. We don't really have any amazing wingers, Valencia's a good attacking fullback, don't think it would be that stupid.

What about Mkhitaryan?
 
What about Mkhitaryan?

He is pretty good in the middle and he will have the ability to exploit both wings. The beauty of Mkhitaryan is that he is just a very good attacking midfielder, he doesn't rely on a particular set up.
 
Maybe Mourinho has been inspired by Red Bull Leipzig and we will lineup in "their" 4222:

DDG
Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Shaw
Keita - Herrera
Mick - Pogba
Zlatan - Griezman
;)
 
Maybe Mourinho has been inspired by Red Bull Leipzig and we will lineup in "their" 4222:

DDG
Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Shaw
Keita - Herrera
Mick - Pogba
Zlatan - Griezman
;)
I've used 4222 in FIFA 17 from the start, it seems such a super formation in theory.

De Gea
Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw
Herrera/Fellaini, Pogba
Mikitaryan, Martial
Zlatan, Rashford

Absolutely unbeatable.
 
Posters with more knowledge about Griezmann than I have is against this signing due to the shoehorning that would have to happen.

Pogba is our main man, will be considered our best player since Ronaldo in about 1 years time and is the one we should build the team around.

I don't care if it is Bale, Griez, Dybala or whoever, if they will somehow hinder us getting the max out of Pogba I don't want them.
 
Griezmann in 2018 when Ibra likely leaves would work and I think Griezmann is certainly capable of playing as a lone striker(especially if we use a 3 man midfield and give Pogba freedom to venture forward to support Griezmann).

At the moment, it would certainly complicate the team balance we seem to have struck.
 
He could play up top on his own but Jose likes his big target men doesn't he, Drogba, Costa, Zlatan etc etc
Was Costa really a target man under Mourinho? I don't think Chelsea lofted the ball up to him like we do with Ibra. Then you had Milito and Benzema who weren't used like that.
 
You simply can't play Pogba and Griezmann in the same side and hope to get the best out of both of them

Pogba needs to play in a midfield 3
Griezmann needs to play as a number 10

Wecould play a 31411

De Gea
Bailly Jones Rojo
Carrick
Valencia Herrera Pogba Shaw
Griezmann
Ibrahimovic​

Bit similar to what Pogba played in at Juve. We'd be sticking to a 3 man midfield and Griezmann be able to play as a 10. However, we shouldnt have to change our formation for one player, especially when we seem to be settling in a 4141
 
Potential 2017-18 starting XI:


De Gea
Bailly Lindelof
Valencia Shaw
Fosu-Mensah Pogba
Mkhytarian
Griezmann Zlatan Martial
 
Wecould play a 31411

De Gea
Bailly Jones Rojo
Carrick
Valencia Herrera Pogba Shaw
Griezmann
Ibrahimovic​

Bit similar to what Pogba played in at Juve. We'd be sticking to a 3 man midfield and Griezmann be able to play as a 10. However, we shouldnt have to change our formation for one player, especially when we seem to be settling in a 4141

I would rather we build the team around herrera, pogba and Miki in a 433 for me, we seeing the machine work, why break what aint fixed? I want to see this 433 thrive, not 2 strikers we only need the one

Potential 2017-18 starting XI:


De Gea
Bailly Lindelof
Valencia Shaw
Fosu-Mensah Pogba
Mkhytarian
Griezmann Zlatan Martial

Herrera must be in the team, since we switched to carrick, herrera and pogba we are thriving, that midfield trio really are making the difference to Pogba and zlaten, and I hope Jose settles on 433. VG tore apart 4141 system at the back end of 2014/15 season, and we struggled. Carrick, Herrera, Pogba and Miki really are doing everything to make us play has a unit, and that's helping zlaten
 
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Wecould play a 31411

De Gea
Bailly Jones Rojo
Carrick
Valencia Herrera Pogba Shaw
Griezmann
Ibrahimovic​
You would prefer a team that features Valencia and Shaw as wing backs ahead of one that features Mkhitaryan and Martial as attacking forwards? And the reason for that is so you can accommodate Griezmann? To each his own, but in my view that would be a poor exachange.
 
Sorry to say this but he doesn't fit at the moment would rather look elsewhere.
 
I've always thought Griezmann was a replacement for what Rooney was? I assumed he would eventually be the main striker with Rashford backing him up. If Zlatan doesn't decline next year then he would play off the left with Mkhi on the right and Pogba in front of the midfield with that Bakayoko guy coming in to rotate with Herrera and Carrick (based off the recent rumors).
 
I've always thought Griezmann was a replacement for what Rooney was? I assumed he would eventually be the main striker with Rashford backing him up. If Zlatan doesn't decline next year then he would play off the left with Mkhi on the right and Pogba in front of the midfield with that Bakayoko guy coming in to rotate with Herrera and Carrick (based off the recent rumors).

I've seen a lot of people mentioning how Griezmann can just 'play on the left with Mkhi on the right'. A few months seems to be enough to write off Anthony Martial.

What happens to everyone's Griezmann plans if/when Martial rediscovers his form in the second half of the season, and ends it being one of our star performers? Next season is a long way away. With Mkhitaryan and a performing Martial, the need will be further negated.

We do not need Griezmann, no matter how we try to convince ourselves we do. We have a good thing going at the moment, and need cover/eventual; replacements for our current front 6, not anyone to upset the existing balance. Martial, Zlatan and Mkhi have all scored goals in recent starts.

For me, we just need cover in attack to replace dross like Young and Memphis. We also need to address the fact our main striker is 35, however, the solution may already be within the squad and if not, we need to but THIS player, whoever that may be.
 
