I don't think Mourinho has tried anything with Saul, no. A new manager means new targets, everything prior is scrapped. I don't recall any bid being launched for Saul in the first place, just paper talk.
Nianggolan is also a much cheaper shout.
Pogba Alternatives
- Thread starter Devil may care
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I don't think Mourinho has tried anything with Saul, no. A new manager means new targets, everything prior is scrapped. I don't recall any bid being launched for Saul in the first place, just paper talk.
Nianggolan is also a much cheaper shout.
Everything we discuss in the Transfer Forum is just paper talk. What I mean is that we must have reached out to Saul through Ed's usual third parties and if we had made progress we'd have surely bid for him, no? Plus I think Jose has more connections in and around Atletico to be in a position to gauge whether a deal is possible or not quite easily. Imo the way the trail died with him suggests either we pulled out or got turned down by the player himself. Nianggolan is cheaper, yes, but does he fancy a move or is the deal doable? Players aren't products, their opinions matter so he can be cheaper but if does want to leave Roma (like he was quoted saying) and they don't want to sell then its a moot point. OR maybe Jose views Pogba as s 'must have' and will only move for alternatives if and when we admit defeat in our attempts.
Interest is one thing, but launching an actual bid is another. I don't think it ever got that far, and this was under LVG, so its a bit pointless discussing now that we have Mourinho.
Surely this makes it more baffling that we haven't seemingly considered Saul under Mourinho as yet? I'd imagine its easier to bring him in than Pogba.
Italian Journalists report that he'd favour a move to United. I'd regard a deal to be very doable, definitely more so than Pogba. I genuinely don't think the Pogba case is a matter of Jose thinking "I really really want him" and Ed going all out because of that. Mourinho is a smart man and would make do with more attainable targets if need be. Its more Ed getting excited by a big name after failing with his previous 3 bids, seemingly looking desperate to bring in a £100m player for the sake of it. Its no coincidence we bid £100m+ for Bale, Mueller and Neymar in the last 3 seasons.
Goodness me, Strootman, there's a blast from the past, another summer midfielder thread from yesteryear. What's happened to him now anyway, is he back to his best?
I dont really know anything about most of the people in this thread to be honest. But I would be very happy if Mourinho pulled a rabbit out of his hat and signed a very good central midfielder other than Pogba for a lot less money. Not as happy as I would with Pogba maybe, but at this stage I would be happy enough.
Watching Matuidi play makes my eyes bleed. To say he is an alternative to Pogba is laughable. They absolutely do not play anywhere near the same position. He's so limited there is no way i can see Mourinho going for him at all. He's like a midfield version of Liverpools Sakho. Shit. We will struggle to buy any other wc midfielder if this deal doesn't go through. There just isn't that many around at the moment anyway.
You say Mourinho is a smart man then go on to say you're baffled he hasn't moved in on Saul when the easier explanation could be that he is in a better position re-Atletico to know whats what and not waste his time there. If Mourinho didn't want Pogba and it was all the excitable Woodward pushing this surely there would be something coming out from the media about this given Mourinho's propensity to cover himself first, clearly he is waiting to see how things go on that side before snapping up a more gettable player.
Then on your last point I don't doubt that Woodward would push the signing of this type of player mainly because we need one of those big names for the off pitch benefits they generate which is more on his purview. Its a fact that these big players bring in more money than it costs to sign and maintain them through commercial deals and prize money. Woodward knows that his principals are in this to make money, Gill has been quoted saying the Glazers wish they had Ronaldo on the pitch than £80m in the bank and Pogba is on his way to become a top player so his desire is understandable.
How so? Wasn't Modric mentioned? Kroos has been part of 2 champions league winning midfields and a world cup winning one. What has Pogba done that's so special? yes he may look towering when dominating Lecce's midfield but he is getting propelled far too highly. I seen Yaya look better in all aspects except tricks and Yaya was someone who faded when it counts. Conclusion Pogba is Yaya
Naingolan I rate highly, somewhat of a destroyer in CM, although I see Pogba's best position as a 10 which is why he didn't have a great Euros.
