Roque Mesa, Layun and eventually Sandro Ramirez are going to join Sevilla.
I don't really understand these transfers, because they don't address the major concerns; but it can't get much worse. So many genuinely terrible performances. Individually I dont mind these players (considering that its just loan+ option), but I dont see how they help to solve the shortcomings of the team. The biggest issue is that the team works best with n'Zonzi and banega as dm/cm. Yet we lack a useful/dangerous #10/AM/ss/b2b who could complement them. Mudo vazquez is aweful, yet he is the only option for this position (the manager(s) have refused to test a system with two forwards). Whoever plays in this position needs to be efficient in the final third, because the wingers don't score enough goal, while the CF is often isolated. Currently it often looks like we play just with 10 men, while there is a massive hole in the team.
Changing the system towards a double pivot failed spectacularly. Pizarro and Nzonzi have no understanding how to play in this system. Individually Pizarro is good, but he can't partner NZonzi. It just doesnt work. Geis is non-existent.
The second issue is about individual quality in defence. Escuerdo is great, but thats about it. For some reason Arias bought Arana for this position now. No idea whats that about, after all Carole just joined the team last summer as backup (he is not great, but thats a different issue). On the other side, Corchia and Mercado are both not entirely convincing as fullback. Navas is okay. Maybe Layun can make the position his own, but I am not entirely convinced. Maybe one of the Portuguese posters, can tell me why he lost his starting spot to Pereira, which is not a good sign.
@Sly @Arruda
Lenglet is okay. Carrico, Pareja and Kjaer seem to have a competition, who can miss out most games with an injury. Carrico and Pareja are both old, bad and permanently injured. Kjaer is never 100% fit. Hopefully Mercado gets now an extended run as partner of Lenget. I never understood why he was used as fullback in the first place.
@carvajal warned me/us about bringing back "oldies" and he was right. Nolito is a non-factor. Navas just a work-horse. While Navas is okay as squad player, the team lacks at least one additional quality player up front. Sarabia and Correa are not on the level, that they should start every game of the season without proper competition. Ben Yedder seems to struggle now that he is not a nailed on starter. Yet he just doesn't offer enough to justify that; he is too limited.
I still like Muriel and see a positive development lately. He just needs a lot more support. Hopefully the manager trusts him and builds the attack around him. He is imo quality.y
Overall the season is extremely frustrating. So many questionable decisions on all levels. So much dead-wood in the squad. Carrico, Pareja, Carole, geis, Ganzo, Vazquez and Nolito should all leave at the end of the season. I also don't have strong feelings about Corchia and Ben Yedder. Thats almost half of the squad. Meh.
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