James Rodriguez| Is considering his options

Enigma_87 said:
Can't see a purpose for Real to buy Martial at this point - they have Bale/Ronaldo at the wings so he won't get a game there and Benzema is a much better fit than him to lead the line. He needs games to develop.
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To be fair Ronaldo has been playing up front a lot this season, and it looks like he finally completed his transformation into a pure 9. Martial still isn't the best fit to him and Bale though
 
I feel like this is a signing we don't really need, but it's 'too good' to pass up. He is a remarkable player, and there is a slight buzz in Chelsea's direction. Reckon he would be a great acquisition for them. It's one where I have to remember this isn't Pokémon and we can't get them all; and grit my teeth if a PL rival signs him. Hopefully we get Griezmann or someone of that calibre ourselves in the summer to match or better Rodriguez (regardless of if he goes anyway).
 
flappyjay said:
Our £89m player plays best in our current system so that's a no to Mr Rodriguez. Right now we need someone to replace Carrick rather than a player who does not fit into our current system. Javi Martinez used to be an option but he is too injury prone and I think he is a cb now or was that a Pep thing?
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Why would Martinez leave Bayern?
 
Orc said:
Don't see how or where James fits into our side. Same goes for any of United, Arsenla, or City.
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The only way he fits your side is as a narrow right winger/forward I guess, with Moses doing more work covering for him. Far better off spending all the cash you'll get from Oscar back on the two key targets of the summer: Nainggolan and Koulibaly.
 
K2K said:
Can you even do that?

Surely you need a definite job before applying for a work permit(This would require a valid agreement between the two teams,a signed contract between the player and club,etc)

Sounds like Twitter B.S. to me
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A work permit application is usually a precursor to a deal also. The reports of him going to the British Embassy in Bogota to fill in the papers to request a visa, also state he has done it because the deal with Chelsea is very advanced. Otherwise why bother filling in the papers? He must know he is likely on his way.

Colombian media confirming he definitely went there and a few journos claim they have had it confirmed it was to obtain a UK visa. I have seen a few mention Utd and Chelsea... but one claims it is Chelsea and advanced, like i stated. Chelsea makes far more sense... sell Oscar for mega bucks and get James roughly same fee.
 
DWelbz19 said:
The only way he fits your side is as a narrow right winger/forward I guess, with Moses doing more work covering for him. Far better off spending all the cash you'll get from Oscar back on the two key targets of the summer: Nainggolan and Koulibaly.
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Looking back now with hindsight I'm delighted we didn't spunk £50-60m on Koulibaly. Think that's dead now.

Nainggolan, yes please. But yes, James would have to play on the right or Conte would have to change the system we play completely which I can't see. We have Willian and Pedro on the right as it is and it would be harsh to just discard both of them for James, regardless of his superior quality.
 
salford_ said:
A work permit application is usually a precursor to a deal also. The reports of him going to the British Embassy in Bogota to fill in the papers to request a visa, also state he has done it because the deal with Chelsea is very advanced. Otherwise why bother filling in the papers? He must know he is likely on his way.

Colombian media confirming he definitely went there and a few journos claim they have had it confirmed it was to obtain a UK visa. I have seen a few mention Utd and Chelsea... but one claims it is Chelsea and advanced, like i stated. Chelsea makes far more sense... sell Oscar for mega bucks and get James roughly same fee.
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I'm sceptical that he actually filled in any forms at all.Any work permit papers. Plus I wouldn't put much stock on what South American tabloids say about it(Based on their track record from past transfer threads)

Clubs apply for work permits after completing the entire process.It's why clubs announce deals ''subject to a medicals and work permit''

Don't want to come across as a transfer season grinch,but a lot of falsehoods are spread during this period.
 
worldinmotion66 said:
Do you think we may revert to a 4-2-3-1 eventually with the retirement of Carrick? He's a very difficult player to replace.
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Funny how things stay the same. The same things were said when we bought Carrick and gave him Roy Keane's old number. "He's nothing like Keane, we need another midfielder etc etc"

If we can't replace Carrick, we need to find someone else who can have the same impact on the team while playing a different role that suits him more.
 
