This place is ridiculous at times. If we were linked with him two months ago people would have laughed it off. But since we now have the Dutch national team manager he is suddenly complete class to some people. Blind is on the level of someone like Buttner. He would be a pointless signing.
Daley Blind - Deal Confirmed
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I already said Blind wasn't super fast. Also, Gio played his best games for the national team aged 35 and 37 at Euro 2008 and WC2010 and people in Holland were really concerned he didn't have enough pace left to play a left back at that time. He proved them wrong though, compensating with intelligence. Same applies to Blind now, who's considered the best left back at the moment for Holland by van Gaal, but LVG is also contemplating whether he will be played in midfield or left back at the World Cup in his new system.
Blind, Gio and Phil Neville all three aren't the 'playmaker-type of player', so I wouldn't know why you bring that in. What I do know is that except for his great games at Euro 2008 and his goal against Uruguay, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was generally known and criticized in Holland for being someone who mostly played safe, always playing simple balls wide instead of risky passes forward, 'Tikje breed Gio'.
All in all I would still say there are a lot more similarities between Blind and Gio than between Phil Neville and Blind, which just feels like a very random comparison.
He's not really getting rave reviews though is he. Nobody cared about him before he got linked to us. We've Dutch posters saying he's not good enough. If this link turns out to be bollocks will anyone still be here talking about him or saying that a big team should sign him? Probably not.
Moussa Demele had a transformation for Fulham from a Striker to a Midfielder. He was younger and playing at a higher level, he's probably a better player too. He was still deemed not good enough in the end, but it's probably a similar situation but in a lower quality league.
I'm sure there's a joke in there somewhere...Not really sure how the Dembele bit is relevant to my point.He's not really getting rave reviews though is he. Nobody cared about him before he got linked to us. We've Dutch posters saying he's not good enough. If this link turns out to be bollocks will anyone still be here talking about him or saying that a big team should sign him? Probably not.
Moussa Demele had a transformation for Fulham from a Striker to a Midfielder. He was younger and playing at a higher level, he's probably a better player too. He was still deemed not good enough in the end, but it's probably a similar situation but in a lower quality league.
He's had good reviews from reliable journalists, who I must say I have a fair bit more faith in than your average caftard. As I said I've not seen him much, but the point still stands. Writing a player off because he's 24 and someone on a forum told you he wasn't good enough is even more ridiculous than the countless examples of jumping on the bandwagon with praise when players get hyped.
Which journos? I'd honestly like to read a bit more about him if you can provide links or anything.
The article I posted about him did say he had a good year in a new position, but reading between the lines, he didn't sound like a world beater. Coupled with the reaction of people that post on here who watch him every game, I'm taking anything written after he was linked with us with a massive pinch of salt. Often it's the case that players become world beaters when they're linked with us.
Fair enough on the second part, but it think it works both ways. He's player of the year and 24 isn't exactly old so I was a bit surprised people were writing him off without seeing him play.
I saw Michael Cox raving about him on twitter and then in another article about potential Chelsea signings he described him as 'ludicrously talented'. That led me to read a bit about him and a few searches suggested he certainly wasn't the only one who rated him so highly. I'll have a look for some now.
We don't have any probems with writing off mediocre PL players linked to us. Whether they're 20 or 35 years of age. Why? because we watch them play. By that analogy, if 9 out of 10 Eredivisie observers tell us he's not good enough, is it that they're desperate for him to be shit for a reason of sorts or is it just that he is not good enough according to them?
If you learned that Barca want Lee Cattermole would you advocate the transfer saying 'you can't write him off, still a good age for a CM' or 'I want what the're smoking down there'?
Bizarre logic. Obviously not. Blind is player of the year in Holland and some clued up people who watch football for a living reckon he's brilliant. Most of those writing him off in here aren't Dutch, and we certainly haven't had ten. After Evra's first half season, or before Carrick came to United, you'd find the majority of Chelsea or Liverpool fans saying they weren't up to it. They'd also all be wrong.
Well that's basically what I said, which you've been arguing with me about. I know nothing about him, but if Van Gaal signs him I'll trust his judgement. It's as simple as that.
I'd wager the same clued people were ridiculing him not that long ago. Many people in Holland did, including those who are paid for giving their opinion.
