Oriol Romeu

[bond19821982]

No transfer rumors with us but is linked to Barca
I like him - very strong on the ball and a tough tackling midfielder !

Replacement for Carrick ?

 

[Devil may care]

He actually came from Barca's youth system, it would be a hell of a journey for him to make it back after the Chelsea move didn't work out and he was shuttled out on a couple of loans.

 

[Yagami]

My ideal CM signing this summer.

 

[FCBarca]

There are articles linking Romeu to a return, on the one hand it makes sense for the club to return to stocking their team with cantera players but on the other it's speculative to know what the next coach might want. But, this is Barcelona and there's already been a lot of local criticism on deviating from the Cruyff formula for success

 

[MadMike]

I'm a bit wary of signing DMs from Southampton

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

I'd be for signing him. I think Pep might be in for him too.

 

[CS@SG]

I'm a bit wary of signing DMs from Southampton

can always sell to Everton if that doesn't work out.

 

[buckooo1978]

what's his passing range like? certainly didn't think it was comparable to Carrick's

 

[royboy16]

can always sell to Everton if that doesn't work out.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

what's his passing range like? certainly didn't think it was comparable to Carrick's

It is nowhere near as good as Carrick's but he moves the ball on a lot quicker than Carrick does.

 

[Classnordic]

Really like the way he plays the game tbh.

 

[MadMike]

what's his passing range like? certainly didn't think it was comparable to Carrick's

From what I have seen, which is not too much to be honest, his "simple passing" game seems quite tight and quick.

Carrick, especially these days, can be a bit slow to get the ball out of his feet and as a result tenacious and quick midfielders can get to him. Romeu being 25 has faster reaction times, is a bit quicker. He's also more robust so when someone gets to him he can often shrug them off. So from what I see he copes better under pressure than Carrick.

On the other hand, he doesn't have the probing, direct passing that Carrick has when given time on the ball. Not sure if that'd be a problem for us with Herrera and (mostly) Pogba in the team. But yeah, he's not a playmaker, not at this level at least.

If anyone has watched him more than me and believes the above to be wrong, please do correct me.

 

[Cutch]

From what I have seen, which is not too much to be honest, his "simple passing" game seems quite tight and quick.

Carrick, especially these days, can be a bit slow to get the ball out of his feet and as a result tenacious and quick midfielders can get to him. Romeu being 25 has faster reaction times, is a bit quicker. He's also more robust so when someone gets to him he can often shrug them off. So from what I see he copes better under pressure than Carrick.

On the other hand, he doesn't have the probing, direct passing that Carrick has when given time on the ball. Not sure if that'd be a problem for us with Herrera and (mostly) Pogba in the team. But yeah, he's not a playmaker, not at this level at least.

If anyone has watched him more than me and believes the above to be wrong, please do correct me.

Yeah decent summary to be fair. His passing is neat and crisp on the ground. He rarely ever seeks to go long from what I've seen, his La Masia schooling i think has enabled him to be extremely calm under pressure and he's adept at working the ball in tight areas and using his strength to keep the ball until a short option is available. Off the ball then he is excellent, definitely one of the best ball winners in the league

 

[ZupZup]

He's not as good as Herrera so would be a bit of a pointless signing in my opinion.

 

[Blind]

He's not as good as Herrera so would be a bit of a pointless signing in my opinion.

He's a totally different midfielder to Herrera, a holding midfielder with excellent short passing who wins the ball back constantly is exactly what we need. It means Herrera can push forward and cover the right side, maybe even score a few more goals like he was doing on a regular basis in his first season.

 

[ZupZup]

He's a totally different midfielder to Herrera, a holding midfielder with excellent short passing who wins the ball back constantly is exactly what we need. It means Herrera can push forward and cover the right side, maybe even score a few more goals like he was doing on a regular basis in his first season.

Herrera has played as a defensive midfielder a number of times this season in the 'holding role' if you like. The one that Carrick also plays... and he's done very well there - better than Romeu would. The main differences between the two would be that Romeu is perhaps a bit better at tackling and isn't as good on the ball. Herrera is the better passer and also better at interceptions... so more suited to us in the holding role than Romeu would be anyway since we tend to have much more of the ball than our opposition.

 

[MadMike]

He's not as good as Herrera so would be a bit of a pointless signing in my opinion.

I think he's being touted as a potential Carrick replacement, not a Herrera one. I mean we are going to need a reliable DM behind Herrers and Pogba to make the 4-3-3 work in our toughest games. So he's gotta be starting XI quality.

 

[ZupZup]

I think he's being touted as a potential Carrick replacement, not a Herrera one. I mean we are going to need a reliable DM behind Herrers and Pogba to make the 4-3-3 work in our toughest games. So he's gotta be starting XI quality.

