We must have had at least 100 million in midfield talent targets lined up when we signed him, no?
Sergej Milinkovic Savic
- Thread starter R'hllor
- Start date
Doubt it. Moyes wanted him.
There is no way he can be anything other than a backup plan, he signed at the start of September for 27.5 million after a 22 million buy out clause expired earlier in the window. Fact is we have a precedent for doing slightly odd transfers dealings after missing out on what were clearly higher priority targets. In fact off the top of my head it might have been this window where we bid 100 million for Bale even though he clearly wanted to go to Real Madrid.
we might as well go all out, spend a billion. we just need to get the in game editor dlc.So near half a billion in 1 window
I agree with this but I am not sure about the part in bold. Maybe he did it intentionally due to the fact that he wanted to play higher up in the pitch, but he did not do his job properly in defence this season. Started of really good, but looked careless and did not track back well for at least the last half of the season.
Pogba feels like the elephant in the room at the moment. Our most talented player, but if he does not give us enough effort on our own half of the pitch I struggle to see how he will fit in as an 8. I agree with you that he looks a bit lost further up the pitch. Being a "ten" require a lot in terms of off ball movement. I dont think Pogba has it in him. Its almost as if he lacks intensity and desire off the ball. Too arrogant. Too "needy".
A player like Fred looks like a very complete box-to-box midfielder. But he looks more like a natural option to Pogba, with more intensity and less flair, than a good partner. Like Pogba he operates best in between both boxes, and is a good passer of the ball. Fred looks like an "eight", and a player that can help us control the game. But he will not give us much needed movement on the last third.
So who will? Milinkovic-Savic? I struggle to see it. I've not seen a lot of Milinkovic-Savic, but like several others I cant help feel he is a bit too similar to Paul Pogba. Milinkovic-Savics expected goal statistics does not indicate that he is a lot better than Pogba at getting. Actually Pogba is at an expected goal per 90 of 0,33, while Milinkovic-Savic is at 0,21. And Milinkovic-Savic played in one of the best attacking teams in Italy. Expected goals do not give you the whole picture, but players that gets a lot of chances often have good movement on the last third. Expected goals will also be higher for players that shoots a lot.
I do feel that what we miss a player in our team that is in accordance with Mourinhos description of his perfect ten:
“For me a number 10 does a lot of things, with the ball and without the ball. So for me a number 10 is a very special player in my team.
“With a system of two midfield players and one number 10, I demand a lot from a number 10.
“I like a number 10 to score goals. I like a number 10 to get in the box. I like a number 10 to score goals like Oscar's against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“A number 10 for me is an eight-and-a-half when the team loses the ball, and the number 10 is a nine-and-a-half when the team has the ball.
“Who is my perfect number 10? Wesley Sneijder and Deco. Because they could defend, get in the box and finish goals? Yes.”
£96m? Regardless of how rich we are, surely that is BS? Especially since we're already signing a £43m Fred.
feck the midfielders, I just want a RW and two full backs
.So far, if news is to be believed we're signing:
Toby - £50m
Sandro - £40m
Fred - £40m
Dalot - £20m
Savic - £100m
Surely, even for us we can't afford all those players and if we do, we won't be able afford a RW?.
We don't have any midfield that can hold the ball under pressure. We don't have a midfield which plays the ball forward. We don't have a midfield which does the basics right. If we ignore all that before the next season starts, I would rather not keep any hope.£96m? Regardless of how rich we are, surely that is BS? Especially since we're already signing a £43m Fred.
feck the midfielders, I just want a RW and two full backs
So far, if news is to be believed we're signing:
Toby - £50m
Sandro - £40m
Fred - £40m
Dalot - £20m
Savic - £100m
Surely, even for us we can't afford all those players and if we do, we won't be able afford a RW?.
Thankfully jose is looking to freshen things up in the centre of the park
Ya I understand that but we're weaker in other areas. I just hope, if we do sign those midfielders for big money it doesn't affect our budget for other areas.
I can't see us being able to spend more than £200m. Which isn't great considering we need 6 players. (LB, RB, CMx2, CB, RW)
I'm pretty sure we are in for a very interesting summer. I would sit back, relax and watch the world cup. The press knows feck all about our targets.
No one has reported that we have bid for him. Romano just yesterday reiterated there has been no approach from us for Sandro. I don't know where this impression has come up that we are signing him for sure.£96m? Regardless of how rich we are, surely that is BS? Especially since we're already signing a £43m Fred.
feck the midfielders, I just want a RW and two full backs
So far, if news is to be believed we're signing:
Toby - £50m
Sandro - £40m
Fred - £40m
Dalot - £20m
Savic - £100m
Surely, even for us we can't afford all those players and if we do, we won't be able afford a RW?.
