Potential Matic Replacements

Funny I would've thought we'd at least be linked with Sander Berge considering that Ole's now at the wheel. Looks a better footballer than Rice and is an absolute unit.

No one else excites me really. No one that's realistic anyway.
 
@The Nani

Interesting you brought up Sander Berge in the Declan Rice thread. Thought I'd bring the chatter in this thread.

Berge is definitely a very interesting prospect at just 21. I actually would be happy if we could bring him in and hopefully develop his undoubted potential. I think he's ready to contribute and would be reasonably priced coming from Genk in Belgium I assume.

Would take him over Ndidi/Rice for sure.
 
Adnan said:
@The Nani

Interesting you brought up Sander Berge in the Declan Rice thread. Thought I'd bring the chatter in this thread.

Berge is definitely a very interesting prospect at just 21. I actually would be happy if we could bring him in and hopefully develop his undoubted potential. I think he's ready to contribute and would be reasonably priced coming from Genk in Belgium I assume.

Would take him over Ndidi/Rice for sure.
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His combination of physical prowess and technical ability excite me more than anyone else we could sign. Especially with Pogba in the team.

I’m sure many will laugh, but a midfield of Pogba, McTominay and Berge has the potential to boss anyone.
 
The Nani said:
His combination of physical prowess and technical ability excite me more than anyone else we could sign. Especially with Pogba in the team.

I’m sure many will laugh, but a midfield of Pogba, McTominay and Berge has the potential to boss anyone.
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Physically that’s a damned imposing midfield. The anti-techno-midget midfield. Mourinho is moist at the thought of that.
 
The Nani said:
His combination of physical prowess and technical ability excite me more than anyone else we could sign. Especially with Pogba in the team.

I’m sure many will laugh, but a midfield of Pogba, McTominay and Berge has the potential to boss anyone.
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I haven't seen alot of him but if he can play the role currently occupied by Matic to a good level (I think he could) then I feel he would be very good for us.

But I wouldn't have McTominay in the 3 because I don't think he's good enough tbh. I would hope Gomes and Garner could step up next season and hopefully get minutes ahead of McTominay who imo is limited as a CM.

I'd like to see a 3 of Pogba, Rabiot, Berge..

With Gomes, Garner and possibly Fosu Mensah as an additional option as a high energy destroyer in reserve ready to come in if/when required.
 
Who is this Red Bull Saltzburg DM we are interested in. Samassedou or something like that. Plays for Mali. Anyone know him.
 
Devil may care said:
@Adnan

Would you say Garner is a pure holder?
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He's shown potential to be that type of #6 from what I've seen. The way he's constantly scanning his surroundings is very impressive and shows how mature he is for 17. His vision and passing looks very good already and does look a Busquets type of player in the making with real bite. Having seen him close up I've started to appreciate his talent even more compared to when on TV.

But having said all that. I wouldn't expect him be the pure #6 in the first team for awhile due to him being 17. The coaching staff will sure give him the chance though. He's very highly rated.

He's also a Scouser, so it would be nice to see him make it with us to piss the bin dippers off..
 
Adnan said:
He's shown potential to be that type of #6 from what I've seen. The way he's constantly scanning his surroundings is very impressive and shows how mature he is for 17. His vision and passing looks very good already and does look a Busquets type of player in the making with real bite. Having seen him close up I've started to appreciate his talent even more compared to when on TV.

But having said all that. I wouldn't expect him be the pure #6 in the first team for awhile due to him being 17. The coaching staff will sure give him the chance though. He's very highly rated.

He's also a Scouser, so it would be nice to see him make it with us to piss the bin dippers off..
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:lol: An extra tick in the box.

I was just wondering as one of the few links we've had in this position is Idrissa Gueye who is not much younger than Matic, but unlike Matic his legs still work, and he'd be for Garner what Meunier could be for Dalot/Laird if we are accepting we aren't going to compete for the main trophies in the next 2 or 3 seasons. .
 
Devil may care said:
:lol: An extra tick in the box.

I was just wondering as one of the few links we've had in this position is Idrissa Gueye who is not much younger than Matic, but unlike Matic his legs still work, and he'd be for Garner what Meunier could be for Dalot/Laird if we are accepting we aren't going to compete for the main trophies in the next 2 or 3 seasons. .
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I don't really know alot about Gueye tbh. I know he's been linked to us.

I'm assuming he's more of a destroyer type?
 
Adnan said:
I don't really know alot about Gueye tbh. I know he's been linked to us.

I'm assuming he's more of a destroyer type?
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Yeah, he's a pure DM, not particularly good on the ball but mobile and a strong shield for the back 4.
 
Im sure someone like Garner would be a good replacement. Or even Tonali. One we already have and the other wont cost much and defo will set us up for future. Yes they are probably not the strongest in terms of tackling but these two are young and can develop that attribute. Besides, these days a modern DM is not only required to tackle but also have a passing range.
 
Adnan said:
I haven't seen alot of him but if he can play the role currently occupied by Matic to a good level (I think he could) then I feel he would be very good for us.

But I wouldn't have McTominay in the 3 because I don't think he's good enough tbh. I would hope Gomes and Garner could step up next season and hopefully get minutes ahead of McTominay who imo is limited as a CM.

I'd like to see a 3 of Pogba, Rabiot, Berge..

With Gomes, Garner and possibly Fosu Mensah as an additional option as a high energy destroyer in reserve ready to come in if/when required.
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Sorry for the late reply.

I think the big Norwegian would be perfect paired with McTominay should Pogba stay. We need high energy, mobile players who can pass the ball around Pogba and they both fit the bill while also showing good technique. What’s so impressive about Berge is despite his physicality he is also quite nimble and very good with the ball at his feet.

