we could give him time in the cup games and if we are comfortably ahead in some league games. I look forward to a couple of years
DDG
Laird Tuanzebe Lindelof Shaw
Garner Pogba
Gomes
Greenwood Rashford Martial
Potential Matic Replacements
- Thread starter FootyGirl88
- Start date
DDG
Laird Tuanzebe Lindelof Shaw
Garner Pogba
Gomes
Greenwood Rashford Martial
Matic needs replacing, no question but in fairness he's looked a lot better the last 2 games. I think he has probably also suffered from the lack of movement ahead of him. He seems to be taking fewer touches all of a sudden which seems to be true for all the team given the emphasis to attack coming from the manager.
He's been playing a little bit higher on the pitch, and plays more vertically. Clearly playing more free as well. Keep him for another 2 years, with a youngster taking over if possible.
Declan Rice would feel like a Fergie type signing.
That would be the dream. Fingers crossed!
If we go into next season with Matic still starting regularly we'll encounter all the same issues when we face teams that have a good pressing game, his lack of mobility is protected a bit by Herrera in games against poor opposition like the last 2, but we saw that with Fred we were too open and Ander had to come on to provide that cover. Matic is a divider but I think the logical thing is to keep him as an experienced squad player but not as the main #6. Add in a better passing CM with more mobility to complete the 1st choice midfield with Pogba and Ander.
I've been highly impressed with Garner every time I've seen him play. Not quite the buzz Fabregas or Wilshere had at that age but seems to have the goods for the top. We have an FA Cup game against Reading coming up after a run of 4 Premier league games in a few days. The team for that game should give us a good idea of Ole's plans for our youth, and their potential if given the opportunity.
There is probably 0% chance that this will be our line up in two years.
declan rice. his reading of the game is top class. future captain material as well.
He doesn't have to be mobile in that position. How mobile was Busqets?
At his best he played in the most posession dominant team that has ever existed, almost as a 3rd CB a lot of the time when their fullbacks became wingers, and even then he's a lot more mobile than Matic as he's not as heavy.
Players are moving around more and getting into spaces to receive the ball. Matic looked bad because there was none of this with Mourinho's outdated football.
It's a simple game when played properly, and the touch/pass football will suit players that looked bad before.
It's a simple game when played properly, and the touch/pass football will suit players that looked bad before.
Frenkie De Jong is the dream but only that id assume
What verratti's situation like these days? Playing wise and happiness?
What verratti's situation like these days? Playing wise and happiness?
What about Adrien Rabiot, Sergej Milinkovic Savic or Tanguy Ndombélé ?
SMS being brought up as an alternative to Matic 
Busquets releases the ball quicker too and is more adept at passing through the press. Matic is good at shielding, but once he is pressed and closed down, he usually finds it difficult to pick a pass and ends up holding the ball for too long. It puts the whole team at a disadvantage against a high pressing team, because it allows the opponents to quickly cut off passing lanes. Matic is usually quite dominant against teams that sit back, press with few men and attack sparing, but I think we need someone that moves and passes the ball quicker whilst being very solid defensively.
Just signed a new contract till 2024, so it's going to be expensive. Maybe West Ham offered the contract with a view to ensuring bigger bids in the Summer. Who knows?
In any case, Rice would he'd be perfect as a counterweight to Pogba and Hererra/Fred/Pereira/Gomes attacking drives. Not to mention the fullbacks getting forward. If we had more defensively aware midfielders, you could perhaps make a case for a different kind of DLP. But given the makeup of the squad, a bona fide holding player is the only sensible option.
He's also good enough in the air to cover for the aerial deficiencies we seem to have. It's the main reason that Matic and Fellaini still get so many minutes. It gives the manager a lot more tactical flexibility.
Excellent technically, too.
Too bad we don't still have Tevez, Di Maria and Chicharito. Then the we could fielded jerk chicken, rice and pea.
Do we have anyone in the academy teething bound to break through the ranks soon to play in #6 role?
Declan Rice should be it, he's awesome. Otherwise I'd like Ndidi, he's superb. And if none of this can happen, I'd love Wilmar Barrios, just for the pride and his inmense talent.
James Garner
Matic is still class. One of our best players. Wouldnt mind Neves or Rice in though. We got alot of dead wood in midfield
Jon jo shelvy
Whats the deal with Kante ? Hearing some noises !
Brussel sprouts over Chrsitmas?
It is not so unrealistic for a cup game in about 2 years. It might happen
Declan rice
Signed a new long term contract today.
One of Kante, Ndidi or Frankie De Jong would be ideal.
De Jong or Kante would be dreamy, but I think both seem out of our reach at the moment.
Would take Ndidi for sure.
What’s Lee Cattermole up to these days?
Maybe, I think Kante is gettable. He’s being played in a different role than he’s used to and not having a great amount of success there.
Would still be expensive though. Ndidi would be a cheaper option, but less guaranteed to be as good. No idea if we can get De Jong though.
For a cup game, of course. I thought you meant the first 11.
The guy who played in the Matic role against Huddersfield looked pretty good. I'd like to see a bit more of him.
We should go for Ndombele in this window. 36 million release clause they say.
Look at these stats! I haven't really observed him much during games but this is incredible. What do you guys think about him?
That's a steal for such a gifted player. We should jump on it if it is true.
He is up there with Gueye and Kante as the best destroyers in the league imo. He is quite decent on the ball too.
He's just signed a new contract though. Can't see him leaving any time soon.
Lucas Tousart and Semeda are others who do a great job as DM's...
I think we were linked with Ndidi when he was at Genk. Numbers looks good, i'd be up for that.