Orc said:
Looking back now with hindsight I'm delighted we didn't spunk £50-60m on Koulibaly. Think that's dead now.

Nainggolan, yes please. But yes, James would have to play on the right or Conte would have to change the system we play completely which I can't see. We have Willian and Pedro on the right as it is and it would be harsh to just discard both of them for James, regardless of his superior quality.
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You people are short-sighted. If you(Chelsea) get James you're pretty much getting a front three that in a league like the Spanish one would easily stand up against Reals BBC or Barcelonas MSN, now imagine in EPL where the isn't a team with more than 1-2 world-class players up front. People are fast to claim that he isn't good enough... That they'll have to change the system... Bla bla bla. This is a guy that plays in any advanced position and can play all those roles at the highest level while in form and motivated. Now I may seem biased but James playing for Colombia isn't half as good as James was for Porto or was for Ancelottis Madrid.

If Chelsea do get him I fear we will fall behind in terms of quality up front. They will score bucketloads of goals which such creativty and firepower up front. On the other hand if we can manage to sign him, I'd be delighted. He's nothing like Mata, nothing like Rooney. He's a player of his own, very passionate whom I know will make a name for himself at United if he comes.
 
Georgan said:
You people are short-sighted. If you(Chelsea) get James you're pretty much getting a front three that in a league like the Spanish one would easily stand up against Reals BBC or Barcelonas MSN, now imagine in EPL where the isn't a team with more than 1-2 world-class players up front. People are fast to claim that he isn't good enough... That they'll have to change the system... Bla bla bla. This is a guy that plays in any advanced position and can play all those roles at the highest level while in form and motivated. Now I may seem biased but James playing for Colombia isn't half as good as James was for Porto or was for Ancelottis Madrid.

If Chelsea do get him I fear we will fall behind in terms of quality up front. They will score bucketloads of goals which such creativty and firepower up front. On the other hand if we can manage to sign him, I'd be delighted. He's nothing like Mata, nothing like Rooney. He's a player of his own, very passionate whom I know will make a name for himself at United if he comes.
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It'd be nowhere near MSN, Hazard, Costa, James are nowhere near as good as they are.
 
--------------------------Ibra/Martial/Rashford/Rooney
Martial/Rooney/Rashford--James/Mata/Rooney/Pogba--Mkhitaryan/Mata/Rashford

All in favour of it. It would give us a top class, if inconsistent, option across the front three -- though, if we get him, I think he's best deployed as a 10/second striker.
 
Georgan said:
You people are short-sighted. If you(Chelsea) get James you're pretty much getting a front three that in a league like the Spanish one would easily stand up against Reals BBC or Barcelonas MSN, now imagine in EPL where the isn't a team with more than 1-2 world-class players up front. People are fast to claim that he isn't good enough... That they'll have to change the system... Bla bla bla. This is a guy that plays in any advanced position and can play all those roles at the highest level while in form and motivated. Now I may seem biased but James playing for Colombia isn't half as good as James was for Porto or was for Ancelottis Madrid.

If Chelsea do get him I fear we will fall behind in terms of quality up front. They will score bucketloads of goals which such creativty and firepower up front. On the other hand if we can manage to sign him, I'd be delighted. He's nothing like Mata, nothing like Rooney. He's a player of his own, very passionate whom I know will make a name for himself at United if he comes.
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Don't get me wrong, I'd be delighted if we signed him but he'd be a pure luxury signing as he would be for any PL side at this point. Not really the player we're in need of but one who would certainly add something.

Sammyjunn said:
It'd be nowhere near MSN, Hazard, Costa, James are nowhere near as good as they are.
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True, but with the standard of defending in the PL I'm not sure how any team in this league can stop that front 3. There are probably 3 sides that can properly defend (Chelsea, Spurs, and United of late).
 
Orc said:
Don't get me wrong, I'd be delighted if we signed him but he'd be a pure luxury signing as he would be for any PL side at this point. Not really the player we're in need of but one who would certainly add something.

True, but with the standard of defending in the PL I'm not sure how any team in this league can stop that front 3. There are probably 3 sides that can properly defend (Chelsea, Spurs, and United of late).
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Agreed! That's a very strong attack on paper.
 
