N'Golo Kante | Off to Chelsea

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Bubz27 said:
Out of interest, what are people's plans for our midfield if we were to sign him?

Who would you sell? Who else would you buy? Who would play?
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Assuming we sign Kante...

From our midfield, I would sell Fellaini and I would buy Pjanic as playmaker.

Kante and Pjanic are available and they are not too expensive.

I would just add Zlatan for free and buy a player like James, Mahrez, Sane or Mkhitaryan.
 
Bubz27 said:
Out of interest, what are people's plans for our midfield if we were to sign him?

Who would you sell? Who else would you buy? Who would play?
Click to expand...

Well, our options will change due to other signings, but as it stands

Kante, Rooney, Herrera vs weaker sides
Kante, Morgan, Rooney vs better sides
 
He's quality, not that it hasn't been obvious all season.
We should be all over him along with every top club in world football this summer.
 
Bwuk said:
Well, our options will change due to other signings, but as it stands

Kante, Rooney, Herrera vs weaker sides
Kante, Morgan, Rooney vs better sides
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God I hope we sign 2 midfielders, I can't help but feel we'd just be watching the same shit we saw last season with both those options, neither inspire any really creativity except for Rooney. Maybe Kante Bfs and Rooney against better sides I'd even put carrack in over Herrera because his passing ability and general footballing brain is far superior
 
We would be stupid to not throw our hat in the ring if he's available...
 
ti vu said:
I don't get what the fuss here at all? I meant first game against Romania whom lacks in attacking prowess, and their attackers often isolated and required to work alone. Kante did well for his role requirement. I saw Lassana Diarra gave a more convincing performance for Marseille in the same role against superior PSG, Lassana Diarra was and rightfully deserve the starter spot, but doesn't mean United should sign Diarra right away. Kante had a different role for Leicester than for France. This is one of his few games where he played the Makelele role. His previous games in this role were nothing spectacular. not It's too soon to judge him as must buy. By people reaction, Payet is a must buy by his previous season (and previous season with Marseille) and this opening match where he is outstanding, shit on Griezman, Pogba's hype.

Makelele and his role should be subtle. The more you notice the player in this role, the more problem with the midfield and quality of the opponent. France may not have a balance midfield for Kante to have this much work and be noticeable vs an underwhelming Romania team (in attack and defense). Makelele really stood out in unbalanced Real Madrid team in his role, then Perez don't fancy him as he's not attractive for starting attack. Before Makelele was more subtle as well as effective in a more balanced Real Madrid team. In a balanced Chelsea midfield, Makelele again being subtle and effective. Essien and Lampard got more recognizable, flashy roles. With that in mind, Matuildi and Pogba were ineffective in this game. Pogba as others also noticed in the other thread didn't bother to put in effort in defensive aspect of his game. When Payet took Pogba role, France were more balanced. And I repeat again, Kante did his job well, but too soon to make judgement on this game where he played few games in this different role. Payet has been outstanding the whole game in 2 different positions. Payet is the only one who exceed the expectation of his role by outperforming highly rated Griezman and Pogba in this game, and he plays this kind of role regularly.
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I have to agree with you, I'm not sure what he does that Morgan doesn't, we all purred over him at Southampton just the same. He don't need another Morgan and we could use blind in that role as well, we need a play maker a pogba a verrati someone to dictate the tempo
 
madRedDevil07 said:
He had an exceptional season and was THE stand out player in so many games throughout the season. I was just saying he was good today - not a World class game as suggested by some.To be fair to him romanians did not spend much time in France half and this was not a game to judge his real ability/showcase his actual worth.Games against Spain/Germany would be a better indicator of his talent.
Regarding buying him- we have more concerned positions(RW/ST/CAM) that needs significant upgrade/purchase than the CDM position this transfer window.
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We need players elsewhere and I'm sure we'll invest.

He's a bargain at the reported price and as he showed last year, players like that are as important in any side challenging for title as any other.

I'd love to see him here. A real worker to balance the side if we get better attacking talent.
 
