When
I beg to differ that we need someone whose creative than finishing. You do realize that the main issue this season has been that we've created umpteen chances but haven't had the personnel to actually put those chances away. Zlatan has scored majority of those goals but then again, he has missed a huge chunk as well. The reason why majority of the forum want Griezmann is because he's a goal scorer. We need goal scorers. No point having James create and then what? we end up in the same boat. No one to put those chances away.
Now I'm against the idea of having a No. 10 to begin with, but that's just my view. I think we need to switch to a 4-3-3 which implies that Pogba plays higher up the field which also means we just need a trio who can create chances, attack and put away those chances. That's where Griezmann is very good because he's much quicker than James. Griezmann can lead the line all by himself, James cannot. Sure, you can put James on the right of that attacking trio but I don't think he's quick enough. That's the same reason why he doesn't play in the attacking trio for Madrid (Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale are preferred)
As for creativity, Mhiki is a very creative attacking midfielder and he's quick too. There's a probability that James could struggle coming and playing for United. You barely get any time on the ball and that's the main reason Mhiki has struggled. Let me remind you that he was the Bundesliga Player of the Year before he joined us ahead of Robben, Lewandowski, Aubameyang and others. So for you to think James will come and work wonders, is being kinda naive.
Moving on to the price tag, James is being quoted at 50M pounds, I don't think he's worth that much. He's at best worth 35M since his progression has kinda declined in that past year or so. It could perhaps be because he doesn't play enough. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. In comparison, Griezmann has a buy out clause of 87M pounds which is definitely a lot of money. I think based on inflation, he's worth 65M considering the fact that he's been the focal point of which France qualified for the finals in the Euros and he also took Athletico to the finals of the Champions League last year as well. This year he's again in the semi finals on the Champions League. He's performed at the highest level. Not to mention, he came in third behind Messi and Ronaldo in the Ballon D'or. Now that's ahead of Neymar and Bale which is a very good feat to achieve. As for James, he's a tier below Griezmann in my opinion.
Now moving on to dressing room chemistry, Griezmann gets along with Pogba, Martial and he's got a proactive attitude about him. He's a team player. However, James is a primadonna. I believe I read an article earlier this year which saw one of the James' teammates criticizing his attitude when playing for Colombia. He said he got pissed off at one of his teammates when they didn't pass the ball to him and subsequently compared that attitude to CR7. Now when you're talented like CR7, I think you could possibly get away with it but when you're not, you come across as being a jerk. He's had issues with Benitez and Zidane and my guess is, he will have a problem with Mourinho as well. This season and the season with Chelsea, Mourinho tends to criticize his players in the media which may not go down with James too well since he's got an ego. In comparison, Griezmann is a very chilled out guy who will help motivate the players around him which makes me a better fit at United.
Griezmann is expensive but we've got the money to spend. So why not spend on the best and we need goal scorers considering we're not going to get Zlatan back.
Mkhi has only 5 assists in 26+10 games, but he has scored 11 goals. That indicates he is more of a scorer than a provider. Same with Mata, he has only 6 assists in 30+9 games but has scored 10 goals. Zlatan often had to drop back to help create opportunities instead of waiting to get on the end of a good pass like a normal CF would.
So far, the top assist providers for United in all competitions this season are
Herrera - 11 in 41+4 games
Rooney - 10 in 21+ games
Zlatan - 9 in 41+5 games
That list consists of a CM/DM, a worn SS on his way out and a 35yr old CF that seems to know the secret of immortality. Two of those 3 are unlikely to play any significant role next season, leaving Herrera as the primary source going into next season. Those stats are evidence of a team that lacks a true creative source in the final 3rd and unfortunately, Griezmann is not the solution as he is even more inclined towards scoring (with 25 goals vs 11 assists). One can look at other top teams for comparison.
Yes, we seem to have many shots (even on goal) but most often they are half chances and not clear chances (the sort that comes from breaking down or unlocking a defence). This is not to say that the finishing could not be better, but that with a more creative midfielder, there would be more clear chances, and even if the finishing does not improve, there would still be more goals. Also, goal scoring for a lot of strikers depend on rhythm and confidence, and those easy chances would help the striker develop confidence and rhythm, making the harder chance easier to convert. Once a striker starts to overthink instead of shooting almost on instinct, even the best finisher could end up in a drought. Bottom line, whether its James, Ozil, Silva or any other AM, the team needs a creative AM to make the attack potent and effective. This is also important for whoever the incoming CF will be - easier chances would help him settle in faster.
My opinion is that given what is currently on the roster, particular the issue of the best role for Pogba, a 4-2-3-1 is better suited as the base formation with a 4-3-3 used against the occasional better midfield opposition. But that is an entirely different argument. Whether we play with a #10/CAM or not, the need for creativity remains and its a personnel problem which a change in formation cannot resolve.
This does not take away from Griezmann as he is clearly superior to all the attacking players we currently have, but i just dont think he is what we need the most. Add the price tag, and one can see that there is better value to be had upgrading other areas. Griezmann is well suited and vital to the atletico system, but I think his value would be diminished at a team like United. I think we have enough options that can score the needed goals if given enough chances. If we buy him, Griezmann would probably score a lot of chances we have missed this season, but that only means he is a better finisher and does not make the chances any easier. When he is not available, the other players would still have to finish those hard chances. On the other hand, the absence of a creative midfielder is less catastrophic, if the players have developed enough confidence to finish the half chances in his absence.
In the current market, £20-35m is what you pay for squad players and I doubt you could get a player of James caliber in that range. Last summer, sissoko, sane, mkhi, and mane all cost about £30-40m. This summer, I expect similar players to cost £40-50m (if not more) and I rate James higher than those listed.
James currently has the 3rd most assist for Madrid (behind Kroos and Marcelo) despite playing less time and often out of position. he has also scored 9 goals which places him 6th (behind CR, Morata, benzema, Ramos and Isco). When he has been on the field, he has performed well,as shown recently against Barcelona, Deportivo and Valencia. He moves well with and without the ball, and a player of his quality should have no problem playing in any league.
James is captain of the Colombian team, and if he is a cancer in the locker room, he shouldnt have been able to lead them successfully for so long. I have no problem with him chewing out a player who failed to make the correct pass cos he was seeking his own selfish end. Asprilla actually felt James picked the habit off his close friendship with CR. A lot of very good players have such tendencies which does not necessarily make them a bad character.
James had a very good seasons playing for Porto, Monaco and under Ancelotti at Madrid. His issues came after, which to me indicates it stems from the coaching changes at Madrid not the player. James issue with Benitez seems to have started when Benitez wanted him to return earlier to camp despite the club having given James an extension due to the copa america. James showed up on the prior agreed date, which benitez deemed late. Benitez subsequently accused James of being overweight, which given the kids physique was hard to believe. Dont think their relationship ever recovered. With Zidane, I think its more of issues with lack of playing time.
James does not play at Madrid primarily cos of politics. Be it on the order of Perez, marketing needs and/or personal relationships with the coach, Zidane has made it clear that CR, Benzema and Bale will always start whenever they can crawl on to the pitch. This has left Morata, James and Isco on the bench, even when the trio have performed well when called upon. Benzema has been particularly terrible while Bale has simply been out injured (but Zidane was quick to put him on the pitch for el classico where it was obvious he was not fully recovered and out of form). Most madrid fans are hoping that the management gets rid of benzema and Bale this summer, in hope of convincing both James and Morata to stay.