That's £250m, not out of the question if we recoup £50m from transfers.£96m? Regardless of how rich we are, surely that is BS? Especially since we're already signing a £43m Fred.
feck the midfielders, I just want a RW and two full backs
So far, if news is to be believed we're signing:
Toby - £50m
Sandro - £40m
Fred - £40m
Dalot - £20m
Savic - £100m
Surely, even for us we can't afford all those players and if we do, we won't be able afford a RW?.
We are a rich, rich club, who is playing catch up massively to it's closest rivals. We shouldn't be afraid to loosen the purse strings, especially when we have obvious deficiencies and tour rivals will also be strengthening.
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If he’s been identified as a key purchase I hope we go all in. Don’t want moaning about us not getting the players we wanted during the season, sick of that crap.
I don’t actually see what he changes if we sign him? Like others have said the big money should be spent elsewhere. As in the big money signing. I’d rather the money went on Bale.
Neither do I, unless Matic drops to the bench and Fred is the DM? Or the Fred rumours are bullshit?
Yes but it doesn't budget for a RW. One position we've been screaming out for.
Obviously I've no idea of how much we'll spend. I'm just basing it off what we usual invest.
football money has reached the stage where I'm beyond caring what United pay for players. My only concern is that when we do buy players they are the ones the manager wants and not just high profile tweet multipliers.
To be honest I cant think of a RW that I'd want that is obviously available. I am totally against the idea of Willian, Bale is now surely off the cards and the Mahrez is off to City. I agree we need to strengthen at RW but don't see an obvious choice, do you?
Transfer windows make fans greedy. Every player signed by other club is better.
If we are signing player A and Liverpool buying player B, so B>>A. If clubs shift the deals in the last minute, then A>>B.
Also nobody seems to take in consideration what the coach really need in his team/system. SMS is a top player? Yes, of course! Mourinho is going to play with SMS and Pogba in the same line up on a regular basis to justify the investment? I dont think so. Maybe in video game.
If we are signing player A and Liverpool buying player B, so B>>A. If clubs shift the deals in the last minute, then A>>B.
Also nobody seems to take in consideration what the coach really need in his team/system. SMS is a top player? Yes, of course! Mourinho is going to play with SMS and Pogba in the same line up on a regular basis to justify the investment? I dont think so. Maybe in video game.
I see where you're coming from but Willian (Although 30) would improve us massively when you compare him to Mata or Lingard as a winger. Rashford didn't exactly light the right hand side up either.
Willan would be perfect for now. It’s true as well RW is a priority and don’t see the need for us to spend big on two CM’s we only need one and another as an alternative. Sergi just seems like a Pogba.
That's an astonishing sum. Granted he looks an incredible talent equal if not better than Pogba.
Lets say we sign this guy, Fred, and Pogba stays, how the feck do we line up? Can't see a balanced midfield with both Pogba and Savic in it as they are both similar in terms of style of play and position on the pitch. Matic is dm, so where would Fred Pogba and Savic fit in? None will accept not starting regularly so I can't see us getting Savic unless Pogba is off, and I'd rather keep Pogba.
I agree. City has just literally given us a whooping. This is no time for playing no stakes poker. We need to swing and swing hard. We need to put those guys back in their place and fast. If we allow a gap increase, I am afraid, we might end up playing catch up for another decade or so. Get the money out and gamble on Mourinho to change things. If he doesn't by next season, replace him.
@R'hllor what do you think of all this?
I'm all for this guy.
If we are committing to a 4-3-3 then signing SMS and Fred would give us 5 quality midfielders for 3 positions. That seems about the right balance. A starting midfield of Matic, Pogba and SMS with Herrera and Fred on the bench is not over the top for a club of our stature. Carrick and Fellaini are off the books don't forget.
That would leave Sanchez and Martial for the left hand side and Lingard & Mata for the right with Lukaku and Rashford our striker options. We have a number of players to sell this summer and could save fortunes in wages even without the biggest fees in the world coming in. We could even sell Mata & Martial to fund a move for Bale/another RW and use Andreas Pereira and Rashford as backup left winger for Sanchez.
Why do people keep saying Savic and Pogba are too similar to play together?!
I don't get it. Pogba has shown in the last two seasons that he prefers to play further forward especially on the left of a midfield three. Savic on the other hand is your classical complete midfielder in the truest sense of that description. Box to box, holding, playmaking, AM, DM, the guy is comfortable playing them.
If we get him, I will be absolutely fine with a midfield of Matic, Fred, Pogba, Savic, Mata, Herrera and McTominay. That's the kind of depth and quality that win you titles and make you a threat in Europe. Madrid just played a cup final with a first team midfield consisting of Modric, Isco, Casimero, Kroos, Asensio, Kovacic and Llorente while City just ran away with the EPL title with a first team midfield consisting of: Kevin De Bruyne, Silva, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure. That's if you don't want to count Sane and Sterling as midfielders.