Fer said:
Assuming we sign Kante...
From our midfield, I would sell Fellaini and I would buy Pjanic as playmaker.
Kante and Pjanic are available and they are not too expensive.
I would just add Zlatan for free and buy a player like James, Mahrez, Sane or Mkhitaryan.
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Pjanic reminds a bit of a more mobile version of Fabregas.
Everyone knows that both of them are great on the ball, passing game is running through their veins.
In my view Pjanic is more lethal in front of goal
(when does Fabregas ever shoot apart from free kicks these days) but i question Pjanic's work rate.
Speaking of fulfilling his defensive duties and whether or not he's able to close down the pitch
when it really matters.
I don't want to see another liabilty off the ball here, the league has its demands so i remain sceptical.

We've already got Shaw as a good attacking threat, the resurrection of Schneiderlin is possible under Jose Mourinho (imo) and according to your post we're assuming that we've already snapped up Kanté.
So what i want to see is (more) soldiers. High pressing game and good attacking play.
Schneiderlin and Kanté running down the pitch and dispossessing opponents time and time again would be a great. To complement a possible 3 men midfield i'd much rather have someone like your mentioned Mkhitaryan who is all over the pitch.

Mahrez is the current 'player of the league', every team in the country would love to field him.
Sané is a good prospect, but if we were to get him, maybe Memphis's time would be up.
i think Sané is a bit too pricy for what he has to offer, but as Rio said, footie is a game of opinions.
James is great number 10, but after Özil and Di Maria i think Real will demand about 65 mil pounds and i'm not sold on paying that much for him.
Yes, i've seen parts of the current Copa America and the boy is getting back to his best.

Zlatan would fit in nicely at United, with Mourinho at his side, both of them would demand trophies and goals, it doesn't get any better than this. :drool:
 
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My player of the match by some distance. While he didn't have the licence to go forward as much as he does at Leicester he was superb in the holding midfielder role and showed that apart from being a tenacious tackler and ball chaser he is actually a smart player. I know it's crazy to say that after this game but seeing that side to his game has actually convinced me that he is a player we really could do with in our squad. We don't even need him to replace Scheinderlin just Fellaini, Herrera or Schweinsteiger and I'll take him over Fellaini, Herrera and Schweinsteiger any day of the week. I also think he is a Mourinho player as much as perfect as they come in today's football world. Tireless, relentless but not without some finesse on the ball as well. This guy is an absolute must buy for me.
 
don't sign old players said:
Kante was awesome yet again. He's a fighter, like Fellaini. Unlike Messrs. Pjanic, Naingolan. Give me fighters any day of the week.
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Ah, I see. Nainggolan is not a 'fighter'? He's probably more a 'fighter' than Kante. Not that being a 'fighter' is ever a barometer of ability.
 
DWelbz19 said:
Ah, I see. Nainggolan is not a 'fighter'? He's probably more a 'fighter' than Kante. Not that being a 'fighter' is ever a barometer of ability.
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Being a fighter is everything. All you people want front runners, players that look a million dollars when the ball is running their way. I watched that Roma game against Barca for the first time yesterday and I was shocked. Are these really the players we covet! When your team's getting murdered that's the time to stand up and fight. Part of the genius of Ferguson involves looking for fighters when he first established himself at O.T. Steve Bruce, Keane, Cantona et al. Players that he could turn to when the chips were down.
Those Roma midfielders were just wandering around looking like lost sheep. When you're getting smashed, you better run, run, run, hit them hard, ball and shout. Because that's when it really tells.
Some of the players everyone wants to get rid of. If even one of them was in a Roma shirt that night, the result would not have been so damning. Even Blind or Lingard would have put up a much better fight, yet people want Blind to be replaced by Manolas. You should all be careful what you wish for. If even a couple of players fight for their lives, you don't get smashed like that.
If a coach doesn't surround himself with fighters, he's asking for trouble. Things can fall apart at any time. Front running pansies, you end up with a scenario like Brazil against Germany and it's not pretty. Hard fighters like Robson, Beckham who swim against the tide, that's the United way!
 