How so? Wasn't Modric mentioned? Kroos has been part of 2 champions league winning midfields and a world cup winning one. What has Pogba done that's so special? yes he may look towering when dominating Lecce's midfield but he is getting propelled far too highly. I seen Yaya look better in all aspects except tricks and Yaya was someone who faded when it counts. Conclusion Pogba is Yaya
neither Modric nor Kroos are available, not sure people keep offering them as alternatives...
I think you slightly misunderstood my post. I think Mourinho would like to have Pogba, infact he might find it refreshing that Woody is trying so hard. But whether Mourinho wants him that badly as to slap £120m bid on him is another matter. I personally think Mourinho has other targets (perhaps Saul might be one of them, who knows) he will pursue and not be too downbeat about it given he has 3 of his first choice targets in the bag. Its more Woody trying to buy a £100m player for the sake of it I feel. As I said, its no coincidence that we've bid in excess of £100m for players in various positions over the past 3 years. Bale, Mueller, Ronaldo, Neymar. Our chairman really wants a big signing it seems.
When we talk about Pogba, what sort of a brand name is he? He's not amongst heavy goals/assists, he's not a pretty boy with as big a fan following as say, Neymar/Messi/Suarz/Zlatan/Ronaldo. His shirt sales won't come close to covering the costs either.
On your last point, Pogba is among the best young CMs in the world and the hype that will follow his storied return for a world record fee will guarantee a rise in his stature. Should he perform and fulfil his potential then you are looking at a potential gold mine when you throw in the platform we can give him. He is a potential BPITW in his position and has the performances to back up such a claim - that is enough for Woodward and his team.
FWIW, I happen to agree with a lot of what you're saying but as long as its not a 'Pogba or bust' type of situation I'm happy to indulge Woody on this more so if Mourinho can come up with a credible fall back target that can complete the core of the team. Mourinho has already indicated that he won't allow this to go deep into the summer so I'm relaxed about the whole thing.
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Should've gone for Pjanic when we had the chance.
when Matuidi is seen has the backup option, then spending 100m on pogba is not such a bad deal. It just sounds pretty grim when it could be Matuidi, especially when our CM options could be, carrick, Matuidi, morgan, bastian, fellaini, blind is ok in that position, not the options that will scare anyone when 2 or are in their 30's, Matuidi is 29 going on 30, the club need to be doing allot better than Matuidi, if pogba falls through. When we think about it, carrick, bastian and fellaini should be seeing the exit door, and we still need 2 CM players. Even signing pogba is not enough, when we need to replace carrick
Nemamja Matic I think we could tempt away from Chelsea
Probably wouldnt be a huge fee either
Probably wouldnt be a huge fee either
Am I wrong in thinking that Mendes has a stake in Saul Niguez? I think he wanted to increase the buyout clause in case an english club came in for him, therefore increasing his own profit. I still think he is attainable but expensive and relatively unproven. Would still be my #1 choice though, looks like he has everything in his locker.
In what way are Pogba and Matic alike?
Isn't Strootman permanently injured now?
A year or so ago, some said that his career is effectively over. He has operations every few months, to save his career.
Also, Strootman is not that good a player. I think he was linked with us not because he was good, but because he was Dutch. Similar to R.Vlaar who was so bad (permanently injured), A.Villa (yes, the team which finished rock bottom) let his contract expire and refused to give him another contract.
Strootman is a very good player. Shame about the injuries.
They are not but Rooney can play that box to box role too, he could flourish under Jose
How is this midfield general idea still alive? Jose explicitly stated that Rooney's role will only be as a striker or as the #10. No shoehorning. Watch his press conference.
Isco would be my choice if we are after someone who can play as the attack minded 8 in a 4-3-3 or as a 10. I liked what I saw of him when he has been played deeper, he has a much higher workrate and defensive contribution than one would expect.
Yep, he's perfect for that role. Has also got a bit of bite to his play.