That's a big 'if'. For now I'll trust my mate's judgement on him as not once was he wrong about any Dutch player or a player moving from Eredivisie to one of the top clubs. He did say he's had a good season and is a tactically intelligent footballer, quite versatile as well also not a type to throw a hissy fit when not playing. That's why Van Gaal takes him to Brazil.
Which doesn't mean Van Gaal sees him good enough for us. That's where we disagreed. If, however, Van Gaal brings him here, I'll trust him and then question my mate's take on him.
Also, since when do we perceive media as an oracle? Or is it just non-British media?
I don't think Van Gaal will sign him but if he does it will be his Edson Braafheid moment.
When exactly is he meant to have been..ehrm...ridiculed? This season when he won Dutch PotY? Last season when he was Ajax's PotY? Two seasons ago when he established himself as a regular in a title winning side? I'm sure I could keep going, but what a 24-year-old player did half a decade ago is the very definition of uninteresting.
From what I've read from football writers, he was really poor at left back and his career was going nowhere. That wasn't long ago.
El Hamdauoi, Theo Janssen and Wilfried Bony are all recent player of the years in Holland. 24 year old is a veteran in that league, because of the financial realities in the league really talented players leave as soon as possible. It is worrying that it took such a long while for him to start to stand out in that league.
Can't have been that recently, he's picked up PotY awards in consecutive seasons - including one where he was mainly a left-back. And he was easily one of the best LBs during last summer's u21 Euros. Holland play Wales next Wednesday, don't they? Should give you a chance to watch him rather than read about him, mate.
I don't believe any media. And I know nothing about this guy, just as I knew nothing about Hernandez when Fergie signed him, but I trusted him then and IF van Gaal were to sign Blind I'd trust him now.
Suarez also left at 23
Suarez was one of the best players in the league even when he was at Gronigen. The issue with Blind is it took him so long to become an impact player in the league. Ajax are sort of my second European club and Blind was just a squad player until the last two seasons.
People develope/find their strengths at different speeds. This is true in all sports. Regardless of whether or not he's actually good enough for us, don't you think yours is a strange criticism to make? It can easily be turned on its head. The fact he isn't the player he was (for the better) could be an indication he's still growing as a player and will be better still in one or two season's time. In any case, any professional will tell you it's not always that relevant what someone did at 17/18. That in and of itself isn't even a measure of ability, it's just where a person was at that time. Why look at what a player was yesterday when you can look at what they are today?
No, I was always harsh on Young (perhaps unfairly). I felt he wasn't playing all that well but would pop up with a goal or an assist. He does that very rarely now and it is clear he isn't good enough. Fellaini showed he was a good target man at Everton. That is a very very small skill for a CM.
That means you haven't watch much of their football, he showed a lot more than that, never mind he is actually a international player, playing in one of the better european teams. So to rate him as a nothing player is just stupid. He may not fit at United and not be a United's level, but so are many other good players, like Kagawa for example, who has not delivered or Hernandez, that after first good season was worse and worse, Forlan in he past and others.
Kagawa and Hernandez have proven they can play in their respective positions before. Fellaini possess very little quality and lacks the attributes to be an effective CM. He isn't intelligent, robust or skilled enough. He is slow to cover and will fail under pressure in deep situations. He isn't exactly a great passer of the ball and he doesn't know when to attack or when he should stay back. He's lost. He may get away with it in a 3 man midfield. MAYBE. I don't see many qualities which would allow him to be good enough or suit a certain play style apart from long ball.
Well give Ben Pearson a go.. He is one talented kid with a terrierlike attitude but I dont see anything in Blind that will help us.
Depends on your "big" definition. Nobody from them are Real, Munich, Barca material. Hernandez for example could be useful in Arsenal due to their style of play and lack of players in that positions. But i don't really expect him to thrive there as a main player. More like a more used good squad one. I din't think any top club is ready to buy Kagawa for example, only Dortmund maybe wants him back, and not that much really as far as i can tell.I wonder if those three players were available who would end up with a big club...
He played as a CM in Everton 11-12, he plays there in Belgium national team. So you just talking bollocks really. And even in 12-13 he played as many as half game deep as a CM, including a great match against City at Goodison.