Are we really gonna let him slip away to Arsenal? If that's the main competition for him we should be all over this. (I do see United as a more interesting prospect than Arsenal tbh, now that Mourinho's here).
 
Fer said:
Assuming we sign Kante...

From our midfield, I would sell Fellaini and I would buy Pjanic as playmaker.

Kante and Pjanic are available and they are not too expensive.

I would just add Zlatan for free and buy a player like James, Mahrez, Sane or Mkhitaryan.
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Sell Fellaini? You dont see that often on here.

Has to be said Kante was much better than Pogba tonight, you have to wonder how long Leicester can hold on to him.
 
Fer said:
Assuming we sign Kante...

From our midfield, I would sell Fellaini and I would buy Pjanic as playmaker.

Kante and Pjanic are available and they are not too expensive.

I would just add Zlatan for free and buy a player like James, Mahrez, Sane or Mkhitaryan.
Click to expand...
A midfield 3 of Schneiderlin, Kante and Pjanic would be pretty special. Never going to happen though.
 
Fer said:
Assuming we sign Kante...

From our midfield, I would sell Fellaini and I would buy Pjanic as playmaker.

Kante and Pjanic are available and they are not too expensive.

I would just add Zlatan for free and buy a player like James, Mahrez, Sane or Mkhitaryan.
Click to expand...

Didn't Pjanic transferred to Juventus already?
 
Someone is going to spend huge for him after the Euro's. Obviously he had a great season for Leicester, but there is always a potential feeling of one season wonder for all of them which could make some clubs hesitant. Was class yesterday and if he keeps it up, then he will almost definitely get snapped up. Hopefully we go for him but I can see PSG getting him. Was by a distance the best midfielder there yesterday, which is saying something considering he was playing with Pogba and Matuidi.

Also something that sticks out about him.. He just never seems to be thrown off balance? Just has great poise and everyone bounces off of him, and even when it looks like he's about to fall, he somehow composes himself to stay on his feet and break free. Just ridiculously fit.
 
What I like the most about him (and Martial too btw) is how he doesn't to show much emotions during games. Just focus. If one player (in the starting 11) "deserved" to be nervy last night, it was him but he was so calm.
 
Good player, great bargain for the price. Passing needs a little work, but if you want high defensive workrate, and someone to make the simple passes he's great. He'd be great against our tougher opponents next to a DM. But against weaker opponents I would rather use a more offensive oriented b2b.
 
Footyislife said:
Good player, great bargain for the price. Passing needs a little work, but if you want high defensive workrate, and someone to make the simple passes he's great. He'd be great against our tougher opponents next to a DM. But against weaker opponents I would rather use a more offensive oriented b2b.
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What?
 
What is the rumoured release clause set at? He looks a better DM than Morgan but Morgan is a good player also. My only worry would be having too many keep the pass simple players in midfield when we have been spoilt with Scholes and Carrick. Would love a Modric someone who can kill teams with either masterclass in keeping the ball or a Kroos that can open teams up with one pass.
 
His passing is very good. Not the flashiest but always looks forward and puts pace on the ball. Exactly what you'd want from someone in his position.
 
Yep...definitely should go for him. Very hard working and talented. Probably one of those players who never shirks when the going gets tough...something I think Pogba probably would do.
 
Sadly I think he might go to Arsenal.

Kante \ Xhaka will be a very hard unit.
 
don't sign old players said:
Being a fighter is everything. All you people want front runners, players that look a million dollars when the ball is running their way. I watched that Roma game against Barca for the first time yesterday and I was shocked. Are these really the players we covet! When your team's getting murdered that's the time to stand up and fight. Part of the genius of Ferguson involves looking for fighters when he first established himself at O.T. Steve Bruce, Keane, Cantona et al. Players that he could turn to when the chips were down.
Those Roma midfielders were just wandering around looking like lost sheep. When you're getting smashed, you better run, run, run, hit them hard, ball and shout. Because that's when it really tells.
Some of the players everyone wants to get rid of. If even one of them was in a Roma shirt that night, the result would not have been so damning. Even Blind or Lingard would have put up a much better fight, yet people want Blind to be replaced by Manolas. You should all be careful what you wish for. If even a couple of players fight for their lives, you don't get smashed like that.
If a coach doesn't surround himself with fighters, he's asking for trouble. Things can fall apart at any time. Front running pansies, you end up with a scenario like Brazil against Germany and it's not pretty. Hard fighters like Robson, Beckham who swim against the tide, that's the United way!
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Feel like you have been watching too much of Rocky. You need leaders and fighters in your team surely but that has to be backed by ability as well. The likes of Keane and Cantona were not special because of their ability to lead from the front. They were special because they possessed the talent to do that. No one will listen to you if you cannot lead by example.
 
