Juan Mata

Brophs said:
Fabregas leaves, Nasri plays ahead of the midfield and Mata as the typical Arsenal left winger?
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TheHorse'sMouth said:
Could see him playing off the right in a 4-3-3, or just behind RVP in the 4-2-3-1 we played last season.
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I think the former might be the most likely, although I like the sound of him behind RVP. Creativity galore.

I'll get laughed at for this, but if he stays fit, I'm expecting big things of Walcott this year. 13 assists last year was relatively impressive given his appearances, so I'm looking for 15 goals and 15 assists this year as a benchmark. When he plays a few games in a row, he hits form and can be unplayable with that pace. Really big season for him.
 
alastair said:
I think the former might be the most likely, although I like the sound of him behind RVP. Creativity galore.

I'll get laughed at for this, but if he stays fit, I'm expecting big things of Walcott this year. 13 assists last year was relatively impressive given his appearances, so I'm looking for 15 goals and 15 assists this year as a benchmark. When he plays a few games in a row, he hits form and can be unplayable with that pace. Really big season for him.
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:lol: You're right. It is worthy of a laugh.
 
At the moment I don't see Fabregas going, we've set a minimum price of 45M euros and Barca are well short of it. They were clearly more interested in buying Sanchez for 40M. They'll scratch around and come back next year.
 
peterstorey said:
At the moment I don't see Fabregas going, we've set a minimum price of 45M euros and Barca are well short of it. They were clearly more interested in buying Sanchez for 40M. They'll scratch around and come back next year.
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It looks to me like Wenger has resigned himself to it happening. Setting these deadlines doesn't amount to very much and I can see both sides meeting in the middle at some stage, as Wenger looks to be concerned about Fabregas' situation.
 
alastair said:
I think the former might be the most likely, although I like the sound of him behind RVP. Creativity galore.

I'll get laughed at for this, but if he stays fit, I'm expecting big things of Walcott this year. 13 assists last year was relatively impressive given his appearances, so I'm looking for 15 goals and 15 assists this year as a benchmark. When he plays a few games in a row, he hits form and can be unplayable with that pace. Really big season for him.
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I see you are still pinning your hopes on RVP and Walcott actually staying fit for an entire season.

Now that's just delusional I'm afraid.
 
We've already seen Gervinho will drift right across the front line, Mata will do the same (from slightly deeper positions) and then Nasri in between the two creates a very fluid line of attackers, something Arsenal couldn't really do with Fabregas.

If Gervinho settles (I'm not convinced) it makes things a lot tougher for Walcott though given he plays a similar role.
 
As if Spuds have a chance of getting him.

'Arry is just bidding because he needs something to talk about with his chums on SSN.

No doubt we'll be hearing soon that he is a "top top player" and a "tr'iffic lad".
 
We're not going to sell for less than 45M euros, even that's a discount of 20% off the market price.
 
By what other players are going for (ignoring batshit crazy stuff like £35M for Carroll).
 
Why does Harry need him anyway?
It would be idiotic to convert Bale back into a left back after some of his last season's performances.
 
Mata is on a different level technically to the likes of Bale, Lennon and even VDV. He'd get in straight away.

No chance Spurs will get him mind.
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
Mata is on a different level technically to the likes of Bale, Lennon and even VDV. He'd get in straight away.

No chance Spurs will get him mind.
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That's grossly over-rating him. Being technically better than Bale and Lennon is no big deal but he's not better than VDV. The point I was making that Harry needs a fecking striker or a defender more than he needs Bale at the moment.
 
I was talking in terms of technically however even as a whole Mata isn't that better than VdV.
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
Mata is on a different level technically to the likes of Bale, Lennon and even VDV. He'd get in straight away.

No chance Spurs will get him mind.
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He might be - but Bale has pace and power which tends to be more effective in the PL.

Having watched a fair bit of Mata playing for Valencia I'm not sure where he's fit in over here. Not sure he'd be that effective as a winger - probably better playing off the striker.
 
Maybe Spurs would be more open to selling the unhappy Modric if they get Mata, it'd mean maybe moving Van der Vaart into CM alongside Sandro/Huddlestone with Mata taking VDV's role and maintaining the width and threat on the flanks of Bale and Lennon. That's certainly how I'd deal with it considering Modric's determination to move on.
 