Hernandez is part of a dying breed which in Italy is known as prima punta (in England is called goal poacher). I fancy his chances of going to an Italian top club and end up a first teamer there. Kagawa is not my favorite Man United player but if played correctly he can be a quality no 10. Its a shame that we already have two players who are better then him.
I am pretty confident that any top quality club would rather have Hernandez or Kagawa (the latter will be favorite to the former) then Fellaini. Long ball merchants aren't in high demands these days
He never really impressed in CM with Everton. In fact his best games came as an AM. Regarding Belgium, with all due respect, you're making them sound like Spain or Germany.
There's nothing wrong in being specialized in a style of game. Inzaghi for example had zero talent and was one of the biggest divers in football history. However once he breaks through the offside trap it was a goal for 99% of the time. Fellaini is a quality long ball merchant. Nothing wrong with that either. Unfortunately he doesn't suit our style.
They are not, but they are not much worse most of the european teams that at Brazil, England included. Fellaini did well as a CM, as i've said half, well or 40%, of the 12-13 season he still played deep, as a CM as well. Including some top games. And he was a target for Chelsea, Arsenal before 12-13 season, that says he was highly regarded.
I am not saying he is a great player, but i think it's a moronic not to consider him a rather good one, maybe not the one that could fit in United, but that another issue altogether.
I'm pretty sure most of top clubs would turn Kagawa and Hernandez down. Same as Fellaini. As for Hernandez italian chances the only club interested is Inter that is rebuilding, but it was not in CL for quite some time, so it's not exactly top. For example Napoli and Juve would not want him really.
I seriously doubt that he was a target of anyone to be honest. If Moyes was to be believed he never stood in the path of players who could end up with big sides.
I consider him as a good player, actually I see him as a quality long ball merchant who would be fantastic for clubs who play that game. However that doesn't suit our style
So what are his attributes? To what style does he fit in? He was best off the front man. Most of his work was aerial and in the air. Bringing the ball down from a long or lofted ball. He gained his reputation from that. Deeper and actual play making and starting the moves? No. He will not find a pass from receiving it from a CB. He will not dribble past the opposition lines. He was most useful when they were getting crosses in or he had his back to goal. He was good at trapping it laying it off and getting into the box. That doesn't make you a good CM. Kagawa and Hernandez proved their worth in their positions in championship winning teams. Fellaini hasn't and never will at CM. He isn't good enough defensively apart from his height and strength. That doesn't make you a good DM either.
He also had a good game against us in the opening day (12/13 I think). We shut him down at Old Trafford though when we man marked him and their long balls were not working.
So you are implying Belgium plays long ball? Well you are wrong. Moyes did not stand, but he did have a 22-23 mil release clause and given that Everton themselves bought him for like 18-19 or something it was a lot of money.
If Hernandez is truly available then I fancy the top Italian clubs to bid for him. He's the typical goal poacher the Italian clubs love. German and French sides may be interested (especially if Cavani leaves) while I wont be surprised if the likes of Spurs and Athletico would place a bid for him.
Kagawa would be snapped by Dortmund. Klopp would love to work with his protegee again.
I much doubt anyone would want Fellaini though.
Belgium play with the players they got. I know that they are well stocked in CM however having a player who is EPL proven is a big plus for them.
22-23m are peanuts for a quality CM.
Our biggest mistake was to get a player whose best football was produced as no 10 in a very direct football style and try to convert him in a DM. We did the same with Scholes/Veron when we tried to reconvert Scholes as a forward to make space to the Argentinian. It rarely work that well.
If we needed a DM then we should have brought in a player who performed wonders as a DM.
Check how much money were paid for Thiago, Strootman, 22-23 mil pounds, that is around 28 mil euro is a high price, that is reserved for young stars only, like Pogba, or attacking players like Lamela, Lallana etc.
Belgium is pretty much stocked in CM area. So much in fact they were "forced" to exclude Nainggolan from Roma. You can google they guy, the reviews he get etc. He was really good this season.
I heard that he has a shitty attitude, like batshuayi and it is why he is not in the selection. Wilmots wants a team whithout trouble makers.
He still would be only as good as a reserve. England has a Cleverly as such "reserve". Just saying.
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