Is work rate not a big part of physicality though?
Florian Wirtz | Leverkusen player
- Thread starter Invictus
- Start date
I bet he meant physicality in terms of size and sheer power.
I don’t think so. Fred for example had a high work rate but wasn’t the strongest. Small players can work really hard but not be physically imposing or strong, which is why I separate the two. They may be linked often but they merit being classed as separate qualities.
For example, Onana is lauded for his work rate and physicality, but I prefer a player that combines work rate and technique, like Neves. It doesn’t mean Onana has terrible technique or Neves has no physicality. It just highlights their primary strengths. I bring it up because there is more than one way to defend, especially in this era where referees afford players so much protection from physical play.
Are you talking about Ruben Neves? He's retired in Saudi.
Wirtz is great though. His close control is Iniesta like.
Wirtz is great though. His close control is Iniesta like.
Joao Neves of Benfica id assume?
Wirtz is a pipe dream. He will stay in Leverkusen for another season and then probably follow Alonso to Real or Bayern.
Are we even sounded him out yet?
I think we still have issues in defense and at CF, silky passing and dribbling cannot solve all our problems.
I agree, the striker position is indeed a problem, since Klose retired we just don't seem to have anyone in that position that I would even remotely describe as international class. Füllkrug and Undav are alright, but that's about it, and apart from them we really don't have anyone who can even come close to playing at international level. In central defence we have two good players in Rüdiger and Tah, but I'm not sure if they'll form a really good partnership. But the big problem is the wing positions, Kimmich has now moved back to right-back at Bayern and in the national team because we simply don't have any quality there, maybe Henrichs, but he's no better than average, the left side of our defence looks even worse.
Really impressive.
Get him over here, we will sort that out.
Get him over here, we will sort that out.
It pains me to see Ralf Ragnick wanted this guy when he was available for 30M but board didnt approve the signing.
Mainoo-Writz could dominate midfield for next 10-12 years
Mainoo-Writz could dominate midfield for next 10-12 years
You have a source for that story? When was he available for 30m? Certainly not when Rangnick was with us, that is utter nonsene, and I also call bullshit on the "board didn't approve" part. As for Rangnick naming Wirtz as a transfer target, if he did, that is about as imaginative as wanting to sign Messi in 2009. At no point we would have been in a good position to sign him, he was deliberately staying at Leverkusen despite Bayern (and probably every other rich club in the world) being after him for years.
He’ll be City’s KDB replacement.
Wonderful player but zero chance he comes to United. Player like that deserves to be in the CL next season as opposed to no European football what do ever.
With Neves behind them
The equivalent of Busquets, Xavi and IniestaThat’s the type of planning City or Real have, as usual we’ll wait until Casemiro and Bruno are 33 and realise we need to replace them, at which time we’ll pay top dollar for a couple of 29 year olds.
I’m afraid you will be right.
Aren’t the rumours they’re after Musiala instead?
Musiala is not leaving Bayern. Wirtz is very attainable in a year or two when Xabi leaves.
Musiala is very different to KDB, Musiala would be perfect to play on City's left side though.
This kid is class
This post was created Jan ‘21…when he was 17
The talent was always there
The sumer of 21 we signed Donny for 39m
The summer of 22 85M on sancho
The summer of 23 90M on Antony
It’s infuriating to think that at no point across those 3 summers did anyone throw his name on a board. I’m sure prior to this season he was attainable
he’s now a 100M player
State of this club
This post was created Jan ‘21…when he was 17
The talent was always there
The sumer of 21 we signed Donny for 39m
The summer of 22 85M on sancho
The summer of 23 90M on Antony
It’s infuriating to think that at no point across those 3 summers did anyone throw his name on a board. I’m sure prior to this season he was attainable
he’s now a 100M player
State of this club
Hat trick to clinch the first ever Bundesliga title for Bayer Leverkusen, no biggie!
Why didn't anyone else sign him?
Very sensible parents and has his head screwed on the right way. He always made clear he wants to develop and mature "at home" before leaving for the big football world.
Exactly.
Hat trick to clinch the first ever Bundesliga title for Bayer Leverkusen, no biggie!
Absolute class player. He is the kind of player that can truly elevate a team.
Hat trick to clinch the first ever Bundesliga title for Bayer Leverkusen, no biggie!
In a half time with no other goals inbetween! In Germany we call that lupenrein
Oh there you are. Congratulations and good luck with the rest of the season!In a half time with no other goals inbetween! In Germany we call that lupenrein
special player
Casemiro will go but we will definitely lose out on the best attacking midfield talent because Bruno is untouchable and our supposed talisman. Probably also because we are a crap team many will avoid.With Neves behind them
That’s the type of planning City or Real have, as usual we’ll wait until Casemiro and Bruno are 33 and realise we need to replace them, at which time we’ll pay top dollar for a couple of 29 year olds.
Seriously, would promptly tell Bruno to feck off if we had a chance at this kid.
It’s not just him though. We are usually great at missing out the very best talent and having a captain as AM means we will do little to really bring someone important there. We’re a funny club - we fought hard with City to bring in Ronaldo, Maguire, Fred and Sanchez but didn’t bother to do so with Bernardo Silva and Rodri who so many here knew were what we needed.
Google says Ralf wanted him, but looks like he was valued at 60 to 70.
I don't think he was available at any point since he made his debut for us to be honest. We would only sell if the player was pushing for a move and the player camp prioritized his development (and recovery) very highly so far.
Is it known if he has any "dream" club?
I mean, do you think is there any chance United could get him?
I know this is largely guess work but man if there is one player out there that I am desperate for it's him.
He's too good and too obvious for us to sign. Nailed on to be a great player wherever he goes next
He said in an interview that he was a Barca fan in his childhood years, primarily because of Messi though. Is rumoured to be an admirer of Pep as well.
To be honest, I would rule out a transfer to United completely. Not because of childhood dreams or anything but because United doesn't seem the best club for his development right now considering the current chaos. Wirtz and his family are very careful in his career decisions and prioritize perspective for him over everything else. Hard to say which club is in the pole position but I'd say City because of Guardiola and de Bruyne potentially leaving, Real Madrid because they will sign Alonso and have a good record with young players and Barca are. Bayern will be in as well but I don't see the stars aligning for them as of now.
That, sadly, makes a lot of sense. Oh well guess we could hope he stays another season with Xabi and United get the structure in order and City get punished in the meantime.