Shit hold up play and a shit attitude were displayed last night. Do not want.
Romelu Lukaku
- Thread starter Theafonis
- Start date
Don't think Lukaku is what we need. Good player, but he doesn't offer the promise of being a consistently top striker for a top team, and if we buy him for £60 million+ with ~£250,000 per week wages, we'll have to take a significant financial hit once we try to upgrade on him. In some ways, he reminds me of Džeko - a physically gifted striker who can be dominant (though Lukaku is more explosive and stronger) and has a decent eye for goals (for reference, Džeko was once Bundesliga Player of the Year, and scored 67 goals for title winning Wolfsburg in his peak over the course of 2 seasons), but a level below what the elite teams should have (which is why he became marginalized after a while at City as they became more established).
Like him, Lukaku is suited to clubs like Everton (where he is the proverbial star), and he might hit some patches at clubs like Roma - but at the top clubs, you need strikers with the requisite level of technique - they aren't just there to score goals - they also have to bring the other forward into play, they have to see passes, they need heightened spatial awareness because a lot of times they won't be allowed to play with as much freedom when surrounded by better players, etc. - and those are areas where Lukaku can be streaky because he doesn't have the consistent technique or application you'd associate with top forwards.
If you put him ahead of someone like Griezmann, the latter could fall out with Lukaku when he doesn't see easy passes, isn't more judicious wrt. his shots, doesn't consistently bring him into play - which is why it's surprising when you see transfer lists with Lukaku and Griezmann as a combo. You don't build a team by just throwing Player A who scored X amount of goals and Player B who scored Y amount of goals - and then expect them to figure things out and produce X+Y goals as a combination - and United fans should be more appreciative of that given our history with Yorke and Cole. You could also argue that we aren't much better than Everton, so he's the caliber of player we should be targeting, but that's a bit defeatist. The same thing translates to midfield when people want to pair Pogba with another box-to-box midfielder in a pivot - it's counter-intuitive, and limits the potential of both players.
It's going to be tricky - because unlike 2013 when Bayern signed Lewandowski and Chelsea signed Costa, or 2014 when Barcelona signed Suárez - there aren't a lot of better options in the market, but we must be more judicious and resist the temptation of falling for the 'he will score X amount of goals for United' honey trap and look at the bigger picture instead - because we kinda need to calibrate the whole attack and our overall approach in forward areas - not just the 9 position, and Lukaku could restrict what we're trying to build, even though in standalone terms he can be quite productive as a scorer.
Like him, Lukaku is suited to clubs like Everton (where he is the proverbial star), and he might hit some patches at clubs like Roma - but at the top clubs, you need strikers with the requisite level of technique - they aren't just there to score goals - they also have to bring the other forward into play, they have to see passes, they need heightened spatial awareness because a lot of times they won't be allowed to play with as much freedom when surrounded by better players, etc. - and those are areas where Lukaku can be streaky because he doesn't have the consistent technique or application you'd associate with top forwards.
If you put him ahead of someone like Griezmann, the latter could fall out with Lukaku when he doesn't see easy passes, isn't more judicious wrt. his shots, doesn't consistently bring him into play - which is why it's surprising when you see transfer lists with Lukaku and Griezmann as a combo. You don't build a team by just throwing Player A who scored X amount of goals and Player B who scored Y amount of goals - and then expect them to figure things out and produce X+Y goals as a combination - and United fans should be more appreciative of that given our history with Yorke and Cole. You could also argue that we aren't much better than Everton, so he's the caliber of player we should be targeting, but that's a bit defeatist. The same thing translates to midfield when people want to pair Pogba with another box-to-box midfielder in a pivot - it's counter-intuitive, and limits the potential of both players.
It's going to be tricky - because unlike 2013 when Bayern signed Lewandowski and Chelsea signed Costa, or 2014 when Barcelona signed Suárez - there aren't a lot of better options in the market, but we must be more judicious and resist the temptation of falling for the 'he will score X amount of goals for United' honey trap and look at the bigger picture instead - because we kinda need to calibrate the whole attack and our overall approach in forward areas - not just the 9 position, and Lukaku could restrict what we're trying to build, even though in standalone terms he can be quite productive as a scorer.
Indeed, but one would expect him, Ibra and Fellaini to win more. Fellaini regularly loses out to midgets.
So you discribe packed defences arguement. Does can have it in him have the technical ability in tight spaces? Can Dybala lead the line for us and excel against these tight defences. We have Ibrahimovic and still we see the same problems. It's not the striker that is the worry is the wings and midfield who need to open up more spaces. Your arguement has little ground, what you mean is you don't like his style of play. When he repeatedly takes on defenders and creates space because of this. Betenke is too robust, that was his short comings.
No he doesnt
Good footballer, but don't think he'll ever be amongst the best. Big and strong, but lacks the technical ability some other forwards his age have.
I have never seen a forward wasting so many runs and good key passes in one game. He is certainly not our style.
I agree. Even Griezmann would struggle playing up top for us.
Actually think Rondon from WBA has good qualities if people think Lukaku is interesting. I'd think that they're at the same level. By the way, he did much better than Lukaku against Manchester United last week despite playing for a short while, than he did last night. But that's just my thoughts. Maybe I'm wrong...
Absolutely. Any striker would struggle with our lack of creativity.