I've always thought Griezmann was a replacement for what Rooney was? I assumed he would eventually be the main striker with Rashford backing him up. If Zlatan doesn't decline next year then he would play off the left with Mkhi on the right and Pogba in front of the midfield with that Bakayoko guy coming in to rotate with Herrera and Carrick (based off the recent rumors).

Rooney doesn't need to be replaced, he's a substitute, and has already been replaced in our team.
 
He could easily play in a diamond alongside Ibra which would get the best out of the both of them, Pogba and possibly even Herrera. Mkhi in number 10 as well, and have two full backs providing width, and Griezmann and Mkhi pulling to either side making it a 4-3-3 at times and it could work.
 
Stop the diamond shit. 4-3-3 or go home. either he can play the right/left side of our attack or there is no need to get him.

A diamond is similar to a 4-3-3 at times isn't it, Pogba on the side of the midfield(where he played his best football for Juve?), Herrera the same but with far onus on defending and a actual holding mid, is essentially 3 centre mids.

When you then have mobile attackers like Mkhi with a very high work rate, drifting from flank to flank it could definitely work in a similar way to a 4-3-3 when going forward, there just formations, Pogba would thrive in a diamond still playing with the security of 2 other more defensive minded cms, Mkhi would thrive being the centre and hub of the attack, Ibra would probably enjoy playing with another forward as versatile mobile and as intelligent and clinical as Griezmann, and vice versa for probably different reasons. It could definitely work.
 
Griezmann could easily play in the role Lingard had against Sunderland. It's not like we were playing with orthodox wingers.

---------Zlatan

---Griezmann-Mkhitaryan

-Pogba------------Herrerra

----------Carrick

Shaw---Bailly -Jones-Valencia

-----------DDG
 
Rooney doesn't need to be replaced, he's a substitute, and has already been replaced in our team.

I said a replacement for what Rooney was. He was a striker coming into this season and has been replaced by Zlatan and Rashford. This transfer has been in the news sometime now. I wonder if the thinking was that Zlatan would only last a season at the start which is what originally may have fueled the transfer; who knows with the way Zlatan is currently playing. I do not think that Mourinho will trust Rashford to lead the line next year however if something happens to Zlatan.

I am as huge of a Martial believer as anyone but I also believe that we should keep competition high for places and add to the number of world class players in the team. Pogba won't play every match after all even if we continue with the 3 which means that there will be room for rotation in the 3 spots behind the striker. The money shouldn't be a problem anyways if Rooney's wages go off the books.
 
Here is the rotation I envision if Griezmann comes:
Zlatan/Rashford
Griezmann/Martial/Rashford --- Pogba/Mata/Mkhi --- Mkhi/Mata/Lingard

That's 8 players for 4 positions, with 2 players per position. I don't see that as problematic, especially if we have hopes to compete for the title and CL next season.
 
I've always thought Griezmann was a replacement for what Rooney was? I assumed he would eventually be the main striker with Rashford backing him up. If Zlatan doesn't decline next year then he would play off the left with Mkhi on the right and Pogba in front of the midfield with that Bakayoko guy coming in to rotate with Herrera and Carrick (based off the recent rumors).
Perhaps it could be seen that way, with them nominally being positioned in the same area of the pitch just off a striker. Equally so, Rooney has made a lot of sacrifices and has been marginialised to get in the team.

The problem with Griezmann is that if you want to get the very best out of him, he has to be allowed to roam and do what he wants when he wants with nobody else getting in his way or taking up the pseudo position he has drifted into. It doesn't really matter what it looks like on paper - Griezmann, at his optimal best, is going to break rank from it and do his own thing. Furthermore, if he is being told to stay within a set of positional boundaries, it defeats the point of bringing him in for a fee north of £80m as you may as well get a specialist in who is not having to compromise and is perfectly happy to stick to the remit of a set position.

I'm sure if Griezmann came, he would try his best to stick to any job he was given and it wouldn't be an issue of him complaining etc., but at the same time, he'd be sacrificing a large part of the very same game that has elevated his status to what it currently is if he did that. Perhaps he could reinvent himself, again, and become a 'boxed in' player, but that's one hell of a high stakes poker game... or a colossal waste of money and time should he not manage to do it.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that thinks when you buy a ready-made star who has shown the world what he can do via his body of work up to that point in time, you leave him to do exactly that for you and try to do everything in your power to facillitate it, even, by building the team around him.

It's the exact reason why anyone who watched Pogba knew that he needed that left-sided position in a three to come alive and that stuffing him into a two or whatever and asking him to be something he never really was would garner less than optimal results. The player will gladly try, but it's abundantly clear he has a niche and is being wasted if it isn't being catered to.

For me, if you put Griezmann back onto the left, you've already taken away half of his options and game. He isn't Neymar or the like who organically drifts over to that side of the pitch and even though he thrived in that position for Sociedad, he has come a long way since then and flourished with the vaster field of vision and opportunities he gets when played through the middle.
 
Breaking down buses:
Herrera
Mkhitaryan Pogba
Griezmann Zlatan/Rashford Martial
Counter-attacking Barcelona and Bayern:
Carrick/Holding Destroyer
Herrera Pogba
Mkhitaryan Griezmann Martial/Rashford


With that team we could take the game to Barca and Bayern. :drool:
 
Can't we false 9 him? If he's better as a 10 than at leading the line, let the wingers get in behind since Martial wants to be up there himself anyway.

------------Carrick------------
-----Herrera------Pogba-----
----------Griezmann---------
--Mkhitaryan-----Martial----
 
You would prefer a team that features Valencia and Shaw as wing backs ahead of one that features Mkhitaryan and Martial as attacking forwards? And the reason for that is so you can accommodate Griezmann? To each his own, but in my view that would be a poor exachange.

Nope. You would know that if you read my whole post.
 
Everyone seems to be putting Griezmann in a united XI.

Is there a serious transfer link I've missed recently?
 
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