I really think you’re underrating McTominay a fair bit. I think he could be every bit as good or better than Rabiot for us. And we really don’t need another primadonna in the side. Also think that’s a big ask for Gomes and Garner although I think they’ll have significant squad roles to play.

If we were to sign Bruno and Berge...

———Bruno
Pogba——McTom
———Berge

Looks well balanced and extremely threatening to me. Would also give us the flexibility to play different formations and rotate with the young lads and Pereira who I think could kick on a bit next season finally.

That said, Rice could also fill this role. But I have reservations about his technique and passing ability. I could be proved well wrong and would hope to be if we sign him though.
 
Adnan said:
I haven't seen alot of him but if he can play the role currently occupied by Matic to a good level (I think he could) then I feel he would be very good for us.

But I wouldn't have McTominay in the 3 because I don't think he's good enough tbh. I would hope Gomes and Garner could step up next season and hopefully get minutes ahead of McTominay who imo is limited as a CM.

I'd like to see a 3 of Pogba, Rabiot, Berge..

With Gomes, Garner and possibly Fosu Mensah as an additional option as a high energy destroyer in reserve ready to come in if/when required.
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With Pogba in the team, I don't think we could afford more giants in midfield. We could do with some agility..
 
Mcking said:
With Pogba in the team, I don't think we could afford more giants in midfield. We could do with some agility..
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He's actually very mobile and quick off the ground to go along with his ability on the ball. Think you'd be pleasantly surprised by him.
 
Rodri or Ndombele does fit the bill. N dombele can be coached to be a controller like dembele.
 
I have seen N'Domebele in a midfield of 2 with Aouar. Do you know if N'Dombele could play as CDM in a 433?
 
Fer said:
I have seen N'Domebele in a midfield of 2 with Aouar. Do you know if N'Dombele could play as CDM in a 433?
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Similar to Tolisso, he could play there, but it's not his best position at this moment in time.
 
Who do you consider the best CDM between Rice, Ndidi, Gueye, Berge and Neves?
 
Fer said:
Who do you consider the best CDM between Rice, Ndidi, Gueye, Berge and Neves?
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I don't know anything about Berge, but of the other four, Ndidi is the best by a mile. Its weird that I dont see him linked anywhere with a move to a bigger club. He would be great for us!
 
Spurs closing in on Ndombele according to Sky. No idea why we are not in the mix consodering our options
 
Escobar said:
Spurs closing in on Ndombele according to Sky. No idea why we are not in the mix consodering our options
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This is baffling me the most. Not being linked with a matic replacement. This problem is older than the right wing problem.
 
The Nani said:
Ndombele isn’t a Matic replacement. He’s box to box. And he was quite wasteful and underwhelming as the season wore on. Very inconsistent.
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I agree - I hope we stay clear.
 
The Nani said:
Ndombele isn’t a Matic replacement. He’s box to box. And he was quite wasteful and underwhelming as the season wore on. Very inconsistent.
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He played holding midfield in the Lyon games I seen this season. It looked a fairly natural fit for him.
 
The Nani said:
Ndombele isn’t a Matic replacement. He’s box to box. And he was quite wasteful and underwhelming as the season wore on. Very inconsistent.
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Agreed, he's nothing like Matic.
JB08 said:
What happened to Julian Weigl?
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Been awful the last few times I've seen him play, not sure why though, possibly lacking match sharpness due to injuries. I think he was denied a move to PSG last season too, maybe he's sulking. All speculation, mind.
 
Patrick08 said:
This is baffling me the most. Not being linked with a matic replacement. This problem is older than the right wing problem.
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It’s really not. We got a reasonably strong season out of Matic overall, off the back of Herrera being our player of the year playing predominantly from that position.

The best we’ve had at right wing have been only fleetingly acceptable runs in the team from Mata, Mkhitaryan and most recently Dalot.
 
The Nani said:
Not when I’ve watched him. Lyon fans will tell you he is best as a box to box midfielder as well.

His passing is just too erratic as a #6.
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I think he can be coached to be a 6 in a 3 man midfield or play as a pivot in a 2. He may be a b2b at lyon In most games but I think surrounded by players who takes some of his creative responsibility he won't have the need to be a dynamic b2b.
 
Patrick08 said:
I think he can be coached to be a 6 in a 3 man midfield or play as a pivot in a 2. He may be a b2b at lyon In most games but I think surrounded by players who takes some of his creative responsibility he won't have the need to be a dynamic b2b.
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Agreed. He certainly has the skillset for it if he can just keep it simple.
 
sherrinford said:
It’s really not. We got a reasonably strong season out of Matic overall, off the back of Herrera being our player of the year playing predominantly from that position.

The best we’ve had at right wing have been only fleetingly acceptable runs in the team from Mata, Mkhitaryan and most recently Dalot.
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What you call strong season barely lasted 4 months on a good level. Against top teams he was always found wanting. While Herrera was also not a perfect type of cdm or controller. He excelled in this first season only after carrick was back in lineup behind him and pogba in a 4141 as a more advanced pressing machine or a b2b ball winner. Never really a player who builds from the deep.

Matic is not a successful purchase. After carrick we have not had one player who controlled the midfield for us, just bunch of ill fit guys in the middle getting exposed time to time including fellani, schneiderlin, bastian, and Herrera who was never really a playmaker or controller but hard worker who let go his natural game to adopt to teams and managers demands.

For me this problem has lasted ever since Fergie Left. Woodward and moyes passing out on Kevin strootman to roma in 2013.
 
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