Wanted this guy for a while now. With him in midfield it doesn't matter what tactics you play, 433, 4231, whatever, he'll keep it together. He allows you to play 2 more attacking minded players centrally. He's cheap, has a good age and i'm sure Mourinho loves/would love him. Such a no brainer.
 
NK86 said:
Feel like you have been watching too much of Rocky. You need leaders and fighters in your team surely but that has to be backed by ability as well. The likes of Keane and Cantona were not special because of their ability to lead from the front. They were special because they possessed the talent to do that. No one will listen to you if you cannot lead by example.
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Rocky is a legend. Haven't seen him lately though. Surely you don't think I want players without talent. Why do you think I cited Cantona and Keane? All the great players were fighters whether it be Hagy, Matthaus that's why they were great. They could lift their side with super efforts when the chips were down. They were feisty, too. Thanks for the feedback btw. Rocky4 was the best.
 
don't sign old players said:
Rocky is a legend. Haven't seen him lately though. Surely you don't think I want players without talent. Why do you think I cited Cantona and Keane? All the great players were fighters whether it be Hagy, Matthaus that's why they were great. They could lift their side with super efforts when the chips were down. They were feisty, too. Thanks for the feedback btw. Rocky4 was the best.
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Your choice in Rocky series disappoints me. Rocky and Rocky 2 were the best. 4 was pretty boring apart from the training schedule of Balboa in Russia.
 
izec said:
Throw in Cazorla or Özil in there and they would have the best midfield in the league, by a mile.
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Yes, throw in a proper CB and striker and they look extremely solid.

4-2-3-1 with kante and xhaka supporting Sanchez, Cazorla and Özil and they will be really hard to stop. Both Cazorla and Sanchez puts in a shift defensively and works really hard as well.

Lets just hope Wenger goes full Wenger, buys about 50% of the reinforcements they need and stop there so he still has some excuses left. Don't think they will buy the quality needed for both CB and Striker positions, it will be one or the other.
 
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Fortitude said:
What?
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Yeah disagree. Think that's one thing that has surprised people. That on top of the energy, tenacity, ability to read the game and tackle/intercept things he has shown he is also a good user of the ball. Maybe not defence splitting but still good and efficient. See first half when he broke up Romania counter and played a 60 yard cross field ball right onto Payet's chest.
 
I don't think he was particularly noteworthy last night
 
AKDevil said:
Yeah disagree. Think that's one thing that has surprised people. That on top of the energy, tenacity, ability to read the game and tackle/intercept things he has shown he is also a good user of the ball. Maybe not defence splitting but still good and efficient. See first half when he broke up Romania counter and played a 60 yard cross field ball right onto Payet's chest.
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Exactly.
 
Jacob said:
I don't think he was particularly noteworthy last night
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We learnt new things about him on top of his performance. That he can sit and play DM and play expansive passes is huge information for interested parties.

Before this game, some thought he could only play CM, he's shown that not to be the case.
 
He's looked really good all season and was quality last night. However, he's too similar to TFM for me and for that reason i wouldn't bother bringing him in. TFM will be better if allowed to progress because he is simply a better passer of the ball, whilst still having the same levels of aggression etc.
 
He was probably man of the match yesterday until Payet scored the screamer.

We need to go in for him. Putting it out there that he's the best #6 in the world. It's between him and Busquets.
 
This lad will improve any team in the world. If he ends up at Arsenal, the Prem is going to be in the world of problems....
 
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