I don't think we need a stop gap.
I'd rather make do with Martial upfront and Rashford in rotation than sign someone who'd be deadwood in 6 months time.
Mentioned Suarez a while back. I mean, football wise; it’s hard to find a better stop gap alternative. But…
What do you do if Martial limps of the field in mid January?
One guy I actually think would be a really good fit is Joshua King. His pressing is second to none. He isn’t a bad player, has rounded out his game really well over the years. Very loyal team player.
Could he be had from Fernerbaché? I think so. He haven’t played a ton for them this season. If we come knocking, I think they let him go to pursue his dream.
With that said — is he fit?
I don't think we need a stop gap.
I'd rather make do with Martial upfront and Rashford in rotation than sign someone who'd be deadwood in 6 months time.
Mentioned Suarez a while back. I mean, football wise; it’s hard to find a better stop gap alternative. But…
Wash your mouth out with soap and water!
I was shouted down saying I wouldn't rule it out - time will tell.
The trick is to sign someone who won't end up being deadwood.
So a short-term contract, or a loan, or someone who will continue to at least be a good enough squad option.
Mentioned Suarez a while back. I mean, football wise; it’s hard to find a better stop gap alternative. But…
It's possible and as I mentioned in another thread, cancelling his contract (mutually) and allowing him to leave sends out the wrong kind of message e.g. if you want to leave, bad mouth the club and off you go.
WHAT!?!
I'd rather be on the end of a gloryhole.
I'd like us to sign Gapko in January and see if how he fares in a central position. I mean it worked with Henry at Arsenal - wasn't he a winger at Juventus/Monaco?
Yep there's not many players that would cause utter revulsion. But he's certainly one.
Oliver GiroudWith the mainstream centre forward market thread more about longer term solutions - who probably won’t be attainable in January - this is about who can we get for a quick fix until the end of the season, with Ronaldo no longer playable (or gone) and Martial made of papier mache
Realistically, we’re looking at something like either a loan, a cheaper transfer on a shortish term contract, or someone lower profile that we can take a punt on, whilst using relatively little funds.
Who can we get?
Giroud
we give them Ronaldo????He's a starter for AC Milan. They are second in Seria A and they still playing in the CL. Why would he move to us and why would they sell him?
The only option would be throwing money at both. He will ask for an 18 month contract for quite a bit of money and AC will ask for a serious compensation to boot.
He also played as the lone striker for France in the latter years of his international career no? I recall it was him upfront with Zidane playing behind.Yeah, but it was a little different since he played in a 4-4-2 next to Berkamp. But at Barca he was the lone striker.
Yeah, but it was a little different since he played in a 4-4-2 next to Berkamp. But at Barca he was the lone striker.
we give them Ronaldo????
Yes.Do what we did for much of the first 3 months. Play Rashford there and have Elanga as last resort. Sancho and Garnacho can take care of the left wing.
Oliver Giroud
19 apps 9 goals (4 in champs league) 5 assists in 1,199 minutes of football
Can hold the ball up and link with the best of them. Was quite effective for Chelsea
He's just signed for Roma after leaving his previous club on a free. He wanted to play for Mourinho so badly that even though they couldn't afford to sign him, he waited an extra two weeks unemployed until they sold someone and turned down the likes of Wolves during that time. It would take a big effort to move him from there and the Italians don't tend to do so well outside of Italy these days.Will belotti work? Seems like someone with decent holdup play and goals in him.
Pretty sure his goals against Arsenal were after he moved to the left. He's not a CF, he will never be a CF, he possesses virtually none of the skills required for that role.Started 7 games this year as CF and scored 3. Most goals on the team with 4 this season.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Mentioned Suarez a while back. I mean, football wise; it’s hard to find a better stop gap alternative. But…
I'd definitely go for Cody Gakpo in January as another top wide striker option, and just hope Martial and / or Rashford can stay fit and deliver enough goals as #9's until the summer
If Martial gets injured (again), or both he and Rashford return to struggling for goals, then it may feel a long second half to the season. But I can't see any #9 that we can realistically bring in in January that would help much with that.
#9's are a rarity. Top quality ones even more so. Top quality ones available in January - permanent or short term - are pretty much non existent.
Gakpo is a player we clearly like. Bringing him in would provide extra attacking cover and give us the time to address the much needed top quality #9 addition in the summer as planned.
Fair point about Garnacho.Gakpo wouldn't be a stop gap (this thread is about stop gaps). I also fundamentally struggle to understand why we need another guy who's primarily a LW after the recent emergence of Garnacho. We now already have 3 players (Rashford, Sancho, Garnacho) who primarily play there.
Is he going to come in in January to a new club, in a new league and try to adjust to a new position as #9 as well? How likely is it that he will be immediately useful that way?
I was shouted down saying I wouldn't rule it out - time will tell.
Pretty sure his goals against Arsenal were after he moved to the left. He's not a CF, he will never be a CF, he possesses virtually none of the skills required for that role.
