Don't worry mate, even the best make mistakes.Just so you know, I thought Xhaka was going to be a success wherever he goes and I was also all in favour of signing Schneiderlin. So there's that.
Potential Matic Replacements
- Thread starter FootyGirl88
- Start date
Fair point, given the way they fold in the CL I sometimes don't class them that highly.
I think a club like Rennes has more leeway than a club like us in this regard, where there's no pressure outside of not being relegated, but still, to put a 16 year old in the first team, especially in that role is impressive, I mean if you look through history if a 16 or 17 year old has gortten into the first team at that age they are usually a forward, for a 16 year old to play holding midfield at senior level, a position that usually requires experience, is fairly unique.
Agreed.
Matic is obviously the weakest link now that RB & CB positions have been sorted out.
It reminded me of Van Gaal giving a 16 year old Clarence Seedorf his debut at 16 for Ajax. That 16 year old won a Champions league with 3 different clubs and a host of other titles before he hung up his boots.
Man, if the kid goes on to have half the career Seedorf had it'll be a great one.
Can't sign u18 players from the EU once we leave
Can't see him still being available in 2 years
So not an option
Rennes are giving the kids a proper chance it seems. This tweet from @jb8521 is making alot of sense now. I hope our scouts are camped outside the Rennes academy this season..
I really hope not
Can't sign u18 players from the EU once we leave the EU
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Hopefully we get a replacement in Jan
Be hard to get a replacement in Jan, especially someone of high quality.
Replacing him should be high on the priority list, though, along with a right winger and number 10, if we continue to play with a 4231.
Question is, who's out there? Maybe we can purchase an astute signing like we did with James.
Right now based on what I’ve seen in pre season through to the weekend I’d say we could put a traffic cone in place of Matic and the difference would be minimal.
In reality we either need to try Fred in that role as McTominay is best as a box to box or we need to integrate Garner into the role which will be similar to when Carrick played that role therefore a deep lying playmaker who sits in front of the back four and dictates from there.
If not Fred or Garner then it has to be someone brought in as Matic is such a huge and clear weak spot in the team when he plays, if Fred can play that role then him between McTominay up and down the pitch from the right with Pogba doing his own thing from the left of a 3 is the best possible selection until January at the earliest.
In reality we either need to try Fred in that role as McTominay is best as a box to box or we need to integrate Garner into the role which will be similar to when Carrick played that role therefore a deep lying playmaker who sits in front of the back four and dictates from there.
If not Fred or Garner then it has to be someone brought in as Matic is such a huge and clear weak spot in the team when he plays, if Fred can play that role then him between McTominay up and down the pitch from the right with Pogba doing his own thing from the left of a 3 is the best possible selection until January at the earliest.
Marc Roca perhaps? 40m euros release clause. Bayern were heavily linked with him in the Summer but went with the cheaper Cuisance instead, probably to save money for the Coutinho loan fee.
I just had a shit, I am going to keep it and try to sell it to Woody in January, by then it should be really ripe and at least the opposition will have to around it and not just straight past it.
Roca, Berge, Sangare and that sort of player would be available if we came knocking in Jan (IMO). Being in the Europa, in that regard, may be a benefit that allows us to see some astute signings from unexpected places.
What about Zubeldia? Only obstacle is his long contract which would warrant a considerable fee (can't find the data about his release clause).
Think the plan is to give it to Garner . He is too young now but will make the step up in next couple of years.
An older signing would make more sense
An older signing would make more sense
We'd still need an extra DM cause Garner would be the only specialist DM
And it's almost impossible he's thrown into the deep end so quickly anyway when he can barely be in the first team we've not even done that to Greenwood who's our most talented youngster
That's not how top clubs operate, which probably means it's exactly what we are trying to do. If Garner is good enough he'll take the spot when he's ready, we shouldn't be buying old stop-gaps to hold the spot open for him.
If it is the plan we must play him now already, at least once every several games. Garner doesn't grow as a footballer from sitting on the bench (actually, he almost never makes the bench even).
