Does Cuadrado play regularly at a defensive right sided position at Fiorentina or something? Have to admit I've never seen him play for them, but he didn't seem to be the defensive type judging from the World Cup.
Asking because he's supposedly the perfect answer to the RWB spot in Louis' new formation...
This is exactly what I thought. He was Nani-ish vs (I think) Brazil at the World Cup as he kept losing the ball. Not the most intelligent player I've watched but if he's originally a right wing back like @Hal9000 said then he'd certainly be an upgrade on Valencia and possibly Rafael.Have only seen him at the world cup. He looked every bit the equal of Valencia physically in terms of speed, strength and stamina, maybe even faster than Valencia. Very skilful but seemed to play with his head down and sometimes end up dribbling into trouble instead of making the right pass.
It also gives you the option of playing with wingers. I don't think we need to be rigid with our formation. He can play wingback and winger. It gives you the option of playing him wide and one of the others behind him.Well, assuming we do get him and continue to play 3-5-2, surely it'll mean at least one, if not two, of the wing back options that we currently have will have to go?
James Richardson doesn't really rate him, for whatever that might be worth.
A lot of flairy players are like that though. 8/10 times they will give the ball away, and then they will create or score a goal out of nothing. It just depends whether you can be patient enough to persist with players like that. You either get your solid workhorses like Valencia, or inconsistent genius like Nani(of old).Yeah, nor does James Horncastle (assuming you are referring to the Guardian podcast).
For those who didn't catch it, James Richardson called him a style-over-substance player who's flashy but gives the ball away constantly. I think Horncastle actually singled out Nani as a player he's most similar too.
Where is the article these quotes supposedly come from? I have seen nothing in the English press. If Van Gaal said something like that the Sun, The Mail, everyone would be running it.
Apart from maybe Shaw, read those names you've listed and you've answered your own question!With Shaw, Rafael, Valencia and Young and James already fighting for the wingback positions, do we really need another? Will he add that much to the side?
I'm of the opinion Rafael is a superb player and with less defensive duties with having 3 at the back will flourish yet more. Young seems to have found his feet and James looks like a terrific prospect. Spending huge sums on a player that I don't beleive would improve us that much seems a little silly.Apart from maybe Shaw, read those names you've listed and you've answered your own question!
Do we think this will happen then? Or will he end up at Barca?
With Shaw, Rafael, Valencia and Young and James already fighting for the wingback positions, do we really need another? Will he add that much to the side?
I'd agree if Valencia hadn't only recently signed an extension. I can't see this being an extension with the intention to get more money from selling him, no one with money would want him!Yes he would. Some people in this thread suggests that Rafael would be the player to leave if he came in. I disagree with that assessment for this reason... if we did decide to switch to 4-3-3 then we'd have one RB choice: Valencia (unless we played Jones/Smalling there). Selling Rafael would mean we'd lose our only natural RB in the senior squad. Whereas if we sold Valencia we'd be removing a right winger which Cuadrado would fill. So in that scenario I think it's more likely that Valencia would be the one on the way out, not Rafael.
I'd agree if Valencia hadn't only recently signed an extension. I can't see this being an extension with the intention to get more money from selling him, no one with money would want him!
I'd agree if Valencia hadn't only recently signed an extension. I can't see this being an extension with the intention to get more money from selling him, no one with money would want him!
I think you'd be surprised, in any case we'd probably keep hold of all 3 for a season just as a precaution in case we did change formation half way through the season.
I take your point but we have 3 other wingers in Nani, Zaha and Young - they're all as bad as each other right now. I just think it would be a huge waste of money.They'd get more for him that if he left on a free. They probably extended his contract because we're short on wingers, especially if Nani goes which looked likely at the time.
I take your point but we have 3 other wingers in Nani, Zaha and Young - they're all as bad as each other right now. I just think it would be a huge waste of money.
So he'd rather stay in Italy than sign for us? If it's true then fecking hell, what have we become?
I didn't see the article, I was just going off the stuff I posted in the twitter thread.I can't translate the article but if that's the jist of it, I highly doubt that's the case. For a start, he can probably earn a hell of a lot more here.
So he'd rather stay in Italy than sign for us? If it's true then fecking hell, what have we become?
Id keep Valencia over Young, Zaha and Nani any day.
Again, we are most likely being used by an agent or club again here.So he'd rather stay in Italy than sign for us? If it's true then fecking hell, what have we become?
I have not seen enough of him but watching the Videos he never, ever passes the ball. Always trying to beat a man with his skills and acceleration. I say we can do better and this is not a priority this season.Liked the sound of this guy until I read those Nani comparisons. No more brainless players please.
Harsh on Young after the preseason tour
Ive seen young play for a few years now, a good pre season doesnt change that.
If LVG wants to keep him as a squad player, thats fine.
To be fair he is useful as a squad player, and was decent in his first season.