If real is srlling him surely they will need a no 10 in future?Would be nice if they sign coutinho.
 
If this guy is considered lazy for La Liga what makes anyone think he'll survive the PL? He'll probably feck off to Italy or PSG
 
Mciahel Goodman said:
--------------------------Ibra/Martial/Rashford/Rooney
Martial/Rooney/Rashford--James/Mata/Rooney/Pogba--Mkhitaryan/Mata/Rashford

All in favour of it. It would give us a top class, if inconsistent, option across the front three -- though, if we get him, I think he's best deployed as a 10/second striker.
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I'd rather wait till the summer when Griezmann is available. If we are getting a second striker, he is the man.
 
Loublaze said:
If this guy is considered lazy for La Liga what makes anyone think he'll survive the PL? He'll probably feck off to Italy or PSG
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Could it not be down to motivation levels? He sort of knows that no matter how hard he tries, he's always fodder and will be dropped for Bale/Ronaldo/Benzema/Isco, and now even Asensio.

But then, the major issue is once you've had that fall from Madrid's grace, can you stay motivated in a lesser side/league? Di Maria for example, doesn't seem to be able to.
 
ravi2 said:
I'd rather wait till the summer when Griezmann is available. If we are getting a second striker, he is the man.
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Yeah, true. I just don't think that's a transfer possible to get in January. I think we could get this one done, though, and it would boost us in the league.
 
K2K said:
Can you even do that?

Surely you need a definite job before applying for a work permit(This would require a valid agreement between the two teams,a signed contract between the player and club,etc)

Sounds like Twitter B.S. to me
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Yes you can. Vividly remember Chelsea applied for one for Essien back when they spent an entire summer arguing with the Lyon chairman over him
 
I remember him being linked with us as a winger in his Porto days. Unless he's willing to be shifted out there again, i don't see this one happening. We're much better with 3 in midfield.
 
Loublaze said:
If this guy is considered lazy for La Liga what makes anyone think he'll survive the PL? He'll probably feck off to Italy or PSG
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Özil was/is lazy as feck and he has thrived in the PL (for the most part). He'd be a great player especially against sides like West Brom, Sunderland, etc who only set out to defend for much of the game. Need that creative spark against parked buses. It's what Özil does best- flat track bully.
 
Sammyjunn said:
It'd be nowhere near MSN, Hazard, Costa, James are nowhere near as good as they are.
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No shit, James can't hold a candle to the greatest player ever. Costa/Hazard & Neymar/Suarez are practically the same level though.
 
DWelbz19 said:
Could it not be down to motivation levels? He sort of knows that no matter how hard he tries, he's always fodder and will be dropped for Bale/Ronaldo/Benzema/Isco, and now even Asensio.

But then, the major issue is once you've had that fall from Madrid's grace, can you stay motivated in a lesser side/league? Di Maria for example, doesn't seem to be able to.
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I agree about Di Maria, even though I felt he was also spineless and LVG really got to him. It was a combination of several things

Orc said:
Özil was/is lazy as feck and he has thrived in the PL (for the most part). He'd be a great player especially against sides like West Brom, Sunderland, etc who only set out to defend for much of the game. Need that creative spark against parked buses. It's what Özil does best- flat track bully.
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Some Arsenal fans I know think Ozil doesn't do enough, and of course this is every time they lose. I don't want an Ozil or James i'd rather have a Sanchez or Griezmann. Who'd you take? Rodriguez or Griezmann? I don't see United getting both
 
Orc said:
Özil was/is lazy as feck and he has thrived in the PL (for the most part). He'd be a great player especially against sides like West Brom, Sunderland, etc who only set out to defend for much of the game. Need that creative spark against parked buses. It's what Özil does best- flat track bully.
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Do you want James? Would rather have Mahrez personally.
 
BlueCelery said:
Do you want James? Would rather have Mahrez personally.
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I'd be happy if we signed him but don't really care if we don't. Not sure about Mahrez these days.