Well, he loses aerial duelt to much smaller players in the middle of the field quite regularly. In defense, he wins most headers.
true. But if you want my opinion, if you want to win the league you have to sign a world class forward at the prime.
Ibra doesn't struggle to create chances against tight defences, he is just a very poor finisher whereas Lukaku gets nullified against good defences. Lukaku also looks awful whenever I see him for Belgium, where international defences are usually well-organised and facing a Belgium side which dominates possession. Zlatan had a good international record and that was for a weaker side than this Belgium side.
He's not good enough end of.
Dybala would definitely be a better bet, but I am not sure he's the right answer as to succeed in EPL, you need brain and some brawn in terms of athleticism i.e. pace or strength.
Rubbish at OT for the 2nd time in successive seasons, although very well marshalled by our CBs. He really is a flat-track bully.
He's got both
Got no brain though has he assuming you're on about Lukaku.Dybala is quick and strong enough for Serie A but I don't think a team like United would bring out the best in him .. I could see him up front for a City or a Liverpool but we need a more robust forward to take United forward imo.
Admittedly Lukaku has a poor record against the top teams, though it's worth noting he may do better playing for the top teams in those games. Plus he's still young, a striker of his sort generally has a later prime too. With one more goal after 80 minutes he'll have the record for most in a season, and there's quite a few examples of flat track bullies winning titles.
Was talking about dybala and you could also just play martial as the CF. That's when Ibra leaves though
Dybala as a second striker behind a Aubameyang or as a CF/False 9 with two world class wide players either side would bring out the best in him.
With the team United have now.. he would struggle. He'd do well against smaller sides though in home games I reckon.
Martial has lost his natural goal scoring instinct - I think he's lost that feel he had for the 9 position, he would need to be played there week in week out and I don't know if any manager is going to let him do that.
This is the problem and what those who want Ibra out this summer overlook. I also don't think Lukaku is the answer, he's a good player but is usually kept very quiet as soon as he goes up against the top clubs.
As expected, the top scorer in the league is actually a bit shit if he doesn't score for a couple of games.Good grief.
Being top scorer and the transfer talk has gone to his head a bit. Needs to calm down and concentrate or id drop him.
Look at the games we've drawn this year, I'd of taken a flat track bully specialist and the three points.
Remember if you were (if!) to beat the bottom ten teams home and away, that's 60 points you have. Leaving you with 54 to fight for.
Lets say you picked up 33% of these available points, you'd have another 18 points in the bag.
That's 78 points with being conservative in points grabbed against top ten teams and over zealous with teams in the bottom ten.
Consistently smashing the bottom 10-12 teams is what puts you in contention, picking up points around you makes you champions.
I'd take Lukaku and beast the lower teams and use another tactic for the other top four teams.
My 2 cents.
Remember if you were (if!) to beat the bottom ten teams home and away, that's 60 points you have. Leaving you with 54 to fight for.
Lets say you picked up 33% of these available points, you'd have another 18 points in the bag.
That's 78 points with being conservative in points grabbed against top ten teams and over zealous with teams in the bottom ten.
Consistently smashing the bottom 10-12 teams is what puts you in contention, picking up points around you makes you champions.
I'd take Lukaku and beast the lower teams and use another tactic for the other top four teams.
My 2 cents.
He was crap against us at Wembley last year too. Plus i seem to remember him being poor in our away game and against other big teams this season.
It's obvious he's not cut out for the top level games so what would be the point in signing him? We have aspirations to be challenging at the top so thats what we need to build for.
Keown is a moron here.
1) Ashley Williams most experienced player on the pitch?! Not Premier League winner and 2nd most appearances Gareth Barry.
2) Ashley Williams is also the captain of Everton, except for when its Jagielka. Like during the game.
3) Lack of respect? Williams is screaming at him because his hold play wasn't good enough. Wonder if Lukaku screamed at Williams when he went all Lev Yashin and cost Everton the game and his availability for the next game.
How he gets on television is beyond me.
Chelsea bound.
Definitely. To replace Costa.
I don't blame him, perfect chance to now join a top tier club. Does look nailed on to replace Costa at Chelsea. Not sure if that's a great improvement for Chelsea mind even if Costa has been poor recently.
Knowing Chelsea they'll probably sign him for £30 million.
Knowing Chelsea they'll probably sign him for £30 million.
We should go for him at a low fee. Pogba is a good whisperer.
Yep signing again with Everton at this stage would be silly. He will be at his prime and have the pick of clubs he wants to join.
If he accepts that he's more drogba than fernando torres and starts playing seriously with his back to the goal, he'll be a monster. Maybe as good as Drogba
More prolific than Drogba, I feel. Not as good a player but will probably finish his career with more goals. Certainly better goals to games.
Another goal.
For all that people say he'd struggle against teams who pack the box and defend deep, most of his goals this season have come against the sort of weaker sides you'd expect to do just that.
For all that people say he'd struggle against teams who pack the box and defend deep, most of his goals this season have come against the sort of weaker sides you'd expect to do just that.
Not against Everton
That was a bit of a monster goal
I don't really agree with that.
He's bagged a hatful against teams we haven't. He'd be a good signing even if he just scored against those outside the top 6.
Yes but not for our overall aspirations and not for 70m. I'm on the fence with him, I think hes a good player wouldn't mind him here but I'm not fully convinced hes the level required.
Honestly, I'd be happy with Lukaku. Can dream of Neymar and the likes, but better to get Lukaku than no one.