If I am picking the team... I have Herrera as the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 playing with Pogba and potentially Periera.

 

[MadMike]

If I am picking the team... I have Herrera as the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 playing with Pogba and potentially Periera.

First off, playing Herrera at DM you stifle his chasing/ball-winning capabilities which are perhaps his best asset.

Secondly, I think you (and others on this forum) are getting ahead of themselves with regards to Pereira. Big time. The lad is doing well, not exceptionally well, playing for the 18th team in Spain.

The jump from that to being a United quality, starting XI midfielder playing in our biggest European/Domestic fixtures (where we play 4-3-3), is pretty fecking big. I wouldn't even place that much expectation on him. He can be Herrera's and/or Pogba's sub until he shows he is better or reliable enough for starting XI spot. I wouldn't bet the house on Pereira for next season, no way.

 

[ZupZup]

First off, playing Herrera at DM you stifle his chasing/ball-winning capabilities which are perhaps his best asset.

Secondly, I think you (and others on this forum) are getting ahead of themselves with regards to Pereira. Big time. The lad is doing well, not exceptionally well, playing for the 18th team in Spain.

The jump from that to being a United quality, starting XI midfielder playing in our biggest European/Domestic fixtures (where we play 4-3-3), is pretty fecking big. I wouldn't even place that much expectation on him. He can be Herrera's and/or Pogba's sub until he shows he is better or reliable enough for starting XI spot. I wouldn't bet the house on Pereira for next season, no way.

Playing Herrera as a defensive midfielder 'stifles' his chasing/ball-winning capabilities? Does it do the same for Kante as well?

I said 'potentially' Pereira. Personally, I'd give the lad a chance. I'm not claiming him to be the definite answer. I find it strange that Romeu could be considered the answer as a defensive midfielder at United, but Herrera not... based on what? What does Romeu offer that is so much better?

 

[Cutch]

If I am picking the team... I have Herrera as the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 playing with Pogba and potentially Periera.

Herrera is not a defensive midfielder. When he plays there he leaves us exposed time and time again. He needs to play with a Carrick (or Romeu) type with the positional discipline to protect a defense properly, and allow him the freedom to play his natural game

 

[ZupZup]

Herrera is not a defensive midfielder. When he plays there he leaves us exposed time and time again. He needs to play with a Carrick (or Romeu) type with the positional discipline to protect a defense properly, and allow him the freedom to play his natural game

Completely disagree that he leaves us exposed when he has played as the defensive midfielder in a 3... your comments relate purely to when he has played in a two with Pogba.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Schneirderlin is a better player in that role IMO and he didn't do great with us. He's a good player but I don't see him improving our squad.

 

[Cutch]

Completely disagree that he leaves us exposed when he has played as the defensive midfielder in a 3... your comments relate purely to when he has played in a two with Pogba.

So what are you basing your comments on then? Give me an example of when he's played as a holding midfielder in Michael Carricks position and we've looked defensively solid. He isnt a player that sits infront of a back four, he's a chaser

 

[Donut]

Barca would never play him & Busquets together would they? That seems way too defensive for them.

I'd love him here, and I think a lot of teams will be interested in the summer.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Him and Mata are good mates I think. No idea what thats got to do with anything, but there you go.

Anyway, he was great in the cup final vs. us, but i haven't seen enough of him other then that.

 

[MUFC OK]

I agree with a few others, passing not good enough for the level we aspire to be at. Need someone who can be a play maker and protect the defence in equal measure. Not the easiest midfielders to find but thats the job of our scouting team/manager. I've said before that I wouldn't mind an experienced head instead of another young player with potential.

 

[ZupZup]

So what are you basing your comments on then? Give me an example of when he's played as a holding midfielder in Michael Carricks position and we've looked defensively solid. He isnt a player that sits infront of a back four, he's a chaser

I am basing my comments on the fact that he is better than Romeu in almost every way. Give me an example of Herrera being exposed when playing as a holding midfielder in a midfield 3?

He's spent a lot of matches this season playing as a holding midfield player for someone that according to you, can't play there...

 

[Raoul]

Is he good enough ? Would Mourinho buy him back after letting him go ?

 

[MadMike]

Playing Herrera as a defensive midfielder 'stifles' his chasing/ball-winning capabilities? Does it do the same for Kante as well?

Yes. See, you are the second person who offers that opinion on Kanté and my response to you will be the same as to him. That clearly, you don't know what you are talking about and haven't watched Chelsea or Kanté enough this season. When he tried to argue, I gave him the below response....

Kanté is not a "proper DM". There is a proper DM playing right behind him, his name is Matic. Kanté plays the disruptor role, he chases the ball, but is not disciplined to sit and protect his back four... he's even worse than Herrera at that.