I say get him if we can't get Isco.
I don't get it. Pogba has shown in the last two seasons that he prefers to play further forward especially on the left of a midfield three. Savic on the other hand is your classical complete midfielder in the truest sense of that description. Box to box, holding, playmaking, AM, DM, the guy is comfortable playing them.
If we get him, I will be absolutely fine with a midfield of Matic, Fred, Pogba, Savic, Mata, Herrera and McTominay. That's the kind of depth and quality that win you titles and make you a threat in Europe. Madrid just played a cup final with a first team midfield consisting of Modric, Isco, Casimero, Kroos, Asensio, Kovacic and Llorente while City just ran away with the EPL title with a first team midfield consisting of: Kevin De Bruyne, Silva, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure. That's if you don't want to count Sane and Sterling as midfielders.
I say get him if we can't get Isco.
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Gundogan and Bernardo weren't first choice and were far more attacking. Delph played as a LB
The key guy for them was Fernandinho who you didn't mention;true workhorse
Thanks. Fernandinho added.
The point about Gundogan and Bernardo is that they gave that City midfield insane depth in quality.
SMS reminds me a lot of Lampard in the way he could become a 20 goal scorer from midfield. I wonder if Mourinho is trying to recreate the balance of 2005 era Chelsea.
2005 Chelsea team.
Makelele
Essien Lampard
Robben Joe Cole/Duff
Drogba
2018/19 Man Utd
Matic
SMS Pogba
Mata? Sanchez
Lukaku
or
Matic
Pogba Fred
Mata? Sanchez
Lukaku
Btw - Fred is left-footed and yet everyone has him on the right side of a midfield three with Pogba on the left of the midfield three. Surely it would be the other way round. I wouldn't be surprised if Mourinho wants to move Pogba to the right-hand side and have Fred on the left to separate Sanchez and Pogba as they seem to get in each other's way.
2005 Chelsea team.
Makelele
Essien Lampard
Robben Joe Cole/Duff
Drogba
2018/19 Man Utd
Matic
SMS Pogba
Mata? Sanchez
Lukaku
or
Matic
Pogba Fred
Mata? Sanchez
Lukaku
Btw - Fred is left-footed and yet everyone has him on the right side of a midfield three with Pogba on the left of the midfield three. Surely it would be the other way round. I wouldn't be surprised if Mourinho wants to move Pogba to the right-hand side and have Fred on the left to separate Sanchez and Pogba as they seem to get in each other's way.
In a possession based team as City, having technical and passing players suits the "system".
Mourinho/United the last two seasons does not wan't the ball, thus playing two technical and somewhat slow players would not suit the "system" they are played in. If we start playing a possession/attacking system, with a "Kante-esque" CDM next season, then the system would suit them playing together.
Spend the money on Bale
Good point.
Maybe the interest in getting Savic and Fred plus two new full backs is an indication of a desire to change the way we play?
I am sure many of us will find that to be a big relief.
I'd prefer buying Bale over Sergej (as likely to happen that is now we don't know) as we need a RW desperately, and with Fred more than likely coming where's the space for Savic? There's only one way I see this working which would be playing a 4-1-2-1-2 formation, where Sergej is in CAM position - Fred and Pogba behind him then Matic in CDM. I don't believe we'd get the best out of Pogba in that formation either.
I'd say buy Bale, play a 4-3-3 with Matic, Pogba and Fred/Sergej in the center - then Sanchez---Lukaku---Bale as the forwards. Or just drop Matic? Play Fred in CDM and buy both Bale and Sergej? And do we have enough money to do that? We'll have to wait and see I guess.
I'd say buy Bale, play a 4-3-3 with Matic, Pogba and Fred/Sergej in the center - then Sanchez---Lukaku---Bale as the forwards. Or just drop Matic? Play Fred in CDM and buy both Bale and Sergej? And do we have enough money to do that? We'll have to wait and see I guess.
Hopefully it is, but doubt it.
I would not sign Fred (£45m?) and Savic(more than £60m) for the rumored prices. Better and cheaper alternatives available.
Either Mata and lingard at right wing is honking.
I actually see Fred as two footed. Yes, he uses his left more and its stronger but he is certainly not like your typical one footed player. His long or through passes for instance are almost equal in quality when he uses either leg. I think the best thing about getting Fred is that he is an all round midfield player. People are worried about how Savic will combine with Pogba if we get him. I hink the more tricky challenge for Jose will be how to play Fred and Savic together because they are both very comfortable playing as utility players. But I believe they can play well together if properly deployed.
I think Jose can finally be written off as a modern manager if he gets two new full backs, a ball playing center back, improves his midfield quality, gets a RW and still continues to get his team play poor football.