WireRed said:
Maybe Spurs would be more open to selling the unhappy Modric if they get Mata, it'd mean maybe moving Van der Vaart into CM alongside Sandro/Huddlestone with Mata taking VDV's role and maintaining the width and threat on the flanks of Bale and Lennon. That's certainly how I'd deal with it considering Modric's determination to move on.
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Good shout.

If they can get £40 million for Modric they would have nough left over for a decent forward.
 
RedRover said:
He might be - but Bale has pace and power which tends to be more effective in the PL.

Having watched a fair bit of Mata playing for Valencia I'm not sure where he's fit in over here. Not sure he'd be that effective as a winger - probably better playing off the striker.
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I know who i would prefer, i would take Bale every time. Mata is a talented player no doubt, but i don't remember him tearing CL winning defences apart or teams having to put 2 players on him to nullify his threat.

Bale is still only young, and i still think he could be a suitable replacement for Giggs when he eventually retires..........! :drool:
 
Ole's_toe_poke said:
Mata is on a different level technically to the likes of Bale, Lennon and even VDV. He'd get in straight away ...
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Mata would not displace either Bale or VdV from a best Spurs XI. It's Lennon's place that'd be under threat.
 
GlastonSpur said:
Mata would not displace either Bale or VdV from a best Spurs XI. It's Lennon's place that'd be under threat.
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Do you not think VDV is more trouble than he's worth? A typical primadonna who thinks the club should revolve around him despite inconsistent form and a fragile body. If I were Spurs, I'd try to rake in £70m or so for Modric(due to his obvious desire to go)and VDV(due to his suspect attitude and overall productivity)and use the money to buy the likes of Mata as a superior replacement, a striker like Falcao, and someone like Cahill to firm up the defence.
 
WireRed said:
Do you not think VDV is more trouble than he's worth? A typical primadonna who thinks the club should revolve around him despite inconsistent form and a fragile body. If I were Spurs, I'd try to rake in £70m or so for Modric(due to his obvious desire to go)and VDV(due to his suspect attitude and overall productivity)and use the money to buy the likes of Mata as a superior replacement, a striker like Falcao, and someone like Cahill to firm up the defence.
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The current spurs team is better than the team youve just made up i reckon.
 
Mickey said:
The current spurs team is better than the team youve just made up i reckon.
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So you think VDV behind Crouch is better than Mata tucked behind Falcao and maybe another forward Redknapp would have the licence to get with that sort of cash injection? Sure Modric would be a loss in CM but he wants to go, so that's a moot point. VDV for Mata behind a quality CF is a significant upgrade in quality though I'd have thought.

I'd say this:

Lennon-Sandro-Huddlestone-Bale

Mata

Falcao

Plus maybe a new CB...

Is better than this:

Lennon-Sandro-Modric-Bale

VDV

Crouch
 
pocco said:
The idea of Sandro and Huddlestone in midfield is horrible. I rate Sandro on what I've seen so far, but they're two tanks that would get run ragged by a good few midfielders.
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Well the idea of pairing Huddlestone with Modric was deemed horrific until injuries actually forced Harry to do it and look what happened.

Huddlestone is a good footballer who sees a pass and can create openings, Sandro is sound on the ball and a beast off it. I think the potential for a decent combination is there if Modric leaves and nobody else arrives IMO.
 
WireRed said:
Do you not think VDV is more trouble than he's worth? A typical primadonna who thinks the club should revolve around him despite inconsistent form and a fragile body. If I were Spurs, I'd try to rake in £70m or so for Modric(due to his obvious desire to go)and VDV(due to his suspect attitude and overall productivity)and use the money to buy the likes of Mata as a superior replacement, a striker like Falcao, and someone like Cahill to firm up the defence.
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I didn't see much of that last year - just a player who seems to enjoy his football and was instrumental for Spurs in a lot of games, to the extent that they missed him badly when he was injured. Spurs are lucky to have him - he should be playing regular CL football.

As regards Mata I dont see how anyone can say he's "superior" - he might very well be if he comes to the PL but until he does its impossible to tell. Indeed if he does and has an impact like Van Der Vaart had then I'm sure his club will be extremely pleased.

As for players like Falcao there's no chance of him tipping up - looks great in Portugal or sticking them away in the UEFA cup but the PL is a whole other level and I'd be surprised if any club wanted to spend the kind of cash on him his club would deman.
 
As regards Mata I dont see how anyone can say he's "superior" - he might very well be if he comes to the PL but until he does its impossible to tell.
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So you have to be in the same league to compare someone now?
 