What I'm telling you is not an opinion, by the way. When the season started Conte played Kanté as the DM and moved Matic further up to harness his playmaking/passing skills. The move backfired as Kanté would chase the ball and go AWOL leaving the defence unprotected. Within 5-6 matches (if memory serves me) Conte switched it around making Matic sit back to protect the defence while Kanté does the harassing.

That's why I said, I know you haven't watched Chelsea

 

[Invictus]

Not sure what to make of Romeu. Maybe I'm under-appreciating the improvement of his game - but while he has done well at Southampton, no doubt, he kinda falls in the Illaramendi or Ignacio Camacho bracket where neither player would be the ideal option at 6 for a club like United - long term.

Completely disagree that he leaves us exposed when he has played as the defensive midfielder in a 3... your comments relate purely to when he has played in a two with Pogba.

They're right, though. It isn't even about being exposed per se (because Ander can do most midfield jobs at a good to adequate level because he understands the game), but about him being a fantastic fit as the right sided box-to-box (where he can press and disrupt and be an all-round nuisance - apart from being an outlet in terms of quick passing moves to maintain a high tempo, and covering for Valencia down the right channel). Contrast that skillset with being a good (at best) holding or defensive midfielder where you reduce his range of proactive movement and impact on the game. It would be liking playing Blaise Matuidi at the base of midfield for Paris Saint-Germain instead of procuring your version of Motta - and purposefully throttling Ander to function at 75% of his overall capacity - which seems a bit counter-intuitive.

 

[MadMike]

I said 'potentially' Pereira. Personally, I'd give the lad a chance. I'm not claiming him to be the definite answer. I find it strange that Romeu could be considered the answer as a defensive midfielder at United, but Herrera not... based on what? What does Romeu offer that is so much better?

It's not about what Romeu offers that Herrera doesn't, although he does offer some better positional awareness from playing years as a DM. Herrera hasn't even played any games as DM yet, though he has the attributes to succeed.

Romeu would free Herrera to play in his best position that of a CM. If he were to come, he would be playing instead of Pereira in the 4-3-3 you have described. Romeu has proved himself at a lot more than Pereira, so yeah.

 

[MadMike]

Not sure what to make of Romeu. Maybe I'm under-appreciating the improvement of his game - but while he has done well at Southampton, no doubt, he kinda falls in the Illaramendi or Ignacio Camacho bracket where neither player would be the ideal option at 6 for a club like United - long term.

And that's exactly the category I put him in. Illara was the other player I had in mind for that position

There is a risk with both that they might be the next 'Schneiderlin'.

 

[CS@SG]

Is he similar to Casemiro? Or how good is he, compared to Casemiro?

 

[ZupZup]

Yes. See, you are the second person who offers that opinion on Kanté and my response to you will be the same as to him. That clearly, you don't know what you are talking about and haven't watched Chelsea or Kanté enough this season. When he tried to argue, I gave him the below response....

Nah, I tend to disagree. See, we are currently playing Herrera as our defensive midfielder in a midfield 2... not particularly ideal, especially given Pogba isn't the most disciplined of partners to be playing in a midfield two with. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me that apparently Herrera isn't disciplined enough to play this position in a three, but he is currently playing as our more defensive midfielder in a two - and having his best season for us I might add.

They're right, though. It isn't even about being exposed per se (because Ander can do most midfield jobs at a good to adequate level because he understands the game), but about him being a fantastic fit as the right sided box-to-box (where he can press and disrupt and be an all-round nuisance - apart from being an outlet in terms of quick passing moves to maintain a high tempo, and covering for Valencia down the right channel). Contrast that skillset with being a good (at best) holding or defensive midfielder where you reduce his range of proactive movement and impact on the game. It would be liking playing Blaise Matuidi at the base of midfield for Paris Saint-Germain instead of procuring your version of Motta - and purposefully throttling Ander to function at 75% of his overall capacity - which seems a bit counter-intuitive.

I wouldn't even argue that Herrera is perhaps better as a box-to-box right now... but he is capable of playing a very disciplined game, he reads the game well and he's better defensively than he is offensively. I'd take Herrera in the holding role at United every day over Romeu because he'll offer us far more in possession whilst making just as much of a defensive conribution. If we sign a player more in the mould of Weigl, then that would be ideal, but Romeu is definitely not the answer for me.

 

[MadMike]

Nah, I tend to disagree. See, we are currently playing Herrera as our defensive midfielder in a midfield 2... not particularly ideal, especially given Pogba isn't the most disciplined of partners to be playing in a midfield two with. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me that apparently Herrera isn't disciplined enough to play this position in a three, but he is currently playing as our more defensive midfielder in a two - and having his best season for us I might add.