While I agree 100%, its us. So wouldn't be surprised
Any Dutchies want to shed some light on him?
Looked very good against us earlier and at 21 years old could represent a bargain as a ball playing #6.
Looked very good against us earlier and at 21 years old could represent a bargain as a ball playing #6.
Doucouré. 26/27 pl proven, can play cdm and cm, he would be a good adition to the squad.
A cone would do a better job.
We should have let him go in the summer. He adds absolutely nothing. Mourinho’s last dinosaur.
We should have let him go in the summer. He adds absolutely nothing. Mourinho’s last dinosaur.
Yeah against us though; a midfield that contained Matic, Fred and Mata.
But would love to hear more opinions about him from those in the know.
I actually think McTominay could easily be his replacement. He just needs a more mobile partner - what we thought Fred was going to be.
Or what Herrera was and did bloody well at.
Yes!
Rakitic for a couple of years (or for as long as he'll last), until James Garner is ready. Send Garner out on loan. Rakitic has been replaced by de Jong at Barca, so he wants out because he thinks he should be starting. His current contract ends in June 2021. Barca only paid £17m for him. They may want as much as £30m, and he's 30 now. We may get lucky. Perhaps Rakitic will last as long as Scholes or Giggs?
That a terrible idea. Never mind him being on the decline, he is not even a CDM.
Also a bit of a cnut if I remember rightly.
I've wanted Doucoure for years. He'd be an absolute no-brainer of a Herrera replacement - especially if Watford end up relegated, we could nab him for a very reasonable fee. He wouldn't demand enormous wages, either. I'd see this as a complete done deal, if I was manager.
Matic is not a CDM either.
Oh great another player in relegation form. That'll help us
If you're unable to see past the fact he's in a relegation team, that's on you.
Andy Robertson was in a relegated team, for starters. He's since won the CL, reached another CL final, almost won the PL and this season probably will win the PL.
There is pretty few CDMs available on the market that just can stroll in and shore up our midfield. Especially young talented ones. If Pogba decides to stay I would suggest speaking to Juventus about Matuidi. They are stacked in midfield and his contract expires next summer. If he wants it should be perfectly possible to make a deal in January already which would not hinder us financially with any other midfield acquisitions.
Pogba and Matuidi would be a ready made solution for one or two years while we restructure the midfield squad. Add a Longstaff or two, and loan out Garner it might be a start to a solution. We should have gotten at least one midielder in this summer though.
If Pogba and Matic leaves we are looking at buying a completely new midfield squad nxt year. I could add Fred to that as well.
We cant just buy five new midfielders in one summer window. It would be complete madness. Its better to try to bridge the situation that we have put ourselves in; and a Matuidi might do just that.
Pogba and Matuidi would be a ready made solution for one or two years while we restructure the midfield squad. Add a Longstaff or two, and loan out Garner it might be a start to a solution. We should have gotten at least one midielder in this summer though.
If Pogba and Matic leaves we are looking at buying a completely new midfield squad nxt year. I could add Fred to that as well.
We cant just buy five new midfielders in one summer window. It would be complete madness. Its better to try to bridge the situation that we have put ourselves in; and a Matuidi might do just that.
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I'm unable to see past him playing like a player about to get relegated. We have that already from Matic
He would be a good addition but he is not a DM though he can play there. We need a specialist.
Let’s not get into a needless discussion here, but do you really think a player like Rakitic we should be bringing to replace Matic? Rakitic is a completely different player who plays alongside Busquets, the type of player we need to bring in.
I saw something about him being involved in some bad things connected to racism but I don’t know the exact story. However whenever I’ve watched Barcelona play in the last year or so he’s been absolutely terrible. My barca supporting friend absolutely despises him.
When we replace Matic, I think we should try signing the best player for the position like how city and Liverpool do. Instead of doing what we usually do.
I'm sure Liverpool feel bad that they didn't adopt a similar mindset, then. Same as Leicester, they made a nice £60m profit selling their own relegation dud to us this summer.