AttackingFlair said:
Would you take Bale over Silva? Seems the former is still too highy rated.
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This is an interesting point - the major criticism of Bale is that he's "overrated" but I dont see how.

He may be reliant on his pace, but so what? He's not just quick like a Walcott or Lennon because he can use the ball when he gets it and has a good end product. He's extremely effective for the most part and will get better as he gets a bit older.

You don't see Hernandez getting criticised despite being a "limited" player in terms of being able to be involved in the build up - he's a finisher, pure and simple and a fantatsic one at that - doing exactly what he's supposed to do.

It also seems that because Bale he's british he gets the same old criticism.

Players like Pastore and Sanchez are lauded and people point to how well they performed last year - Bale had a similar impact for his side, despite playing in the CL and an arguably better league.
 
WireRed said:
Well the idea of pairing Huddlestone with Modric was deemed horrific until injuries actually forced Harry to do it and look what happened.

Huddlestone is a good footballer who sees a pass and can create openings, Sandro is sound on the ball and a beast off it. I think the potential for a decent combination is there if Modric leaves and nobody else arrives IMO.
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Maybe it's just me then, but I don't rate Huddlestone that highly. He makes a lot of errors and is flawed as a player, yet all people talk about is his technique in hitting the ball as if that's all that matters. Spurs should do better than him, which is probably why Sandro was brought in. I don't think they'd ever pair the two up though.
 
AttackingFlair said:
So you have to be in the same league to compare someone now?
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Not neccesarily, and thats not what I said. You seem to be being deliberately obtuse.

Clearly though its a relevant factor. The style of La Liga is clearly vastly different to that of the PL, and certain players playing style may not translate especially well.

La Liga is more tehnical but the PL is arguably faster and more physical. Some players are obviously better suited to one over the other - hence the likes of Forlan and Kanoute flourishing in Spain.
 
RedRover said:
This is an interesting point - the major criticism of Bale is that he's "overrated" but I dont see how.

He may be reliant on his pace, but so what? He's not just quick like a Walcott or Lennon because he can use the ball when he gets it and has a good end product. He's extremely effective for the most part and will get better as he gets a bit older.

You don't see Hernandez getting criticised despite being a "limited" player in terms of being able to be involved in the build up - he's a finisher, pure and simple and a fantatsic one at that - doing exactly what he's supposed to do.

It also seems that because Bale he's british he gets the same old criticism.

Players like Pastore and Sanchez are lauded and people point to how well they performed last year - Bale had a similar impact for his side, despite playing in the CL and an arguably better league.
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You're the one saying Bale's pace/power is more effective in the league but then he didn't even do that well in the league, being contained by average PL full backs. Maybe you're the one underrating foreign players because they aren't built like tanks and have super pace. You'll also find that Hernandez has been criticised for his overall game, but no one has voted him player of the year or anything.
 
AttackingFlair said:
You're the one saying Bale's pace/power is more effective in the league but then he didn't even do that well in the league, being contained by average PL full backs. Maybe you're the one underrating foreign players because they aren't built like tanks and have super pace. You'll also find that Hernandez has been criticised for his overall game, but no one has voted him player of the year or anything.
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I don't think he was average last year in the PL at all - he might not be posting great statisitcs in terms of assists but he played well in most of the games I watched. He wasn't fantastic in every game, as few players are but he also had to deal with teams doubling up on him game after game while playing his first full season in a new position after being considered a full back for most of his career.

I also wasnt being critical or "underrating" and foreign talent - simply questioning what they've done to be considered such great talents that Gareth Bale hasnt.
 
RedRover said:
I don't think he was average last year in the PL at all - he might not be posting great statisitcs in terms of assists but he played well in most of the games I watched. He wasn't fantastic in every game, as few players are but he also had to deal with teams doubling up on him game after game while playing his first full season in a new position after being considered a full back for most of his career.

I also wasnt being critical or "underrating" and foreign talent - simply questioning what they've done to be considered such great talents that Gareth Bale hasnt.
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I think he did very well at the start of the season, after those Inter matches though he didn't do much in the league. Players like Pastore aren't rated so highly on what they've achieved so far but the talent people see in them, which imo is above Bale's in terms of intelligence, passing, control. I don't know too much about Sanchez myself.
 
RedRover said:
I also wasnt being critical or "underrating" and foreign talent - simply questioning what they've done to be considered such great talents that Gareth Bale hasnt.
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Yes you were. You were suggesting that flash-in-the-pan Bale is a better player than the likes of Silva or Mata who have performed well for several seasons.
 
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