The post you are quoting is saying how Kante is not a DM, which was proven at Chelsea by the method of trial and error. It's not really much of debate. It's also saying how harassing the opposition and winning the ball back is one of Herrera's best attributes. And finally it's saying that playing in a position where your main responsibility is to sit deep, read the game and shield the defence (DM), causes a conflict of interest with chasing the ball and putting pressure on the opposition. You either do one or the other, not both.

Which of these statements could you possibly be disagreeing with? Please clarify

 

[KN5]

Herrera has played as a defensive midfielder a number of times this season in the 'holding role' if you like. The one that Carrick also plays... and he's done very well there - better than Romeu would. The main differences between the two would be that Romeu is perhaps a bit better at tackling and isn't as good on the ball. Herrera is the better passer and also better at interceptions... so more suited to us in the holding role than Romeu would be anyway since we tend to have much more of the ball than our opposition.

I disagree, Herrera isn't a holding type player, just think about holding and Herrera in a sentence, doesn't go, Herrera's best position as it obviously has been seen this season is as a Box to Box nuisance, he's going to fill the midfield with energy and defensive qualities which shine through his work ethic. He likes to get forward also, which the 'holding' role prevents him from doing, if we went a 433, Romeu could be the holding midfield, as you said hes better at tackling so it'd suit the role more, Herrera could shine doing the dirty work and Pogba all the offensive duties.

Edit: While Herrera can play a holding role to a decent standard, he should be used in his best position.

 

[MadMike]

Schneirderlin is a better player in that role IMO and he didn't do great with us. He's a good player but I don't see him improving our squad.

Schneiderlin makes a lot of mistakes for a man in a position of huge responsibility. His passing is not tight or quick enough, hence people are asking these questions about Romeu's passing.

Only 3 days ago, against Tottenham, Schneiderlin was caught in possession at the edge of his own box from which his team conceded the 2nd goal of the game. He was also marking Dele Alli when he ghosted past him to score the 3rd.

 

[poleglass red]

Something needs to be done for next season. Herrera and Pogba aren't good enough as a partnership in a 2 man mid. When they play as a 2, the space they leave exposed when they both attack is brutal. Only when Carrick plays is that space covered.Neither of them has the defensive positional awareness to play that role. I know both have played it at different times, but neither is suited to it, and it doesn't maximise their skillsets. Pogba needs to be further up the pitch, Herrera can go box to box. They need that reinsurance of a Carrick. If we do go with a 3 next season, then yes a tough tackling pure DM is needed. I know people have posted stats about Herrera's tackles made etc this season, but he can be dominated physically in centre mid and we have seen that this season. Only problem with playing 3 in centre mid, is it would kind disrupt Miki, whose best position is behind the striker. He'd need to be played wide right to accomodate the 3 in centre mid.
Pogba is the tricky one in this issue. He really isn't the type of mid you can play in a 2. Sure we have and could play him and Herrera in a 2 next season and win a lot of games. But when we play the big boys esp the top teams in the CL, those 2 would be found out

 

[ZupZup]

The post you are quoting is saying how Kante is not a DM, which was proven at Chelsea by the method of trial and error. It's not really much of debate. It's also saying how harassing the opposition and winning the ball back is one of Herrera's best attributes. And finally it's saying that playing in a position where your main responsibility is to sit deep, read the game and shield the defence (DM), causes a conflict of interest with chasing the ball and putting pressure on the opposition. You either do one or the other, not both.

Which of these statements could you possibly be disagreeing with? Please clarify

Kante is 100% a defensive midfielder. Yes, he plays with another defensive midfielder in Matic, but that does not mean he isn't one. Just look at his average position during games.

Your view of football is far too simplistic. Herrera is a very intelligent player... there are times when as a defensive midfielder you sit, and others where you can press and have the opportunity to harass and win the ball. It's not simply a case of "this is your job, you just sit and hold position in front of the back four". You do both at different times during the game... just like Matic and Kante both do at Chelsea.

I disagree, Herrera isn't a holding type player, just think about holding and Herrera in a sentence, doesn't go, Herrera's best position as it obviously has been seen this season is as a Box to Box nuisance, he's going to fill the midfield with energy and defensive qualities which shine through his work ethic. He likes to get forward also, which the 'holding' role prevents him from doing, if we went a 433, Romeu could be the holding midfield, as you said hes better at tackling so it'd suit the role more, Herrera could shine doing the dirty work and Pogba all the offensive duties.

Edit: While Herrera can play a holding role to a decent standard, he should be used in his best position.

A Romeu, Herrera, Pogba midfield three is too defensive in my opinion... especially for a club that prides itself on adventurous attacking football.

Anyway, I am going to have to leave this debate soon as I've said my opinion and just can't be bothered with the endless alerts my 'controversial opinion' is throwing my way...