If we actually do want another attacking player ID personally wait until the summer and go for Reus. He and Hazard on opposite sides would be insane.
 
ravi2 said:
I can't see Martinez starting ahead of Hummels or boetang in the Cb positon, he may leave for minutes.
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He just extended his contract until 2021, the other two are injured every now and then and Ancelotti might shift him back to midfield if Süle is really coming to Bayern.
He is not available.
 
Orc said:
I'd be happy if we signed him but don't really care if we don't. Not sure about Mahrez these days.

If we actually do want another attacking player ID personally wait until the summer and go for Reus. He and Hazard on opposite sides would be insane.
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Reus would be ideal wouldn't he? A rich mans Pedro basically.

A 3rd goalscorer who's as comfortable with the ball at his feet as Hazard & is equally adept at playmaking is the ideal target for me. Mahrez fits that bill more than James.
 
BlueCelery said:
Costa & Hazard have scored 21 League goals this season. Neymar & Suarez have 16 but "not even close". Makes you think.
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Weird.

I was almost certain people played football before August of this year but you must be right I must be thinking of something else.
 
What system is Conte using? Who is playing as #10?
Edit: for what I see they Play 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 ?.I think that the 4231 could be great for him.In my opinion he needs a lot of prominence and freedom in the pitch,freedom that he gets when is with Colombia.
I read that even now,hardly playing is the leader of assists in Madrid.Technically is very good.
A periodist said that according to Zidane he is not ready to European top football since he suffers with pressure in small spaces,that could be his defect since loses many balls during the match.
If Chelsea is willing to pay 60/70m€ then I guess that Conte has a plan for him although Marca writes that is not leaving in january
 
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BlueCelery said:
Reus would be ideal wouldn't he? A rich mans Pedro basically.

A 3rd goalscorer who's as comfortable with the ball at his feet as Hazard & is equally adept at playmaking is the ideal target for me. Mahrez fits that bill more than James.
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As much as I like reus, he seems to be always injured.
 
My take on James is that in the right set up, he has more potential than Mata and I'd prefer him to Ozil. I think people have been very very harsh on him since he moved to Madrid. It isn't easy to play for that club even at the best of times, and even if you're playing in your favoured position which he hasn't.

He's a majestic number 10, not one of those who goes missing in big games and struggles to impact game.. he is physically more robust than Ozil/Mata and he can be very direct when he wants to be. Problem for him has been trying to play for a side which has such a fixed attachment to the 4-3-3 and he was a poor tactical fit for Madrid. He's wasted away a lot of valuable years.

His issue is that it is hard to see which modern day elite side is crying out for a number 10. We are going 4-3-3, and even if we did go 4-2-3-1, we could get Griezmann.. who is superior and more versatile to James, he can't go to City. Chelsea have been linked to him, but where would he fit in a 3-4-3? if Chelsea went 4-2-3-1 it would be pretty awesome.. but why tweak a winning formation? If Arsenal lose Ozil, he'd be a brilliant replacement but I don't see them being able to afford James, Liverpool like wise.

Europe wise, Bayern could probably afford him but where does he fit in.. they're a 4-3-3 side as well. They could shift to 4-2-3-1, but Thiago-Vidal.. is it defensively strong enough.

Feel for him, he's a potentially great player - but am struggling to see where he would fit.

If United got him..

We would have to sell Mata/Rooney which is totally fine by me, but he'd have to play second fiddle to Mkhi out wide, when we play 4-3-3 and would only start against teams we go all out attack against.
 
How many top clubs play with a #10 these days though? Don't think there's room for luxury players in this current era. Players like James are either converted to wingers or #8's. The ones that can't adapt move to second-rate clubs or China.
 
BlueCelery said:
How many top clubs play with a #10 these days though? Don't think there's room for luxury players in this current era. Players like James are either converted to wingers or #8's. The ones that can't adapt move to second-rate clubs or China.
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Exactly, not many do. IF a club did decide to play 4-2-3-1, then you can't go wrong with James as I think he's very special in that position. A potentially great squad option, if a team wants to shift into 4-2-3-1 during a game, or want to beat a weaker side from home. Playing him wide is just a waste of his talent, he doesn't have the pace to play there.
 
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